I try to sit with Libby while she is practicing the piano. Otherwise, she just fiddles around for a half hour and never actually practices the songs. So, this morning I was sitting with her and things were pretty typical. Between each song she lays back (while still sitting on the bench) and says she needs to stretch. This drives me nuts. Then mid-song she will stop and say her fingers are tired and maybe we should try this song a little later. Today she pulled a new stunt by saying she wanted to wait and play the piano with her cousin Savannah who is coming to visit today- ya, right that will happen. It is amazing the excuses she comes up with. Anyway, as the practicing continues I give her two warnings that I am going to leave the room and she will have to practice on her own if she doesn't lower her voice- because in between the back bends and the tired fingers she is yelling at me. She yelled at me one last time and I walked out of the room. A couple of minutes later she comes into the kitchen and this is our conversation- Libby in red and me in blue....
Moooomm, I want you to come sit with me.
No Libby I gave you a warning and you still yelled. But Mooomm I didn't mean to yell. It just came out. Libby I'm not going to talk about it, you yelled at me and you can try again tomorrow. But Mom I didn't even do it it just got pushed out as a yell. I meant to say it calmly.
Libby, only you can control your actions (as I'm trying not to laugh- exactly who or what pushed out the yell?). Anyway, it's probably not that amusing to anyone else, but I had to type it out because I thought it was amazing. The arguments in this house are so not logical. Sometimes it's me that isn't logical. In fact, a lot of the time it is me that causes the arguments. Today, however, I can say with great pride that I did not lose my cool and I was being the adult and Libby was doing a great job being the child. While I'm blogging, I wanted to record something our home teacher taught us. He was teaching us about prayer and he made a good analogy. He asked the girls if I would let them have candy for dinner if they asked very nicely and they expressed to me how much they really wanted to have candy for dinner. Of course the answer was no because I love them and want them to be healthy. Heavenly Father loves us too and sometimes we ask for things in our prayers that we really, really want, but He just can't give it to us. He wants what is best for us and that isn't necessarily what we want. I know I've heard this before, but it is a concept I forget. It was a good reminder.
Dancing at S.V. half time. It was COLD, but they still had a good time. I can't believe Noelle is old enough to start doing this stuff! She can believe it and is ready to do anything Libby does.
Not a photo from the dancing at half time, but one I had to include. This was the day of school pictures. Like I'm going to pay for anything but the class picture if I can get a photo like this at home! 
I painted Daren's office and did some re-decorating. I think it looks pretty good. I wish there wasn't so many wires all around, but I can't mess with his "system", so I did the best I could.
Noelle REALLY enjoyed a chocolate creamie the other night. She didn't, however, enjoy having her picture taken. I couldn't resist. 
On September 11th we had a "friends" party for Libby's b-day. I think she had a good time and so did the other kiddos. We had 17 kids, including Noelle and Libby, running around the yard. 
The favorite game of the day was "pinching pennies". I guess anytime you give a child permission to play in jell-o, they are in heaven.
Not quite the whole group in this photo, but some happy faces none the less! Next year, no friends party. I'm too tired.
Tanner is tricky!
Brown eyed beauties.
Daren was a good sport, even though he slept in the Pilot.
Noelle hates showers because the water gets in her eyes. Here is my solution! 
We all had our 6 month check up at the dentist last month. Daren had to go back in to get some fillings re-done. He left the dentist office with the clips (the one that holds the little towel around your neck) attached to his collar. Don't ask me how no one saw that as he was leaving the dentist. Anyway, the girls found the "device" and it was immediately time to play dentist. The picture above is a chicken in the dentist chair- notice the lamp just above. When the girls pretend play, no detail is left undone. 
A close up for your viewing pleasure. When I was in nursing school I wrote a paper on the role of "play" in a childs life. It is essential for their growth and development, so I am always thankful when I hear the girls playing away. Especially when their playmate is a stuffed chicken!
This last pictue isn't so funny. It's my little girl headed out for her first day of first grade! It has been a huge change for her to be gone most of the day. I love a little break, but about two in the afternoon I start getting a little lonely. Did I just say that? Noelle is missing Libby too. It's a good thing she starts pre-school next week.
We had a family reunion in Peidmont Wyoming this past weekend. It was COLD, but we still had some fun. I can't exactly explain how we are related to this group, but I know it is through Daren's maternal Grandparents. The actual place where the reunion is held is called The Guild Family Ranch (20,000+ acres). It is a pretty cool place, with tons of wildlife and big open spaces plus a little wind thrown in for good measure.
Michelle and Libby
Not the best expressions on our faces, but genuine happiness. Want to know the secret to our happiness? There was no cell phone coverage up there!!
Shalise and Noelle (Dawson is back there too)
There is a family cemetery at the ranch and we cleaned it up for a service project.
Daren, Noelle, and Dawson. All the kids helped clean too! I was so impressed with my nephews (Emma wasn't there, so no nieces to comment on), they are all around good kids. Maybe I missed it, but I didn't hear any arguments between the cousins. They all just played and had a great time together.
My good little helpers. Overall they had a blast and were really good girls. As soon as we started heading home, that wasn't so much the case. Noelle cried/screamed most of the way home and Libby wasn't too cheerful either. Lack of sleep and children is a deadly combination.
I'm not sure that Kelly would appreciate that his photo is on my blog, but I just had to prove that Daren comes from true cowboy heritage. This guy is legit! I dare you to find a more hard core cowboy. He directed the cleaning up of the cemetery.
The Chubby Bunny World Champion--- Michelle McLaughlin
I wasn't the champ, but I think I fit 9 large marshmallows in my mouth!
Daren took a close second to Michelle and suffered from an upset stomach the rest of the evening.
Tyler
Jackson
Eric
Grandpa Jack took third, but I'm pretty sure he cheated by eating some of his marshmallows.