Jacob's Birthday

Ok, so I've been a little busy, but here's Jacob's birthday pics. Also, let me tell you what Jacob brings to our family.....

• Jacob genuinely cares about everyone - he worries every minute whether mom took her cell phone, the garden got watered, the house was locked......somewhat OCD
• Jacob has a great smile - he lights up your face when you're down with his contagious smile.
• Jacob is very talented - he plays the flute, cello and piano. His orchestra teacher wants him to become a cellist.... he is torn between choosing cello or flute to continue with next year.
• Jacob is very book smart and wants to learn everything about everything - he wants to know everything about everything too.
• Jacob is a dedicated and loyal friend. He sticks with those he loves in all times of need - even with those he fights with on occasion.........
• Jacob is very spiritual. He is strong and passionate about the Gospel and his beliefs. He has been known to take scriptures to school and do missionary work........
• Jacob loves taking care of the garden! He is our delegated 'waterer' - he does this twice a day without fail...... hopefully the summer heat won't quench his desire.
• Jacob has an amazing ability to figure things out - he was putting puzzles back together when he was only 2!
  
• Jacob is loved by all his teachers - at school and church. He is a natural 'smarticle'! - and proud of it.
• Jacob hopes to invent something one day that has not yet been invented......and make lots of money..........(yes he is a go-getter)

Jacob was a concerned boy - even from the beginning...

Jacob making his angry face - he still does this but doesn't look so cute...

He was always the cheesy one in the family.....

He loves to pose with his 'cheesey' smile.

Isn't he cute and bashful? Cute - yes - bashful - NO!

Jacob was always a focused taekwondo competitor - he got all the way to red belt.

Jaocb has a great physique - totally muscular. Check out those pecs!!

Jacob is like his uncle in so many ways - I feel like I'm being taken back to my childhood most of the time.

He will always be there for me - this was in Havasupai, Grand Canyon in 2006.

Here he is as the future missionary.

Attempting to beat Nephi's attempt at touching the top, before jumping in.

Jacob is such a joy!

Nephi the Nice Guy....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NEPHI!!!Nephi is so awesome......here's some great facts about a great kid!

• Nephi loves to help others - especially mom ☺
• Nephi is definitely named after the right prophet - he is obedient in doing what he's told to do.
• Nephi makes friends so easily, he often knows kids from other grade levels - very friendly.
• Nephi loves to excel in school - especially math. His teacher is very pleased with his attitude as well as aptitude - he tries to give others a turn when he can.
• Nephi takes care of his brothers and lets the older ones push him around - quite the martyr.
• Nephi is the svelt one in the family - don't know why? but I think that's a Gary gene.
• Nephi enjoys spending time with friends as well as family - he plays with anyone!
• Nephi smiles from ear to ear! He can't stop smiling, even when he's sad and cries, the smile shines through in a matter of minutes.
• Nephi is in the know on everything! and he claims to know about everything on anything!(He's been telling us that since he could talk......)

Nephi was a chubby little cupid!

Very inquisitive from an early age......

Loved food - almost as much as the others....

Nephi didn't talk until he was two, and then you couldn't stop him!!

He loves the water, but not when he's soaked in 75 degree weather...

He learned to jump rope at four, on the sidelines at school.

He always made his grandpas happy with his big smile ☺

Couldn't be more of a missionary than he already is!

Nephi's contagious smile........

The toothless grin.....

After his baptism at 8 - beaming like a missionary.

At his scout ceremony, when he earned his bobcat....

The sweetest smile to make anyone's day!
WE LOVE YOU NEPHI!!!!

Sassy Princess

Happy Birthday Sariah! Sariah has always been the most caring, giving and compassionate daughter anyone could ask for. She has been my right hand, helping with the kids from a very early age. She has babysat since she was 8 and continues to be the nurturing sister. She's fabulous with kids.....though her brothers may disagree.
Here are some pics from her growing up years, when she was so cute and innocent......big smiles even then...

So many things we could say about Sariah, but not enough space, so here's a few:

• Sariah smiles through most things
• her vivaciousness in life is so abundant it magnetizes others
• her kindness shines through to all who surround her
• she loves to have fun! - especially with her girl friends
• she is a great listener
  
• she does a great job in coordinating her outfits as well as her room
• she loves to fix hair - either her own, or someone else
  
• Sariah is very bright and works hard at all that she does
• she has a first degree black belt in Taekwondo to fend off any harassing boys
• if that doesn't work, she can use her wrestling skills that she learned from living with boys
• she is sensitive to others needs and cares deeply for those around her
• loves life!
  

Working Out and Work-Out!

