Walking Anna

Anna is officially a walker.  There is no more crawling for this girl.  She broke the Jensen walking record and is a very good walker at 8.25 months.  A physical therapist in our ward told Ron that a new study shows that early walkers are uncoordinated later in life.  So, for a while Ron did laps with Anna around the house, but now she thinks that is for the birds.  The video is not the best quality.  

Halloween

Maggie was thrilled to be a peppermint

Casey was Obi Wan for the third year in a row

Anna was a beautiful ballerina

Zach was a standard garden gnome

Jill was Snow White

And, Sam did not dress up but enjoyed carving his "constapumpkin"

Maggie Birthday/Baptism

 For Maggie, the highlights of turning eight were the tweety cake created by Ron and getting baptized.  We were so glad that Grandpa, Nana, and Papa were able to come be a part of Maggie's special day.  Zach lead the music at the baptism.  Sam and Papa said the prayers.  Nana and Grandpa both gave the best talks I have ever heard at a baptism and Jill sang a special song all by herself because none of the others would join her.  I hope Maggie always remembers how much she was loved that day and the special spirit that we all felt.  

jill's spider

Sam

Zach

Zach is one of those kids who can surprise you.  He is full of life and seems to have an unbreakable, tough exterior, but inside he is a very soft-hearted, kid.  Always on the go, he loves to run, jump, squirm, swim, wiggle, climb, jerk, writhe, bike, play, and pretty much just be active.  Yet, he is famous for slobber monsters and gives lock-tight hugs.   
I have a couple of kids who are very loyal, but Zach wins the prize.  Moving to Missori, Zach has had a hard time understanding that making new friends doesn't mean you like your old friends any less.  The same happens every year when he gets a new teacher.  When Zach was younger, he would cry for the first two weeks of school because he was afraid to like his new teacher.  So, once Zach has you in his clutches, he will always have you.  Zach has a way of making others around him happy.  I think that is one of his greatest gifts.  When Zach was two, we visited Papa from St. George and I remember Papa saying, "Zach just makes you feel good about yourself."  I appreciate that more than Zach will ever know.

Cravings

Oh, how I needed you today.