karate & trophies

On Saturday Taylor and Carter participated in their first karate tournament.

Taylor (red belt) competed in Forms and Fighting, winning 6th and 3rd places respectively. Carter (yellow belt) competed in Forms and Jujitsu and won 3rd in Jujitsu. Both boys did very well. We are very pleased that they not only competed, but showed good sportsmanship. Jack (white belt) did not compete, but we bought him a new uniform at the tournament.

Blessing Day

Sawyer was blessed on Sunday, Nov. 12th, at church. He wore the same blessing outfit that Taylor, Carter, Jack, and Mason wore.

Halloween and a Birthday

Sawyer's first Halloween was spent handing out candy to the trick or treaters while wearing a bumble bee costume.



The 5 older children waiting for Grandma and Pop-Pop to take them trick or treating (while Joe was out of town). From left: Mason (a.k.a. Luke Skywalker), Carter (a.k.a. Count Dooku), Spenser (ladybug), Taylor (a.k.a. Obi Wan Kenobi). And in the back stands Jack (a.k.a. Darth Vader).




And yesterday we celebrated Spenser's 2nd birthday. She is holding her wooden birthday cake that she received as a present. She has tried to blow out the flames, douse the flames in her saliva, and has even pounded them with her serving spatula. (She is also wearing her birthday crown that says 'Birthday Girl.')

Welcome Baby Sawyer!

Sawyer Dawson was born Monday, September 25, 2006, at 10:55 a.m. He weighed 7 lbs., 7 oz., and was 21" long. He has a little bit of blondish-brown hair. He is perfect in every way and is adored by each of his 5 older siblings.

And this is our first family photo.

Saturday Soccer Games

Carter (red) and Taylor (blue) had soccer games on Saturday. Both teams lost, but they had fun. Carter played goalie again in the 4th quarter.

Pumpkins and Art Projects

We have pumpkins growing in our front yard. The massive plant sprouted from last year's rotten pumpkin.




And Mason's art project from preschool yesterday. He told Joe that there are three dots for the nose. Two for his nose. The other is a boogie. (Boys!)



No baby yet. Yesterday's non-stress test showed that the baby is fine. If he doesn't come on his own, he will be forcibly evicted (induced) on Tuesday morning.

"Weapon Hair"

When Spenser was getting her bath last night, Mason commented that her hair "looked like a weapon."

P.S. no baby yet ... I have a non-stress test tomorrow (Thurs.) morning.

Weekend Soccer Games

Taylor had a soccer game on Friday evening. It rained nearly the entire time. Joe made a rain slicker for Spenser out of a garbage bag he found in the car. She hated it!!!

Mason and Jack hid under a "tent." (Okay, it was really a neat sheet, but they called it a tent and had fun with it.) The four younger children and I left the game early.





And on Saturday, Carter had a soccer game. He was goalie for the first quarter. It was his first time and he did a really good job. He did have 3-4 saves, but the other team did manage to score against him a couple of times.

Joe and I were very proud of him!

Just So You Know ...

No baby yet.

Today would be a great day, huh? (But I say that every day!)

Two more days until I'm due with #6!

a Sunday Visit with Aunt Lettie

Jack, Spenser and Aunt Lettie.

Taylor and Aunt Lettie. Almost the same size!

a trip to the temple

The Washington D.C. temple.

A trip taken in memory of my sister, Kristen, who died September 9, 2002.

Soccer

Carter's first soccer game of the season.

Mason's First Day of Preschool

Mason's official first day of preschool. It was raining, so the traditional "first day of school" picture had to be taken indoors. He goes Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Ice Cream Party at Preschool

Mason's ice cream party at preschool. Included a puppet show, duck-duck-goose game, beanbag game, parachute/ball game, and of course ice cream.

A Visit with Grandma & Pappy

Before their annual fall/winter trip to Texas.

First Day of School

The traditional "first day of school" picture (on the front porch).

Jack, Carter, and Taylor at the bus stop.

Mason's 4th Birthday

He's four now!