Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Happy 8th Birthday Sweet Sophie and Sage

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Sophie, Sage, Grandma D.

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A fun filled day, coming home to cupcakes, new helmets, and a new basketball, their favorite things right now.

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After piano lessons,  Grandma B. met us for dinner with her neat homemade cards (she makes the cutest cards!), the girls liked the Disney theme and they can’t wait to go shopping with the $$.  Thanks Grandma B.! 

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After dinner, an awesome visit from the local firefighters, gave them a full tour.

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Then a fun visit from Grandma D, she picked out the cute outfits below.  Trevor gave them the mini guitar first thing this morning.  So far so great to be Eight!  

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Happy Birthday to my two girls that tug at my heartstrings!!

we have a friend party planned for next week :)

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

School is Cool

DSC02284Cute sight I pulled up to yesterday. Ambitious girls, doing their homework after school and on their way home, knowing it gives them more precious playtime.

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ha, ha, I just noticed what Sage wrote on the side of her paper…  EASY

Friday, May 13, 2011

Happy B-day Pauly Baby…

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Dad’s choice- BBQ’d steak with fresh fruit, garden salad, baguette, and a yummy cold-stone dessert

DSC_0350Guitar Showcase.  Josh- front left

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I have to admit, his birthday snuck up on us.  We talked about it, I made some plans, then it was here before we knew it.  I picked up the kids from school and on the way home we grabbed some fresh steaks & fruit, they wanted to pick something out for him at the dollar store (frisbee from Sage, headphones from Sophie, & I-pad case from Trevor), I picked up a favorite mint ice-cream cake at Coldstone, and WaLa, a birthday party in the makings.  Josh came home and said-  “hey mom, I’m in a guitar concert tonight” at his High School (gotta love teenage scheduling, it’s almost as good as mine :), so what better way to spend your b-day then watch your talented son play.  We enjoyed our BBQ, went to the concert, came back for ice-cream cake & gifts, put the girls down and watched “The King’s Speech”, great movie!   Happy Birthday Babe.  Thanks for being such a great dad and wonderful husband!  I’m taking you out tomorrow night, just you and I.    

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Like father, like daughter…

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We went to a favorite buffet in Las Vegas. Josh grabbed Sage and Paul took Sophie to help dish up their plate. Paul asked- “So, what do you want to start with- fruit, salad, or go right to the meat?” (I’m a salad, fruit girl myself) Sophie’s reply- “Right to the meat.” So cute when they came back with identical plates, on both trips. Had to get a picture before they took a bite. The only thing different was their choice of dessert. Ya, they were hungry, it amazes me how much our girls can eat, when they first came home they ate like it was their last meal, they can still eat as much as our boys.

DSC_5540the joke corner, always making each other laugh :)

DSC_5546DSC_5550DSC_5555Sophie left, Sage right

Sunday, May 08, 2011

Happy Mother’s Day

To all the great mother’s out there.  Most the blogs I visit seem like fabulous moms! 

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And to my beautiful mom- compassionate, fun-loving mother.  One who sacrificed and worked hard as a single mom, who took the time to play with us, to teach us, raised us in the gospel, who never gossiped or openly judged others and taught us to do the same.  I like you (interrupted by Sage, she snuck that I like you in while I walked away for a minute, thought I’d keep it :)

It was a nice mother’s day.  Sophie, my morning girl, snuck in early while I was in the shower and asked if she could make some popcorn for her and Sage (who was still sleeping).  I said, aren’t you supposed to make me breakfast in bed?  She got this serious look on her face and guiltily said, “I’m not used to that yet.”  I grinned and said it’s really ok.  The next thing I knew I was surprised with this interesting breakfast.  Her and Trevor put some thought in this, choosing some of my favorite foods/snacks arranged into a sun shape, then they decided it’s a flower.  It made my morning.

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We rushed off to church and enjoyed some great talks on Mother’s, young Camry gave a sweet tribute to her mom.  It was my first week teaching Relief Society, and although I’m not a fan of public speaking, it seemed to have gone well,  many nice comments.  I prepared like crazy, felt good about it, overcame my nerves, relied on the Lord, received great input from the women, a few tears from some, and the spirit was strong.  I’m thankful for this calling to teach and I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.     

DSC_6252 a little attitude from the girls

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Fun with Josh

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Paul asked what I wanted for dinner, BBQ’d baby back ribs, and he delivered.  Delicious!  Thanks baby, the greatest BBQ’r and awesome husband!

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My neighbor friend brought this adorable apron over and wished me a Happy Mother’s Day.  Thanks Jen!

Then off to Grandma’s…

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Glad she has a sense of humor my girls and their rabbit ears :).  She’s a great Grandma with our big crew, always relaxed, loving,  and welcoming, a part of each of their lives.  They sure love their Grandma’s!  both  (Sorry Nick, I wasn’t looking through the view finder for that pic, my bad, you didn’t really need that right ear though)

The plaque says “Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs in my field, since the payment is Pure Love.”  We also got her a nice CD she’ll enjoy.

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My mom also does so much.  Always planning and preparing family get togethers full of food and fun, the life of the party.  Compassionate and always sacrificing for others.  We’re thankful for our wonderful moms!   

I love the goings on of raising a family.  The teaching, the training, and all I learn from them.  Helping them succeed in school and church, and seeing their joy when they do.  My children, and their dad, bring me so much joy.  Thanks for a great Mother’s Day!   

Two of my favorite quotes this year…

“Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.”  ~Lin Yutang

“Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.”  ~Oprah Windfrey

Hope your Mother’s Day was great!

Monday, May 02, 2011

My new favorite beach

DSC_5836~Newport BeachDSC_5840

Sage, realizing she still has her shorts on :)

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Beach Babies

DSC_5927DSC_5897DSC_5868Impressive sand castle

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Couldn’t ask for a better beach day- good weather lucked out, great sand, nice waves, dolphins swimming along the surf- nearly perfect!  The boys were in the water boogie boarding most of the time, couldn’t get many pictures of them, the girls had fun jumping waves, building castles and warming up in the sand.  Paul, a little under the weather, so this was a nice break to relax in the sun.  We could’ve stayed all day, but stopped here from San Diego on our way to Anaheim.  Before leaving we took a stroll down Mariner’s Mile along the yacht club, Wow!