Little Cuteness

The kids and I were looking through some of the family pictures today and we found this one!
This is one of my favorites pictures of Aaron. Cute Little Cuteness!

"Monkey SEE, Monkey DO"

What a funny morning. I just couldn't wait to record this for all to see. Levi is learning so quickly lately and seems to copy everything we do, whether it is good or bad. For example. . . Levi is starting to show a little interest in potty training (very little) and so, sitting on the toilet this morning, I was on the floor next to him, he noticed an owie on my finger and said "yet me tiss it" - translation "Let me kiss it". So I let him kiss my owie and then he said "yet me bwouw it" - translation "Let me Blow it". I guess that is what we do to him when he has owies. Then he pulled off a little piece of toilet paper and put it on my thumb to help it and said "hoad it" - Translation "Hold It".

Oh my it was cute.

Then he noticed a zit on my forehead and he said owie (if only he knew), and we went through the same process that we did for the owie on my thumb.

The next thing I knew he was taking the toilet paper and carefully wadding it up and sticking it up his nose.

He was so proud of himself.

You might be wondering where he would be getting a crazy ideas like this. . . .

Nate seems to have some issues with bloody noses lately and so,

Levi SEE, Levi DO!!

2009 Summer Time Fun

I started this blog thing to keep in contact with family, friends and to have it partly be our families scrapbook and, just like my old scrapbooks, I am VERY behind, so GET READY THIS IS A CATCH UP POST!

This summer feels like a whirlwind of comings and goings, ups and downs, firsts and lasts. It has been interesting thinking of this being one of our last summers with Nate before he leaves for College and his mission - SO - we filled it with as many memories as we could.

One first and maybe his last. We BUZZED DAYMON'S HAIR! After Daymon buzzed the 3 youngest boys hair he started on his own head and called me upstairs to finish and get all the stragglers. He has wanted to do this for a LONG time but it has never happened until this summer.

He could be bald and he would still be good lookin'!!

The first part of the summer we were able to go down and visit my sister in Indianna for her daughters baptism. While we were there we attended the Science Center and the Zoo.

Bubble Machine at the Science Center.

I don't think you can ever go wrong with trinkets and water.

At the Zoo.

Two cute kids!

Daymon hasn't shaved all week.

The kids favorite part of the Zoo was the little water park.

We have LOVED having a boat and we go out as often as we can during the summer, we were only able to go out a few times this summer but we enjoy being in the water whenever we get the chance and we are delighted when we can have friends join us.

(more to come later)

First Day of School

What a fun exciting day the first day of school was, Tuesday, September 8th! The kids were so excited and had their clothes out the night before, even the boys. This feels like it will be quite a year. We are in 5, five, yep, FIVE different schools this year! Isn't that some kind of record!! It sure is for me.
Just imagine starting out at 5:50 am getting the first one off, then hurry, hurry to get #2 out the door and on the bus, #3 is pretty self sufficient and does great getting herself ready and out the door 15 minutes after #2, BREATH. . . . . . . . .(there are days that I have to remind myself to breath during the craziness of morning times) then finishing getting child #4 & #5 ready for Elementary and after they get off I get to start on child #6, my sweet little preschooler.

This big kid is such a good sport, letting me take his picture on the First Day of School.
She was excited to ride the bus and see her teachers again.
She has been counting down the days until she could start school, be with friends, open lockers and walk to different classes. She is growing up way to fast.
Starting a new school today! I am excited about this year for him, what a handsome boy!

I am usually sad to have my kids start school, and I feel melancholy the first week but he was SO ready to go. Watch out Kindergarten Here I COME!

"One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just isn't the same" do you recognize this song? It is from Sesame Street, oh the good ol' Sesame Street days.

The one in green is my son's friend, our neighbor, walking to school with us on the first day of school.

After the first day of school I couldn't believe the HOMEWORK that the teachers gave to the kids FOR ME to fill out and send back the next day. I was filling out paperwork for hours.

Even during the crazy hustle and bustle that school and six children bring I can't help but be SO grateful for my wonderful kids and the opportunity I have to stay home and be a mother.

