Merry Christmas!!

We had a great Christmas and felt very blessed this year! The festivities began Christmas Eve. It was great because D actually took the whole day off! We took the kids to our favorite Indian restaraunt for lunch then went to watch "A Christmas Carol"..I thought they'd be a bit scared but they all loved it! Then we went home for a Samoan dinner. Egg rolls, Shrimp in coconut milk, baked fish, baked plaintains and even taro in coconut milk! yum!

After dinner we finished our Christmas book and Carols..then family prayer...I love this tradition the most. D always says our Christmas eve prayer thanking Heavenly Father for the Savior's birth and life and the many gifts we've recieved that year. We let the kids open their exchange gifts to each other and then the person who finds the pickle on the tree gets to open the "family" gift (we started this a couple years ago to build up our game collection!..this year we got ENCORE!!!) We set out Santa's treats and then off to bed they went!!

Christmas morning they woke up at 6am!!! It was Baby B's 1st Christmas and though he didn't know any better, we all had fun watching him. He didn't know what to do with the presents and kept trying to climb on top of the boxes! It will be even more fun to watch next year...by then he'll have the unwrapping thing down!

The kids loved all their gifts and said it was the best Christmas ever! Funny...they always say that no matter what Santa brings:)! The best thing we awoke to was SNOW!! Christmas Eve it snowed and it stuck around for a few days! As soon as the kids were done opening their loot, they suited up and ran out to play. They made snow angels and with make shift sleds (not that there was that much on the ground:)...They had a blast!!

Later that day we went to our friend's the L's house for our annual prime rib dinner! Yum! The prime rib was delicious as always..as was all the yummy fixins everyone brought! We topped off the night with homemade hot chocolate and cheesecake!

We had a great Christmas and hope your Christmas holiday was full of joy and happiness!!

Now to a Happy New Year!!!!

David made his famous chocolate chip cookies for me....YUM! My favorite! What a perfect way to end such a great day! THanks Babe!

Happy Birthday Baby GIrl!!!

I realized today that I never posted about K's birthday!!! Soooooo...better late than never!

K turned 11 this year and she was sooooooo excited! She had a great day (week I should say..) Her birthday fell on a Sunday this year so Friday she went and had a girls night at her friend P's house. These two are like two peas in a pod and have so much fun together...Usually we end up having to drag her home long before they're ready to say goodbye!

Saturday we had a fun filled day...We started with cheering on Bubbs football team and then...GIRLS NIGHT OUT!!! Well, we dragged Dad along this time too! D has had the hardest time with his little girl growing up...SERIOUSLY...rediculous! He's so funny...I straightened her hair one day and he decided she looked too grown up (she really did) and said maybe we shouldn't let her do that till she's in high school! I know crazy right? No he was totally serious...but so was I when I said...ummmm..I don't think so.

Anyway back to GIRLS NIGHT with Daddy...She invited her friend L to go out with us for her favorite..SUSHI, so off we went to Blue Fish...YUM! After we went to CHarmin Charlie's...only the BEST store in the universe! The girls had so much fun..we were there for 2 hours!! Daddy bought her a new birthday dress and some fun trinkets. Finally, off we went to Cheesecake Factory for dessert...we left at 4 and didn't get home till almost 10!! So fun!

Sunday morning K awoke to a pink wonderland and D made her special birthday breakfast! After church we had the P's over for birthday dinner, (she requested spaghetti carbonara and roasted asparagus )and raspberry cake and presents! What a great weekend!

Can't believe she's 11..she'll be in YW's next year! Oh gosh! I can't bear to think of it! Well...we will relish this year before we have to face reality!! Our baby girl's growing up!

Happy Birthday Sweetie...We are so proud of you and I thank Heavenly Father every day he blessed me with you! You are our special girl and we love you so much!

Happy Happy 6th Birthday J!!!

It was the big 6 for my big boy and we're so proud of him! He has been very busy this year with kindergarten and loves being in Miss P's class with his very best friends A and L.

He's also been busy with wrestling and has found something he loves and is very good at. He is a natural athlete and it has been so fun watching him on the mat! It's amazing how focused he can be. I was worried wrestling would make my "rambunctious" boy even more crazy but he is a different person on the mat. I love that as soon as the whistle blows he snaps out of that focus and can pal around with his opponent!

Monday since there was no school we had a fun birthday party for him at the Zone and he loved just having his friends come out for him! Thanks to all that came! It was so fun!

Tuesday was his actual birthday so dad brought home his favorite..chocolate donuts with sprinkles! Then off to school! Since I was out sick, D took cupcakes in for me and did our traditional birthday lunch. I was so sad I missed it!

Birthdays are big at our house and the kids love to walk in and find the house decorated in their favorite color so BLUE it was! I seriously think this is their favorite part of their special day! His dinner request was pizza and then off to wrestling practice. We had yummy funfetti cake (made by dad) and then bed time!

