Friday, January 30, 2009

Happy Birthday Kendall!



Kendall turned 15 on January 27th. Looking back through her photo album to find some pictures brought back so many wonderful memories. She was such an adorable baby. She was my little one. She weighed 6 lbs. 7 oz. She was my smallest and Brad was my biggest at 9 lbs. 2 oz. There is something about delivering a 9 lb. baby that makes you feel like a hero! Am I right? If they handed out uniforms for mothers, I am confident that a 9 pounder would have earned me a few extra stripes on my sleeve. And then everyone could salute as I entered a room. How cool would that be? Oh sure, some of you have done 10 lb. babies and multiples which makes a 9 lb. baby seem like a walk in the park. Don't worry, I would recommend that they give you extra stripes too. Mayhbe even enough to make you forget all about your stretch marks! Okay back to Kendall...

She was just so adorable. She had red hair. I really thought it would stay but it didn't. She was just so adorable and so quiet. She was a happy little camper. I do recall that she and Bryan both did not sleep very much during the day which I found distressing at the time. I sort of counted on those hours to get something done. But that's okay. Somehow we survived.
Kendall has just always been good natured and easy going. Well, at least she used to be. We tease her now because she has gotten sort of testy in the last year or so. She finally found her voice and she insists on using it all the time! It's not easy to have 4 older sisters but Kendall has always been her own person. She has never worried too much about what other people think - in a good way. I suspect that serial killers don't worry too much about what other people think so it's not always a compliment, but in Kendall's case it is.

Kendall loves to read. It has gotten a little embarrassing because she will take a book just about anywhere. You know where you stand with Kendall because if she has the option of visiting with you or reading her book and she pulls out her book, well - there you have it. You know exactly where you rank.
Kendall is a great actress. I don't really know when it started or how it happened but she is really good. She has this way of not just acting well, she becomes her character. I guess since Kendall was never prone to dramatics, her acting ability took us by surprise. We love to watch her and wish that she had more opportunties.



She is really a great sister and has always had such a big heart. I wish every family could have a child like Kendall.

Kendall has some really great friends. She knows how to pick them or they pick her, I'm not sure which. Here is a picture of a few of them. From the left there's Chelsea Manly, Dayna Bergeson, Kendall, her cousin McKayla, Alyssa Tucker and Sam Calder. Kendall and Chelsea share the same birthday so Happy Birthday to Chelsea too!
Classic Kendall moment -
One time we were all sitting in a restaurant waiting for our food and some sort of discussion was going on. I can't remember what it was about but I remember that we were all talking at the same time and there was general disagreement. Then Kendall piped up (she was probably about 7) and said, "Hey. Let's all stop this and talk about something we can agree on - like how pretty I look in my earrings." It was hilarious.
I just love having Kendall in our family. She is the best 5th daughter anyone could ask for! She doesn't even seem phased by the fact that we wanted another boy so badly. Actually, I only pretended to want boys. Secretly, I was praying for girls. Kendall is one in a million and I am so glad that she is ours!







Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The Verdict!

The verdict is in... the state has dismissed all charges!

We are truly grateful. Thank you all for your good wishes and prayers on our behalf!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Thank you!

Thank you so much for your insights! I really admire all of you. Your comments really meant a lot to me and I hope they will to the girls too. Thank you so much for taking the time to write. If anyone still has thoughts to share, please do!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Come on ladies! Provide some pearls!!

While I am completely thrilled with Stephanie's and Ashley's insight and wisdom, I am looking for more! I want to hear from Kacey, Danielle, Cali (maybe from Peru), Ashley (I know you're busy babysitting but you can do it), Kaelynn, Angelique, Sam Miller, Sam Ross, Micah, Alysha, Nena, Kim, Angie, Lindsay, Daishan, Britney, AubRee and anyone else who comes across this. Consider yourselves tagged! I am inventing my own game here. The fate of the Moses Lake Stake's young women is depending on your collective wisdom!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Peggy needs your pearls...

