Five.Ten Years

 5.10 Years

• Pre Christmas Fun: Us girls snuck off to Lewiston when the boys were gone to get your ears pierced! You were so excited that we were finally getting this done. You were so braved about it. We made the whole day fun by playing at gymnastic 360, eating dinner at Panda Express, and going to the Train Park to see all the cool lights. We celebrated Happy Birthday Jesus with The Stanzak family this year. We were able to go to your music concert. I love how Ms. Carla is so good about including fun dance moves and this year you had glow sticks for Jingle Bells. You received the Empathy award for Character Counts in the month of December. I feel like that fits you well. Once school got out, we delivered flowers to some grandmas in the nursing home. We were able to have different families over for sledding parties. On Christmas Eve, we had Noah's family over. It was fun to see you guys explore the different hills. With the Stone's, you guys made it out to the pond (you called it the half pipe). By the end though you were pretty wet because the ice creaked at the bottom. It was nice to end each sledding session with the hot tub, hot cocoa, and cookies that people brought over. Also, we spent one evening decorating mini gingerbread houses. We have made an effort to try to watch new Christmas movies, though the Home Alone series is still your favorite. 
• For Christmas Eve, Dad was able to make it back for dinner. We had shrimp, homemade bread, grapes, dates, olives, cheese, and grape juice. We set up the candles again and made it all fancy.You kiddos loved putting on the Nativity play. This year, your role was Mary. We did our We Three Kings song which ended with matching Mickey Mouse pj bottoms (to get us excited for our Disneyland trip). We ended the night with all four of you kids sleeping in your room. We dragged the kid tree into the room so you could sleep with the light on. 
• Christmas morning was so magical. Santa brought you a makeup kit and a sticking full of goodies like ski goggles and LOL surprise doll. JoJo gave you a little backpack for your American girl doll, Sam gave you a slinky, and Maggie gave you a fairy potion kit. You gave Maggie and ribberband bracelet making kit, Sam a safe to keep his candy safe from JoJo, and JoJo the Rapunzel shoes. Dad and I gave you overalls, your own Alexa, and a Kindle reader. You loved all your gifts. We went to church in the middle. When you came up from getting dressed, you had put so much make up on. You had blue eyebrows, red lips, and blush all over. We ended the night with Salmon chowder. It was a great day. 
• Two days after Christmas, we packed up to go to Utah. It was fun to be with Grandma and Papa. We went bowling with them, played games (Uno Attack is a favorite at their house), and ate way too much candy. We met up with cousins to play at McDonalds and played at Bonnie's house. We did have our big family party. We brought the dodgeballs out with us and introduced the Matthews to a bit of a Price family tradition. Grandma had to unwrap game and then we all ate a big lunch and opened up presents. Grandma gave you a microphone. Tally gave you a Barbie. You had Henry and gave him gift card and some popcorn. Dad and I left for a New Years Paper, so you got to party it up with Grandma and the cousins. She let you guys stay up to 11pm and shot off fireworks. It was a blast for you guys. 

Five.Nine Years

 Five.Nine Years

• This month has been fulled with going to Sam's wrestling matches, reading to fill out your reading chart, and you quick primary activity with ice cream sundaes in the morning. You got as many toppings on your ice cream as the number of articles of faith you memorized. You memorized five of them. The bishop later told me how much he laughed with he saw all the chocolate dripped down your face and onto your dress. He said that it looked like you had more chocolate on you than what you ate. 
• We were able to spend Thanksgiving in Oregon with all the Price family. We left Friday morning. Dad drove separately since he has to leave early. There was no waiting for cousin, Lainey was there, ready to play. On Saturday, Grandma watched you guys in the morning while Dad and I went to the temple with Dusty and Janecce. That night we drove out to Hood River to go on the Polar Express. It was the first time for us. All you girl cousins got your own booth. You got to sit with Sonora, and it was so fun to see you girls believe in the magic and get excited over all the details. Sunday, we went to church and had family photos taken in the cold. We had our first Thanksgiving dinner at Annie's house. Uncle Josh joked that he was going to make sushi. Well, he did and it was a huge hit. It was decided that is needs to be a yearly thing. Monday, Dad left to go home. Us girls all went to Woodburn mall in hopes of getting your ears pierce. Sadly, the employee was certified to do it. Instead, you girls raided the clearance section and we ended with sushi for lunch (you girls ended up with a stack of plates taller than you). I was able to take you girls to Target to buy Christmas gifts. On Tuesday, we moved our stuff over to Dusty's house and got to do a sleepover with the younger cousins while the older ones went to the temple. On Wednesday, we went up to Portland and did a hike to the Witch's house. Thursday was Thanksgiving number 2 because Joey's family was there. We were able to play dodgeball in the morning. We had it at Grandma's house, and yes Josh made sushi a second time. You definitely got your fill of sushi for the trip. Friday, we were able to attend Karl's Court of Honor for his Eagle and then head out to the tree farm to cut down a Christmas tree. We walked all over to find the perfect one. We tagged it with our ribbon and then walked all the way back to find grandpa with the saw. He asked us why did we pick one so far away, we are going to have to drag it all the way back to the truck. You kids did not want to do all that work, looked around for a half second and pointed to the tree next to the truck and said it looked great. we wrapped it up in plastic, threw it on top of the roof of the van, and headed home the next day. Crazy story about Mowgli. The last night, all the cousins where watching a movie at Annie's. I think Mowgli got overwhelmed and hid. We thought he ran away when everyone was loading up. We looked all through the house and all through the neighborhood. Annie even texted the neighbors, but no one had seen him. You kids said a prayer. I figured if we can't find him by morning, and he showed up later, Grandma could watch him until she came out in January. The next morning, I can hear Annie get so excited because guess who was sleeping on the couch, Mowgli. We think he was under Lainey's bed in the far corner and we just couldn't see him. 

