Hello!!!!!! I Am Alive!

Yes. Rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated! I have not changed my blog in over a year. Life is pretty much the same-school, car pool, seminary, laundry, church, fighting (the kids), crying (me), cooking, cleaning, birthdays, etc.... We did a neat photo session with one of my dearest friends, Erin. She took us out and we came up with a nice Christmas card picture, here:

However, some of my favorite ones were nontraditional poses. I'm thinking of blowing this one up really big (except that might bad news for my bum). What do you think? Isn't it adorable how Jackson is staring up at his dad?

Sawyer turned eleven in May and had both a friend and a family party. He picked a couple of buddies and his dad and I took them all out to dinner at the Olive Garden and then to do laser tag. They also played tons of arcade games and were so hyper!! We came home for cake and presents--just in time for the parents to arrive. He had a blast. He is such a super guy! We love him so much!!

Drew's Baptism Day

Drew and two other little eight year olds, Parker and Andrea, were baptized on June 13th, 2009. He had such a special baptism. One of the other children, Parker, had his dad Mark speak and Drew's grandmother, Mavis, spoke. Both gave great messages. Parker's sister, Lizzie, and Sarah sang an amazing song, "I Testify." Also, all the sisters (there were like six of them!) sang another song. Drew felt the spirit so strongly, he cried when he came back in from getting baptized. We had yummy refreshments of watermelon, cookies, and rice crispie treats. A day to always remember!

With Dad before the baptism.
Drew and Parker (I don't know why we don't have a picture with Andrea)

Two Best Friends

Fabulously Fun Field Trip #1

Before the end of school in May, I was lucky enough to go with Sarah and the entire 7th grade on her end-of-the-year-over-night field trip. We left at 5 am on a Thursday and didn't return until midnight on Friday. Phew! We took a big bus up to the COSI Museum in Columbus, Ohio. Then we returned to Cincinnati for a dinner cruise on the river. We spent the night at the hotel at Kings Island, where we were for the entire day Friday. I was with Sarah and two of her friends the whole time. Sarah had never ridden a roller coaster before, so that was very exciting. She often screamed, "I'm gonna die!!" While I really felt that I was too old for roller coasters, I ended up riding ALL of them because one of the girls was very adventuresome and no one else would ride with her! Needless to say, I did have a headache on the ride back. But, these girls were so good and so sweet! I felt like I was the rebel and that they were making sure I obeyed all the rules! What a fun adventure. Luckily Matt will get to go with the boys on their 7th grade trips! With some friends at COSI Our favorite places in COSI were different towns from different historical eras. Here is Sarah in the 1950's diner.

On the bus. We watched movies, ate snacks, and listened to teenage chatter!!!
On the way up on the Beast ride--wheeeeee!
Sarah didn't want to ride this ride, I guess.
After a water ride. I chose not to ride this one. My Momma didn't raise a dummy.
Waiting in another line.

We all wore red t-shirts. What a cute group of girls.

Enjoying some lunch--with a smile!

Piano Recital

Aren't they so cute?

Sarah and Drew had their Spring recital in May. (Sawyer plays too, but he was gone on a Scout Camp Out). This was Drew's first year of piano, but he progressed like crazy. He just might pass the other two up this year! (Just kidding--they all play nicely).

Doesn't he look like a crazy concert pianist?

We are lucky that lots of our friends take piano from the same teacher. Our recitals are like a family affair.

Jackson Graduates May 2009

This is my big boy before his pre-school graduation. Isn't he grown up? He received the "Big Man on Campus" award, for obvious reasons. Of course all the girls love him. Doesn't everyone?

Life Is Great--Drew Turned Eight!

Our sweet Drewie just turned eight was baptized this last Saturday, June 13th. I'll have photos soon, but I just wanted to express what a beautiful baptism he had. He was baptized with two other kids from his class, Andrea S. and Parker C. They are all three sweet and laid back kids and the spirit was so strong at the baptism. The music was fantastic (Sarah and Parker's sister sang a wonderful song about the Savior). More later....

Easter Pictures--Better Late than Never!

We had a busy Easter celebration this year. We saw both of our families on Saturday, since Sunday is such a hard day to travel. We had lunch at my Mom's, saw all the cousins, celebrated Parker and Spencer's birthdays, and had an egg hunt! Phew!

Jackson will take on anyone! Out of his way, Trey! This involves CANDY!

Methodical Drewie...

The Great-grandparents watch from a safe distance. Good idea with our bunch!

Go, go, go!

The crew getting ready for the hunt!

After all that, it was off to the Blairs. Luckily, Melanie and her kids were visiting and we got to spend fun time with them as well. We had dinner, another egg hunt, and played at the park. Overall, a busy but special day.

An attempted photo opp....

Lined up in order of age (but not height!)

Three cute girls!

Smile!

Field Trip Fun With Drew

Drew and Collin
The Greatest Teacher EVER!!

I won the drawing for Drew's class and was able to accompany his class on a field trip to a local nature preserve and park. We had so much fun, with neat classes on wetlands, fossils, erosion, and Native Americans. We went on a hike and even got to dig for our own fossils. I found a great shell one and Drew got one as well. We learned that there were never any dinosaurs in Kentucky, so anything you find that you believe is a dino fossil, is not. We also had lunch outside with my group, including some of Drew's buds. What a fun day, and the best part--I didn't have to ride the bus with all those kids!

Finally Done--I Think!

I believe I am finally done re-doing my piano room. So far, I've made new wall art, recovered all the pillows, made new drapes, painted the lamp shade and flower pot, recovered the piano bench and moved around all the decos. I have just bought a tassel for the curtains and some trim to put around the top and bottom of the lamp shade, but no new pictures. What else should I do? I'll think of something....

Oh, I've added black braid trim to the edge of the top part of the drapes since I've taken this photo ...They look better now. Just take my word for it!

The Birthdays Begin--2009

The Birthday Boy--Eleven

May begins the Birthday Season at our house. All four of our kids' birthdays are about 2-3 weeks apart. Phew! Sawyer starts it all on May 4. Actually, his celebrations lasted about a week, from a friend party, family party, birthday dinner, lunch at school, etc... He did have a great birthday this year and commented that he "loved every one of his presents!" Thank goodness! Of course, he did ask for a foam pillow and a heating pad! What a goofball. He also got tons of sporting equipment: basketball, tennis racket, yoga ball, cologne, "cool" clothes. We are so lucky to have Sawyer in our family. He is a wonderful young man and I love watching him become a fabulous person. We love our Saw-saw so much!

Family fun with the cousins

An ice cream cake with some of his Buds!

A bunch of crazy boys

He loves his Mom!

Ruby-licious!

The Ruby-licious Ladies

During Derby weekend, Sarah and I journeyed to downtown Louisville for a Mother-daughter trip. We were invited by my sister-in-law and niece to join their church's Ruby-licious retreat. This title was so fun and was based on the scripture that values women above rubies. We had a BLAST! Friday night we checked into a posh suite and dined at the Spaghetti Factory. We also enjoyed several classes on strengthening our relationship, modesty, etiquette, our conversion stories, and self-defense. Of course, we concluded our weekend with a marathon shopping trip to the MALL! Phew! By the end the girls were dragging, but Lee Ann and I were fine! For a couple of mature (old) babes, we've still got it!

Bestest Cousins

Gurrrrrrr!!

Get him, Shelby!

POW!

Oh no! What have I done?