Last Week of August

Both of my little boys now know how to pump themselves on the swings.  That is very good because I can just sit still -- I'm really good at that.

 Maddie was student of the month.  This is her third year receiving the "Independence" award for August.

Eddie and I spent some quality time coloring and learning together. 

 These boys spent some quality time coloring as well.  Their bath water was totally green.

 Dinner with a watermelon grown in Grandpa B.'s garden -- the juiciest we've ever eaten.

 Andy ran in his first cross country meet -- he was super disappointed by his third place 7th grade finish.

Maddie was also the "Star Student" of the week.  We colored her poster.

 We ate lunch with her.

 Six deer were grazing in our yard one sunny morning.

 Five dears were studying at the table one quiet evening.

My Little Maddie

Maddie was star student this week, so I wrote this poem that her teacher read aloud to the class.

Maddie’s Poem by: Mom

I have a little Maddie, she was only 5 pounds at birth, 

But four weeks later she was fat and had doubled her small girth.

She spent that first year learning how to laugh and to be loved, 

Her favorite time as a baby was splashing and playing in the tub.

When she turned one we often kissed her big and bald round head,   

But she wasn’t walking, and she wasn’t talking only crying instead.

You see she only wanted mother, not even daddy-dear, 

So I would hold and kiss and carry her all places far and near.

At two Maddie was walking and talking like a champ, 

She loved to put puzzles together until her fingers cramped.

Her little baby Eddie came and our tiniest baby no more, 

But she cooed and awed at her new boy and played beside him on the floor.

Three for Maddie was a big year and full of learning time, 

She could write all her letters and together we would sing lots of songs in rhyme.

Crawling through the dog door allowed her to navigate the outdoors, 

Riding her bike or jumping on the tramp because she yet had no chores.

But four came so quickly, and Maddie grew up so fast, 

She could read, and listen, and obey; she knew how to be quiet in class.

And that same year as a family we moved to Arizona so dry, 

But making new friends and visiting new parks never made her cry.

MVP was an exciting year when my Maddie girl was five, 

She loved library day and Spanish class and feeling the school vibe.

And every morning the little boys sent her off to ride the bus with pride, 

Home again in the afternoon we played the game of seek and hide..

In first grade Maddie spent the year dancing at LPA,

She really liked turning cart-wheels and swinging silks was exciting new play.

And just last year she decided right then and there, 

That being happy most of the time is a choice that can’t compare.

On her seventh birthday Maddie decided she’d learn to swim, 

Without a floatie, but with goggles on, she’d use her arms like fins.

And now she is in 2nd grade, and loving all her class,

I’m so glad she has special friends with caring relationships that will last.

Oh, I love my Maddie!  She’s the special queen of my heart, 

With her laughter and love and sweet song voice, I hope we never part.

For you see, she will always be my tiny little girl

I know she’ll grow up and do big things in our great big hopeful world.

August 2016

Hood to Coast

Austin, his four sisters, his three cousins and four of their husbands spent the weekend in Oregon running the Hood to Coast relay.  I decided to head to Sahuarita to avoid the loneliness and the renovation mess.  (And, to avoid Stake Conference -- we went to church with Grandma and Grandpa B. instead.)

We swam all morning long.

Shade seekers.

 Evening hot-dog roast in Madera canyon.

 Eddie spent the entire weekend with a fever, poor little guy.

 Marshmallow roasters.

 Listening to Grandma tell stories -- I guess Grandpa has heard them all.

 Night swimming.

This is what Austin was up to.  Sleeping in the van.

 Running in the dark.

 Reading/sleeping on top of the van.

We were sure glad to be reunited Monday evening.

Mark is Home!

Elder Mark E. Guymon returned home from his mission, and we were priviledged to attend his homecoming. We spent two days in Utah (plus the two driving days on either side) all together.

Saturday morning all the sister and mother (minus Emily) awakened and went to the temple and met for initiatories.

 We then headed to breakfast and Tai Pan.  Natalie drove us in her party van, and all the babies and mothers had ample room.

 We spent the afternoon in the yard with the kids -- John brought over his bounce house and they played joyously.  Evening found us on a date with all the adults.  We took up a major section of the burger joint.

 Sunday morning and off to the church for Mark's talk.  Not one picture of the chapel filled with five rows of family (mainly brothers and sisters and their families), but how blessed that my children were able to hear Mark testify of God's love for all his children.  Mark served well in Tempe, and I am hoping he'll come visit us soon and revisit those people and places he served so diligently.

 Sunday afternoon feast in Mother's great room.

 Sunday evening selfie at the cemetery.

Hoping to Never Forget

Maddie came home with her own library book.  The glitter and bunny screamed, "I am seven!"

 FHE is now the time for swimming -- after school is usually rained out.

 Austin gave us each a father's blessing through the priesthood, power of God, which he holds.  I couldn't help but sneak this one photo.

Almost every afternoon my boys wrestle.  The laught and cheer and scream and create all sorts of happy chaos.

 I harvested some prettty gorgeous basil for a pesto dinner.

 Maisie's morning hair is quite impressive.

Austin worked quite hard to prepare for the ward pool party here at our house.  He spent two weekends in the yard, and the entire event was a delightful success.

Then he fell asleep on the couch.  Maddie crawled in his lap and took napping lessons.  I was able to move her into her bed.  He came to bed sometime in the middle of the night.

Clean Sheets

I just finished putting clean sheets on our six beds, luckily one is a crib.  I feel like I won a huge battle.  Yes, the kids should have done it, but I do it sooo well.  Happy Saturday!

 (I should have turned the lamps on.)

Phoenix Fun

Austin and I had an errand in Phoenix, naturally the little boys came along.  Our van doesn't have a DVD player, so they are our happy entertainers.

Our tire blew out on the way -- I'm so glad Austin was with me to put the spare on!

Little Swimmers

Ryan, Eddie and I now have the pool to ourselves.

 Eddie loves the thrill of jumping off the diving board.

 No one splashes when we float.

 Warming up.

The First Day of School

My angel-pies have gone back to school.  (Eddie is 4, and Ryan is 2.)

Maddie is a 2nd grader.

Nick is a 4th grader.

Maisie is a 6th grader.

Andy is a 7th grader.

The bus now comes twenty minutes earlier, which means we get up at 5:40.

Meg is a 10th grader.