Week Two - Including 10 year Anniversary

Sunday was super busy and started late.  We went to a wedding Saturday night and so we and the kids were super sleepy Sunday morning.  After church I had a meeting and then at 1pm Andrew and the kids had to come pick me up and go back home.  Shortly after we arrived, Andrew's siblings started piling in.  We missed Shay and we always miss Wes but it was such a nice visit and long overdue.

I had the choice between a kitchen and landscaping and well, here ya go, stage of my life where the kids' desires usually come first.  They started everything this week and most is done.  The green grass is beautiful but I gotta say, I sure wouldn't mind a new kitchen....

Lauren and the kids were stranded at home this week so I offered to take her kiddos to the movies.  Everything was fabulous... once we snuck into Rio because the other one was too old and boring for them all.  The best part of the day though was hanging out at Lauren's pool and having some girl chat time while the kids played in the front yard.

My favorite thing about this Summer, so far, is how frequently I find the kids reading in the corner or on the couch.  They have spent hours reading so far and I love it.

Finally found some time for a beach day.  It was so nice that so many were able to make it - I think we had quite the caravan on the road that day.

But the exciting stuff happened in the car on our way out - Jackson had a wiggly tooth all morning so I kept asking him to pull it out before we got to the beach so it wouldn't get lost.  He did it, he yanked out his third tooth all on his own.  Big boy!  Do you see his eyes smiling!!!

I just know these two will be best buds for years and years.

Some of the girls that were able to make it.  They're picture fanatics... and I thought I was bad ;)

See, here's Andi, caught reading again!

These days I get out quite infrequently.  It's good and bad but I would say the best part about it is that when it does happen, it's quite enjoyable!

And would you look at that, we made it, TEN YEARS!  It has been a lot of work as of late as our life has picked up the challenges a bit.  Those first five years or so were rather simple but these tough, exhausting years have taught us so much more about one another and about ourselves.  I feel as though we are always having to learn more about one another as life changes us into different people.  The fact is, I need this man and I know he needs me.  That right there makes it all worth fighting for.

We weren't able to do much on our anniversary, but it was so sweet of Andrew to get up early, after going to bed around 1:30am after working, to go get me roses and Foster's donuts.  I'm not a huge donut fan but if I eat them, I want them to be worth it.  You pass three other donut shops on your way to Foster's!

That evening Tori, Mya, Zoe and Ivan watched our kids so we could head out:
76 Station Oil Change
Rattler's BBQ
Walmart
*Hot Date*
But my gift is a trip to Cabo San Lucas!

Jenny posted this on FB for our anniversary - I just love that chic.  But here's the funny part... this picture was taken while we weren't really talking.  Yes, things have been tense this week.  I think Jena's right when she said there's this pressure on the 10th year.  But this is life... four kids, school bills, life expenses, self-employed, more schooling, church callings, family obligations, unexpected stresses... LIFE.  For this reason, and many more, I am grateful we are sealed for all Eternity.  For this life is but a brief period of time and as Andrew said in my card, I look forward to spending the eternities with this man!

Week One - Including Father's Day & Andrew's Birthday

Green hair = tomato sauce wash.... she's NOT happy!

Andrew was gone the entire last week of school so when he returned LATE Friday night, I decided that on Saturday we would give him a Father's Day/Birthday surprise.  I told him I had an errand to run for my mom in Valencia so he was surprised when we pulled up to the massage place and dropped him off.  The kids and I hung our at the mall playing on the new playground and trying out the snow cone place.  Both were a hit.

Happy Father's Day to one of THE best dads I know.  This man truly loves his children and for that I am so grateful.  The morning started with my dropping Andrew and the three older ones off at church while I took Cole to the doctor's. Friday and Saturday he had fevers over 103.8 and so by Sunday, I was ready to take him in to see if there was actually an infection.  Ended up at Henry Mayo which allowed us to get some x-rays and yes, this boy had pneumonia and a touch of a sore throat and a touch of an ear infection.  He's a trooper for sure.

Father's Day with grandpa, grandpa.

What would I do without my dad?!?!?

What would Cole do without guacamole!?!?

