Anna

My sister Anna lived with us for 3 1/2 months. She left the middle of April and this is one of only two pictures I have with her here. I don't know why I don't take pictures, I need to be better. It was so nice to have her here. She not only helped out a ton around the house and with the kids but became a good friend to me. She is #6 in our family and I am #2. When I left home at 18 she was only 9 so we didn't do a lot of growing up together. It was awesome to get to know her and have those months together. All of the kids still talk about her and ask when she's coming back, but I'm sure she's happy to be back to her college life at BYU-Idaho where she's studying to become an RN. We love you and miss you Anna.
And sorry I didn't have a better picture :)

Great to be Eight, and Five

Austin is loving Kindergarten and just the other day he learned how to ride a bike with no training wheels. He's out riding now at 7:30am, and doesn't stop until its time for school. He loves spelling and now talks that way. He came up to me this evening and said, "I space L I K E space Y O U."

We are so excited to go to Samoa. We plan of baptizing Sivai there and visiting friends and relatives. He celebrated his birthday with a party the Saturday before and then on his birthday we requested to eat out at Chinese buffet. He got a Swiss army knife and carries if everywhere, prepared for anything that comes his way.

If you're wondering who that skinny guy is in the picture with Austin, it's Patrick. He's lost 30 lbs.!!! Doesn't he look smokin' hot?

Digging a hole to China

Happy Girl!
She's crawling all of the place and already starting to pull herself up to her knees.

Sivai has been gold mining in the backyard with Lily and Austin, and all the neighbor kids. So far they haven't struck it rich, but I'm crossing my fingers. He headed out there this evening dressed to impress. Six shooters, Indiana Jones hat, and backpack full of supplies; I had to get a picture. Spring is wonderful.

Officially an Aggie

Patrick got accepted into the master's program! He will be getting his Master's in Social Work through Utah State University (the extension here in Vernal). He has spent so much time working on his application and getting ready to apply and all his hard work paid off. It's going to be a huge commitment but it will all be worth it. With his degree he will be able to get his LCSW and be a counselor.

I don't know whether to be excited or scared for this new chapter, but I'm incredibly proud of Patrick for all he does for our family.

At six months....

Amelia Rose

I have two teeth on the bottom and I like to bite.
I roll and twist and turn all over. I love to eat paper.
I love my brothers and sister, sometimes they love me back too much.
I can push up on all fours and scoot backwards.
I love to eat, but only on my terms.
I laugh when you tickle me or when I get to pull your hair.
I still don't sleep well at night.
I'm growing up way to fast.

Yellow Yaks and Green Gators

Amelia and I. I'm usually the one taking pictures and not ever in them. The outfit Amelia is in was worn by Lily and I can't believe how different they look in it.

Sivai's team name is the "yellow yaks." He is enjoying soccer so much and is already bragging about how good he is. He scored 2 goals in his first game, one for his team, one for the other team (it bounced off his leg when an opposing team member kicked it). It's amazing how quickly he's picked up playing without any previous experience.

Austin's team is the "green gators." He had a great first game today, he scored a goal too. He also played goalie, it was pretty easy without a single shot taken towards the goal during his quarter.

We've been trying to beat the winter indoor blues by getting and staying busy. A couple of weeks ago we went bowling (no pictures) and they had a blast. Today we went swimming at the rec. center and the kids are already begging to go back.

Six months! She got a tooth a couple of days ago and is sooo close to crawling. At her last appointment she was in the 25th percentile for weight and the 90th for height.

Winter Break

Amelia, Renee, Daniel. Two weekends before Christmas my sister Heidi graduated from BYU-I. This is when Renee, Nick and I met up at Lisa's house to carpool up there. Unfortunately my hands were full at the graduation and I let Renee do all the picture taking. Congrats Heidi!!

The day before we left for Christmas in Cedar City and the wedding at Logan it snowed over 12 inches. The kids love it.

Grandpa Dotson has become quite accomplished with his woodworking. We each got a hand turned ornament for Christmas. This one features a sea shell.

Patrick and his brother Robert doing dishes Christmas evening, pretending to be Santa.
Sivai opening an army tank from G&G Dotson.

Grandma Dotson and Lily bonding. Make-up is #1 on her favorite things to do. I have to guard mine.

Irvin and Amber's wedding at Logan

Morning of the wedding. It was freezing rain/slush outside of the temple, very cold and not very fun for pictures. They were still all smiles.

Austin, Dad, Lily, Sivai

The swimming pool was a big hit. Amelia and I enjoyed watching everyone splash around.

Kitchen help. Lisa and Heidi.

Anna, Keely, and Sivai also helped out keeping the food out.

Keely, Sivai, Austin

The cake and Aggie ice cream was a big hit. I didn't keep track of how many plates my kids had.

Irvin, Lily, Mom, Dad