This is how I found Katie when I got her up this morning. This week she learned how to sit up from laying down so I knew this would come any day. She was so cute holding on to her crib with a big grin on her face. She was very proud of herself. Just one more thing that shows us how fast she's growing up.
Katie turned 9 months old yesterday. I took this picture yesterday but never found any time to put it on the BLOG. I took a picture of her in the bathtub because I have a frame on my wall in the bathroom with all my kids, at 9 months old, in the bathtub. Like the rest of my kids, she loves the bath. When I turn on the water, she lays on the bathroom floor and kicks her legs and flaps her arms with excitement. The only part she doesn't like is when she has to get out and get dressed. She has never liked getting dressed. Katie is so close to crawling. She hasn't actually moved her legs, just gets up on her knees and then falls when she goes for something. She likes being able to get around more. Another thing she likes to do is sit in front of the fireplace glass and talk to herself. She sits there and talks and bangs on the glass and laughs. It's so cute! She is pretty much on solid foods now and loves them! She says mmmm, mmmm, mmmm the whole time she eats. Katie is happy most of the time. She has a great sense of humor. She likes us to play games with her and she always laughs. She loves to scream. It's a happy scream but it's very loud. It can be very embarassing in quiet places like church and restaurants. We love her so much! In the cookies of life, she's the chocolate chips!
Today was Jadon's orientation day for 7th grade. Why didn't they have this when I was in 7th grade? What a great thing! All the 7th graders get to come to school to get to know the school and find their classes. It's only half a day so they don't get overwhelmed on the first day. It was kind of sad for me to send him off on the bus this morning instead of taking him to school like I've done for the last 7 years! At least he let me go to the bus stop with him and take his picture.
Jadon seemed to have a very good first day of middle school. He was pretty happy when he came home. He's got friends in most of his classes and I think he really likes being treated older. I've been dreading sending him to middle school because I feel like I'm going to lose control of him and he's going to be around some bad influences. All I can do now is hope he makes good decisions and continues to be the good kid that he is! 
I am so thankful that I had the oppurtunity to attend the dedication of the Oquirrh Mountain temple with Jadon today. Dale went to the Draper dedication so he stayed home with Katie so that I could go to this one. It really was a neat experience. After the dedication was over, we were upstairs walking outside. We looked downstairs and the Prophet was walking through. Everyone stopped and watched him. It was silent and there was such a neat spirit in the room. I love the Oquirrh temple. I love the view. I love that I was able to spend time with my family there and can't wait to go back together again one day!
Two weeks ago I was released as a Relief Society teacher and was put in as a den leader for the wolves. Whenever I tell people about my new calling the response is usually something like "Oh, I'm sorry". Those people are crazy! I love my new calling. Doing scout stuff is so easy and I love being able to spend some time with Jaxon. Today we took the 7 boys in our troop to hike Ensign Peak. It was so fun. I can't believe that I've lived in Utah all my life and have never done this before. The hike isn't too long but kind of steep. The view once you reach the top is amazing! I love where we live. It is so pretty! 
Today Dale and I celebrated our 14th anniversary. I can't believe how fast the time has gone! Dale started out the day by bringing home a bundt cake from "Nothing Bundt Cakes". I was so excited because I really wanted him to try these fabulous cakes. That night we went out to dinner at Outback Steakhouse. It was yummy, as always. We couldn't find any movies to go see so we decided to go home (to a very clean house that the kids did together while we were at dinner) and continue with the Aussie theme and rented "Austrailia". It was a really good movie! We ate the bundt cake while watching the movie. Thanks for that, Dale! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband! He has always been so good to me and has put up with a lot. He is a wonderful husband and father and a great support to me. I love how he can make me laugh and I love that he knows me so well. He always knows what I'm thinking and always figures out the little things that I would love (like the Bundt cake)! I hope we continue to have such a great time together!
Kierra got home from Idaho yesterday and Jadon got home from scout camp today. We missed them a lot but also had a fun week while they were gone. Jaxon stepped right into Jadon's shoes as the oldest. He was so good all week. He took such good care of Kyson, Jake and Katie. He told me all the things that are cool about being the oldest. We talked to Kierra every night and she told us all the fun things she was doing. Jadon called a few times but with no details of what they were doing. It was fun to hear about everything he did when he got home. Jadon and Kierra said the same exact thing when they walked in the door "Is Katie awake?" I wish I could get that kind of welcome after not seeing them for a week. At least they love their sister! It's good to have our family back together again!
Kierra got her haircut on Friday and I think it looks so cute! Right now she is in Pocatello with her grandma for a week. She wanted to get her new haircut before she went. She is there with 5 of her girl cousins on the Byers side. I guess since Gladys only had boys, she wanted to experience the drama of girls. I'm sure that the girls will have the time of their life and Gladys will need a long nap after they leave. We miss Kierra around here. Kyson and Jake miss all the crafts she does with them. I think Katie really misses her because she doesn't have someone to pick her up every time I can't. We're glad that she has the oppurtunity to spend this time with her cousins and grandma but we'll also be glad when she comes home!
