I hurt in places I didn't know could hurt or existed...I want to throw up...or die...or both. I have been doing P90x w/ M and Beez and MAN! It's Carazzy! I feel so great though and it has been really fun to work out again. We are on our second week and to be honest, I'm shocked I made it through the first day! Woot! Woot! For anyone wondering...I highly recommend this work out! D asked his friend who's a personal trainer if he'd heard anything about this program and he laughed and said "It's the workout I do!" haha...so he bought it and here we are!

P.S....Plyometrics is SOOOOO hard but Soooooo GOOD!:) Is anyone else P90xers?...

Last week we had a T Fam favorite....Family Movie Night!!!!

We got the movie...got our treats...popped some corn..AND...

we ALL fell asleep!!! How funny is that! Well, everyone but some

mysterious bandits that is!

Someone came and drew all over the kids faces...hmmmm..I wonder

who did it?...It sure wasn't Mama because she was sound asleep in her bed!..

Hmmmm...Was it the sugar daddy?......I dunno..looks suspicious....

Little Man lookin very Zorroesque...unibrow and all!

K lookin like a...well...a man!

Lookin like Hitler...I don't think his Jewish ancestors would appreciate...:(

J's got the full Monty!

Ah hah!! There's the culprit!...or maybe not...hmmm...looks like the work

of another bandit.....

Yep!..That's the one! I'd recognize that ASHINESS anywhere!!!!muahhhhhhhhaaaaaaaa!!!

D was taking my car to T-ball so I asked him to put Baby B's car seat into A's car while I finished dinner so it would be ready when we got home. (I was taking K to her open house) This is what I found when I got outside....



There are no words...

Soccer Madness! J started soccer last Saturday and oh it was so fun! I love watching the kids when their having so much fun! J L-O-V-E loves soccer and this was an early game! We had to be there at 7:30 in the morning! Anyone who knows me knows I am not a morning person! It was so worth it though! Go Spartans! Not that it matters but they did win:)!

My Jizzle w/his after game snack


Warming up before the game! Go #9!


Look at my boy go!


Can't wait till the next game!

Busy Busy.....


So it's been caaaaraaazy around here!!! Our schedule has been insane lately and is about to get worse! I figure if I can squeeze in an update at least once a month, I'm doing great! Here's what we've been up to lately....

Mr. Man: Busy! Work is keeping him so busy! I'm grateful he at least can work from home at times so I at least get to see him! Of course he makes sure to squeeze in some time for basketball! He's busy coaching little man's t-ball team (Yankee's...go figure!:), helping w/ D's baseball team and taking J to soccer and football! Whew...it exhausts me just to type it!

Mama: Busy! Busy! I have my hands full w/ baby B, Little man and the rest of the monkeys. Our house is constantly bustling with activity! I feel like I'm constantly running, picking up, dropping off, squeezing in...and all the other things it takes to make this house run! Mama's need assistants!

K: My baby girl is growing too fast! She'll be 12 this year and I can't believe it! She's getting ready to start Volleyball this month and she couldn't be more excited. She keeps busy w/ school, roller blading w/ her friend L (so fun that she lives 4 doors down!), reading and running her brothers all over the place!

Little D: He just started Baseball and is loving it! He is so much like his daddy! He is so kind and sweet. With wrestling season over, he's enjoying more time for his other loves...baseball, football, socializing....um..the apple didn't fall far from the tree..:)

J: He is sooooo glad wrestling is over! He is so excited to start soccer and man has it been fun watching his games! He scored 2 goals last week! I guess I am a proud mama! J is our ladies man. He is so charming! It is the cutest thing! He always notices when you look nice and is so generous with compliments. What a sweet boy!

Little Man: He's so excited to start T-ball! He's having fun and I'm excited to see my little artist up to bat! He goes to the greatest preschool M-W-F from 9-2 and love it! He loves his teacher Ms. S and so do I! He comes home all tuckered out from his studies (girls) and usually needs a nap before dinner!

