Family Pictures 2012

 

 

iPhone Memory

I love that when I go back a scroll through my phone photo's I find so many pictures of things that might otherwise be forgotten. Anyhow, just did a download of the last few months, here are some of the highlights.

 

One of my very best friends in the whole wide world got married in September.  It was such a beautiful wedding and so much fun.  I was as a bridesmaid and all four of my girls got to be flower girls.  They will never forget that Jasmine wanted them in her wedding, they are still talking about it on a regular basis.  Thank you Jasmine for making their year! 

 

Alexis, Maile and Rebecca started dance in September and all three girls are really enjoying it which is good, but I am also happy Rebecca said she still wants to play soccer.  I am hoping to have at least of one of my girls love soccer as much as I do. Until then I am content watching my pretty little ballerinas.

 Zach and I recently got away for the weekend and headed to Newport Beach for a conference and some alone time.  It was a quick, inspirational, educational and fun weekend. 

 Bite of Las Vegas featured my old school favorite band, Matchbox 20. I didn't want to go alone so I begged my sister Anna to go with me.  Even though she was a few days post surgery on ther thyroid,  she came and brought Sammy also.  We ended up having a pretty good time despite the huge crowd of crazies that apparently love Matchbox 20 also. 

 Natalie just hanging out at Town Square. We try to do something fun at least one day a week, otherwise we are cooped up studying-thank goodness this semester is almost over!

 Big girl time is hard to come by so when we get a chance, I like to take advantage of it.  It is a very different dynamic when I don't have a toddler needing most of my attention.  This was a fun afternoon, just climbing the Mt. Edge hill.  Love the sun rays shining down on my precious girls. 

 Conference day.  So interesting learning what each of their strong points are in school.  Alexis is blowing first grade out of the water.  Pretty sure she is going to be board by the end of the year.  Maile is excelling in reading but having some struggles with math.  Rebecca is excelling in the friend department but will need to buckle down on all her work. 

 

Last but not least, here is Zachary in his Halloween costume.  He spent the holiday with his mom this year but I did get to take him to pick out his costume and I was so excited he was ok with being a NERD.  I think he looks adorable!

Halloween

Halloween is always such a fun holiday for our family and even though I had to go take a exam right in the middle of everything, it all turned out perfect. 

When my mom said she would make the girls costumes this year I knew exactly what they were going to be.  They love the Tinkerbell movies and have been wanting to be fairies for a long time.  It worked out very good. Mom did an amazing job making the girls costumes, she worked very hard to get them done and they turned out so good! 

 Since I had a test and my Mom had to work my sister Lezlie drove all the way to our house just so we could get all the kids together for some pictures.  I am so happy that we got to see them even if it was just for a few minutes.  They all looked so darn cute dressed up. 

After pictures I drove my mom to work and took her car to take my test.  I was a few minutes late but oh well, who plans a test on Halloween anyhow.  While I was at school Zach took the girls and started trick or treating.  He got to take them where he wanted to go, I am sure he was loving making the decisions.  When I got done with my test I was able to meet up with them and didn't miss much since they happened to go to this awesome neighborhood pretty close to school.  There were some houses here that were completely decorated, it was really cool.  The highlight of the night was the big girls going with their daddy into a haunted house.  Maile kept reassuring her sisters that the scary people were just wearing costumes.  Smart girl. 

When we were done trick or treating we had to take my Mom's car back to her work.  The girls wanted to check out the hospital so they went with me to take her her keys.  It was so funny when we walked into the hospital Natalie asked, "what happened to Grandma?"  I didn't realize that she knew what a hospital was and  that people who go there usually have something wrong.  She is such a funny girl.  Good ending to a really fun night!

Mountain Air

 

I love what a little nature and fresh air can do to improve one's outlook and behavior.  I love that spending time together as a family helps us remember what we like about one another (especailly if the car ride was less than stellar).  It is fun being able to do things that we were not always able to do when we had three toddlers at one time.  We had a great day up in Mount Charleston, breathing in the crisp cool air, admiring the pretty fall colors and expending lots of energy climbing, jumping and playing.  It was a very nice day, one I will not soon forget!

 

 

 

 

 

All Natalie wanted to do was walk across logs and then jump off of them.

Men always needing to show off how strong they are!



