Eliza is 8!

 

Our Eliza Ann is 8 and she has anxiously been awaiting the day she would turn 8 and be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It finally happened and she couldn't be happier with the choice she made. She also reminded me repeatedly about her birthday interview so we'll start with that. 

Mom: What is your favorite color?

Eliza: Teal

Mom: What is your favorite food?
Eliza: Noodles

Mom: What is your favorite animal?
Eliza: horses (Eliza is always begging for a horse, sounds like someone I knew at that age. "Mom, you could tell us we were getting a cow so we wouldn't get suspicious while you had corrals built. Then you could surprise us with a horse!")

Mom: What is your favorite book?
Eliza: Black Beauty (She's reading that one right now)

She loves to read and is enjoying all the new books she can read by herself

Mom: What is your favorite movie?
Eliza: I don't really have one, any movie. 

        

Mom: What is your favorite song?

Eliza: Church songs  

Mom: Who is your scripture hero?

Eliza: Esther

Mom: What is your favorite dessert?

Eliza: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Eliza loves helping in the kitchen. She wanted to decorate her birthday cake all by herself and only needed a little guidance from me. 

Mom: What do you like to wear? 

Eliza: Skirts 

Mom: What do you like to do for fun? 
Eliza: Kickovers (which don't work very well with skirts. We love the ones with built in shorts around here.)

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do with Mom?

Eliza: Go on walks.  

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do with Dad?

Eliza: Have fun with him.   

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do with Mariah? 

Eliza: Read Books

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do with Chet?
Eliza: Wrestle

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do with Austin?

Eliza: Riding in the go-cart 

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do with Vivi? 

Eliza: Play games with her. 

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do with Asa? 

Eliza: Run around

This girl loves to love on her baby brother. If he ends up spoiled, we'll know who to blame. 

Mom: Who is your best friend?

Eliza: My family

Mom: What do you want to be when you grow up? 

Eliza: A Gymnast 

Eliza loves working on her tumbling skills. She does cartwheels everywhere she goes and can "do splits all three ways". 

The attributes her Grandma Crossley put on her blanket are nurturing, honest, observes, and serves. Those describe Eliza perfectly. She is a magnet to children younger than her because of her caring and fun nature. She doesn't miss a thing and is such a good helper. 

She is a creator. She loves trying out new hairstyles and is always creating new things. 

She made a purse out of yarn all on her own and has come up with multiple crochet designs. 

She has been crocheting clothes for Vivi's stuffed animals lately too. 

A friend from our ward made this headband. Maybe Eliza will be able to tat too one day. 

Eliza has loved playing the piano and she has done a good job practicing. 

She is busy. School can be hard because she is always moving, balancing on one leg, reading things upside down...it's really hard to stay patient through it all. We learned that when she gets especially antsy to take a jumping jack break. Ten of those and she usually can settle down for a while. 

We have loved watching this girl learn and grow throughout the years. She has done so many amazing things and we can't wait to see what she accomplishes this year. We love our Eliza Ann! 

May

 It seemed to only last a few days, but May was a good one.

We started the month off with some frog gigging.

The boys were so excited when they finally caught one. They used a fishing pole and net and got pretty good with their technique. 

Trey gave Asa and Vivi a ride on the four wheeler to end the day. 

Chet, Austin, and Eliza played in their Spring piano recital and did really well. We're going to miss Morgan as our piano teacher. 

We went to the Knoxville Raceway for a field trip. Asa loved when the cars drove. They were real loud. 

Tanner and I went to the temple for a Friday date. 

Can't believe we have kids old enough to stay at home while we are gone for six hours. Pretty awesome. 

I took the youngest three to make bouquets for Mothers Day. I was spoiled on the day of, so many thoughtful cards, a delicious dinner, and Sister Dixon made an amazing chocolate cake. 

Governor Reynolds signed a bill at the local hospital. Tanner looked bored through most of the signing, he was right behind the governor, but he didn't cause a scene so thats good. 

We got to go meet the Snakenberg's little filly. She was so cute and full of personality. 

We had a field trip at a dairy and Vivi's favorite part was the bottle calves. She wanted to pet each one. Asa's favorite part was probably licking ice cream off the dairy floor...we're just trying to build up a healthy biome around here. 

