Shillig 4 Family

in Channelview, TX my sweet mother was born. I am so grateful for her! I hope your day is wonderful! We love you!

Today Jake started his busiest/last semester at BYU. He is working full time, going to school full time (16 credits), has ROTC, and National Guard commitments. He made up a schedule for himself today and when he gave me a copy I saw that he has 12-14hr days 5 days a week starting at 5am. I am so proud of all he is able to accomplish. The kids and I are being supportive by taking Jake to school mid-day so he does not have to leave work early in order to make it to school on time. The kids and I played outside (and Aimi Lark and Mali Su practiced taking pictures with the camera) while waiting for Jake but only after we colored! I am trying more and more to let the kids do things that could possibly make messes. We still only use colored pencils because those wipe off the counter easily. Good luck Daddy with everything you have to do. We love you and are here to help in any way we can!!!

Buddy and Guy hanging out... I noticed that the Keetons refer to Talon as "Guy" while Jake refers to Malachi as "Buddy." We love these two and love even more that they are only 6 weeks apart!

are just PERFECT and today was just that, PERFECT! The boys headed over early to the Keetons to play XBOX on Marlyse's big fancy new TV (that Jake thinks she bought especially for him). Later in the morning all us wives and kids came over to color pages to make "file folder games" for our kids for church. It was so great! We went home and ended up falling asleep for 3 hours! I think three hours is the perfect amount of nap time. Jake and Kenny met up again and bought their books together at BYU . They are the best of friends and both graduate this year. Jake in DEC. (BA in Spanish/minor in Mil. Science/Business) and Kenny in APR. (JD) They started together at BYU back in 1999. After buying books we came home to get sweaters and supplies to meet everyone in Provo Canyon. When we were leaving we saw 2 TVs sitting by the dumpster and I had Jake get them. It turns out they WORKED! We are so excited to have a TV in our room. The girls have one in the playroo...

Jake makes the BEST eggs. He was so sweet and made dinner for the family with help from the kids.

I have been singing the ABC song and counting with the girls for sometime now but I never really thought they were getting it til today. Here are the girls singing a bit of their ABC song and Malachi says "HI!" too.

Call up some friends/family and have a PARTY! We had a great time last night with the Keetons and Saragers . Jake picked up some books for the kiddos and a sushi appetizer tray (mainly for Seth who served his mission in Japan). We stayed up talking til after 11pm, on a school/work night! Even though our kids were exhausted it was a blast... THANKS Y'ALL!

When Jake gets home from work our family is complete. I make dinner (with Aimi Lark's help rolling out pizza dough), Daddy reads the girls stories(from the magazine subscription from Mia), and Aimi Lark shows him her latest drawing. Family=total and complete happiness...

Brody started school. A few days ago Aimi Lark started saying "I can't" whenever we ask her to do something. My girls SNEAK to constantly brush their teeth. Yesterday I found Aimi Lark hidden in my closet with the toothbrush bag and this morning I found both girls in my bathroom sitting on the floor blocking the door brushing their teeth. I guess it could be worse... I am watching the show "17 kids and counting" on DVD (thanks to my friend Christina sending it from Korea) and I am realizing how much I LOVE that show. It makes me want a BIG family more than I already do. Not 17+ big but big. Jake did not shave the entire time he was on leave. I think there is something about not shaving when your job and your school require you to be clean shaven everyday. His mom told him it was "cute" and he was so happy to hear it but then his sisters said it wasn't "cute" so I think that was a bit of a facial hair killer for him. We put the g...

Tonight we were having FHE and I brought Jake his scriptures and when I did Aimi Lark asked for Daddy's "Boot (said like foot) uh Mormon" (Book of Mormon) and it took us all by surprise because that is the first time we have ever heard her say it. I love that she is learning wonderful things like this in our home.

My brother Beau headed back to TX this morning. I am so excited to see him again in December and we are just as excited to have Brody with us for the next little while. Today after dropping Beau off at the airport we had the opportunity to visit the Shillig 2s in Layton. Nate has officially opened his State Farm company and his office is wonderful! We are so excited for him and his family. If you need insurance and live in UT give him a ring!

Aimi Lark gathered eggs and fed the chickens with Grandpa. Jake and others rode dirt bikes and did some shooting. We had another meal of In-n-Out in Vegas. We are now back in Utah and I need to get my house in order. We have had a few changes over the last couple of weeks... Kaylene moved into her own place, my brother Brody will be spending the semester with us, and Jake starts his final semester next week!

over SANTA MONICA BLVD! is what we were singing when we arrived at the BEACH to go SURFING! Jake was a great surfing instructor and both my brothers were able to get up on Larkie's long board that we brought. Malachi chilled on the beach catching some rays. The girls, on the other hand, LOVED the sand, water, and playing with their shovels and buckets with Uncle Brody (who took a break from the cold water) until Mali Su pitched a massive fit causing her to be COVERED in sand and Jake had to rinse her in the ocean. After that Aimi Lark wanted a turn. They were both FREEZING after their dip in the cold Pacific so we hung out in the car while the boys finished surfing. It was such a great day at the beach.