Isabella and Scarlett

Last Wednesday was Bella's first day of Dancing Class. She was so excited. She has wanted to dance for as long as she can remember. Scarlett, not wanting to be left out wanted to get on her "dancing suit" as well. So here is the last minute picture as we were running out to catch our FIRST dance class.

Scarlett and Bella love to go out with the little kids (Connor, Susanna, and Amy) as they are waiting for the school bus. They all ripstick, ride scooters, big wheels or bikes during the wait. Well, last week it was unseasonable cool. The kids got a coat (Amy's) out for Scarlett. She looked like a red blob. Bella is dragging her into the house so we could get ready for dancing.

These two little girls give me a run for my money each and every day. After we get the other seven out the door for early morning seminary,high school, middle and elementary school, we get Lon ready for the dental office and then it is just me and my "two babies." That is what Bella likes to call herself and her baby sister. She says, "Aren't you lucky, you have two babies."

Yes! I need to remember that I truly am lucky to still have two babies at home who love and need me after nineteen years of having babies. Just more and more of a good thing. Each and every baby has been a blessing to my life -- starting with my first Lonnie (the full-time missionary) down to Scarlett (the full-time "get-into-everything girl"). Each one wanted. Not a single surprise. We were glad to have every single child.

I started to make an attempt at blogging and then got sidetracked on "who knows what". I am going to try to update this from time to time. Hopefully, I will help others keep up on what is going on with our family.

Lonnie is in Chino, California, serving a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the next two years. He entered the MTC on July 2, 2008, he is doing his best at learning Spanish. His mission is all bilingual. Some Elders are speaking Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Armenian, and I can't remember the others. It is a very diverse area. We are excited to hear more from him. He arrived in California on September 2, 2008.

Betsy is a Senior. She is the captain of the dance team for Harrisonville High School -- The Silver Sensations. She is also on the Show Choir -- Music Makers. She stays very busy with all of her extracurricular activities and keeping up with her friends.

Katie is a Junior. She is on the dance team as well. She is in the Show Choir with Betsy, and she is also one of the three Drum Majors for the Royal Regiment Marching Band. She plays flute, dances, is on Student Council, is a Freshman Mentor, and I am sure I am forgetting something. But she is super busy also. She can drive now as of June 10, 2008. She and Betsy trade off driving to Seminary, dance practice, show choir, etc.

Emily is a Freshman this year. She is the third member of the Tracy family to be on the Silver Sensation Dance team this year. I don't know, but I think we have the most ever sisters on the dance team at one time. She is also on a show choir for Harrisonville -- Forefront. She is dancing with a studio and is on their performance team -- The Cadets. She plays the flute in the Marching Band with Katie. This is her first year in Seminary with Betsy and Katie.

Jonathan is a seventh grader. He is going out for the Basketball Team. He plays the trumpet in the band and is "awesome." He is in the Honor Choir. He loves to swim and play soccer. Computers are on his favorites list. He is waiting right now for a new "Star Wars" game to come out for the Wii or Xbox 360.

Connor is in the fifth grade. He likes to play soccer, swim and hang out with his friends in the neighborhood. He can play the piano made the State Honor Choir for his grade.

Susanna is a third grader who loves to swim, play soccer, and dance. She takes tumbling, jazz, ballet and tap classes each week. She is in Girls Achievement and loves her teacher. She is a good big sister to her little sisters.

Amy is a first grader who loves to dance. She is taking tumbling, jazz, ballet and tap classes as well this year. She is a good swimmer and want to learn to play the piano.

Isabella is three years old and just had her first dance class this past Wednesday. She was so excited and wanted to know if her "baby school was open." Because "she isn't little anymore."

Scarlett is twenty months old and keeps me hopping. She is learning to talk and express herself. She is becoming a darling little girl in a big household of girls.

Lon is still practicing Dentistry in Harrisonville. He is serving in the High Priest Group Quorum Presidency right now, and I am staying home and serving in the Stake Primary Presidency.

We have been so blessed.

Elder Tracy and Companions At The Provo Temple

Lonnie was excited to attend the Temple. It was closed for a few weeks in July and the next P-day he could attend was Pioneer Day (Susanna's birthday). Because of the holiday, the Temple was closed. He got to go a few more times before he left for California.

Elder Lon R. Tracy, II, arrives in California

This picture of Lonnie and his first companion Elder Brown was sent to us by the Bishop's wife in Chino, California. Lonnie was over for a dinner appointment his second night in the mission field. Sister McCook was so sweet to send us this photo and message that Lonnie says he is well, happy and so excited to be in California. His message to his friends was "Estoy En California, La Iglesia Es Verdadera!. (Translation - I am in California. The Church is True!)

He is a good boy. We love and miss him.

Elder Lon R. Tracy, II with a friend in the MTC

Lonnie with a guy he knew from BYU Summer Term 2007, at the MTC.