Not only is he a toddler trying to keep up with all the big kids, but a toddler with pneumonia really has his work cut out for him.  I couldn't believe it when he fell asleep on me in the pool and then allowed me to put him down on the grass to continue this nap.  THEN he stayed asleep when I loaded him into the car and drove home.  Poor baby boy.

The morning of Andrew's birthday everyone was up but Andrew.  The kids decided to make use of this time and create birthday cards for him while I made breakfast.

See, I do it once a year ;)

35!!!

At 7:50am, the tree guys came to chop down our beloved front yard tree.  This tree has been featured in nearly all of our photos and was my favorite thing about our front yard.  But, it was leaning towards the street and becoming rather dangerous so it had to be chopped down :(

The kids have really enjoyed the stump.

Last year we swam every Wednesday at the Wirthlin's home.  This year they are rotating between the Padovich home and the Wirthlin home.  The Padovich's is absolutely gorgeous but a tad crazy and cold for my little ones.

This picture is an awful representation of our evening in the park but I forgot to grab another one when I could.  We were so grateful for the families that came out on a last minute invite for dinner.  I didn't tell anyone that it was Andrew's birthday but I set it up so he could be around friends and family on his birthday.  It was such a nice evening... and a delicious one considering Andrew smoked some tri-tip, chicken and hot dogs.

This girl loves cuddling with her dada.

Thursday, my friend, Katie, hosted a circus themed park play date.  I wasn't planning on going because it was at a park clear across town, but we had nothing else to do so I decided to try it out.  I think I've spent so many years at the park, I have been feeling burnt out.  BUT, let me tell ya, we all had a great time.  It was a beautiful day and Katie went over and beyond in making this a memorable trip for the kids.  They kept asking me who was having a birthday party.  Yup, it was that good!

Friday I was supposed to take the kids to the beach but felt uneasy about it all day Thursday and then again Friday morning.  We had made plans to go to the Temple Friday night and it was stressing me out being on such a time crunch driving all the way to the beach.  I opted to stay home and clean my house until about 2pm.  At that point Andrew and I took the kids to the pool for some much needed family time.  The kids keep asking Andrew why they never see him anymore so it was nice that he was able to hang out.

Andrew tried teaching the kids how to dive.  Jackson actually got it by the time we left but Andi needs some more work.  Ryan didn't make too many attempts.  Maybe next time!?!?

Jessica Wirthlin had called earlier in the week and offered to babysit.  Considering grandma and grandpa were out of town, this was just perfect.  Jessica was our first teenage babysitter for such a thing and I felt bad leaving her to watch my kids.  I know, lame, especially considering she was so excited.  She brought a goodie bag and played go fish with them and read them a million stories.  The best part was during sealings, there was some time where Andrew and I could forget all the stresses of the world and just be in the moment.  It's always so peaceful inside.  Then to come home to a clean house and sleeping children... man, couldn't ask for much more.

Saturday we were able to go play and eat at Isabelle's third birthday party.  It was such a beautiful day with wonderful company and delicious food!

I could go for a slice of that pizza right now, Paola!

Alrighty, I think that'll do it for week one....

2012-2013 School Year: 1st Grade / Preschool Grad / T-Th Preschool

ANDI

"I love: our water day.  Our teachers.  Elijah.  Ellie O..  Ellie J..  Addy.  My last day of school.  Musical Chairs.  Taking pictures with grandma B. and grandma K." -2013

RYAN

"I love: the water day.  The snacks.  Out back.  And out front.  And of sharing.  Lincoln, Carson, Landon, Brandon.  Of getting my bucket and my book and my other book and the cookies and the gold medal and of the last day of preschool.  When you (mom) pick me up.  And when you take me home.  And when I'm leaving and I get my preschool bag and say bye to grandma K.."

 Ry, you've grown tremendously over the last two years and we couldn't be more proud of you.  The challenges you have overcome, with a smile, has brought us so much joy to watch.  We love you our little KINDERGARTNER.  

JACKSON

"I love: math and science.  My teacher; she's really nice.  My friends that I like to play with at recess.  The yard duties keep us safe."

  

Solemint Ward

Last day of school swim party!

Papa & Gramma Nette

Good timing! 

Preschool Videos

My favorite:  

Ry

We had to work on the "v" in this one: 

Young Stars Cheer: