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.

First tooth

Another Milestone...Preston is in 1st grade AND he lost his first tooth. All he can say about school is that it is LOOONNGG. (And he is wearing Christian's old soccer shirt that we bought in Denmark 12 years ago...it's still in great shape!)

Go BYU!

We had a fun quick trip to Utah for Labor Day weekend. We cheered on the cougars to defeat the U of W Huskies (well, we lost our tickets so had to cheer them on from outside the stadium, but that is a whole other story!) We spent time with Christian, Bethany and Sean and waved to Emily in the MTC.

Bowling at the Wilkinson Center and hair cut at BYU barber shop.

GO COUGARS! BYU beat U of W in the season opener 23-17.

Fun at our hotel with Ben and Rachel...

Katie's dream come true....The John Schmidt concert at Thanksgiving Point.

On our drive home...Promontory point Historical Site where the east and west railroads met in 1869...the country had rail service from Atlantic to Pacific.

Out on the Utah desolate land where ATK makes and tests rocket boosters--so cool!

Milestones

CHRISTIAN

In August Christian was ordained an Elder along with 4 others in his priests quorum. All these boys are moving on to bigger and better challenges. Brady, Ben, Loren, Kyle and Christian.

Christian has moved into the Helaman dorms and is in BYU heaven. Seriously, I have never seen him so happy and excited about life. He loves the guys in his dorm, the sporting events, the cute girls, the happy atmosphere and hopefully his classes. We visited him for Labor day weekend and asked him if he needed anything from home that he had forgotten...he said, "Yes! I would love my tennis racquet, a volleyball and a football." We hope he remembers to study.

EMILY

In August Emily performed in "Broadway Revue". She sang "Vanilla Ice Cream" and in the finale she played Mary Poppins and sang "Supercalifragilistic" She was adorable.

On August 18th Emily entered the Missionary Training Center where she is preparing to serve an 18 month mission on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Her best buddy from childhood, Morgan, will also be going on a mission: leaving in October for Ecuador. We love these girls and will miss them! Can't wait to hear all about their uplifting adventures. If you want to follow Emily's mission letters, just click on her picture to the right and it will go to her mission blog.

50

In July, we celebrated Mike's 50th Birthday! Wow, what a wonderful milestone. Mike is such a wonderful husband and father and we love him so much! Looking forward to 50 more wonderful years.

BETHANY and SEAN

After a wonderful whirlwind wedding, our newlyweds are getting settled into their first apartment. They had an amazing honeymoon in Costa Rica and then went to Texas to pick up beautiful furniture provided by Sean's mom. We are excited to see what the future holds for this new family.

Wedding day!

Here are some favorite pictures from wedding day and reception day...more to come.

Reception prep

Saturday was a hot and busy day getting ready for the reception and ring ceremony that evening. Here are some fun pictures to document just some of the helpers.

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The boys had to try out the golf carts to make sure they could make it up the hill with a big load. These people movers were a real hit to get everyone from the upper or lower parking areas to the reception. Our drivers were Anthony, Ben G. and Jordan---they did a great job and always came back with a smile on their face.

LaRene was my kitchen coordinator and had everything organized and under control!

Rachel, Kennedy and Hannah used Grandma's kitchen to put together 400 yummy cream cheese and fruit tarts. Mmm, mmm, good.

In the basement kitchen, MaryLu and Kathy took care of the chocolate cups with mousse and bavarian cream filling. They turned the chocolate cups into yummy works of art!

Everyone helped! We swept, watered, put out the chairs and tables, carpets, piano, umbrellas and tents, tableclothes, centerpieces, etc. What a wonderful team of Betteridge/Bateman helpers. I love my family!

Grandma made the signs and Ben delivered them to locations leading to our home so no one would get lost.