Happy Birthday, Dalton

Happy Birthday, Dalton! You are such a wonderful boy and we love having you as the oldest boy in our family. You are a great example to your younger brothers and your older sister and you keep us laughing. We love your stories and ALL the details you include whenever you are relating something to us. You have a great sense of humor and you do a great job of keeping us on our toes. We can't believe you are 'double digits' already and we love having you in our family. We hope this year of being 10 is one of the best yet! We love you!

I am Thankful...

Thirteen-ager!

Happy Birthday, Lexi!
We look back over the years and can't believe you are 13.
Where did the time go? It seems like we were barely holding you for the first time and we were in awe of your tiny fingers and toes and beautiful features. Now, we look at you and we still see beauty, but we also see an inner beauty that shines so brightly. You will always be our little girl, but we are so proud of the person you are becoming! We look forward to the next 13 years with happiness and excitement!
We love you, Lexi Jane!

FOUR (4)!

Happy Birthday, Jarrett!

It is with a tiny bit of sadness mixed in with a whole lot of happiness as we watch you grow and change. This is because we know that as of yesterday there will not be another 3 year old in our family. We have all moved on to 4, and you, being the youngest will always hold a special place in our heart of "lasts". Yesterday was the last time we kissed our own 3 year old goodnight and even though we can't wait to kiss a 4 year old this morning, there is a little bit of yearning for that 3 year old that is now left to our memories. You're role in our family is inspired and your fulfilling it wonderfully. We love you!

October!

Sisters!

We went to Boston, my sisters and me.

We toured the city and ate Mike's pastries

We went to the Library at Harvard Law,
You wouldn't believe the smart people we saw!
(My sis in law, Karen's husband goes to Harvard Law School!)
We dined on seafood and snacked on cream pie,
We couldn't believe how fast time did fly by.
A wonderful trip for my sisters and me,
What do you say girls, next time D.C.?
(Back row: Tasha, Janey, Jennifer, Rebecca, Ann Etta {mom}, Liz)
(Front row: Karen, Kathie, Angie)

Week-end Getaway!

A few week-ends ago we went to this cabin thanks to some sweet friends of ours!
We looked at this view.
And this cutie!
And we did this!
And this!

We had a great time - it was so fun to be together in the mountains!

A little surgery

And, when I say "little" I don't mean in the sense of it was a "little" money or a "little" stress or a "little" bit of time. But, it was little in the fact in that it was juts a benign cyst, Dalton came through it like a champ and the scars are barely noticeable! Dalton, we love you!

1st Day of Preschool & Happy Birthday, Milo!

Yesterday (September 3) was Jarrett's 1st day of Preschool and Milo's 39th Birthday! We had such a great day celebrating both of these events!Jarrett ready to go! Did you think he wouldn't pose?
Carter so excited that Jarrett gets to go his old preschool!
Jarrett walking in the door!
Jarrett sitting at his table!
Carter helped me dropped Jarrett off before he had to go school and he decided he would rather go to Miss Shauna's preschool than Kindergarten. Don't worry Carter - we'll get you out of Kindergarten to go on a few of the fieldtrips at Jarrett's school!
Milo opening his presents! We took him out to dinner and then showered him with gifts! We love you - you are the best!

Kindergarten!

Carter started Kindergarten today. The rest of the kids started last week and he has been so excited for today to come. He goes in the afternoon and he is in Miss Myntti's class. I got choked up but Milo was there to tell me to quit it. This little guy is so awesome and I love being his mom! I can't believe he is Kindergarten already. On the way to school, I told him that it seemed like he was just born yesterday and he sighed and said, "ya." Love you, Carter!Ready to walk out the door!
Another smile - I think this is a record for him!
Hooking up with Eli outside the classroom!
In line ready to go in!

After school Carter told me that he loved it and it was really short. His buddy Eli reminded him that today was early out and tomorrow it will be longer. So, cute! I'm so happy he loved it!

4th Grade!

Dalton started 4th grade on Monday! I can't believe he is in "upper elementary".

Mrs. Durrant is his teacher and she has an EpiPen because she is allergic to bees.

Dalton was so excited that she knows about food allergies and he is feeling great

about being in her class.

Ready for the 1st day of school!

7th Grade

So hard to believe that this girl is a 7th grader! Wasn't she just born yesterday? Could I really be this old? I knew she would do great and have a fun day but I really wanted it to be a good experience. I didn't want her to come home and be discouraged. When asked about her day she responded with, "I loved it! I wish tomorrow was a school day instead of Saturday so I could go back!" Phew! What a relief! Watch out PG Jr. High! All ready to go!
Lexi and Jessie getting ready to head to to the bus stop.
Walking to the bus stop.

Lexi, you are so cute!

I'm Baaaaack!!

Remember me? And him?
Oh, and these precious little faces?

Where have I been, you ask? And, thinking about it I'm not quite sure. Summer's here and I've been doing all the summer mom things: baseball games, swimming, tennis lessons, picking up popsicle sticks, washing sticky fingerprints off of walls and light fixtures, vacuuming sand for the 10th time every day, etc. You all know the summer drill, but I wouldn't change it for anything. I LOVE summer, having the kids home, staying up late, sleeping late, hanging out in our jammies, eating at random times, watching the sun set, throwing the ball around in the yard, jumping on the tramp, all of it! I wish summer could last forever!
Milo and his badger. I'm not sure how to feel about this one, but I hear it will be filled with stuffing. This one will definitely be a "cabin only special". Scary!
Lexi and I in the cabin at girls camp! What a great week!

See the bunkbeds behind us!
Milo and the kids "chillin' out"!

BUSY!!!

OK. Things have been a little busy lately. Not, just the normal summer busy of running kids to tennis, baseball, coach pitch, swimming, dance, etc. But, I'm leaving for YW Girls Camp in the morning so there has been a lot to do to get ready. I'm really looking forward to a week with all the girls because they are all awesome and I love them all so much! And, my camp director is the BEST! So, the week will be great as soon as I get there. Of course, Carter and Jarrett have fevers, headaches and sore throats today as I'm trying to leave them, but my mom is a trooper and will take great care of them, I know! So, here's to my mom, Milo and the boys as Lexi and I had out for a week of camping fun!

I'M SIX!!

Could it be that our Carter is really 6 years old! He has been so excited about

turning 6 and heading to Kindergarten in the Fall. He is so much fun and we love

his adventurous personality! We love you, Carter - you are one of a kind and

we're so glad you're ours!!

Trying on his BYU hat!
WHAT? An airsoft gun! SWEET!!
Carter chose this sweet cake! He's always ready for hunting!
Mario Kart for the wii from Grandpa and Grandma!
Look at that excited face!
Getting ready to bust open the pinata!

SCHOOL'S OUT!

School's out and these girls are done with Elementary School and headed to Jr. High!

Where does the time go?

Dalton, happy to be done with 3rd grade. Dalton scored in the top 10% in every category on the Iowa State Test this year!
Great job, Dalton! After school was out, we headed up to the canyon for some summer fun!
Carter jumped off the edge of the mountain into the lake. That kid will try anything!
Carter and Jarrett having some mountain water fun!