Our 7 year old

Changes

At least one child in our family has been sick everyday of this month thus far. We are hoping for changes in our health. Hopefully since we've paid our dues, we'll be healthy for the rest of the winter (at least through the holidays would be nice). Although we weren't tested, the doctor mentioned it was highly likely that Taylor had the H1N1 Influenza and the rest had similar symptoms. We will be glad to have it behind us.
Another change was in our hair. The girls all got haircuts. The most drastic being Taylor's. She had wanted to donate it, but it just wasn't quite long enough and she was getting tired of it. She loves how much lighter it feels. I forgot to get an after picture, but we are getting pictures tomorrow and they will be posted soon.
Last of all, our ward boundaries were changed today and we were a part of the few who were changed to a new ward. We're excited for the changes and new opportunities to serve (while enjoying being without callings for the brief moment), but sad to leave our friends. Luckily we still live close, so we hope to stay in contact.

Taylor's day

Taylor celebrated her 7th year of life this past week. We tried to make the day special for her. We started a new tradition of putting a poster up with her picture in the living room with her favoritie things listed. This year she said:
Favorite Book: Hannah Montana Series
Food: Popcorn
Color: Light Blue
Movie: Princess Diaries
Friends: Daphney/Sophia
Thing: Soft Blankey
To do: Sing
She got a happy meal from McDonald's at school, choose dinner (which was Breakfast items) and chose an activity to do with the family. Taylor wanted to put on a Hannah Montana concert for us. This had to include popcorn, spotlights, etc. The video is hard to see because it was dark, but I think you'll enjoy what you can see. Taylor wanted a guitar cake and I'm getting sloppier as time goes on, but she loved it. Overall, I think she had a great birthday. Thanks to all who supported her.

Church Carnival

I helped put on our church chili cookoff and carnival. The kids had fun - especially putting people in jail and getting put in jail. Daddy dressed little Sam up and the mustache wouldn't come off for church. Unfortunately Daddy, Dani, and Joseph couldn't come due to illness.

Priesthood Session

We decided as the women in the family that we would start a new tradition while the boys went to the Priesthood session of general conference. It would be our makeover night. So I got the "real" makeup out and did up the girls and then they posed for me. We figured although there were still boys in the house, we could make it as miserable for them as possible so that by the time they were 12, they would be begging to go to conference. Sam still got done over, however.

Slime and Vets

The Discovery Center put on a story time where the kids got to make their own slime. They also enjoyed pretending to be veterinarians. We need spent too much time looking at the actual scientific displays. Maybe they will enjoy that more when they are older.

The news

One of the displays was put on by the local news. They had a "green" room with a cameral set up like the weather man with fun backgrounds. We had fun making it look like their heads were floating on TV.

shopping

The kids earned free passes to the local Discovery center. On a day off from school we went and as always, their favorite part was the pretend grocery store.

Idaho City

We took a day trip to Idaho City for a family outing and walked around town. The most memorable part of the day happened at lunch time. We were eating egg sandwiches and the wasps would not leave us alone. Behind me, I heard Joseph start screaming and I turned to see his lip bloody. I went to pick him up when I noticed a wasp IN his mouth. Mark swiped it out and then ran to the rinky dink merc to see if they had any benydrl. No where in town had liquid so we had to crush a pill. His lip swelled up, but we don't think he's allergic thankfully. It's hard to see in the picture. Can you imagine a wasp in your mouth? Yuck! Poor kid.

Monkey Buziness

For a day off of school, we went with cousins to play on inflatables. It was last minute, but the kids enjoyed it. Dani went down this big slide over and over and screamed every time and everyone could hear it and would laugh.

Joseph at 9 months