Stephen is 10

Stephen's birthday this summer turned him into an old man.  Or maybe it just turned James into an old man.  Stephen is now in the double digits!  And is now old enough to light his own candles.  He is growing up into such an amazing young man and is a real strength to our family.

12 things we love about Stephen at age 10:

1.  Stephen is very creative.  He loves to take pictures like this.


2.  Stephen is a very hard worker.  He is a great help to James and I.
3.  He takes care of our rabbits everyday, feeding and watering them.
4.  He has broken his left arm twice in a different place each time.  He was very tough and brave both times.
5.  Stephen really enjoyed working in the garden and was sure to check for and pick anything that was ripe.

6.  Stephen loves to go fishing.  Maybe even more than James does.

7.  He learned about Idaho History in 4th grade and loved it!  He enjoys history of all kinds.

8.  He loves to laugh and has a great sense of humor.

9.  Stephen quite often wears his skunk hat around the house.

10.  Stephen likes to draw ships.

11.  Stephen is getting better and better at playing the trumpet.

12.  He is very patient with his younger sisters and brother.

  

Ellen is 6

We celebrated Ellen's 6th birthday while we were camping with the Crumpley family.  Very sadly, I didn't take any pictures of her birthday!  So I am including some of my favorite pictures of her from over the summer.  She is so beautiful!

12 things we love about Ellen at age 6

1.  Ellen is learning how to read and is so happy to be able to do it.

2.  She loves to take care of Noah.  Even in the middle of the night when he climbs into her bed.  He climbs into her bed way more often that he climbs into Mom and Dad's bed.

3.  Ellen learned how to ride a bike this summer and likes to ride fast!

4.  Ellen graduated from Speech Therapy in May of this year.

5.  She often plays "that game" with Stephen.  It's a game they made up together but it doesn't have a name.

6.  Ellen is very tender hearted.

7.  The garden was one of Ellen's favorite places to be this summer.

8.  Her favorite color is green.

9.  Ellen loves to play with dolls.

10.  Her hip is now normal!

11.  Ellen loves to cook and is always willing to help in the kitchen.

12.  She is very good at math and understands math and numbers really well.

Zip Line

While we were camping James and Tyler set up a very fun zip line for the kids.  All the kids tried it (except for Noah) and loved it.  Even Lida who celebrated her 2nd birthday while we were camping had a blast.

Stephen all ready to go.

Annie flying by.

Annie on her way down.

Naomi

It took lots of help to hold the rope down low enough to get someone hooked in and ready to be pulled to the top. 

Ellen

Camping on the Selway

At the end of June, after Stephen and Anne spent a couple of weeks visiting grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins in Southeast Idaho we got to go camping with the Crumpley Family (James' sister Rachel and her family).  We camped right between the Selway Wilderness Area and the Frank Church Wilderness Area.  It was a great trip!  Sorry I don't have more pictures of the Crumpley's!



All together again!



Noah's toes

Hiking across a bridge over the Selway River.

Stephen and Andrew

Annie and Noah starting a sand castle.

Noah getting dirtier while hanging out with Peanut.

What would camping be without Cheetos and cute little girls in pigtails?

On the way home.

Kindergarten Olympics!

 Another exciting event while Aunt Lynsey and Joseph were visiting.  Ellen's class had Kindergarten Olympics and Lynsey and I got to go help.

Here is Ellen in the middle of the Potato Race.  Can you see the potato she is carrying in the spoon?

At the hoola-hoop station she attempted 4 hoops and did a great job!

And we can't forget the bean bag toss. 

While Ellen was busy being an Olympian, Joseph and Naomi and Noah played on the playground.

Annie's Baptism

Anne Johanna Mobley was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 5, 2010.    

The program:

Here she is with her Daddy, all ready to be baptized.

We were very blessed to be able to have so much of our family come to Annie's baptism. 

Her cousin, KatieJo, was able to come with Grandma Mobley and Uncle Chris.  Grandma made both of these beautiful dresses. The girls felt so beautiful in them and really enjoyed being able to dress alike.  Thank you Grandma!!!

Aunt Lynsey

and Uncle Ben

Nana and Grandpa and also Jennifer, Sterling, and Chase.  This isn't the best picture in the world, but it's the best group shot of the day.

It was a very special day for Annie and our family. 

Lynsey and Joseph

When I came home from Minnesota Lynsey and Joseph (my sister-in-law and nephew) came home with me!  We had a long day of traveling (three separate flights) and we didn't get home till about 11pm, but it sure was nice to have someone to travel with.  Joseph was such a good traveler!  And it was really nice to be able to spend so much time chatting with Lynsey. 

Lynsey and Joseph were able to stay at our house for almost two weeks!  It was so fun to have them!  We don't get to see them nearly often enough, so a nice long visit like that was wonderful!!!  We did lots of fun things together. 

Ben was even able to join us for a few days!

We went to the Palouse Discovery Science Center and worked our brain muscles.

We went to see the Giant Cedar.  It was really rainy that day, but we did have a break in the rain right when we needed.  We got a little sprinkled on while we were walking around, then about 30 seconds after we got back in the van it started pouring again.

We also went to the WSU creamery to watch how they make cheese, and to eat some really yummy ice cream!

Lynsey took most of these pictures...Thanks, Lyns! 

Minnesota!

In May I was able to go (all by myself) to Minnesota for my brother Sam's wedding.  It was wonderful!   

Sam and Natalie

Ben, Me, Dixie, Heidi, Sam, and Bradley

Me and my sisters.  I cannot even begin to describe how much fun I had with my sisters.  Painting our toes, brushing our teeth, walking, talking, and laughing...so fun!  I love my sisters!!!

Man and Wife!

I was able to have a very handsome escort for the wedding.  My very cute nephew, Joseph. 

I had such a good time visiting with my family and meeting Natalie's family.  I also got to chat with Tawnya (Bockman) Russell and her new husband Spencer.  It was so nice!  And I am very, very grateful I was able to be at Sam and Natalie's wedding.  I am so excited for them and their family!