This past weekend was my ten year high school reunion. We were the first graduating class at Sunrise Mountain H.S. and we had a class of around 262 kids pretty small compared to now.
Most of us had attended Apache Elementary and had known each other from third grade all the way through high school which is pretty unique since Peoria isn't exactly a small town. Everyone pretty much knew everyone and even their families. I loved high school. Granted life after high school is always so much better but I had a lot of fun in high school. Soccer, volleyball, cheer, dances, drama and an awesome group of friends. Here is a picture of Brittany, Teeny, Annie, Megan and I. Teeny is due any day now. Again someone else who looks amazing when they are pregnant.
I was lucky enough to have two of my close friends on either side of my house where all we had to do was jump over the fence and we could be at each others house at any time. Both Dacia and Christin were there. Dacia looked beautiful and she is six months pregnant. Doesn't she look amazing?
By the way Christin if you are reading this how the heck did we not get a single picture together? They was a lot going on with my family when I was in high school and my friends were always there for me. They were a great group of ladies that I think about all the time. It was so wonderful to get to see some of them. Seeing who had married who and who was having babies. Everyone looked so great and we had so much fun talking and catching up. My friend Annie was there with her husband Ollie. I was so happy to see her and get to meet him. He is perfect for her and they are great together.
I can't believe that it has already been ten years life goes so fast. Since Deke and I dated all through high school everyone remembered Deke which was really fun.
I actually think that most people weren't that surprised that we had had five kids in eight years since we had always wanted a big family. There were several people that I had really wanted to see that weren't able to come. A couple in particular that I have thought about a lot over the years and really missed. They were very special to me. It was good to hear through others how they are doing. It was a lot of fun I was so glad that we went. Amazingly these are the only pictures I got. I wish I would have gotten pictures with so many other people. Too busy chatting I guess.
Since Hunter's class has been learning about the way living things grow and live they decided to grow some plants. .JPG)
Hunter planted a bean seed and a pumpkin seed in a little plastic cup and they started keeping a plant journal to observe and record the growth. I loved these little tidbits from his journal about his plant: .JPG)
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Of course his inner scientist has been getting plenty of experimentation, observation, recording, and hypothesizing these days which he loves. Finally it was time to move on to fish and snails so the plants came home. Hunter was so faithful about watering it just like he had been shown, giving it sunlight and taking care of it. Look how well it is growing. 
He is so proud of it. First grade has been so much fun. His handwriting is really looking nice. His teacher is awesome and he loves her so much. The guppies and the pond snails arrive tomorrow and after their unit are up for adoption. I get the feeling that we will soon be owners of a couple new critters around the Burch household.
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People keep telling us what a Gerber baby you are and you really are. I love how much you giggle now and love to play.
When Hunter and Avery come in the room you start kicking your legs. If you are over my shoulder and they are walking towards you, you start giggling thinking that they are going to chase you. 
I love that you want to be tossed up in the air or onto the bed. But most of all still love to cuddle. You are the most snuggly baby ever. You will reach your arms up to daddy or I and just want to touch our face or plant wet kisses on us. 
You love hair in fact I think you may have a slight fettish. You love to snuggle into me and hold some of my hair in your hand and rub it between your fingers it is so sweet. You are so tactile. You love different textures and fabrics. 
You are such a sweet, easy going baby girl. Every day with you our life is more full, content and wonderful.
Your big sister loves you so much. She loves trying to see if she can make you laugh anyway she can. Whether it be silly faces, acrobatic feats, toys or singing songs she is always trying to entertain you. She is so attentive to you just like a mini mommy.
The second you cry wherever she is in the house she comes running saying "what's wrong Emma, it's okay Emma, it's okay." In the morning she can't wait to race in and say "hi" to you. Every afternoon I put Miss E in the stroller and Ave and I walk to the bus stop to wait for Hunter. Some days Ave sits on the front of your stroller and talks to you. 
This particular day she sat down on your stroller and was talking to you all about what had happened to the leaves on the tree and why they were now on the ground. I just sat there watching my little four year old with the cute pink ribbon ponytails and smiled.
Most days while we wait Ave does her best to try to get giggles or a smile out of you. Today the game of choice was peek-a-boo over the side of your stroller. 
After a few rounds she finally received the intended result and you broke out in a few huge grin and a belly laugh. .JPG)
You love Avery so much and she loves you. Sisters are the best, you two are so lucky to have each other.
He rotates between playing quarterback or receiver he plays either really well. Dad is his coach which is great. 
It was really fun to watch him play. He made some nice passes and took a couple of hard hits but got up and kept on going. Grandpa let Hunter be the team water boy which was awesome. 
Whenever they would come off the field or have a huddle Hunter would lug the basket with the bottles out to the boys and go around asking each one if they needed water.
Avery was running up and down the field with Grandma cheering and clapping up the sidelines. Emma who is and has always been extremely sensitive to loud noises would cry every time the crowd yelled to loud or a whistle blew. 
I worried that it would continue through the whole game but after about twenty minutes as long as she was in my arms or Deke's arms she was okay.
When it would get loud she would just bury her head into my chest and grab onto my arms for security. The other team was very aggressive even after the play would be over.
It was neat to watch Alec play he did an awesome job leading his team. Way to go Lions! We love you bud.
In the afternoon after lunch right before naptime I love to let the girls sit and read books quietly. Sometimes they will lay on my bed with a big pile of books or in a pile of blankets and pillows on the ground. However, lately Emma wants to always be sitting up. 
Even though she can't do it yet on her own if I prop her up on the couch with the Boppy pillow around her she can sit and play with toys or hold books or her own. 
They will sit and spend about a half hour looking through books and checking out the pictures. Avery will often pretend to read to Emma but she doesn't like it if Em tries to turn the pages before she is done reading. "Mom, she is doing it again!!!" Ave will cry out in frustration as I head over to remove Emma's death grip on the page. "Emma you can't turn the pages, no no no, just Avery" I hear Ave reminding her.
Right now some of Ave's favorite books are: Pinkalicious and Fancy Nancy. Emma loves a big book called Colors and a brightly colored book called Ocean. Different sea creatures on each page are illustrated with sparkly colors. Her favorite bedtime book that I read to her is called Baby Mine and is about the different baby Disney animals and their mommies. 
I am so glad that Deke and I have read to all of them from the time they were born. I hope that each of them will develop a strong love for reading.
