Grace

Oh how the years are slipping by. I can hardly believe that this little bug has turned twelve. Another Young Woman in our home!

When I look at this little girl face I remember the way she use to talk so fast with a little lisp. I remember that she was a thumb sucker. I remember her cute, stocky little body built so sturdy. I remember her saying things like "back yarden" and "enhipilada's" Our Gracie bug has always brought a lot of joy and smiles into our home.

What a beautiful girl she is growing up to be, inside and out. If there is one thing I would like my pure, precious daughters to remember as they continue to grow and experience life with all the wonderful things it has to offer, it would be to guard your virtue. I love this message from Sister Elaine S. Dalton:

" Young women, look into the mirror of eternity. Remember who you are! See yourself as our Heavenly Father sees you. You are elect. You are of noble birth. Don’t compromise your divine inheritance. You were born to be a queen. Live so you are worthy to enter the temple and there receive “all that [the] Father hath.” ¹⁸ Develop deep beauty. There is no more beautiful sight than a young woman who glows with the light of the Spirit, who is confident and courageous because she is virtuous."

Gracie, you shine. I love you. Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday Carter

TEN!!! You know you are growing up when it takes both hands to show your age. Carter and I get to share our special day together! (I would need a couple more sets of hands to be able to show my age;)

Carter's Favorites:

Food: Steak

Candy Bar: Cookies and Cream

Color: Blue

Book: Shiloh

Activity in my spare time: Football

Subject in school: Math

My Best Friend: Dylan

Toy: B-B-gun

Primary Song: I am a Child of God

Holiday: Christmas

Scripture Story: Joseph in Egypt

When I grow up I want to be: an auctioneer

TEN things I love about Carter:

1. He has a kind heart

2. He is motivated

3. He idolizes his father

4. He is a good example to his brothers

5. Carter is obedient

6. Carter is sensative

7. He is an athlete

8. I love that he is learning to play the piano

9. Responsible

10. I love his smile with his chipped tooth

Happy Birthday Carter!! I am so glad you are my boy.

feed 'em on peaches

today we headed out to the orchards to load up on peaches.

the limbs were heavy with fruit just waiting to be relieved.

we look forward to peach season every year.

we can't seem to get enough of them around here!

pure deliciousness!

we love spending time in the cool morning temperatures, filling our buckets

and marveling at the delicious fruit filling the trees. fall is in the air!

whenever i pick peaches i think of my parents singing this song. i can't help but smile everytime i watch this . . . aren't they just adorable!

they're off

gracie was the first to leave tuesday morning. 7:05 a.m. on her way to the bus stop. first year of middle school. excited and ready for the first day!

i offered to walk her to the bus stop like i do the elementary kids, but abi told her that i did that for her when she was in 7th grade, and it was kind of embarrassing. grace said i could walk her . . . but, then i would miss abi leaving. we ended up saying our goodbye's at the door.

this is gracie at registration trying out her locker for the first time. she is so thrilled about having a locker this year. several mornings this week she has said how happy she is to have her own locker:) she was a little stressed about getting it open on the first day of school. at registration, she and i both had a tricky time getting that thing to open up.

abi was next to leave at 7:30. abigail has been so excited to start her first year of highschool. i can hardly believe i have a daughter in highschool!! she has been talking about is since the end of july . . . planning what to wear the first day and how to do her hair.

i must say she looks fabulous for her first day:)

the boys were next to leave at 8:30. look at those shiny happy little boy faces!

each year i ask my kids to try and be the last in line to get on the bus so they can look back and wave for the camera. they are such good sports:)

a brand new fresh start. the first day comes quicker every year.

stand in holy places

we enjoyed our 2nd anual back to school feast the monday night before school started. our dinner consisted of steaks (doug's specialty) fresh off the grill, and a pasta salad.

our "back to school" theme comes from the scripture found in Doctrine and Covenants 87:8: "Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved . . ."

"Standing in holy places is all about being in good company, whether you are alone or with others. It's being where the Holy Ghost is our companion - alone or in a crowd. When we determine within ourselves that we will control our thoughts and our actions and be the best we can possibly be." -Sharon G. Larsen

14 on the 14th . . .

