Christmas Fun

We had a wonderful Christmas! My brother and his family came to have fun! My crazy wonderful sister also arrived at midnight on Christmas Eve and left early the day after Christmas! Such a long drive for just a few h ours with us! But we were glad she came!

The kids loved all their gifts! I too was blessed with things I wanted. We had a great time with my family playing games, watching movies, visiting and easting! We even got to play on the new kinect by xbox compliments of my nephew. We had a wonderful time and felt belssed to be with family this year!

Fondue Dinner

So this is now going to be a new Christmas tradtition! We had a cheese fondue dinner followed by a chocolate fountian for dessert! YUM! YUM! YUM!

for dinner cheese ranch fondue, toasted sourdough bread, mushrooms - fresh and sauteed, bell peppers, chicken, potatoe, broccoli & califlour. Delish!

Our guests: the Holmans and if you look real close behind the girls you will see our friends Krista and Jacob!

Laine and sweet baby boy Jonah!

Chocolate! We had marshmallows, ginger marshmallows, bananas, strawberries, pretzels, pound cake and brownies! Need I say more!!

Oh Christmas Tree!

Oh Christmas Tree! I love Christmas! I started listening to Christmas music in the van the day after Halloween! :) This Christmas felt different for me. I don't know why, it just was starting to feel not like Christmas. Then we set up the tree and decorated the house and all was well.

The kids love to get the ornaments out and look for "theirs". They did such a great job decorating! We even had to draw straws to see who would get to put the start on top. I was thinking I should buy an ornament each year not only for the kids but for Wm and I as well, because when the kids leave and take their ornaments with them our tree will look pretty bare. I always thought that I would have the kind of tree that matched. You know pretty ribbon to go with pretty ornaments and it all would match. Well i don't have that kind of tree. I have a mismatched, mad it in Kindergarten ornament, filled with love and memories kind of tree. And I wouldn't have it any other way!

Family Photos

photos by erin langstraat - erinnoeldesigns.blogspot.com

I am Two!

Our baby turned two! I Can hardly believe how fast 2 years has gone by! You wanted a butman party! So I was thinking of not doing anything big because would you really remember? Then i was looking at pictures of the older kids birthdays and how could we not celebrate you!

We had friends over to celebrate! We ate BBQ chicken and other yummy food. We all enjoyed cake and ice cream. It was so sweet that when we set the ckae in front of you, you lovingly looked at me and said "thank you mommy." Make me cry sweet little one1

I am so blessed to have you in my life! You talk a lot! And your amazing curls were something to be jealous of! I am so excited to be your mom and continue to watch you grow!

these 2 photos were taken by my pal erin

It wa so fun watching you open all your gifts! You caught on really quickly! And all of your gifts were toys you love!

New Calling..Kinda

So on Sunday I was realeased as 2nd counselor in Relief Society but 2 seconds later called back to the same calling. We have a new RS president. I am very exxcited to work with her and our new Presidency. I am a little nervous because I am the youngest and the ladies that I will be working with are WONDERFUL women! I hope that I can continue forward in this new/old callling!

My Little Girl

My Little Girl is not so Little anymore! In about 4 months she will be 8! A big one in our house.

I love her with all my heart and sometimes I don't like what she does, but she is it. My only girl. She will forever be my only girl. She certainly makes me work hard in the parenting skills department. I feel sometimes like I have failed with her.

I try to not compare her but I oft find myself doing so. I sometimes feel like I am going to have to pay out big bucks one day for therapy (for both of us).

She started 2nd grade and loves it! I was in her class today helping. She came to talk to me 3 different times. Of course it was at a time she could, not durring lesson time. And of course it was all stuff that could have waited until we arrived home. I enjoyed watching her. How she listened to her teachers directions and responed as fast as she could. How she looked so big to me sitting at the desk with her hands folded and a simle on her face, waiting for her teacher to notice her "being good." I don't know if her teacher noticed but I did. She is so beautiful! She is so big, she is so sweet, she is trying so hard, she is funny, she is only mine to mold for a little while longer! I hope we cna make it!

I love you Little Girl!