Five.Eight Years

 5.8 Years

• We made a quick trip up to Spokane so Dad and I could go to the temple. You enjoy hanging out at the Potters and playing with Canyon. We went out to pizza and found this hang out place with ping pong tables and giant jenga pieces. 
• Other fun moments was going on a pony cart ride with a lady from Syringa, celebrating JoJo's birthday (you and Sam went in together and got her a barbie hair styling head), our big Harry Potter Party where you got to dress up as a ghost (it was fun watching the first 15 min of the first Harry Potter movie so you could understand why we decorated the way we did), and cheering on Sam at his first wrestling tournament of the season (where you love running around with your friends Lainey, Sam Stone, and Dallin). 
• Halloween is in full force. We started by going to the Ward Trunk-o-Treat. You dressed up as a ghost for that activity. You got to go around with your friend Lainey since I needed to stay back at the van. The youth put on carnival games to play afterwards like fishing, musical chairs, and bean bag toss. Cecily invited you over to her house to decorate halloween sugar cookies and then play at the park afterwards. The night before halloween, we carved pumpkins. You tried to scrap out the guts, but it still kind of grossed you out and was hard for you to do it all by yourself. On Halloween, you switched ideas and went to school dressed up as Red Riding Hood. We caught up with Dad and went through the haunted house for the first time. While Maggie was freaking out, you were boasting about how you weren't scared. During it, you jumped a couple of times, but overall, you liked it. It was fun to end the night trick-o-treating through our friend's neighborhood. 
• And just like that, fall is over and the snow is here. You woke up one morning with a tummy ache, so I had you stay home. The tummy ache lasted all of five minute after we dropped the big kids off. JoJo loved having you home to play with. After lunch, we geared all up and went sledding down the big hill. You love winter, especially all the snow activities. After sledding, we headed over to the playground, where we piled all the snow onto the slide and then have you and JoJo take turns crashing into it. We finished our day out there by making snow woman (you insisted yours was a girl and not a boy). I secretly am glad that you stayed home sick that day. 
• Dad and I took the big kids to Boise to watch BYU play so you got to have a sleep over at Annie's house. You were so excited. 

Five.Seven Months

 5.7 Months

• Soccer is in full swing. You have made friends on your team and really enjoy going to the games. You are pretty spacey during the games and will start talking to other players. It is funny to watch your coach constantly reminding you to focus on the ball. As much as you enjoyed it, I think next year you want to do dance from the beginning. 
• Kindergarten is in full swing. You have several friends that you knew beforehand in your class like Sam Stone, Annie Willis and Audrey from preschool. But you have also made new friends such as Paige and Rowen. The crazy stuff is that you have crushes already and are not afraid to talk about them. You really like Jack and Timo right now. I asked you about Jack the other day. I asked if you play with him, if he is funny, or if you sit by him in class. You replied by saying, "I like his hair." Oh boy. Then the other day, you started talking more about Timo. You get excited when you see him at Sam's wrestling practice. I guess you girls were writing cards to the two boys and you told me that you made a lot more for Timo. Another story about boys, there is this first grader on the bus. He  asked Patty if you could change seats and sit with him. Patty teased and told him as long as you don't kiss you. Well, he totally kissed you on the cheek. You then tattled to Patty that he kissed you.
• We made a quick weekend trip to Grandma and Papa Matthews's cabin. Almost all the cousins were there. We left at 4am and made a couple of stops, which made the drive feel long. Up at the cabin, you kids worked hard to build a house out of the fallen logs. you had Uncle Mark drop in a pallet in the middle of it so you could have a table. You girls were cute to pick flowers for a bouquet. It was good to spend the last night at Grandma's house and have that time for her to read to you and put you to bed. 
• Birthdays are always fun and you were able to go to two parties-one for Megan McKnight (a unicorn party at the park) and the other one for McCall Carey (a puppy party at Jungle Gyms).
• A highlight for this month was the Jog-a-thon. Dad was able to be there for the first time. You loved having him and me run around the track with you. The bubbles was really fun and I loved seeing you dance through them. 

