Katie and Friends

Katie is always having fun with her friends. Here are a few pictures from the last couple months....fun with cousin Kelsey, swim team, EFY at UPS, Stanford swim camp, Girls Camp, Curtis HS Football games, train trip to Portland with Madison and Savannah, 4th year hike, dinner at Stanfords with Bateman cousins. Ahhh, the life of a busy and active teenager.

Funny Moments: Hannah and Preston

Funny comments by kids are a daily occurrence around here but I've got to record them or they will soon be forgotten! Here are a few:

Since the Spring, Preston has been obsessed with baseball. It started with watching the Mariners play on TV. He was very interested in the innings, the scores, the statistics (this goes well with his number obsession). Even though we are now into soccer season, he still wants to play catch or have anyone pitch him some balls for practice. Today I pitched him a few balls outside and asked him what position he would like to play. He said, "I want to play pitcher and I really want to be in the National league so I can pitch and also hit the ball." haha... He has grand plans for the future.

Hannah asked several times over the last year if we could go to the Mall and get a pretzel. I kept putting her off and told her the next time we went together that we would definitely get a pretzel. So, it took us a months or nearly a year to get to the mall together. When we finally bought the pretzels, we took them to go and we were eating them in the car. Hannah was in the back seat eating her pretzel and making some strange noises as she ate. I wasn't sure if she was groaning or moaning or choking and so I asked, "Hannah, are you okay? What are you doing back there?" She replied..."Mom, that is the sound of happiness!"

One day last Spring when Preston was protesting bedtime: "I'm changing my style. I'm changing my bedtime."

Preston on a Monday morning while getting ready for school: "School is just so long. It is my worst nightmare. They are torturing me there Mom!" Then a few days later he started to explain to me how he feels during the school day. "Mom, do you know what it feels like when I'm at school? Well, the work isn't too hard and I can do it okay. But I just feel like I'm their SLAVE!". I guess he better get used to it---he's got a long 12-16 years of school ahead.

Preston calls this his romantic pose.

Preston and Hannah...growing up fast...age 6 and 11.

**Just thought of another funny moment while talking to Hannah. She and Preston sometimes go at each other and I was trying to explain to her that he is younger and that we were working with him on some of his "issues" and trying to help him learn manners etc..... She looked at me and asked, "Is he going to need to go to counseling?"

Sigh, I guess a sign of the times we live in.

Sister Emily Bateman on Temple Square

Emily left for her mission on August 18th and is doing fantastic. She loved her month in the MTC (Missionary Training Center). Now she is on Temple Square giving tours and sharing her testimony with those who come to visit. Her first assignment has been on the South side of the square. She greets visitors and takes them to wherever they would like to visit. The first picture below was taken by my brother Loren who was visiting SLC for General Conference and he ran into her and took this picture on his phone. She looks so happy!

Doing laundry in the MTC with her first companion, Sister Moore.

With the other gals in her district...all going to SLC except for Sister Paz on the right who is going to Montreal.

With President and Sister Holmes when she first arrived in SLC.

In the MTC Emily was able to sing for Mission Conference, "Lord, Accept our True Devotion". Sister Kaylie Pence accompanied her on the piano. She is going to the Philippines mission.