Atticus is 8.5!

*He finished level 1 swimming lessons

*He was baptized on July 1, 2023

*He got spaced for a palate expander (07-11-23)

*He got an upper expander placed to help correct a cross bite (07-21-23)

*He started 3rd grade with Ms. Ding as his homeroom and Chinese teacher and Mrs. Beraz as his English teacher (08-15-23)

*He calls himself "Attisus"

*He and Benson Bess are inseparable and it's been hard to get him to do homework or any other responsibility because he just wants to play

*He doesn't want to take the time to go to school. He loves his teachers and friends, but he thinks it's boring and a waste of time

*He doesn't like cinnamon flavored things, expect cinnamon toast crunch cereal and cinnamon sugar toast

*He sang in the stake youth choir with Gavin and Ava

*He wears a 2.5 shoe, youth medium shirts, and size 8-10 pants (as long as they are slim and have long legs)

*He didn't want to go to school one morning so he decided to pretend that he had thrown up. He poured some chocolate milk into our throw-up pitcher and added some torn up pieces of bread to spice it up and make it look more 'realistic'. He laughed when I called him out and happily went to school

*He has been peeing off the deck

*He wants to be a Nurse Practitioner like Colby so they can work together

*He got top braces (09-19-23)

*He loves to play wall ball at school 

*He betta fish Dragon died (10-19-23)

*He got a new red betta fish named Shock/Mr. Shock

*He is teaching himself how to play piano music that he isn't assigned and is really good at sight reading. Miss Elisa, his Lets Play Music teacher, says he is killing it in his lessons

*He calls his orthodontist Dr. Simister, Dr. Sinister

*His favorite letter is G and his favorite number is 8 

*He hates cleaning and will disappear when we ask him to do anything. He has started to shove his clothes, especially his church clothes, under his bed or under his sheets. It's a fight to get him to hang stuff up or use the dirty clothes hamper

*He does clean really well when there is an incentive and we are working together as a family

*He got to help a time or two with putting on shoe coverings at the St George Temple open house and was able to go to the rededication on December 10, 2023 because he was 8

Ava is 11!!!

Height: 4'8" (41.25 %)

Weight: 92 lbs 13 oz (70.29%)

BMI: 83.34%

 Ava is 11!! She is the best daughter who we love so stinkin' much! She is growing up so fast and is responsible and amazing! Here are some memorable things that happened in the last 6 months. 

*She completed Level 4 in swimming lessons and has loved learning how to do all the different swimming strokes, especially when Dad helps her

*She has started getting a few pimples, but she is still really into her skincare routine and taking care of her face and skin

*She learned how to swallow pills

*She started 5th grade with Mrs. Bu and Sparks

*She is excelling at Chinese 

*She isn't a big hugger, but will recognize when I need one and give me the best hug. She will also let me give her hugs a lot more and will hug me back

*She is a very good at giving compliments, but is also very blunt sometimes. I have had to talk to her about phrasing things in better ways so it doesn't come off so offensively and to focus on what she likes about something, instead of what she doesn't, especially with Atticus

*She is a lot like the White side of the family; very independent, she says what she needs to, a bit messy, very creative, not super touchy feely. She looks the most like a White to me as well

*She is a big helper, but she s"mothers" up to Gavin and down to Atticus sometimes. I have to remind her that I've got it and will let her know when I need her help or input

*She got a Troomi phone and has loved calling and texting her friends, especially Maci Roy and sending Gavin GIF's and emojis

*Maci called and asked Ava what she was doing. Ava said, "Eating cheese"

*She loves the 90's and 00's trend atheistic. Her favorite pants are a pair of baggy khaki cargos. She loves baggy-ish pants

*She likes listening to The Saints on the church app

*She sang in the stake youth choir with Gavin and Atticus

*She wears a size 3 in shoes, youth large shirts, and size 12-14 bottoms

*She participated in the Young Doctors program at Rocky Vista University and loved it

*She gets to do The Point videos at school and help with the special needs PE class once a moth

*She has been hit or miss with math (probably because she is going too fast)

*She is starting to fit into some of my clothes, especially my older, small clothes I have saved over time

*She is super good at Chinese and scored high on the APPL test

*She likes the names Theo an Hannah

*She participated in her last primary program and was one of the narrators (10-22-23)

*She got her 2nd HPV vaccine (11-22-23) 

