Some of October 2011

Already this catch up and re-cap of 2011 is driving me crazy because I have so much to share and so many pictures and I am having a hard time skipping any of it so for my sanity I am just going to skip around... it is more fun that way and hopefully doing that will allow me to feel less structured with it and just share a few things here and there!  October was a very full month... lots of special things... a trip to California for me, announcing our baby on the way not only to our boys but to everyone else, finding out the gender of our baby, ward Primary Program, Pumpkin carving party, helping with a scene for the pumpkin Walk, Halloween, fall soccer for Evan and Eli... see?  fun stuff that I can't leave out! I don't have a lot of time today so I will start with the two events in October that have the least  pictures! O,heaven help me in getting caught up!- My goal is to be up to date before I get this baby here- six and a half weeks people... yikes!

California

My sisters are my best friends... they live far away- Sara in California and Julie in New York. Julie planned a trip to go visit Sara which was a big deal- NY to CA is a LONG flight and quite an expense with her two little girls and then her husband flew out for a few days too!  Julie had not been out to see Sara in awhile and decided it was time!  My mom and dad also booked tickets for a trip to Sara's at the same time- that way they would get to see both Sara and Julie.  I was happy for all of them to be together but of course bummed that I was missing out- I thought about driving out to California and we hoped that my brother and his family might join us all too- but it didn't work for him and I would have had to go alone with four little boys, pregnant, extra tired and it just felt too hard so I resorted to just letting the idea of all of us being together at Sara's house go...

I  had only told my mom and Julie that I was pregnant... I asked my mom to take a candy gram with her as a fun way to tell Sara and her family the big news while they were all together.  I was feeling pretty frustrated with life and down in the dumps and of course my sisters and mom knew my worries and wanted to do something to make things brighter!  Once my mom arrived in California and they were all together- they called and talked to Glen and then Sara made arrangements to fly me out to California over the first weekend in October!  Glen called and told me he made arrangements to work from home and take care of the boys so that I could go!  He said  I would leave on Wednesday night and come home Monday!!  I couldn't believe it!  I was so surprised and so excited to be with my sisters but I did have a heard time leaving my little boys behind- they knew their cousins would be there together and I know they could have made it harder by complaining or whining about wanting to go but Glen talked to them before he told me about the surprise and they all were in on the surprise and Evan and Eli just kept telling me not to worry, to go and have fun, to relax and enjoy it etc... They were the best about letting me go!  I was about 17 weeks along in my pregnancy and we decided that before I left we would do something fun to let our boys know that we would be getting a new baby.  It was just a few weeks until we could tell them whether it would be a sister or a brother and we figured it was about time we started sharing the news!  I will tell all about how we told everyone and their reactions in a later post!  The trip was heaven and just what I needed- a get away and time spent refueling with my sisters, my parents, and my cute nieces and nephews- It was so fun!

When I got to Sara's house they had saved me some of my favorite dinner- breakfast casserole!  It was so nice to just be together laughing and talking!  After eating we went out to the guest house where I ate some more... and we talked some more and I secretly retrieved the candy gram from my mom's suitcase that I had sent with her to give Sara to let Sara and her family know our big news about expecting a baby.  My mom had kept it hidden knowing that I would be arriving and 

could break the news in person!

 Below is a picture of me and Julie... I am holding the candy container with a note attached using all types of candy to tell the little story of our news! 

Sara was totally surprised and so happy for us!

 Sara's kids were out of school for the last few days of the week so they had planned a mini vacation and we all went along too!...The day after I arrived we headed to a resort where we stayed for the weekend.  Sara and her family were in a room and me and Julie and mom and Dad were in a room right next door, we walked and swam in the pool, painted toe nails, ate yummy food, watched movies and shopped a bit too!

 The last day we were there Sara and Julie took their kids and went to Lego Land.  My mom and dad and I took Frances- Julie's baby, with us and before heading back to L.A. we stopped at Balboa Island and walked around the little beach houses, along the pier and through the shops.  It was a beautiful day and we had a great time having little Frannie all to ourselves!

 Hanging out with Frances all day gave me a greater appreciation for my little sister Julie... Holy smokes this spicey girl is a handful- I have never had a baby quite like her... is it a girl thing?  She is so determined and stubborn and spunky and tricky- she gets this little sparkle in her eye and a half smile on her lips and next comes trouble... all. day. long. but she is adorable and sweet at the same time and oh so funny! I l had tons of fun just being auntie and giving her whatever she wanted and she in turn wanted me!  I loved being her mama for the day and I wish I got to see her and both of  my sisters other kids everyday! 

