Savannah is One!!

 
One?  One?  I want to know who is responsible for this time warp I find myself under.  Savannah, Savvy, Saboonu, Savvilicious, Savannah Banana, The Savs, Savalina Ballerina... there are many more names that you have already been called.  But one thing is for sure, you are one loved baby girl.  You already have an uncanny way of cheering up someone who is sad.  You have hands-down the best two teeth smile.  You melt my heart with those gorgeous baby blue eyes.  Your only word "Hi" is enough for me.  I think know you are perfect for our family.  A little girl like you shouldn't enjoy being thrown on to a couch or being pelted with high speed pillows.  And that growl of yours?  I can't even do it as well as you.  Savannah, you are such a joy to have.  Happy 1st birthday.

Happy 8th Aaron!!

My sweet Aaron Bo Baron.  How in the world did you become 8? 

I remember when you were about to make your entrance into the world, your dad whispered in my ear, Please hold on a few minutes longer.  Let Aaron have his own special day."  I said "I'd see what I could do."  You made it with 13 minutes to spare.  


No sharing your birthday with Valentines day for you.  My first present to you!  :)

What a handsome little man you've become.  Your excitement for so many things makes me excited with you!  You LOVE the outdoors and anything that goes along with it. From sleeping outside in below freezing weather in your own pup tent to playing ALL DAY in snowy wet weather.  

 

My little tawny scrawny isn't so scrawny anymore.  You wow me 
with your 20 straight as a board push-ups and your huge muscles. 

You make such delicious meals with great ideas to change things up.  You are a fantastic brother with such a sensitivity to people.  You love your little sister Phoebe with such a zeal that it rivals my own.  You give the BEST hugs.... I could go on and on.  What I am trying to say is, thank HEAVENS you came to our family.

I love you infinity times 8.  Happy 8th Aaron!!

Some catch up pics....

Hyrum mastered this wall in no time.  He was just barely 4.

Savvy was in heaven playing the piano.

I was blessed to see my family for a few days.

 Tyler got his religious square knot and his Bear award.

 We can never get enough of parks!

Ammon got his Arrow of Light and Weblos award. I can't believe he's a Boy Scout now!

Thanks for checking back even though it has been FOREVER since I have blogged! I promise. I will update REALLY soon! Come back! (Did Savvy's charm work for you? It works on me every time! :) )

Ammon, You are in TROUBLE!!!

That's right.  You are in trouble.  Who said you are allowed to grow up so fast?  11 years seems to have gone by so quickly.  I remember all the questions you incessantly I asked.  You were a desert ever having the thirst of knowledge and constantly desiring the knowledge the world held.  I relied on those around us to fill that mind of yours.  I chose well. 

I have watched you mature over the years from a curious boy, often lost in your own world, to a young man capable of reaching out to those in need, because you want to.  I see you play and take care of your siblings.  Because you care. 

Ammon, I so thrilled to be your mom.  Thank you for standing up to the tasks that have been set before you.  It hasn't been easy taking on more responsibilites, but I want you to know that I notice how you choose the right.  How you do hard things because you know that it will help me.  You are such a sweet kid. 
You know what I am grateful for?!  You haven't grown up so much that you still let me read to you at night.  You want me to tuck you in.  You still let me yell "I love you" out the window when I drop you off at school.  And you still ask incessant questions.  And you know what?  Never, ever, ever stop.  I love your curious bright mind.  Thank you for making me a mom for the first time. 
Happy 11th Ammon.

(Editor's note:  Yes, his birthday was Oct.20th... It was a busy month, okay!)  :)

Castlewood Canyon

The kids and I decided to go hiking.  After consulting a map, we decided to take a trail that would take us by some water in Castlewood Canyon.  We were so excited that we didn't take a close look at the map and went left on the Creek Bottom Trail (Top 3rd picture from left).

The kids did so well staying with their "buddy" and staying in sight. We went pretty fast along the trail.  After a good while, I was getting concerned that we hadn't hit the water yet.  I looked at the map again and realized we were going in the exact opposite of where we needed to be. 

