August and September Highlights

On August 1st,  the last of the Ackerman Brothers got hitched.  Chris and and the beautiful Kristine got sealed in the Draper Temple.

 

We're pretty excited to add the last addition to our Sisters in Law gang. Kristine fits in perfectly. We all love her.

Speaking of sisters...aren't these 3 lovely? 

This Labor day weekend we got to spend with the Taits. They invited Pete to join "Michaels Warriors" and help Britany's brother complete another triathlon. It was an incredible thing to watch and Pete loved being a part of it. Jody pulled him on the swim, Pete pulled him on the bike, and they took turns on the run.

After the triathlon we had to hurry home to make it the BYU Football game. We had Box Seats (thanks to Nudge) All you can eat food and snacks and an AMAZING win. It was the funnest football game I've ever seen.

In August we went to Palisades for the Hurd Reunion. We got a new tent which Pete was VERY excited to set up and use for the first time.

Pete and the girls got a round of golf in. They love spending time with their daddy.

We've been trying to make Sunday visits to Grandpa Lenard's and GG's a monthly activity. The girls LOVE going over there. GG sits on the floor and plays with them and then always lets them each choose a book to read together. We're so lucky they moved to Lehi for the summer months each year!

Pete went to the lake with some neighbors for some guy time on the boat.

Adaliah started Kindergarten and Ascent Academy! Everyone asked me if I was sad- but I honestly thought I was just excited for her. She's really ready and she loves to learn and loves the social aspect.
I was wrong- the first day I dropped her off I cried my eyes out. I'm still a little sad every time she leaves for school. Good things it's only 1/2 day. We miss our Adaliah when she's gone. Especially Elizabeth.

We tried to fit in a little bit more of everything before the warm weather went away. Another parade, 

a few more trips to the park and farm country, 

a trip to the zoo with the cousins,

we made it to a Cinderella play at Lehi High school, 

an over night trip to Megan Chases cabin with some friends,

and more time outside in the backyard .

Then in September it was time for Elizabeth to start preschool and dance class. Honestly, it has been THE BEST thing for Elizabeth. She has been watching Adaliah go to her activities day after day, and now its her time to be a big girl. He behavior in the home has improved and she has had less potty accidents. We are proud of our little Ziz. 

Last of all- we got to take see our little bean and confirm it's due date as March 11th. We're so excited!

Silly Elizabeth is 3

Oh our little "Zizzy Cake Ackerman" What a joy she is. She has so much personality and spunk. 

Things we love about Elizabeth- age 3.

1-  She has great style. Every day she wants to wear leggings, a skirt, and a t-shirt. She pretty much won't wear anything else. 

2- As you can see, Adaliah got play makeup for her birthday and Elizabeth has been the happy volunteer of that. But Elizabeth is usually the one playing beauty salon on Adaliah. She loves to comb Adaliahs hair and pretend to do it. She says she wants to be a "hair cutter" when she grows up.

3- She gives the best compliments. Whenever I get all ready (Hair done, make up, hills..ext) Elizabeth always gasps "wow mom- you look so pretty!" She does the same thing to Adaliah and Norah and even compliments Pete. She's a words of affirmation girl. She always tells me she loves me and that "I'm her best fwend" We play a game where we say "i love you"and the other one tries to say "i love you too" as fast as they can before the first person says it again.  

4- For MONTHS Elizabeth has been praying every night that we can have "good sealings and whipings"  We ask her what it means, and she says something different every time. It cracks us up. Sometimes she'll use it in different contexts like when Norah wakes up in the morning "Good Morning Norah! Did you have good Sealings and whipings?" What a goof!

5- She is very aware of others feelings and needs. When Norah is crying for something she is always very concerned. Sometimes if Norah is crying for something she can't have I'll tune her out after telling her "no" five times but Elizabeth can't handle seeing her sad. If I don't watch her- Elizabeth will try and sneak Norah whatever she is crying for (Candy, Juice, my phone..ext) She's a very sweet big sister (most of the time)

For her 3rd birthday, she wanted a Lady and the Tramp party. We had spaghetti and meatballs with family and then we had some of her little friends come over.

(Don't worry- Dawson Leishman didn't notice he was the only boy there the entire time. He was cool with it)

July Highlights

We spent 4th of July in Manti. We got home from Ward trek late at night on the 3rd- so our neighborhood didn't have their usual street party. We decided to go to Manti for the 4th of July. The girls loved being in the fashion show at the park and participating in the games and parade. That afternoon when Pete was on a ride with my dad in the side by side I ran to Manti Grocery and picked up a pregnancy test and confined that I was pregnant with baby number 4 at my moms house. Pete fell asleep upstairs and I woke him up with the test in my hand.  Needless to say we were both very excited.

Side note: When we first got to Manti we found two baby raccoons on my parents window that had climbed up and didn't dare get done. Only in Manti people. 

July was:

Playing with cousins. Here is 11 out of the 16 Ackerman girls. 

Lots of time outside...making side walk....people? I love my girls creativity. 

Speaking of creativity: Adaliah, Ziz, and the Tait girls Gracie and Sienna decided they wanted to put on a parade down our street. Adaliah begged me for days to buy candy that they could throw. Finally I gave in and bought them some candy. They all got a musical instrument out and walked down the streets playing music and throwing candy. These girls crack me up. I'm so glad they have each other. 

Norah has been acting more and more like her mischievous self. That's a blessing! If I leave her alone for 2 mins she climbs on the table and gets into trouble! 

Mostly July was a lot of play dates with neighbors, otter pops, and time outside.

Our best friends the Roberts came to visit! We got to spend an evening with them which was so fun and much needed after a long 7 months of not seeing them.

Abbie Smith came to visit and we enjoyed a day with the Smiths at the splash pad.

We played at a small lake in American Fork one day during lunch.  The girls loved the water, sand, sunshine, and catching fish with their Dad. We are just happy that life is back to normal and we get to enjoy what is left of our summer.