Coulee Dam

Chris' parents grew up around Coulee Dam.  Both of this Grandfathers worked on the dam.  Chris has fond memories of visiting and staying with his Grandma and Bompa Walker in Coulee Dam.  Chris and his family took me there when we were newly weds.  Then Chris and I took Chad and Halle there when they were little (we left Sean with Chris' parents).  So we thought it was time we took another trip there to show our children the sites and where some of their family comes from.  My parents were also with us.  I thought my Dad would enjoy a tour of the dam as he is an engineer and helped work on the Jordanelle Dam in Utah.

The first thing that interested the boys was playing with an old diving suit.

Sean behind the mask and looking serious.

Chad's turn and having a laugh.

I loved looking at all the old style knobs and buttons.  How did we live pre-digital?

Just a small showing of all the equipment used to pump the water.

A pretty impressive accomplishment.

Nanny and Grandpa at Coulee Dam with the grandkids.

Three columns and three kids.

A view of the big pile of dirt next to Chris' grandma's house.  You can also see where a fire had burned through just a few days earlier.

Our family at Coulee Dam.

Action shot of Sean.

Another family picture.  The boys don't have sun glasses - can't quite look at the camera in the bright sunlight.

 

After our little tour of Coulee dam and a nice lunch at a local restaurant we continued on to Fort Spokane for our Glenrose Ward camp-out.  We enjoyed great weather, had fun swimming in the river, having tin-foil dinners, games, and camping out.

The next day we moved up to Porcupine Bay where we had several members volunteer their boats for use.  Chris and I where able to ski and wake board.  The kids had a great time on the tubes.  My mom and dad enjoyed watching the kids swim.  But after a whirlwind weekend of fun it was also great to finally go home, have a hot shower and sleep in a real bed again.

Sean having way too much fun with the left over "Cupcake" pinata.

 I wish I had more pictures of the camp out and boating.  I'm always to scared to bring my camera along in case something happens to it.  Maybe I need to invest in a smaller and cheaper camera to take on adventures with me.

 

Baptisms of Halle and Chad

As life goes along there are big moments, lots of little moments, and lots and lots of minute but time sucking daily stuff.  It is all that little stuff that seems to bog me down and squish out the big moments.  After writing about Sean's baptism I realized that I had never written about Halle's baptism or Chad's baptism.  How could I over look the biggest moments in their lives so far?!  So now it is time to catch up.

Halle's Baptism

Halle was very ready and well prepared to be baptized.  She takes everything very seriously and studiously.  She also has a big brother and was looking forward to following in his footsteps.

Halle's baptism was shared by two other eight year old children from our ward - Dawson Hone, and Annika Genthe during out Stake Baptism.  Although there were three of them, they all get along well and were excited to share their special day with each other.  The Genthe's prepared a slide show of Halle, Dawson, and Annika with lots of baby pictures and other pictures of the kids through their years.  It was a really nice program.

Both sets of Grandparents where able to make it to Halle's baptism along with Jeff's family.  For some reason I didn't get any pictures of Halle with her Grandpa or Bompa.  I also didn't get a big family picture.  I may not have captured everything I wanted in pictures but it was a wonderful day. I hope Halle always remembers it and the feelings she felt as she was baptized and then recieved the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Halle with her Dad, already to go to the Stake Center

Sean puffing with pride, Halle in her jumpsuit, and Chad - been there done that big brother.

Halle - as cute as can be.

Halle and her Dad.

Chris and his kids.

Our family.

Halle with her Grandma Caviness and her Nanny Hansen.

Halle with her mom and dad.

Chad's Baptism

It is so fun to look back and see Chad as an eight year old.  He is now 12 years old, has received the Aaronic Priesthood, and now goes to Scouts and Young Mens.  How did four years pass so fast?  How can a child grow so fast physically, spiritually, and in maturity?!

I remember being so nervous at Chad turning eight.  I wanted to make sure he was prepared for baptism and knew the covenants he would soon be making.  He was the first and I wanted to make sure everything went right.  I also wanted to savor and remember this moment forever.

Herm and Jeraldine (Chad's grandparents) were not able to make Chad's baptism as they were away serving a full time mission in Ohio at the time.  A hard thing to miss but their small sacrifice brought many, many blessings to both themselves and their family members.

Jeff and his family attend the baptism.  It was a good thing to have them all there.

It was also a huge Hansen production.  My dad made sure all my siblings were in attendance too.

Dad and Chad.  A big smile for a happy occasion.

My little family.  Hard to believe that Chad was 8, Halle was 6, and Sean was 4.

A picture with the Caviness cousins:  Justin, Jackson, Sean, Chris, Chad, Halle, Jenny, and Alyssa.

Our family.

Picture with the Hansen cousins.  Sean, Chris, Chad, Halle, Sydney, Ashlee, and Caleb.

A picture with the Hansen uncles - Ian, Carl, and David.

Grandpa and Nanny with their grandkids.

Big Hansen Family Picture.

Sean' Baptism

My youngest child, Sean Thomas Caviness, was baptized on Saturday, August 11, 2012 by his dad, Chris Alan Caviness.  Sean was so excited to get baptized.  Being the youngest of our clan I'm sure that for Sean it seemed like it was for ever before it was his turn.  The wait turned out longer than originally planned as well.  We accidentally planned our Caviness reunion during the Stake baptism that Sean should have been baptized at.  So, Sean had to wait an extra month before his baptism.  It was all worth while.  Both sets of grandparents were able to be there and cousins as well.  It turned out to be a special day for both Sean and his cousin, Alyssa, who decided she also wanted to get baptized.  It was most certainly a wonderful family filled and spiritual day.

Dad and Sean stand by the font.  Sean is beaming with anticipation.

Halle, Sean and Chad.  All excited for Sean's baptism.

Chad, Halle, and Sean with Nanny and Grandpa Hansen.

 

Our Earthly Family.  One step closer to being an Eternal Family.

Dad and Sean ready for the big event.

A picture with Grandma and Bompa Caviness.

Cousin fun while waiting for family pictures.

Family picture time.  Lindsey Bates, Halle Caviness, Chad Caviness, Sean Caviness, Jackson Caviness, Justin Caviness, Jenny Caviness and Alyssa Caviness.  Sherri Bates, Craig Hansen, Patricia Hansen, Lara Caviness, Chris Caviness, Herm Caviness, Jeraldine Caviness, Jeff Caviness, and Linda Caviness.

Grandparents and grandkids.

Goofy time.

Lindsey and Sean

Lindsey and Halle.

Alyssa's turn to get baptized.  Uncle Chris get to perform the ordinance.

Alyssa and the missionaries that helped prepare her for her baptism.

Family picture of Jeff's clan.

Alyssa with Grandma and Bompa.

Baptism twins - Sean and Alyssa.