A Couple Baby Milestones

I am getting to be a real slacker in keeping up here. My blog has become like everything else-- I have a conversation in my head (when my hands are full) and fail to have the conversation out loud with whomever I was suppose to have a conversation with. I fear it's causing unintentional enemies--everyone thinks I'm ignoring them when really I'm not--I just had the conversation with my imagination-- who believed it was so said individual at the time-- because I couldn't contact the actual person at 2am to have the proper conversation with.--ok rambling nonsense over. (now that you're confused and so am I!)

So-baby/toddler updates

First--Allison started walking! Just a few weeks ago-right after we got home from our trip out west. Now she is officially a toddler and it is super cute. Katlyn is hopefully close on her heels--she has very tiny feet and balance and strength issues, but I'm praying it will only be a few more months.

Everyone excited for Alli's first steps.

Second--Katlyn is getting her 3rd tooth!  I know-it isn't that exciting, but I was really starting to wonder if she had any front teeth that were going to come in, so I'm super excited to know that in fact she does have at least one front tooth. And if by chance she doesn't get another one....well at least we live in the south! Haha!

I know it's not a picture of her tooth, but I loved this pic of her and Daddy playing a game.

Last- The babies have officially been moved out of our room and into Ava's. I wish this meant they were sleeping through the night, but alas, we are likely eons away from such an ocurrence. Definitely one of my first questions to the Lord when I get there. "How on earth do you give someone a physical body with physical limitations and then constantly and repeatedly deprive them of one of their most basic physical needs?  And in so doing how on earth do you expect me to be 'Mary Poppins' to my kids everyday? You may as well starve a lion for months and then tell it not to eat the helpless lamb lying right in front of it!"

Snugglers

I went to check on the kids and found Ava and Minnie snuggling!

Home

We are finally Home! 33 days, a week at each grandparents, followed the pioneer trail from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City, 6 National Parks and Monuments, 19 States, 17 Temples, 8,243 miles, Sea to almost shining sea, and everything we could stuff in between! While I'm happy to be sleeping in my own bed tonight, I think the Nomadic life is for me! (Well maybe not the camping in 24 degrees in June-- but everything else!)

I don't walk...I dance!

We don't walk...but Allison dances.. Please forgive the lack of clothing--we were getting ready for bed.

Ava's First Dance Recital

I may be a little biased, but she's so pretty!

Last Day of School

Today is the last day of school for the kids!!! Yeah!!! And also sad that it once again, went by too fast. In August, Andrew will begin his last year of elementary school--sick to my stomach thinking about that one. Ethan will be in second grade and Ava will start Kindergarten. My....how the years fly by.

Last day pics. with the kids' teachers. They were all blessed with wonderful teachers this year and we were so grateful.

Ava with Mrs. Lyle

Ava with Mrs. Page

Ethan with Mrs. Harrison

Andrew with Mrs. Cronic

And now the brag part (for the grandparents and the kids will want this when they get older--but you've been warned to stop reading if you like.)

Ethan's awards day.
Six Flags read to succeed award
GLO award (  highest score on all report cards for the year--general learner outcomes--ie. behavior, team player, quality producer, etc.)
Fit Panther Award
Top AR point earner for his class (and for the entire first grade!)
Exceeding in all areas of the standards based report cards (summary marks--exceeding for all four quarters)
Principal's award (aka. "Teacher's Pet"!!-- props to Ethan--I have hardly been to school at all this year, so he did not earn this from Mom kissing up--it was all him and his sweet smart charm!)

Andrew's Awards day.
Six Flags read to succeed Award
Top Fit Panther Award
Top AR point Earner in his class
GLO award
Exceeding in all areas of the CRCT (Criterion referenced Competency test--big test at the end of the year)
Exceeding in all areas of the standards based report card (harder to get in 4th grade-- only one in his class to get this)
1st Place Science Fair

I am a grateful Momma. So glad that I was blessed with such great kids!

All Natural...No Implants

This morning Katlyn had her central line removed. It was scheduled to be removed by the end of the month, but the outer casing eroded away and we had to schedule an emergency removal today. Tonight we will go to bed for the first time in 9 months with NO sterile bedtime routine, no pumps running all night and no alarms repeatedly waking us. Here's hoping and praying she can grow by herself with just two hands and a mouth!

Katlyn before the central line-you can see how much smaller she is than Allison

After 5 months on the central line- wish I had a better comparison but there is only a 1 lb. difference between these two--they look like twins again. Now weighing in at Kat 12.75lbs and Ali 13.75lbs. @ 13 1/2 months.

Tonight we will go to bed with none of this nonsense attached!!!