Nine.Eight Years

 9.8 Years

• Fall Fun: We are in full swing for the fall. You school put on the jog-a-thon. Normally I am there (dressed up as a Wildcat), but this time it was just you and JoJo. There was a dress up week leading up to it, so everyone was excited for it. We also went to a pumpkin patch with the cousins. It was the Blunk's farm. You liked the corn maze, the big trikes, and picking out a big pumpkin to carve. 
• Funny moment: you have been working hard on a slide presentation all on twerking. It was random and bizarre, but I loved how it showed your sense of humor. 
•  The high school put on a cheer camp as a fundraiser. You learned a dance to Shake, Shake, Shake Sonora along with some favorite cheers (like Boom Dynamite). You enjoyed it, but definitely felt older and said you didn't want to do it again next year.
• Halloween was so fun. You were able to host a friend's party beforehand. There were about 6 of you. Everyone came dressed up. I had you plan the whole thing. You ate donuts off the strong, roasted s'mores, made dirty creepy sodas, played night games, and then everyone changed into their pjs for a movie. It was crazy. At one point, the disco lights were going and you were all dancing to music outside. You had a lot of fun. We did a Ward chili dinner and trunk-o-treat. On actually Halloween, cousins came down for dinner and trick-o-treating. You and Sonora really wanted to go out on your own, so I gave you my phone and Janecce and I stayed with the little girls. I was surprised that by 7:30, you were done and wanted to come back to organize candy and watch a movie.
• We went to Disneyland!!! It was the perfect time to go. Halloween rush was done and Christmas hadn't started yet. We spent one day at Disneyland, had a rest day at the hotel swimming, eating, watching a movie, and shopping at Downtown Disney. Then we spent a day at California Adventure. It was so magical. The lines were so short that we were able to go on each ride 2-3 times. At first, Maggie was getting in your head about the big rides being scary. We told you all that anyone who went on Guardians of the Galaxy and Incredicoaster would get $5 ach ride (those were the two rides that I wasn't going to push to go on). You went on both of them and loved the roller coaster. You even went on it again at night with Dad and that was a highlight for you.

Nine.Seven Years

 9.7 Years

• Grandma and Papa Matthews came out for a quick visit. The week was really busy for us but they wanted to go to the beach one day and Maggie had a football game at the beach, so we pulled you and JoJo out of school early and went to Seaside. The weather was great. We jumped in the waves and flew kites. I had to laugh because just as we were walking back to the car, you accidentally let go of the kite and it got all tangled up in the power line. There was no getting it back. I laughed because there were several kites caught in that power line. We played games at the arcade, went to the candy shop, ate dinner at Mo's, and cheered Maggie on. It was a fun day.
• We choose to pass on volleyball this fall and you are doing gymnastics with Sonora. I was thinking about sending you to Salem, but when Janecce mentioned that they were thinking of doing it, we switched over to Silverton and were able to get the same class. It has been so fun for you to not only do gymnastics, but see your cousin each week. 
• I went to Paris for a week with Grandma and Annie so you were on your own/with Dad for that week. I was very impressed that you were able to get yourself off to school in the mornings on your own. We had Kayla after school to help drive you places, but you all stepped up with taking care of Louie and getting your work done.
• You have really like Ms. Jones this year. Every week, you tell me what class job you have. The coolest job is class photography. It is fun seeing you with all your friends and thriving in school. 
• Maddy invited you to her birthday party. You all went to Urban Air and then came back to her house for a late night. You loved the matching Halloween pjs and have been wearing them often.