Five.Six Years

 5.6 Years

• We made it to Oregon! We get to stay a whole week here with Grandma and cousins. We visited the splash pad at Wilsonville and ate frosty afterwards, crafty around Grandma's table, ate sushi and walked the Ramona tour, made the funniest "Price Family Hospital and Salon" infomercial, played at the Gilbert House, played at the beach and ate at a Mexican restaurant, celebrated Brooklyn's birthday, had a sleep over at Lainey's, had a sleep over at Sonora's, went back to school shopping, picked a lot of blackberries, and played hard at grandma's house all in-between. You had the time of your life there.
• When we got back, Grandma and Papa Matthews stopped by on their way back from Canada. We didn't get them long, but we were able to sneak away down to the south fork for a picnic lunch and swim in the river. You loved having Grandma here to tuck you in and tell you family history stories as a bedtime story. 
• We are trying to get the last bit of summer before school starts. We went to the drive in and watched Princess's Bride, swam at the swimming pool tons, went on a float trip with the McKnights, and played with friends at home a lot. One of your best friends right now is Lainey Strasser and since she is home schooling again, we have been having her over a lot. You love to play barbies and family when your friends come over.
• Our friends, the Jones in Cottonwood, invited us over for a back-to school party where each of you kids had your own can of shaving cream and on the count of three, would skirt each other. There were probably about 20 kids. You LOVED it and by the end were smearing it all over your body, you looked like mummy.
• Back to school is around the corner and you have been begging to cut your hair. We finally did it. We ended up cutting off 5 inches. The first thing you said was "oh Dad is not going to like it!" And then you giggled because you love it. It is so fun to see you have your own sense of fashion. You are very particular how you like your hair (straight with a slight curve underneath). 
• We got to visit your class for back to school night. Your teach is Mrs. Godfrey and your class totally looks like the room from Ms. Bindergarten books. You were so excited to have a home center. We found out that your other best friend Annie is in your class! You cannot wait to start.
• School started and you absolutely love every minute of it, though you hardly tell me anything. You like to tell me what your special is for the day and sometimes you will describe the book your teacher read to you, but I have no idea of the kids in your class or the work that you are doing. You are so silly in that way.
• The first day of school was also the first day of soccer for you. It was pretty much the best day of your life. You are a little space cadet on the field, but you enjoy it so I can't complain. 

Five.Five Years

 5.5 Years

• It was the girls trip with all the dads and uncles. This year, you all met in Boise and went on a three night float trip. You told me all about Uncle Joe falling in the water, the endless mosquitoes, sleeping three high in hammocks, playing Big Booty, and the grand adventure of the wheel falling off the trailer. 
• We made a quick late night rafting trip down the river with our friends. It was fun seeing you jump off the boat with the big kids and swimming around the river like a fish. Of course, eating snacks was s hit on the water. 
• Caleb and Owen came to visit us this month. We had a lot of fun with them, going rafting, playing at the river, sneaking off to Creme Cafe for drinks and games while the big kid walked around town, and playing a lot of board games. 
• Auntie Rachel took Maggie back with them to Utah so you had two whole weeks of hanging out with Sam. It took a day for Sam to adjust to being the oldest, but he really did well playing with you and JoJo. One thing that helps is our neighbor Adella. She is Sam's age but has two younger sisters that are close to your age. So whenever he wants to go over to play, he likes to bring you too so then you can all play togethers. Some of the favorite things were playing cars and setting up a water park with the hose on the trampoline/play set. 
• Grandma was feeling left out on all the playing, so her and Grandpa made a quick trip out here. We took them on a long rafting trip, had a girls morning walking around town and going into the shops, shoot the 22, hiked the water shed trail, swam in the pond, went to the pool, ate ice cream cones, played games, and had Grandma tuck you in at night and tell you family history stories. You really wanted to start your great to be eight trip early and go with them, but you had some swimming to finish up.
• We didn't sit around and do nothing while Maggie was gone. We went camping up the mountains and hiked into the lower gospel lake to go fly fishing. We watched the Minions movie in the drive in. We went to music in the park where you got to run around and play with your friend Beckett, got ice cream from Cash-n-carry, and swam at the pool more than I count. 
• We went up to Spokane for a weekend to drop Sam off at the airport and pick Maggie up. We spent the night at the Potter's and the next day played at a private lake. You really like their son Canyon. At the lake, they had a "lily pad". It is a large foam pad that you and run around on the water, jump off, and get all shaken up. 
• The big thing that happen is that you jumped off the diving board all by yourself with no puddle jumper and was able to swim to the edge!! You have been working hard at swimming across the shallow end and now it has paid off. You are getting the trending water and I completely feel comfortable with you being at the pool with the bigger kids without me. I am so proud of your hard work this summer.

