Been too long...

So it has been WAY too long since my last post, but we have been busy enjoying the last of our Alaskan summer. I have so many things to share I don't know where to begin, but I figured just getting something posted is better than nothing. So we are going back to mid-May when the cub scouts designed and launched bottle rockets. They LOVED this activity and it was a great physics lesson as well.

Jaron is always good for a funny face shot. He is pushing with all he's got to inflate the pressure gage for launch.

Ready for launch!.....

...and BLAST OFF! His bottle actually flew really far and he had a blast. So glad I can share experiences like this with him, even if I have to wear a dorky uniform.

Dancin' Machines

It's official. My dancing genes have made it through the gene pool and into some kids. This summer, I enrolled Chloee, Jolee, and Brady in some dance classes to see if they would like it. I have always known that Chloee and Brady have rhythm and talent in the dance department, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well all three took to dance.

Chloee and Brady took hip hop classes and were amazing. Unfortunately, I forgot the camera on the hip hop day, so I don't have any pics of them. Chloee also did ballet and Jolee did a ballet/tap combo class. Chloee is extremely flexible and while hip hop is her favorite, she shows great promise in ballet as well.

Jolee took right to class, even though I was nervous that she would be too shy. Her teacher was awesome and really made learning fun. Jolee now knows how to:

Pleeay (totally misspelled that, but I don't know French).

Arabesque...

and tap heel, toe across the floor. We are so excited that our kids have found their passions in life and so look forward to seeing their talents grow. Recital is in May...be sure to mark your calendars!

Isn't she cute?

When your the sixth kid, you get lots of perks like a constant play buddy, lots of hugs and kisses, and your needs being catered to by all your siblings. There are however, some downsides. Case in point, the following:

Brady thought Maycee would look cute in his Napoleon Dynamite wig so he plopped it on her and we all got a good laugh at her expense. Maycee didn't seem to mind to much, she even cheesed it up for the camera, but I'm sure she won't appreciate it when she sees these photos when she is a teenager. Sorry Maycee, but we couldn't resist.

Jaron Turns 9!

Our Jaron turned nine officially today, but we had his big party on Saturday. Jaron is our water boy, so naturally he wanted a party at home on the lake this year. We prayed for sun, but alas it wasn't meant to be. Our summer thus far has been filled with clouds and showers, but that didn't dampen the fun at Jaron's party. All in all, Jaron had a great time and we enjoyed spending time with all the family.

In keeping with tradition, Brady made Jaron's birthday cake with a beach theme. Complete with water, a huge beach ball, surfboard, and lochness monster. He did a great job and is learning more tricks with every cake.

Present time!! Jaron loved the legos and all the water toys he received.

Grandma Lynn gave Jaron a pair of swimming gloves which he put right to use in the lake.

They look great and work great too!

Jolee and Abbi loved getting to use their umbrellas. See, rain isn't all bad.

We had a great surprise with "Christmas in July" from Grandma Lynn and Grandpa Ron with a paddle boat! I have wanted one forever, and now that we live on a lake, it is a must.

Works great and is so much fun. The kids told me it was relaxing...as long as you know how to steer it right. The last activity of the party was busting up a huge pinata. I found this at Sam's club and it was so fun watching all the kids take a whack at it.

Aaron's making sure Chloee hasn't knocked loose the rigging.

Go Brady!

Thanks big sis for helping Jolee.

And finally! The kids shared the spoils pretty well and all had a great time. We are grateful for another year with our sweet Jaron and the many blessings we enjoy every day.

9 Months, Baby!

Our Maycee is 9 months old today; bigger and better than ever. Maycee still continues to be as sweet as pie and always easy going. She loves being with her siblings, snuggling with Mama and playing with her toes. She is not making a lot of progress on her gross motor skills mostly because she is so big. She still is topping the growth charts at 20.5 pounds and 28 inches long.

Some things Maycee is working on are:

*growing teeth (she has 4 now)

*clapping when you say "yay!"

*pushing up on hands even though she really does not like being on her tummy

*playing with her toes and always trying to get them

to her mouth

*eating squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, and wanting to eat big people food, but still chokes on anything of decent size

*blowing raspberries

*tries to give kisses by grabbing the small hair at the back of your neck and pulling you in to suck your face (I love this one)

Chloee is teaching her how to be "cool" already, but we think she is pretty awesome just the way she is.

OUCH!!

A few weeks ago, we went to "Zion" to meet Haylee and Aaron as they finished their youth pioneer trek (more on that later when I get some pictures to post). While we were waiting, Jaron found himself some tall, dead grass to play in. The next thing I know, I see him holding his thumb while big, crocodile tears are running down his face. He is screaming to the point where everyone around me thought he had broken his thumb.

When I finally got him to show me his injury, I saw a rather large splinter of the thick grass he was in sticking out of his thumb. Several people offered to help hold him down, but after much coaxing, I got him to let me pull it out. He stopped crying and when on to playing. Crisis over, or so I thought.

About a week later, his thumb was swollen and a large blister had formed where the sliver had been. I happened to be at my parents house at the time and luckily my dad is an expert sliver remover. We soaked his thumb in hot water, hydrogen peroxide, and poked it with a needle. Without getting too graphic, I squeezed quite a bit of puss out and while I was squeezing his thumb, a little piece of sliver started to poke out. I though we had found the last little remaining bit of the original sliver, so I had my mom grab the end with some tweezers and pull. Too all of our shock and horror, this massive stick came sliding out! Poor guy, no wonder he was screaming his head off.

Strolling with my Sisters

Haylee took the girls for a walk down our road the other day and I had to share these pics. There is a great story with these pictures and ultimately, they had a great time together.

"Let's pose for a pic, girls!" "Jolee, look at the camera!" Chloee is our little mama.

They loved the walk and being together, until..."Jojo, it's time to go back."

"I don't want to go back! I am going to ignore you until I get my way." Haylee quit taking pics at this point, but she did get Jolee back home in one piece. I love my girls!!