I realized that I am missing some of my favorite pictures from the trip... I forgot my camera so my dad was the photographer and it looks like I didn't upload all the the pictures from him... so I will have to add them later I guess!  I do have my own photo book of this trip that they all made for me for Christmas this year!  I have the best family!  Thanks again Sara for flying me out and being such a perfect hostess!  Thanks to mom and dad and Julie for all the memories made and to my amazing Glen for being a great daddy and always putting me first!

Primary Program

I have loved serving in our ward's Primary Presidency for the past two years... teaching and loving and getting to know the children in the church is the best place to be... my favorite calling so far!  Another reason I love Primary is because it is where my boys are right now and I get to be a part of what they are learning and I get to see them interact and learn with their friends and teachers!  It's the best!  The worldwide Primary theme in 2011 was "I know the scriptures are True"  We had our Primary Program In October.  The children have the chance to share what they have learned throughout the year with the entire ward!  They each get to testify through speaking parts and/or song about the things we did and learned all year.  Our Primary is huge... about 160 kids (not including nursery) So planning the Primary Program was a bit of a challenge- but it turned out perfect because really, anytime the primary children are teaching and singing- nothing can go wrong!

This year Gabe was a Sunbeam so this was his first Primary Program! As a 3 year old, speaking and singing in front of a lot of people can be overwhelming, especially with a shy little personality like Gabe has.  I was proud of him as he stepped up on the stool and said his part perfectly into the microphone "My name is Gabe and I am a child of God"  It was so powerful and adorable to hear all of his classmates say this same line testifying of who they really are! 

He looked so handsome in his little suit! 

 Elijah, also as handsome as ever...did a great job in the primary program.  I always encourage (make!) my boys memorize their parts- Eli had a part where he shared his favorite story from the Book of Mormon and gave an example of a lesson he learned from that story- He chose Ammon and spoke about having courage!  He also recited a scripture with his primary class.  He spoke loud and clear and did great!  Here are a few pictures of my handsome little boys that Sunday after church

 here's Oliver with his hair all ruffled up after playing in nursery and he REFUSED to wear his tie... He bawled in every picture but this one... and even after all that he is still a little romeo 

and melts my heart-

still to come... announcing baby, it's a boy, pumpkin walk, Halloween Party, pumpkin carving, trick or treating, soccer... and that is just October!... (sigh)

p.s. does anyone know how to do those cute photo collages on blogger? are they a new setting or do you have to upload your pictures in flicker or picassa first?  HELP!  I'd like to do a few of them...please explain!?

May Babies

One highlight in May... (a few more to come)

 Gabe and Oliver were born exactly a week apart in May.   Gabe came on May 11th 2007, Ollie was May 4th 2009.  I love having these May babies of mine so close in age- I think two years apart is the PERFECT spacing.  Since they are little- they haven't minded "sharing" their birthday celebrations every year so far and it sure makes it easier for me rather then having 2 parties in a week!  

 I used to love planning big festive birthday parties... with a theme, all decked out... but I am getting lazy ( maybe actually smarter too:)) and this year I had to do the little boys birthday party on a tight budget.  An hour before the party started I called my sister Julie in a panic-nearly in tears about my "ghetto" party... she gave me a few last minute ideas that helped spruce it up a bit and reminded me before hanging up that my little boys did not care in the least about the decor and previously used streamers....it was more about making them feel special  and so with that in my mind we got on with the party for these little romeo's... Oliver TWO and Gabriel FOUR! 

 

We had my parents and my brother and his family over for dinner-chips and salsa, taco salad, quesadillas and taquitos-a little bit fiesta style!

Evan, who is now 12 had our first "train cake" when he turned two years old... since then all of the boys have chosen a train cake at least once... I think Gabe has asked for the train cake every year since he could talk... and Oliver is just like the others and in love with trains so he was so excited that once again we made a train cake! It is always a hit-and trains sort of became the ghetto- small scale theme for the party!(see: toy trains as table center pieces-thanks to Julie's last minute help!)

 We ate dinner, the boys played outside for a bit then the birthday boys sat front and center and opened some presents

 Once Oliver opened a Thomas the tank engine and a few of his friends... All he wanted to do was play

 Ollie and Grandpa

Gabe and his buddies... Eli, Evan and cousins Jeffrey and Ethan

"Happy Birthday!" and blowing out the candles

Oliver was so proud!