The best part was Monday night after prayers J asked if he could sleep in our bed with us for his birthday. It made my day!! I feel like they're growing so fast I just want to "pause" moments and hold on to them! Happy Birthday J!!

We love you so much and hope you're day was as great as you are!

A Love Letter:

To The People of Samoa,
My heart aches for you. Prayers and condolences to the many families affected by the tsunami. When we heard the news I didn't believe it. Many can relate state side who waited the first 2 days for news..any news..fully expecting bad news. Being from California, I knew when I heard "8.3 earthquake" that things were bad but then tsunami is a whole different thing. I was grateful to be with family...what a comfort it was to be together. I thought much of my grandma who passed 2 yrs ago wondering how many of her family she was reuniting with.

Finally yesterday we got news that at least our immediate family is OK. My dad lost 5 members of his extended family though. Most of the fatalities are the elderly and children. The pictures are just sad and awful and the reality is even worse. People who are there say there is so much devastation and that it is much worse than we could imagine. Villages are flattened and so many are still missing.

Last night we found out my mom's sister who lives in American Samoa lost her husband yesterday. Life is so unpredictable. What I know for sure...Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. How grateful I am for forever families. How grateful I am for the gospel of Jesus Christ. What comfort that brings us in times of strife and tribulation.

My thoughts and prayers are with the people of the islands. To those who have passed..Manuia lou malaga...

Ready for FALL...

Unpacking Autumn decor as we speak...

Pics Coming SOON!

3 men & 1 little mama

+ 1 restful SUNDAY after church=
So Much FUN!!

So K is a big 6th grader now and having fun being a big middle schooler! I on the other hand have been dreading this since last Spring when she graduated from Elementary school. I remember D and I looking at each other as we watched the graduates march in and feeling very much like when we sent her off to Sunbeams for the first time! I think I cried for all of the months of May and June!

Don'tget me wrong...I am so excited for the many experiences she is about to have. I remember being her age and feeling like I had the whole world at my feet! I had so many ambitions. There was the fashion designer phase followed shortly by the journalist and interior design phases. I was big into McGyver (spell check?) so of course there was the whatever you call what he did phase and then the forensic scientist era ( I was so before my time..CSI whatevah!)...investigative reporter..oh the list goes on! I was such a big dreamer then!

K's a big dreamer too and for that I am so grateful. She is fearless and I admire that so much. She never doubts her ability to try something new and constantly challenges herself. I love how she goes for it knowing that the experience is better than sitting it out on the sidelines. ..Go girl! I am so proud of you! Reach for them stars baby! I am so grateful to be your mama and I love you so much!!

My little MEN

Updates!

So school and sports and everything else has taken over our lives! The kids were so ready to get back to our regular routines and to be honest...so was I! Keeping 5 babes occupied and out of trouble is madness!! Seriously....I don't know how we survived those last 2 wks of summer!

NOw that they're back, my "bus" route is back in full swing! As I drive all over the place getting them to school, football, wrestling, middle school activities, drama auditions (K's trying out for "Grease"), and birthday parties..(seriously.. a whole other post could be about how many b-day parties we have on the calendar! So many I have a birthday closet where I stash presents when I find deals under $5! My budget for birthday presents used to be $10 but we have many weeks where there's 2 or 3 between all of them! I told you...a whole post!!) I very much feel like a bus driver! They're all growing up so fast that I don't mind it a bit! (ok...sometimes I do!) OK.. so here's a bit of what we've been up to! (Brace yourself...LONG POST!!)

K- LOVING middle school and everything that comes with it! She's in drama this year and trying out for a part in "Grease". She's growing up and becoming a beautiful little woman. I am so excited for the many new things that lie ahead for her but it's so bittersweet! I looked at pics from last year and something just happened over this summer.. she just looks so much older! She loves it..me not so much! She's looking forward to trying out for volleyball and basketball also.

Little D- My little 2nd grader is such a little man! He's busy busy with school and sports but still my little sweet boy. He's playing tackle football this year and LOVES it! It's so fun to watch him out there! He's also on a wrestling team with J and it has been fun to watch them spar with each other! He turned 7 last month and got a guitar from Uncle M and Papa and is loving his jam sessions with M.

J- Our big stud. J started Kinder this year and got D's old teacher. He also got to be with his 2 best friends L and A. Great for him..not so much for Mrs. P! He's having fun being a big boy and wrestling too. He's adjusting well to his new schedule and is getting taller! He's our little comedian. He is so sweet with B and loves taking care of his little brother! It's fun to see the boys and how different their personalities are.

