Matthew is growing so fast! Last week be began pushing up on his feet with his tush up in the air. This week he began scooting around the house by pushing with his feet. Combine this with his tush in the air and he becomes quite a little sight. He is so adorable! I am doomed with this now "on the move" baby. Each room has large openings and there are 2 sets of stairs both going down, one with slate at the bottom. All this is a recipe for disaster.

Matthew LOVES his solid foods. I eventually bought pre ground oatmeal mix after he gagged repeatedly on my homemade oatmeal concoction. He likes it much better. There isn't a food he doesn't like except for spinach. I bought mesh feeders this week. I've filled them with pears, strawberries, and bananas. He devours it all.

Next week I expect him potty trained. :-)

This is one of the pictures the most talented photographer and sister took. (I think that was too many adjectives/nouns). She is amazing with her camera. I am so thankful for her and all she does for me!



Olivia is a great big sister. She loves Matthews (sometimes too much). She is so excited to go to pre-school everyday. This week Zach picked her up from school, took her to Chik Fila for lunch and then to the park. She was so happy to spend special time with her dad.

Michael. Oh, Michael. He is my best 4th child! He listens to everything I tell him to do. He's so helpful. He is cute! I looked at him while at the park the other day, dotted on his checks and across his nose were the cutest assortment of sun kissed freckles. His dimpled smile warms my heart.





Sam has had a very special month. His birthday and his baptism. Today Sam went to Winterthur for a school field trip. I saw him sitting at the table this morning doing his homework. There was no crying. No yelling. No crumpling of papers. Wow! I believe this is the first time he actually finished he weekly work. He told me his teacher said he couldn't go on the field trip if he didn't turn in his homework completed. Whatever motivates that kid I'll agree with. On the way to school Sam asked me when Brandywood (the old school) was built. I didn't know. He informed me it was in 1896. Then he went on to say that it was the same year his teacher, Mrs. Sassaman, began teaching.

Sam is so sweet.

Cara has grown into a beautiful and sassy young lady. SOMETIMES, I wonder how I will survive the upcoming teenage years with her and Isaac. She is out going and friendly. She is funny. Cara began Girls On The Run a few weeks ago and has enjoyed hanging with her friends while preparing to run her first 5K. She graduated from Brownies to Juniors in Girl Scouts this week. Cara is the most helpful with Matthew. She is a second mom to him. She feeds him, bathes him, changes his diaper, and is usually the first to greet him each morning. I don't know what I would do with out her.

Isaac enjoys playing baseball. His team won 15-6 in a scrimmage. He came home excited! Isaac will be turning 12 next month. I can not believe my first born in the wilderness will be in Young Mens and passing the sacrament. Isaac is fun. He has acquired his fathers sense of humor which sometimes gets him in trouble but mostly makes me laugh.

Last but not the least, Zach. I don't need to say much for anyone to know what a great person he is. He has unselfishly provided and cared for our family. I know he would rather sing for a living because he has a great voice. He tries to be the best dad. Zach spends one on one time with each of the children and can recognize their needs. He consistently shows his love for me.

I am thankful for all he does.

I love my family. I am so blessed with the children. I enjoy learning all the new things they teach me. I enjoy watching them grow. I am blessed to have a fabulous husband. I couldn't imagine my life without them.