Gabe is Nine

     This handsome man is nine now. He's finished up wolves with his Cub Scout den and the third grade at school so he's moving on up in the world. He's still my little bookworm, but also loves to spend time outside with his siblings, play board games, and enjoy whatever time he's allowed on the ipad. This was the first year he's ever asked for a "grown up" cake instead of something like Pokemon or a dragon. I was happy to oblige with this homemade cheesecake that we enjoyed with raspberry puree. Yummm.. I hope this is a tradition he continues from now on. We love you firstborn! Thanks for being our experimental child.

LDS Facebook Picture

Brag moment: The LDS church used one of my photos I submitted on their facebook home page yesterday. Sort of made my day. They added a caption by Brigham Young about patience, check it out.

https://www.facebook.com/LDS/photos/a.333341641549.197242.18523396549/10153249437561550/?type=1

Update: Now it is on the main page at LDS.org if you scroll down to inspirational messages!

 This is our crazy little home-preschool group from this year. Two ambitious mamas and a handful of energetic children. Next week is our last week before we officially go on summer break. Preparing to teach five preschoolers each Monday night gave me a taste of what home schooling would be like and I now have even more respect for the women who attempt it. My amazing co-teacher Natalie is moving with her children this summer and Mac will be in kindergarten in the fall so our group is unfortunately breaking up. I'm glad we had this year together to sing songs, learn, play, build, create, and try. Favorite moments include the ivory soap cloud, homemade pizzas, baking soda volcanoes, fruit loop necklaces, and perhaps even the fake snow fight- although that was a big mess to clean up. Of course I had plenty of ideas that didn't go over so well but I'm keeping my preschool notebook just in case I decide to do this again. 

Good Job class preschool 

class of 2015!

Baby in the Rain

 I think I shall never tire of taking pictures of "the baby," whoever the current baby happens to be.There is just something adorable about the first time they want to tromp out in the puddles like the big kids and wear the coat that is three sizes too big. Lincon loves to be outside rain or shine to play in the sandbox or jump on the trampoline.I love this age. Up next- nursery!

(I've got to stop calling him Baby though or he is going to be mighty confused in about 4 1/2 months when I start calling someone else baby too!)

Bed and Breakfast

David was meant for extreme sports. Heaven help me when he is a teenager!

 We enjoyed a fly-by visit from Naomi and her friend Lauren a few weeks ago, as they made their cross country trip back east. It may have been for only one afternoon, but the kids milked her for all she was worth. I think the helmet was a smart move on Naomi's part. That night we were joined by the Schenewark crowd- Jarrod, Hunter, and Porter- so we had a right sized Hutchins' pow-wow before bed time. The children were already off to sleep by that time the Schenewark's showed up though so they did not get the pleasure of playing with their older male cousins unfortunately. The whole troop was out by 6:30 AM on their separate journeys so we didn't even get to enjoy a proper breakfast with them. Hopefully we will get another chance. Come back and visit any time!

Lauren preferred the smaller, quieter sort to the crazies

One more time folks!

Sunday Legos

What do Sunday legos look like when you come home from church with a stomach bug? Like the temple of course complete with golden angel Moroni on top. This little guy likes to create and I like to watch him. 

Maybe someday...

Pinewood Derby 2015

     I'm glad I snapped this picture before the races commenced. His third place finish in each of the heats his car was in did not put a smile on his eight year old little face. What made it worse I think, was that Gabe was expecting big things, since the only other derby he was in he won first place. Regardless of the outcome, I am glad we went. It wouldn't be real life if we won at everything we entered or performed fabulously every time we tried. I'm still proud of him for trying. 

(I could have done without the hour and forty-five minute check in time though since it was just me and the 5 kidos. I made sure to voice this opinion at the next cub scout meeting I attended.)

Too Tired

I am a mother of young children armed with a camera and therefore I end up taking a lot of the same types of pictures over the years of different children. One of those pictures is the sleeping picture. I couldn't help myself though, this was a first. I've had many children fall asleep at the table or during Book of Mormon but I've never seen a child fall asleep on the stairs. Usually Ruthie (3yr) doesn't take naps but I guess today was an exception.