Nine.Six Years

 9.6 Years

• Maggie wanted to do a book club with the cousins, so we invited all the girls for a tea party. You all dressed up and Maggie set the table so cute with lots of fun food and fancy lemonades. 
• National Night out is always a hit. You stood in line forever to get your face painted. When it was your turn, you choose a dragon. I love watchin you and Tyler Robinson hang out together. I know we all tease you about him, but he is a fun friend. 
• horse back riding/fishing at Grahams
•  We got to go to Utah this summer for Meg's wedding. Once Maggie got home form girls camo, we jumped in the car and took off. We were planning on stopping at a hotel, but we ended up driving the whole way (though there was some weeping and wailing for some kids). It ended up working out so we could all sleep in at Grandma's house the next day. While in Utah, we had dinner at Mark and Kami's house with all the family, go bowling in Brigham City, enjoy an afternoon at Classic Waterslide, and then party hard at Meg's wedding. You loved the soda bar and the dancing.
• The drive home was special because we got to bring home Louie with us. Louie is a mini goldendoodle. He is as soft as a teddy bear and does not like his crate. We set the timer for 30 minutes and we all took turns cuddling with home on the drive.
• School is starting early this year. Your teacher is Ms. Jones. We don't know much about her, but she seems really nice. You love all the reading nooks in her room. Piper, Emery, and Sadie are in your class. Your recess will line up with the other class, so hopefully you get to still see the other friends. 

Nine.Five Years

 9.5 Years

• Fourth of July ended up being a lot of fun. We went to the Stayton Parade with Grandma, Papa, and Jacob (our friend from church with special needs). We got to see Maggie on the Cheer float, Brother Webb dressed up like an Eagle, and the horse dancing group. You got lots of candy and swag. For dinner that night, we had the Sterlings over (Piper's family), the Hand family (Emily's family), and Grandma and Papa. We had red (strawberry), white (apple) and blue (blueberries) pies and shot off our own fireworks (almost caught the house on fire because the explosion was way bigger than we thought). Then we headed over to the high school to watch their show.
• The Price cousins came into town from Utah. Josh and Calvin stayed with us and we got to see Amelia and Molly's family a lot. We took them to Turner Lake, celebrated June Birthday's at Annie's house, and had a family reunion day at the Forson Ranch. We played yard games, swam in the river (where you covered your whole body in mud and algae and scared me thinking you were a swamp monster), had yummy food, and even had a camp fire. We went to the beach with Josh and went crabbing and got Tillamook ice cream. It was fun having Josh and Calvin for a hole week.
• In general, we have been playing hard with the Berry Passes. We visited the Enchanted forest, been bowling, jumping at Get Air, eating way too much Chic-Fila, visiting the Gilbert House, trying out laser tag, and improving at mini golf. 
• Oh my word, I have to tell such a funny story. Eloise cam over to play with JoJo. You didn't have a friend over, which usually means that you sneaks into their play date by making up a game and being the leader of it. Well today, you wanted to do a spa. I was busy getting yard work done so when you asked me if we had stuff to make a face mask, I really didn't want to stop what I was doing to help you make a mess. I told you I didn't think so but if you found a recipe for one with ingredients that we had, you could make it. Well, 30 minutes later, JoJo and Eloise are laying on towels on the warm patio with face mask drying. I guess you found stuff. I had the girls wash up before her mom picked Eloise up. That night, JoJo took a shower. Lately, I have been checking her hair in the shower to make sure she has been washing well. There was still the face mask in her hair. When I started scrubbing it, it wouldn't come out. Come to find out, you asked Alexa for a face mask recipe and Alexa told you to mix flour and water. That makes a paste (glue) to make a face mask, like a paper mache mask. JoJo had paste all in her hair. Oh my word.
• We went on our July Family trip to Yosemite. On the way down, we stayed at Lassen Volcanic National Park where we kayaked on the lake and got to see the hot pots. Yosemite was really beautiful. We camped in the park and rode our bikes all over the place. Some highlights were kayaking down the river and swimming on along the shore, walking along the boardwalk at dusk to watch the stars come out, and eating ice cream at the lodge. We took a nine mile hike from the top of the canyon all the way back to our campsite. It was hard, but you had the best attitude out of all the kids. At the end, we all jumped in the river in our clothes to cool off. It was a great trip.

