Cheer!

Eliza was able to got to the Junior Cheer clinic this past weekend. She loved every minute of it! Especially getting pictures with her cousin after! That night, they performed at the high school varsity basketball game with the big cheerleaders. A dream!

Space Derby

It's cubscout Space Derby time!  The boys competed in their first ever Space Derby this year.  Here they are carving out their space ships and designing their rockets. 

 All had a fun time flying their rockets through space.  You can't beat cub scouts when it comes to fun with boys!

Spelling Bee Champ

4th grade Spelling Bee Champion

Nathan won the district spelling bee for the 4th grade. I have to say, it brought back many memories, and even gave me butterflies in my stomach.

Here is where you find out something you may not have known about me---

I went to the National Spelling Bee.

I know, kind of nerdy, but true!

My mom and I used to wake up at 5:00 in the morning before the rest of the family, and practice spelling words, sitting on my bed (I know, crazy). I vividly remember asking her during one of those study sessions---"Do you think it is possible that I could ever win enough spelling bees to go to the National Spelling Bee?" She told me that "of course it was possible," I could do anything if I tried hard enough. I believed her. And it happened.

CRAZY.......

But all said and done, my mom really taught me so many lessons in life like that. You can do anything! Just try!

Aunt Becca!

My children love all of their aunts and uncles. They have been particularly lucky to grow up near many of them. Aunt Rebecca was only in 5th grade when we got married. While in 6th grade, she watched newborn Matthew for me on the sidelines, while I coached volleyball. Basically, she was like a sibling to my four boys, but even better because she never fought with them, just spoiled them. They love her so much! She would always give up time with her friends in high school to be with them. They were HEARTBROKEN when she left for college. When she married, it was hard for us to let Caleb take her far away to Arkansas. But..................we have survived. We still get to see her once-in-awhile!

This month was one of those treasured times! We got to see Caleb, Rebecca, and little Jack! We were so excited to have them come. Jack is one of the cutest 2-year-olds ever! We loved spending time with them, and are glad they are willing to come all the way WEST to see us!

Unfortunately, this injury happened at our house :(

Jack LOVED our bunk-bed ladder!

Rebecca gave me this baby quilt for Emma! What a treasure for me! I wish we lived close so that we could quilt together!

She's Growing Up

Why does it go so fast?

It took me seven kids to pass on my dimple, maybe I finally have???

Snow Days!

We had a lot of snow this week, and a lot of sledding. It wasn't great for snowmen, but it was great for sliding in. I think they spend 2-3 hours sledding for four days in a row.

Trying my luck at crochet!

I've been trying to pick up a "lap hobby." Something that I can do when just sitting (since I get to do that almost never!). My hands don't like to sit still, so they need something to do during movies, while feeding a baby, while children are reading books to me, etc. So I decided to try and learn to crochet while we were at the Oregon Coast so that I could practice during the Christmas break. I have had a lot of fun, and have even crocheted a little from patterns. It is so fun!