All in a day's work

Over Labor Day weekend, Dave and Kelsey went down to California to help can tomatoes and spaghetti sauce. They left Friday after school and were back on Sunday morning in time for church. We've never been able to go since it always falls on the same weekend we get our peaches and for 2 of those years, I've been 9 months pregnant, not about to jump in the car to drive 5 hours away from my doctor to do them. I opted out of it again this year since we decided with it being such a fast trip, that we wouldn't put Addison through another long car ride and that Katelyn wouldn't have very much fun either. So I stayed with the 2 youngest and Dave took Kelsey off to work. And work she did.

Apparently it was colder than anticipated and we forgot a jacket for her. Just waiting to go in and start picking.

Up to her elbows in tomatoes

What kind of tomato is this?

So proud of you Kelsey for wanting and asking to go down to help with the tomatoes. Love you sweetheart.

First Day of School: First Grade

Today Kelsey started First Grade. She's been in the pool everyday, except for 2 weeks out of the long summer break and she's realizing that now she will be going all day. We got school shopping done early, and it's probably a good thing since August came and went so fast and we had some things come up that weren't planned. Last week we got the last minute things that always seem to pop up and with her school outfit picked, she seemed ready enough. She's been staring at her clothes for over 2 months now and was so excited.





The big day finally came.


Pictures with her sisters. Addison didn't exactly wanna hold still long enough to do much of anything. For the past year (almost) she's woken up to her sisters and she's going to have quite the adjustment to make when she sees that Kelsey isn't home all the time now.



Walking to the classroom.

Lining up ready to learn.

I am so excited for her to go off to school, but will quietly miss her happy smile and contagious laughter while she is gone. She is such a huge help and will miss her taking care of her little sisters. We are so excited for you to come home and tell us all about your day and the exciting new things you will do. Have fun!! Love mom

Addison's 1 year stats

A couple weeks ago, I took Addison in for hear year check up. I know it's a early but when baby #3 is more sick than well, well, you schedule those well checks whenever you can. Addison weighed in at 16 lbs 12 oz and 27 inches long. They were a little concerned with her weight but overall pleased with how smart she is and the things she is doing.

Words she can say

Dada

Mama

nigh nigh

num num

ba bye

She babbles everywhere we go and always has something to say - she gets that from her sisters.

She puts the phone to her ear and talks into it and everytime the phone rings, she says, "Dada."

She is walking. She's been doing this for about the last month, since we got back from California and cruises all around the house.

And she doesn't like the flash from the camera, as you can see since she's had her sisters taking pictures of her since she was born.

6 going on 16

This is what Kelsey chose to wear to church a week or so ago. She asked for her hair curly and to not have to wear socks. She looks all grown up and not a little girl anymore. Dad better watch out! I think those gun cleaning days are coming faster than he'd like.

Bubble bath

It's been awhile, actually over a year, since I've bought bubbles for the bath, since we're getting away from them and all taking showers now. Fortunately since Aunt Kaylene has been taking the girls each mutual night for us to go, she came to the rescue and the girls love that she brings fun things to do and plays games with them. And Addison has come to know the finer things in life. Katelyn said she looked like a girl santa.

At least they're non-toxic, right?!

Silver Mesa

It seems like this was so long ago that we went here. At the beginning of the month a bunch of us friends, Amber, Leslie, Stephanie, and Keli, got together and planned a day at the Silver Mesa activity pool. We packed our lunch in and stayed for a few hours and had such a great time. They have a huge water slide and a smaller one in the kids play area. Kelsey went on the big one first and there was no turning back and getting her off it. Katelyn on the other hand was a little more cautious and wouldn't go on it till I could wait at the bottom and catch her, although she can swim better than half the people there.

Kelsey coming down.Katelyn coming down once I convinced her it was fun.

Even Addison played in the little fountains and tried to walk all over the pool. It was only up to her chest and she stayed in it just as long as the big kids. Lucky for us it was close enough to home that the kids didn't fall asleep in the car but they were all so tired and warn out from a day at the pool. Thanks ladies for such a fun day.

Movie night

A few weeks ago, Dave had a great idea to blow up the aero bed and watch a movie on it. We made caramel popcorn and the girls had a blast. They thought it was such a great idea to have the mattress in our living room, in fact they wanted it kept up all weekend. At first Addison was patient enough to wait for us to give her bites of the "wonderful stuff" but then she took matters into her own hands.

Nevermind, I got it handled.

If you look close enough, you can see a piece of popcorn hanging out of Addison mouth as she's crawling away. Obviously bit off more than she could chew!

She thinks she's big

Coming back from one of our trips, we stuck Addison in the driver's seat and she confidently moved to the middle console and pulled herself up to check it all out. It's only a matter of time before she tries this out on her own.

She's so proud of herself.