I love all the ages and stages for different reasons...some more than others... but for sure my favorite ages so far are these - Two and Four!!  For Oliver Two is full of adventure and funny things to say, adorable little "accent" with a hint of a lisp, tiny arms wrapped around my neck, spunk and sass... lots of it!  Curiosity about everything, trains, dancing, waffles, playing with slime, singing songs with actions, books, whistling (he can!) pretending spiderman and karate kicks!  He calls Gabe his "best buddy" He adores his daddy, He loves to be funny and make people laugh, he likes nursery class at church and has all of his teachers wrapped around his finger!  It only took him two days to be potty trained this fall!  He is smart- recognizes all his letters and knows each of their sounds too! (seriously!- its the cutest thing ever!) He talks a lot about our new baby and always puts his tiny hand on my tummy trying to "feel da bebe kick"  He thinks he has a baby in his tummy too and lifts up his shirt showing everyone his baby!  He brings lots of laughs and happiness to our family and everything is more fun with Oliver!

For Gabe four is full of pretending... his imagination is adorable and he loves to have play dates with friends this year!  Preschool is his favorite thing and he is in love with his Sunbeam teachers at church.  He loves to craft and is always coloring and cutting and gluing.  He writes his name and all of the other letters too. he loves to sing songs and read books,  he is tender and shy, always hesitant with new things but he warms up quickly and likes to be silly!  He has a perfect little face and people always comment on his smile... he smiles all the time!  He is terrified of most Disney movies and refuses to watch them- "the bad guys are too scary!"  He is a little fish and loves to swim when we go to the gym as a family.  He loves to make his own sandwiches for lunch, help me bake, play with Oliver and especially his big brothers!  He has learned how to play Nintendo DS and wii games this year and would play them all day, everyday... if the rules allowed! :) Gabe is very loving and is the perfect "bridge" between his older brothers and his little brother... he loves them all and lights up when they show their love for him... he is a very sweet boy and is almost all grown up-so independent!...He asks almost every night if it is family home evening night!  He loves to help with games and lessons and always wants to do things that involve our whole family! I love this year before kindergarten starts- it is my deadline year- the last one that I get to spend all day with him!  Knowing that helps me to love the little things even more!

Four and Two are definitely some of the best ages!  I love these little boys right now a whole bunch!... when they are twelve and driving me crazy with attitude and goofy boy stuff... I will have this time to look back on and remember how cute they used to be right?!  Hopefully it will remind me that deep down they are the same special, sweet boys they used to be!  ( I do have a twelve year old, you know?.. and find myself having to do just that with him A LOT!)... Ages and stages and trying to figure it all out- just one of the many challenges... and joys of being a mama right?!  

Happy Birthday to my darling May babies!!

March (2011)

So I thought I only needed to catch up from the summer- the past six months or so- but when I looked through my pictures I found that I am actually further behind than I thought- notice the title MARCH? Yikes!  I am just going to document the things that I don't want to skip.... (which, honestly is pretty much everything you know!) but I really am going to condense and try to make this catch up quick. So here goes...

Anniversary

It was our 14 year anniversary On march 28th- Usually just the two of us celebrate but since my boys are getting older I thought it would be fun to include them on a bit of the celebration and so I had them help me surprise Glen with a re-creation of our Wedding Day!  I was surprised by how much they LOVED it- it was really cute!  We decorated the house with purple and yellow- our wedding colors! 

I found the box in storage full of precious moments figurines that we bought for special milestones in our relationship those first few years... do they even make these anymore? 

(We got engaged Dec.7th and I got this girl a few weeks later for Christmas!)

(Our wedding cake was a house... all sparkly with little window boxes full of mini flowers and there were lights inside- It was pretty cute! This car was on the "driveway"... my favorite part is the back because it has a sign on the car that says "just married" and there are little soda cans tied to the bumper!)

We decorated with the figurines, photos and candles.

I was disappointed that I couldn't find the box of left over napkins we used at our reception- yellow napkins embossed in purple lettering with our names and wedding date and a picture of some kind!... This totally dates us, I know!- a few years back I cringed about how outdated our wedding had become but I have decided I love it anyway because it is ours - it is sentimental and it makes for some good entertainment too! At our wedding reception we served mini ham sandwiches, nut cups and white cake with a yummy cream cheese/cool whip frosting topped with strawberries- I ordered the mini rolls and the boys helped me make the sandwiches and fill the nut cups for dinner! 

 We also decided to make a festive wedding drink.  

