Pasta!

For his birthday, Alex wanted a pasta maker. I was a bit skeptical at first. We have a favorite restaurant that serves homemade Chicken Noodle Soup and I love the broth and the chicken - hate the noodle. Too thick. Too soggy. So I wasn't completely sold on the idea of homemade noodles. Well . . .

LOVE the noodles! The first time he made speghetti and it was delicious! Once again, Alex dominates in the kitchen - happy birthday honey!

The kids agree too!

P.S. For our anniversary, Alex got a new grill . . . imagine the possibilities . . .

Quilt Squares

Our ward has a quilting group that decided at the first of the year to make a Christmas friendship quilt. The goal: make twelve 12 1/2 inch squares to exchange in September. Here's my contribution. Stay tuned for the finished product!

And the rains came a tumbling down!

Last week we had a flash flood that made national news.

Thunder shook the house and lightening made it possible to see across the room in the dead of night, while the rain sounded like it would crash through the windows any minute. We watched and listened all warm and snug in the safety of our bed. McKenzie was in our bed too (Justin and Josie slept right through). We thought it was a pretty cool storm and questioned the county's decision to close school for two days. Our home didn't sustain any damage. Some of our friends were not so lucky - basements were flooded and backyards were washed away. Then we saw on the news the damage done in nearby counties: whole communities were under water - people were taking boats to salvage what they could from the second floor of their homes, an entire elementary school was destroyed, a major interstate was flooded. We are grateful for our good fortune and pray for the safety and future of those who lost everything.

Sisters

I was only going to post one of these pictures but, they're all so cute! I love all their different expressions!

Josie fix

That's my baby!

Soccer

Coach Sarah, Justin, Sam, Michael, Caiden, Coach Chris

Spencer, Daniel, Brandon

Justin's team is made up of 5, 6, and 7 (soon to be 8) year-olds who have all played in previous years. This made it kinda tough for Justin, who's never played before. We're proud of his enthusiasm for the game and the way he was able to track the ball. An older friend from primary (Spencer) is on his team and has been a great example for him. Go Crickets!

Coach Klein, Liam, Jordan, McKenzie

Collin, Caleb

By chance, Justin and McKenzie both get to wear the neon green unies even though they're on different teams.

Everyone on Kenzie's team is three and each team had only one power-player. This made for a fairly slow, but super cute game! Kenzie's game was pretty uneventful (hence the twirling - what else is a girl to do in a big open field?!) However, during another three-year-old game, a player dribbled the ball past the goal and just kept on going . . . half way to the fence 50 yards away, before the hefty volunteer referee caught up to him. Of course, everyone cheered for the young athlete and his efforts!

Trenton (Spencer's brother) and McKenzie on the sidelines

Answers

to Who's Who:

Column 1: McKenzie, Josie, Josie, Josie

Column 2: McKenzie, Josie, McKenzie

Column 3: Josie, Josie, McKenzie, Josie

Two beautiful girls!

SNAP!

Justin got it! I'll have to get a better video (one with a little less background noise). But, it's there - a consistent SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! Yeah Justin!

Josie update

Josie is just the sweetest baby ever! This week she let our her first belly laugh. Until now, when I would tickle her, she would tighten up, turn all red and grunt. Now, there are fewer constipated looks and more squeals of delight! She also managed to turn over this week - all but her head. Not bad for two months.

We still haven't completely figured out the milk allergy. She's still having some problems even though I've been dairy-free for over two weeks. We have an appointment with a GI in early October. Until then I'm supposed to also try to keep soy out of my diet and I have to stay away from scrambled/fried eggs and omelets. (What CAN I eat?!) She also has to take a teaspoon/day of a liquid probiotic. Ever tasted one of those? Yuck! Poor girl! Hope we get this taken care of soon!

Despite all that, she's never fussy, never spits up and still sleeps quite a bit. As I've said before - PERFECT!

Besides preschool . . .

She's not in school five days a week, but she does keep busy!

Tap and ballet with Miss Brooke

She grew out of The Little Gym and now attends Georgia Gymnastics Academy

Soccer with a local Baptist church (and preschool at the Methodist church - we're making friends with everyone!)

McKenzie's First Week of School

Tuesday was McKenzie's first day of preschool. She was sooooo excited!! She goes twice a week - Tuesdays from 9-1 p.m. and Thursdays from 9-12 (they get to stay for lunch on Tuesdays). I asked her what she loves most and she said everything! but I secretly think it's the playground. She loves her teachers, Miss Elaine and Miss Carol, and she thinks it's cool that there's another Mackenzie in her class. But best of all Ashton's there too!

She thinks she's pretty big stuff because she gets to go through carpool, pack her own lunch and get up early "like Justin." She comes home talking about the "centers" she didn't do and the math she did do (just like Justin) and, of course, she has homework like Justin (her own set of flashcards). All in all, she LOVES it!

Day 2 - still smiling (especially since Ashton's coming home with us!) YEAH for preschool!

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