Ashley's 5th Grade Concert

Ashley is three weeks away from being a middle schooler! That's crazy. Her entire 5th grade (which is 9 different classes, about 180 kids) had their end of the year choir/band concert this week. Jason was unable to go, so I had four girls with me and there was standing room only in the auditorium. I was standing next to the wall holding a baby and a camera, and did any young, healthy man offer me his seat? Nope. Chivalry is dead. So forgive the background noise (mostly Sara whining--a 3 year old should not have to stand in the aisle for two hours). Here is Ashley's duet.

And this is poor, tired Sara. Luckily she found a nice big spot of aisle to lay down in. No one offers a seat after seeing this? People have no hearts. I'll spare you all the video of the band. It is, after all, a 5th grade band, and I couldn't even see Ashley in the flute section, anyway. She did great, though!

Four Months Old

Finally a smile caught on camera, and she's covered in rice cereal!! I'll take what I can get. This picture was actually taken about two weeks ago. It's Emily's first taste of something solid, and as you can see, she loved it. She especially loved putting her hand in her mouth right after having a spoonful of cereal put in. I guess it was very fun to play with.

We Finally Made It To NYC!! (part 1)

Jason is off this week on vacation, so I told him we were going to New York City. He didn't have a choice. Of course we chose the rainiest day to go, but it was still so great! We drove to Staten Island and took the ferry into lower Manhatten. This is a view of the skyline from the ferry (in the morning fog).

We got so close to the Statue of Liberty! That was awesome.
Cold and rainy, but so beautiful.

We went to the Toys 'R Us at Times Square and rode the Ferris wheel. Here's Sara having the time of her life.

We also went to eat at Beecker Street pizza, voted best pizza in New York by the Food Network. It was some great food!

We Finally Made It To NYC!! (part 2)

Rachel on the Toys 'R Us Ferris wheel.

Ashley and Melissa were the only ones brave enough to go near this T-Rex. It moved and growled and everything. Very cool.
Times Square!!! It was breathtaking. Amazing. Loved it.

Ahhh--finally, a chance to sit down. The subway was very fun, but this was at the end of the day, on the way back to the ferry, so everyone was tired and wet. Ashley and Melissa might have been able to go another few hours.

Saying goodbye to the beautiful Statue of Liberty.

Melissa Turns Nine

Melissa turned nine on Monday! She got lots of fun stuff including her favorite new toy, her first camera. Once again she wanted a Fairytopia cake. She is my optimist. She's never unhappy for long. I can't believe she's so old already!

Not IN My House!!!!

I'm not afraid of salamanders, but this little guy really chose the wrong day to show up in my basement!! Last night I had a horrible dream about a snake getting into our house (now those things I am terrified of). So today I was going downstairs to turn on the t.v. for Sara and saw this peeking out at me from under my ottoman. I'm pretty sure my heart stopped for several seconds before I realized it was just a salamander. Still, he should not be making himself at home in MY house.

Cutie!!!

Emily is three months old (plus some) now and is so much fun! She smiles and laughs all the time, tough NEVER for the camera. She also absolutely adores he sisters. They read to her and hold her and take such good care of her.

Melissa even took a nap with her during General Conference.