Special Visitors

Both sets of grandparents showed their love and dedication by traveling across the country to attend Elora's baptism. It was a rare privilege to enjoy all four of them at the same time. The only problem: it was tiring to keep saying "the grandmas and grandpas" to the kids, so once I joked that it would be easier to just say "the old people". I hope no offense was taken! We sure did love having all those old people around!

The Long-Anticipated Day Arrives!

Maybe the little sisters thought this was our "family tree"?

Elora in White

Elora turned 8 on May 21st 2008.
This was her party invitation.

Elora's Eighth Birthday Party! Bubbly!

O Wow!
Jayden, Elora, and Summer
dance a Luau!
(Naomi says Loo-How)

Kid Quotes

Vivian is many times a source of creative phrases. While looking in the party isle at the store today she picked up a pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey product and said
"Look! Tape the rooster!!"

Naomi likes to be in control. I asked her to change out of her swim suit into clothes yesterday and she said, in an FYI kind of tone, "I'm not obeying you. I was about to take off my swimming suit."

Elora just says unexpected things sometimes. The other day she wanted to be emphatic in getting my attention and she said, "Mommy Lynn Smith!"

Recently the children were fighting in the car, so I said, "Girls, let's all take a turn telling what kind of mother you will be when you grow up. How many kids do you want to have?"

Viv: I would have four kids and name them Heart, Love Flower, and Cristal. And if I had a boy it would be Eric.

Naomi: I want six kids. Three girls and three boys.

Elora: I want only two boys named James and Ryan. I would be embarrassed to have girls.

Elora's World

Here's Elora receiving her A-Honor roll certificate. She must have had one awesome first grade teacher! She was a little disappointed because she would have preferred the blue certificate her friend got for the A-B Honor roll. I'm glad she's more color conscious than competitive.

This is Elora having a teenage moment. She's got painted nails, her stylin' room, and she's talking on the cell phone with a blue tooth ear piece to her cousin Josie. Last but not least, she's got a scowl on her face because her mom popped in uninvited. With a camera.

Elora joined the American Girl book club and just finished her first book much sooner than I expected. I am so pleased with her reading ability. Go Ellie!

Let Go, Snow!

We had our first snow of the winter on Thursday!

As soon as it started snowing I hustled up to pick up the girls from school so I didn't have to fight too many frightened drivers. People here don't know how to drive in the snow and hate doing it. On my way out of the neighborhood when it had only been snowing for about an hour, we saw this abandoned wrecked truck. Poor scared red-neck!

Elora said on the way home, "finally Arkansas let go snow!"

The girls got right outside and gathered up snow "ice cream" which they ate by the fire. Soon it warmed up and the snow turned to rain, but it was fun while it lasted.

Saturday Skating

Viv kept saying "I want to go fast like that lady".