Photoshoot!

I know many of you are expecting cute pictures of my kids, most likely from Jen. But guess what! This is not the photoshoot I am referring to. Jen must be rubbing off on Anasten for a possible career because Anasten has taken to photography. Today she decided that she needed to hold a photoshoot in our playroom. Who were the subjects you ask? Well all of the baby dolls. What were the backdrops etc? Well all of our dressup and toys for props. She even let Hilary get dressed up and get her photo taken. So if Anasten becomes some successful photographer someday I can be the mom saying she was "always" taking photos.:) Anasten photoshoot 2009, behold.....

Make a Smilebox slideshow

"Firsts"

August was gone before we could blink our eyes. It was a busy, fun month. August was full of "first" times. Anasten started her second year at preschool, and a new preschool closer to home. She also started...drum roll...soccer!

Ana was so excited for preschool, and of course which outfit to wear! She would not let mama buy a new backpack even though her one from last year has a paint stain. She says it is to beautiful to get a new one! She wanted the "big curls" on the first day so we added some curls with a curling iron to her already "big" hair.

When Anasten walked in, she got to pick the lamb with her name and put it on the attendance board titled, "The Lord is my Shepard." Her teacher asked if she wanted some help finding her name, she responded, "if you want but it's right there." Her teacher already thinks she is a hoot. She thinks she is very obedient and reserved, (the first made me happy, the second...well just wait.) She has become quite shy to people at first, but anyone who knows her knows that "reserveness" doesn't last long. Anasten was not nervous at all! She sat right down at the table and wouldn't even entertain my tenderness. "Mama, you will be fine!" She is very independent!

And here we are to our first season of soccer! Our uncle AJ has been prepping this since in the womb. Anasten loves the "costume." It is pink and that is just great! She loves that she has hard legs, and long socks. We practiced and practiced before the big game in the yard. She is happy that her shoes have "bumps" on the bottom that are magic running bumps. She raced until she was red, (Luke tried to keep up, but just couldn't.) She kicked the ball in every which way and even fell a couple times saying, "it's ok mama, in soccer you fall on your bum bum sometimes."

The big game was on Pop's birthday! The big huddle contained 6 little girls with pretty hair all ready to prance around the field. Little did they know the other team had been coached using words like, "offense, defense, attack." To say the least they are more "soccer savvy." After Anasten's first play time she was disappointed saying, "no one is letting me have a turn kicking the ball." After coaching from daddy, and nana she understood that in soccer you have to take a turn. Her second play time was a success. She even had a goal assist on our only goal, (AJ would be taking stats.) She did struggle with her hands, but it was all out of function. When the ball would get lost in the huddle of bobbing ponytails Anasten would simply pick it up and move it. All the girls did a great job, and I would dare say that every girl kicked it at least twice! The game was a ball, we can't wait for the rest of the season!

Odds and Ends of Summer

Ok pretend for a minutes that it is July....not September. I finally have a good internet connection so I can catch up with the summer. Enjoy our midsummer tidbits.... This is a sneak peak at the fun we had on our California vacation. You will have to wait for the full report as my scrapbook gets finished to share:)

Hilary turned 21 and we got to go to Chuckie Cheese! It was so fun! Anasten loved all of the arcade games.

Luke was our very own "All American Hunk" on the 4th of July. He ate his first popsicle, and LOVED it! He enjoyed watching the parade but really was just too focused on his popsicle.

Anasten rode on the church float in the parade. We had a very hard time talking her into riding because she would miss out on catching candy. We finally convinced her but her choice is to catch candy next year. When I was taking this picture she was yelling, "make sure daddy gets me some candy, don't let him eat it all!"

Luke got to ride his first horse at the animal farms. He LOVED it! He waved his arms and chattered the whole time. We think Nana and Pop need a pony for us to ride.

Woo...that was a lot to say! Please stay tuned for our vacation scrapbook.

Mama did you know...?

On the long Nevada freeway a little girl shares some truth with her mom and dad....

Ana, "Mama did you know that some people don't know Jesus? They worship idols."

Mama, "yes I did know that, that is why Jesus teaches us to share His truth and love."

Ana, "yes but it is too bad that those people live in other lands. Those idols are scary and ugly!"

Mama, "There are lots of people in our land too that don't know Jesus, did you know that? We always need to be ready to share and show God's love."

Ana, "Oh man, we better talk to those people!"

From the mind of a four year old!

June 2009

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

What a month we had. Even though I have been in graduate school this month we still snuck in some fun times. Luke turned 9 months old on June 12. He has turned into our own little holy terror. He is in to everything! He is so much fun and such a great baby. Anasten and Luke love each other and love to play, read, talk to each other. June was a great month, here is a few moments we wanted to share.

Fun with Anasten

Anasten loves to plan parties, and have fun! When we are home we are always imagining new things. She sets up all the props and dressup needed for each game. She loves to be with people and play with her friends. She loved going to the zoo with her cousins and thinks she was aunt Micah's helper. She is getting bigger every day but says she won't be as big as that gorilla until she is 5, guess we will see. Anasten is having a great summer, and can't wait for disneyland!

Fun with Luke

We went to the zoo with our cousins this month, it was really fun. It was Luke's second time to the zoo, but he didn't remember the first one or stay awake for it. He loved talking and seeing all of the animals. He loves his cousin Nikkee who is 2 months older. She has really great hair and even sometimes has beads to pull on. Luke started moving all over in June. He crawls, sits, stands over and over all day. He loved to carry things in his hand and mouth from place to place. He even goes up the stairs which doesn't make his mommy very happy. His favorite summer time food is watermelon, or is it the only people food he can eat at a bbq. Luke has had a funfilled June and is ready for July and Disneyland!