Ethan turns 4!

This boy is all fun and total spunk! A few of the things I love about this guy:
1-he has endless energy and a very expressive face. love the wrinkled nose.
2-sings his fav songs all the time like Numa Numa and Praise to the Man
3-snacks throughout the day since he rarely sits still for an entire meal (even though we try so very hard :)
4-love how he worships his big brother Liam
5-often says "mommy, you look so beautiful"
6-zooms around on his little bike without training wheels, likes to try one handed
7-always wants to swing at the park...."higher, higher!"
8-says "that is so annoying!"
9-Cheers for Avery at volleyball games "Go Wiyah-mette" Struggles saying those L's.
10- Always wants his night time song "When I am baptized" with the actions

Love ya E!

Mom

This girl turned 14

Some pictures of our favorite girl on her birthday!

Graduation: Kindergarten and 8th grade

It was a pretty big day around here yesterday. Liam graduated in the morning, and Avery had her graduation last night. Plenty of fun and celebration. Liam was awarded most likely to be an author. His class had a watermelon party. Avery was honored with five other students as a Meadow View Life Skill champion! We were so proud of her. We went out to "Vintage" after with the Freeman family (Avery's dear friend Becca) and it was fantastic! Especially the fondue-Enjoy the pics!

Family update

I am embarrassed to admit it, but I have been a slacker on the family blog. The family is growing and so are the demands of life. So I am giving an update of each and every one of us, starting from youngest to oldest.

Drew - He is about the cutest little thing around! Everyone always comments on his cute little curls. Drew is starting to get a little more opinionated and wants to be down on the ground exploring. He really loves following his brothers around and laughing with them.


Ethan - what can I say? Ethan, is Ethan. He loves exploring and getting muddy! Ethan loves, loves, loves his brother Liam. He will follow him around everywhere. His laugh, smile, and warm personality will melt you. Ethan is not afraid of much and is always getting bumps and bruises.


Liam - our serious writer, spends most of his free time writing his books: Magic Tree House, Cottle Boys, Magic Scooter Kids, .... you name it. He has also become a very good reader. It is like the light bulb turned on in his head and now he understands words. It is pretty fun to watch.


Avery - is 13 going on 30. She is finishing 8th grade and will be entering high school next year. She thinks it is very weird that I ride bikes with the high school principal. She is growing fast, not only in height (5' 8" or so), but in maturity. She has a new love of the classics - movies and books. It has been fun to watch some of the old musicals with her, 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, or Audrey Hepburn movies.


Brooke - like always, is keeping busy with BEF and Willamette Pride. She is non stop, including stuffing envelopes at 1 in the morning. Brooke was very excited to have her mom and sisters (1 in law) come in to town to watch Wicked and stay for a few days. They had a lot of fun hanging out in Portland and just doing girl things, like talking.


Me - I am not doing much. My school is closing so that has been quite the adventure. It has been a whole new experience this year. I am still riding the bike, not as competitively, but enjoying my time out on the beautiful Oregon roads. I just got called to be the Elders Quorum President, so that will make it fun around here as well.


We are all alive and well. Life just seems to happen and my blogging life has taken a backseat. Hopefully this finds you well until I post again (who knows when that will be).

Some new pictures!

Sick kids!

I remember my mom would always say that one person getting a cold meant a month of everyone being sick. Well, we got the dreaded cold, and it is going around. I don't even know who got it first, but it won't leave our home. The sickness cycle! You think you are finally over it and next thing you know, someone else has it.

Andrew has been one of the worst with a fever and double ear infections (is that a sick little boy or what?).


Our always busy Ethan, spent a lot of time on the floor sleeping. He was winding down this week, just in time for Liam to get it.



Liam got it this weekend, fever, throw-up, and coughing. With his seasonal asthma we never know if it is a cough or just his asthma. He has been pretty drugged up. Liam was very sad to be missing his valentine's day party tomorrow. But relieved to here that they would save his valentine's for him.


They are some darn cute boys though. I don't know how, but Avery has managed to stay clear of this. Or maybe she is next. Will have to let you know next week. Brooke took this for me when I was gone for a late night school meeting. It is only missing Ethan with his thumb in his mouth playing with "corny" on his "i-jy-ji" (blanket).

Mr. Andrew

Mr. Andrew turned one this week! He is such a good little guy. Brooke and I didn't even realize, but all of the sudden he was walking. I guess by number four it is no big deal. But he has a great personality, is fun loving, and very laid back (thank goodness).