M-Little Man is growing up so fast! He's in preschool this year and loves his new teacher! He's our little artist. He can do art projects all day long! I got him an art case to keep his supplies in and he carries it everywhere he goes! Ahhhhh..a man after my own heart! He's gotten taller and we're enjoying our last year together before big boy school! My baby's not a baby anymore...:(

B- What can I say about this tub of love?..So fun! If my body would let me, I'd have ten more of him! He's growing so fast..and FAT!! Oh how I love chubby babies! I can't believe he's 8 months old! I am seriously going to be planning his birthday party before we know it! He is EVERYWHERE!! He is crawling all over the house and I spend half the day trying to find him because like his big bro M...he's FAST!! He has 8 teeth now... 4 on top and 4 on the bottom..yeah, you read that right!8!! I am having so much fun with him and he brings so much JOY to our home.

As for D and me...we're doing great! We're happy, healthy and loving watching our babies grow together!..

Happy Birthday Bubbs!

Today was little D's 7th birthday!! He had a fun day full of his favorite things....

7:45- Weigh-Ins (football)

8:30- Doughnuts and Kolaches with Dad

10:00-11:30 Football practice

& CUPCAKES!

1pm- 4:30- Pizza & Pool Party with friends and the fam! Thanks to everyone who came out! We let D invite who he wanted and had a fun mix of friends!

6pm- Dinner with the fam...sushi buffet (Bubbs pick...food blah..but company was great!:)

7:45- Off with Dad and Uncle M to Fantasy football draft like a big boy!

...7 yrs ago ...we just closed on our first house and I was 2 wks over due! I finally gave up and spent the night before painting like a mad woman and decided this boy would never come!

The next morning I went in for the 2nd time that week (I was going in every other day at that point!) to my usual appt. dressed in painting clothes because we we're heading straight back to the house to finish painting. There I was covered in paint and looking sooooo not cute and Dr. McD says he's sending me over to Labor and Delivery because he wanted to induce me. On my way there I went into full labor and my beautiful boy blew into this world with so much force I never even had to push! (Still very much the same today) The nurses knew exactly who he belonged to because he had paint chips all over him!

Here we are 7 years later and he is growing into such the little man. He is still so sweet and kind. He is definitely his father's son and loves sports and anything boy. He is full of life and is such a great example to those around him. I asked him what his favorite part about today was and he said getting his guitar from Papa and Uncle M and his first lesson!

We love you Bubbs! Hope you had an awesome day!

MY BIRTHDAY BOY!!
{that's a pic of both my birthday boys but we'LL talk about the older one for today!}

Happy Birthday to the best man I know! Yes, D is turning the big 35! I have to say...He gets HOTTER every year! He's getting bits of gray and eeeewwwweeeee! SEXY! OK this is a G rated show folks!

Seriously...I just want to say how much I love and appreciate him. He is such an amazing man. Thank you sweetie for all you do for us!!! Hope you are having a terrific day (working..of course! You'd think being the boss he'd take a break! Hmmm...I wonder where he got that from!=)

D has found his niche here in Dallas I think. He is doing all the things he loves. He's worked hard to build a good company. He works so hard and I am so proud of him! Anyone who knows him knows that he loves to work hard and even more than that loves to play hard! When he's not busy with Scouting or helping out with the boys wrestling and football, he squeezes in time for plenty of basketball, raquetball, softball and hunting. Seriously..it makes me tired just thinking about it all!

Happy Big Day Babe! I love you so much and am so blessed to have you in my life. You make my life so much more fun! 13 yrs and 5 babies later...that's pretty fantastic!

Here's to you! I love you!

xoxoxox,
mama

What are crazy little boys good for????

Cleaning stove tops.....

B's here!!! Ok, so it's almost 3 months later...whatever..I'm sleep deprived! Anywho...B finally joined the mix and we couldn't be more thrilled! (More about the exciting birth later!) He is growing so fast...too fast! He's already TEETHING!!! My babies do get teeth in rather early but hey...at least they're not born with them!

I'll post pics soon...I've wanted to post about him but seriously...I couldn't remember my password...no really...I was locked out of my own blog!! I told you...sleep deprived!

He'll be up soon for his next feeding but I just have to say, I was very worried about how #5 would fit into our already chaotic brood and actually...he just makes it even better! In a funny way he has brought so much peace to our very busy home. I think babies have a way of forcing us to slow down and reminding us of the big picture. I am loving every minute I have with him and feel so grateful to have been blessed with my babies!!! Suddenly the towels being folded a certain way or repainting almost every room in the house doesn't seem so relevant to my everyday happiness...funny:) [David probably wouldn't think so...seriously..worst nesting phase...EVER!!]

B's doing great, he's getting fatter by the hour (love chubby babies!!) and I am doing great. I must be because I am blogging at 2:30 in the AM. My monkeys are growing up too fast and are so busy with school, soccer, music, etc. M is adjusting to B very well and they are becoming fast friends.

Ohhhhh and another thing B's added to my life: Domestic bliss! I have officially crossed the threshold and joined the ranks...yes...I am now...dun dah dah dah....A CRAFTING MACHINE!! I made B the cutest quilt with the help of my girlfriend and now have my very own sewing machine!! I'll post pics soon...