Update

Our camera has officially died, so I don't have any pictures to post, but I'll give you a bit of an idea of what we've been up to. Kyle and Ashlee are making lots of mates at school. They enjoy their teachers and I think it's great that Ashlee is learning about Aboriginal and English History in Australia. It's fun to hear them speak a little Strailn too. Kyle actually is pretty good about saying "Pardon?" instead of "What?" when he's confused and they talk about the rubbish bin instead of the garbage can and are constantly correcting the way I pronounce the letter "H" which is "haytch" here and "Z" which is pronounced "Zed".

Ethan corrects me all the time too, but that's nothing really new. He enjoys his post as oldest child. I'm glad that he likes responsibility and I give it to him, but sometimes I wish he wouldn't be quite so bossy to the younger kids. Oldest children are tough. I know they have a rough time of it, but I'm glad Ethan is pretty strong.

Kyle will turn 8 on Thursday. He'll be baptized on Sunday. We're happy he's made this decision and is excited about it. We wish more of you could make it to the baptism. Give us a call if you happen to be in Brisbane this week. ;) It's unfortunate Robert and Ashlee will be gone on his birthday, but we'll just make his birthday stretch through the weekend

I've been thinking about how to teach my children to resist temptation and overcome weakness. While I was making chocolate chip cookies on Friday for a fundraiser at the school, an idea came to me. I was having such a hard time resisting eating the cookie dough and cookies when they were cooked. After a couple of bites, I decided, I can tell myself not to eat another bite and I won't, so I didn't. Then, I thought, this might be a good way for me to teach the kids. Part of the idea came from a friend of mine that did the same thing. I offered the kids $150 each if they could go without any sugar until Christmas. We'll make an exception for Thanksgiving and for their own birthday (Kyle), but even Halloween, they'll have to give it up. It'll totally be worth the money if they can do it. I wonder which ones, if any of them, will be able to resist it all. I'm doing the same thing myself. So far, Ethan, Ashlee and Kyle and I have had 2 and a half sugar-free days. I'll let you know how it goes as things progress.

Aaron is really growing up and developing quite the personality. I've been taking him to Nursery the last couple of weeks. He loves singing the songs and playing with the toys. He even sort of participates in the lesson (helping the teacher get out everything from her bag). He doesn't like getting pushed around by some of the other kids though. He LOVES balls. None of my kids have ever been so passionate about something. His first word was definitely "ball" and he sees them everywhere. Any circular-shaped, anything is a ball. He is also passionate about his blanket. A friend of mine crocheted it for him and he has trouble going to sleep without it. Ammon has taken to carrying him everywhere. It's a little dangerous and not Aaron's favorite thing to do.

Ammon had his birthday. We had a great time with Robert's Aunts and Uncles for dinner and cupcakes at the park with his friends. I think I did okay. He plays almost every day with his friend, Caleb. They are starting to understand each other now, and I raerely have to referee any arguements.

Robert was just called as a Seminary Teacher for our ward. Class starts at 6am. He shares the calling and only needs to teach 2 days a week. They are studying the Book of Mormon this year. He'll do such a good job. Robert is an excellent teacher and loves the youth. It will be a good calling for him.

We went to the Australia Zoo yesterday. It was alright. For the price, I think I would rather go to some of the other features around Brisbane, however, they had a special deal that if you went once in August, you could get into the park for free the rest of the year, so we went for it. I do like the habitats for the animals. They do especially well for the Kangaroos. We did a little more Kangaroo petting yesterday.

Ashlee had a choir concert on Friday. It was fun to hear her practicing her songs. She has a really beautiful voice. Ethan played in the band on Saturday for Aviation High Open Day. He still loves percussion. Not quite as challenging here as in American Fork though.

I was called as Relief Society Extra Meeting Coordinator. I'm currently working on a Goal Setting Meeting in September. We're going to have a lesson on using your patriarchal blessing to set goals, then a couple mini-classes about teaching your children to set goals and re-setting goals particularly once the kids have left the house. I'm working on a display with ideas for your bucket list. I'm going to try to get a bunch of buckets to give out with little squares of paper people can write ideas for goals on. If anyone has some ideas for the bucket list, please let me know. I'd love to have more ideas. I think it will be a good activity and I'm getting more excited about the calling.

Well, I guess that about does it for now. I continue bulge as my baby is expanding me. I can't believe it's only 3 more months, but at the same time, I think I'll be ready. My body can't take much more of this. If anyone wants to see my big belly, feel free to Skype. We love you guys!