Halloween 2024

 Halloween 2024 was a fun and busy time for us!  We miraculously manged to have no one sick the week of Halloween so we all made it to all 3 Trick or Treats (school, church, neighborhood)!  I'm pretty sure it's the first year that has ever happened so that was pretty fun but also made for being pretty crazy and the kids having way too much candy! I was also in charge of the Ward Trunk or Treat at the church again so I was pretty busy getting that all handled!

Katie, Madi, and myself all dressed as witches this year and Colton and Zach both dressed as minecraft characters.  It was fun being all matchy :). 

The Johansens (Alexis and Talia) came and joined me and the younger kids to walk around our neighborhood trick or treating and Colton went around with his buddies Cason and Oliver.  It was actually pretty cold this year so we didn't stay out the entire 2 hours like we have other years.  I think a combination of the cold and the fact that the kids already had candy from 2 other trunk-or-treats made them decide it was ok to drop out early on Beggars Night (Iowa Halloween- Oct. 30).  

Zach's Baptism

 

Zachary Paul Day was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints the day after his 8th birthday, October 21, 2023.  He was baptized in the Ankeny, Iowa LDS church building by his dad Jon Day.  Zach had lots of family and friends come to support him including Grandma and Grandpa Rider (who came from Idaho) and Grandma Day, Uncle Mike, Aunt Lisa, & Emily, Uncle Mark, Aunt Jenna, and Olive, Reed, Isla, and Jack (all from Minnesota).  He also had lots of friends from both Ankeny Wards come to support.  The baptism was short and sweet and we celebrated with lots of cookies I had made afterwards.  Family came over to our house after the baptism and we had pulled pork that Brother Colvin form the ward brought over for everyone.  It was so nice of him!  

Zach said the water was really warm and he felt the spirit, but I think the thing he'll remember most was that he got to swim to the bottom of the font after his baptism to pull the plug. He was pretty happy about that!

Zach turns 8!

My youngest boy turned 8 years old!  It's hard to believe!  Zach is such a fun kid with a sweet spirit!  We are so blessed to have him in our family.  Zach is very smart and determined and picks up on most things quickly.  He's the kid who learned how to ride without training wheels at 3 years old because his older siblings could and he didn't want to be left behind and he learned in about a day or two.  If he decides he wants something he goes after it.  He is very active and loves to be involved.   He loves a spotlight and participating in talent shows or other things when given the chance.  He has participated in soccor, basketball, parkour classes, and ninjaU classes and does well at all!  He would love if I kept letting him do NinjaU classes forever but it gets pretty pricey month after month.  He wishes he could do football and wrestling but we haven't found any good leagues that don't play on Sunday for those yet.  He gets plenty of practice around the house and with dad and friends though.   

Zach had to get his tonsils out this year and while he hated the recovery part, he was really brave about the process.  Its been a bit weird cause my little snoring boy who has snored every night since he was a baby -no longer snores!  His room is so quiet at night!  Zach is pretty brave in all aspects of his life and wants to put on a tough front, even when he is faking it.  He likes to boast that nothing scares him. 

For Zach's birthday this year we had a party at Urban Air with his friends and siblings.  They had a tons of fun.  Zach could have played for hours running around, riding the sky rider, and playing dodge ball with his buddies.  That is his happy place.  He picked donuts instead of cake to have with his friends and pumpkin pie to have with his family at home.  

Zach was also lucky to have Grandma and Grandpa Rider in town for his birthday since they had come into town for his baptism.  We got to spend the day showing them around Center Grove Orchard- one of Zach's favorite places- the day before his birthday. 

We had lots of fun celebrating Zach this year!  

Favorite Food:  Chik Fil A Nuggets or Jimmy Johns veggie sandwiches

Favorite Treat:  Cookie dough ice cream

Favorite Color:  Gold

Favorite Sport:  Soccer, Basketball, & Football

Favorite Movie or Show: Avengers, Minecraft Youtube Videos

Other Favorite Things:  Minecraft, Minnesota Vikings, Watching TV, Playing with Friends at Recess

When he grows up: An Accountant like his dad maybe