Hat Day

It was hat day at school for the 2nd graders and Hannah wanted to make a creative hat. I'll be honest that I'm not the most creative person, but we decided that because it was spring a nest hat would be kind of fun. So a nest hat we created. She liked it, that's all that matters.

Hannah's nest hat.

Happy Baptism Day

Getting ready to be baptized.

Because of conference weekend, Hannah's baptism was moved up to March 29th. She was so excited to get baptized a little early and she didn't even mind that she didn't know anyone in our ward. She was just happy to get baptized. We had a rough and stressful morning, that happens sometimes with 6 kids, and so we didn't get any good pictures, but it didn't matter to Hannah. She was glowing the entire day and I was so proud of her for her decision to get baptized.

Daddy and Hannah. So excited.

Gotta be silly.

Being silly.

Hannah's baptism was so wonderful. She was so excited and loved every minute of it. She looked beautiful, had a special grow and happiness about her. We didn't have to wait too long for her turn to be baptized and when it was time she was nervous but so excited. She said she felt peace when she was done being baptized and I loved watching her happy face. After her baptism we got some group pictures and then had some fun with the grandparents afterwards. It was a great day all for Hannah.

The group photo with all the grandparents.

With Grandma and Grandpa Gass (it was a little cold)

With Grandma and Grandpa Newbry

The grandparents with Hannah

I am so lucky to have 6 amazing kids.

I sure do love this little girls and I'm so proud of her.

Our, getting very big, little family.

Sarah wanted a picture with her sister. I couldn't resist.

It's Great To Be 8!

Hannah with all her gifts.

Hannah turned 8 on a Sunday this year and she we had a very busy day. We opened presents before church and then when we got home from church Grandma and Grandpa Gass came over to see us. They had just returned from their 2 week trip to Singapore and they brought the kids some presents. They stayed and shared some of Hannah's cake before they had to go. It was a busy and fun day and she felt very loved. Now she can't wait to be baptized in a few weeks.

Monster's Inc dolls from Grandma and Grandpa Newbry.

Hannah loves Dr. Suess and she love the book of many stories we got her.

I love this shot and even though Gracie is blurry I had to include her.
Both girls were so excited that Hannah got Anna for Disney Infinity.

Hannah was so excited to get the horse stable. I love that my kids love Lego's.

This is the face that says, "I got roller blades? I've always wanted roller blades."

Playing with the Lego's while waiting for church.

Grandma and Grandpa Gass giving the kids all their spoils from their trip to Singapore.

The cake. (She likes the color pink.)

Singing Happy Birthday to my sweet Hannah.

Blowing out the candles. All 8 of them.

No More Tubes

Beautiful Hannah ready to get her tubes out.

Hannah's ears have been hurting her for a few months and when I took her into the doctor last fall he told me her tubes had fallen out and that we should wait until January and see how she was doing. Well, January came and she still wasn't feeling the best so I took her back in. She had an ear infection and the doctor told us to see an ENT to see Hannah needed to get her tubes in.  When we got to the ENT he discovered that the tubes were in fact still in her ears, just hidden. One was blocked and the other wasn't doing anything any more. This made a lot of sense to me because I remembered when she got them in her ENT in Idaho Falls said they were permanent and would need to be surgically taken out.

Anyway, it was determined that we would take her to Primary Children's Hospital and have the tubes, that aren't doing anything anyway, out. Hannah was so excited to get them out, to no longer be in pain, and to be able to swim without them hurting. On Feburary 11th, my mom and Aunt Cindy came down to watch the little kids and I took Hannah to the hospital to get her tubes out. The doctor made it sound like it was going to take a long time, but she was in and out in a few hours. I took her home and she was even able to go to lunch with grandma, Aunt Cindy, and the other kids. It was a good day and she was very brave and very cute.

How in the world did this silly girl get so big.

