9 months

I love Ian. He started out as a bit of a fussy baby, but his little personality continues to develop and he is just a lot of fun. He has four teeth showing in this picture, but another two had actually already broken through. He army crawls and rolls around faster than any baby I've seen, except for maybe Alex. He loves to be on the move.

American Heritage Festival

We all had great fun at this American Heritage Festival out in Maricopa. It was a hands on living history exhibit. We got to see a Revolutionary war battle that included real cannons being fired. We visited with trappers, doctors, dress makers and all sorts of people. The kids learned how to play pioneer games, do laundry, identify different animal pelts, write with a quill and ink, and make corn husk dolls. We also met Abraham Lincoln and he gave the kids brand new pennies that had a Lincoln's log cabin on the back.

Halloween 2009

Alex's Robot

Alex worked hard on this robot that he made for a school project. He used empty boxes, cans, pvc, and other odds and ends to create it. This picture was taken right before school. We had a hard time fitting it into the car to get it there.

Our First Camping Trip

This was our first little camping trip. Josh and I are not real outdoorsy people, but we want to at least have our kids experience the great outdoors. We decided since we had all of the equipment we might as well give it a try. I think we all had a fun time. Maybe not so much sleep, but it was definitely worth going.

Too Tired to Eat

I think this was lunch. I made Juliette a sandwich and then made lunch for Josh and I and when I turned back around she was out cold.

Alex's 8th Birthday

Alex's 8th birthday. He counted down the days until his birthday and is now counting down the days until his baptism. He wanted a scary birthday cake so I came up with these monster eyes. I thought they were fun.

Just Plain Cute

Two random pictures. Notice the mohawk?

The Next Generation

Ian and Juliette are definitely not afraid of technology. Little buttons and gadgets are like magnets, they are drawn to them and have to poke and push.

Dancing

These two little ballerinas were practicing together while waiting for Genevieve to finish up in her dance class.

Swimsuits and lipstick

Juliette is all about swimsuits and lipstick lately. She wears a swimsuit pretty much everyday. That's fine with me since it's easy on and off. The lipstick is the newest thing. She likes to put on my lipstick and isn't satisfied unless she can see it (meaning it's not just on her lips.)

Smile, and yes I do have hair

I love it when Ian smiles. His little dimple is adorable.


This second picture is just to show that he isn't really bald. I don't know why his hair doesn't photograph.

Aleah gets her ears pierced

Aleah decided that she wanted to get her ears pierced on Saturday. For the longest time she was too afraid, but finally got up the courage to just do it. I think that it was worth it, she looks so cute.

Apple Picking

Living in Arizona we don't get many chances to do normal fall activities because our seasons really aren't the same. Every year I feel bad that the kids don't get to experience some of these harvest related activities. So, I was excited when I learned that there was an apple orchard where you could go pick apples up near Wickenburg. We left early in the morning and were picking apples by 8 am. It really was a fun family outing.

Karate

Here is Alex, anxious to start karate.

Genevieve's 5th Birthday

All of the sudden it seems that Genevieve is a big girl. She looked forward to her birthday for so long, just waiting to turn 5. She had fun opening her gifts and blowing out the candles on her "Princess Cake."

First day of school

I'm so proud of my kids. They are great kids and great students. They are off on their first day of school right now getting used to new teachers and new routines. Genevieve was a bit nervous about starting kindergarten, but is more than ready. I know they will all do just fine and have so much fun.

Ian almost sitting

Not really sitting, but he can hold himself up for a second. He seemed so proud of this.

Juliette turns 3

Juliette turned 3 on July 25th. Her requests for her birthday included swimming, balloons, and ice cream. We went to grandma's house and went for a swim and then cake and ice cream.