My B

At our family celebration at  Airworx yesterday ( an indoor trampoline gym)

 Happy 10th Birthday, B!  What can I say?  He's such a great guy!  Here are 10 things to love about this birthday boy:

1.  He is wise beyond his years.
2. He is determined to be his best.  When he recognizes that he's doing something he doesn't feel good about he works very hard to change that behavior/habit, and keeps at it until he's happy with where he's at.
3.  He is patient --  he is so patient and helpful with his younger siblings and even their friends. 
4.  He is so artistic!  I love to watch him draw -- he has such hand control!
5.  He is easy to please!  Yesterday his dad asked him what he wanted for his birthday, and B said, "Ah, a punching bag (to practice karate)  and two other things I can't remember anymore.  I'm sure I'll be happy with whatever I get."
6. He has a great laugh!  I love to hear him laugh when he thinks something is really funny -- it's contagious!
7.  He is very loving.  Even though he doesn't enjoy getting kisses from mom anymore -- he puts up with it -- and is always very vocal in letting me know how much he loves me.
8. He has a great sense of adventure --  he loves being in the great outdoors!
9.  He is sensitive -- to others' feelings and to the impressions of the Spirit.
10.  He is so much like his dad -- I'm so thankful he has his dad for a role model -- he's growing into an incredible young man!! 

Nesting

This post is for you Jen . . . the quilts are done (check) -- I actually had a lot of fun with them.  My friend Sarah Bisel wrote a wonderful quilting book called Fast, Flirty and Fun.  She inspired me to start the birthday and garden quilt a year ago, and it's taken me this long to get them finished.  I was scared of the machine quilting and binding process -- new to me.  There was a little something about being sick for several months that stopped my progress as well :)  Anyway, in May the girls and I went to see our friends the Jarmans and Wendie walked me through the machine quilting process - it really is forgiving -- thanks Wendie!!  I followed the instructions for binding in Sarah's book and I was surprised at how easy it actually was!!! Thanks Sarah!  The rag quilt is for the baby and I just found instructions on-line.  I'm in love with the nubby fabric on the back, but unfortunately it doesn't fray as well as flannel -- hopefully that will come more with time and washings. (Sorry for the crazy sideways pics once again!)

My kids are definitely learning the definition of "nesting" as I've now moved on to attacking the house -- big black trash bags dejunking every corner!  Today's goal -- my closet (agh)!

The end of Summer

Well, I suppose this means summer is officially over.  The 3 big crazies (kids) all headed back to school yesterday.  The end of summer is bittersweet for me.  I love having the kiddos around all day.  We had a lovely summer -- lots of swimming in the pool, Friday field trips, play dates, exploring, and most exciting -- welcoming Nana and D home from the mission field and our family reunion.  BUT, for the most part they came home happy and excited for the new school year -- and that makes me happy.  And now the nesting can begin as we countdown the next 10 or so weeks until our sweet babe arrives --  my goals for the next 2 (maybe 3) weeks include getting all the scrapbooks updated and finishing 3 (small) quilts that are in various stages of completion.  I better go get busy!! 

It's a . . .

GIRL!  

We had our ultrasound yesterday and our baby GIRL looks HEALTHY and a little ahead of schedule!  We are all excited and can't wait to have our little CHLOE join us!!

Welcome Summer

We've been in summer mode for 9 1/2 days now.  I do love the summertime - having the kids around me all the time, having a more relaxed vibe.  The beginning of the summer is always a little tricky while we try to get our schedule all worked out.  This summer my goal (out of necessity) is to have a simple summer.  I have been reading and hearing of others who are doing such amazing things with their kids this summer -- I hope someday we'll be able to do those things, too.  BUT, this summer I'm working on growing a baby, so we're keeping it simple. 

Last Thursday was the kids' last day of school.  We said good-bye to 3 FANTASTIC teachers!!  We will miss them!  The kids had a great year academically, and I'm so proud of how hard they've worked and how well they've done!

This first week out of school was a busy one -- B went to Cub Day Camp on Monday and Tuesday.  He LOVES day camp and looks forward to it year round.  The theme this year was "Night at the Museum" so they had a grand time building catapults, doing archery, putting together airplanes, making masks, painting dino neckerchief slides, and more . . . Dad was able to go up with the pack on Monday which was  extra nice for B!

E went to a 3 day volleyball camp down at the U of A in the middle of the week.  She worked long and hard (9-3 every day) and learned a lot.  One of the highlights for her though was being given a meal ticket and getting to pick out her own lunch at the student union -- that's big stuff!

 

 Back at home we had friends over every day to play in our new pool.  Yes, this year we got a pool -- it's just a simple set-up -- above ground, 4 ft x 18 ft.  BUT, it makes being outside and staying active SO easy!  Again -- trying to make life simple this summer -- so much easier than packing the pool bag and heading over to our local YMCA.  We had great neighbors move away last summer -- all the way to Texas -- and they came back to visit family and squeezed in a visit with us!  What a treat!

 

 

 Then Daddy didn't have to go into work Friday -- a wonderful surprise -- I had forgotten that they changed the way holiday weeks work this year.  Anyway, he joined us for National Donut Day at Krispy Kreme and our Friday Field trip to DeGrazia's Gallery in the Sun! 

 

Here's one last little pic that made me smile.  Saturday BR went running by me with his race car driver mask and cowboy boots.  He said,"I'm going to ask Dad to show me how to mow the lawn!"  Sure enough he got to learn to mow the lawn -- oh, that he'll always be this excited to mow the lawn!

Our Little Graduate

S graduated from our little "Mom's Preschool" this past week.  We've had a great year with these sweet kids-- they've learned so much --- letters, numbers, shapes, social skill, etc . . . so we had to celebrate!  They were each given a "diploma" and a book of craft pages that they've worked on throughout the year.  We had a yummy picnic and pulled out the slip-n-slide.  Way to go S!! 

Big News

We have some big  news!  Most of you have probably seen E's blog or heard the surprise announcement last Sunday, but I didn't want to miss anyone so thought I'd post our big news, too!  And here it is . . .

Yes, we're having a baby!!!  Due in October and we can't wait!!