Upgrades!

School has started again....Yay!!!  happy day.  Don't get me wrong I love summer and the freedom that comes with it but there is something to be said with having a (semi) regular schedule for the kids.  Boredom was definitely kicking in and the kids really need to get back in a routine.

 

  Here are our recent upgrades. Liv is now a junior, Mr. E is in 7th grade, Sweet Pea is in 6th grade and Little A is in 3rd grade.  Now Sweet Pea and Little A have been in school for a month but Liv and Mr. E just started on Thursday.  So far everyone seems to be happy with their classes and teachers.

 Upgrades for me....

  Demolition time!

Before

My little helpers.

After!

I was fortunate enough to have someone give me some free granite.  Enough to do this small bathroom downstairs.  So I thought it was a perfect excuse to tear out our old tile counter tops (I hate tile!!!) and put in the granite.  I'm very pleased with the way it turned out.    But, of course, with any home improvement project, once you start something, you want to do more.  Now I want to paint the cabinets and redo the floors.  Maybe one day.....

Disneyland

We just recently returned from our family vacation to Disneyland.What a fun time we had. And more than just being a Disneyland, it was because we were all together again.  Recently G-man has moved out for the summer to work in another city as a "Bug Boy."  He is selling pest control door-to-door. This vacation was his choice as it will be our last family vacation before he leaves on his mission.  Here are just a few photos until I get the rest off of hubby's phone.  I love my family!!!

Craziness!

A couple weeks ago, I had my nephew here visiting.  He was kind enough to spend one of his last weeks before leaving on his mission with us.  I'd like to say that we had a great time when he was here, but I barely spent any time with him.  From the minute he got here to the minute he left, Gman and he were off on all sorts of adventures. Rock climbing, Golfing, Movies, Basketball, Six Flags, Golden Gate Bridge, Santa Cruz, The Mystery Spot, Baptisms and to top it all off Sky diving!  Which happens to be the only activity that I have pictures of because Gman paid for them.

 S & G on their way.  They had to wait around a few hours for the clouds to clear before they could jump.  (If I had that many hours to think about it, it wouldn't have happened.)

 One more little push.

 Geronimo!!
A year ago he was flying a plane, now he's jumping out of them!

Landing!  Whew! 

What an adventure these boys had.  I'm so grateful that these cousins get along so well and the memories they have created that they will never forget.

There's more.....

Not everyone looks to the date of April 15th as a happy one.  But for me it was a day that my first beautiful daughter was born.  I knew she was independent and ready to grow up from a very young age.  Walking by the time she was 9mo old.  Talking and potty trained by 18mo.  Reading by 4 yrs old.  She has just been ready to do her own thing as long as I can remember.
 I do have to admit that I wasn't really looking forward to this birthday, even though, it didn't come fast enough for Liv.  I tried canceling,  postponing, denial, tantrums, nothing seemed to work, the day still crept closer.  (Even as a tax payer I got an extra 2 days to file my taxes.)  But, alas, that is not the case with birthdays.  They come even when they are not welcomed.  For me that is.  However, for Liv, it was a much anticipated birthday.  For some turning 16 means driving, but for Liv it is all about the DATING!  She already had her first weekend booked before she even officially turned 16.

Without further ado, I give you my now 16 year old daughter.

Hee, hee,  just kidding. 

(Sorry you have to tilt your head to see this.  I tried editing it but it still came out this way when I uploaded it.)

Liv has recently adopted the cowgirl image.  Those boots were a birthday present to herself.  The dress and sweater a gift from me (From Goodwill for under $8 total)  that has been sitting in her closet for months because she couldn't wear it until she had the boots to complete the outfit!!!!  A friend gave her a cowboy hat but she's obviously not wearing at the moment.

I'm have now come to terms with her being 16.  I even threw

 her a surprise birthday party.  I think she had a great weekend.  Happy Sweet 16th Liv!!  Mama, loves you!

Birthday Mania!!

My baby is 8!

April 6th was a very important day in the life of this young man.  Not only was it his birthday, but he was also baptized.

 

Little A wanted his big brother Gman to baptize him.  As a mother, let me just say what an awesome experience this was for me. 

Friends being goofy!

 Oops! Starting cutting before I took a picture!

Love these boys!!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Pea!

 My apologies to my not so little Sweet Pea.  She just celebrated her 11th birthday  earlier this month but as normal I am posting this late.  I believe she had a wonderful birthday.

My girls!

 Here are some pictures of Sweet Pea's birthday gift.  First let me say that Sweet Pea loves horses and when she grows up, plans on having a farm somewhere in Tennessee and is saving all her money to buy one.  For her birthday she asked for cowboy boots. Of course, if you have cowboy boots you need a horse to ride!  Luckily I have a very sweet friend that has horses and let Sweet Pea come over to learn about taking care of horses and then for a riding lesson.  She was in heaven!

 My friend said that she was quite the natural on a horse and did very well for her first time.  We are working out a plan where she can go over to help take care of the horse in exchange for riding lessons.

 This is what happens when your older sister gets hold of you and dresses you up!  

(Note the boots!)

 

Now she just needs a hat! 

More growing pains...for mama!

Well, I think this post is more painful for me to write about than turning my keys over to G-man. 
This weekend Liv had her performance of State Fair that she is in.  She was gone just about all day Saturday.  She came home to this:

Ugh!!!!  I'm really not ready for my daughter to start dating!  As parents, Hubby and I have upheld our Churches standard which is not dating until they are 16.  I thought I was safe because the proms for our local schools are before her birthday, however, she has one friend that goes to school in a different school district and his prom is AFTER her birthday.   Now, it's the painful process of finding a modest dress, etc.  This is not easy for me!