Splash Pad!!!

 

I've been wanting to take the kiddos to Lemmon Valley for ages now! We raided Yaya's coin jar and headed out. It was really a fabulous little spot!!

 

It was all gated, there weren't too many people there. Super CLEAN!!! The bathrooms were immaculate. Within 10 minutes Christina had accidentally lost her glasses, but someone turned them into lost and found. Thanks Heavenly Father!!!

 

Plenty of stuff for the big kids and little kids.

 

Maria got drenched!!!

 

The water was a little cold, so Ella and Eli mainly ate and watched on the sidelines.

 

Ella is the best little listener!! She loves to help and throw things in the garbage.

 

Best friends!

 

After the water, we headed to the park next door. It was pretty fun too! In the shape of a large airplane!

 

Thanks Yaya!!! I'm tempted to raid your coin jar for gas money!!! You must have 10 pounds of coins!!

Glasses

 

For some insane reason we ate grilled cheese meals at Sonic. It was so gross!!! However, Eli got these glasses and has ben wearing them non-stop!

Totally. Worth. It.

 

Ella enjoys them too!

Palydate at Kathy's

 

Our friend Kathy has the best backyard!! She was so kind to have us all. We feasted on watermelon, popcorn, and snow cones!

 

It was great to spend time with friends!! I always love talking to Kathy. She is an expert mother, so down to earth, and just a great friend!!

Dinosaur

Our little squawk.

OH how much spunk this beautiful child has!!

 

Ella is hilarious. She is doing much better about controlling her anger and not biting people. (Knock on wood)

She is saying a lot more: Nina, done, caca, poo (with those 2 words in mind she runs up to the potty and lifts up her shirt like she wants to sit on it), woof, me, Papa, Yaya, Mama, Dada, thank you (too sweet!! She says it all on her own constantly!!) banana, wawa (for water), cheese, and teeth (when she wants to brush her teeth).

 

She is excellent at following directions. She really understands a lot.

 

She enjoys pasta, fruit- especially berries!, and is the best sleeper ever. (Although we were up for an hour at 3AM last night)

 

She loves to run. She is cautious. She loves dollies and books and cars! She sings along with her Yaya and the radio.

 

She dances to Just Dance videos. She loves getting her hair brushed. She loves animals.

 

Her and Eli do really well playing together... for the most part. She loves her sissies... she says sissies too!

 

She is our sweetheart and brings us so much joy!!

Parks at Sunset

 

I love the easiness of summer. The laid back feeling of doing what we want, when we want. We spend a lot of time at parks... the best time being dusk, because of course that's when the fairies come out.

 

Such beautiful and wonderful children. I love watching them grow. It's such an honor to be their mother.

Vegas

 

Wow. How to even go about this.

This was a weekend.

Our flight to Vegas was 5 hours late.

The rental car agency cancelled our reservation without asking.

Our hotel wasn't like it's picture.

TRAFFIC.

HOT.

Jody's cell phone wasn't working so we couldn't get directions.

 

Basically the above picture can sum up the weekend.

 

The station wagon they wanted to give us. No thanks. I drive a mini-van. One weekend without a white maiden.... please.

 

The best parts of the trip were going to Tivoli garden and enjoying a really nice meal and fresh juice.... even though there was a lady with blue hair singing blue grass music which made me want to shoot myself in the leg.

On the way out there was a guy on a keyboard singing, "I'm a freak. I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doing here. I don't belong here....." That was enjoyable.

 

We had a really good breakfast at Whole Foods.

 

We also did a session in the temple. It was beautiful. It was a little loud, but the celestial room was really nice. Everything that happened on the trip was worth it just to go to the temple!

 

At the wedding we attended I made a friend. He was awesome and made the night go by with good conversation. I knew I was in for a treat when I asked him what he was passionate about and he said, "Helping people." Just a super nice guy. He is from SoCal and recently came out. So far his family isn't being very supportive. So sad. We were extremely late to the wedding (1 hour) but fortunately were actually right on time. It started 10 minutes after we sat down.

 

I also attended church on Sunday. It was such a humbling experience. It was a very poor ward, lots of old people. The announcements from the pulpit talked about a neighborhood watch because the chapel had been repeatedly broken into. There were some young women giving talks and they could barely read. There were 2 women in front of me who had 3 very small children, I asked if they needed help carrying anything and landed in Primary. There were about 10 children.They needed a piano player. I was happy to help... as Christina would say. It was such a blessing to be there though. No matter where you are, the gospel is true. The hope it brings sustains us all. It was a very diverse ward.

 

We had a stressful time getting back to the airport to head home. However, when we got to the airport our flight was delayed.... 2 hours.

 

Allegiant Air. Never again.

 

The children had a very good time with Yaya and Papa. They watched movies, ate like royalty, played.... they were in excellent hands!! Thanks everyone!!!

6 Years

 

I was recently in Las Vegas for a wedding. In all honesty, it wasn't the greatest weekend.

 

It really feels like every time I go to the temple, I mourn. I can't help but sit in the celestial room and feel a poignant reminder of how time keeps passing, and yet a part of me is missing.

 

I suppose it's because we're so close to the veil in the temple. We are doing sacred work to connect with those who've passed away. It's hard to be so close and yet so far away at the same time.

 

I don't know how I feel today. I went to the cemetery with the kids today and we said a prayer at Joe's grave. I cried a little. I said my own prayer.

 

No matter what we do, time never ever stops.

 

I had many good things to do today. I was grateful to go to the park and visit with Ram and watch all the kiddos play together. I loved watching Teef and Eli hold hands. I'm grateful he got to hold a boy's hand today. Ram joked that we hope they still hold hands in high school.

But as I reflect on the day, I sure am grateful for it. I don't know if Eli will ever have a brother to hold his hand in this life. I know one day Joe and Eli will embrace. It will be a good day. 2 strong men of God. I can see it in my mind and have no doubt of their reunion.

 

I wonder why God is so good to fill my soul with hope and knowledge and comfort.

 

Nancy brought us cookies and a note. She is so kind to always remember.

 

I'm glad the day is over though. I need to do better about filling this day with service.

Frazier Falls Trail

 

After being homebound with sickies for a few days, we were feeling cooped up. I read online about an easy hike for kids. It was an hour away and absolutely beautiful! So refreshing and wonderful.

 

We took 395 N towards Quincy. I haven't been there in years! Everything was so green and lush. It was a fairy realm!

 

Eli decided to start peeing in front of some strangers. I was so embarrassed. Put your weenie away man. At least he didn't try doing anything off the side of the cliff.

 

 

 

Of course the waterfall was dried up. WE HAVE NO LUCK WITH WATERFALLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know what it is.

 

We enjoyed a picnic lunch where poor Maria totally biffed it. She literally ate dirt. She was so brave though, she didn't cry and held it together while I cleaned her up. After about 10 minutes some major thunder started so we decided to pack up.

 

The drama was that Christina had to use the bathroom but they of course are not regular flush toilets. Maria was with her to give her moral support and decided to start telling her stories about people that fell in or lost cell phones in toilets like these. Of course, perfect timing, another huge thunder claps and I hear Christina screaming bloody murder.

It was hilarious. Needless to say, she held it.

 

It was a crazy torrential downpour!! We were very blessed with safe travel. I felt like Baby Joe was clearing the way for us.

 

You know it's a good time when at least 1/2 the bunch falls asleep!