Five.Four Years

 5.4 Years

• We were all set for summer. Our first day, we had a ton of the neighbor friends over to play baseball and kayak on the lake. Well, that night, Maggie started getting a stuffy nose and she ended up with COVID. NO!!! Dad and I had to cancel our plans to get away that weekend. We were so bummed. It slowly made its way through the kids. You were probably the worst, but really it was just like a cold for a day. Thankfully,  Dad and I never got it. It did put a hamper on that first weekend. So instead, we went hiking down in the Whitebird Battle field and the John Creek Hike. 
• The circus came to town. We had bought tickets before you guys were sick. The other three were already better, but you started feeling sick that day. Don't judge me on this decision, but I really wanted to still go with you kids, as none of us had been to a circus before. I kept you in the middle of our front row, so you weren't near too many people. You really enjoyed it, though by the end, you were just tired. 
• We are having a little back and forth right now with the big kids as they are doing swim team and baseball. You love going to the high school for their games because you get to run around with Lane and Lucas. 
• The pond is up and running. We have had a colder month, but that hasn't stopped you guys from going kayaking with your friends. At the beginning, you were nervous to go on the kayak by yourself. It took some coaxing, but you finally got on. Now you love going on. When Sam Stone came over, both of you were out there be yourselves, just enjoying the water. 
• Silverwood!!!! We made it to Silverwood. We decided to go on a Saturday, a little nervous about the crowds, but we timed everything just right. We left super early and got there earlier enough to be able to go into the park and wait right by the rides until they open the park. Dad and Sam rushed to the blue roller coaster, while I took you girls to the wooden one. There was no line, so we were able to get all the roller coasters finished within the first hour. I first took you while Maggie stood on the side to get on the ride with JoJo. When we finished, I carried JoJo across the ride over to the exit, where you watched her so Maggie and I could go on the ride. While the boys were going on the bigger rides that you don't like to do, we made it on the Ferris wheel. That always has a long line, so it was fun to get on quickly. You shared a seat with me and JoJo. We next hit up all the kiddie rides. It was fun to have JoJo join you this year on half of them. For the second half of the day, we went to Boulder Beach. That was awesome! You had enough courage to do the bigger tube slide with Sam and Maggie. You loved it so much, you guys went down that thing 4-5 times. We spent so much time at Boulder beach, we missed the Magic show. Overall, we loved it there. 
• Your swim goal for the summer was to jump in the deep in from the edge without a puddle jumper and swim back to the edge. With the help of Lainey and Gus (we have been doing our own swim lessons with them), you accomplish that within two weeks. That means MAMMOTH ICE CREAM CONE!!! That thing was bigger than your face. You weren't able to finish it, so you were nice and let Sam have the rest.
• WE are filling our days with trips to the pool, trips to the river, we did our bike ride to Creme Cafe, and more friends playing in the pond. 
• Fourth of July was always a hit. Dad had to work a lot, but we were able to tag along with friends. On Saturday, we watched the parade and walked through all the stand in the park. Monday was our big day. We got there bright and early for the foot races (You got third place and won $1) and egg toss. You were partners with our friends cousins (Amelia) who was visiting from out of town and you two became fast friends. We bough lunch at the food vendors, decorated bikes for the kids bike parade, ran wild around town on your bikes until the parade, got even more candy, came home to rest, and ended the night watching fireworks at the high school.