The end of summer

As summer is drawing to a close, very rapidly, I might add, our vacations are too. Or so we thought. We headed up to Pine Valley (again) this past weekend for one last short trip. They were having carpet laid so we went up to help and get out of the heat. A few of my cousins were coming too, so the girls would have someone to play with.The new carpet. We love it so much and makes it really feel like it's done!! Can't wait to be able to spend some more time up here, maybe in the winter now.
Addison had so much fun being down and once Amelia showed up she actually had someone her size to play with.We left Addison asleep for about a half hour so we could take the girls shooting. We came back to this. This poor girl's been left or taken so many times this summer by so many different people I think she's just learned to deal with whomever she's got. That is, until I show back up and then she thinks she's been picked on and abandoned!!
Kelsey, Maddie, Katelyn, and Becca hanging out on the porch.

Going on a nature walk.
Just goofin' off.Even though they'd ridden the bikes all day, they didn't get enough of the motorcycles. Guess that's not a bad thing, right?

Even Addison had her turn this time. And she wasn't scared at all. He warmed her up to the idea by starting the motorcylces so this was a piece of cake. I love her arm resting on his leg, as if she totally trusts him to keep her safe. Such a sweetheart.

Katelyn.

Kelsey

And this trip the girls officially rode all by themselves. Kelsey even bailed on the motorcycle trying to race Dave and had him beat for a minute too. She didn't think her battle wound meant something good like everyone was trying to convince her of.

I love this picture because after riding on her own, she ran into his arms and she was so proud of herself. Nothing like a dad's love for his daughters!

Playing follow the leader. This right before she fell, but had to gas it to beat her dad. Such competition, those two.

In Loving Memory, O. Don Hawkins

Ever since Dave's dad's passing I have thought about what I would include in this post. I've thought of leaving personal things out, and have come to the conclusion that it is really for our posterity and while they are tender, heart felt, and still very near the surface, I don't want to forget the tender mercies, miracles and workings of a loving Father in Heaven during this trying and difficult time in our family.

Note: This is very long. Proceed with caution

5 August 2010, Mormon Night at Dodger Stadium: Don has run Mormon Night for the past 6 years and this year would be no different, or so everyone thought. He had just been back a couple of weeks from his 2 week trip in Europe with Val. In previous years, it's been a family outing with all the family that was able to go. This year it was just him, Val and Justin. Normally Val was in the stands, unable to come with him onto the field. This year he handed her his pass and told her she was coming down to the field with him. While he was taking pictures near 3rd base, she stood a little ways off and saw him go down. She ran over, called to him and immediately had this incredible spirit (like she was being protected) come over her and knew that he was gone.

At this time they were honoring some firemen on the field who then came running over to start CPR. Within a minute the Dodger's doctor came with oxygen, continued compressions and loaded him into the ambulance. Val rode in the ambulance with him and a friend of the family brought Justin to the hospital. Had mom not been down on the field with him, she never would have seen any of this, never would have even known anything had happened. He passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital and the family quickly gathered there.

The location of where all the family was when we got the call

The family that lives in California were relatively close and able to get to the hospital to be there with Val. LaNae was down in the Long Beach area visiting a friend, close to the stadium and the hospital. This is out of the ordinary since she usually stays close to home. Scott was working the veil at the LA temple, close to the hospital. He was supposed to be out of town on business, but due to getting sick in Europe a couple weeks prior, his trip was postponed. Mark was at home with kids and were able to call in-laws down the street so they could head to the hospital.

The rest of us that live out of town made arrangements to get there as soon as we could. Kaylene left after swimming lessons, and Brianne got a flight the next morning. Dave and Adam on the other hand, had a brother to find. Eric was camping in Great Basin Nat'l Park without cell reception so they drove up in the middle of the night to catch them before heading off hiking or to the caves they had reservations for. Eric was grateful that they came up to find them and didn't leave it to the ranger to give him the message.

The girls were still awake and aware of the phone calls that were coming in. There was no hiding it from them or preparing them to deal with the death of their grandpa. They were very upset that first night but have continued to smile and remember the fun games grandpa played with them. They fully understand that he has gone to heaven to live with Heavenly Father again and look forward to being able to see him again. One of the first things Kelsey said after hearing the news was, "Grandpa will be so sad in heaven because he doesn't know anyone." We informed her that he was quickly reunited with both his parents and Val's parents, as well as many others that have been waiting his return."

Although we don't know, we like to think while some of these things (the handing over of the pass, and the location family members) may be insignificant, the Lord had a hand in all of it.

I am so thankful for the knowledge and comfort the gospel brings at this time and while it doesn't take the "sting" out completely, it softens the shock of the sudden passing of a loved one.

