Seven.Eight Years

 7.8 Years

• We got to go camping for my birthday with the Smiths. It was crazy trying to find a spot. One of the roads was closed so we ended up having to go all around and camp in the day use area. It turned out find and we had a great time eating dinner in the dark and having a fire. The next morning, you kids build a teepee so that was fun to watch. 
• We got a girls weekend while the boys went to Utah. We made caramel apples for the first time and Grandma came over and we visited the candy shop and explored a new park.
• Grandma and Papa Matthews came into town to see our new house and visit JoJo for her birthday. Grandma was good about playing games with you and tucking you in bed at night. 
• JoJo turned five. We hosted the big family dinner. You picked out a little stuffed super kitty stuffed animal to give to her.
• Dad was just finishing up a long work stretch and was heading out to CA with Sam. You wanted him to look at your ankle because it was hurting you. When you realized that you weren't going to him for five days, you started to cry. It was a very middle child moment. Sam got to go to both UT and CA. Maggie went to Wicked. You found out that dad and I are going to Costa Rica. You just felt so left behind. That day, dad surprised you by picking you up from school and took you to get sushi for lunch. It was a much needed date. 
• We had a great Friday that made moving here feel so good. Maddy had Rylee over preparing their YW lesson. Later Cassie joined them to get ready for the middle school dance. Sam had a bunch of boys over for guys day. And you and JoJo rode bikes over to Maddy's and was outside playing all afternoon. It felt good that we are close to good friends, It made my mama's heart so happy.
• You got sick on the day that your school took the walking field trip around town. So one Saturday morning, I took you for a walk down to K's coffee for a drink and muffin. I love spending that time with you.
• "Halloween was the best. Especially the candy!" This year, you went as Hedwig for Halloween. We had an indoor trunk-o-treat at the church along with a chili dinner. Maggie was being a great big sister and led you and JoJo around to get the candy. The Price's came for Halloween night. We had a spaghetti dinner and then went trick-o-treating around the neighborhood. You were so excited to visit Maddy's house because her house won the best decoration award with a giant skeleton coming out of her roof. Afterwards, Sonora and Jessie had a sleep over. It was god to have a slow morning where you girls pulled out all the dress up to put on the Cinderella play. Each of you wanted to be Cinderella so you guys preformed the play four different times. 

Seven.Seven Years

 7.7 Years

• The first day here and the whole first week, you have been such a great big sister and taught JoJo how to ride your bike with no training wheels. Our driveway has a perfect down slop s she could work on her balance. You were great at cheering her on and being excited for her accomplishment. 
• Family fail moment: We heard how great this Harvest festival is. It is the city's celebration but you need tickets for it. We wanted to do a family adventure day. We narrowed it down to the beach, the river, or the Harvest festival. We decided to get work done in the morning and afternoon and then do the festival that night. We get to the place with they shuttle you in and all the tickets are sold out. If we had known, we would have gone to the beach or something. Instead, we found Wild Robot playing in Salem. We head over there. We had some time to kill, so we took you guys to the cake shop (amazing!), and then headed over for the guys to go to Sierra Trading Post and us girls to Ulta Beauty (where you got red lip stick comically all over your face and clothes). We made our way to the movie theater. Waited seriously 20 min in line, got up to the employee, only for them to tell us that Wild Robot comes out next week. There were no kid movies. So bummed. We drove all the way home. The redeeming part was that you girls made a really cool fort in your room and got to watch Paw Patrol while the older kids watch Harry Potter.
• We have been able to see cousins so much such moving here. It has been so much fun. We went to October Fest with the Smiths. We had a blast trying the different foods and going on the carnival rides. You were able to do the big slide, the trampoline jump, and the train ride. The dads waiting in line to get you all balloon animals, but those didn't last long. 
• Oh gosh, we had another Millie disaster this month. Dad has been gone back packing for the last 10 days. We decided to have a friends day after school. We invited Maddy over. Her mom wanted to meet us so she came to the house. I thought she would be here for a few minutes, but ended up staying an hour. It got so chaotic there. Maggie had two friends over, Sam was pouting because his friend went home sick during school so he had no one, Dad was facetiming us because he finally got a spot of reception, and you asked to paint. I told you to paint outside on the green table. While I am trying to manage this choas while hosting Maddy's mom, you come running back in asking if you could use the science squirt bottle. I figured you were finished painting and was moving onto science now. Nope. You put water down purple paint into the squirt bottle and Jackson Pollack styled the cement. I couldn't yell at you (trying to look like a good parent) and say that I would have you help me clean it up afterwards. While, the mom finally left, I was face timing Dad while pulling out the hose (we hadn't even set it up yet) to come to find out that it won't wash off. We tried soap, hydrogen peroxide, and paint thinner. None of it. We finally borrowed a power washer from the Smiths. It only worked if we had it on the most powerful setting. So the pain came off but so did the rocks. We are hoping that after a winter, dirt will settle in and make it look better. 
• This month, we explored Silver falls, walking over to the park to play pickle ball, having Elaine over for a pizza night, and riding your bike all over the neighborhoods by yourself.
• Jog-a-thon was this month. I signed up to help set up. I joked with the other moms that they should get the Wild Cat suit. Well, I ended up being the Wild cat for the whole event. You had no idea beforehand so when your class walked out, you kept looking at me. It took you a wild, and me jokingly blowing kisses to you, that you realized it was me. You laughed and loved it. 

