Photo Shoot

Each time I have driven to walmart, I have passed a photography studio that recently (to me recent but it has been probably over a year or more) moved into to a strip mall just across from my destination. From just the look of the sign I was intrigued and after obtaining a coupon I was in. Sweet Will turned ONE year old last month and the poor kiddo has never had official professional pictures done. It was about time. What a cutie he is. Tough to get to smile though- if anyone tries to talk to him or get a smile out of him, he just gives a little amused, slight smile. All of the smiles during this photo shoot were well fought for and he did great. I just love how they turned out and next week we are headed back for family pictures.

Cute Will has finally started to pull himself up to the couch and has learned to get down. He also learned a couple weeks ago how to crawl on his knees- no more army crawling. He likes to clap and play peek-a-boo. He's a daddys boy and I have no problem with that. It's cute and one out of 6 kids- it makes Ben feel loved! Yeah! Slow going is his way of life and I love it! It has been a blessing. It has been fun enjoy each stage for so long since he is our last.

The past few busy months....

A little review of the past couple of months! Enjoy!

Ben turned 36! The kids and I had balloons, pizza and coldstone icecream cake waiting for him when he returned from the AUTORAMA (Ben always says it loud like he's an announcer- not sure if he realizes that- now he knows!) My brother Rob celebrated with us and was nice enough to purchase and bring his gift- tickets to see the Black Keys concert in May. He was surprised!

Owen started preschool back in March. After some testing through the district he was placed in a preschool class according to his needs. At this point his IEP goal when he is reevaluated in a year are interacting better with peers and following instructions. I thought he would qualify because of his speech but he didn't. Luckily his speech has taken off- this kid is hilarious! He is also playing better with kids- even his siblings, he has better imagination and likes to play with them. He just struggles a little with following the rules. We still have good days and bad days but it is getting better. These past few days he has been obsessed with getting a puppy and going to disneyland. The p and the d word are banned from our hose right now. ;) He picked out his own backpack, bypassing spiderman, because this one is a halloween one(black and orange). He's a little obsessed with halloween also!

Conference this year was full of great inspiration,family, food, more family, and more food, and again more inspirations form the talks that were given. Ben's mom and brother, and his family came down from Washington to attend conference. Our house was busy! My sister in laws brother lives just up the street where they stayed but kids walked back and forth between the two houses all weekend. It was fun to see them hang out. Poor Jocelyn was the only girl among her brothers and 6 more boy cousins. She had fun with all those rowdy boys! These pictures pretty much explain the craziness. It was fun to see each visiting family member get measured on our growth chart. Hopefully this will continue as a tradition.

This year for, I think it was spirit week, the kids had a wacky day. They dressed wacky and did their hair wacky, complete with hair color. Riley and Owen got in on the act too.

I officially have a teenager! EEEKKK!!! Ethan turned thirteen the beginning of April. Let me just say it was weird to be shopping at toys r us for a teenager. Who am I kidding- Ben loves that place. Anywho, Ethan had a hard time deciding on a birthday present but repeatedly mentioned a remote control helicopter and He loves rubiks cubes so I helped out his growing collection. I also suprised him with an icecream sandwich cake. A big hit!

Easter was simple this year. Lots of candy and each kiddo got a couple of random things ranging from books, to lip gloss, to itunes gift cards. I had to work of course, so by the time I got home candy was being devoured already! Some had already retreated to their bedrooms so as to keep the candy away from the others. Ben had not taken one single picture!!! Life is crazy with 6 kiddos! After church we headed to my parents for dinner and an egg hunt. Payton was the finder of the golden egg containing a golden one dollar coin. Surprisingly no one complained that they hadn't found it, they were all really happy to just be together and hunt for eggs. They are all such a good group of cousins! New church clothes-

Owen was pretty happy with 2 new sippy cups and some grass!

Don't worry, more to come...