Baby B: My sweet boy! He turned 1 and seems to be on fast forward lately. He is walking and all over the place! His personality is really coming out and man is he sassy!!! I really enjoy the time we get together during the day and it's a treat to have 1 at home for a change. He really looks forward to M coming home though and misses him when he's gone:(.

We have had a lot of moving ins around here and we couldn't be happier! A & B came from UT a few weeks ago and are staying with us until they get settled. It's been so great having them here! The kids love having them around and they are so helpful. I have loved being able to take care of my sis (bun in the oven:) and B is such an awesome uncle! With my brother M here, it's just a great big party all the time! I love it!

Snow!!!!

We got like 12 inches of snow this week and the kids had a blast! They got an "extended" weekend and to be honest, it was fantastic!

They played all day in it! They even built an igloo w/ the help of my biggest child of course!

I had to get one of baby B and uncle M!!!!

Day 10 with NO SUGAR!!!!

OK, that's a terrible picture and I don't even remember when or why that was taken or why he was crying for that matter but I sure do know how he feels!!

I have been doing really well with my no sugar plan and just can't believe that I have that little self control! How sad is that? Why do I have to go completely with out? Why can't I just have a little and enjoy all the good things in life? Why?

I'll tell you why, I love treats!! I have a serious problem and I need to break up with them! So here it is..Sugar...it's over. I just don't feel like we have a healthy relationship. We are no good for each other. As much as I love you...it's time for me to let you go...maybe another time...but right now..sigh...this is just the way it has to be. Honestly, it's me not you....

Happy Birthday Little Man!!!

M turned 5 today and boy did he have a GREAT day!!! He came out of his room this morning exclaiming "It's my happy birthday day everybody! That means I'm the boss!" We asked him what his birthday wishes were because in our house when it's your birthday (and you're under 5 ft) you're "boss" for the day:)

So here were the king's demands:

1. Hot Cheetos...weird but...check

2. Popcorn and an icee from the red store (Target)..done

3. Play and ice cream at McD's..gross but done

4. Worm cake...I'll explain in a later post...done

5. Ice skating...check

6. Sushi for dinner..DONE

He woke up this morning just as I was finishing the decorating of the house (B is teething) and requested what else but blueberry pancakes and fresh fruit...no really that's what he wanted!:) Of course he needed a candle in it so we could sing to him! Then he took a bag full of treats for his classmates and off to school he went!

After school, I took him and K to check off wish #3 and then we went home to meet Dad and the rest of the bunch for wishes #2, 4, 5 and 6. Then back home to open his presents and before we knew it...the king was out!:) He had such a full day of fun, he fell asleep while playing with his loot!

He fell asleep before we could tell him about his best present! We are surprising the kids and taking them the whole family to the Great Wolf Lodge Monday and Tuesday! We've wanted to go there for so long! I am so excited to see their faces when we get there!

Happy Birthday big boy! We love you so much! You are getting so big I can hardly believe it! You bring such happiness to our family! Hope your day was as special as you are!!!

We're taking the plunge!!! D and I are going on a CRUISE!!! We are going on a 5 night Caribbean cruise which is fantastic but what makes it even BETTER is 14 of our best friends are going too!!!!!:) I can't even believe it! Crazy. So need it. So happy.

Looking forward to fun time with the hubbs, we've been so busy, it will be great to have that solid chunk of time together:) Since we snorkeled in Puerto Rico, I think we're going to try parasailing this time. That, the beach and tacos are all we have on the agenda....besides FOOD on the ship of course! Oh my...this could be bad...real bad...

To counter the damage we will do, I've decided to give up sugar again. I did this a while ago and it wasn't too bad for someone with such a bad sweet tooth! My original plan then was to give it up for 3 months and then work it slowly back in. The time went faster than I expected and the first thing I went to eat was a red vine (my fav)...U know what? It was disgusting. It tasted like sugared up wax! To this day I have not had one! Now if only it could be that way with cookies and brownies!

Anyway, I will go cold turkey for the first 2 weeks and then allow myself one cheat a week after that. We'll see how it goes. We're on day 3 and I'm ok. We'll see what tomorrow brings:)

THIS litte man makes me...SMILE :)

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!..