We had a great party this past weekend. It was a combined Emma, very belated, and Leah, slightly early, party. Fun was had by all. Here are some pictures.

Ok< I know it has been WAY too long since I've posted anything. I am going to try and get back into the habbit. But no promises my on line time is so limited.
Russ was just called to be our Ward's Young Men's President. That will be fun for him. He'll get to do "guy" stuff. It will be alot of responseability but he's used to it.
I am just getting through each day. Some days I just love being with my kids and can't stand the idea that they will ever grow up. Other days I can't wait until they grow up. Normal for my stage. I guess. :)
Anna is all signed up for an all day kindergarden prograhm. I am a bit nervous about sending her away all day but this is what she really wants and Russ and I have prayed about it and we both feel it is the right thing for her. She is excited!!!! Even though it won't start for 4 more months :)
Leah is starting speech classes this week. Even though she talks almost non stop there is still alot of babble, due to missing teeth. This class should help her cope and compensate for that.
Now the big news. Bethany took her first step yesterday.!!!!!! Yay. Russ was working from home for the day so he got to be there for it. She took one little step three different times. She is not steady enough yet to make this a regular thing but I have no doubt that she'll be up and "running" in no time. She turns 1 next week. I can hardly believe its been a year. Yet, its hard to imagine her not being here.
Hopefully this will be one of many more bloggs to come. Life and children change so fast that its hard to keep up.
I am off to bed and wish all you out there well.

Already November
I can hardly believe that we are so far into this year. Or I should say that this year is so close to over.
My kids are doing great. Anna is reading better and LOVES to find new things to learn. She also has an endless supply of funny things to say.
Leah is getting bigger and more independant, as if she needs more independance. She has started attaching herself to some toys. Its very cute. She just loves this Larry Boy doll that a good friend gave us. She also loves any small fisher price little people.
Bethany has her second tooth now and enjoys trying to bite things with them. She is also sitting up pretty well. Actually today has been her most solid day in that area.
As for Russ and I. We haven't changed much. Russ's company continues to be both blessing and frustration. I continue to encourage him to find a place closser to home. But we'll see if that ever happens. :)

Oh man, I had no idea it has been a month since I last wrote. Alot hashappened. First off, my Grandmother Ruth passed away. She was 68years young. This passing has brought many questions from our children. I am very greatful for the gospel and the perspective it gives us to answer these tough questions. Last weekend we attended a very well put together and spiritual memorial xervice inher honnor. I t was a truely wonderful service.
As for other news. Miss Bethany cut her first tooth today. Yes I know she is only 5 1/2mos. old. Both Anna & Leah cut their first teeth at this age too so its not a shock. Though I did hope she'd wait another month or two. She is just so excited to eat solid food. She eyeballs us when we eat and has devoured, as best she can, the few things I've given her to try. I'm starting steady rice cereal next week. We'll see how it goes. :)
Anna and Leah are just loving my homeschool routine. Anna is developing basic reading skills as fast as I can through the material at her. Leah is more art inclined and LOVES her art books.
Here's a great Anna-ism. The other day she saw on a map that Kansas is the middle of the US, she looked at me with confusion and said, "Mom, I thought our house was in the middle of the Earth". It was so cute. I mean what child doesn't think that the world revolves around them and thier family.
As for Leah's shananagins. The other day she wouldn't come out of the bathroom. After some prouding she finally emerged, half quatted puddered, as we call it, three times stood up and said, "see" then ran off. I just about cried from laughing.
Russ and I haven't changed much. Though I am trying to trim down a bit. We'll see how successful I am. :)

I know it has been way to long since I have posted. We are always busy enough to keep me away from the computer.
Anna's news is that she is starting a homewchool kindergarden program and is LOVING it. After our lessons are done she is always asking me if we can do more. She is so bright and is soaking up the info as fast as I present it to her.
Leah is also doing a preschool program. She is not as interested in the struckture of it all but is still enjoying it. Our lesson times are just shorter. :) She does however LOVE to learn new songs and just sings all day.
Bethany is 4mos. She isn't rolling over yet because she likes to suck on her fingers. She get her bottom half rolled over and her top half is impeeded by her hand and arms . She is so cute and very vocal. She too sings all day just in baby babble sounds. I love it.
We often ask Anna if she thinks we should have any more kids. She always answers that No we have enough girls. And we don't need any brothers. Sorry to say but I think we'll have at least one more. :)
That's abt all I have time for now.

Ok so here the big news, Leah is potty trained. It took some time, patiens and sterness, as she is so smart and strong willed, but it is done. She is happy and tells veryone that she likes to go potty.
Bethany is almost 4mos old and I can't beleive it. I know I always say that but she is just the sweetest little baby and I don't want her to grow up. She is gabbing her feet and trying to roll over. She liked to coo and does it while Russ is holding and giving announcedments in Church.
Anna is still growing smarter and smarter. She sings alot, off key mostly, but its cute nevertheless. :)
We just had a nice treat. Russ took 2 days off work and we went on a nice family trip. We took the kids to a meuseam dedicated to play. Russ and I went to the Temple and we spent some time with Both sets of Moms & Dads. Now we are back to the normal routine of life but without Leah diapers. :)
Soon we will be getting Anna ready for s pre-kindergarden homeschool. It'll more then pre-school, but not quite kindergarden. She is VERY excited. I will likely have Leah doing some kind of preschool as she will want to do school while Anna is doing it.
That's all for now. I'll try and update more often.

Well its friday. The end of another week. I can hardly believe that August starts next week. Time is zooming by.
I had a heart stopping moment yesterday when Leah descided to clear off the couch for me, sadly this included sleeping Bethany. I saw it right as Bethay hit the floor. I was so sacred and Leah got in BIG TIME trouble. I am happy to report that Bethany suffered not even a bruise, only a fright at being woken up so roughly, and Leah is still alive. :) I have af course learned that Bethany will no longer be sleeping on the couch.
As for fun and good stuff. Leah keeps asking me for cookies and when I say "no we don't have any" she relpies "but I told you please." Quite cute. Anna likes to act like all the discisions are hers to make. One day when we were descided wether or not it was a good idea to play in the sprinkler she say " well I think its ok, so that good with me" then the other night when they were suppossed to be going to sleep, they were playing instead. I told them to go to sleep and Anna answers "but its our chioce to play kitchen" I truely have some freedom fighters. :)
Russ and I are busy as usual and are gretaly looking forward to a 4day break in mid August. Oh and Russ got a $50 reward at work for coming up with a great idea. He says he's going to use it take his co-workers out to lunch. I selfishly want him to take me out instead. :) We'll see what happens. :)