Making Pottery

After sleeping most of Christmas Day I finally got up and showed my face late that afternoon. We gathered our stuff up and headed home that evening. The kids had a few gifts waiting for them at our house that Santa had left and we had family gifts to open. Being that it was late and I (and Dan still) didn't feel great, we did a quick second Christmas without taking any pictures (oops).

One of the things Hannah got was a pottery wheel. She desperately wanted to try it so on the 30th we opened it up and she tried making a cup. It was kind of hard to get the hang of and it took a lot of patience, which was something I was lacking that day. She did pretty good, but it just didn't turn out to good. We really need to try it again now that life has settled down a bit. The important thing is she had fun trying.

Jr. Aggie Cheerleaders

Hannah and Gracie showing off their dance moves.

Grandma Gass called one day in December and asked if the girls wanted to go to the cheerleading camp at USU. The little girls were so excited. Sarah said she wanted to, but when her friend wasn't able to come she decided against it. The camp consisted of training with the cheerleaders in the morning for a few hours and then a performance during half time at the Aggie basketball game.  The girls had a blast and Gracie loved the boy cheerleaders most of all. Boy are we in trouble.  :)

My favorite part of their dance.

My cute dancing girls.

After their performance all the girls who participated came and on stage and did a few cheers.

Cheering with the other girls.

Gracie had the bull standing right next to her during the cheers and she didn't even know.

After the performance. They had so much fun.

Reading Time

Hannah has always had a hard time speaking. Her issues with tonsils, ears and who knows what else have made it really difficult for her to form sounds and it's been difficult for her. Her speech has improved so much over the years and she is constantly improving and surprising us. Because he speech has been difficult, her reading has struggled as well. She is getting better every day, but she still has a long way to go. I thought I'd share a little of her reading. One day it'll be nice to look back on.

Hannah's School Program

Hannah with her 1st grade teacher Mrs. Wilcox

School was finally ending at the end of June. It has been hard having the kids on year round school and having them go to school the entire month of June. However, we made it through and the end of the month came and along with it were fun school projects and programs. To name a few, Sarah had her State Fair, Ben had his grape smasher, and Hannah had her class program. Here are a few pictures and videos from Hannah's class program where they showed the parents the songs they learned in 1st grade and remembered some of their favorite things. My filming was not the greatest due to the child on my lap and the other 2 not always sitting the best, but you get the idea. Enjoy!

Hannah's welcome song. The beginning isn't in focus, I blame the kid on my lap, but it does get better.

Hannah getting ready to sing.

Hannah saying what her favorite part of 1st grade was.

Hannah singing

Way Down South

Riding The Bike Trail

Kenny was working really hard this spring on a great bike trail for the kids in the empty lot next to our neighborhood. He got enough of it done that he wanted one of the kids to try riding it. On the 29 of March, we took Hannah over and took some pictures of her on the trail. She did great and had a lot of fun.

Riding the lower part of the trail.

Riding across the bridges.

Riding down one of the hills.

I had to have a turn. It was a lot of fun.

Hannah's Friend Party

Because Hannah was off track for her birthday we had to wait a week to have her friend party. She handed out invitations the first day back to school and her party was on Friday March 22nd. She had a good showing of friends, 6 total, and had so much fun playing games, going for a treasure hunt, opening presents, eating ice cream, and just goofing off. I can't believe she's already 7. Where has the time gone?

Hannah and our neighbor Bri.

Hannah and Paxton

Hannah and her cousin Cadence

Hannah and Miley from our ward.

Hannah and her friend Trevor

Hannah and our neighbor Rachel

Listening to the first clue of the treasure hunt.

We had the kids go fishing off the deck for paper fish. It was a huge hit.

Hannah wanted a Easter themed party so she got a bunny cake.

Blowing out the candles.

Eating cake!

Hannah doing the Easter egg obstacle course.

Miley and Cadence enjoying the obstacle course.

Gracie and Sarah doing the obstacle course.

The Easter egg hunt.

Hannah and Trevor looking for Easter eggs.

Goofing around in the basement.