Mary's Baptism

Mary was finally Baptized on August 3rd while we were out in Utah for our family reunion. She has been waiting for this day and was so excited to have all her family there. It was a very special day and we were very thankful for everyone making the effort to be there. Even her Grandma Charlotte flew out all the way from North Carolina to be there. She was sad that she couldn't have her church family there as well, but today she was quite honored to be recognized in front of everyone as the newest member of our ward.

Mary and Anna made their first public perfermance at the baptism singing "I Feel my Savior's Love". They were so cute and focused (They never took their eyes off the paper). I was actually a little worried because they hadn't had very many chances to practice, but it was so sweet to hear them sing together.

Mary's cousin Sarah, who is 10, gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. Lets just say Mary adores her. She did an amazing job. She even put together a blanket for Mary to remind her of the Holy Ghost's role as the comforter. Mary was thrilled to say the least. She sleeps with it every night. Thanks Sarah!

Christopher, another cousin, was very brave and played his violin accompanied by Grandma Carolyn on the piano . He played the primary song Baptism. Thanks Christopher!


This is the whole clan. It was astonishing how well the kids posed for the camera. It was a small miracle. Looking at the picture it doesn't seem like nearly as many kids as when they are all running around. We had such a great time together.

More fun at the luau

This is Brooke with her litte friend Megan. They are finally friends after a year of Brooke torturing and chasing Megan. There are only 2 weeks between their ages, but Brooke has about 10 pounds on Megan.

Everyone got the chance to make their own hula skirt, but Jake decided it was for girls only.

Here is Jacob doing the money dive to get his treasured prize, a water squirting frog!

The Luau

Our most recent group activity this summer was a Luau. The ladies who put this together did a fabulous job. The kids had a great time. The games were awesome, and the food delicious.

Brooke riding the decorations

Jacob doing his best at the hula hoop

Anna with her prize sunglasses she got from the money dive in the balloons.

Father-son date

So we have started a tradition to have dates with the kids. We try to go each Thursday evening with one of them. Moss and I also take turns going. It has been a lot of fun, and they aren't very fancy or expensive dates, but usually include a treat:). The kids of course love it. This is Jake on his fishing date with Moss. He was ecstatic to bring this little fish home to us all. Unfortunately we never did get to clean and cook it, but luckily he hasn't asked about it since.

More Hair

Brooke, despite being only two, loves to have her hair done as well. She will ask me for hairties when the girls have had their hair done. I think she really likes it because then she has access to my sink, from which she is forbidden. She really is quite patient and and is already aware of the adoration that comes with looking cute. She was glad to pose for these photos. The down side is that she associates her little piggies with her pacifier and going to sleep. At night if she doesn't have her little "bang ponytail" in she insists on having it so she can twirl it as she falls asleep.

Hair the Old Fashioned Way

We had a great time watching Peter pan and tying up the girls hair in rags (or sheets). My mom used to do this to us on occasion when I was very young. When I mentioned the idea to Mary she exclaimed, "That's how Laura Ingalls did her hair in Little House in the Big Woods." Ever since we started viewing the hair blogs, the girls are all into having their hair done up in new and various ways. Unfortunately the camera batteries died before I could get an after shot. But if you are wondering, the curls were very tight. We ended up putting their hair up in a ponytail that looked like a bun with the curls being so tight. The girls loved it, and received many appreciated compliments at church.

The Big News

Well, after a big scare early wednesday morning, I went in to the hospital convinced I had miscarried. Everyone was very helpful and optimistic. I was kind of put off that they weren't just accepting the information I had given them and the fact that my pregnancy was over. After going through the whole routine with me, they began to look for the heartbeat. They didn't find it right away, and I was even more sure of my personal diagnosis. Then right at the end they found it, and I was completely shocked. How could anyone lose so much blood and not miscarry? Well off to the ultrasound I went to see how the baby and placenta were doing. I was now actually more concerned for the condition of the little person inside me. I had no idea what the effects of the blood loss would be for his/her development.