 We lit the candles, dimmed the lights and turned on some love songs and when Glen walked in the door, home from work we jumped out and yelled surprise!!  Glen was totally surprised and said lots of memories of our wedding day came rushing back as he looked around!  Things he had forgotten all about!  Just what I was hoping for!  We gathered around the table and as we ate we talked about "our story" As I was setting it all up with the boys- they kept asking me questions I realized that we had never told them much about our courtship so we told them about our dating days, our engagement and our wedding day- it was so fun and I couldn't believe how interested they were! We also looked through our photo books and reminisced and laughed about how young and outdated we looked!  It was one of our best Anniversary celebrations and don't worry Glen and I did some celebrating of our own later- WITHOUT the boys around!

Glen gave me a nice card with a thoughtful love note written inside.  He surprised me with a gift certificate for a night at a local bed and breakfast and one of the best presents I have ever received- He made this bracelet for me...

Get this...He actually went into a bead shop and picked out the beads- "4 blue beads for our four boys" and "the two white ones represent us and are a reminder of our marriage" That's what he told me - and the I love you in the center of course says it all!  So he picked out the beads and then he strung them all together with his big man fingers!! I totally had this picture in my head of him sitting there hunched over in concentration in this girlie bead store- threading beads, thinking of ME?...How romantic is that?!- I thought it was the sweetest thing ever! Marrying him is the best thing I ever did! 

Pine wood Derby

Eli loved his "Strikers"  derby car- made in honor of his soccer team!  He won Best Craftsmanship... Our boys derby cars always look really awesome now if we could just figure out how to make them fast too!

St. Patricks Day

 The boys made their traditional "treasure boxes" to put out under the moonlight in hopes that leprechauns would come fill them with treasure!  The leprechauns even leave green
breakfast and a trail of gold wrapped candy everywhere they go!  Of course those tricky leprechauns always play a few jokes on us too.. they toilet papered our house this year and misplaced lots of items

They boys love the tricks and the treasure!

Gabe... looking guilty- and for good reason-
I could not get him or Oliver to leave the
treats alone all day!

Sweet boys

Both of these little ones of mine love kitties and babies... for awhile they were obsessed with diapering their animals and our one doll.  If it wasn't diapering then it was wrapping them in blankets or both which really became my job because well, they are little and can't diaper or wrap- but they are very good at un-diapering and un-wrapping!We did all of this over and over lots of days but I couldn't get frustrated because seriously... have you ever seen anything more sweet!

Teacher appreciation

For the school year of 2010-2011 I was on the PTA board at the boys elementary school...I was in charge of Teacher appreciation which ended up being WAY more than I thought I had signed up for!  Luckily I had a cute friend who shared the assignment with me and we were thrown into the fire together and knew there was no turning back and decided to just make the most of it!  The school had a lot of changes prior to the start of the school year -boundary changes, a change from being a grade K thru 2 to now being K thru 5, new principal, lots of new teachers and morale was low! Here we were completely new to PTA and didn't have a clue what to do other than to try to bond and build relations, boost morale and help the parents and students show appreciation for a job that can never be appreciated enough!  We worked our tails off... seriously!  We learned how to be a great team and when I would get frustrated with the time commitment and the work load- Jenn would keep me going and I did the same for her- we both had young families and busy lives, hefty church callings and we never could have done it without each other!  I don't have time to write the time line of our year on PTA and we were so frazzled at most of our events that we neither of us had our camera to capture the fun things we did!  Things like fancy caramel apples, balloon banners, a sweet shoppe, a cupcake bar, a turkey whose feathers listed things about each teacher, a breakfast bar, a banana split bar, notes in teacher mailboxes with treats!  We had a lot of fun providing luncheons for the teachers,changing out bulletin boards, spotlighting teachers, and that didn't even include "Teacher appreciation week" in May- it was insane (things EVERYDAY! but it was SO successful and fun! We accomplished our goal of making it about the appreciation coming from the students and parents which in the long run created more work for us- but I think it was the best idea ever (uh-em!)  and we outlawed decorating the teachers doors which was a bit controversial... but seriously?? - so much wasted paper and time and not usually does it involve the students but we made up for what some thought might be missed by not doing that tradition -in a million other ways!!... We got lots of positive feedback and we felt really good about all that we did! It was fabulous if I do say so myself- and I do! It killed us though and we both completely crashed after the year and do you think we signed up for a second year?- No!... I had my taste of PTA- don't get me wrong I am a big supporter and I love teachers and education - it was just not the right timing... someday I will do it again- maybe! :)

Here are a few pictures of some of the handouts we made-

I really wish I would have taken pictures of everything we did- if anyone out there wants ideas or lists of time lines, posters, a sweet shoppe canopy, decorations, printable handouts, luncheon advice, restaurant connections,or lists with details of what we did- let me know!