Happy Birthday, Millie!

Millie's big day was full of excitement. She made a birthday poster (mostly by herself) and picked out donuts to bring for her classmates to enjoy. Mommy came to class to tell her friends all about Millie. It was fun!

Millie's opened her gifts: A birthday outfit and new sunglasses for all!

Then we went to Trafalga to play! This was our first go at miniature golf.

And Millie got a special ride with Daddy on the fast go carts!

This ride was the all-time favorite. Up and down, over and over again. Lucky for us, there was no line, so the girls went on it over and over and over (times 20) again. Claire was especially pleased to be such a big, brave girl on what normally would be considered a scary ride.

I love this picture! Grace's excitement for her favorite ride, and Millie's high heels hanging out.

Millie was so brave to try the climbing wall for the first time. She climbed right up to the top so quickly. We were amazed!

We stayed extra long at Trafalga because our keys were left in our car. We called a locksmith, only to find out after he came that the car wasn't actually locked. He still charged us for coming out. An expensive laugh!

Then we went to Grandma and Grandpa's for cake and ice cream. Grandma always makes birthdays special. Millie and Grandpa pause for a picture before they blow out their candles! I'm sure they exchanged secrets, as they always do.

Pajama Party

Millie had a LOT of girls over for a pajama party! It was a little crazy, but very fun!

We played games...

and they decorated "slippers" with puff paint..

And six candles on a chocolate cake!

As we ate cake and ice cream, each of us told what we love about Millie. Here are some things we named:

• She is "nice and is my best friend" many of the girls said this. So sweet!
• She is a very good older sister. She comforts her sisters when they are sad, is always willing to help them, and teach them patiently. 
• She is very determined. If there is something she wants to learn (ex. cartwheels, piano, monkey bars, blowing a bubble, etc.), she doesn't give up until she gets it.  
• She is a special girl, who wants to do what is right.

We love you so much, Millie Mae!

Kindergarten Graduation
The same week of her birthday, Millie also graduated from kindergarten. We are so proud of her for being an excellent student. She had a great year. She walked/carpooled every day with Caysja, and often with Oakley and Jocelyn too. She loved Mrs. James so much (I think our picture with her got deleted, so we'll have to get another one!).

Ivie's Baby Blessing

Ivie received her baby blessing the same day Paul was released. We did it at our home with our family and some close friends. We were grateful for so many who came to support us on this special day! Ivie is a delight.

I Love to See the Temple

Back in May, we had a primary activity to visit the Bountiful temple grounds. We had a wonderful experience! The temple and grounds were beautiful, and so were the children. I loved watching them learn about such sacred and important things.

Gracie and her best friend, Lucy Taylor. We miss her!

Grace doesn't like wearing most dresses. But on this morning, she worked past her issues to wear the green dress to match her stuffed animal cat. Well, half-way through the tour, she started to really be "buggled" by her dress. That was the end of her happiness (until she got treats at the end). At one point, she exclaimed in a loud voice for all to hear, "This is the worst day EVER!" As you can see in this picture, she was NOT happy! Now we can laugh about it.

Claire LOVES Abby! She is like an older sister to her (but nicer...of course. did I say that?).

Millie and her first Primary Teacher, Sister Dowdy. We love her!!!

Our family. We are so grateful to be sealed as a family in the Temple of God. What hope and peace this gives us! We want to be together again after this life, with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Paul and I look forward to the day that we can accompany each of our children to the temple, when they choose to make sacred covenants with God and their spouse. Those will be glorious days!

Lemonade Stand

Around here, it's not summertime without doing a lemonade stand. Caysja joined us for this exciting activity. Things were slow at first, and they almost gave up (who wouldn't stop for these cute girls?). But they kept on waving and pretty soon the business came. This was their first time to really handle it all on their own without our help. We were proud of their hard work. In the end, they left their money out on the table: a good indication that they didn't do it for the money. It's about the experience, and they had a great time.

Our neighbors came by to support the girls. We love this sweet family from Ecuador!

And while we were out, we washed the car with Daddy. Gotta love those summer evenings!

Bell/Thatcher Ragnar Race

Paul's family joined Tiff's family to create a powerful Ragnar team: "Cache County Work Release Team." It was the Thatcher's first time to do it. Paul trained a bit, but he mostly relied on his intrinsic athletic abilities to see him through. He says it was hard, and it just about killed him. But in the end, he can look back and say it was fun. He mostly loved watching his siblings run with so much determination. He grew in admiration for each of them. 

City Creek and Temple Square

(this really happened back in May. I'm just doing some MAJOR catching up!)

Ivie was still just a newborn, but Don and Teresa were in town, so we got out to see our cousins and our exciting new shopping center, City Creek. We were not let down! It's so beautiful.

And the kids had so much fun!

Afterward, it was a magical night on Temple Square. The weather was perfect. It was peaceful. It felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. So we took our time and enjoyed it.

Grace decided to get a picture holding Joseph Smith's hand.

And Claire wanted to be like her older sister!

Thought we'd take one more family picture, just to enjoy the night a bit longer. It's hard to believe that we are now a family with FOUR daughters. We are happy and life is good!