. . .which makes this one "golden"

let me tell you, this is one great girl! i know i am her mother and mother's say that about their kids, but she truly is remarkable. the fun thing about being a mom, is that you get to raise some of your very best friends. abi is my right hand, she frequently asks if there is something i need help with and is willing to do pretty much anything for me. abigail is fun, loyal, a great friend, sympathetic, caring, mature, genuine, confident, and beautiful:) happy birthday dear one.

ready for the traditional balloon launch

birthday wishes sent to the sky

abigail's favorites:

birthday dinner: bbq chicken salad

dessert: "i am on a no sugar deal"

candy bar: twix

color: purple/red

book: the help

movie: the little mermaid

activity in my spare time: hang with friends

subject in school: english

toy: ipod

primary song: when i am baptized

holiday: christmas

animal: kitty

scripture story: alma the younger

when i grow up i want to be: a hair stylist

here is a sampling of one of abi's piano pieces. piano is something she does because we feel it is important . . . not necessarily because she loves it. she is really developing a wonderful skill:)

summer highlights

{june}

boise half ironman . swim lessons . late nights . early mornings . pinewood derby . roaring springs waterpark . yard work . yw girls camp . fathers and sons campout . fathers day . summer buzzes . kids out of school . smoker

{july}

trip to utah . surprise visit from doug . 4th of july bbq at brasher's . firworks in holladay . hiking mt. olympus . stadium of fire . temple with mom . baby henry is born . time with cousins . kiddie klippers . ward campout . doug's birthday . caring for baby bird . boise spudman . walking with mom . scout day camp . book club . lunch with sis in laws . shopping with mom and girls . piano practicing . morning reading . summer goals . running group with abigail

{august}

hawaii trip. bbq with friends . visit from mom and dad . football, football and more football . gymnastics . claire visits . kayaking . zip lines . secret service agents . rope swinging . waterfalls . long hike with kids . running along the coast . time with cousins . dinner with brasher adults . late night visit with jay and kathy . abi b-day . boogie boarding . swimming in the ocean . gecko's . sea life . sunday brunch . fhe at the beach . toads . shave ice . back to school shopping . school starts:(

my baby . . .

. . . eighteen months so soon. little locks grown long. mouthfull of teeth. first words. my baby, not so much of a baby anymore. each new milestone celebrated. every stage enjoyed. i will always carry a piece of my babies forever in my heart.

my friend shawni (i call her my friend, but she has no idea who i am:)) she put into words just how i feel:

"There is something magical about having a baby. Your baby. The way you know just how they like to be held. The way their eyes light up when you walk into a room. The way you can understand every noise they make (most of the time after you have put in some good sweat and tears to figure that out). The way your heart feels like it just may burst out of you when you watch them sleep at night. I looked forward from the time I was practically a baby myself to that time when I would be able to carry my own around on my hip, their pacifiers as a ring.

Sure, they were trouble. Sure, they caused me to loose sleep and hair and stomach muscles. But they were mine. And I could never, ever seem to get enough of them."

I am so thankful to have been blessed six times over. . . to be able to swaddle, soothe, nurse, nuzzle, sniff, sing to, and mother six of my own. i am hanging on tight to these busy, full days of all six under one roof. each day is truly a gift.

one week ago today

my man was swimming, biking and running for a combined total of 70.3 miles in the boise half ironman.

pre-race picture of ironman competitors and friends

getting ready for the swim.

the race started at 12:00 p.m. doug was in "wave 8"

starting at 12:21 p.m.

one final salute before he hit's the water

cheerleader's

you would think the water would be a bit warmer by noon, but normally this is a swim that will definitely require a wetsuit as water temperatures around the 54 degree F mark can be expected on race day.

total swim distance 1.2 miles

time: 36:47

running to transition 1 to get set for the bike ride

the bike course features quite a varied terrain of flats, hills, and rollers. this course has a history of howling winds appearing out of nowhere and for the athletes the wind that appears will most likely be a race-day surprise. this year however, the conditions were perfect.

in from the 56 mile bike course

time: 2:45:02

the bike course took the competitors downtown where they made their second transition into the run.

the two-loop 13.1 mile run is known to be quite spectacular and took the runners along the Boise Greenbelt pathway system that is lined with trees and follows the Boise River.

the run finished in the heart of downtown Boise in the BoDo District.

making the first loop. half-way through the run!

running to the finish!

13.1 mile run

time: 1:47:42

overall race time: 5:24:05

congratulations to these amazing athletes. you are an inspiration to us all!