Stitches for Liv...surprising huh?

We headed to my Dad's farm on Saturday of Labor Day weekend. The girls all brought friends and we planned an overnight camping trip complete with tents, swimming suits, s'more ingredients and blow up mattresses. We decided to go to Johnson Shut-Ins for the day which is a beautiful state park about a mile from the farm. It has beautiful rocks that are basically a natural waterslide. The day was going well until Olivia in all her grace had a run-in with a pointy rock!

The girls all hanging out at Johnson Shut-Ins. It was so beautiful so relaxing! The calm before the storm...

The day was going well with Daddy assisting Liv down the many rock slides. After this she started to get confident and asked Aaron to follow behind her. And that is when she stumbled and her knee went into a pointy rock which split her knee wide open. She was a little upset and was softly crying until Aaron yelled to me "We need to hurry, I think she needs stitches!" Well, panic set in and she was quite hysterical! Papa was quick on his feet and tore his shirt to make a bandage . The most endearing part of the day was when Olivia, through her many tears, said "Papa if that was your favorite shirt, I am sorry!"

Here we are at the Arcadia Hospital...Olivia even brought her Barbies to pass the time. :)

Here is the wound which wasn't very long but very deep!

This is Olivia at the hospital. She was cracking everybody up with her vibrant personality. Everyone kept commenting on how adorable she was. She was a little on edge and flinched at every sound with the anticipation of what was going to happen. She asked a lot of questions to the nurses who were very patient and kind. The doctor on the other hand was anything but patient and kind...ugh!!

My heart was breaking when I saw the fear in her eyes and the sheer panic when the doctor walked in. The doctor, a crabby woman, informed me that her ER was full and that they needed to get this done quickly. She approached her with NO bedside manner and basically just had us all (4 strong women!) hold her down. We were not prepared for her strength and the amount of adrenaline that was probably pouring through her veins because we had a very hard time holding her down. At one point she even kicked the doctor in the chest which added to the doctor's impatience! Olivia, who is the toughest kid I know, was traumatized by this event. And so after a week of stitches they were ready to come out. Instead of subjecting her to another round in a doctor's office, Mommy did the honors and took as much time as she needed (which was ALOT!). You were a trooper Livi Lou!XOXXO

Back to School!

Summer 09' is officially over and it is time to head back to school. Our family has a tradition of taking pics on the first day of school. I have told them that this tradition goes for college too and to not be surprised when they hear the knock on the dorm door! Here are a few pics from the first day (a few weeks ago!).

We love to humiliate our kids so here is a pic that Mr. Ensrude orchestrated (the one in the back). He thought it would be a good idea to get all of the middle school teachers together with the girls...I thought they might kill me after this!

The famous "standing on the porch" pose...classic!

Rachel looking excited to start 7th grade...not really!

Madison holding up 7 fingers for 7th grade...I made her do that!

Jordan on her first day of 5th grade.

Olivia starting 2nd grade. Look at her sisters in the background...I am sure they were praying that the photo shoot would be over soon!

Olivia and Dad. Olivia has the same teacher as last year, Mrs. Watkins who moved up to 2nd grade. Olivia thinks that Mrs. Watkins just liked her so much that she decided she would miss her too much if she wasn't her teacher. :)

Jordan and Mrs. Koenig. I knew that "J" was growing up when she cringed when we walked into her room. Now I am down to one child that isn't embarrassed by us!

Rachel and Mr. Brewster. He was Madison's homeroom teacher last year so he is looking forward to comparing the girls. He is hoping that Rachel doesn't talk as much as Madison who had her desk moved next to his due to her incessant talking. He said that if Rachel does talk alot that he will put a permanent nameplate the says "Crowell Family" on the desk.

Madison and Mrs "B". She is known as the tough one so we are hoping that she teaches Madison some organization and time management. Good luck!

And so off they went. I can honestly say that I missed them when they were gone. We had such a great summer and had so much fun. We made a ton of memories and shared many new experiences together that the house was awfully quiet when they were gone. I am sure I will get used to it though! :)

Summer 09' Finale at the Beach!

I am just catching up with the blog from the last few weeks. My computer had a virus and was out of commission for awhile...so here is how we ended our summer. We went to Gulf Shores the week before school with Grammy, Papa, David, Erin, Jack, Ryan and Rachel and Madi's friend Bri. Michael and Jessica weren't with us this year since they went with Jessica's family. (We now get them every other year...huge bummer! But next year we get them and the new baby! Posting to follow on the new Baby Killion due to arrive this winter!) This week is the best week of the year. Our biggest decision is whether or not to go to the beach or the pool first during the day. Real tough! We enjoy hanging out at the pool, chilling at the beach, reading, napping, snacking, laughing and just being together.

Here are a few of my favorite pics of the trip. This is always my favorite photo shoot of the year.

Olivia loves playing with Dad at the pool which includes many cheerleading poses as well as being tossed repeatedly in the air...the higher the better!

Days at the beach are exhausting! Daddy getting a workout!

Jack striking a pose "boy style"

How cute is he?

Jumping to Uncle Aaron Jack has NO fear!

Jack and Uncle Aaron having a moment :)

Livi Lou

Jordan Madi Rachel "J" and Dad

These are my favorite pics of the newly expanded Killion Family with the addition of Baby Ryan. We were so happy that he could join us at the beach. He is precious!

"The Boys minus Michael"...next year he will be with us.

Jordan took some pics of Aaron and I...she was quite the director!

Grammy and Papa

And so we got home Saturday evening and started school on Tuesday. What a great end to our AMAZING summer! Summer of 09' will go down as my favorite summer to date. :)