Precious

Jill made these cute collages of Cheyanna's pix. 

My Girl

Here are Cheyanna's six-year-old pictures.

My friend, Jill, took these pics for me, and I LOVE them.  I think Jill captured Cheyanna's sweet personality so well. Thank you, Jill!!!

Cheyanna is sweet and shy, but she has a sassy little kick to her too.  She is tough (the result of having three older brothers), but still girly and lovable.  Her personality has blossomed so much in the past year.  Going to kindergarten has given her a lot of confidence along with more knowledge.  She is a good little reader, and loves the Biscuit books.  Cheyanna loves animals, stuffed animals, and babies.  She has a great imagination, and can play by herself for hours with her little dolls, animals and toys. 

Not a day goes by that I don't feel so thankful to have sweet Cheyanna in my life.  She is such a joy and a blessing, and she couldn't possibly be loved any more than she is!!

Teenage Son

Here's a poem I wrote last week...

Teenage son with long, lanky legs
Trying to find your footing
Like a baby giraffe on wobbly limbs.

Trying to find out who you are
Pushing me away
Sometimes in anger or resentment

I used to be your everything.
No one else could console you.
You would snuggle into my neck,
Holding a lock of my hair
And breathe a sigh of contentment.

There were nights you wouldn't sleep
Unless you were in my arms
And I held you tight
And loved you more than words can say.

Now you glare at me
You're angry and frustrated
And I wish I could gather you up in my arms
And be your everything again. 

At the Zoo

Over Memorial Day weekend we headed down to Tucson to visit Chuck's mom.  On Monday we took the kids to the Reid Park Zoo.  The last time we went there, I was pregnant with Cheyanna.  So it was fun to take the kids there.  They had such a fun time seeing all the animals.

Carson and Cheyanna by the elephants

Look what hatched--Cade and Cheyanna!

Carson, Cade, and Cheyanna in front of the flamingos

Cheyanna's new tooth is coming in!

Charlie the turtle

Cooling off at the splash zone

Carson

Cade petting a snake!

The albino peacock kind of looks like a snowflake.

The kids loved feeding the giraffe.

Charlie, Cade, and Cheyanna posing by a peacock

The kids had fun swimming in Granny's community pool.  It was too cold for me, but I had fun reading in the shade while the kids splashed around.  Over the weekend, we showed Charlie and Carson the hospital where they were born, and the apartment that we lived in when Charlie was born.  After the zoo, we went to Eegee's.  I wish they had Egee's up here--they have the best subs, fries, and slushies! 

 

We had such a fun weekend in Tuscon.  It is always great spending time with Chuck's mom.  She spoils us with her good cooking and lots of goodies.  We used to live in Tucson for 2 years while Chuck was getting his MBA from University of Arizona, so we have lots of fun memories of living there, and lots of favorite places to visit there too.  Good Times!!

Carson's Arrow of Light & My New Calling

Carson earned his Arrow of Light in Cub Scouts.  Brother Wach is in the Order of the Arrow (and is also our home teacher), so he came to Pack Meeting to present Carson with his award.

Here's Carson pinning his arrow of light pin on me.

Carson is a great kid!  He has had some really good Cub Scout Leaders, and we really appreciate them and all the time they put into making such a quality program. Oh, and notice that I'm at Pack Meeting, and not in my lovely yellow shirt?  That's right--I got released from Cub Committee Chair!  It was a fun calling, but after 3 years, it was time to move on.  :)  My new calling?  Visiting Teaching Coordinator.  I love it!  I get to meet with our Relief Society President, Shanie, each month to make changes (as sisters move in & out, or have schedule changes).  I also gather the stats from all the supervisors each month, and input them into the computer at church.  I already have such a new appreciation for Visiting Teaching.  It is a wonderful and inspired program, and I love being a part of it!

Awards

Cade got a medal for being on the top honor roll all year in second grade!  He also received the award for fastest math facts in his class. 

Cheyanna received a medal for being on the top honor roll all year in Kindergarten.  She also received the Character Counts award for her class, and the Trustworthiness award.  She was really well behaved this year in school.  Her teacher always complimented how well she listened and followed instructions.  Whenever there was chaos, her teacher would look over, and Cheyanna would be sitting quietly at her desk.  That's my girl!

Cheyanna lost a tooth

Cheyanna lost her first tooth a couple of weeks after she turned six.  Her permanent tooth had already started growing in behind her baby tooth, so it was about time that baby tooth came out!  

Here she is, happily anticipating her first visit from the tooth fairy!