Don was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be missed dearly by all who knew him. The service was beautiful, touching and funny, and Eric carried a lot of the weight, singing a song he'd written and then giving his eulogy. For the many years of service he gave as a bishop and stake president, we may never know the impact he had or the lives he touched, however the attendance (standing room only at the stake center) was such a testimony of that.

We will forever miss the example he was, the counsel he gave and unconditional love he showed to all us, his wife, children, spouses and grandchildren. We love you, Don.

O. Don Hawkins

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers on our behalf this week. Dave's dad, Don Hawkins, passed away Thursday night. The funeral will be Wednesday morning at 11 am at 35 South Wendy Drive, Newbury Park CA 91320. If you are interested in sending flowers, instead the family has asked that you make a donation to the missionary fund for the church. More to follow. Thank you, thank you, thank you all again.

Katelyn's first talk

This post was started a month ago, hard to believe it's already been a month, but the video was and still is having problems uploading so I better just type it here before I forget about it. Just sorry you won't get to hear her cute little voice saying it.

Katelyn had her first talk to give on Sunday. The week before when they sent home the paper, she showed it to me and could hardly contain herself. She's been waiting for so long to say her own talk. For 2 years, she's watched and listened to Kelsey practice her talks and speaking parts for church and now it was her turn. The nice thing was that I'm normally teaching but Fast Sunday is the presidency's turn so I was off the hook and was able to slip out to listen to her in primary. She had it all memorized and said it perfectly. (Of course!!) We're so proud of you Katelyn and look forward to many more talks from you in the future.

When we get baptized we are following Jesus. Repentance helps me when I do something wrong. I want to get married in the temple someday so I can live with Heavenly Father and Jesus again. I have faith if I follow these principles and ordinances I will be able to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus again. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

The perfect gift

While Dave was in Nashville a month ago for training, he was in the airport picking out a few things for the girls on his way home. Here's what he got for Addison. The funny thing is that while we in San Francisco, we looked all over and had given up on finding anything with her name on it. I absolutely love it.

What we've been up to

Oh. Yeah. It's summer. We've been doing nothing but this...

...everyday!! Hooray for summer and swimming. This is one thing that we've definitely gotten our money out of. And the step we had designed is seriously, amazing. Addison. LOVES. The. Pool. I cannot stress this enough. She's in it just as much as her big sisters and thinks she can do everything they do. Wrong, but she still tries. She will be starting swimming lessons next summer. An update on the walking - she can do it on the step in the pool. She didn't love her ladybug float, but it was necessary so it's grown on her. And today she actually didn't try to climb out!! What progress she's made!!

The girls are both doing great in their swimming lessons and we hope to get Kelsey on a swim team next year. We wanted to this summer but we've been gone so much and there isn't anything nearby. Will post pictures from lessons soon.

It's all over now

There's no fighting it now. It won't be long before she is walking for sure. She just isn't happy unless she's up and holding on to something or walking along the furniture. She has discovered the magnets on the fridge and just when we thought they were safe to put away for awhile, here she came and plays happily with them, taking them all down while dinner is made.

I was just caught.

I can't get enough of this smile. She knows she's making a mess and is quite pleased with herself too.

Addison's latest find

Thanks to Aunt Kaylene and swimming lessons, Addison has discovered the greatest thing in the world - Dum Dum suckers.

It truly is her new love and the girls love to share them with her. She is the biggest sticky mess when she's done (and used them as a teething stick too) but she is happy and content for about 20 minutes. It's the quietest she's been since she figured out how to talk and get people's attention from across the room.

Kelsey is 6

Kelsey turned 6 a few weeks ago and since we were headed to Girls Camp (yes, both of us since he's in the bishopric and I am Beehive advisor) on her actual birthday, she chose to have her party the day before. With a summer birthday it's kind of a bummer to not have school friends come, but she had a few that have kept in touch so it was fun to have them come. Even with a lot of people out of town that she wanted to have come, she still had 4 friends come and it made for just the perfect group.

She decided on a swim party again and I love that because it is just so easy and the best way to cool off from this hot, miserable weather we've been having lately. It made it even nicer that Dave had the day off from work in observance of the 4th so he was able to take Addison while I was outside with the rest of the kids.

All the moms cooling off by the step.

Kelsey and her dear friend Riley. They were two peas in a pod in kindergarten together.
Elizabeth and Samuel. He was the only boy to make it and found out that he and another friend she invited from school, but couldn't make it will both be in her 1st grade class this next year. She is looking forward to school much more since we found that out.
Kelsey's other good friend and sister that although they live far away always make up for it playing and getting together in the summer.Happy Birthday Kelsey!! We are so proud of you and all you can do. You are growing so big and into quite a beautiful girl. Thanks for always being such a big help around the house and playing with your little sisters. You are so friendly to everyone around you and get along with everyone. We love you. Love Mom and Dad