All District

Jaycie and Benny made all district choir and they put on a great concert,

(even though they said I should quit trying to get a good pic of them singing).

It's tricky you know!

Caden is a teenager!

 Somehow I missed recording Caden's birthday in October.

It began with the very early donuts and singing before seminary. . .

. . . and ended with cake and presents, as usual.

But Caden is anything but usual.

Caden is the kind of kid who reads the card,

and goes over and gives a thank you hug BEFORE opening the present.

It was a special treat to have Grandma and Grandpa Baird here to help celebrate.

Pellet guns in the yard finished out the celebration.

Caden is still the delightful soul he has always been, although he has grown another foot and is now

(DON'T TELL HIM I SAID THIS)

taller than me. . . and Jaycie.

With his quick growth, he's been struggling with Osgood Schlatters (a painful condition of the knees that will hopefully go away when he quits growing so quickly.)

Even though he's in pain most of the time, he doesn't let it get him down.

He's in 7th grade this year, is playing percussion, is being a champion at making new friends and is impressing all his teachers with his maturity.

He's the only active deacon in our ward, but that doesn't stop him from being involved and making the best of the situation.

The chance to play Mine Craft will make him do anything and he is the number one helper around the house lately.  He loves mowing the lawn, holding puppies, carrying around KD and just being a buddy to all - except Timo who he regularly beats up (but we all know Timo brings it on). . . BOYS!

We love you Caden!  Happy teenagedom turning 13!

Girl Scout Horse Camp

Sometimes I forget we live in the country,

but then we get to go on an outing and we get to drive through beauty like this.

This particular outing was to watch Sarah perform the skills she learned in the Horse Camp with the Girl Scouts.

(I think Sarah liked the boots they loaned her even more than the horses.)

Posin'

Sarah enjoyed introducing Taffy, KD and I to all the horses.

She got to ride "Fancy" to show off her skills.

There's a flag in that bucket that she picked up on her way around.

Then she came down around a barrel and headed back to stick it back in.

Ride 'em cowgirl.

Sarah is actually pretty allergic to horses and after the first hour she almost came home because she was sneezing so much.  I had stuck a note in her lunch sack telling her how much I had loved riding horses with my Dad.  She said that note gave her courage to stay. . . even when she got a nosebleed.

KD and Taffy enjoyed the rocks outside more than anything.

(We need to make a gravel box like the one we created for the kids in Michigan.)

Way to be brave and learn something new, Sarah!

Some fun moments. . .

Timo's Webelos Rain gutter Regatta

(racing Sis. Sparks with the boat resetters standing ready)

Blowdryer fun

Friend's cool mom who lets them write on the windows

What could be better than Halloween lights and a balloon?

One beautiful fall day. . .

We went out into the country and shot guns.

KD does not like loud noises.

She thinks I don't either.  What a cute ear plugger.
(The dots all over my face were the result of biopsies and freezing of rough spots - more on that later.)

I'm not sure how we came to own guns when I've never been a fan. . .

. . . but the kids (other than KD) and Jeremy sure love them.

There is probably some good in knowing how to respect and use them properly.

Plus, it was fun to get out and do something as a family.

Jaycie may be the best shot out of the 9 of us.

(I may have scheduled us another gun outing with that comment.)

Taffy is 6!!!

It was very important to Taffy to get sung "Happy Birthday" to in bed,

so. . . we sang to her with the seminary kids at 6:30 a.m.

(Luckily this cute girl always wakes up happy.)

We met up with some friends at the Discovery Museum to make Taffy's day special.

(FYI - trying to reenact a moment for a pic doesn't work so well.)

This little museum is a gem.

The owner had to take a pic of the four little girls in the car to stick on her face book page.

She titled it "Girls Night Out".

KD and Charley

(they could be twins in every aspect)

Taffy is happiest when she is mothering something - be it human or animal.

When the kid's got home from school we went over to Peggy's to hold her 5 cute puppies. . . 

another birthday wish of Taffy's.

Look at that cute face!

(The puppy's.)

We ended Taffy's day with blue jello filled with gummy worms and marshmallows on top.

(We start getting creative with so many birthdays back to back!)

Happy 6th Birthday our little Laffy Taffy!!

We love you!

Flag Football Champions!

Timo's team only lost 1 game the whole season.

His coaches did a great job of teaching the boys how to play the game well, both offense and defense.

Timo and Jake

(you're cool if you wear your flags around your neck)

Congratulations on winning 1st place in your division Dolphins!