4 kids and 10 pounds later...

So we've made it to 8 years together. What a ride! I still feel like a newly-wed. Thanks to Uncle Ben and Aunt Yuri for taking our kids overnight so we could enjoy it together at Virginia Beach with the Russian speaking restaurant workers and young military personnel roaming around everywhere. We enjoyed our beach view room and watching the cycle race out our window Sunday morning.
The years go by so fast and I'm grateful for a fantastic husband.

Dulci Dawn

11 months...goin' on 16 yrs!

While she waited for us to change at the beach she thought she'd take the mini out for a joy ride.

Her favorite food is still Banannas and if I give her too much at once we get the chipmunk effect.

She's still as sweet and cuddly as ever. She's become a master at breaking through the traps dad tries to contain her with and she's decided she'd like to try her hand at pulling herself up to everything.

1st day of school

Abe's in 2nd grade and Ksusha in Kindergarten. It was rainy the first day, good thing I got those rain coats! JoyeLoni started preschool that same week too. She was very proud to pose with her older siblings.

The Sand and the Sun

We realized this was probably the last time we could go to the beach this season so we took a road trip with our cousins and uncles for one last horrah.

Not all of us were brave enough to enjoy the water, but the wind didn't hold Abe back.

Ksusha lookin cute.

I think JoyeLoni had the right idea.

Dulci loved the sand. Oh, and she enjoyed playing in it too!

Buried in the Sand

Perhaps the warmest place on the beach was covered in the warm sand. Everyone wanted a piece of it...

Ksusha and JoyeLoni

Dulci

Nobu in his islander throne. This hole was big enough for him to sit in like a chair.

And Jazz. What you can't see in this picture is that he is standing straight up. Oooohhh, cool!

The Big Sandy Hot Tub!

This enourmus hole dug by the dudes in the group was big enough for amost everyone.

Then came the idea to fill it back in...

Brad, Ksusha, and JoyeLoni seem to be comfee!

JoyeLoni, Brad, Ksusha, Abram, Jazz, Ben, and Nobu. We tried to get Jessie in on the fun but he wouldn't have it.

The Wind and the Waves

It was a little too windy for everyone to enjoy the water, but we enjoyed watching everyone else swim!


JoyeLoni

Mom and Dulci

Baby Jessie enjoying the waves.

Sweet Ksusha

Okay, so last month more than one of you mentioned that I didn't have enough pictures of Ksusha. I want to promise each of you that she is not a neglected child, just a free spirit. She's constantly on the go and if I don't think about stopping her for a second she'll just be as happy as can be never stopping, especially not for a picture. So this month I tried to catch her in all her glory doing some of the things she does best.

Helping with Dulci

Checking herself out in the mirror

Being ridiculously funny with her dress up.

Oh what a hoot.

Jbug

My JoyeLoni is a hoot. She keeps me laughing every day.

Just this morning she came in from outside with her shorts and panties off. I started getting mad and asked her why she was naked. She told me very matter of factly that she had to use the potty. I asked her why she didn't come inside and she said she already went. I said where, outside? She said Yes, by your car. I cracked up, her humor saves her sometimes.

Bowling

For FHE one night we went bowling. I never thought my kids would LOVE it so much! Even JoyeLoni got in on the action and helped dad beat Abe by only one point! Dulci even seemed to have a good time from the sideline.

What Abe's been up to...

Abe has a great friend, Bodie. Unfortunatly he had to move this summer and Abe has been devistated. This is a shot of the two with their pokemon which they carried around everywhere.


Abe decided he wasn't going to eat anything except PB & J for lunch this month. He even made one for his sisters too!

Looking sharp after church...

I woke up one morning and found this on my couch, Abe holding Dulci as happy as could be. As you can see she loves her big bro.

Elder Elton

Seth has been the Ward Mission Leader for about a year. All the Elders he works with are great, but there are some who leave a special mark. Elder Elton was one of those. We'll all miss him.