*Katie and Scott invited some Chinese friends to Thanksgiving and they said she spoke the best Chinese and were so happy to talk to the kids

*She ripped out 2 more premolars

*She was able to help with shoe coverings a few times for the St George Temple open house

*We were all able to go attend the rededication of the St George temple on December 10, 2023 by Elder Holland in the morning and then put on shoe coverings for the afternoon session

*She told me that she doesn't believe in Santa and knew last year but played along

*She is super excited to start YW in January. She will come up with her friend Megan Erickson. Ava is going to be the youngest girl in YW

*She is growing a little bit, but I feel like she is right on the verge of a growth spurt in the next little bit

Gavin is 13!!!

 

13 Year Stats:

Height: 5'1" (48%)

Weight: 114 lbs (72%)

BMI: 81% (81%)

We officially have a teenager in the house! He is the sweetest boy who is looking more and more like a grown man everyday. He is doing well in school, has great friends, and is so willing to serve and help at church. He is continuing to be such an amazing boy and we couldn't love him more! 

*He is officially taller than Aunt Christen, and almost as tall as mom

*He has been pretty responsibly at getting his homework done without too much reminding

*He got a 4 out of 4 on his Rise testing

*He tried out for and made Honors Band

*He played Duel of the Fates for his Spring piano recital 

*He loves to snack on tortilla chips and chocolate chips

*He completed level 5 swimming lessons

*He had costrochondritis in his sternum which luckily subsided after a week or so

*He started to ask us if he can help when we are cooking or cleaning 

*He likes to mow the lawn 

*He started 7th grade (08-15-23) and is rocking it! 

*He wears size 8.5 shoes, adult small or youth xl shirts, and size 14-16 pants

*He sang in the stake youth choir with Ava and Atticus 

*He is starting to get a little sassy, but quickly apologizes when we point it out

*He is a great swimmer like his dad

*He started to eat and like PB and jelly sandwiches and toast

*He might have a little test anxiety and has started to put off some work. He has committed to doing more than just the bare minimum with his schoolwork and piano practicing

*He and the youth volunteered a lot to help with shoe coverings at the St George Temple Open House and loved it

*He pointed out that I always relate movies to the gospel

*He loves hanging out with Zac Rodeback, but both are introverts so they are also happy to stop hanging out when they are done

*He still loves to relax by building Legos and listening to music or watching a show

*He loves Star Wars, Clone Wars, The Mandalorian, Bad Batch and anything Star Wars (as long as it's well done)

Atticus' Baptism!

 Atticus chose to be baptized on July 1st, 2023! He was so excited, but a little shy about all the attention. He chose to be baptized and confirmed by his dad. It was a great, beautiful day! 

He wanted Gavin to give his baptism talk and he did such an amazing job! He was baptized the same day as Mary Jolley from our ward. One of her cousins played the guitar and sang a beautiful song that brought the spirit so strongly into the room. We loved having family come to support him in his decision to be baptized, but we missed those who couldn't make it, especially Grandma and Grandpa White who were on their mission. 

Atticus is 8!!!

 

Height: 4' 5" (91%)

Weight: 63.9 lbs (76 %)

BMI: 15.68 (47%)

8 whole years old and going to be baptized!? I can't believe that our baby is getting so big! He is the best, silliest, sourest boy there is and we love him so much! 

*He told me he knows the tooth fairy isn't real because someone told him at school 

*He has a crush on a girl named Milyn

*He got lice from school and gave it to mom. Luckily we caught it quickly and it didn't spread since he plays really hands-on with his friends and siblings

*He lost his left upper incisor (01-17-23)

*He says "empiker" instead of emperor

*I showed him Friday by Rebecca Black as a fun, Friday song and reminds me each Friday that we need to listen to it as we drive to school

*He started to put his shirts on backwards again. He is always trying to do things really fast

*We went to Minnesota over Spring Break to visit Grandpa and Grandma White on their mission. We went to the Mall of America, the Spam Museum, and ate some really good food

*He got his first library card (03-15-23)

*He and Ava fight all the time, but then are the best of friends

*His favorite church songs are Did You Think to Pray? and America, the Beautiful. He likes to listen to church music when he can't fall asleep and likes to start with the patriotic songs

*He told me that his friend Benson Bess and him talk to their non-member friend Corbin about church and coming to church and their baptisms all the time. They offered to bring him a Book of Mormon, but his mom said no

