HE DID IT!

He made it to the spelling bee, great job Hunter!

Because I Have Been Given Much…..

These past few months with the election have been brutal. I never expected to get so emotionally involved, but I did. And for great reason- my children. My nieces. My nephews and my friend’s children. They have all been at the forefront of my mind during this time.
I am grateful prop 8 passed. And for now, we are still able to enjoy religious freedom, parental rights and that traditional marriage is what is being recognized. I am grateful to all of the"soldiers" who worked fervently doing whatever was asked of them even when it was uncomfortable. I could literally feel the strength of those that lined 2 sides of the street for a 1/2 a mile standing for what is right. I feel like i am a little stronger and that my kids are a little stronger because we have been united in doing what is morally right, not what is politcally right. I feel blessed to have a husband who feels the same way I do. When the prophet speaks he does not hesitate to move forward, but he runs. And he runs with his whole heart and conviction.




This is one of my favorite hymns. It is a great reminder of how incredibly blessed I am. And to always- always be grateful.

Because I have been given much, I too must give;
Because of thy great bounty Lord, each day I live
I shall divide my gifts from thee
With every brother that I see
Who has the need of help from me.

Because I have been sheltered, fed, by thy good care,
I cannot see another’s lack and I not share
My glowing fire, my loaf of bread,
My roofs safe shelter overhead,
That he too may be comforted.

Because I have been blessed by thy great love, dear Lord,
I’ll share thy love again, according to thy word.
I shall give love to those in need;
I’lll show that love by word and deed:
Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.

Hope you've got some time.......

because this is a long one, so here ya go.

Shaylee has been busy cheering for her brothers football team and of course playing soccer.



We never know what this one is going to do next.....she is definitely a star on the field, and makes our soccer filled Saturday's more exciting to watch!


I have been able to enjoy a few late night trips to Pinkberry with some great friends.....





Jamie and Rachel's first time, i think they liked it!!



Here are a few pictures from our girls sleepover. It was so much fun, with SO much food of course. I wish i would have gotten pictures of a few of us trying to start a fire in the fire pit.....great memories! Who's house next year???
Here's Kaye at her "spot" for the night :)



I'm sorry Laura, but i had to! You're beautiful even when your surprised :) I didn't take very many pictures, mainly because i still can't figure out all the waaay too many features on my camera!

Here's Shannon trying to show us her Rock Star Nails. so sad it's blurry, but i'm posting it anyway!!

Kelly getting her Rock Star Nails on.

These beauties are all from Shane's side of the family. We've got my Mother-in law, sister in laws, aunts, cousins, and cousin in laws. We were able to help the economy some in San Diego. We did a WHOLE lot of shopping, eating and had great conversations. Love these ladies and i am so glad i get to call them family.







We've got double digits baby! The big 10 for Hunter. His day consisted of 2 morning soccer games, his first football game and his very own store bought cake accompanied by family for dinner. It was another crazy fun Saturday. But he did get his birthday wish for one last lake trip (i'll post those pictures later) We love you Hunter and are so proud of all the effort you have been putting into school and home, you have the biggest heart and i love when you and i get to go on "dates" and have great conversations. You are sensitive and i love that about you! We are so blesssed to have you as part of our family. xoxo

Doesn't he look so thrilled to have me hanging on him?





Lot's of soccer for cade. This boy is really enjoying soccer and is now taking his games very seriously. We have recently discovered that with a little incentive ($$) he will score goals at will. Money talks for this one....

just missing her...........

Ginger Dee

Cade, Cade, Cade............

I pick up Cade from school this afternoon and proceed to have a conversation about his day. It went something like this:

Me: Did you make any new friends?

Cade: Yes....I think.

Me: Well, what are their names?

Cade: Alex maybe.....

Me: (Moving on, after going through names of kids that i know of in the class) Okay- so what about your table, who sits at your table?

Cade: Umm...a boy, a girl, another boy and a babe.

A babe?! Seriously! This kid is too much! I'm already starting to get anxiety's about the dating years!

And So We Begin.........Again

Shaylee got the same teacher Hunter had for 2nd grade & was soo happy!

Hunter the big 5th grader! Look how big he is getting.....so sad! He was mostly excited to see his friends and to have his little brother at the same school with him.


Cade's big day, first day of Kindergarten. He was so excited he almost forgot to kiss me goodbye-little stinker!

And of course he had no problems trying out all the fun new toys on the playground.

HERE HE COMES!! So happy, he likes his teacher, his new friends (even if he can't remember their names)and his first day of school.

Land O' Lakes

These pictures are all out of order, but here they are anyway, enjoy!

July 15-19 Lake Nacimiento
Crazy Cade doin his thing



Hull and Cuillard Families. We made it 4 days (5 nights) in a double wide trailer with 9 kids and 4 adults!! We had a lot of fun and can't wait to do it again soon!!


Hunter couldn't get enough time wakeboarding. We would get to the lake at about 9:30 and not leave until 7:00 the kids were in heaven!








Shay Bear keepin up with the boy's of course.           

Day trip to Lake Castaic with the Cuillards

And finally, our family trip to Lake Powell. Life is Good........

New Zealand

Back to civilization!! We LOVED Tonga but excited for a nice shower without worms/bugs in it, a/c, nice and healthy food, (the kind with preservatives in it :>) etc. NEW ZEALAND has got to be the cleanest and greenest place on earth. It was fall there (opposite our seasons) so it was cool weather for us and lots of rain. The greatest part about N.Z was we got to be there with my parents, Shane's parents and Aunt & Uncle.

Here we are picking up our new home for 7 days. Let's just say this was by far the best way to see everything we wanted to see, but a bit too cramped with rainy weather conditions.




Waitomo Caves, where we took our tour of caves with glo-worms in them.










One warm day the boys were able to surf.









Temple



Shane did great driving. Not only did he have to get used to driving on the right, he had to do it in a motorhome that was stick shift therefore using his left hand to shift! It made for lots of laughs and only twice did we have to tell him to get on the right side of the road!

A little more Tonga

This little beauty is what my great uncle took us and 5 other family members in to have a picnic on a beautiful desserted island. By picnic i mean everything from the land: left over pig from dinner the night before,which some younger boys caught in the front yard, "bopped" over the head and cooked on spit fire right there! Fish he caught while on our own private island, and roots from the land there. Amazing

Shane was in heaven! We did make it to the other island without having to throw anyone over board. Notice the tags on the boat? A long way from home that boat is........






Happy Family! (minus one!)








By far the best part; seeing my children give the children of Koloa school supplies and the expression on the kids faces, priceless. Koloa is a tiny island my grandma grew up on. 1 school, 2 classrooms. Such a poor people, the rate of unemployment there is like 70% , but they are happy and life is simple.

Tonga

A few of my favorite pictures from Tonga.





























Hunter and his "pillow". Poor guy was a sweaty mess.





Tongan Air Traffic Control.........Comforting.......
Cade and his coconuts. He loved collecting all the green coconuts,  as they are the best to drink







I love that he still wants to hold his daddy's hand.