Abigail

Abbie turned 2 on October 27th. Oh boy is she 2! She has always had a pretty intense personality. The age just adds to that. When she was brand new, she had the strongest pinch and clench I've ever seen in a baby. Anything that got caught in her grip, watch out! Her hands were always grabbing at something. She could wake the dead with her scream. That intensity is still there. She lets you know in no uncertain terms, what she wants and how she wants it. She is definitely not a child that gets pushed around a whole lot. She can sure stick up for herself. (Maybe that's what being the youngest of six requires!)

Abbie is what we call her most of the time. (It's kind of a cross between Angie and Ashby...Okay, that's probably pushing it, but she's the only one that isn't specifically named after someone so we made that up after we chose the name.) The kids call her "Babbie" quite a bit because that's how she said her own name for so long.

Our big family adventure right now is riding the "potty train" (to steal a line from Abbie's best friend next door). She started showing interest last month and so we jumped right in a couple of weeks ago. So far it's been the easiest ride I've ever been on. I think the secret is : 1. Being the youngest of 5 other pro potty goers. 2. Cute pony panties with no chance of diapers in the future. 3. A whole week of no school for all those potty goers to ASSIST 4. Treats for the assistee AND the pottier. (Mom has even had to fight for a turn a couple of times.) 5. Plenty of cheering before and after the flush!!! We are all pretty excited. (A couple of us more than any of the others!)

Abbie loves BABIES. She wraps them, feeds them, sings to them, multitasks with them under one arm while she talks on the phone and does the dishes.... (okay, she doesn't do the dishes yet...) She pushes them around in her stroller with her high heels on and her purse in her hand. Who teaches this to kids these days?

It's been so fun to watch her at this age. We have always had a new baby at this stage with the other kids. I think I have more time to enjoy it this time. Gary loves the fact that she gets out of bed and keeps Bekah up half the night. He calls it Divine Justice. (How many years has Bekah been doing that to us?) Despite the night war, they are glad to have each other. It sure is fun to have a sister. We love our Abigail.

Eric Alton

Eric turned 4 this September 27th. He could be Bryan's twin at this age. He is full of fun. He is in a little home preschool group that meets once a week. He loves going to preschool and primary. He is always saying something funny. Last October our neighbor gave us a Fantastic 4 muscle man costume which Eric wore for Halloween and every day since then. One of his best lines is, "Mom, ... superheroes don't cry or say ow.", which he informs me (amidst much eye rolling) if I jump to his rescue after a fall or scrape. He loves playing board games. That's usually the first thing on his list of things to do for the day. He also likes to put together puzzles. Another favorite for him is to wait for Mom to go into the pantry and sneak up and close the door and turn off the light and then run. This usually occurs 20 to 30 times a day. She is learning to be quick and have a plan before she enters. He also loves wrestling and playing with his brothers. He's a good big brother to Abbie. He really watches out for her. Jacob and Eric are best friends. There are quite a few little 4 year old girls who think they are going to be Mrs. Eric Bevan.

Eric was named after his dad's brother Eric who was killed the year he was born. He was also full of fun and was a great missionary. He was always serving someone. Alton was Mom's grandpa and brother's name. Bruce Alton Bryan. Rodney Alton Ashby. All great men!

Eric has an infectious laugh. He is so fun to be with. Always smiling. We sure do love him.

Jacob Ammon

Our Jacob was born Oct. 2nd, 2001. He is 6 years old and in Mrs. Buck's A kindergarten (which meets all day every Monday, Wednesday and every other Friday) at Butte View Elementary. Jacob is a great student and got "outstanding" reports at his last conference. He is a talented artist. He can often be found alone drawing or coloring or looking through books. He is a thinker. He likes to know why things happen and how they work. He is quiet much of the time but will surprise me by asking some deep question that he has been mulling over in his mind.

Jacob was named after his dad's brother Jacob Leo Bevan, and his mom's brother Ammon Ashby (both awesome guys and great missionaries). He is learning how to be a hard worker. He usually sticks with something until he is completely done. He likes to build things with legos and tinker toys and anything else that he can make fit together. He has always had a thing about weapons. When he was only 3 he told his dad, "Dad, I love weapons. I love sowds (swords), and guns and knives, and awows (arrows), and light sabers..." This love for weapons has not diminished. (We are thinking along the lines "Armies of Helaman" or Captain Moroni types rather than Gadianton Robber types in his future ...)

