In January we visited the aquarium and learned about lots of sea creatures. We even got to touch manta rays and see jelly fish and tiger sharks.
In March we studied flight at the Hill Air Force Museum where we were able to climb inside a real helicopter and dress in full astronaut uniform.
In April Joey performed in his third grade opera as a millipede. He did a fantastic job and really enjoyed doing one of his favorite things, singing.
In May Mommy earned an Associates Degree from Salt Lake Community College. It was a small but difficult step in the journey of education.
About this time, we decided that our mini van was falling apart and that it wouldn't be able to fit us all anyway with the baby coming. As a result, we bought a brand new Ford Expedition XL. We love how roomy it is and how well it handles on our long drives to Arizona.
In June, we took a last minute trip to Disneyland. We decided that we needed to go before Mina was born so we spent the first few days of our summer riding rides and seeing shows at Disneyland and California adventure. The kids loved every minute and so did Mom and Dad (even though mom couldn't ride all the rides). This was one of our biggest adventures of the year. Notice the shirts in this picture. We each represent a dwarf, including Mina.
After our week of fun in California, we came home and started on our summer camps. Mommy decided that because we couldn't afford to pay for week-long camps for everyone, she would host her own. Each of the kids chose a camp theme and got to invite one friend to join them in their camp. We then sent out fliers through the neighborhood to invite others for a minimal fee. The kids all enjoyed helping plan the 4-5 day camps and everyone got to participate rather than sending them to an expensive camp all by themselves. We even had extra kids join us in every camp.
We started with Joey's camp: Cooking Around The World. We learned eight dishes from four different regions of the world including dulce de leche from South America, beef stir fry from Asia, dessert crapes from Europe, and American pizza from the U.S.
Next camp was Hayden's Summer Mini Olympics. We played variations of several different olympic sports including soccer, basketball, fencing, lasso golf, kickball, and races. We ended the camp with a water day and water balloon volleyball. The picture doesn't show the girls, but everyone participated. This was geared to younger children so Miranda and Joey were camp directors. We had four extra kids join us in this camp plus Hayden's best friend that he invited. There were gold medals and plenty of smiles for everyone.
Miranda had a photography and scrapbooking camp. We split her four day camp over two weeks with two days in each week. The first week Jeff taught photography with tips on natural framing, object and animal images, posed vs. candid shots, still vs. action, and lighting. Each child had a camera (or a turn with one) and they got to practice what they had learned. The next week they came with some of their pictures developed and we learned how to put them into books in creative ways. Each of the kids got to make their own scrapbook and express their creativity. The picture is Miranda with the three friends that joined us in the camp.
We finished off the camps with Charissa's Broadway Musical Review. We pulled together a production in three days of rehearsal over two weeks that included four broadway songs complete with choreography, props, speaking parts and even sign language. On the fourth day we had a tech/dress rehearsal and ended with a performance for family and friends at a local park's amphitheater. Somewhere in the middle of it all, we found time to take a tour of Hale Center Theater in Salt Lake City and then many of us attended Hale's production of "The Pirates of Penzance". It was a phenomenal experience and by the end, I was ready to deliver my baby (although she wasn't ready to come for another two and a half weeks). Two of the friends that joined us for this experience had never been exposed to theater before. They all did a fantastic job!
Sometime in our summer of camps, we managed to take a trip to Arizona for reunions, Miranda bought a parakeet, and we prepared for the coming of our newest family addition. Which brings us to the highlight of our year.
Mina Brooke Moulton was born on August 31st weighing in at 10 pounds and 21 inches long. She is a happy girl who loves to smile at anyone who will pay attention to her, and considering how cute she is, that includes anyone within a 100 foot radius. She adores her four siblings and they can't get enough of her.
As we welcomed this new life into the world, we prepared for another life to leave the world. In October we took a rushed trip to St. John's to say goodbye to Jeff's Grandma Jean before her passing latter that month. It was hard to say goodbye, but we were glad to be there for family in that difficult time and we are happy to know that Grandma is no longer in pain. We love you Grandma Jean.
Shortly after our trip to AZ, we welcomed family into our home for the blessing of our little Mina. We felt very loved by all the family who came to share in our joy.
Mina Brooke and her Aunt Brooke.
We have spent the rest of the year adjusting to being a family of seven, delving into 6th, 4th, 2nd grade and preschool, and juggling work, school and our callings. Jeff is in the stake Sunday School presidency and Jenna is the primary president in our ward. We have delved more deeply into music this year with Miranda learning to play the violin in her school orchestra and Josiah and Charissa taking piano lessons from Mommy. We have enjoyed spending time this year with family and friends and both circles have grown larger as the year has progressed. It is hard to believe the year has gone by so quickly, but we are excited for the coming year and all the adventure that it will bring. Who knows, maybe it will bring more frequent updates on our blog.