"IT'S FANTAASTIC!" -Nacho Libre-

Girls Camp and Brooke

Brooke's first year of girls camp was so much fun. SHE LOVED IT and I felt like she grew leaps and bounds, in just one week. She was gitty, funny and became more independent this week.

These were two of the girls in Brooke's cabin. Rachel and Sydney

Brooke, Kelsey and Sarah

Sara, Holly, Breezy and Brooke

The girl in the center on the floor is KENDRA. This was Brooke's best friend at girls camp. No matter what we did Brooke wanted to do it with Kendra.

"Brooke do you want to go on the paddle boat with me?" No Kendra.

"Brooke it is time to go to certification." No Kendra.

"Brooke lets go visit the 4th year cabins". No Kendra.

"Where's Kendra?"

Brooke is so much fun and very persistent. She knows what she wants and it is very difficult to get her to deter from it, as you can see. This can be a blessing and a little bit of a curse.

I had a wonderful time being with Brooke, the Young Women, and the leaders. It was so much fun watching everyone and their interactions with Brooke, both those that knew Brooke and those that didn't know Brooke. Some were sceptical, at first, not knowing how to talk to her or how to treat her and then by the end of the week there was an outpouring of kindness and friendship the girls exhibited toward Brooke.

I am continually amazed and grateful for the spirit that our Heavenly Father pours out on the Youth of the Church to strengthen and build them and their testimonies, they are WONDERFUL and I feel so blessed to be able to be with them.

Brooke's Pajama Party

Brooke turned 14 this year and she LOVES being bigger and feels quite grown up. This year she wanted to have a pajama party, play games, have a BBQ and watch a movie. I know, I know, Brooke never asks to watch a show, it was a complete shocker that this is what she wanted.

The BBQ with her friends!

Brooke's Pajama Cake

Brooke with her friends.

Back row, left to right: Lauren, Esther, Katie, Heyjune, Dawna, Sarah, Brinli, Teisha

Front Row: Abby, Novalyn, Brooke

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DEAR BROOKE, WE ARE SO GLAD YOU HAVE BEEN PART OF OUR FAMILY FOR 14 YEARS, YOU HAVE FILLED OUR HOME KINDNESS AND HOPE.

WE LOVE YOU!

Our 1st Half Marathon

WE DID IT!!!! That's right, we finished the Bay Shore Half Marathon. My running buddies and I decided, during the COLD Michigan winter, to run a 1/2 marathon. I think our brains may have been frozen when we all agreed to go for it. I have to admit it was great motivation to keep us running during the cold winter months (at least it was good motivation for me). We started the real training the first of March and kicked up the mileage on Saturdays.

The first 11 miler Jenny and I were not feeling well, so this made me a little nervous. I wasn't sure if we were ready for the race. We had 4 more weeks to prepare. The next 11 miler we did okay and then the 12 felt quite easy (as easy as running 12 miles gets).

As we talked about the race and going up to Traverse City the kids were so excited, not because of the race but because they were able to go to "The Great Wolf Lodge" (this is a big indoor water park) and stay over night there. The race was Saturday May 23rd so we took the kids out of school on Friday and headed North for the big race, or the water park, which ever is the most interesting to you. I think it depends on your age.

Needless to say I was a little nervous but slept quite well considering a room full of excited kids and tomorrow was the big race. We left at 5:20 am to get to our destination and then waited until 7:00 am to run.

AAWWW, the dreaded anticipation of waiting!!

Look at this amazing group. We were the 1/2 marathoners. (can you tell this is before the race?)

Jenny, Julie, Suzanne, David, Todd, Kimball

This is after the race! Can you see the excitement in my grin to have FINISHED!?

After the race we received our metals that said "FINISHER". We didn't break any records, by any means, but it felt so good to be done. Our motto for this first race was

"TO FINISH IS TO WIN"

and we did it. We also wanted to finish in under 2 hours and we all did it!! That was exciting.

Our times were:

Suzanne Leonhardt Midland MI USA 1:57:11.75

Jenny Larsen Midland MI USA 1:57:28.11

Julie Hales Midland MI USA 1:58:09.25