I'M 9 MONTHS

So lets see. You are nine months and you are still the cutest thing I have ever seen. You are army crawling everywhere and have become my human vacuum. I took you back to the doctor hoping that you had gained some weight. You had gained a 1lb and 1/2 but you are still in that zero percentile. We will get you up in the charts one day. Some people say you look just like Drew and others tell me Audrey. I think you are a mix of the two...lucky you. I love your eyes but I am still not sure what color they will turn out to be but they have a tint of blue to them. I hope that stays.

Here are the real things taken by http://bluelilyphotography.com/

And the Real Work Starts

The third grade has brought something new to our home....at home projects. So the first project that Madison was assigned this year was on the planet of Saturn. I was so impressed with Madison. She took the initiative and did this project all on her own. She read the books and even typed the facts all on her own. All I did was make sure the spelling and grammar was okay and fixed the margins and font size. She even came up with the idea of how to make Saturn. She told me she wanted a ball she could paint and some sticks to make the rings. So I bought the foam ball and the pipe cleaner and viola, Saturn. I think this project turned out pretty awesome and her teacher thought so too because she got 100%. Way to go Madison.

Hello Again Hello

Since we moved here from Utah, every September our friends come and stay with us for a night. Then they meet up with their family for a week in San Diego. I wish we had them for the whole week. We really miss them. Sandra and I meet while working together when Madison was just a baby and Alex was a year old. We have been friends every since.

Madison looks forward to their visit every year. The girls always have such a fun time together staying up way past MY bed time.

Here is a picture of all the girls before bed...Audrey, Kennedy, Sydney, Madison, and Alex.



Madison and Alex. Audrey, Sydney, and Kennedy. Audrey and Sydney look like they are the same age but Audrey is actually five months older than Kennedy.

Sandra and I actually got a picture together.

Soccer Starts

Last year both Madison and Audrey played soccer. Madison really enjoyed the sport. Audrey on the other hand preferred to either hold her coaches hand, run holding a purse, or sit out eating snacks. Needless to say, we didn't sign her up this year. Madison was very excited for soccer this year. Her coach played soccer in college and so far does a really great job teaching these girls how to play the game. During the first practice, the coach asked the girls what they thought their team should be called. Madison's idea of the Comets was chosen. I knew that she had chose Comets because that was the name of the yellow team in the Disney Channel games. September 13th was her first game. Her team lost but she had fun and that's all that matters.

Here she is after the game.


Madison's friend Saige is on her team. They were on the same team last year too.

JOY SCHOOL

On September 2nd, Drew started school, well Joy School that is. Instead of sending Drew to preschool this year, a group of us decided to do Joy School. There are five of us in the group and so we only have to teach one Tuesday and Thursday every five weeks. Thankfully all the lessons are planned out for us. We signed up at valuesparenting.com and then they provided minute by minute lesson plans. This is awesome for people like me who don't know the first thing about drawing up detailed lesson plans. The curriculum is focused more on values than academics although we did add a little academic section. I am excited that Drew gets to be a part of this and he is really excited that he gets to go to school. Here is Drew on the first day which just so happened to be at his cousin Ally's house.

While waiting for the other kids to arrive, they got to play with playdoh.

Labor Day Shindigs

We spent labor day at my dad's house. It was such a fun and relaxing day. The weather was perfect for a day at the pool. My dad's wife always makes the yummiest food when we visit. She treated us this time with her famous guacamole and chips, other assorted chips and dip, shrimp cocktail, and chilled grapes. Usually we barbeque when we are there but this time we had pizza instead and boy were my kids in heaven.

Here is our little charger fan. His dad is trying to brain wash him. My brother Dan is such a fun Uncle. He was playing in the pool the entire day with the kids. So here is a play by play of the Olympic diving ...


Ready........






Set......Gooooo.......

Nice landing......

And to end the evening....smores. Can you believe that my dad and his wife Jodi never knew how to make smores until Madison asked for them. Jodi went to the store and asked the guy what you had to buy to make smores. She bought all the stuff including this cool gadget that has three prongs and twists around with the push of a button. Sweet, less work for me.