Fruits of the garden

Domonique grew some watermelons. They are sweet and juicy but don't get very bug. I guess that's because we don't water the gardens very often. They sort of have to fend for themselves so the fruit can't get very big. But that smile is so sweet!

Just trying out my camera lenses

When we got home from the reunion, I used my camera body with some old lenses that I have on hand. I remembered one didn't work at all, but it did for a few pictures. After that, the camera body wouldn't recognize the lens. Bummer.

Kemiah lost a tooth!

She got her hair cut at the reunion, so short and cute.

Naomi is just a silly little girl.

She loves to be with me, even if I'm just sitting at my table in the school room.

Not sure what Domonique is doing.

Number 6 gets baptized

Domonique decided she wanted to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We needed to decide when to do it. We could do it at home, with her ward family. Or we could wait until we were in Keokuk so Grammy and Gaffa could be there. They couldn't come to Saginaw because it was too close to the family reunion. Anyway, she chose to be baptized with Grammy and Gaffa. It was a small gathering of our family, with the branch president presiding. I didn't even make a formal program (but should have). It was a wonderful time to share with Grammy and Gaffa.

She chose to have Ben baptize her!

Gaffa confirmed her.

Grammy gave the talk on baptism.

Kevin gave the talk on the Holy Ghost.

I said the opening prayer.

Xiomara said the closing prayer.

Marissa lead the songs:

When Jesus Christ was Baptized

Through the Still Small Voice

Just so Domonique

She has been putting in her own ponytails for a while, but they always turn out like this.

It just makes me smile and she is just going about life with crooked ponytails. I love that girl.

What was that?

We had just listened to a lesson from Benjamin for Family Home Evening. Domonique got up to offer the closing prayer. We were all reverent as she talked to Heavenly Father for us. Then we heard her say, “Please bless the ding dongs.” I have to admit there were a few snickers after that. At the end of the prayer I laughed out loud. Everyone else laughed or smiled. I knew she was talking about the Hostess Ding Dongs that were in the cupboard but it sounded like she was referring to the family as ding dongs. At least she was asking Heavenly Father to bless us. 

No really, all I want is my two front teeth

She lost another one!

Pulled it herself.

I'm so glad they have all figured out how to do that.

What a great smile. 

They are almost all gone!

She used to have warts around her mouth,

on her eye lids, and all over her fingers.

Then there were random warts on her arms, and knees.

After a couple freezing treatments we noticed they are going away!

What a difference it has made.

Unfortunately,

this little one has warts, too.

A few around her mouth and one on

one of her thumbs.

She's still so very cute!

Harmonie has four (on fingers and hands) and Camdilyn has one cluster on her thumb. We froze their warts, too, but without success, yet. I guess we'll have to do it again to try and get their bodies to fight off the virus and rid their bodies of the warts.

Oh really?

During dinner Domonqiue decided to ask the following question, "Mom, why don't you have a treadmill?"
I quickly replied, "Because I don't like to run."
To my surprise her response was, "You could crawl."

Oh really? I have seen some people do some really amazing things on a treadmill - and it almost makes me want to try being a little more creative if I were to ever get on a treadmill, but I'm sure it would not go well for me - but I have never seen anyone crawl on a treadmill. That would be odd to say the least so I will stick to walking or using my elliptical machine.

Different perspectives

During lunch, while eating cantaloupe, Harmonie said, "This is disgusting." to which Domonique kindly said, "Yes, it has a little rind on it, and it tastes like dirt. So what?"

What funny girls.

They are going away!

We have frozen a few of her warts since coming home from the Payne Family Reunion and we just noticed that they are getting smaller! You can still see them but they are noticeably (to us at least) smaller in size! How exciting is that!?!?! She has them on her eye lids, around her lips, on most of her fingers, a few on her hands and arms and a couple on her knees. We are so thankful that the freezing has finally gotten her body to fight against this virus so that she won't have warts anymore!

Extinct vs Distinct

Question posed at dinner tonight:
D - "Why are Heavenly Father and Jesus extinct?"
All the older kids puzzling over that and then finally, "They're not extinct."
D - "Then why does it say, 'I saw two extinct personages hovering above my head."
Laughing ensued and we explained the word she was thinking of was distinct and not extinct.
Word confusion!
Glad that's cleared up.

Her first crocheting creation

I stayed home with the younger girls while Kevin took Ben and the older girls to the Eagle Scout Project. This is what Domonique made her first time crocheting. Pretty amazing if you consider she has very little knowledge of what she is doing. What a funny girl!

Naomi is just all around silly and love to have her picture taken.

Happy 7th Birthday to our growing Domonique

She has been talking about this day for a very long time. Her sisters decorated for her special day! We all enjoyed pancakes with Neapolitan ice cream! We did all sorts of designs but my favorite were the faces!

She opened Grammy and Gaffa's card right after breakfast!

Good job remembering!

Of course, we went to our friends pool.

Everyone was so excited!

We took lunch with us and so that was extra fun!

 Naomi was happy to play outside the pool.

There goes Harmonie!

Keep kicking, Camdilyn!

Sister fun with goggles!

Helping prepare Domonique for swimming in the deep end.

Not sure she's really ready for this.

Go Xiomara!

Here she goes!

Emily followed her in.

They made it to the shallow end,

but I think Domonique was not so happy about the whole thing.

Two little swimmers!

I love these floaties and so do they!

Marissa was happy to have Naomi swim with her.

I was just glad Naomi was happy to go into the water.

Warming up and eating.

Crepes with fruit and whipped cream for dinner!

Delicious.

I should have gotten a picture of Marissa's

because it was so delicious looking.

Cake time! What a specially decorated cake

for this special birthday!

Carefully hand wrapped present from her sisters....

Kemiah crochet a purse/bag without any instructions.

Xiomara crocheted her a snake that she can squeeze and hit when she's upset.

From Grandma and Grandpa Nichols,

who were out of town for the party.

I think she's a bit excited about this one...

She has wanted a watch for a long time.

She asked for this game and is excited to play it!

She asked for yarn and her own crochet hooks.

I guess she'll be learning how to make stuff!

Big family surprise!

An easy set up 10 foot round pool to enjoy the rest of the summer!

The best - cake and ice cream!

What a special treat!

Had to play some Loo N Chewy.

Ready for the show to begin!

We made it to our spot just in time!

It was a fantastic show! What a wonderful end to a wonderful day celebrating a wonderful girl! Thanks for being our special Domonique! We love you!