Seven.Six Years

 7.6 Years

• We are trying to squeeze in as much friend time as we possible can. We went bowling, the river with all our friends, the pool, ice cream, and more play dates. You kids also have been trying to cross off your bucket list items like sleep on the trampoline and go to Gymnastic 360 one more time. The fair was at the end of the month and it was good to spend time there with Addy's family. Addy's family has pigs there so she was able to give you the inside scoop to the fair. Even though Addy is JoJo's friend, you often play with her because that gives you two girls that will follow you around.
• We had to say goodbye to Cecily today. You two have become best friends this year with being in the same class at school. We made it a point to have her over a lot these last few weeks. We were able to help load up their truck and go to their good bye party at the park. It felt really more real that we were moving seeing them leave before us. That night you cried while I hugged you goodnight. I am so glad that you have friends that you love that much that it hurts that much to lose them. 
• The Ware family came to visit us. It was their first time here. Their kids loved rafting and playing night good games. 
• We had our goodbye party with all our friends at the Dalling house. It rained that night. We just spent all day packing and cleaning. We have really come to love these families like they are our own family. I told you that it was okay to cry. All of you kids slept in Maggie's room together. The next day, we got ready for church, went to church, and said goodbye for reals. You were in the Durrango with me and the other girls for the drive. I am having a hard time just typing about this. It was really hard to say goodbye.
• We made it to Oregon! The house is still standing and the the yard isn't completely crazy. It was a whirl wind of a week. Janecce brought her kids to come help unload. Phillip helped set up all the beds while you and Sonora were going through all your boxes, finding toys that you havent seen all summer. It was really nice to have cousins here to greet us and make that first day exciting to see them instead of lonely. The second day was actually the hardest. We were so tried from moving and still had so much more to do. We worked as hard as we could that second day but after that, we decided to play for the rest of the week, knowing that unpacking can happen when the kids are in school. We went to Phillip's football game, went school shopping, hung out with Elaine a ton, and enjoyed a day at the beach with all the family. The beach was awesome. We roasted hot dogs and s'mores, played this four-square type game in the sand, and climb all of the rocks. 
• School started. I was so nervous for you all. I was praying everyday that you could make friends. We got to the corner and had taken the photo in front of the sign. You, being Ms. Independent, wanted to run off into the playground by yourself. I assumed you would do well because you are great at making new friends. And sure enough, when you came home, you told me about the different girls in your class but that you can't remember their names because some of them look a like. By the end of the week, Piper became your good friend, someone you played with at reccess at each day. 

Seven.Five Years

 7.5 Years

• We got to go on our family's overnight rafting trip. We did the same stretch as last time. When we shored for the night, you loved climbing all over the rocks, creating homes and playing city with the other girls. 
• We got to go to Bear Lake for a week with the whole Price family. We rented a big house that was in this neighborhood with a pool and roads that were good for riding bikes. We first hiked into this Glacier lake. It was beautiful. The water was freezing. There was a rope swing that all the big kids were going off. You were able to muster some courage and swing out into the freezing water. The next day, we went to the beach and rented a boat. We went first with all the girls. This wasn't your first time tubbing, so you were excited to try again. We had music blasting and snacks getting pasted around. We switched out with the boys. While they were on it, we played at the beach. The water so so shallow, you kids could stand up in most of the lake. We went to Adventureland the next day. The rope course was so much fun. You were able to go on level 1 and level 2. We walked around town later that day and got raspberry milk shakes. The evening were fun with celebrating birthdays, learning family history, eating great food, and even "Santa" came. The older boy cousins had found a Christmas tree in the garage so after we all were asleep, they set it up and placed our random these (like your bike) under it. It was funny. Dusty prepared a white elephant gift exchange for Grandpa's birthday, but everything came from a yard sale and everything the price was negotiated. 
• You got to compete in your first swim meet. Maggie brought her sharpies and you loved getting pictures drawn all over your back and arms. I was really impressed with how much you have improved on this year. 
• We have had Grandma and Papa Matthews come visit. We love it when they come. There were a few "last time" activities that Grandma wanted to do-get sweet potato fries from Jungle Gyms and eat ice cream from the stand. We were happily able to do both! Grandma wanted to be helpful in the packing, which we haven't started, so she got us started. 

