Joshua Loves Chicken Wings

All my kids love to eat chicken wings. Donnie took Joshua to restaurant a while ago and captured these photos of Joshua eating chicken wings and I thought they were so cute. I guess they were pretty spicy too by the look of the last two pictures.

Houston/Galveston

We took a mini-vacation to Houston and Galveston before school started. We drove to Houston and explored the Aquarium there. Then the next morning we drove to Galveston and played in the water for a few hours before driving back home. It was exactly what we all needed. We have been talking about going to the coast since we moved here and it was nice to finally do it. I couldn't believe how warm the water was and we definitely will be going back.

  

TWELVE!!!

Machella is 12 years old! She turned 12 at the end of July and has loved every minute of it (so far). She is loving being in Young Womens. In fact the Young Women put candles in our front yard for her birthday. What can I say about Machella other than she is an amazing daughter and sister and friend. She is so laid back (like her Dad) and really so far doesn't get worked up about anything. She is tries so hard to have no drama in her life and just enjoys every day. She definitely has a quiet/shy side to her but her sense of humor is hilarious. She will say things out of the blue that are so funny especially because we don't think she would say them. We love Machella!

Kids in Black

A few days ago it was my birthday and my wonderful husband decided to really make me feel old. It was a big birthday for me and he had a black theme. He and the kids decorated the house in black streamers and lots of signs that said "Over the Hill". All of my presents were wrapped in black paper and put in black gift bags. To top it off he surprised me by having himself and all the kids dress in all black. Even though they rubbed it in that I am getting older I feel so blessed for my wonderful family.

Girl's Camp

Machella and I survived Girl's Camp last week. It was actually a lot of fun. I am so glad we could go together. I serve in Young Womens and went for the first time since I was 17 and even though Machella is not 12 yet she could go because she will be 12 by September 1. Also, what made it extra special this year is that in our Stake every 4 years it is just a Ward Girl's Camp. It was so fun to go with just the girls and leaders in our ward. Because of this, we could plan to go wherever we wanted and do what we wanted as long as we raised enough money during our fundraiser. Well, we raised quite a bit so we traveled 5 hours away and stayed in air conditioned cabins and went to a huge water park on one of the days we were there. It was a great time and I am so glad I was able to go with Machella.

Before 3 mile hike



Wearing her cute camp T-shirt



Our cabins were right on the river



Piano

Machella has been taking piano lessons for a little less than a year and she is doing amazing. She competed in a city competition and got the highest score they had (superior plus). Because of her high score she was invited to participate in the State Competition and she scored superior (which is the second to highest score). I am so glad she loves playing the piano and I never have to remind her to practice.

At the City Competition

At a Recital held at a Steinway Piano Store

Right before  the State Competition



After finding out she got Superior Rating



David is 14 1/12

David turned 14 exactly a month ago and I am just now blogging about it. I was trying to figure out how to express that he is not only 14 but 14 and one month and I thought 14 1/12 was a fun way to do it. I guess I have math on my mind. David is enjoying school this year. I can't believe he will be starting High School next year. He finished his Eagle Project a few months ago and is just working on completing all the extra stuff at the end that he needs to do. He is playing YMCA Basketball and is really enjoying it. He has yet to go to his first dance but it will probably happen this month. He is about 5'10" and he is almost as tall as me. He needs about 1 more inch and we will see eye to eye. He is excited for the time when he can say he is taller than me and then he will work on being taller than his Dad. David is a good big brother and he has a special relationship with Joshua. Joshua sure looks up to his big brother.