Tanner took all three boys on a camping trip and Asa was so excited to get to go. He ran into the hitch on the truck as they were getting ready to leave and had a nice shiner, but after a good nap on the drive there he perked right up. He drank his weight in gatorade and was inspired to go potty in the woods which was the start of him actually figuring out potty training. Yay! 

The girls and I had a good time too. We had dinner at the Snack Shack, watched The Little Mermaid, and then Mariah and I watched Princess Diaries after the littles went to bed. I loved laughing with her about all the funny things in that movie.

My peonies didn't do great this year, but Asa and Vivi enjoyed the blooms we did have. 

We went to some story times at the library. 

The Kooymans had us over one morning. We did art, bird watching, and had a fire starting lesson.

We roasted hot dogs over the fire and then admired Sister Kooyman's amazing bows she's made. Asa brought her a stick from the yard and informed her that he wanted her to make him a bow. And she brought one that night to Wednesday night activities. He has loved it. 

The kids have gotten lots of opportunities to help on the house. 

We were able to have My parents, Tanner's mom, and Brittany's family for the weekend to celebrate Eliza's baptism. 

Mariah and Brittany spent time on the piano. 

Baydon and Terron went with the boys to watch their soccer games and played some frisbee golf between games. Tanner's mom, Brittany, and I went to their last soccer game as well. The boys improved so much over the season and are already talking about Fall Soccer. 

That night we brought the Hiltons and Grandma Crossley to their first rodeo. My dad was great at teaching them the ins and outs of the competition. Eliza was the first to get a sticker off the steer in her age category...which didn't really surprise me. 

Eliza chose to be baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on her birthday. She has been waiting for this day for a very long time. 

We are very proud of this girl and who she is becoming. 

Her Grandma's gave wonderful talks, Grandpa Young confirmed her a member of the church and gave her the gift of the Holy Ghost with a beautiful blessing. 

Eliza sang I Know That my Savior Loves Me accompanied by Mariah. She testified of Jesus Christ in such a pure way. It was a beautiful day. 

We had lots of different friends come. 

Asa was so confused to see Barry somewhere other than our house. 

We didn't take enough pictures, but we're so grateful for everyone that took the time to be there. 

That night we sang Happy Birthday to Eliza with the grandparents, cousins, and Tessa. I only had two candles...whoops. But Eliza was so happy with how she decorated the cake that I don't think she really cared. 

I could not get a picture without Asa, we really needed the thumbs up with Eliza's fantastic cake. 

And Eliza was so excited to get her baptism blanket from Grandma Crossley. She has been talking about her blanket for years. 

It was such wonderful way to end the month! 

Mariah is 14!

Fourteen years with our Mariah Jeanne. It feels like yesterday she was the sweet baby girl with the black hair sticking straight up off her head...and now, the hair has changed some, but she is still the sweetest girl. 

Mariah decided to forego the interview this year so I'm just going to list some of our favorite things about her. 

She is kind. I've never seen a girl her age that speaks so highly of others. She tries to give others the benefit of the doubt, and she is such a good example to me.  

She is good. Lately Mariah has often stepped in and helped me without being asked and I'm so grateful for her.

She is so funny. She has such a clever sense of humor but doesn't work too hard to try to make people laugh. She doesn't try to take center stage, she just quietly says the funniest things. 

She is talented. This year Mariah has put in a lot of work on the piano. I love hearing her sing while playing chords. She loves doing artwork and working on lettering too. 

Mariah is The Best big sister. She is so very patient with her younger siblings and comes up with fun things to do with Eliza, Vivi, and Asa. She isn't as patient with Chet and Austin...it would take a celestial level of patience to put up with those two on the daily, she can handle them no problem though. And they have a lot of fun together too. 

Mariah is brave. I have been so proud of her as she is learning to drive. She doesn't get angry with me when I "overreact", and even though it is out of her comfort zone, she is always willing to get back behind the wheel. 

Because she is homeschooled, she often is put in situations where she doesn't know anyone in a group, but she is willing to be uncomfortable as she tries new things. 

She has really enjoyed practicing with the varsity soccer team and is so grateful that the girls have been so kind to her. 

This girl is a favorite. I can't wait to see the growth she makes this year. 

And just a little throwback...

Time goes too fast! Sure love you Mo-Miah!