My goodness where does the time go? I can't believe how absolutely in love I am with this one year old.
April 30, 2011
Cubby turned 1
My goodness where does the time go? I can't believe how absolutely in love I am with this one year old.
April 29, 2011
Easter
We had way too much fun for Easter this year (aside from the fact that I broke one of the lenses on my camera. So I don't have many pictures. I'm waiting to get some from Ben and Ashley). Noah and Ben were on a trip so Ashley and their kids came down for the week! It was crazy with 6 kids all 6 and under but we had so much fun! The dad's returned on Friday and we got to spend Easter weekend with everyone! More on the week later.
Here is what I've got.
Some highlights-
-Dying eggs. very fun! no pictures...
-Easter baskets. very fun! no pictures...
-the Easter bunny left foot prints! very fun!
-Easter craft from the kids. very fun! no pictures...
-Egg Hunts! Our first egg hunt was a street egg hunt for those who could make it. We had another hunt inside the house with 12 eggs. In each one was a symbol of the Easter story with a scripture. The last hunt was in our yard. Some filled with treats, some coins (we ran out of candy!), and one lucky one with a dollar bill! The last 2 were with just our kids and Ben's and Ashley's kids. All very fun! One picture!
-making ties. I couldn't find any ties anywhere for little boys so I found a pattern a friend made and took matters into my own hands. Ashley made one too. That's what we did at night after the kids went down. Talked and made ties. Surprisingly, they turned out pretty cute. very fun! a picture of 2 of the finished products below.
-And most importantly, taking time to reflect on our Saviors mission here. I am so grateful for His atonement and resurrection. We are so incredibly blessed!
Here is what I've got.
Some highlights-
-Dying eggs. very fun! no pictures...
-Easter baskets. very fun! no pictures...
-the Easter bunny left foot prints! very fun!
-Easter craft from the kids. very fun! no pictures...
-Egg Hunts! Our first egg hunt was a street egg hunt for those who could make it. We had another hunt inside the house with 12 eggs. In each one was a symbol of the Easter story with a scripture. The last hunt was in our yard. Some filled with treats, some coins (we ran out of candy!), and one lucky one with a dollar bill! The last 2 were with just our kids and Ben's and Ashley's kids. All very fun! One picture!
This is maybe half of the kids on our street. I'm not even kidding.
Just our little cul-de-sac of 16 homes has 40 kids on it. 40! And only 5 or 6 of those are over 12.
My kids LOVE it. How can we move?!
Just our little cul-de-sac of 16 homes has 40 kids on it. 40! And only 5 or 6 of those are over 12.
My kids LOVE it. How can we move?!
-making ties. I couldn't find any ties anywhere for little boys so I found a pattern a friend made and took matters into my own hands. Ashley made one too. That's what we did at night after the kids went down. Talked and made ties. Surprisingly, they turned out pretty cute. very fun! a picture of 2 of the finished products below.
-And most importantly, taking time to reflect on our Saviors mission here. I am so grateful for His atonement and resurrection. We are so incredibly blessed!
April 17, 2011
Dentist
Is this embarrassing (if it is oh well) that this was Mckay's first visit to the dentist? And that the only reason we went is because he needs to turn in a form to his school saying he went? Maybe. But it was a whole lot of work to get there and keep 3 kids under control for some x-rays and a 15 minute cleaning. And do they have to take x-rays at his age? Am I too paranoid about that?I know, I know I could have just gotten a babysitter but I too often seem to think it will be easier to take everyone than to get a sitter. Hmmmm.
McKay was great! He was a great patient. Ready for the whole bit. He asked great questions and was very obedient. He even got to put his picture on the - I have no cavities - wall. The only bummer for him was that he wanted so badly for them to tell him that he had a loose tooth. He is certain that he has a loose tooth just waiting to come out. They didn't. He doesn't. But he wiggles it enough that he may cause it to get loose!
