Our Last Two Weeks

Life is just plain busy work around here.  Maisie did pause to call an arm wrestle competition.  Andy won.  Shocker.

 Molly pretends to be bored a church.  Our nice friend behind us always entertains her the entire hour.

 Maisie and Eden registered and got lockers beside each other.  I helped them get their locks to open.  She's very old.

 Molly wanted me to take a picture of her "smiley face" lunch.  I didn't see it, either.

 Grandma B. took Eddie for his day with her.  They made cake pops which made everyone excited.  They were delicious.

 I baked bread to share in St. George with my fam.  Yum.

 We spent the weekend at John's house.  We mostly swam and laughed.

 Our family easily fills any pool.

 Molly and Kate matched.

 Maisie and Haley matched.  Nope.  But they are lovely.

 Triple decker.

 The adults.

 We doubled the numbers in primary.

 Then, Kimmie and her darling kids came home with us.

 We swam.  Everyone loved and kissed her sweetest baby, Miles.

 Maisie and Kate loved each other.

 Molly and Miles were so happy together.

 Olivia caught a butterfly.

 She's just so cute.

 We played in the parachute for FHE.  Good times.

 Grandma B. took Maisie for their date.  Maisie came home filled with love and lunch.  She also scored a few treasures from a Sedona outlet.  We love generous Grandma B.

 Maisie started MUHS.  These three are together at church and in school.  They really are gems.  (I will post individual pictures next week with the MVP kids -- I wanted to keep the school year together.)

 They didn't miss a beat.

 Kimmie and I had this really brave idea to hike with our children.  We are very grateful Andy and Nick came along to hold our toddlers and keep us from sliding down the mountain.  It was delightful.

 Grandma B. came over and brought an afternoon snack.  We love her.

 Sis sent this recipe for whole-wheat tortillas. They were so easy and delicious.

 Eddie learned how to tie his shoes.

 All the big kids were gone at the lake, so we blissfully swam.

 During our "Come Follow Me" lesson today, Ryan laid on me.  I just love being smashed.

 Grandma is with the Beebes and their new baby, we will take Grandpa anytime.  I found him reading books to Molly.  He teaches us gospel truths and hugs all who pass his chair.  We love him.

I just want to stop time.  I don't want Meg to head to BYU, Ryan to go to kindergarten, the other five to leave me everyday, and I miss Austin desperately at work.  I guess Molly and I have lots of shopping to do to aid my depression.

Andy turns 16!

Andy is 16!  He naturally prefers to sleep in the family room, lives for Fornite, adores Molly, Eddie and Ryan.  He busts up Nick, destroys Maddie, protects Maisie and takes it all from Meg.

 He finally got a phone.  He likes me again.

 Then he moaned all day long and so we postponed his celebration to the next night.

Andy is funny.  He is smart.  He has FOMO.  He needs to earn his Eagle Scout Award in order to drive.  He wears Vans and Levis.  He lifts each evening.  He listens to "clean" rap music.  He likes to smell good.  He blesses water during the sacrament each Sunday.  He prays with his  heart.  He's first lift heavy things, bring in the trash cans, pretend to sing, ditch family choir and eat up all the food.  We love him.

Summer Lovin'

Father's Day was certainly full.  Our Babcock fathers are good and true.  They keep us safe and warm.

 Lego-topia all over the girls' room was delightful.  This game was their way to be creative.  I love it. 

 I needed a change in wreaths.  I found all this under the house.

 Grandma B. came and picked up Ryan for a day of spoiling and treats.  They made mummy dogs and brought home Oreos.  Ryan always comes home happier and more loving.  That's what grandma does for each person she nurtures.

 Molly made a "potion."  She told us we could get powers if we drank it.  Nope. I'm okay being ordinary.

 Maddie wears her winter boots because she owns no flip flops.  (We did fix that.)

These two play are as thick as thieves.  They jump from boat to tree and back again.

 Friday night Austin went with his dad to a baseball game.  Meg decided that we should buy Taco Bell and eat it at the park.  It was so much fun.

 We then came home to a show.  Being together is so easy.

 Ron and Rachelle arrived with their family to prepare to go to Mexico.  We swam.

 She zips all over the pool now.

 Sunday-selfie.

Maddie is 10!

Maddie is 10!  We decided that she needed her very first party with friends.  Saturday afternoon a few girls came over to make pizzas and swim.  Maddie smiled and laughed the entire time.

 Present opening couldn't wait -- we ate, sang and cut the cake before heading out back for the rest of the afternoon.

 We played that game where I dumped a whole bunch of pennies in the the pool, then the children redeemed them at my little candy shop.

 Maddie's friends are lovely girls.  We were so happy to have them over.

 Sunday morning we did it all again.  Maddie opened a few gifts (which she specifically picked and carefully listed for my convenience, bless her) and we ate savory and sweet crepes.

 "I wanted this!"and "This is just the color I wanted!" and "Yes!  Yes! Yes!" confirmed I shopped correctly.

 Of course we sung to her at church, and her teacher has the same birthday as well.

 Birthday girl.

 Maisie helped Maddie begin to make her "fluffamal", which is a stuffed animal to which you add all the fur.

 She's grown!

 Fresh apricot cobbler rounded out dinner.

 Grandma and Grandpa came to love and kiss and admire our little denarian.

After "Come Follow Me" we went for a quiet walk and then the Taylors came over to play flag football and eat mud pie.  They were an impromptu visit, but they listed, cooed and watched "all" the tricks of each child.  

Maddie is practices a bit of piano everyday, so she learns a new song each week.  She also flips and cartwheels her way around the house.  Austin gasps every time she walks down the hall in a back bend.   She sings with all her might in primary, can say any "Article of Faith" on demand, and reads for hours up in the tree.  We love Maddie because she is our family MVP football player -- she's fast.  (Meg keeps convincing her to be a gymnast instead of a runner, so Maddie won't beat all her records.)  Mostly, Maddie loves.  She knows how to play dollhouse with Molly, Uno with Ryan, Crazy Games with Eddie, wrestle with Nick, ukulele with Maisie, football with Andy, and clean the office with Meg.  We love our girl that is 10!