So I finally started going to the Y - great deal through the college - and also started a 5:30am workout with gals from church. And wow!! I'm so sore, I can barely lift my hand to my mouth - that's a good thing right? On top of getting up early every day - I am so NOT a morning person - I had a project to complete: writing quizzes and working out the solutions for Calc III!!! OK, let me just say that after a twenty year gap, I was amazed that I still remembered this stuff! And no matter how much I love math, it's not healthy to eat, sleep, breathe, even DREAM (yes. I actually dreamed up some problems in my sleep......) math. But it's finally over!!! Yeah!!!! I feel so done - hope it was worth the sleepless nights and family sacrifices for the past 3 weeks.
So, on a brighter note, Sariah did awesome at their championship volleyball game!!! They were so amazing - even though Sariah doesn't think she did that great (modest, isn't she?) Can't wait to see her in action in the future.... wondering of fitting it into my schedule for fun somehow, but wait....FUN???.......what's that???? Anyone else feel that way? I would love to play sports just for fun, but isn't that what we spend hours watching our kids do now? Are our days really over??? No! Please say it isn't so......

Nephi's Post-Op

Many thanks to those who fasted and prayed for Nephi. He went in for minor scope and possible hernia, and yes, he did have one and they stitched it back together. It was hard to see him, so tiny and thin, but within 24 hours, he quit taking the pain meds, and in four days, you couldn't tell that he even had surgery - little tyke! He's not being too careful, but then, that's Nephi.
Ironically, on the very day of his surgery, he was going to get a Student of the Month Award for Citizenship - that's Nephi! It was postponed for a week, but I still missed it :(
Needless to say, we are proud of him and his great example.

Happy New Year!

To all my family and friends, may your 2009 be filled with hope, love and many blessings. We love you all and wish you the very best in the coming year......

Merry Christmas

To all our family and friends, we wish you the merriest Christmas and safe New Year. We have had a year full of trials and triumphs, some which have changed our lives forever. Here's the condensed version:

• Gary had a miraculous epiphany whilst talking to one of our children which led him to the truth.
• Sue had a busy year with work, children - especially the addition of Samuel - and more work.

• Sariah has continued to excel in her education,volleyball skills, social life and yes, is a full-fledged teenager (and lovin' it). She plays the violin - but does not want to be labeled as a nerd (heaven forbid!)

• Benjamin plays the clarinet like nobody's business, had a great season of basketball, was ordained a deacon!!! and is back to 'workin' hard'. We have yet to figure out what he's workin hard at - ......

• Jacob has thrived in his scouting - close to earning his arrow of light - loves the flute and cello - to the point he can't decide which to continue in - and still brings home A's. He is still our loveable tease - great to see the uncles' genes come out from both sides LOL

• Nephi is the quiet achiever, desiring to play an instrument other than the piano, loves to show compassion and love to all his siblings - even when they're mean to him. As the middle child, he has patience and tolerance for all his brothers and sister.

• Ammon is loving first grade, reading, playing with friends and taking care of his two little brothers. He is trying hard not to be sensitive 'all the time' - only he's so darn tender hearted, that it's hard for him.

• Joseph had a fun time at preschool and learned to write his name very well - by practicing on the walls in the house! He has managed to limit the writing to just pencil and crayon, which are somewhat easier to remove than dry erase marker (!)

• Samuel has gone through all the milestones - walking at 10 mths, talking constantly, cutting 6 teeth, being as cute as any baby ever!

• We had a wonderful family vacation to visit our family in Miss-ouri (yes, we Miss them so much) and many spiritual experiences from fasting and prayers to seeing friends pass on and enter into this mortal life. We are grateful for the Savior and His sacrifice for us. We know that if we obey, we can all enter into His presence. We wish His love upon you at this time and always........

Samuel's Birthday!

It's hard to believe that it's been a whole year since our spoiled treasure came into our lives..... Here's some things we ALL love about Samuel:

• love to chase him and watch him giggle as he runs away
• loves that he's cute and funny
• love to watch him eat his food and grunt for more
• love to see him waddle around
• love to take pictures of his adorable smile
• love to cuddle him up whether he's asleep or not
• love to give him lots of kisses and raspberries on his tummy
• love to watch him dance and nod to songs like some beat boxer
• love to love him!

Just in case you didn't notice, he is always smiling...... except when he wants something! Nobody can believe how happy he is all the time!!! What a blessing to have in our lives ♥

9-1-1!

There are some things that you never think will happen to you, funny as they are for others, and then when it does, you don't see the humor in it at all. I was late for a tithing settlement at the church on Saturday, and got a call as I walked into the church building that Joseph had called 911! I was at a loss for words! I didn't know whether to turn around and head back or just stay put - in case I attempted an unavoidable painful consequence to the culprit who had erred.... Apparently, he didn't know where I was, so thought it best to call 911. Poor Sariah had to explain that it was an accident and that everything was fine - but the officer was still on his way. He spoke to Joseph and explained that calling 911 is only when there is extreme danger or harm - I wonder if he would have taken that rational approach had it been his son that had called?
Needless to say, the day continued without a hitch prior to my return so that I would be pleasantly surprised.