In between trying to hold Jacobson (octopus arms trying to grab anything he can), Lyla's stuffed dog, my purse, her purse, her entire tea party set and the plastic cupcakes she took from the front office, some paper work they thought would be helpful, McKay's goodie bag, and the 3 balloons they gave to us in a panic to help, I snapped a few pictures. You should have seen me searching for the keys with all that stuff. We were quite the scene. Balloons were flying to the ceiling. McKay broke down thinking he lost his balloon. Lyla was trying to fill her purse full with the rest of the office toys to bring home. Loosing things left and right because the purse was too full. As soon as I would put one thing back she would grab a few more in desperation. Cubby kept slipping from my arms and grabbing toys himself. It was just one of those times when nothing I did was working quite right. People were confused about how to help or something because they sat starring in shock. Not being rude just now sure how to intervene. We left them all with the grand finally of Lyla throwing her signature tantrum kicking and screaming across the floor. I had to make 3 trips to the car. Luckily I parked really close!
Before the madness.
Still hanging in there!
After all is said and done, I'm glad we went. It was a fun memory and McKay is more determined than ever to brush out the sugar bugs!
McKay was great! He was a great patient. Ready for the whole bit. He asked great questions and was very obedient. He even got to put his picture on the - I have no cavities - wall. The only bummer for him was that he wanted so badly for them to tell him that he had a loose tooth. He is certain that he has a loose tooth just waiting to come out. They didn't. He doesn't. But he wiggles it enough that he may cause it to get loose!
In between trying to hold Jacobson (octopus arms trying to grab anything he can), Lyla's stuffed dog, my purse, her purse, her entire tea party set and the plastic cupcakes she took from the front office, some paper work they thought would be helpful, McKay's goodie bag, and the 3 balloons they gave to us in a panic to help, I snapped a few pictures. You should have seen me searching for the keys with all that stuff. We were quite the scene. Balloons were flying to the ceiling. McKay broke down thinking he lost his balloon. Lyla was trying to fill her purse full with the rest of the office toys to bring home. Loosing things left and right because the purse was too full. As soon as I would put one thing back she would grab a few more in desperation. Cubby kept slipping from my arms and grabbing toys himself. It was just one of those times when nothing I did was working quite right. People were confused about how to help or something because they sat starring in shock. Not being rude just now sure how to intervene. We left them all with the grand finally of Lyla throwing her signature tantrum kicking and screaming across the floor. I had to make 3 trips to the car. Luckily I parked really close!
Before the madness.
Still hanging in there!
After all is said and done, I'm glad we went. It was a fun memory and McKay is more determined than ever to brush out the sugar bugs!
April 14, 2011
Disney, Beach and fun family
My sister and her family came for a quick visit the week of conference. The only problem about them coming is that I never want them to go. Thurs-Sun morning. Three and a half days is never enough time to spend with them but we'll take what we can get. They've got 4 kids. We've got 3. So, on Thursday morning Noah was at work so Jeff, Stacy and I loaded the cars full of 7 children, one stroller (my double had a hole in a tire), some carrots, and a few PBJs, some empty sunscreen bottles, our running shoes on and headed to Disneyland! Us grown-ups were so excited. We had a kick in our step and were revved to go! The kids were too but not until a little later in the day. It started out kind of rough for them. We kept them up way too late the night before and the sun was brutal. They were cranky and sweltering. Rough combo. We waited in line for at least 45 min and finally got to front to get on when Lyla decided to throw her first fit. I had Cubby strapped on to me in the eurgo and had to hold Lyla like a football kicking and screaming. They had to hold the ride to get us off. Notice Lyla's binki in the next 2 pitcures. That was her sedater. Worked like a charm. (but we took it away for good last night. more on the binki farewell later.) This is after the first ride. The kids ran for the oasis. Good thing Jeff was coming over with the water because I'm pretty sure drinking the fountain was the next step.
After the second ride. We're thinking, Oh no. It's going to be a loooong day. Us revved and giddy grown-ups were also behind the camera giggling.
This picture was really over exposed so I tried to save it by making it black and white but I loved it because it adds to the madness. Here the 2 older boys were dominating the stroller. Stacy's got Spencer in the back reading the map, Shayla on his lap needing some assistance and McKay on a joy ride watching his cousin and sister walk sluggishly on the side.
Oh wait we did have one more stroller. How could I forget! These things are a huge pain and a much needed lifesaver to bring to places like Disneyland. Especially during nap time.
Too bad we didn't have the strollers when these 2 fell asleep. Well, too bad for Stacy and Noah! Noah joined us towards the end of the day. Yeah! He was immediately put on Lyla duty. But it's hard to feel bad about it when he LOVES Lyla duty! I love it too but...you know!