*He stills says "mackenroni" for macaroni

*He likes to pick things, especially the dried milk from the rim of the gallon of milk

*He loves sleeping in a sleeping bag and sleep so well

*He loves naan bread and will eat so much of it

*When we were hiking in Bryce, he and Ava were hanging back, complaining. He told Ava that they were finally getting along because they were both experiencing something they both hate

*He got his baptism photos done on 06-02-23 by Karly Kleiner. She did great, but it was sad that Grandma White couldn't do them for us

*He told me he wants to work in the temple like me 

*He did karate at the St George Rec Center for a month and liked it, but we couldn't continue because of scheduling conflicts 

*He says "aspposed to" instead of supposed to

*He is constantly doing The Griddy

*He is feeling more confident with his swimming and likes to go off the diving board and down waterslides

*He caught 2 fish while fishing with dad at Sand Hollow

*He started biting our toes randomly for a little while

*He had a late night watching Harry Potter with Maci and Jessie McGee's family and he kept falling asleep. He was super ornery the next day. He doesn't do late nights well and needs his sleep

Ava is 10.5!

 Ava has been such a delight to have in our home! The last 6 months have been no exception. Here are a few things she's been up to.

*She learned how to braid

*She got her first dose of the HPV vaccine (12-19-22)

*She says, "I have reason" or "For reasons"

*She lost her upper right 1st molar (01-06-23) at Pizza Factory while we were eating with Grandma and Grandpa White

*She has been having some major mood swings and any little thing will make her cry

*She still loves art and has learned how to draw pretty realistic eyes and faces

*She lost her bottom right 1st molar (02-27-23) 

*She participated in the Eshelles dance clinic- she was nervous since she isn't a dancer who isn't as flexible as some of the other girls. The Eshelles helped her modify the dance and feel seen and important. She was in tears when she told me how amazing they made her feel 

*Jessie McGee, Maci Roy, and Ava have been having friend drama with Malia Kittrell, who has been talking behind their backs, spreading rumors, and being emotional and rude to them

*She said her 3 wishes if she ever met a Genie would be 1. A pen 2. A piece of paper (then write all the things down she wanted), 3. Have all the things she wrote down on the paper to be granted

*We went to Minnesota as a family for Spring Break to visit Grandma and Grandpa White on their mission. We went to the Mall of America, the Spam museum, and ate some really delicious food!

*She lost another tooth, but in Minnesota

*She and Atticus have been fighting so much, but then will turn around and be best friends

*She has been sneaking YouTube time when she says she is listening to music

*We found out the cyst on her earlobe that she has been dealing with for a long time was an infection, not a cyst. After medications it pretty much went away

*She is constantly in the bathroom doing makeup, hair, or skin care. She also loves super long, hot showers and loves to stick to her beauty routine 

*Her favorite song is Spring Day by BTS 

*She got a 3 out of 4 on her Rise testing which means she is proficient or excelling on grade-level in English, Math, and Science

*She had to get an orthodontic habit appliance on her upper palate to help stop her thumb sucking

*She is definitely an empath and is sensitive to those around her. She gets very emotional when it comes to her friends getting hurt or being made fun of

*She has had a hard 4th grade year due to friend/classroom drama, but luckily has loved Mrs. Reeder and Miss Xu

*She was super disappointed to find out she has Malia, Kingston, Atley, Desmond, and Alistair in her 5th grade class next year, but she is excited to have Mrs. Bu as homeroom and then to be with Mrs. Sparks half day

*After hiking in Bryce National Park she said, "I'm going to be paralyzed because my legs hurt so bad"

*She is starting to grow little bits of hair in her armpits and groin (06-02-23)

*She has the most beautiful skin and freckles. People comment on how pretty her complexion is all the time

*She is growing her hair and nails out. She has a butterfly haircut and it's so cute! It lets her natural wave and texture come out in such a beautiful way

*She loves crossbody bags 

*She loved going to see the SUGA documentary with mom and Grandma Abplanalp

*She is still our most adventurous child who doesn't need any coaxing to try anything. She cliff jumped, without hesitation, off the highest cliff at Sand Hollow and rappelled in Sunglow Canyon (and others) like a champ!

*She has become a fact master and loves to quiz us on random trivia and correct her brothers, especially Atticus, when she thinks he's wrong

Atticus' Baptism Photos