Ducklings

This post is for Shannon, Joshua, Cassidy, Nathan, and Brenna.

Remember how small the little ducks were when we first got them?

See how they have grown--in less then a month.

They are so cute!!

Time on Our Hands

So far this summer has been pretty laid back.  We seem to have alot of time on our hands lately......possibly due to the lack of kids...........I don't know.  With the older three boys working nearly everyday me and the 5 other kids have been abiding our time by fishing.  A good, wholesome, fun family activity.

And the best news.............so far we have not caught a darn thing!

I don't know what we would do if we did, cause none of us dare to touch the fish...........YUCK!!

Book Mark Contest

Last year Hannah won the Book Mark Contest for school

..............this year Willem followed in her footsteps.

Willem drew a picture of Me, Nathan, and himself. 

 With the saying, "Read to me Mommy!"

He won a girft certificate to Village Bookstore for $5 in books.

He is so proud of himself.......especially for having his very own books.

Isaac's 11th Birthday

Today, was an extremely hot day, so the we got all the kids water squirters, and they had a blast.

Today Isaac turned 11.  He is growing so fast.  He is excited to finally be in the big Boy scouts with his older brothers now.....he has been waiting.

Isaac and Willem

Isaac loves to play Star Wars Legos.

Isaac and Caleb

These things are just as goofy as Isaac.

Isaac and his Dad.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISAAC!!

WE LOVE YOU!!

Hannah and Sierra

Hannah

Sierra

Hannah's 13th Birthday

Hannah is officially a teenager!

And no Shannon, I didn't get her the flipflops, Middie did!

Mustard and Relish, her favorite!

I love this picture-Daddy & Daughter!

Traditional 3-layer candy cake for her 13th Birthday!

Grandma Middie with a giant gumball in her mouth!

Olivia, Hannah, Camry, Josephine, Seirra, and Wendy

Hannah, Olivia

Camry

(All three were born 3 weeks apart from each other.)

  Hannah spent the day at Grandma Middies House with her granddaughter Olivia (whom she hasn't seen for 5 years) and her friend Camry from New Mexico.  I heard they played dress-up, so if I get a hold of the pics, I will post them later.

That afternoon, we had a picnic of hotdogs, baked beans, watermelon, and chips.  Grandpa Frank, Grandma Middie, Olivia, Camery, and other adopted granddaughters Josephine and Wendy, Bernadette, and Sierra all came.  The girls had fun jumping on the trampoline.

Hannah received 3 Jane Austin books, a camera and a scrapbook, earrings, and a Music Maker. 

Happy Birthday Hannah--we love you! 

Shannon, Joshua, Cassidy, Nathan, and Brenna

Goodbyes are not forever,

Goodbyes are not the end.

They simply mean we'll miss you,

Until we meet again!

Shannon, Joshua, Cassidy, Nathan, and Brenna you been part of lives and family for just over 2 years now.  Now as you are returning to Utah , we want you to know that we love you, and will miss you everyday.  We have enjoyed the opportunity to teach and raise you for a short time in your lives.  Keep a positive attitude, and continue to be strong and to always choose the right. 

 "You guys are our favorites and we love you more than all the rest!"  

 SMILE--you know where that came from.

Don't cry because it's over!    Smile because it happened!

YOU WILL ALWYS BE A PART OF OUR FAMILY!!

Till we Meet again

We had a little get together at Grandma Middies house the weekend before the kids left. Our church family, and other special people in the children's life were invited. We had a great turn out.

Cassidy

Nathan

Joshua

Shannon

Brenna

There were moments shared and feelings expressed and felt that we will always remember.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to come and wish the children well in their life ahead.

Blog back to Public

"By their fruits ye shall know them."
                         -Matthew 7:16

Boy Scouts Klondike Derby

Vermont Scouts held their annual Klondike Derby in Newport this year.  There wasn't much snow this year, so I heard it was pretty unusual.  Our troop of boys took 1st for the 3rd year in a row in the sled race.  And in overall of events, they took 2nd place.  They had fun, and look forward to next years.

Sun in Arizona

I had a chance to use one of my free tickets.  I took a week, and went to see my lil' sister Kristy in Arizon.  I am sad to say, that my pictures were accidently deleted.  But I had a blast.  I enjoyed seeing my sister, and learning more about her and her life.  Also the history of Arizona.  I got to see all my neices and nephews, and my sister Lana.

  I ate prickley pear ice cream.  Saw and got poked by a real cactus (only exciting, because it was my first one to see).

Went shopping for new clothes, got my hair highlighted, and Kristy straightened it for me (which I actually love, I have always wanted straight hair.)  I ate dinner in a rainforest while it thunderstormed. 

I went to a ghost town, and got little treasures for all the kids.  I got to go horse back riding fir the first time ever (how I wish I had that picture). 

We ate lots of fresh oranges, salads, and plenty of water.  We went to the Arizona temple and did a morning session one day. 

 On the day I was to go home, Boston received a large storm, so my flight got moved a couple days forward (so sad!!)  We did water aerobics, went back to the ghost town, and had saloon girl pics taken.

  I went to the Arizona Rennaisance Faire, and had my hair done.

We went and saw Avatar in 3D at the theatre.  It all flew by so quickly, but was way fun, and I can't wait to do it again next spring.  I actually came home with a little sun.

Everyone was at the airport to pick me up, I was so happy to see everyone and be home.  Since we were in Boston already, we took the kids to the Jelly Bean mall, and then to the ocean.

Valentines Day 2010

I made a Chinese Dinner for the kids, which they had to eat with chopsticks.  They had fun, and enjoyed their goody bags.

Stake Valentines Dance

Shannon had long awaited this first dance, now that she is 14 she was able to go with the older boys.  Shannon and I went shopping a few days before the dance to look for a dress.  We found a cute simple black dress, and a jacket.  Shannon looks adorable in everything, so we had a hard time choosing between them all.  The day of the dance, I took her to get her hair done at TC Styles in Lisbon, your welcome Crystal  :)   

Shannon, Elijah, Zachery, and all the rest of the youth from our ward had a great time, and of course, enjoyed the food.