We've finally found suits for all our boys! Gotta love thrift stores!
What you see before you is four future missionaries! We belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. All of them are carrying copies of the Book of Mormon. They're almost ready to go out and share the gospel of Jesus Christ to all the world! (Well, maybe in about 15-18 years when they've grown a little more.)
In our church young men are expected to serve a full-time mission for 2 years they can apply for this when they are 19 years old (at their own expense). Young women aren't expected to serve missions because their primary responsibilities are to become a wife and mother. But, if they don't have marriage prospects by the time they are 21 they can apply to serve a full-time mission for 18 months. Young men and women are sent all over the world preaching the gospel in many languages.
They teach that Christ was born on this earth!
That he atoned for our sins, died for us, and was resurrected making it possible for us to return to God our Heavenly Father after we die.
They teach that there is a LIVING PROPHET on the earth today! President Thomas S. Monson (who is pictured below in the center, the other two are his counselors) is the prophet of God on the earth! He teaches us under the direction of the Lord Jesus Christ who is the head of our church. Oh how we love our prophet dear.
Brigham, Rebekah, and Marc love to sing the song, "Follow the Prophet" as they march around the house. They recognize pictures of him and when asked who the prophet is today they replay with "Thomas Monson" or "President Monson". Well, most of the time... A few months ago I asked Marc "Who is the prophet today?" He said "Thomas the train." : ) Well, I guess for a three year old that's close... maybe.
Brigham, Rebekah, Marc, and Hyrum are preparing for missions not only by dressing like them, but by learning about Jesus. They are learning to pray, they are learning the scripture stories, they are learning the articles of faith.
Brigham's favorite article of faith (which he has memorized along with about 4 others) is "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are first faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, repentance; third baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Marc's favorite one is "We believe the bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God."
Rebekah's favorite is "We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church, namely apostles, prophets, pastors, teacher, evangelists and so forth."
Hyrum's favorite one is, as he says: "Holy Ghost" He doesn't have his memorized yet, but he's still really young. "We believe in God the Eternal Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."
Looks like Hyrum tried to paint his head as well as the pumpkin.
Timothy painted "creepy" music on his pumpkin. 
They all had a good time, but we were cleaning up paint for quite a while after wards.
We didn't ride out to the patch because of the cost, but they got to pick one of the pre-picked ones. 
They've been talking about it and want to paint their pumpkins now, so we're looking forward to that activity.
Marc 15 months old
Marc 2 years old
Marc 3 years old
He was so excited to be able to go to school. He's very sad that there isn't a bus for his class, though. So, he has to ride in the "white van" to school. His head start teachers are very expereinced. One has been teaching at headstart for 17 years and another has been teaching for about 30. They are amazing teachers and his classroom is full of top quality martials. He really lucked out getting into the program he did, because not all of the head starts around here are top quality. 
Brigham is starting a new preschool. His first day was Tuesday. He was so excited to ride a big school bus. He was all ready about 20 minutes early. Then, about the time his bus was supposed to come we waited outside.
Then waiting in the driveway.
Finally, the bus comes!
He got to sit next to his friend, "Miss K", who is the only child care child I have right now. She just happened to be in the same special needs preschool and rides the same bus. (Makes it easier for the bus driver on days she's at our house.)
This is the result. Brigham was a little disappointed when he first saw it because he was expecting a cake shaped like a dinosaur, but I reassured him that this was his dinosaur cake and he was happy with it.
Playing in the yard after cake and ice cream
Five of us had a great time and got a little or a lot wet depending on the person.
One person, the main questioner of the questions above, was not happy to be at the beach. He decided he was scared of the beach. We've taken him to the beach before and he was just fine- no problems. But this time was different for some reason and we can't figure out why. But, the rest of us had a good time.
Brigham, Rebekah, and Marc love to sing the song, "Follow the Prophet" as they march around the house. They recognize pictures of him and when asked who the prophet is today they replay with "Thomas Monson" or "President Monson". Well, most of the time... A few months ago I asked Marc "Who is the prophet today?" He said "Thomas the train." : ) Well, I guess for a three year old that's close... maybe.
