She's 9!

 Was it really 9 years ago this little munchkin came into our family?! Yes, and it's been a beautiful 9 years. Evelyn is a beauty and a joy. She is so full of talents and gifts and each day I feel like we are learning something new and wonderful about her. 

She wanted her hair straightened for her bday. It's hard to tell she's a child from the back since she stands at almost 5'4"! 

 Evelyn was very pleased to have received a sister for her doll, Sandy. Phoebe will be loved. 

Hannah and Will helping with the presents. 

Sew cool! 

 Phoebe! 

Phoebe received a warm welcome into the family. 

Lucky for us, our community was having a Fall Fest so we got balloons, played games, had a train ride and Evelyn got her face painted! 

Henry was pleased with his Spider Man balloon

 Hannah got a dog on a leash

William got a long dog with a ball inside

The following Saturday, we had a little party with some of Evelyn's friends. It was hard not to invite ALL of her friends, but we had to keep it simple! 

 Enjoying bday pizza.

 Playing "Who am I?"

 Doing some beading

 Bracelets are serious business! 

 We had some painting as well.

Crafting fun! 

Happy Birthday to our sweet Evelyn Joy! 

(the beads are fancy sixlets found by the cake decorations)

"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." — Walt Disney

I love books. I love libraries. I met my husband in one for crying out loud! I remember going to the library with my mom when I was young and just loving it, feeling like it was Christmas every time we went. 

When I was old enough, I loved riding my bike to the library. There is something so sacred and special being in a place filled with so much knowledge, so many ideas, so much history and so much magic. 

Heavenly Father gave me a great gift in giving me 4 children and a husband who share the same love. Ben has read everything under the sun.  Our kids love books too, it makes me feel so satisfied. 

This magazine stopped Henry in his tracks the other day, he can't read but he has an obsession with letters. He spent quite some time talking about and studying the letters. 

 Hannah found a series of books called "Ivy and Bean" that she can't put down! 

William is always ready to read a book or work in workbook! He didn't like to ride the bus at the beginning of the year, but now he takes a book in his backpack and reads on the way to school and loves it! 

After visiting a Half-Price Books, we learned quickly that we need to stick to libraries or we would go broke! 

Here are the girls outside in their reading fort. Excuse the wind! 

Boys at the Park

It's fun to be with the boys in the morning before Will goes to Preschool. This particular morning we rode bikes about 1 mile to the park.

 I took and posted these in honor of Grandad, you're not the only one who wears socks with sandals! 

 Cool dude having a snack

 He can make it all the way across! Buff boy! 

Just a random shot of umbrella time in the van (I love Hannah's face in the background).