1st day of school

The 1st day of school. Jena's in 4th grade, Ella in 2nd, Jake in KINDERGARTEN!!! And Zack will be doing Joy School with me. Lucia with be learning how to crawl and then walk. And we are all excited for another exciting year full of learning and fun! I'm grateful for these beautiful children and a camera to capture them. (I always love how the preschooler insists on being in these before school photos- pjs and all). And for fun (and because I think their outfits are cute), here's the girls' 2nd day of school photos:

LAUNDRY!!!! It never ends

It's one of those cliche's that you think is overused, but find yourself saying. Like how before you have your kids everyone says "they grow up so fast". And you nod, then you have little ones and you struggle, and people say "enjoy them, they grow up so fast". And you smile, nod and escort your screaming toddler out the door. Then one day you look at your pre-teen and see the baby in her face some where and you say out loud to someone else "they grow up so fast". And you realize you have arrived, you are one of those people. Well the same goes for "laundry never ends". I used to say it all the time, but now with 5 children, that's 7 wardrobes being clean, it really does go on and on and on. So I've arrived, "laundry never ends". I'm barely enduring to the end with this one. Here is a laundry day at my house; this happens about twice a week. Then the kids help me sort, somewhat fold and put away in their drawers for another couple of days.

Learning new skills this week

What happens when...

Jena cleaned out her closet the other day. She asked if Lucia could hang out with her. I checked on them and this is what I found. I guess every 10 year old girl would love a live doll. This wasn't even the worst of it. A tutu and a winter hat. There was much more under that hat. But what baby wouldn't love all that extra attention?

These two are really lucky to have each other. But what's up with Jena's Michael Jackson glove?

Hatch fun

On our trip to Hatch this year our girls took to our friends' toys. Ella was one this quad until her thumb hurt from the accelerator.

And it was difficult to get Jena off of the motorcycle.

I was proud of them not being fearful... especially since one of them has a lot of anxieties. Go GIRLS!!! I have to thank our good friends for the tutorials and the good example of a lady that gets out and rides hard with the best of them. You know who you are.

And we can't overlook the boys. Here is a photo of them plus a little gel...

And then my camera battery died. So that's it folks.

Happy 4th!

I love this holiday out of town, but not so fun in the heat in my opinion. This year we celebrated my birthday on the 3rd so the 4th could be more about family and thinking about how we are blessed. We went to a friend's house for bbq and swimming. Here is a quick snap shot of my darling kids right before we went inside. Not the best photo, but I'm glad I snapped it.Lucia has been doing what we call the "ugly face". She wrinkles up her nose, squints and makes snorting sounds. It's actually very cute. Here's an attempt to capture it with a camera. I guess I need a camcorder.

Update: Finally a new tooth for Ella!

Some of you have been asking about Ella's big hole in her mouth. We have an update: A NEW TOOTH! She's been such a sport about losing all of her front teeth within days of each other. Luckily she finds humor in it along with everyone else. She aslo wanted me to post her hairdo we did last week.

Cabin Time!

I love going to my grandparents cabin in Groom Creek right near Prescott. My mom went as a kid, I went as a kid and now I get to take my kids there. The cabin was well built and well maintained. I love the cooler temperatures and the creative play that happens in the

Rock scientists

(Collecting, catagorizing, sorting, chipping off pieces, naming rocks, and fighting over them)

Yearly Jumping Contest

(best when raining. You must have quick camera and silly kids)

Sleeping in fun places

(Jena on the porch seat, and the other kids on the new bunkbeds!)

Troy & Louise napping

(best cabin activity)

SCAVENGER HUNT:

What's the best thing you can find? (aka Mom needs a break)

The girls won with some of these finds....

Jake found charcoal:
Not to be topped, Zack found butter which aparently is a good facial cream

Of couse I need to include a photo of me taken by Jena (warning: no make up, no shower in fact), and Baby LuLu is now not a happy girl when put down on the ground, but she does like her hiking backpack:

and lots more hiking, butterfly hunting, mountain climbing, school house races, visiting friends, special Grandma time, car trip to Jerome, book reading, playground & sprinkler time not photographed. Thanks to my grandparents for this great family spot!