Reading with Lotte

 

Camping!

We were invited this year to go camping with a handful of other church families at a state park about an hour from the house. It was amazing. We all got cabins, and it was like our own cul-de-sac in the woods. The kids played and rode bikes all day. Levi made amazing food, and Lotte did so well sleeping outside during nap time.  

 Hiking with the girls.

 Bishop helping Cecily get to all the high places.

Bella

 Food on the front porch. The cabins were such a fun surprise. Two bunks and a loft with electricity. I couldn't remember what we reserved because it was a year earlier but was pleasantly surprise to find out it was not just a tent spot. Cecily's little buddy fell at the playground and busted his head pretty good. Luckily, over half of our families are doctors so he was tended pretty fast. 

 Mornings around the fire. Lotte & Neph

 Isn't it amazing. So fun.

 Before we made it home, I went ahead and reserved our location for next year as did several of the other families. One night they had a large fire and several of the dentist brought wax which we learned explodes in fire. Levi went home and purchased magnesium to see if he can make a bigger fire next year. 

 

Soccer

I remember when Clairana and Nephi were toddlers, and I had Coraline - everyone would tell Levi and I how busy our life was ... and it was busy. 

BUT nothing like now. Babies and Teenager Life. It is way busier. 

For Example. Here is a soccer post from August. Which I am posting at church before the sun comes up while Clairana is in seminary class. 

Nephi, Coraline, and Cabella did soccer this summer. It was Nephi's last year at Faith because he now aged out. We will see if we switch to a private league. The homeschool one in town is wonderful but I don't know if our family can make the commitment of three days a week. 

 We had fans come and support!

 And a little fan. This girl gets taken all the places. Thankfully besides her respiratory issues she is a really relaxed baby and doesn't mind the car rides. 

 

Cecily is SIX

Cecily turned SIX.

Cecily loves that her birthday falls so close to Halloween - it is like a candy party for days.

She loves people. We often say her love language has to be touch. 

She is a tough kid. Still amazed that years later the only sign of her fall is a missing tooth. 

She is learning to read and loves music.

She is fun to listen to because she is funny and now understands everything that is going on - even though she is still looks tiny.

Favorite Color - Green

Still loves dinosaurs and dragons

Favorite Food - lime yogurt with granola, chicken on the bone

Favorite thing to do - dance to loud music, ride bike, play in the cat barn

She LOVES Lotte. Lotte not so much yet. 

She DISLIKES putting away her laundry or putting her dirty clothes in the hamper.

 

Before the grandparents left - they hosted a little party to celebrate the October birthdays. 

 Cecily got to go out with Pappy and Bubbe on her birthday and pick out light up shoes.

 Gifts from Aunt Rene and Uncle Jack

New Outfit from Mamaw

 Lotte opened her gifts too!

 New dress that she got while shopping with Pappy and Bubbe.

 

Pictures by Bella & Cora

 

Levi’s birthday!

 This man has a birthday now in between two girls and Halloween and our anniversary - who would have thought that October would have gotten so busy. We all love him so much and I am thankful for his drive and ambition to run a business and be an active father to six children. 

 Loves and Presents from the crew.

Not the best cake -we all laughed. 

Trip down to the creek. Clairana must have snuck this picture for us.

 

Soccer Days!

 

Coraline - General Authority

On Sunday, Coraline was asked to be the only youth speaker to over 600 people. She was amazing. At one point, I felt like her parents were more nervous. She wrote most all her talk and testimony of Christ alone. She also got to speak with Susan Porter who is the president over all the LDS primary age children in the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8n6KDxyFW8

 

Lotte is ONE!

This little love, turned one! We are all still so very smitten by her and she gets away with everything. Most times when I pick up my phone there’re at least 10 more pictures of her that someone has taken.

She has two teeth on the bottom and two on the top.

She’s crawling all over the place and pulling herself up, but no steps yet.

Trying out simple foods like banana, cheese, and eggs.

Favorite person - Mom and Neph

Wakes up once a night to nurse. 

Still struggles with respiratory issues.

Loves to look at books

Really wishes we would let her keep the pencils that she steals

Enjoys early seminary mornings watching TV with Nephi. I am guessing by next semester she will have an opinion on the show. 

Stealer of all things.

C made this one on my phone.

 Birthday!

Lots of gifts from siblings.

 Still wearing her sleep sack at night. 

Destroyer of all fruit and potatoes.