Photo Contest Winner...and more

My sister Tiare, who was my "Quint Nanny" for a couple months this summer, recently found out she was the 2nd place winner in the BYU Bookstore Photo Contest! The requirements for the contest were 1) that the picture depict what the student did over the summer and 2) that a BYU Bookstore bag was included in the picture. Below is the picture she submitted:

Kaiya, Tiare, Riley, Kyndall, Rustin, Kaydence, Ryder and Kassidy

Tiare won a digital camera for placing second. Of course, I think she should have won first prize--I haven't seen the first place photo, but I don't know how it could be better than this one! (yeah, I know I might be just a little biased).

Other recent happenings at the Wilkinson household.....

The week before last my good friend Liz came to visit with her daughter Megan. Liz is one of my best friends and she has helped me so much since the babies were born. I don't know how I would have made it through the first year without her! I was so sad when she moved to Colorado Springs a few months ago. We had a blast during her visit--it ended way too soon!

Liz with Kaydence, Rustin, Kassidy, Ryder and Kyndall

Liz with Kaydence

While she was here, Liz and my other good friend, Virginia, took care of all the kids so that Jayson and I could get away for a night. We went up to Dallas to go to the BYU vs. TCU football game. Unfortunately the traffic in Dallas/Ft. Worth is awful—we missed the tailgate party we bought tickets for and we barely made it to our seats in time for the game to start. The kick-off turned out to be the best part of the game—everything went downhill from there. I can’t remember when I have ever seen BYU play so badly! Despite all this, Jayson and I really enjoyed our two-day break. We were able to go to the LDS Dallas temple and I even talked Jayson into doing some shopping. We went out to eat and best of all we got to SLEEP IN!! Just driving in the car to and from Dallas was fun---we could actually carry on a conversation without being interrupted! The kids all had a great time in our absence. Liz and Virginia are super-women. Not only did they watch all seven kids for two days, but they changed all my crib sheets, shampooed my carpets and bleached my tile while we were gone. I truly have some of the best friends ever!

Jayson and I during the most exciting part of the game (ie just before it started)

Kaiya was the student of the week last week and was recognized for exemplifying “Pursuit of Excellence”. She has been doing really well in Kindergarten and I have been amazed at her progress in learning how to read.

Kaiya's Poster for Student of the Week

Riley started taking piano lessons this summer and he recently had his first piano recital. He played Baby Bumblebee and did a great job!

Riley at his first piano recital

A family in the community generously collected diapers for us, in lieu of presents at their son’s birthday party. I was amazed at pile of diapers we received! People were very generous, and I was especially impressed that the family would do this for someone they didn’t know.

Kyndall, Ryder, Kaydence, Rustin and Kassidy check out the new diapers

The babies continue to get bigger and smarter. It seems like they learn something new every day. Whenever we have family prayer, several of them will fold their arms too (which I think is totally adorable). When asked, "Where's your nose?" most of them will point to their nose. They are starting to mimic more sounds and actions. They recently learned to say "Uh-Oh" and Kaydence and Kyndall walk around the house saying, "uh-oh, uh-oh" over and over all day long. They have discovered the great outdoors and love running around outside. They are really changing from babies into little people.

My favorite part of the day is when we get them ready for bed. We rub them with lotion and put on their jammies. Then we read them a story (which they love) and put them in bed. They all stand up in their cribs and wait for me to walk around the room to give them a kiss. When I am done, I blow them all a big kiss and say goodnight. The sight of all five of them standing in their cribs smiling and waving back at me is so sweet--it makes up for all the challenging moments that happen throughout the day.

Ryder and Kassidy

Kaydence

Rustin

Kyndall

Ryder

Photo Contest Winner...and more