Our Little Grasshopper

Finally, Ethan is old enough to play tee-ball! He's been waiting for this ever since he could vocalize that he wanted to play baseball--just like Logan. Who knows how many hundreds of games he's watched his big brother play? At last, it's his turn.

On the day of his first game, they needed to be at the field at 5:30.

1:07 and Ethan is dressed and ready to go.
Hat? Check.
Jersey? Check.
Baseball pants? Check.
Protective cup? Check.

Dan--now know as "Coach Dan"-- is coaching the team. At the first game he gave them their pep talk and then asked if they had any questions. Ethan raised his hand and said, "Can I still call you daddy?"

                   The league is actually called fun ball. Each child gets a chance to hit from the tee.

                                                          Then they run to first base.

                                 They can advance to 2nd and third after each team mate hits.

                               The defense can try to make a play, but no one is called out.

                        Technically, there's no sliding. Ethan's not so worried about technicalities.

Tom and Staci's Wedding

Tom and Staci were sealed in the Logan temple on September 6, 2012. A gorgeous day and so wonderful to have Dan's whole family in the sealing room together! Uncle Roger was commenting on how unusual it is to have a family where the parents and all six siblings and spouses are worthy to be in the temple. Tom and Staci looked so radiant and happy and we are so happy they found each other!

                                                             The happy couple!

Tom gave Staci these boots when they were dating!

                              This is Sydney's photography at its best....plus the next six shots.

Libby, Laura, Madi and Mikelle

                                                                         2 cuties!      

                                                              Chandler and Logan

                                                         Dan, Roger, Dave and Gwen

                                                           Just clownin' around...

                                                            ....another Sydney shot

                                               All the Kotter and Munns relatives...

                                                    Kotter siblings and spouses

                                            Mona and Gregg; Staci and Tom

                                               Ben, John, Dave, Dan, Tom, Laura

                                               Who's the oldest and wisest of this bunch?

                                                                 3 cute cousins

The luncheon at Maddox Lodge was very nice. We even managed to pull off a Kotter family photo with everyone present....well, Tom and Staci eventually showed up...anyway, Hallelujah that it happened! It was Mona's one request.

Augh! This is where everything goes south! During the wedding luncheon a micro-burst blew through Harper Ward and blew down the wedding tent and many of the decorations we had labored to set up the day before! The farmers in the family got to work to repair broken poles and got the tent back up, but the wind continued to wreak havoc! Good-by Chinese lanterns...they were beyond repair.

                            Aunt Janis' helpers with the chocolate fountain-Logan and Chandler.

                                                     Mikelle was a big help all night.

                         Katelyn and Madi made sure the napkins and cupcakes didn't blow away!

                          At the end of the day we were rewarded with this amazing sunset...

                                       and Tom and Staci were happy, so that's all that counts!
            (The rest is all subject to Kotter family lore and will get better with each and every telling;)

Our Tour of the Brigham City Temple

On Tuesday morning we woke up bright and early and drove up Main Street around 6:25 AM. We didn't want to be late for our private tour of the temple with my dad that started at 6:30 AM! (Dad and Mom are currently serving as Public Affairs Missionaries in the church. The first week of the Open House they oversaw the tours of the temple for invited guests--local civic, state and government officials. We were thrilled to receive the same personal attention as the VIPs) After a short video presentation, we put on protective covers over our shoes and entered the temple near the baptistry--where the youth will come to perform baptisms for the dead.

The inlaid tile work, peach blossom accents on the door knobs and molding, the intricate flowers cut-out on the walls were amazing to look at close-up. My dad told us of one morning he came in and saw an army of finish painters at work touching up the paint and "gold" trim.

He also told us details of many of the paintings in the temple--some by local artists. It made me appreciate how much thought and effort goes into every square inch of the temple. The overall effect is quite awe-inspiring. Katya and Tasha hold told us how beautiful the bride's room was and they were right! The walls were papered with a silver paper with white scrolls. A luminous chandelier lighted the room from the center and a huge mirror with princess-like cut outs ran from floor to ceiling on one wall.

I'm so glad we got to tour the temple as a family--having my dad be the tour guide was icing on the cake. I'm not sure how long the kids will remember this, but it's something that I will never forget!

Labor Day in UT

The kids attended their first five days of school and then on Friday night we hopped on a Delta flight and traveled to Salt Lake via Atlanta. The flights went smoothly, but it seemed like a very long trip! We got a bit spoiled with the non-stop Dulles to Salt Lake flight Delta has run the past 8 years...maybe more!?! We didn't get to Brigham City until about 2:30 AM (about 4:30 AM for our bodies on East Coast time) but we all fell into bed at my mom's and slept soundly.

We spent Labor Day with my whole family (minus Kirk the peach seller) at mom's cabin in Blacksmith Fork Canyon. Mom had worked and worked all summer clearing limbs and growth away from two separate areas by the river. The cabin even had a new roof. We oohed and awed over her improvements--a new door and screen door too!

Playtime! The big kids grabbed their water gear and a few inner tubes and braved the river. Don't they look just like Huck Finn's one and all?

 The ride ended at the water hole and Grandpa T. helped them jump on the rope swing for a few rides out over the water.

The little kids didn't want to be left out. Dan held the rope and shoved them out into a spot in front of the Rowe's cabin to let  them catch the current and then he'd reel them back in. Bronson wanted nothing to do with it; Campbell eventually came around; Syd and E loved every minute of it and wanted to go faster!

We played an "Old MacDonald" dress-up relay and the candy bar game for our afternoon entertainment.

After burgers and hot dogs on the grill we sang "HB to Grandma T". Her BD is Friday, but we knew we wouldn't have everyone together again.

I was so happy to be at the cabin--one of my favorite spots in the world--with all of my family--my favorite people in the world! Love u guys!