10 MONTHS

In two months I'll be doing a happy birthday post. Say it isn't so!! Kendall is slowing down a little with her growth. She weighs 21.65 lbs (80th %tile) and is 28.5" long (62.19 %tile). She is a busy baby. A mobile baby means a mess making baby. She crawls all over the place, pulls herself up to things and walks along furniture. She loves to put everything in her mouth and always seems to find the smallest things on the floor, even after I've vacuumed. Kendall loves to smile and give loves and wave goodbye. We all love our baby so much. She's our little sweetie.

No More Training Wheels

We've come to another big milestone! There's been a lot this year. Kindergarten, loss of first tooth and about a month ago she learned to ride her bike without training wheels. You can tell in these pictures that she's really, really concentrating on riding her bike. I feel bad about posting these pictures because she's not wearing a helmet. *Cringe.* BUT I promise that the no helmet wearing has come to an end and she always has to wear it from now on. Here's a tip I learned from my neighbor on teaching your kids to ride their bikes without training wheels. It's all about the two wheel scooter first. Addi has had a two wheel scooter for about a year, but never really mastered the balance thing. Meaning being able to ride with two feet on the scooter for an extended period of time. The day that the balance thing finally clicked in her head, she could also get right on her bike and start riding it with no problem. We had been working with her on her bike for awhile, but it was hard for her to keep her balance. So, just know that it's easier to help them learn to balance on their scooters and after they get the hang of that, then they'll generally be ready for their bike.

Addi prayed to Heavenly Father every night that she would be able to ride her bike without training wheels. After she accomplished this, she recognized on her own that Heavenly Father had helped her and she made sure to thank him that very night. Last week one of the neighbor boys was getting frustrated, because he was trying to learn how to ride his bike without training wheels and was having a hard time. Addi said to the little boy, "I know what will help you. You need to pray to Heavenly Father and he will help you ride your bike, because I prayed to Heavenly Father and he helped me ride my bike." I love my Addi! She's such a good girl and I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful daughter!

Sunday Picnic

Last Sunday we packed up some dinner and headed out for a picnic. We ended up at the American Fork Amphitheater. It's located west, across the street from the Mount Timpanogos Temple. This amphitheater, along with several others in Utah, were built during the great depression to help provide construction type jobs for people. It's still in use today. They also rent it out for receptions and there were dozens of people there getting family pictures taken. It was a great place for the kids to run around and explore.

Baby Legs

Hally's last year of preschool

Our little Miss Hally is in her last year of preschool. This means she'll join Addi at the elementary school next year. Hally is going to Miss Krissi's preschool again this year except she's now in the older class and she goes three days a week. Having a June birthday makes her one of the youngest in her class. Being the youngest and petite and quiet makes a mom worry a little bit about her little girl. I'm just a worrier though and I know Hally will do awesome in school and make lots of friends!

I love this face!!!!

Squinting from the sun.

Hally with one of her BFF's, Riley.

The Forgotten Man

I don't think all of the problems our nation is facing today are because of President Obama, but I do think this painting is pretty cool. All of the former presidents looking at the nation today and the turmoil we're in. I got goose bumps, did you?

Addi's 1st Day of Kindergarten

Well, today was the day. The day that my first born went to kindergarten. So I know, it's only 3 hours a day, but still, this is a HUGE milestone. This means that my little girl is growing up! Tim gave both Addi and Hally a father's blessing last night to help them with school, which was so sweet and special for the girls. I am thankful for the priesthood in my life....

I woke Addi up this morning and it was like Christmas for her. She was so excited! For me it was bittersweet. Sweet, because I got to see her so excited and bitter, because I don't want her to grow up yet. We had breakfast, got her ready, took some pictures and then headed over to the school. We walked over to the playground where all the kids from four different kindergarten classes got to play until the teachers came out to get them at 9:15. She gave me a big hug and kiss and I told her I loved her and she said she loved me too. Then she went and got in line to go inside her classroom. Wow. There she went. I made it back to the security of my car and then I started to cry. Like a baby. Then Hally started to cry, not knowing that I was crying, because she wanted Addi. We were both in the same boat. Sad that Addi was gone. Sad that things were going to be different. When we got back to the house I quickly realized that I would miss Addi more than I thought. She's my BIG helper. Seriously, she's AMAZING. She's only 5 and VERY responsible. She takes care of Kendall when I ask her, helps me clean, plays with Hally, etc. Now I was going to have to do it all by myself and needless to say, I didn't get a lot done. Hally was moping around the house and whining about EVERY little thing and was very defiant, more so than usual. Then three hours later we went and picked Addi up and she was okay, so I was okay. She had a good first day of school and told me all about it.

Addi & one of her best friends, Haven.

This is her excitement after she told me goodbye.

There she goes into her classroom. Her teacher, Mrs. Labaron, is the one in purple.