At the end of 2008, here are all the kids.
I had so much fun taking these pictures :)
Naomi keeps us all smiling. It is so much fun having a toddler around. She loves being a part of a big family (translation:lots of people to dote on her) and frequently recites everyone's names to herself as she plays - Daddy, Mommy, Mermer, Rayray, Heayer, Gaga, Lelly, Mymy and Momo. When someone is missing from the house (work, school, etc.) she likes to ask those at home where her missing family members are...repeatedly.
Michael is frequently trying to learn more about the world around him. This includes asking lots of questions, enjoying nonfiction, esp. books about animals, and climbing on things. He can see further that way and has learned plenty about the law of gravity this year, although not enough for him to stop his studies. If you look closely at his picture, you might be able to see the remnants of his golf ball sized goose egg, has scar from stitches, a more current scab, and the bump next to his eye that he will have to have surgery on early next year. His favorite flavor is coconut and his favorite color is, to quote, "light purple and yellow mixed together".
Kelly has grown so much this year that almost all her pants are four inches too short. It is a good thing she got some new ones for Christmas. She keeps busy with schoolwork, keeping an eye on Naomi for me and making beautiful things (notes, sculptures, collages, etc.) to give to people she loves. Her favorite colors are purple and red and her favorite candy is chocolate licorice. She likes poetry.
Gwen had an exciting year starting public school for the first time. In addition to the three R's, she is learning ballroom dancing, goes to Strings class to play the violin and stays after school once a week for Science Club. She had a blast going to Stan's family reunion this past summer. Her favorite candy is chocolate, favorite color is blue and she has too many favorite authors to list, but one of them is Jean Craighead George. Gwen is an author herself, and I've told her I expect her to dedicate one of her books to me when she gets published. I am just hoping it isn't called "Mommy Dearest".
Heather switched from violin to viola this school year, which means we are that much closer to our string quartet :) She stays after school each Tuesday to wear out her shoes dancing in the Dance Club and actually competed at our local university last spring. She danced against people twice, three times, even four times her age and still did well enough to be called back in for a second round with her partner. She climbs higher in trees than anyone else in the family and takes good care of her rabbit. Her favorite authors are Brandon Mull, Jessica Day George and Brandon Sanderson. She likes the color orange and Milky Ways.
Rachel has been homeschooled this last year and has become a whiz at taking online classes. She's taken Algebra, World History, Computer, Geometry and Physics. She likes being home and having more time to spend with her younger siblings. This past year, she has enjoyed going to the beach and being in Young Women at church, even if her mom is always there looking over her shoulder. Rachel saved her money and bought herself a camera. She has a blog where she posts some of her pictures and movies. She is enjoying reading "Ivanhoe" currently. Her favorites are candy - salt water taffy, and color - blue. She looks forward to starting high school (back in public school) next fall.
Summer loved being in The California Dreamin' Stadium Spectacular Dance Festival this past year and she had a lot of fun going to monthly dances with her friends from church. She is taking her first AP class this year. Her teacher is very entertaining and spits on the first row of students when he gets excited. Her favorite class continues to be Orchestra, where she plays the cello. Her favorite color is purple and favorite candy is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Some authors Summer enjoys are Shannon Hale, P. G. Wodehouse and Brandon Mull. She has recently become proficient with a hula hoop and looks farward to getting her learner's permit(!) in 2009. When I dropped her off at her New Year's Eve party earlier, she said, "See you next year!" and I'll say the same to all of you, see you in 2009!
I had so much fun taking these pictures :)
Naomi keeps us all smiling. It is so much fun having a toddler around. She loves being a part of a big family (translation:lots of people to dote on her) and frequently recites everyone's names to herself as she plays - Daddy, Mommy, Mermer, Rayray, Heayer, Gaga, Lelly, Mymy and Momo. When someone is missing from the house (work, school, etc.) she likes to ask those at home where her missing family members are...repeatedly.
Michael is frequently trying to learn more about the world around him. This includes asking lots of questions, enjoying nonfiction, esp. books about animals, and climbing on things. He can see further that way and has learned plenty about the law of gravity this year, although not enough for him to stop his studies. If you look closely at his picture, you might be able to see the remnants of his golf ball sized goose egg, has scar from stitches, a more current scab, and the bump next to his eye that he will have to have surgery on early next year. His favorite flavor is coconut and his favorite color is, to quote, "light purple and yellow mixed together".
Kelly has grown so much this year that almost all her pants are four inches too short. It is a good thing she got some new ones for Christmas. She keeps busy with schoolwork, keeping an eye on Naomi for me and making beautiful things (notes, sculptures, collages, etc.) to give to people she loves. Her favorite colors are purple and red and her favorite candy is chocolate licorice. She likes poetry.
Gwen had an exciting year starting public school for the first time. In addition to the three R's, she is learning ballroom dancing, goes to Strings class to play the violin and stays after school once a week for Science Club. She had a blast going to Stan's family reunion this past summer. Her favorite candy is chocolate, favorite color is blue and she has too many favorite authors to list, but one of them is Jean Craighead George. Gwen is an author herself, and I've told her I expect her to dedicate one of her books to me when she gets published. I am just hoping it isn't called "Mommy Dearest".
Heather switched from violin to viola this school year, which means we are that much closer to our string quartet :) She stays after school each Tuesday to wear out her shoes dancing in the Dance Club and actually competed at our local university last spring. She danced against people twice, three times, even four times her age and still did well enough to be called back in for a second round with her partner. She climbs higher in trees than anyone else in the family and takes good care of her rabbit. Her favorite authors are Brandon Mull, Jessica Day George and Brandon Sanderson. She likes the color orange and Milky Ways.
Rachel has been homeschooled this last year and has become a whiz at taking online classes. She's taken Algebra, World History, Computer, Geometry and Physics. She likes being home and having more time to spend with her younger siblings. This past year, she has enjoyed going to the beach and being in Young Women at church, even if her mom is always there looking over her shoulder. Rachel saved her money and bought herself a camera. She has a blog where she posts some of her pictures and movies. She is enjoying reading "Ivanhoe" currently. Her favorites are candy - salt water taffy, and color - blue. She looks forward to starting high school (back in public school) next fall.
Summer loved being in The California Dreamin' Stadium Spectacular Dance Festival this past year and she had a lot of fun going to monthly dances with her friends from church. She is taking her first AP class this year. Her teacher is very entertaining and spits on the first row of students when he gets excited. Her favorite class continues to be Orchestra, where she plays the cello. Her favorite color is purple and favorite candy is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Some authors Summer enjoys are Shannon Hale, P. G. Wodehouse and Brandon Mull. She has recently become proficient with a hula hoop and looks farward to getting her learner's permit(!) in 2009. When I dropped her off at her New Year's Eve party earlier, she said, "See you next year!" and I'll say the same to all of you, see you in 2009!
