Current updates from when we started this forever ago:

• Kip is teaching at the Borah High School LDS Seminary for the third year running since he was transferred therefrom Timberline. He really loves everything about being there. It is the Alma Mater for both Kip and Amy! He runs as much as he feels like it:) and a Boston qualifying time is surely in the works this year. He loves "nerd party" computer game nights with friends and brothers once a week (who needs sleep?) and beign the greatest fun dad ever...and he does dishes...seriously awesome.
• After sadly losing baby#5 late in pregnancy last year, a little boy who would have been due in December, Amy is expecting a little girl in April. Boston qualifying time is NOT an option this year:) (was it ever?) but a faithful running partner has kept her up and at 'em despite the slower pace. Did she mention slower pace? She just registered her "Baby" Maddux for kindergarten this week and sends her other babies to grade school and junior high! She keeps busy with too many projects, church responsibilities, teaching art in her kid's classrooms and enjoying two of the greatest inventions of all time: co-op dinner group and co-op babysitting for date nights aka "kid party".
• Emma is at this moment with the Mutual youth group from church doing a service project at the Botanical gardens. She is in Junior High, 7th grade VP, plays the flute and piano beautifully and keeps up with church, all city honor band, music lessons, babysitting, homework and keeping Kody fed and picked up after! She is great.
• Shaylan recently discovered a talent for clogging as she started lessons. It sure looks fun and it is a great workout. Her dramatic, funny flair was at it's finest as "Rapunzel" in their comedic class plays. She likes making funny videos for You Tube, playing percussion in band and Twilight stuff. She is a good student and a good girl and while she says she truly hates the piano, we know she really loves it and is just trying to throw us for a loop because she is actually good at it.
• McKay is still a happy ray of sunshine, drawing and creating 24/7, being a good student and a talented pianist. He is a great brother, a terrific artist (anyone would agree, not just his mom!) and a "selective" connissieur of food. He seems to think sleep is optional and is usually happy regardless of how much or how little he gets.
• Maddux looks forward to his new baby sister. He attends a round robin homeschool type preschool and has made leaps and bounds this year socially...he has come out of his shell alot! He is growing up awfully fast and all boy with his love of the outdoors, sports, and riding his bike. He is seriously one of the most Reverent kids in primary...something I would not have expected!

Shaylan and Maddux getting ready to go!

Madagascar 2 theatre style at the cabin! Burnt popcorn

anyone? Try as we might, the microwave popcorn

proved to be tricky and we got more burnt batches than not...

but enough to make everyone happy!

A more realistic view of the Fif'es in action!

The Annual Fife Family reunion over President's day weekend was at My Dad's Cabin in McCall. 99% of the time was spent outside playing in the snow...hooky bobbing behind the four wheelers, looking for Kemper's lost boot in the snow, dressing for the snow, undressing to come back in...the remainder of the time was spent eating great meals we all took turns preparing, watching a theatre style "Madagascar 2" showing complete with popcorn boxes and candy and resting...especially for Amy who was actually down SICK nearly the whole time and a few days afterwards...bummer! The expanded cabin proved to be perfect for the weekend and our numbers!

Shaylan woke up to a BIG surprise the weekend before her birthday...A surprise pajama party breakfast followed by a limo ride (With Rod's Limos...get it? "Rod Stewart"?...the girls didn't even know who that was.) with plenty of giggling, eating junk and singing "Girls just want to have fun". McKay rode with them and put up with the entertainment and Kip sat up in the front with the driver...driver's recommendation that he NOT sit in the back with the party:). After wards, several good friends (Emily Morris, Emily Madarieta, Jessica Curtis, Aunt Kelli and Mom Amy) did makeovers, manicures and glam shots. Shay says it was the best party EVER!!! We had a blast!

It's me, Amy, committing to figure this out and blog a bit...be patient with me while I figure this out (Time permitting of course!) over the next few days!