Utah Trip July 2008

Partners in Crime

Chaye has recruited Cade to be her donut partner in crime!

Tate & T-Ball

Tate played T-Ball for the first time this spring. He loved it. To him, every game was the final game in the World Series. The anticipation all week just about did him in, and he could hardly contain himself on Saturday mornings. He had some pretty good hits, but our favorite is the way he runs..... look at the way he holds his hands and arms.

Cade's First 4th of July

This is what Cade thought of the fireworks spinning on the ground on July 4th. You can't see it, but he's holding onto Ryan's shirt for dear life. At least he didn't cry. Before our show was over, he snuggled up to Channa, let her hold him wrapped up in a blanket like a baby (strangely, it was a wee bit on the cold side that evening), and he fell fast asleep despite the loud bangs and bright sparks. He NEVER EVER lets us hold him like a baby - - Channa thoroughly enjoyed it!!!

Paige McKensie Pender

In reviewing all my blog posts, I realized that I have neglected to include any posts exclusively about Paige. Paige is the unfortunate Middle Child. She is the one that basically does what she's told without fuss. She does the dishes when no one else will. She takes out the garbage when someone else forgot to. She doesn't ask, "Why am I the poop-checker?" but will change the diaper even if it's not her turn. Paige spoon-feeds Cade the most because he eats the best for her. She gets good grades at school and doesn't get involved in drama with friends. She doesn't stand out in sports yet because she hasn't been old enough to play. (5th grade - this year finally!) Paige has never had a big birthday party with friends because there isn't anyone in our ward her age, and she only has one best friend from school that she's ever cared to invite over. I'm very aware of the guilt I feel as a parent, wondering if she's missing out on anything as she strolls through life.

So let me talk about Paige:

Paige is tall and thin (just like her dad).

Paige can eat like a horse (just like her dad) and stay skinny (just like her dad).

Paige has dark eyebrows and long eyelashes (just like her dad).

Paige likes salsa and fiery Doritoes, and ketchup on eggs (just like her dad).

Paige has big brown eyes (just like her mom, thank you very much).

Paige gets very tan in the summer (thanks to her 25% Portuguese mom).

Paige will most likely never have a weight problem, even after having children (lucky!).

Paige loves to sing and has a pretty good voice, actually.

Paige likes to dance and has the best groove and rythym in our family.

Paige likes to play outside, but is also content laying in the grass staring up at the sky.

Paige likes animals, especially the ones she can cuddle and pet.

Paige views the world with rose-colored glasses, and doesn't understand why people intentionally hurt others.

Paige is very sentimental and cries during sad movies.... and sometimes the happy ones, too.

Paige usually lets things roll off her back, gives a shrug, and moves on pretty quickly.

Paige is deathly afraid of frogs.

Paige doesn't like cookie dough.

Paige likes to draw, and makes her own cut-outs she calls "Paper People".

Paige plays the flute very well for having just learned this year.

Paige is fairly clumsy and gets hurt doing the simplest, safest, things (walking, breathing.)

Paige has a temper that flares up when she is overly tired.

Paige doesn't feel the need to compete with her siblings unless she feels threatened by them.

Paige used to have the strangest, mis-matched sense of fashion until her mom fixed that.

Paige would sleep in the longest of the kids if the others didn't wake her up with their loudness.

Paige idolizes Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus (we're keeping tabs on it, don't worry.)

Paige isn't too big on reading in her spare time (just like her dad; makes her mom sad).

Paige tries to be a good person; if she is dishonest the guilt is too much for her and she comes clean fairly quickly.

Paige has been allowed to get her ears pierced since she was 8 but has been too scared to.

Paige is going to be 10 years old on September 16th.

We love Paige very much and the dynamics of our family wouldn't be the same without her!!!