I am going to be speaking at a young women conference in a few weeks. I am speaking about a teenager's role/responsibility in the family/how they can be an influence in their home/the impact they have on their family...that sort of thing.

I would love some input from young marrieds and young mothers out there. Those of you who were teenagers not too long ago. If you could go back and change anything about the way that you treated your family, what would it be? Do you have any regrets? Is there anything that you know now that you wish you know then?

If it is a short comment, you can just leave it on my blog. If you want to email it to me, send it to me at nineEarls@hotmail.com. Your collective wisdom is very much appreciated.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Scarlet sledding!

My blog is still being very picky about what footage it will upload. Is it possible that it is too embarrassed to show the video of us playing "Jolly Old St. Nickolas" on the pipes? I just can't imagine that. Or is it trying to spare all of you from having to see it? No one knows for sure. It did allow me to upload this video of Scarlet sledding. Kacey wanted it on her blog but mine is going to allow me to upload it so I am taking it.

Now is she having fun or not? That is a good question. Well, she's not crying - but that may only be because she is too terrified to make any sound at all. You be the judge...

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Christmas 2008

Well, another Christmas has come and gone! We were so busy over here that I had no time to blog. I just loved having all my kids home (except Brad). We had a great time just hanging out, playing games, doing puzzles, watching movies and working on dance stuff. I have to take advantage of my choreographers when they are in town!

Scarlet and Rhode were so fun to have around. Scarlet even hid from Santa this year and she didn't make a peep! I have some great video footage of some of our Christmas activities but I am having trouble getting my material uploaded. It is driving me crazy! Just when I was about to give up, it uploaded the video of Rhode but it still won't upload my other stuff. Any advice? I never had any trouble before.

In case you don't know what "hiding from Santa is" I will explain. We have a long standing family tradition (that we learned of from the Packards) of hiding from Santa and watching him put our presents under the tree. We all practice our hiding spots the night before so that we know exactly where we are headed. David waits up all night and when he hears Santa, he wakes us all up and we get into our spots. No one says a word because if we get caught, then Santa doesn't leave the presents. It is a lot of fun and Scarlet did awesome on her first time. Tricia and Belen also were able to keep quiet. Way to go girls!

We got to talk to Brad and that was definitely a highlight of our Christmas day. He sounds good and is working hard. He will be home in April and we are all looking forward to that.

Here are a few pictures of our holiday activities:

The annual Christmas nativity. Bryan is our only child left in the production. The next generation is taking over:



LuDeen holding her great-granddaughter, Qiana (Angie's baby). Isn't she cute? And the baby's not bad either!



It wouldn't be Christmas without matching pj's! Here is the whole gang!



Who wore them best?



All the single ladies!
L-R top: Kendall, Kylie, Kristy, Courtney
Bottom: Tricia (our exchange student from Taiwan) and Belen (our exchange student from Mexico). Belen joined our family in October.



One puzzle down, 6 more to go!



Scarlet was so fun on Christmas morning. She seemed thrilled with every present equally. It was so cute. No matter what it was, she would open it and say, "Ohhhh" like she was so amazed. Precious...



Scarlet, Jon, Rhode and Kacey:



Cute cousins - McKayla (Pat and Lori's) and Kendall:



Grandpa Knudson and his wife, Gloria. He brings the humor and she brings the charm!



Jon and Scarlet. She is not too sure if she wants to go sledding but we're going to make her do it anyway.



She went down on her back on his round saucer and she reminded me of a turtle that had gotten flipped over. She didn't cry but she looked somewhat terrified. It was a hoot!



We have had lots of snow in Moses Lake. This was how it looked around Christmas and there has been lots more since then!

The lake is frozen in the back yard.

Here is cute Rhode. He is 3 months old. In the background you can hear us playing The Office DVD game. I think Kristy was the champion though we all did well. I wonder if that's a good thing?

Hopefully I will get my other video footage to upload so that you can all enjoy our family Christmas Eve pipe playing display of talent and other treasures!