Maggie turns 8(a month ago)

Our little nudie princess turned eight in March. This of course is not a recent picture but one I love dearly. I sometimes forget she was a total nut just like her little sister. She's about three in this picture and it just seems like yesterday. She went through a phase when she didn't care much for clothing...but a girl is just not complete without her tiara. Here's some things I know and love about Lu at age 8:
*She is the best big sister ever...really I mean it! Although she has her moments of frustration (they are few and far between) she is such a good sister to Millie and Jo. She loves to play with Millie and always includes her. I was such a terrible big sister that I am constantly amazed and thankful for the love that Maggie shows her sisters. Sorry Ali that I was so crummy! So thankful you still want to be my friend!
*I don't know that I would label Maggie a perfectionist but she hates when she struggles with things and is soooo hard on herself with any mistake(big or small). On her last report card she met or exceeded expectations in every area(they no longer get letter grades)except one and what do you think the kid focused on?! Of course that one area she was borderline-the irony was it was "solves problems on her own." Ha! She has to constantly be reassured she's doing something right! So...I guess as parents we have some work to do helping this kiddo be okay when she falls.
*She is a whiz at math and she's not only good, she loves it!
*She can hunt snakes and frogs with the best of 'em and I really am so proud of that! When we moved from town she was a priss with a capital P. Since moving to the country she has turned Tomboy and it's been good for her. Let's be honest, it's been good for all of us. Don't get me wrong, she loves fashion like most girls but she's just as happy to wear her brothers hand-me-down basketball shorts and hoodie as she is her high heeled wedges and a dress.
*She's a homebody....always has been and I worry always will be! Don't get wrong, I LOVE that she wants to be with us but I was the exact same way and I know it really held me back from exploring new opportunities in life. She has definitely grown in the past couple years and can occassionaly do a sleepover as long as I'm nowhere near the vicinity because as soon as she sees me...game over. She's coming home. She frequently asks...."Mom, where's the closest college to home?" And when I answer her she replies "okay, that's where I'm going so I can still see you everyday." Ahh Lu, I still hope you love me this much when I'm writing your 16th birthday blog! Happy "belated" birthday Maggie Lu...we love ya to the moon and back! Okay, on to the party.....
This picture could pass for Maggie as an infant but it's actually JoJo snoozing through a good part of Maggie's party.
Party girl, Millie Mae!
Papa Dacey's birthday is just a few weeks before Maggie's so we celebrated his day too. The birthday duo blowing out their candles and of course Liv. I'm pretty sure there's not a birthday shot of Maggie and her cake without Olivia by her side! I LOVE it!!
The big girls
The little girls
Grandma in heaven! Look how skinny that lady is!

I wonder if

iTunes might need a spokes model. This girl is such a nut! She was supposed to be getting her pj's on but this is what I found instead. Nothing like rocking out in your underwear..move over Tom Cruise.
and this little cherub is just content to eat her toes! Silly, silly monkeys!

The Hunt

We've been experiencing some beautiful weather the past couple days and have loved being outside doing all the usual spring activities. One of those activities being snake hunting. Much to Rocky's dismay the kids took up snake hunting when we moved to this house three years ago and spend countless hours trying to catch the slithering creatures. So this past weekend when the warm weather presented itself the hunt was on.

This is Millie in hunt preparation. Such a fearless warrior and quite the poser.

"Hey girls wait for me!"

"Do you see anything yet?"

"Okay, I'll just check things out for myself."


Ahhh...the big catch!

Such a proud mom I am!

Take me out to the ball game

Baseball/Softball season is in full swing(no pun intended)and we are spending lots of time at the ballpark. This past Saturday Maggie's team had pictures, team parade and a short jamboree. We lucked out with dry weather and even a little sun peeking through. She had a great time and it was so fun to see all the other players in uniform.
Maggie and Kennedy...having lots of fun in the dug out. The social aspect is really the best part of the game for Lu!
Kennedy looking like a pro!
National Anthem
Sammy being the spectator for once
Little Jo was such a trooper through it all! Get used it girl...lots more ahead!

Catwalk

I am so behind on blogging...once again! We have lots of fun things to share too....Birthdays,Easter, visit with Grandma and Papa in Yakima. I will get to it but today I thought I'd just share a fun picture of Amelia from the last time we saw the sun! She has quite the fashion sense doesn't she?!