Jeff just tried to sneak in a nap when we could. He has a lot on his plate right now. He is a Bishop, took a new position at work to help with the continental/united merger, is getting ready to move his family, travels a ton right now and that's only the half of it. If only we had a stroller for him too! Shucks.
After nap time the day picked up quite a bit. And what's better than seeing Mickey himself?!
No one dared to go on the tea cups but Stacy. She wanted in! I She convinced the other 3 to go with her.
I just can't get over Noah's incredible sense of style. I don't have much room to talk but check this out. To his credit, he forgot his shoes but this is so Noah. And forgetting somethings like your shoes or wallet is not too unfamiliar either. But man is he ever good with all the kids.
We snuck in this group photo right before Noah and I fled with the younger 5 kids. They were excited for baths and pjs.
Now this is a good combo! Not just good. A great one! They stayed for a few more hours and came home with the same kick in their step that they started with. All 4 of them!
We picked the hottest day to go to the theme parks and the coolest day to hit the beach. It was freezing. But that did not stop the kids or the dads at all. They were being chased by the waves.
And the daring ones got taken down by those waves.
These suits were last years Easter present from my mom. Glad she got them a little big so we can use them again this year. These boys had fun together.
And the group. What a group!
After the second ride. We're thinking, Oh no. It's going to be a loooong day. Us revved and giddy grown-ups were also behind the camera giggling.
This picture was really over exposed so I tried to save it by making it black and white but I loved it because it adds to the madness. Here the 2 older boys were dominating the stroller. Stacy's got Spencer in the back reading the map, Shayla on his lap needing some assistance and McKay on a joy ride watching his cousin and sister walk sluggishly on the side.
Oh wait we did have one more stroller. How could I forget! These things are a huge pain and a much needed lifesaver to bring to places like Disneyland. Especially during nap time.
Too bad we didn't have the strollers when these 2 fell asleep. Well, too bad for Stacy and Noah! Noah joined us towards the end of the day. Yeah! He was immediately put on Lyla duty. But it's hard to feel bad about it when he LOVES Lyla duty! I love it too but...you know!
Jeff just tried to sneak in a nap when we could. He has a lot on his plate right now. He is a Bishop, took a new position at work to help with the continental/united merger, is getting ready to move his family, travels a ton right now and that's only the half of it. If only we had a stroller for him too! Shucks.
After nap time the day picked up quite a bit. And what's better than seeing Mickey himself?!
No one dared to go on the tea cups but Stacy. She wanted in! I She convinced the other 3 to go with her.
I just can't get over Noah's incredible sense of style. I don't have much room to talk but check this out. To his credit, he forgot his shoes but this is so Noah. And forgetting somethings like your shoes or wallet is not too unfamiliar either. But man is he ever good with all the kids.
We snuck in this group photo right before Noah and I fled with the younger 5 kids. They were excited for baths and pjs.
Now this is a good combo! Not just good. A great one! They stayed for a few more hours and came home with the same kick in their step that they started with. All 4 of them!
We picked the hottest day to go to the theme parks and the coolest day to hit the beach. It was freezing. But that did not stop the kids or the dads at all. They were being chased by the waves.
And the daring ones got taken down by those waves.
These suits were last years Easter present from my mom. Glad she got them a little big so we can use them again this year. These boys had fun together.
And the group. What a group!
April 11, 2011
A night out on our spring break
Last week Noah went to Chile for a few days and then flew back to San Diego to spend the rest of the week down there for a conference. We were anxious to see him and he was anxious to see us. So we drove down to San Diego to go with him to an event at one of the schools he works with and stayed for a night with him in his hotel room. It was a lot of fun but it was a looo-oh-oong night. This is how our night/day went.
3:30pm- Get off the phone with Noah requesting for us to meet him in South County San Diego by 6pm.
4:30-Wrestle the kids into their car seats with our things thrown in a bag (after going back-and-forth a few dozen times) and pull out of the drive way.
6:00pm- Arrive (right on time) at the school "Garden Party." We thought it was similar to a school's carnival so we dressed very casually and brought all 3 kids. I was in flip flops and the kids were in dirty clothes with lunch still smeared on their faces and Cubby reeked of spit up (which resembles throw up more and more these days). Luckily I forgot to bring Noah a t-shirt and he had his work clothes on or we may not have gone in. The Garden Party was a dinner/fundraiser for the first garden at a school in all of Chula Vista. Everyone was in slacks and dresses! I was a little relieved to see a few kids there but they of course were older and in their Sunday best. The Superintendent was there along with the mayor and many more supporters for the school. There were at least 100 people there. I was mortified!
