Welcome to our family blog

Ok, ok. I feel like I have been a little out of touch with so many of you. I decided that now that the kids are in school I could take the time to get this up and running.
For those of you who aren't quite up to speed on the goings on with us, here is a little update.

Daniel graduated with a business degree last December. As of late, we have not been able to find our niche yet, meaning a "real" job, but we are endlessly searching, posting resumes, networking, yada, yada, yada. For some reason this is still our trial, and apparently there is still much for us to learn from this. :)

Mindy... Well, I have been up to the same old thing. I really enjoy my reading outs and I am picking up hobbies here and there. Just trying to keep it balanced. I spend so much of my time with the kids or cleaning the house, I feel pretty wiped out by the end of the day. But as sad as I was to watch Ethan and Katelyn get on the bus for school, it is kind of nice to only have Zach to chase after while Alyssa sleeps. We are starting some new phases in our life, that are really fun and exciting. I am trying to take pictures of every minute, I know I won't get this back.

Ethan... is 6 1/2 and started first grade this year. He has half of a front tooth, and that is very exciting for him. He thinks he looks weird without front teeth. He really enjoys school and this summer, started to really love swimming. He still likes puzzles, video games, all the normal 6-7 year old stuff. It is so fun to see him grow and learn new skills, and for me, to have one less kid to dress in the morning is bliss.

Katelyn... is 5 and has finally decided it is ok to be a big girl. She has come out of her shell, and loves life. She loves school and primary. She amazes me every day. The other day she got off of the bus, and said "look I have a loose tooth!" Sure enough, she has two loose teeth. She seems so little to have loose teeth!! Katelyn decided it was ok to put her face in the water, but not her whole head, baby steps. She loves dress up and dancing, and painting, coloring and drawing. She could paint all day.

Zachary... is 3, and very good at being 3 I might add. He is a trip. He makes me laugh all the time. He is a big goofball. (We finally got him to stop yelling, "Hi Grandpa" from the back of the chapel during Sacrament meeting...) He started preschool last week, and his teacher said, "I wouldn't describe him as mellow..." He loves to help with laundry, and dishes, and I am taking full advantage of that. His favorite thing right now is Star Wars and he really wants to be Yoda for Halloween. To have three kids who can dress themselves is amazing to me, and I keep wondering how did I do things before? (Ethan was 3 when I had Zach...)

Alyssa... is 17 months and finally walking!!! ohhhhh noooo... she is finally walking. We call her the stealth baby, because she gets into everything so quietly. She came into the bathroom two Sundays in a row when I was fixing my hair, snuck out a tube of mascara and got it all over her, the couch... everywhere. (Did I mention two weeks in a row?) Didn't say a word, she was so quite I didn't even notice her. She has been such a fun baby to have around, it is really hard to get mad at her. She loves to wear necklaces, bracelets, and carry purses. Such a girl! She is starting to be a little more vocal, and on Sunday during Sacrament meeting I took something away from her that she didn't need to have, she screamed like I was hurting her, and tried to bite me! That was very funny to us, mainly because she has ALWAYS been so calm and pleasant. She is starting to talk a little more here and there. This is one of the funnest stages. They are so small but can do and understand so much. It is amazing.

All in all, despite the trial of a job search, we are really happy. Crazy, yes. But we feel so blessed (and definitely overwhelmed) to have all of these little ones depending on us. They are sweet kids, and make life a lot of fun. :)