"I came in a box."

We were telling Laney a story about when she was a baby this evening. When we had finished, she told us she knew where she had come from. She said, "Mom, I came in a box from the "real" baby store. It's not where you get pretend babies.... The doctor opened the box and I came out." A bit later, she told us that she isn't a toy and that she didn't really come from a store. She said she came out of my tummy. Sara asked her if she came out of my belly button. Laney said, "No... belly buttons are locks. The doctor uses a round key to open them and get the baby out."

Richard and I were trying not to burst out laughing. I love that way kids minds work.

We Have A Freshman Among Us

Sam is officially done with Elementary School. How time flies! He went to his 8th grade promotion dance and dinner yesterday evening looking handsome and sleek. These are a few pictures I snapped before he went. What a cutie he is!



These next few are from today's promotion ceremony. Every time Sam was called up for an award there were many screams and cheers from the girls. He has become such a ladies man with having spent the last couple years hanging out with the cheer team as the mascot. (He can't wait to be 16 and date, but I am alright with him having a couple more years with me as his date.)

Getting his certificate of promotion from Ms. Buck our wonderful principal

Sam and Travis have been great friends through most of elementary school. We look forward to many more years of friendship with the Klippels.

Sam is an excellent student. He checks his grade almost daily and is always working hard to keep them tip top. I figured he would get recognition of some sort for his straight A's, but I was super proud to see him receive four individual recognition awards. He was awarded trophies for Principal's Honor Roll, Highest Achievement in Science, Art Student of the Year and P. E. Student of the Year. He certainly worked hard this year and I was glad he could be honored for his achievements.

It is truly an honor and a blessing to be his mother. I love you Sammy!!!!

Happy Birthday Laney!

Laney is 4! She is thrilled. She has also officially entered into the awkward, forced smile phase of childhood. She is such a girly-girl. Everything is princesses and dress-up. She can hardly walk with out using her super model hip action. She is sweet and kind but know how to hold her own in this house of older siblings. She is dying to have to wait another year before kindergarten, she is ready to take over the school. What a blessing she is to our family!

Mmm, Lip Smackers!

We got her a kitchen set to enjoy with Zanna. They were thrilled!

Sam wanted to add a little somethin' to the moment. What a HAM!

Laney wanted a rainbow colored cake, with orange frosting and the word Love on in red, with red hearts and stars everywhere, topped with sprinkles. She was VERY specific this year.

Sam also took a million pictures of the inside of the cake.
I am only sharing these two. I prefer people pictures.

Dysart District Elementary Mascot Competition

Dysart Cheer and Pom team got two first place trophies. Here are Sam's awesome eagle moves. Enjoy! We are so proud of him and excited to see him as the Dysart High School mascot next year, Hot Stuff the Dysart Demon.

Gila Valley Temple Open House

What a gorgeous day! The weather was beautiful and the Gila Valley was stunning. There was snow on the mountain and the fields in the valley were green and lush. I had never been to the Safford/Thatcher area of Arizona before. It was great to learn a bit of the history of the valley and see the blessings fulfilled through the building of this temple.


The best moments for me were in the Celestial Room, sitting reverently with my husband and all our children. It was a bit of heaven, really. The Spirit was so strong, there was no doubt of Heavenly Father's love for us. It was definitely worth the 3 1/2 hour drive each way.

The chandelier was amazing. I couldn't believe how reverent the kids were with all the beautiful things to marvel at. Visit HERE to see more photos of the temple and read more about the Gila Valley Temple.



I am eagerly awaiting the dedication. Six of our nine children are old enough to go to the dedication with us. I know the time will come all to soon that they will be grown and we will all be in the temple together again.

All made up and pretty???

Susanna was utterly destroyed when I took my mascara away from her and told her it was NOT lip gloss, and NOT hers. She did look fabulous though, don't you think?

Susanna, Zanna, Suzi, Zoozoo, ZooZanna, Zah-zoo, Zanna-ramma-lamma....

She is TWO. I can't believe it. My baby is two. I have never had a two-year-old as my baby before. There has always been one younger or on the way, about to be born. It feels kind of strange and wonderful all at the same time.



This Zanna girl of ours has more nick names, that get used daily, than any of our other kids ever had. She at the age where she thinks she can talk, but we only understand a few of her sentences. It is getting more and more clear. It is entertaining everywhere but in the car when she keeps saying "Mom!" followed by jabber over and over and over and over, and the "Mom!" gets louder and more frustrated every time I give the wrong answer.

She loves to play with her big sisters and be one of the girls. Her favorite place to sit is in the La-Z-Boy, but especially if my lap is already there to sit on. She is beginning to get picky about what she wears, I am working on getting her over this phase quickly. Two year olds are not allowed to be picky in my house. She loves to help out with chores and follow me around.

What a joy these two years have been!