Seven.Four Years

 7.4 Years

• Pool season has started. This year, I had you try out for the swim team and you made the team! It is going to be hard to wake you up for practice but this will help you out in your swimming so much. We have already started going a lot more in the afternoons. I love it!
• We headed out to Utah to pick up Sam from his solo trip to Utah and do a girls trip to southern Utah to see Frozen. It was a lot of driving, but you loved the trip. The pool was a lot of fun. It was harder for you because Bonnie is not a great swimmer and sort of does her own thing. The big girls were off doing their thing so you didn't have anyone to play with. That was hard to watch. The play was great. You loved seeing it. It was so hot, we got frozen lemonade to cool us down. 
• We celebrated father's day in Utah and got to be be both dad and Grandpa Matthews. You guys gave dad the ugliest bacon tie.
• This month, you were able to complete in the kids 208 Triathlon. You swam a lap in the pool, rode your bike around the loop twice and ran around the loop. I stayed with you for the bike and run and was so impressed with how determined you were. You never complained and kept pushing even when it was hard. Way to go Girl!
• We had a blast up in Silverwood this month. We went the night before and stayed the night at the Potters. The next morning, we swung by the airport to pick up Elaine! She gets to spend a week with us. The weather was perfect for Silverwood. We were nervous going on a Friday (we normally go on a Monday) but the crowds weren't too bad. You loved going on the scarier kids ride like the frog hopper and butterfly swing. We got early to the magic show and was able to sit in the front row and get pizza. Because we were in the front row, Elaine got picked to the helper for the card show. We stayed until closing. I had booked a hotel for that night because I always feel like we get home too late and it is hard to drive home that late. When we arrived at the hotel, the website that I booked through messed up and instead of 2 queen beds (that we were going to squeeze 7 people in), there was only a king size bed. We ended up driving home that night and getting in at 2am.
• The week with Elaine has been awesome. She loves having all of you guys around. When Maggie is busy or needed alone time, Elaine was so good to play with you little girls. She doesn't have younger sisters so I think she liked playing that big sister role. One of the days, we rode our bikes into town from our house. I was really impressed that you made it all the way on your own. We made it to Creme, where we all got drinks. Of course, it wouldn't be a trip with a Smith girl without a play. We also took Elaine to the pool, the library, the park, and Jungle Gyms.
• Grandma and Papa Price came and joined the party. We have always talked up Fourth of July, so they decided to come out for it before we move. We started the day with homemade crepes with berries. We got out of the house early to catch the egg toss and foot races. You were Grandma's partner in the toss and you made it about four tosses. We came home for lunch where we quickly decorated your bike for the bike parade. We sat with all our friends for the parade and you kiddos made out like bandits with the candy and swag. We had hamburgers, watermelon, salad, and root beer for dinner. We roasted marshmallows and lit our own fireworks. Even though the fireworks weren't that big, I love how you guys gave big reactions. We stayed up late to watch the fireworks. The next day, we were able to have a much needed slow morning. We went back into town for lunch at the food cart. We ended the night at the rodeo. We haven't been to the rodeo in a long time. It was a hot evening, but we were lucky to find seats in the shade. They happened to be right near where they release the riders. It was thrilling to see them all crash into the gate. On Saturday, we took everyone rafting. We brought the little blue kayak and that became a favorite with everyone. Sunday was a good day to rest. We painted rocks, played games, and just hung out. On Monday, our family had to go home. It was so good to have them.

