the big kids' beach trip

I just love watching my kids enjoy each other . . . especially knowing there's so little time they have together before Zack is off to school. This warm, spring day they loaded up their blankets, makings for s'mores, and a little ben & jerry's for the road, and took off for Lincoln City.

madeline, paige, & emma

hip hip hooray

for the Oregon coast

he's alright

happy 18th birthday zack!

it's hard to believe we've had this guy around for 18 years! and we still can't get enough of him. we've laughed at his childhood antics/ mishaps like the time we caught him skinny-dipping in the pond with emma, or the time he gave himself a pretty good shock trying to disassemble a blow dryer. (yea, gotta unplug it first.) we've seen him through his first day of kindergarten all the way through early graduation this january. (and acceptance to byu. yeah!) we loved the enthusiasm of our 8-year-old cub scout (he offered to sew on his own patches when mom just wasn't doing it fast enough) and now bask in the relief that his journey to eagle is finally over! and we've definitely enjoyed watching him play a little basketball, a little t-ball, a little flag football, and a WHOLE LOT OF SOCCER.

we couldn't ask for a better first-born. zack's been very patient with his first-time parents because we've certainly made our share of mistakes. he is truly a peacemaker in our home. don't get me wrong. he's not perfect. we've had to shake our heads during the 14 - 15-year-old bad hair years (very long & very bushy); at his very strong aversion to stake dances; and his not-so-discreet attempts to text during dinner, family night, and even sacrament meeting (YIKES). but all in all . . .

we think he's alright

make me laugh

the other day I was feeding the baby when Noah started entertaining himself by decorating my toes with q-tips. when he was finished he proudly sang "happy birthday to you." I guess in that alter universe that is Noah's imagination, candles look a lot like q-tips. which would make my feet . . . cake?

guess who's driving?

happy day! Emma got her driver's license! Afterwards her tester came up to me and said, "I usually don't talk to the parents, but your daughter just did an excellent job! She was so observant at every intersection." of course, I still need a text every time she arrives somewhere safely, but when I'm anxiously waiting, I can remember those kind words and I feel a little better :)

7 things I love about Isaac

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY ISAAC!

In honor of Isaac's 7th birthday, I'd like to share 7 things I love about Isaac:

1. He is resourceful. One thing you'll probably never hear come out of his mouth is "I can't do that." He is a can-do man. From making strawberry smoothies to learning to ride his bike, he will figure it out himself, thank you very much!

2. He is smart. He has turned into quite the reader, speller, and mathematician. Mrs. Benton, his first grade teacher says, "If only I could have a whole classroom of little Isaac's . . ."

3. He is best buddies with Caleb. When I asked Caleb what his favorite thing about being in 3rd grade he said, "Now I can play soccer with Isaac at recess." And Isaac sure feels the same. More often than not when I look in on them at night, they're sharing one twin bed because they've been reading together or just don't want to be apart. It makes my heart melt.

4. He is full of faith. Isaac says the sweetest prayers, and frequently remembers those who are sick or need special blessings. When we're looking for keys, or a backpack, or whatever is lost that day, he is often the first to say, "we should have a prayer." He well remembers the time he and his buddy Colby got lost after going through the fence to the neighbor's property. After some time, Isaac knelt down and said a prayer and soon after got a glimpse of the soccer field and found his way home. He knows Heavenly Father answers our prayers!

5. He is funny. He loves to make people laugh with his funny faces, smart remarks, & first-grade antics. And we do laugh . . . and sometimes roll our eyes :)

6. He is a lover of the outdoors. Whether he is snow camping with Dad, climbing rocks in the backyard, fishing, kicking a soccer ball, playing by the pond, or even working in the garden, the kid loves being outside. And I love seeing him out there!

7. He is ours forever! We love you, Isaac. Our family wouldn't be complete without you!

not your mama's dance team

Last weekend I got to see Madeline perform with her dance team for the first time. I was so proud I could hardly stand it! Boy, did it bring back memories. The energy, excitement, and screaming girls were all the same. But the look, as you can see here, was all new:








Like I said, not your mama's dance team. And as further evidence I offer up these gems:

AWESOME

christmas 2008

Top 10 Christmas memories of 2008:

#10 SNOW!!!

a beautiful white Christmas

#9 Dan as Bob Cratchit

not to mention Grandma P as narrator

#8 Cutting our Christmas tree in the pitch black and pouring rain. Picture flashlights, chainsaw, and very muddy boots in my clean suburban. And hurry, because the ward party starts in 1 hour. Now there's a little Christmas chaos for you!

this isn't actually ours. it is shauna/wayne/grandma's. ours was very unlit sitting in a very dark, cold, empty house. see #6.

#7 Decorating Christmas cookies

this one, in particular, was done eyes closed by Patti & Madeline. lovely girls.

#6 SURPRISE! No electricity. (for 4 days, but who was counting?) (no picture available)


#5 Christmas caroling to the neighbors through the previously mentioned SNOW!!!



#4 Loading all the little boys onto Dad & Mom's bed for the classic Christmas TV specials. Nothing says Christmas like Rudolph + popcorn.

(prior to the electricity going out, of course)

#3 Christmas jammies


#2 isaac's night vision goggles, noah's guitar, & what came to be known as Caleb's "Heidi hat." enough said.




#1 most memorable thing about Christmas 2008: 18 grandkids, 13 siblings/spouses, and one awesome grandma at a Papworth reunion. We love you guys!

here's just a sampling of our gang. the official family picture is to follow at a later date.