Nine.Four Years

 9.4 Years

• End of school year is here. It has been such a good year. To celebrate, you hosted a summer party. All the girls brought swimsuits to go swimming a play water balloon volleyball. We put together craft bags that you then all had to do a challenge with. The challenge was a tree house. We ended with fun food and a dance party. Whitney busted out her twerking moves. It was a blast.
• We went on our first of many family adventures. We got to go rafting down the Deschutes River for two nights. It was really great. There were several class III rapids and Dad manned the raft perfectly. You love the big ones. I had each of you girls bring things to keep you entertained while we were camping. I was thinking a book and maybe a sketch pad. Well, you brought the most random things, but boy were they fun for you girls. You brought paint pens so one day, you all painted rocks and left them on the beach for others to find. We listened to Glitch while on the river and ended the trip with hamburgers and milkshakes.
• Eddison is a boy that has been in your class the last two years. We ran into at the park the other day. You were excited because he wanted to take you to the movies (he had earned movie tickets for reading). I said if his mom texts me then you could go. Well, his mom text me that night. You were so fun to watch. You wanted to wear a dress, but also the new running shoes that you got. You were very specific on how you wanted your hair done. It was so cute seeing you get excited for "your date". This is the same boy that you went to the park at night for, so I am glad it worked out this time.
• Lilly Springer is in your primary class this year and you two asked your teachers if you could teach the lesson for Sunday. So Lilly came over and you both played the lesson together. It turned out so fun. You had an activity and snacks.

Nine.Three Years

 9.3 Years

Here is the list of favorites from Mother's Day 

My favorite food is: 
My favorite sport is: 
The best show on TV is: 
The coolest person in the world is: 
My best subject in school is: 
I’m really awesome at: 
If I could change my name, it would be:
My favorite color is: 
When I grow up I want to be: 
My parents are too strict about: 
My favorite song is: 
My favorite book is: 
When we stop for a treat, I get this: 
4 words that describe me are: 
When I was little, I used to: 
My favorite scripture story is: 
My favorite primary/church song is: 
My favorite game is: 
My favorite season is: 
The best snack ever is: 
My favorite superhero is: 
The food that makes me want to barf is: 
The car I would love to drive when I turn 16 is: 
My best friends are: 
The cutest girl/boy I know is: 
The most memorable day this year was: 
If I had one wish it would be: 
The best thing that has happened to me this year is: 
One thing I want to learn to do this year is: 
The thing that scares me the most is: 
One thing I need to work on is: 
If I could go anywhere it would be: 
The most important lesson I’ve learned this year is: 

Nine.Two Years

 9.2 Years

• I hope you have noticed a trend in these last two photos. You are quite the wild child! But I truly love every bit of it. 
• For Grandma's birthday, we gave her a footbath to use during her pedicures. She wanted us to keep it at our house since we do most of the pedicures here. Well, we scheduled a time for her to finally come over and get a full pedicure done. Every we set it up, you and JoJo were so excited about the whole thing. You ended up taking over and scrubbed and massage Grandma's feet. She was laughing the whole time because you kept tickling her. Then you got a turn in the seat. You couldn't handle all the ticklish feelings of getting your feet scrubbed. 
• You went on another field trip. This time, you went and visited Western University. I think you are colleged out for now on field trips, but the rock wall was will a highlight. I think wherever you go to college, it should have rock wall for you.
• Volleyball is going strong this month. You are getting more consistent on your serves, which your team really needs. There has been several times where you served all five point before they switched to the other team. This spring team is pretty much the same girls as your fall team, just your jerseys are green this time.
• We started renovations on the upstairs. You love walling through the walls (not dry wall yet) and playing in the construction zone at night. Thankfully, it hasn't disturbed our lives too much, though the plastic all up the stairs and in the hallway is getting annoying at this point.
• The talent show was this month. You really wanted to do something with your friends, but it is so hard to organize something, so instead, you played the piano. I was really impressed that you picked out your own song (Seven Years) and had Sister Bland help you learn it. You did such a good job! I was really proud of your hard work and bravery.
• I took off for Washington DC with Maggie so Dad helped man the house while I was gone. That first night was hard because Dad was working a swing shift, so he wasn't going to be there all night. Sam and you stepped it up big time. You came home and got all your chart finished. I had Sister Loving stop by around dinner time to check on you all, but she didn't need to stay long because you had it under control. You all made your own dinner (you heated up sloppy joes and made a salad mix) and was able to watch a movie at night. I was really worried, but it worked out well. The next day, you got to go to Piper's birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese. You thought that place was awesome with all the video games. Maggie brought you home a cheery blossom keychain for your backpack.