Ashton turns 8!

Ashton's birthday was Sept. 12th, a Saturday! I love it when birthdays fall on the weekend, makes things so much easier. He opened his presents early and played with them all day. He got one Indiana Jones lego that took me a few hours to put together, but I love it. Besides Kelsey & Emma's soccer game, we were home all day. Grandma Hibbert came over with gifts and a cake, and Papa Brent took him to Target to pick out whatever he wanted (that's how he got the $90 Indiana Jones lego that I put together!). Jared told him dinner was his choice, whatever he wanted him to make. Jared is an excellent cook, so I was surprised that the chicken he wanted was one that I make. But since I was busy building Legos, Jared made dinner (as always) and it was yummy. Very easy, just season salt & flour in a bag, throw chicken in it & shake it around. The kids love it! His baptism will be after conference weekend, so I'll let everyone know the date when we do!

I was surprised by Mallory's excitement with every gift, she was enjoying it as much as Ashton....go figure

He wanted GI Joe's, and he got them. This one is 'Snake Eyes', one of his favorite good guys.

I love Mallory's face here....why is she so excited? I'm glad that she was happy for her brother and not crying that she didn't have any gifts.

Birthday cake from Grandma Hibbert

Conner & Mallory start school

We are back with the fabulous Teacher Pat! All my kids have gone to her, and she is the best! Mallory will go every Tuesday and Thursday morning, and Conner will go Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon. I was SO ready for them to start! They really need the break from each other. This is Conner's 2nd year, so he was excited. I wasn't sure how Mallory would be. We talked about it a lot, got new clothes, backpack, etc. But she loves it and they are still learning that they each have a different day that it is their turn for school.....they both want to be the one to go everyday.Conner ready for his first day! He started on Wednesday Sept. 9th.

Mallory on her first day, Tuesday Sept. 8th
I think she could fit easily inside her backpack, she's so small.

This was yesterday, Thursday the 10th, and Mallory's second day. She looked so cute I had to take another picture! I think it's hilarious how she turns her foot like that....where do they pick something like that up? If you look closely at her toenails we painted them blue to match her outfit. She's so stinkin' cute! (and she knows it!)

Pigs at the trough

Jared is always cooking! He made cookies on Labor Day & he always offers the bowl to the kids after. He's such a good husband and father! I would have just put it in the sink & filled it up with water to soak & ruined all the fun. But aren't Daddy's more fun anyway?

Conner is 5!

Conner was very excited for his birthday! We decided to let him open his gifts first thing in the morning so the big kids could join in before they left for school, and I was hoping he would be occupied with his new toys for the rest of the day. It worked! He had a great birthday, and at his soccer game that night his team sang to him, which he loved.

Grandma Hibbert always comes with goodies for birthdays! Conner and Mallory enjoyed it very much! I was surprised he shared so nicely with her.

I think his favorite gift was his puzzles. He got a couple from us and a box of 8 different Disney puzzles from Grandma, they kept us occupied over the holiday weekend! He also got a race track from Papa Brent & Grandma Denise, he loved that one too.

A 6th grader, 4th grader & 2nd grader

Kelsey, Emma & Ashton went back to school on August 26th. I thought it was very weird to start on a Wednesday, but oh well. They were very excited! Jared & I had tickets to the Depeche Mode concert the night before, luckily Denise came to take care of the kids and make sure they showered and were in bed at a decent time. Although, putting them to bed didn't mean they fell asleep quickly. It took them quite a while to relax and go to sleep. But they had no problem getting up and were ready with plenty of time to spare. The nice father that Jared is, even though we went to bed at 2AM, he got up and made the kids waffles from scratch. I have to say that the concert was worth the lack of sleep....it was very good!



Ashton and Conner had their first soccer game of the season Wednesday night also! It was tricky to try and watch two games at once, but it worked out. Jared has pics on his camera, so once I have access to those I'll post them.

Playing in the Sprinklers

When my kids have the choice of sprinklers or the pool, it will always be the pool. But I was busy last week, and this day was hot & breezy, so to get the kids out doing something fun I had Jared turn on the sprinklers. They loved it!

It's a Girl!

For those who don't know yet, we are having a girl! We pick names pretty early, and we like the name Sophie Lin. Not sure if that will change or not.

With Mallory all by herself in her bedroom, a girl fits in great! She has always had her own room and for some reason lately, she doesn't seem to like it. Even in the middle of the day, if she wants to play in her room she makes one of her older siblings go in with her because, as she says it, "I'm scary". She means 'I'm scared', but that's how she says it, pretty funny.

Our new addition is due December 20th, and I'm hoping my doctor won't mind taking me a week or two early, just to try and get it as far from Christmas as possible. I always felt sorry for people with a birthday so close to Christmas, and now I've done it to my own child! But, she was a big surprise. I'm halfway done & still can't believe that this is actually happening. I felt strongly that Mallory was my last, I was done. But Jared felt just as strong that we were supposed to have one more. He was out of town when I realized I might be, and after taking no less than 5 tests, I called him & gave him the news. I was in shock & denial, and he was ELATED! He now thinks, of course, that he is more in-tune to the spirit than I am and as the priesthood holder I should listen to him more often. I always listen to him, but sometimes after I listen, I decide to ignore what he's said. It's a wife thing...