7:00pm- Bedtime for the kids. Still at the party. I tried to camouflage the kids and myself in the back but no can do. Noah insisted on introducing us to everyone he knew and of course we stayed until the bitter end. I started cleaning up with the clean up crew.
8:00ish pm- Brinking on the bitter end. Try to convince our kids to put down the hordes of cupcakes they were diving into and head out to the car to get to the hotel.
8:30pm- Pull up to the hotel in 2 cars. Valet style but of course we don't want to pay for the valet. So the kids and I sit and wait while we block traffic and wait for Noah to check in.
9:02pm- Noah comes out and says he's been trying to convince them to lower the self parking price. $22 per car!! per day! What?! We got a steal of a deal on the room but definitely not one on parking! That's just awful!
9:07pm- We self park into the valet parking lot. get stopped and corrected. we turn around.
9:17pm- Safely make it into a parking space and juggle our belongings and our kids into the room. On their sugar high.
9:45ish pm- PJs are on. Baby is on a bed we made for him on the closet floor hoping he wouldn't slide the doors open all night and crawl out. Other two kids finished bouncing on the bed and are trying to fall asleep.
9:46pm- Lights out. Noah and I are tiptoeing in the dark trying to find our own PJs, brush our teeth, etc. without revving up the kids again. Baby tapping on the closet door.
9:59pm- Our date night was sitting in the bathroom whisper-talking about what's been happening since he's been gone.
11:08pm- Head to bed. My mind is racing. I can't get it to turn off or even slow down for another couple of hours. The baby still occasionally tapping on the closet doors.
12:51am- Last time I checked the clock. Must have faded shortly after.
2:04am- Baby whimpering and tapping. I lay awake hoping he'll fade back to sleep, needing to go to the bathroom but don't dare because I don't want to stir the baby or wake anyone else up.
2:16am- Noah hears the baby and wakes up. He gets right up and heads straight for the bathroom. I panic!
2:16am- He turns on the bathroom light! What!?!
2:17am- Flush! Ahhhh!
My heart is pounding.
2:18am- Noah is back asleep and miraculously none of the kids are awake. Phew!!
My heart still pounding.
2:32am- I'm finally fast asleep.
3:58am- Fire alarm goes off!!!!! Flashing lights and everything!! I burst the covers off in a panic! Run to the door and see that all the alarms are going off! Noah's is up pacing! McKay is up and scared! Cubby is crying! and Lyla is in a deep deep sleep!
4:00am- Hotel false alarm announcement. Alarms still going off. Another announcement. Alarms. Announcement. Alarms. Lyla still sleeping!
4:07am- Alarms and announcements cease. McKay is back asleep. Baby is calm and falling asleep. Lyla is still asleep.
4:08am- Noah and I look at each other and start laughing our heads off as quietly as we can. Man it's hard to keep quiet when your laughing like that!
4:11am- I nudge Noah and ask if he thinks Lyla could fall out of the bed. He says no. She'll be fine.
I dosed off sometime after that.
5:03am- Lyla falls out of the bed! She is crying. Noah and I jump up and Noah puts her back in bed.
6:30am- Sunrise. Kids are jumping on our bed ready to welcome the day!
This is us at a breakfast place that morning...We just went in our PJs!
3:30pm- Get off the phone with Noah requesting for us to meet him in South County San Diego by 6pm.
4:30-Wrestle the kids into their car seats with our things thrown in a bag (after going back-and-forth a few dozen times) and pull out of the drive way.
6:00pm- Arrive (right on time) at the school "Garden Party." We thought it was similar to a school's carnival so we dressed very casually and brought all 3 kids. I was in flip flops and the kids were in dirty clothes with lunch still smeared on their faces and Cubby reeked of spit up (which resembles throw up more and more these days). Luckily I forgot to bring Noah a t-shirt and he had his work clothes on or we may not have gone in. The Garden Party was a dinner/fundraiser for the first garden at a school in all of Chula Vista. Everyone was in slacks and dresses! I was a little relieved to see a few kids there but they of course were older and in their Sunday best. The Superintendent was there along with the mayor and many more supporters for the school. There were at least 100 people there. I was mortified!
