The Last 30 Days

A lot has happened the last 30 days. A month ago Elyssa and Joshua celebrated their 6th Birthday. They had a great time and are getting so big. Every once in awhile I find myself referring to them as "the babies" but it is definitely getting less often. They are doing great in Kindergarten and it has been great having them in different classes. They see each other at lunch and at recess and I can tell that they are excited to spend time with each other when they get home from school. They are so cute together and play so well together.

 

This last month Donnie and I celebrated our 16th Anniversary. I can't believe how quickly time has gone. We were able to spend a lot of time together over our Anniversary Weekend and it was a lot of fun. Donnie patiently spent over 5 hours in two days waiting while I went shopping and tried on clothes and I gave him a homemade gift where I came up with 192 reasons I loved him because we have been married 192 months. I feel so blessed to be married to my best friend.

This last month was also Christmas and we all really enjoyed spending time together. One new thing we did this year was that we went to the Texas Motor Speedway race track and drove around and looked at the large light displays they had set up. It was tons of fun and will definitely be something we do every year.

It was also fun on Christmas because it actually snowed. All the kids went out in it but Elyssa especially spent as much time out in it as possible. It was pretty much all melted by the next day but it was fun while it lasted.

We were slackers this year and did not get Christmas cards out. It is a shame because we actually had taken family pictures a few months ago. Since we didn't get them out I thought I would just include them here.

We hope everyone has a very Happy New Year!

Our Little Artist

Elyssa had one of her drawings chosen to compete in an art competition for her school. Her drawing won an Award of Excellence and she was honored at a Reception at her school. All the drawings had to do with capturing a special moment in their lives and Elyssa's drawing was of her painting a picture of her and a flower with a friend in art class.

 

Halloween

Halloween was fun this year. Elyssa was a good witch and Joshua was a ninja. It was hard to get a picture of Joshua smiling. I guess he felt that because he was a ninja he had to be serious. I finally got a smile out of him at our Trunk-or-Treat. They get so excited about Halloween and this year was no different. They are now looking forward to and getting excited about turning six at the end of the month.

Kids With Character

Elyssa and Joshua were choosen from their classes to be "Kids with Character". Each teacher picks someone each 6 weeks from their class to recognize as a student that demonstrates a specific characteristic (similar to Student of the Month). The first 6 week's characteristic was being Responsible. Instead of certificates the school gives each student a yard sign to display. I was so surprised that they both got choosen for the first 6 weeks. They are doing so great and learning so much.

 

First Day of School X 4

I can't believe I now have 4 kids in school. I went from getting 2 kids off to school to now having to make sure 4 kids are up and ready. Not to mention that David started Seminary this year. I also can't believe I have 2 starting Kindergarten, 1 starting Middle School and 1 starting High School. How did that happen? Joshua and Elyssa were so excited to start school and their first week has been great. They are excited every morning to go to school and are so happy when they come home and can't wait to go back the next day. They are in different classes and have great teachers. I am so glad it has been a great start to a new school year.

David is an Eagle!





David received his Eagle on August 24. He worked really hard to get it and it was great to see him recognized for all his hard work these last few years. For his Eagle Project he collected over 75 fleece blankets and 350 childrens books for the Hematology and Oncology Clinic at a local Children's Hospital. He had his Eagle Court of Honor with two other Scouts from our ward and it was a very nice evening. One of the Moms made the flag cake and I think it turned out really cute. Now we have a little break before we start working with Joshua on Scouting. He definitely has a great role model to follow in his older brother.

 



 

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.