Mark Fine Elementary Trunk or Treat

The Halloween season is in full swing.  The girl's school had their annual trunk or treat this past Friday.  The girls had "the best time ever" and it was fun watching them play with all their school friends.  I wish their fairy costumes were finished but they were pretty happy that they got to pick out an additional costume for the T or T.  They sure looked cute all dressed up and Natalie was so funny just running around dancing the whole time.  This year was especially fun since Daddy wasn't working.  It is always nice when I have a partner to help tag team crazy events like this. 

Pumpkin Patch 2012

Last we week did our annual trip to the pumpkin patch with some of our good friends.  The kids look forward to this night all year long.  I look forward to this night all year long as well.  The entire month of October gets me pretty excited so I am happy to take part in all things that have to to with fall and Halloween.   

Unfortunately Zachary missed our family picture, his Mom dropped him off after we took most of the pictures, he did however get there in time for the group picture of all the kids. 

After so many years of going the kids know what us Moms want. Sit nice for pictures and be rewarded with your tickets for games and rides.

The twins decided to be brave this year and do the trampoline jumpy harness thingy and they had a blast.  Those girls sure are different that their big sister Maile who tends to be on the more cautious side. 

 After the pumpkin patch we headed back to our house,  ate some yummy chill and hot dogs then played a little bit of homemade pictionary.  The kids watched a couple movies, ran around a ton and joined us at the end of our game.  It was a really good night of fun, food and friends.



Study Buddy

I have been feeling pretty overwhelmed lately with my classes this semester.  Its seems as if I am studying every single day for a test of some sort.  I love going to school but I sure miss the feeling of having nothing to do.  Today I took a break from studying...sounds nice right? 

 

 Until I tell you that my break from studying meant that I could fold  laundry and clean up my messy upstairs.  Not the kind of break I like!  As a matter of fact I should probably be studying right now for my Microbiology test tomorrow.  I will just convince myself that blogging is therapeutic and if I get all my thoughts out there will be vacant space for more information when I study tomorrow.

 

 Onto the better reason for my post, I just want to remember that Natalie is such a good girl when I am glued to my books or the computer for hours on end.  She is the best independent player I have ever had.  She just plays and plays even if it is by herself.  I am really amazed at what a good girl she is and it makes me sad that I have not been able to do as much with her since school started.

Birthday Lunch

On Alexis and Rebecca's actual birthday my mom and I got to bring them a Happy Meal for lunch and we passed out cookies to their classes.  They sure did feel special eating their yummy lunch and wearing their cool birthday crowns their teachers gave them.  It was all they could talk about all day!  I am so glad they had such a good birthday this year even if they have to always share their day!

A Triple Birthday Party

 Alexis is in charge.  She is the sister everyone listens to.  She is so smart, there is no fooling this girl.  Alexis is funny, sassy and stubborn.  She is outgoing and a born leader.  Alexis and I butt heads and she wins a lot!  Alexis is going to do just fine when she is old enough to be on her own, I will not have to worry, she will be kicking butt and taking names.  Alexis feels emotion so strong, her passion is a gift.  I adore this 6 year old girl.

Rebecca, my girly girl.  She is dainty and darling.  She loves to be pretty, loves to dress up, loves being a lady.  Rebecca is inquisitive, she wants to know more than what we tell her, she is always asking questions.  Rebecca is very sweet but has a spicy side to her when she is mad.  Rebecca takes care of her baby sister, and is always  concerned about others feelings.  Rebecca is the ultimate Daddy's girl.  I love Rebecca!!

Natalie is two.  That is crazy.  This funny, sweet, smart girl is supposed to be my baby forever!  I wish time would freeze right here and now.  Natalie is a natural comedian, she loves the attention she receives from being funny.  Natalie is becoming bossy with her older sisters, she is done putting up with them telling her what to do.  Natalie loves Yo Gabba Gabba and Fresh Beat Band.  She sings the songs along with them.  Natalie thinks the iPad is hers and she doesn't need help getting to her shows or games.  Natalie is still a great eater and still a horrible sleeper.  I sure spoiled this girl and now we are paying for it every night when she ends up kicking us in the face while we try to sleep with her squished between us.  Natalie is a talker, she copies everything we say and then some.  She loves to play pretend in her kitchen and she has gotten the most use out of our doll house for sure.  This little girl really has been such a blessing to our family.  She helps everyone love a little more, smile a little more and certainly laugh a ton more.  Happy Birthday to my new toddler!

 

For the girls birthday's we decided to throw a last minute party for all three girls at the same time.  It sure turned out good for being planned the night before, and thanks for such a great turn out even though I sprung it on everyone the day before.  We are lucky to have such awesome family and friends.  It was a really nice evening just hanging out enjoying good food and each other's company.