7:00pm- Bedtime for the kids. Still at the party. I tried to camouflage the kids and myself in the back but no can do. Noah insisted on introducing us to everyone he knew and of course we stayed until the bitter end. I started cleaning up with the clean up crew.
8:00ish pm- Brinking on the bitter end. Try to convince our kids to put down the hordes of cupcakes they were diving into and head out to the car to get to the hotel.
8:30pm- Pull up to the hotel in 2 cars. Valet style but of course we don't want to pay for the valet. So the kids and I sit and wait while we block traffic and wait for Noah to check in.
9:02pm- Noah comes out and says he's been trying to convince them to lower the self parking price. $22 per car!! per day! What?! We got a steal of a deal on the room but definitely not one on parking! That's just awful!
9:07pm- We self park into the valet parking lot. get stopped and corrected. we turn around.
9:17pm- Safely make it into a parking space and juggle our belongings and our kids into the room. On their sugar high.
9:45ish pm- PJs are on. Baby is on a bed we made for him on the closet floor hoping he wouldn't slide the doors open all night and crawl out. Other two kids finished bouncing on the bed and are trying to fall asleep.
9:46pm- Lights out. Noah and I are tiptoeing in the dark trying to find our own PJs, brush our teeth, etc. without revving up the kids again. Baby tapping on the closet door.
9:59pm- Our date night was sitting in the bathroom whisper-talking about what's been happening since he's been gone.
11:08pm- Head to bed. My mind is racing. I can't get it to turn off or even slow down for another couple of hours. The baby still occasionally tapping on the closet doors.
12:51am- Last time I checked the clock. Must have faded shortly after.
2:04am- Baby whimpering and tapping. I lay awake hoping he'll fade back to sleep, needing to go to the bathroom but don't dare because I don't want to stir the baby or wake anyone else up.
2:16am- Noah hears the baby and wakes up. He gets right up and heads straight for the bathroom. I panic!
2:16am- He turns on the bathroom light! What!?!
2:17am- Flush! Ahhhh!
My heart is pounding.
2:18am- Noah is back asleep and miraculously none of the kids are awake. Phew!!
My heart still pounding.
2:32am- I'm finally fast asleep.
3:58am- Fire alarm goes off!!!!! Flashing lights and everything!! I burst the covers off in a panic! Run to the door and see that all the alarms are going off! Noah's is up pacing! McKay is up and scared! Cubby is crying! and Lyla is in a deep deep sleep!
4:00am- Hotel false alarm announcement. Alarms still going off. Another announcement. Alarms. Announcement. Alarms. Lyla still sleeping!
4:07am- Alarms and announcements cease. McKay is back asleep. Baby is calm and falling asleep. Lyla is still asleep.
4:08am- Noah and I look at each other and start laughing our heads off as quietly as we can. Man it's hard to keep quiet when your laughing like that!
4:11am- I nudge Noah and ask if he thinks Lyla could fall out of the bed. He says no. She'll be fine.
I dosed off sometime after that.
5:03am- Lyla falls out of the bed! She is crying. Noah and I jump up and Noah puts her back in bed.
6:30am- Sunrise. Kids are jumping on our bed ready to welcome the day!
This is us at a breakfast place that morning...We just went in our PJs!
April 10, 2011
April 7, 2011
Family and Friends
While I am on the topic of visitors...I've got a few more to put up here. Our great friends the Koplins came a little while back. They are repeats on this blog. I've said it once and I'll say it again, they are a total blast! Every single one of them!
You may notice the ever so impressive all star, Charity in this picture! We not only got to see her too but we got to spend a couple of days with her trying to soak in her pizazz! She was considering a job opportunity in Orange County and oh man how fun would that be to have her close to us. But for now San Fransisco is the place for her.
We got to have a tiny overlap with Jonah and Aja's family too. We are so lucky that Aja's mom lives pretty close so with her and us living here we've been able to catch them a few times lately! We are always left inspired.
I snuck this one in of Aja.
You may notice the ever so impressive all star, Charity in this picture! We not only got to see her too but we got to spend a couple of days with her trying to soak in her pizazz! She was considering a job opportunity in Orange County and oh man how fun would that be to have her close to us. But for now San Fransisco is the place for her.
We got to have a tiny overlap with Jonah and Aja's family too. We are so lucky that Aja's mom lives pretty close so with her and us living here we've been able to catch them a few times lately! We are always left inspired.
I snuck this one in of Aja.
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