Calvin's 12th birthday

The last few Sundays, the kids have asked to see baby pictures. So, we sit around the computer and admire the little babies that are not so little anymore. It is fun to see and hear the kids enthusiasm, seeing themselves as a baby.

Birthday cake after priesthood session of conference

Summer has come and gone. We played hard and we were sorry to see summer come to an end, but alas school is back in session and cooler weather is upon us.

Ammon has been learning to wake board. He taught Kathy how to drive the boat, causing Eigen much distress not sitting on mom’s lap. This summer on the lake we have tried new things. The older boys tried skiing. Logan picked up wake boarding easily, Kimball and Kathy have tried with little success. Sterling likes to u-ski. Eigen even got out on a few hotdog rides at the end of the season.

Kimball spent 3 different weeks at scout camps. Calvin spent a week at 5th grade camp. Ammon took the Priests on a high adventure camp.

Bridget loves to dance and has found a new interest in hip-hop. She had her summer dance recital in June and participated in a dance camp during July.

Sterling is always busy with friends. Logan always loves a new challenge. Eigen is a “big boy” and we are pleased that he entered the world of the toilet trained in the spring.

We loved having Justin come visit in July. Always a highlight for the boys…an endless meal at IHOP and trying to surf on Flo Rider.

We loved the family reunion. It was wonderful to have so many of the family together. Spending time with family is awesome. We love aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents! Family is always welcome to visit!

Soccer season is in full swing. Sterling and Kimball are playing hard and having fun. Kathy got roped in to being Kimball’s soccer coach. Oh the fun things we will do for our kids.

Here’s hoping this is a good school year with 9th, 6th, 5th, 3rd, and 1st graders and Eigen at home.
(Diether Gazette Article Sept. 7)

Oh the simple joys of being 3 and playing with the big kids!

Go Logan!!!

We ordered papa murphy’s pizza, watched a movie from 1951: The African Queen. The 3 oldest boys really enjoyed it, the 3 youngest slowly went away to a different movie.
Fun busy day! Love my family.

Cold temps keeping us indoors at all times, Christmas fast approaching, and the to do list endlessly long had me a bit concerned for the long Christmas break from school.  What would we ever do with 6 kids for two weeks?  Not to worry, we played hard and enjoyed fun times together!

We stuck with tradition for many Christmas events.  This year Kimball made our traditional bread bears to deliver to friends.  We reenacted the Nativity on Christmas eve.  The kids wore new pj’s and got tucked into bed . . .  and Christmas morning came really quick.  What fun!  Eigen helped open most of the presents and needed to try everything.  The funnest present opening was Kimball’s box of balloons.  He asked for a million dollars and Santa brought him cash in balloons.  At first all the kids were confused until Calvin discovered the balloons had stuff inside, then the popping fun began!  Logan is loving his ripstick and Calvin is cruising on roller blades.

We enjoyed some nice sunshine, still cold, but pleasant-to-play-outside days.  We have had lots of fun sledding, Eigen is fearless and could sled over the jumps all day.  We checked out the harbor, walked out on the frozen lake, and rode the new mini bike.

The party never stops!  Two birthdays, New Years, and Bridget’s baptism brought us into January.  It is great to be 8!  It was exciting to have so much family join us for Bridget’s baptism day.  It was a special day that she will treasure.

I loved having the kids home for two weeks.  In retro-spec it was awesome to have a whole week after Christmas to relax and play together.  The stress of preparing was past.  It was precious wonderful family time.

Moving forward and back to school was a challenge.  Life is always exciting.  Logan had his first gymnastics meet.  He placed 6th in his division!  Calvin and Bridget have joined Kimball in the ranks of piano lessons.  Sterling is all about friends, always having friends over or on the go to their homes.  Eigen turned 3 January 22, happy birthday little man!  He thinks he is very clever, taking off and going around the block all by himself on his trike or “cooter.”

Decorating Christmas tree for FHE

Bridget Christmas dance recital

Kimball Choir concert

Santa Clause

Live Nativity

We hope you are enjoying this Christmas season, we are!