Affirmation Party

We gave Anne an "Affirmation Party" with family and good friends as a recognition of her growing in maturity in soul and stature- which happened to coincide with her 13th birthday. This involved a lot of wisdom from some ladies, a lot of food, and a lot of kids watching what was going on! 

 Not sure what Judah's doing here...Ha!

 Auntie Faith sent a special video and box of presents to go with it...

 Doggone it, Christian must have been busy (i.e. not taking pictures) for Grace's talk, but it was very good and made me tear up. But here she is taping Faith's talk.

 And me.

 And Marmie's gift, which she loves--not sure what her face is responding to! :)

 Slideshow

 Anita/Mrs. Porter

 Grandma

 Presents! I LOVE all those littles gathered around!

One of Auntie YaYa/Laura's gifts

 Silly goof, Kale'a

 Yay for Pie!!!

Happy Birthday and Affirmation Day, sweet girl!

Birthday Tea

A 13th birthday is a great excuse to wear her inherited "Faitherella" dress (from her Auntie Faith)...

 Thank you, Marmie, for putting on such a wonderful tea party!

The lovely ladies...

September

Anne and a couple friends were Jr. bridesmaids in their former Sunday school teachers' wedding! Can't believe how old these girls are getting!

On our way home we went to Petrified Nat'l Forest

 We look so excited.

 Oh yeah. The day before our trip for the wedding "someone" decided it would be a great idea to have a rock throwing contest in the driveway. I highly recommend Urban Autoglass.

 And we always stop at this park in Cortez. Pretty much because of this tree.

 Then after we got home Tirzah had a bit of an accident at the playground and ended up with 4 stitches in her shin.

And my child's blood on my shorts amazingly didn't make me woozy this time around!

And I think that about wraps things up for September until we get Anne's 13th party(ies) done!

The rest of August

Christian and I got away to Phoenix for our 17th anniversary & drove to the top of South Mountain. I'm so very happy we didn't hike. So hot. But a fantastic view of Phoenix.

 Palo Verde trees are just so interesting!

Then we started school! Grades 10, 8, 5, and 3.

Boulder Field!

Random catch-up pictures

Apparently people make lego ninjago masks. 

 The kids made a creepy birthday card for a friend.

 We had an amazing year for cucumbers in the greenhouse.

 Found these two sleeping on the couch one morning.

 THESE two borrowed my phone one afternoon.

Old Cave's Crate hike with my girls