First, and most important, we would like to announce the birth of our fourth child, Alyssa Madison Rogers. She was born 8 lbs, 4 oz and 20.5 inches on June 22, after a rapid 1 1/2 hours of labor. At almost 6 months, she is a very happy, inquisitive, social, demanding little girl. She knows what she wants, and knows how to get it. She is currently toothless, settling into a regular sleep routine, and sitting by herself. She is also an expert at giving baby loves; holding your face, playing with your hair, mouthing (kissing) your face, nuzzling your face with hers, giving an "I love you" face, and grabbing you to chomp your nose when irritated. Her favorite things are her pacifier, her mommy, playing butt naked on the changing table, being where the action is, gnawing on anything she can hold in her fist, and laughing at Bailey.Blake, who just turned 6, started his first year in Kindergarten, and he is loving it. He finally gets to go to APEX (once a week public school for the homeschooler) with his sisters where he is learning lots of things like music, PE, Spanish, science, and more. At home, he is learning to read, currently at about a first grade level, and write his letters. He is also learning addition, clocks, money, calendars, skip counting, and other advanced math for his grade. Blake continues to enjoy building things, playing outside in all weather, being involved with his older sisters, helping others, and reading stories with Mom and Dad.
Bailey recently turned 8 and was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She is officaly in 2nd grade this year, though she is doing 3rd grade work at home in everything but math, where she is doing 4th grade work. This year at APEX, she is getting ready for her first theatrical performance in the Granny Awards for her Intro to Musical Theater class. She is also taking Spanish, Art, 2nd year piano, Passport to the World, and Science. Bailey continues to enjoy playing with friends, drawing, singing, watching and playing computer games, reading with Dad, and snuggling with both people and blankets.
Sierra, who is now 10, preformed in her first theatrical production this year. She played the part of Toulouse in Disney's Aristocats, a part which had her on stage and preforming during the majority of the play. She is currently in 5th grade and is looking forward to starting junior high next year. At APEX, she is gearing up to play in School House Rock for this coming year's performance in Musical Theater soloing in the Preamble. In World Percussion, she is learning to play different instruments such as the xylophone, tom toms, kettle drums, bells, triangles, tambourines, and more. She is also taking Spanish, Art, and Mythology. Her interests are starting to mature as she grows, and she has found herself truly enjoying reading. She also likes art, being silly, having long and thoughtful conversations with Mom, reading with Dad, and exploring new ideas with her friends.
Misty has had a busy year. Not only has she had a baby and continues to homeschool the older kids, but she also put up walls in the basement, cut and canned a bumper crop of crabapples, leads the Activity Day girls at church, has made over 30 cloth diapers, and is currently in the process of making almost 30 more. Alyssa takes up most of her time though. The little girl wants continual entertainment while awake, totalling about 10 hours a day. Due to that, a lot of things have been put on hold for the time being, but Misty is planning to get back to them soon enough. This would include getting back in shape, finishing the basement, and making regular meals, all worthy goals on their own.
Seth has had a rough year. He has finally accepted that his Bankruptcy Business is not working and has begun looking elsewhere. He is currently applying for work in Land Title Analysis for Oil and Gas companies as Colorado is one of the big areas for the fracking boom. On the side, he has take up swimming with the local Masters Swimming group here in town and enjoys reading to the kids in the evening. He just finished reading the entire Lord of the Rings Trilogy to the two older girls. He also read Water Ship Down to them before that, which the girls absolutely loved. He is a very good reader, and it is a tradition that we all enjoy.
As for our cat Casper, he was beloved by the entire neighborhood. I've never seen a friendlier cat. Unfortunately, he passed away not to long ago. We do not know what exactly happened, but he was found on our neighbor's door step with no blood or mark on him that we could see. He would have been 3 this spring. It feels a bit lonely now at night. He used to curl up on the couch to keep us company or sleep with Bailey in her bed. He has definitely been missed, poor kitty.
So, yes, it has been a year full of big events, both ups and downs. A good year in many ways, and a very hard one in others. That is how life goes. Even so, we have found a lot of joy along the way.
We miss you all and wish we could see you more often. We also wish you the best this coming year.
Love from all of us,
The Rogers Family
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