We're Here!

So the reason I haven't posted anything since February is because we've been busy moving, but now that we're finally in Arizona, we have some fun things to share. It has been a time for starting fresh and we've enjoyed many "firsts". The night after we moved in Hannah lost her first tooth! It was so loose and I tried to pull it out, but she kept panicking so I told her to wiggle it around some more and as she did it popped right out! She has been waiting for this since Kindergarten when her friend lost her first tooth. So we had to get a picture and share with you all...she made me promise!

Another exciting "first" is that Brynlee started sitting up on her own. She also started sucking her finger, which is so adorable. None of her sisters did that...it is so endearing and she is SO happy! I'll go in her room and find her sucking that finger, staring at the ceiling, content as can be. She may wish she hadn't found her finger!

After the first few days of settling in to our new home, all of us were ready to get out into the warmth and sunshine that is Arizona and do some exploring. We found a family favorite, a dirt trail into the wild desert that we see from our backyard. We see lizards, coyotes and lots of cactus in many varieties. The desert is actually a very beautiful place and it blooms! Many of the cactus actually get flowers on them in the early spring. Who knew ( probably everyone, but it was new to us)!

The landscape on our new favorite hiking trail standing by some very tall, very old Saguaro cacti. It takes one year for them to grow one inch! The girls are fascinated with all of the types of cacti, although they are most in awe of the "jumping" cholla as we've heard them called. When touched their needles actually stick to your skin. OUCH! We've been talking to the kids about not touching the cactus becasue of their pokey needles and as we were driving, Addie saw a Saguaro up close and said, "Momma, you can't touch that. It has noodles on it. It will poke you." Now all the girls call the needles "Noodles"! We don't have a picture of it, but Janessa and I have started reading time every day, so she could be reading in 3-4 months on her own. She is so eager to learn and be able to read. She begs for the next lesson before we've even finished the one we're working on!

We stay busy, learn something new everyday, and look forward to many more adventures and "firsts" here.