New Baby Fun

Two things

Two unrelated things:

1.) Nauvoo! Some of you have talked about applying for cast or
volunteer staff positions for the 2010 Nauvoo Pageant and we couldn't
be more excited! Applications are happening now; you can apply at: http://www.nauvoopageant.org/

In the past we have had family stay at our condo, and having received
special permission to do so. But with Ray now serving as the director
we don't feel comfortable asking special privileges that others are
not allowed. The good news is we now have a motor home we would love
to share with any of our beloved family members. Please let us know
if you are interested in using this option and when, so we can
accommodate as many as possible. We love our family and love Nauvoo,
and love when the they all come together!

2.) A new arrival! I don't know how many of you know about this, but
Kevin and Emily have been trying to adopt a baby for over a year now.
A couple weeks ago they were blessed with a newborn baby boy through
LDS Family Services. He was born a healthy little 7 lb. 4 oz. baby;
his birth mother was Polish and his father African American. He is a
handsome, and already well-loved little boy. We are thrilled their
family has been blessed in this way, grateful for the mother's choice
to give life and a chance at a happy home, and impressed with the way
the Wilsons have consecrated their hearts and home throughout the
adoption process. We pray the adoption process will continue to go
smoothly (a six-month-long process, at best). Thought you might want
to know, so you can share in their joy....

For Angela . . .

Kate's range of facials just kills me. More of that another time.




Someone needs to show Angela when she's near a computer k? This is the outfit Angela gave Kate for her 1st b-day.

More Memory Lane

Another excerpt from a letter to Nathan:

How is your mission going? The scribbles are from Charity. I'll translate: "Bash in a bap konk." That's what she said it said.

What?!! Ha ha!

Post-Conference Glow

This last month we had the unusual opportunity of being visited by our two grandpas. After Dad drove from Preston to Salt Lake, flew on an airplane for four hours, and drove from Detroit to our house another hour, we all loaded up in the motor home and kept driving--poor guy! But we wanted to drive our dads around our beautiful state, since this visit was in the fall rather than the colds of January. We camped overnight at Traverse City and visited Sleeping Bear Dunes on Lake Michigan the next day. But the real purpose for the visit was, of course, to ordain Ray as a high priest. The ordination gave me cause to ponder the significance of the Priesthood many of you carry, and the grand charge you have been given to act in the name of God. I am so grateful for the way Ray honors his priesthood. He reflects Christlike love and devotion to God and his family in all he does, esp in the little things, like saying good-bye to each of us individually as he leaves each day or finding opportunity to lead the family in meaningful discussions around the dinner table. It is his worthiness and goodness that will bless the lives of our ward members as he serves in this new calling.

Like you, we so enjoyed General Conference this last weekend. Ray ended up at the church on Saturday, but Sunday was a party with Emily, Gabe, Cora, and Esther joining us for a feast--both spiritual and edible! The First Presidency's focus on love as the center of all we do couldn't be more important or timely. And Elder Holland's testimony of the Book of Mormon--wow! It's such a miracle that we can get the reception we do, hearing the Word right in our home during the conference and immediately thereafter! It's amazing to see how it's developed just in the short time we've lived out here in Michigan. It becomes more and more accessible. Awesome.

The kids have had many joys lately--Raymond's bday celebration on the road, wearing cowboy boots 24/7 since, and some new (to us) bunk beds from our old bishop. We have been trying to enjoy the warm weather, for we know it won't last forever....

We love you all and hope you have had a great week!
Love, The Robinsons

More Birthday

Here are the rest. The first ones are of breakfast and my date. These are of the surprise lunch.

16th Birthday

Finally found these. What a fun birthday I had!