Seven.Three Years

 7.3 Years

• Dance Recital is this month. This year the theme is "Where's Waldo?" Your group got to dance to a toy store song. You got such a cute purple-ish red tutu. I loved seeing all your great facial expressions. Cecily, Megan and a few friends from school are in your class so it has been such a great year in dance. 
• End of the school year is starting to begin. You had your spring concert for music. Ms. Bridgette is your teacher. She is nice but I really wish that you had Ms. Carla. The songs were cute and you loved learning all the hand signs for them. I know you are liking a class when I hear all about it in the car and I definitely heard a few songs in the car all the week leading up to the concert. Also, we finished our last book for book club. You guys read the Magic Tree House book about the volcano in Pompeii. I had each of you write up a book review to share with the class along with making your own volcanoes. We invited your class to come outside, listen to you share your book report and set off your volcano. Timo was really jealous that he dropped out for the last book. 
• Our pond is full! it was been fun to take the kayaks out on the pond and inviting friends over to play. 
• As the weather is finally getting warmer, we were able to sneak off to Tolo Lake while the plants and grass out there are green. You loved kayaking out on the lake. The Browns joined us later on so you had Ellie to kayak and Jessie took a big group of you out in the canoe.
• I got to go on one of your field trips this month. First grade went out to Tolo lake to see the fish get released. The truck was late in getting there so I entertained you and your friends with different songs and hand games to play in line. You have such cute friends. 
• We are starting to pack up our first load to take to Oregon. This had been hard because I am asking you girls to pack up a lot of the your extra stuff like stuff animals and toys you are not going to play with over the summer. It is really hard but one thing that has made it easier for you is knowing that Cecily is going to move also. You guys call each other your moving buddies. No one likes moving, but if you have to, it's more fun when your best friend is moving also. 
• We were able to go drive to Oregon for the Daddy/Daughter camp out. We packed a moving van up with a lot of our stuff to drop off at the new house. There was a strong emotions from some family members, but you are still on the younger side so it seems like an adventure still. You were so excited to see the new house since you hadn't seen it yet. You and JoJo were running all around, happy about your new room and exploring the new backyard. We literally dumped everything in the garage, took a tour of the school, ate the most amazing pizza sticks, and hoped that the house will do well for the next four months without us. The next morning, all the dads and girls headed up the Columbia River area to go back packing. It was suppose to be this long hike. Well, there was too much snow on the road and you guys couldn't get up to the trail head. You bush whacked to an area that the map showed there was suppose to be a lake, but ended up a swamp. It was fun though. We met up with you guys in Hood River to eat burgers and milk shakes and then drove home.
• Last week of school includes field day. You got to do the long jump, the softball throw (almost hit the middle school student helping out), the 100m dash and the 200m dash. You also received the "Busy as a Bee" award for being such a hard worker in class and getting all your assignments completed on time. The last day was really fun with a family BBQ. Dad was even able to join in.
• To celebrate the start of summer and work through our Idaho bucket list, we did a hike in Hells Canyon. It was so beautiful and warm there. You always have such a great attitude when hiking. We cut your bangs the last week of school (you have been begging for bangs all year long) and it was horrible how they stick out crazy after you would rub the sweat off your fore head. 
• We created "I'm Bored" list for the summer. You girls have taken to it so well. I love seeing all your creations and imagination develop. My favorite was a bird house that you made out of paper bowls. We placed them on the ledge of the porch and in the mornings, we could really see bird eating out of them. 
• We signed you up for baseball this year. You are in coach pitch. After the first game, you told me that was every boring. At least the weather is good.

Seven.Two Years

7.2 Years

Here is the list of favorites from Mother's Day 

My favorite food is: mac-n-cheese
My favorite sport is: ballet
The best show on TV is: Babysitting Club
The coolest person in the world is: Annabelle
My best subject in school is: snack time
I’m really awesome at: playing
If I could change my name, it would be: Violet
My favorite color is: teal
When I grow up I want to be: I don't know yet
My parents are too strict about: cleaning
My favorite song is: California Girls
My favorite book is: Heidi Hecklebeck
When we stop for a treat, I get this: Gumball machine 
4 words that describe me are: Kind, mischief, playful, smart
When I was little, I used to: Lie
My favorite scripture story is: Radshack, Meshack, and Abendigo
My favorite primary/church song is: I'm Trying to be like Jesus
My favorite game is: Noah's Ark
My favorite season is: Summer
The best snack ever is: Banana Nutella Roll ups
My favorite superhero is: Super Kitties
The food that makes me want to barf is: mushrooms 
The car I would love to drive when I turn 16 is: a Lamborghini 
My best friends are: Annabelle, Lynee, Ellie, Cecily
The cutest girl/boy I know is: Brian Brown
The most memorable day this year was: my birthday of course
If I had one wish it would be: To live in a candy world
The best thing that has happened to me this year is: Being a first grader for the first time and the last time
One thing I want to learn to do this year is: how to do tumbling
The thing that scares me the most is: poisonous spiders
One thing I need to work on is: Climbing
If I could go anywhere it would be: China
The most important lesson I’ve learned this year is: how to be tough If I could meet one person from history it would be: Jesus