Maile is 5....oh my!

Will I really have a 5 year old starting tomorrow? That would be yes. Where oh where did the time go? It doesn't seem that long ago that we were bringing her home from the hospital (finally) and now she is going to be headed to kindergarten. It's crazy! I think we can take a little stroll down memory lane to commemorate this exciting milestone in her little life.

Maile Angelina born July 25, 2005, 2lbs even and 13 inches. (ignore the dates on the pictures they are all wrong!)Daddy getting to hold MaileMommy and Daddy getting practice at the hospital without all the monitors so we could take Maile home...Maile's first day home...she did great, I was a wreck (one night practice was not enough!)Maile turns one! Little chunky monkey too, who know she was 2lbs at birth??We spent Maile's 2nd birthday in Seattle and Montana.Maile turned three with a party at the pool!Four years old, getting way too big...Now my baby has grown into a beautiful 5 year old.
I really am so lucky to have this little stinker in my life. She always surprises me, sometimes good, sometimes not so much but she is always entertaining. Maile loves to give kisses and she loves her siblings most of the time. I know she is going to be such a good helper with the new baby and I know she is going to shine in school. She thrives on positive feedback and always tries to make us proud. Which we are...sooo soo much. I would say Zach and I are pretty lucky to have such a little miracle bless our lives. Happy Birthday Maile!!

The Mountains

Last week we escaped the heat by traveling up to a picnic area in Mount Charleston with some friends. It is so pretty up there and I always forget how much we enjoy spending time up there. It is only an hour drive so I am going to really try to go up more often. It was fun just letting the kids loose to forage and explore the wilderness, they forgot all about how much they hate bugs which would make Daddy really happy! Can't wait to go back!

July 4th

My kids couldn't wait for "firework day", its all they could talk about all summer. We really had a blast yesterday and I am already looking forward to next year!

We moved....again!

What a relief to be in a home that we all like, that is big enough for our family and that is back in the area we love. It has been a trying two months for me and I am so glad we are settled. I think the worst feeling for a pregnant mama is not feeling ready for the baby and I was really stressed out not knowing where we were going to end up. But here we are and I feel relaxed and ready for all that is coming in the months ahead. First, Maile going to kindergarten, then Natalie popping out and then of course my favorite time of year. So much to look forward to!

Bowling....Sorta

Who knew that they had these awesome ball ramps that kids could use at the bowling ally so you don't have to sit there the whole time waiting for a ball to inch its way down the lane just for it to stop short of the pins. These things send the ball flying into pins and coupled with bumpers it gives the kids a pretty good rookie score. No turkey or anything but Maile was able to pick up a spare and they had some fun. Being a little burnt out or burnt literally from all the pool going last week we decided that some indoor fun was in store. I also needed some mom and sister time so it was the perfect combination for me and the kids. Here's to a Las Vegas summer! (btw don't let my chipmunk cheeks scare the crap out of you or your young children, looks like I have stored enough for two winters!).

Pool Rats

Since we are making the most of our quick move we are calling this itsy bitsy condo our summer rental... You know like people who pay to stay by the beach, well we are paying to stay next to a pool. That is the best way to look at our current situation. With that in mind we are also making the most of this 100 degree weather and went to the pool every day last week. The kids are having a blast and anyone who wants to swim at a clean pool with a clean potty (hard to come by at a public pool), you are welcome to join us!

Irritated

Why you may ask??

-Moving stinks
-Even worse when the washer goes out in the first week and now I have a gazillion loads of laundry waiting for Zach to hook up the new washer
-Even worse than that, at this point Zach cannot park his new truck in our new condo complex and I have to drive him too and from his truck.
-Allergies. Give it a rest already, and I am talking mostly to the wind who keeps stirring up the pollen!
-Sick kids are never fun.
-I have turned into a chubster this pregnancy but still feels icky if I don't eat.
-I can not longer sleep on my tummy
-Maile's baby talk has returned after months of being obsolete.

That sums it up pretty good. So now after writing all that out I feel better, I can even think of a few things that are easing the irritation, such as...

-All the kicking I am feeling from my baby girl
-Zach being extra sensitive since the move
-Not having to deal with the pigeons that were invading our last neighborhood
-Realizing how lucky we are that so many people would drop everything to come to our aid when we need them the most.

And that's it for today!

Sand and Surf

This week I decided to take my girls on an impromptu trip to visit my Aunt Lezlie who lives in Newport Beach. It sounded like so much fun that my sister and her three kiddos decided to join us for the ride. We all crammed, and that is not an understatement, into my car and took off. Nothing like road tripping with 6 kids ages 7 weeks to 4 years old. We got going on Tuesday and of course had to stop off and visit my grandma who lives in good old Barstow, CA. There are two things I love there, one being my grandma and two being a Del Taco that is the best you'll ever eat. Next it was off to Newport. I don't know about anyone else but there is a distinct California smell that fills your car as you get closer to the beach. It is probably one of my favorite smells ever, so full of memories from when I was a kid going to visit the beach. Ok so smells aside, we got to our destination and waited in anticipation for the morning, beach day #1. We visited San Clemente beach Wednesday and it was sort of a let down. The beach was pretty crappy due to all the storms and the sand was too rocky for our taste. Not to mention the swarm of bees that had me pregnant and sprinting through sand with a three year old in my arms. My back still hurts. And swarm means hundreds, not 20. Needless to say we packed up immediately. I was pretty bummed, I drove 4 hours to be attacked by one of my biggest fears! But no worries beach day #2 completely made the trip satisfying. Leave it to the locals to take you to the best beach spots. My Aunt Lezlie went with us and took us to this little cove in Laguna Beach and it was AMAZING. Fine sand, beautiful surf and a day of fun. My kids absolutely love playing in the sand, the water not so much. Maile told me she doesn't like Las Vegas anymore due to lack of beaches. I couldn't agree with her more. Anyhow we drove home that night, (last night) and it was slightly rough on the ears. After a certain point it seemed like if one kid wasn't wailing another would start up, but it was a small price to pay for a fun trip. Aunt Lezlie and her family are so gracious to host such a huge party of kiddos. It makes me so happy that my kids are getting a chance to have the same childhood memories I had of visiting Aunt Lezlie at the beach. Can't wait till next time!

Easter 2010

Too exhausted to type details but here are some pictures of our wonderful day!

16 Week Belly

Love that I look like I am 6 months preggo but oh well at least my lady lumps got bigger too. Here is my two days till sixteen weeks photo.

Coloring Easter Eggs

Today Grandma Liza, Auntie Sam, Aunt Lezlie, Jake and Leila came over for an egg coloring party. We had a yummy lunch and then got down to coloring eggs. It was a messy good time and we only cracked about half the eggs but the kids had fun and that's all that counts. Grandma then sat with all the kids and made some cool Easter crafts. Thanks Mom!