We turned around and tried a different trail to get back to where we started.  The kids were troopers and we went back.  After making it to the car again (I had forgotten Sav's pacifier), we went back to the same spot (bottom right picture).  We tried it again, take 2!

Within a couple of minutes we heard the sound of rushing water.  The kids were so excited that it was really close.  I made them pose for a few photo opps and away we went.

Now we come to the part where I know we had angels with us.  Because I had Savvy, I couldn't romp all over the rocks with the kids.  It was hard enough just trying to get to the water.  I let the older kids go off and venture and prayed that they would be alright.  I kept pretty close tabs on Hyrum and Emily and enjoyed watching them explore. 

When they all came back together they decided to go downstream over HUGE boulders and crevices.  My nerves were shot by then.  (most middle pictures)

When it came time to leave we needed to gather shoes, trash from our snacks, muddy water bottles, etc, and I was struggling a bit because Savvy was hungry/tired and the kids were not exactly minding me.  A cute older couple who had come down offered to help gather some of our things.  After a bit of wrangling, we managed to make it back onto "safe" land when the lady said to me, "You are brave taking all of these children.  Are they all yours?"  :)  I smiled to myself as she said my blog title and I said, "Yes they are, and yes I am". 

Overall, I had such a good time with them enjoying a beautiful place with great kids.  Right as we were walking to our kids I felt the heaviness that only a sleeping child can give.  I asked Tyler if Savannah was asleep and sure enough, at the very end, she sacked out.  (Top right).  When I went to bed last night and was thinking about the day, I was really amazed that we did not have any serious injuries and what I had accomplished by myself.  The conclusion I came to was, I definitely was not alone.

Oops...

I forgot to blog about the first day of school.  Better late then never, right?!

 When I asked if they were excited, this is what I got....

Ammon- 5th Grade

Aaron-2nd Grade

 
Emily- 1st Grade 

 

Tyler-4th Grade

 So, I thought it would be fun to walk up to school.  Hyrum would not be talked out of riding his bike so away we went with less time than I would have liked.  Forgetting that my school aged children are much faster on their bikes, and that Hyrum is on his "take my time because I am 3 and I like it that way time" this is what we met at the top of our street. 

 This is what they were waiting for.  Yes, he is off his bike, and distracted by something.  :)  Let's just say, that I have since spared me children from having them wait for the rest of us and let them ride on their own.

Editors Note:  

Since they have been in school for two months now, I will quickly update how it's going so far.  Every single one is doing so well.  Every once in a while we have some forgetting of the homework, or backpack, or some behavior issues in class, but for the most part I am so proud of my kids.  The star teacher this year?  That would be Aaron's.  I love her so much because she loves my boy and he desperately needed that.  Hooray for a good year so far!!

Preschool here we come! (Again!)

Don't even try it ladies. He is still mine.


This cool dude is (almost) 4 and already knows how to work it.


There were no tears, there were no battles, there was a whole lot of excitement. Shoes on the wrong feet?!  No way.  It's the new style amongst preschoolers.  Honest!


Ever since Ammon was in preschool, we have had the privilege to have all of our kids in Teacher Lori's school. It was finally Hyrumba's turn. (His own nickname he gave himself!! Love it!!)




Hyrumba, I will miss you, but I know you are in good hands. Teacher Lori won't let you get away with anything and you will have so much fun! 



Here's to another year!

6 going on 16

Emily, what am I going to do with you?  Who said that you were allowed to grow up, let alone be so darn cute, and to top it off, be so fantastically fun?! 
6 Things that I love about You!
I love the way you smile and crinkle your nose.
I love the way you love to read.
I love the way you always remind me to read scriptures and say prayer.
I love the way you play with dolls, house, dress-up (make-up included of course! :)  )
I love the way you like to jump into the middle of your brothers in a wrestling match and join right in.
Most of all, I love the way you fit perfectly into our family.

I love you Emily Jane!
Happy 6th Birthday!

Nature and Science Museum