Jacob usually does what he knows is right without a lot of directing from anyone. Most of the time he only needs to be talked to once about something he did wrong. That seems to be enough punishment for him. He seems to internalize things more than most kids. Jacob and Eric are best friends and he is greatly missed when he's at school. We love our Jacob so much!

Rebekah

Rebekah was baptized this year on her parent's 13th anniversary (Aug. 4). She turned 8 on July 19th. Rebekah was named after some of her mom's closest friends. (Becky "Jo" Jenson, Becky Strong (mom's cousin), Rebecca Bates (her childhood friend), Becky Sanford and also Rebekah in the Old Testament who was a woman of great faith.) Our Bekah is in the 3rd grade at Butte View Elementary. She is girl through and through. She loves getting dressed up and getting her hair done and her nails painted. She likes playing "preschool" where she takes all the little kids into her room and keeps them occupied while she teaches them. Her mom loves this game. She loves playing with friends and has already learned the art of talking on the phone. She gets along well with other kids and seems to be a leader among her playgroups.

Bekah has a talent of noticing what others need. She is very good at taking care of younger children and at understanding what their needs are. She notices details and is quick to jump up and help. (What a help she has been during this last week of potty training Abbie!) She is sensitive to the way people feel and make her feel. She is usually careful with the way she talks to others because of that sensitivity.

She likes to write letters and notes and notes and letters with lots of cute embellishments. She loves to spend individual time with Mom and Dad. She is starting to like to read. She is a great speller. She is starting to warm up to our cat (outside), but for the most part she is not an animal lover. She starts shaking the minute she thinks a dog is anywhere close. She has been a girl scout for the past few years, but just switched to "Country Kids" 4-H club. She is learning to sew and cook and scrapbook in her group. She is doing very well in piano and likes to sing!

Our family wouldn't be complete without our Rebekah. We love her so much!

Bryan Gary Bevan

Bryan turned 10 on June 13th. He is named after the Bryan family on Mom's side. (Teresa Bryan Ashby) and also after Dad's Brother, Ryan Bevan. Of course, the Gary came from Dad. Bryan is a blessing in our family. He is everyone's friend. He attracts friends like a magnet. People love to be around him because of his genuine love for them. He has a real talent in making people feel good and in remembering them long after they've met. If there is something fun going on in our house, Bryan can be found in the center of it. He loves playing games and is always willing to try something new.

Bryan is working hard on his Webelos scout badges. He is good at setting goals and has even started running with Mom in the morning sometimes just for fun. He loves sports and is becoming quite a pianist. He likes to get done with tasks quickly which is usually a good thing. We are working on quality now along with speed. He's been working hard on improving his grades in school. His teachers always have good things to say about him and they all really enjoy having Bryan in their class. He read all the Harry Potter series over a period of a couple of months. He's learned that he really likes reading!

We are so glad that Bryan knows and does what he knows is right. So many of us look to Bryan as an example. He cares and loves people so much. He serves others constantly and seems to know what to do to make other's lives happier. We are truly blessed to have Bryan in our family.

Nathan

Nathan Ray turned 12 on June 30th. He is in the 7th grade at the Emmett Jr. High. He keeps busy with scouts and school and piano and all the chores he has to do around the house and our little farm. He is constantly thinking up some new idea or invention or theory about something. Usually science related. He has an amazing ability to remember facts if they are interesting to him. He also has an amazing ability to completely forget things that he isn't so interested in... (like where he puts his homework, his scout book, his dirty clothes...) He is a great swimmer and has become our favorite babysitter. Abbie adores him. Nate is the biggest reader I've ever known. Yes, we've grounded him from books more than a few times. He is also very dedicated. When he decides to do something... watch out. He usually does. He and Bryan have followed Gary's example and have cut the sweets out of their diet on their own about 2 months ago. He also gets himself up at about 4:30 or 5:00 AM to work on homework when the house is quiet. He played a big part in his GT group's Future City Competition this year and their group ended up taking 3rd place in the state. He is becoming quite good on the piano and has even accompanied the young men during their meetings once or twice. He is a great kid and does what he knows is right. He's an example to us in many ways. We are proud of him.