Field Trip to Fairy Tale Town

For the preschool field trip for September we got to go to Fairt Tale Town. B had tons of fun running and playing with his friends and my curly hair boy had ablast too! After we had a picnic lunch with friends in the park!

E L E V E N

My first born turns 11! I am so blessed to have him in my life. He made me a mother and teaches me everyday. He makes me want to be a better person!

My friend said you could make foundnt out of marshmallows so I tried it. It was pretty good. Such a sweet boy. all he wanted for his "party" was his friend to spend the night and have pizza.

So we did, just that. Had pizza, cake and ice cream and some gifts. He had fun and that is what matters most.

My little boy started middle school this year and it made me sick to my stomach! By his bday he had been going for a full month. He always reassures me that it is not too bad and that he likes it. He wakes himself every morning and is so responsible. He gets dressed, eats breakfast and practices the piano all with out being asked. Oh and he makes his own lunch! See what I mean, about teaching me everyday. I love him with all my heart!

B starts Preschool

My sweet little guy started preschool. This is his school photo. He loves going and I miss him while he is gone. He is my little buddy, my snuggle bug and helper. Baby A doesn't mind that his bro is gone, but he is happy when he comes home from "peeschool".

Summer Fun

So we have had an AMAZING summer! So busy I haven't had time to blog about it! We are doing well and getting used to school being in session. So come back soon (like in 2 weeks) and I will hopefully have posted more about our life this past summer!

Camping

We really like camping! My coworker suggested a place called Grover Hot Springs. So we thought we would go camping this summer. We thought it would be more fun for the kids and us to bring friends so we did. We invited our friends the Jensens. We went for 3 days. We made reservations to late so our camp sites were not close to eachother. But we made the best of it. We got all set up and made dinner. The kids were having fun! N even had his own tent to sleep in all alone!

We had fun making smores and enjoying nature! Our biggest adventure was on our 2nd day. We all wnet on a hike up to a waterfall. The kids all did a great job hiking especially since it was so HOT! I have never been camping and it be so HOT! As we hiked we felt a few sprinkles and it was nice to get cooled off. Once we were done at the falls. Hunny Bun said he and first born and Babe on Back would go back to camp to check on things since we left all the windows open and our frineds had left the rainfly off of their tent.

When the rest of us finally got there we could tell by looking at the ground that it had rained HARD! Our tent was not too soaked but our friends the Jensen's were SOAKED! Luckily after we kinda got settled, covered our tents and ate lunch, the sun came out. It was so warm that The Jensen's were able to dry out all of their items so that we could enjoy the rest of our trip together.

We went on another hike, more smores, a dip in the Hot Springs Pool, a dip in the stream and even attended the campfire with the ranger! It was a wonderful way to spend time with our family and friends!

July 4th....

......couldn't be a better day!

Where else can we eat, not go to work, eat, have friends, have a birthday, and watch fireworks! I love the 4th of July! I love living here in the USA!

This fourth was so fun! We celebrated with friends, one all the way from Illinois!, a BBQ, fireworks 2 nights in a row, lots of food, My mom even was here! Oh yeah and birthday cake and gifts, cause I had one! I got software for my cricut machine which I am SO excited about!

mini shoot by Kristi

Since Kristi was here she wanted to take pictures of the Kids. So here are a few. ENJOY!

San Fransisco

We also went into the city!

After the beach Kristi and her family came up here and of course we had to go to San Fransisco! The kids had a blast. They even got to ride a cable car! Why is it that when you are having fun time flies by so fast! We didn't sit down to eat dinner until almost 9 pm!

Summer Fun - Beach June

Our First adventure this summer was to spend a week at the beach. We went to Morro Bay and Avila beach. LOVED Avila. I even went boogie boarding for the first time! I know, I love the beach but I don't get in the ocean! We also fed the seals and ate yummy food. Part of what made this trip the best was the company.

My friend Krisit was here from Il and we hadn't seen her since her fourth child was born! He is now 6, long time I know. So they met us for the fun at the Beach. Then one day my mom, Manuel and my sis Gina came too. Along with one of Manuels kids and family and a nephew from Utah! That was a fun day at the beach!

Oldest son trying to Boogie on the waves!

"I can do it, too!"

All the gang!

We LOVE the beach!