As the ultrasound got underway the lady asked me, "Have you ever had a scan before?". I told her no, and she said, "Well, I have some very interesting news for you!" And there they were. Two little beings just floating around. So after several hours of believing I was not going to be having a baby, we are now going to have two. We are super excited, and very nervous. I was already worried about being able to care for 5 small children!

I have been diagnosed with subchorionic hemorrhage which caused the bleeding. I was hoping that maybe it would be over now, but of course it is not that simple. I will have to be monitored throughout the pregnancy for the development of a hematoma which could potentially cause placental abruption. So there is the story, or at least the beginning of it...

The LONG awaited Balloon Ride

One of the main attractions for going to the local carnival was the chance to ride in a hot air balloon. Due to a little confusion we had to wait several hours for the balloon. Unfortunately our kids are so used to stimulation that I don't think they appreciated the opportunity fully. Once back on the ground there were no oohs or ahhhs, just "Can I go to the bounce house again?" Nonetheless, we had a good time and we will probably never do it again.

The Carnival

The Parley P. Pratt Mile Run

Before the Race

We began our Marathon 4th of July celebration with the annual PPP run, which is in memorial of when Parley P. Pratt escaped from jail here in Columbia while being held on false charges related to being "a Mormon". The actual run is 4 miles, which is the distance Parley ran to meet his brother. They also have a mile run for others who are not up to the distance. While I was thinking it was going to be a nice walk in the park, Anna and Mary had other plans. I think the track club they are in has awaken a competitive spirit in them both. They both took off and ran the whole thing. I was running along with Jacob when all of a sudden Mary came running back at the head of the pack. She kept her lead and won the mile race for the whole group. It was not the most athletic group ever, but there were some older boys and girls that kept her moving as she could hear their steps behind her. The most important part was that they had an award for her, a watermelon. She was thrilled and we were all very proud of her for doing her best.

After the race

While Mary came in first, I must say that Anna was not very far behind. She had a slow start with all the runners in front of her, but she ran the whole thing and did great. She doesn't seem to have the same natural drive or confidence as Mary, but she is quite a little runner.

Mary's Proud Moment of Recognition

Moss in the PPP

Moss was our family representative this year in 4 mile race. We take turns watching the kids and running each year. He volunteered to push Brooke, which I was glad to let him do. He did well and Brooke survived. I was just glad that he didn't kill himself running too hard and wasting himself for the rest of the day.

There is nothing like Mail

After a little email reminder to the aunts and uncles, they really came through. Mary was the great benefactor of many birthday cards and a package. Here are Mary and Anna chillin' out listening to a new Mp3 player that fortunately has two jacks for head phones. Thanks Uncle Dave!

For anyone who knows Mary understands how much she loves to give and receive gifts. There is no present too small for Mary. Just the fact that someone would think of her and give her something is huge for her. So each card and dollar that came in the mail made her day. I think the smile tells all.

Mary's Baptism

She has been counting down the days until she turned 8. Mary is very excited to be baptized.

Mary's Birthday- finally 8!

Mary's birthday celebration began on Sunday with a visit from our Primary president. Our Primary leaders are great. She brought over a cake, a small work of art, that looked like a present with Mary's official Faith in God book. Mary is dying to go to activity days with the other girls at church. She is very excited to be coming of age. Turning 8 is a big deal for Mary because she is going to be baptized.

Mary's one birthday wish this year was for a rock tumbler. It has been going nonstop since she opened it and the whole process of polishing the stones takes about a month. But at least she gets to change out the grit each week and see how the rocks have changed. All the kids are anxiously awaiting the grand opening. Mary was so anxious about her birthday that we decided to let her open her it the night before her birthday. The poor thing even got fever blisters on her lips from all the stress and anticipation.

Mary's birthday morning Moss took her out for breakfast and when she came back she got to open her gifts from her siblings. The other kids were thrilled to each receive their own very small gift from Mary.