Miss Anne-Girl

I don't know who told this girl she could grow up, but she is! We sure love our Anne-girl!

Kellan and I had a dinner to go to for his masters program on her birthday, so to make up for leaving her with my brother and going on a date on her birthday we had a little family party the day before. She didn't mind at all.  

She had a few presents to open. The long awaited pink dress from Great-Grandma Hazel. Her favorite are the heart buttons=)

Money too! 

Sara made her a card with a hilarious joke inside. Apparently it was really funny.

Knitting kit. She and Sara have been dying to learn how to knit. Now I have to learn so I can teach her. Better get on that one.

TA DA!!! Pierced ears!!!

First ever birthday party! I was so nervous no one would come. We invited all the girls in her class but since we just moved in and its only been a few weeks of school no one really knows us. I was so grateful for Anne when half a dozen or so of them showed up. They were super nice little girls and it made Anne so happy. 

Neapolitan cake. Anne's favorite flavor. 

I could not have done this without our amazing family! Aunt Tee came and did an incredible job painting faces and Uncle Kendall gave rides on the tire swing. Gramma Mai and Papa Kirk came too. Mai helped them all make cute necklaces out of washers and scrapbook paper (no picture. darn.)

Opening the present from Gramma and Papa.

I love her face here. She did not see this one coming! A gorgeous journey doll! I realize now I don't actually have a picture of her with the doll showing. I'll have to remedy that.

Oh Anne you are so amazing! We can't wait for your baptism in a couple of weeks and can't believe what a smart, kind, beautiful little girlie you turning into!

1st day of school

1st day of 1st and 2nd grade! I can't believe they're both gone all day! It is nice to finally get back to a schedule though. This summer was crazy and after moving it seemed like we never could get back into a routine.

Hallelujah!!! We have a bus! A dream come true for us all! I can not tell you how much more manageable my life is with a bus! The girls have always dreamed of the bus too and so far it has lived up to our expectations! 

Truman and Libby like waiting for the bus. Truman was kind of mad he couldn't get on, but at least he can roll in the dirt while he waits.

Home again, home again! Jiggity jig!

Libby loves thinking she can boss me and hog me all day long now and told me she does not miss the older girls at all, but I think she does miss them.

Anne likes her teacher and said it wasn't hard at all to make new friends like she thought it was. She said she just turned to the girl sitting next to her and said,"Hey do you want to be my friend?" and the girl said "Sure" so that was that. Thank goodness! She has been so nervous all summer.

Sara Looooves her teacher and is friends with everyone as usual. Her favorite thing to do at recess is chase the boys. Hopefully she gets that out her system before Jr. High.

Where was Miles during all these comings and goings? Sleeping. That kid loves his sleep. He sleeps past 9 everyday. Takes a good 3 hour nap sometime during the day and is ready for bed by 8. So he was unavailable for pictures. 

Another side note- Kellan started Grad School! I can't believe we're really doing it. I kept meaning to take a picutre of his first day, but I forgot. Oh well. Somethings will have to just not be documented with pictures. He's really loving it though. And so am I, so far. I don't like that he's gone so much, but I do love the tight knit feeling of grad school compared to undergrad work. I feel like his professors and cohorts are really rooting for him and he has the resources and support he needs to make this a success. So I don't like that he's gone, but do love that I know he's in good hands.