pumpkin carving, yuck.

I don't like carving pumpkins.  But, we did.  Why? I don't know.  This is phase 1.  Hoping to finish today.

and finally zach

Zach finally let me get a picture of him.  Not very good ones, but you get the idea.  He went from being a Ranger from his favorite books to choosing the castoff costume of Maggie's.  He never ceases to amaze.

Walk through the woods to the Wood's

It was an absolutely beautiful fall day.  The leaves were falling, the colors were rusty, and the temperatures were cool.  The sun was shining through the leaves, casting an autumn glow.  We took advantage of the last bit of good weather and went to see the Wood's. 

Primary halloween party

Our four primary kids had a great time at the primary carnival.  The leaders and teachers had some of the most creative games for the kids to enjoy and ended with eating cardboard style pizza.  It was a hit. 

 Then, we came home and took pictures because I had the camera on the ready.  Now, I just need to get a picture of Zach.

Sam is fourteen

Can't believe the kid is so old.  Eighth grade and fourteen definitely equals old.  Sam has grown so much since becoming a deacon, and looking ahead, the next two years will be no different.  I have a sneaky suspicion that a major growth spurt is about to come and that his body may start to catch up to those grand arms and legs.  So, here are fourteen reasons why we love having Sam in our family:

 1.  Sam is our favorite babysitter.

2.  He chooses very good music and is extremely careful with what he is willing to listen to.  

3.  Sam knows the scriptures.  I am constantly amazed at what stories he is able to tell.

4.  As the only boy in grades 6, 7, or 8 that is a Mormon, Sam stands tall as a great example of what he believes.

5.  Anna loves Sam to give her airplane rides and they are fast buddies on Monday afternoons while the rest of us go to gymnastics.

6.  He knows soooooo much about college football.  He knows who is good, who the best players are, what uniform options teams have, superstitions, injuries, and through it all . . .

7.  He is still loyal to BYU

8.  Sam is great at making dinner and likes good food.

9.  He is very active and enjoys playing basketball

10.  He can surprise you with acts of kindness

11.  Sam is the best lawn mower we can hire and he insists it is so much fun, he would love to work for free.

12.  He nervously bites his nails, and doesn't like it much when reminded to stop

13.  He is a book worm

14.  He is a fantastic example to five younger siblings of learning, living, and loving the gospel.

Happy Birthday, Sam!!  Hope it is a great one!!

Life cycles

 I thought that when a child grew up, they would exit certain phases.  Like the milestone of potty training, or fit-throwing, or sleeping through the night.  Once done, always done.  That's what I get for thinking.  In reality, life seems to be a never-ending cycle. Struggles and triumphs come and go and then come again.  Those same demons that once torment, seem to somehow trickle back until they are once again conquered.  

So, here is the quote that got me thinking.  I find it true with my oldest and my youngest.  Two people who hold the rest of the books in their places as our family's bookends.  We love them both in whatever mood happens to spring up.  We love them through smiles, laughs, cries, triumphs, and weaknesses.  They teach me everyday and hopefully I am learning that everything cycles.  Everything comes around and then around again.  Then, by knowing that, hopefully I can stop thinking and just enjoy the now before it cycles away again.

(some changes to original were made)

Lucky Nine

Happy Birthday to Maggie!  We love her so much and love how independent and helpful she is becoming.  It seems like we have been lucky to have her in our family for more than nine years, but here are nine reasons we love her bunches.

1.  She is an excellent big sister and many times we find Jill sneaking into Maggie's room at night just to be by her.  Maggie usually relents and they end up snoozing through the night in her twin bed.  Anna adores her and many times wants Maggie to be the one to get her out of her crib in the morning.

2.  She can do anything that you ask her to do.

3.  She loves helping with dinner and has become quite a good cook.

4.  She is stubborn which allows her to withstand a lot of the junk that surrounds her in the world.

5.  She is excellent at running, gymnastics, swimming, basketball, cheerleading, and likes to be active.

6.  She is very persistent when she wants something and is very good at changing the subject if she happens  to be in trouble.  

7.  She loves to jump on the tramp and has devised ways to coerce Jill into going inside so she can jump higher and do lots and lots of tricks.  

8.  She loves to craft as long as the project can be finished in an afternoon.  

9.  She knows that she is a Child of God and that He loves her.  And, that is the most important thing of all.

Happy Birthday, Maggie.  We love you tons!

fall pictures

We took fall pictures last weekend.  It is always way more trouble than it should be, but here is part one. 

Jill's party

Last Wednesday, Jill invited her favorite friends to her party.  She made Tangled invitations for Maggie, Casey, and Guinea Pig (Zach).  Sam felt a little left out, but managed to get a verbal invitation.  Jill was so excited and could hardly stop talking about her party with her friends.  She decided that they would have cupcakes and go to the park.  It was all set.  Then, at Pack Meeting, Jill spontaneously invited her friend Ashby to come to her "birthday party" the next day.  The mom, Michele, was thrown off because she hadn't remembered Jill's birthday being in September.  So, I quickly informed her that Jill was throwing her own party and why didn't she bring Ashby over for a party with Jill before the kids got home from school.  So, on Thursday, Ashby showed up for Jill's "birthday party" bearing fairy wings and a balloon.  They didn't seem to mind that it wasn't really anyone's birthday and happily made cupcakes and painted.  She was as proud as could be and I decided she knows how to get what she wants, even if it involves a little racketeering.

weights and measures

We weighed and measured the kids yesterday, so for safe-keeping, the data is being posted here on the blog.  Jill had grown the most since last year.  She grew 3.25 inches.  No wonder her skirts are all looking a little mini.  And, no, Ron and I did not participate.

Anna
Height  31.5 inches
Weight 25 pounds

Jill
Height  39.5 inches
Weight  31 pounds

Casey
Height 48 inches
Weight  44 pounds

Maggie
Height  53.5 inches
Weight  59 pounds

Zach
Height 59.75 inches
Weight  86 pounds

Sam 
Height  65.75 inches
Weight  109 pounds

Hay baling

It's not everyday that you get to watch the local farmer bale hay . . .  in your  own backyard.  We all look forward to this fall tradition here in Missouri.  We watch the farmer cut on one day, sweep the grass into rows the next, and then bale it into hay.  We thought we would be able to take pictures on the round bales again this year, but the farmer was quick to wisk them away.