EVELYN 2 MONTHS

 Twin cousins... Hallie and Evelyn

My sweet little baby.  I love her so much.  I, of course, love all of my kids, but there is something about your third kid.   I think I am so much more mature and so much more knowledgeable about how fast time goes and how precious this baby time is.  I am really enjoying everything about her.  It helps that she is the best baby around, but really it has been nothing but pleasant.  I think if she were my last one I would be sad! Our sweet girl is about two and a half months now.  She is sleeping basically through the night and nursing very well.  I wasn't planning on nursing at all, but she has done so well and I am surprised by how much I am loving it.  It really is bonding, as they say, and I soak up all the time I get with her because the rest of the day is so busy.  I really don't have her on the ground as much as  I should and now that she is awake more of the day, I need to get better at that.  She is a sweet soul, you can tell.  Very mild mannered and wonderful.  She started smiling at around 7 weeks and is now laughing a bit at me and her siblings.  I love her so much and am so thankful for the sweet spirit she brings into our home.  There is just such love around when you have a newborn in the home.  She is straight from heaven and such a blessing!! I can't wait to watch her grow and sit and eat and become whoever she will become.  I am blessed to be her mommy. (At two months she weighted 10 lbs 16 oz and was 23 inches long... that is 50% for both... she will be my most tiny baby). 

RANDOM PICTURES

 Savannah being herself.  CRAZY! :) and cute and so funny!!

 They love their new sister!

 Camping with Dad in backyard.

 Hiking Silver Lake with family on Labor Day

 First time at the circus!

 Church and cheesy smiles

 Jeromy and Elisha's wedding

 Savannah would not get in this picture.  I have to figure out how to bribe her. 

 Halloween crafts!

FIRST GRADE

Jack is in first grade.  I can't believe it.  He is in Ms. Reynolds class and I am so happy about that.  She was Jon's and Lauren's teacher in 1st grade and I requested her because I have heard she is good with boys, reading and I knew that both of them loved her.  She is teaching a 1st/2nd split this year and I wasn't sure if he would get in because they normally take the kids that are self sufficient and who they feel can keep up with the work.  I am happy that his kindergarten teacher thought he would do well in the combined class.  So far, he is LOVING school.  He definitely was ready to go and he is really thriving in the environment.  I remember asking my friends, who have older kids, when a toddler turns into a "real" kid... with thoughts and feelings and things of their own.  I think it is when they start school.  Jack is blossoming into a great little kid.  He is kind, a rule follower, a writer, a reader and getting better at math.  He is a pleaser and very friendly.  He is really taking off in reading and comes home and writes stories and leaves them around the house.  He has been getting great marks on all of his work and he seems to be retaining a lot of things he learns at school.  I am anxious to have a parent teacher conference in a few weeks to really get the scoop, but from what I can tell he is really doing well and really enjoying it.

I am so proud of him.  I love him so much and I love watching him grow.  He loves his sisters and Savannah really misses him while he is gone.  She is my little buddy and I am trying to spend more time with her, in between nursing Evelyn, but the minute Jack gets home... she follows him around for the rest of the night.  Oh, I love my kids!!  

JACK SPORTS

Jack had a lot of fun doing sports this summer.  He is definitely athletic and comfortable pushing himself in that way.  I think the things he is the best at are running and swimming.  He is definitely the best out of his friends at these things.  I think we will hone those skills and I hope he will continue to progress in these and find joy in these.   I love running so much, it is fun to see him participate in races and to have such a natural ability for it.  I love that he is not that competitive yet and friendly and not boastful.  He has confidence and kindness and I think he will go far in life.  I love watching him play and  I love being a part of the community of sports.  It will be fun to watch all these boys grow and play together in high school.  We are so happy that we live in Murray!! It is such a great community and so close knit.  He will start competitive swimming in a few weeks and then bball after Christmas.  We will only be getting busier after that because Savannah will join in the mix and she is very excited to follow in her brothers footsteps!