Two thumbs up!!

Well I just got back from dining with a few friends at Cafe Rio for my first time and the review is a good one. It was delish! I only wish my kids would have sat still long enough for me to polish off the nice tortilla surprise at the end of my salad but it was probably for the better that I didn't stuff myself too much! Thanks to the girls who opened up my eyes to such a fun little place! Can't wait to return! Nothing like awesome food and good conversation!

Maile's Prayer

Daddy was in Zion all weekend and at dinner last night while awaiting his safe return home Maile offered up a beautiful dinnertime prayer

"Father, thank you for this day, thank you for food, please daddy come home, Jesus Christ, Amen."

We can list this moment under things that make mommies eyes well up!

Back to School for Mommy!

It is decided! I am going to go back to school starting in the spring! I made the decision about two weeks ago and even got myself down to the community college for the Nursing Orientation that is required for the nursing program. Thankfully I have most of my prerequisites out of the way from my two years at UNR and I only have 5 classes to take before I can apply for the nursing program! Right now the plan is to take it slow, one class per semester at night so I don't have to stress about what I am going to do with the kids while I am at school. The great thing is it will all be according to how fast I want to go! If I decide that I can handle more than one class then I will take more but the ultimate goal would be to be practicing nursing in just under 4 years!

Enough is Enough!

It just doesn't seem right that just a day or two after one starts to feel better one of the others starts up with something! Can't we just be well!????

Party for Two!

This past Sunday we celebrated the Alexis and Rebecca's birthday with a small family party at our house. They had lots of fun playing with their family and they especially loved their presents! Thank you to everyone who helped make their day so special!

Two Two Year Olds!

To say that the past two years have been exciting would be an understatement! Having two babies at once is probably the coolest thing I will ever do. From the moment that I heard the sweet sound of them crying in the OR I was in love with my tiny baby girls. We endured more NICU life and this time around it was even harder with a 1 year old at home. We handled two cleft palate surgeries and recovered. Even with such big ups and downs we have made the most of the past two years and Alexis and Rebecca are amazing, sweet, adorable, huggable little toddlers now! I can easily speak for Zach when I say that we truly were blessed to have this miracle enter our life. Two sets of feet kicking my ribs, two sets of hands reaching for Mommy, two hungry mouths to feed, 40 fingers and toes to count, two beautiful personalities to play with or contend with, really I could go on all day but double everything really is a bonus of the greatest kind!
Alexis Nalani or Lexi is so much fun to have around! She is somewhat of a mini comedian and always makes us laugh. It is also such a surprise to see how brave and adventurous she is. She is the leader and she has the take charge kind of spirit. She is also so polite! She never forgets to thank us for the things we do even the little things. Lexi is my good eater, my good sleeper and basically has been pretty easy going and just so lovable!
Rebecca Leahi or Becca is my little pet. She is a Mommies girl or Daddies girl but like to be close either way. Becca is shy, a follower and will wait for Lexi to test the water before she will go near. Becca is non negotable, things are the way she wants it or you better watch out! She loves to be tickled and can be so sweet! She has recently turned into a little chatter box with so much to say. Becca can make you smile by just thinking about her little spitfire ways. She really is the opposite of her sister but they make a great balance. I couldn't be a luckier Mommy!

Family Night Out

All last week Alexis and Rebecca were not feeling good so we were cooped up in the house pretty much non-stop so Zach suggested that on Friday night we take the girls out to eat and to the Shark Reef. It was a blast! We started out eating pizza at Joe's New York Pizza, a small little restaurant that wasn't very busy. Thankfully it was small so we didn't feel bad that the girls were running back and forth down the long booth. (It was obvious they were trapped all week!) After we were done eating the delicious pizza and cheese bread, (diet out the window) we headed to the Mandalay Bay. When we pulled into the parking lot Maile said "Look a Temple!" We had a good chuckle on that one but were happy that she is retaining the things she learns at church on Sunday! Now we just need to teach her the difference between a Hotel and an actual Temple! So we finally got to the Shark Reef after our long trek through the parking lot and convention center and it was pretty cool even if you have seen it before. The girls loved pointing out all the sharks and other sea creatures- it really was fun to see just how interested they were in what they were looking at. By the time were done they were worn out and ready to go to bed. All in all it was a really fun night hanging out as a family.

New Camera!

It is awesome can't wait to learn how to use it the right way but I have been trying!

Appreciated

If I am ever having that day where I feel like all I do is work, work, work and nobody cares I must return to this post and remember how cute they were when they were showing their appreciation for the work I do!

Maile: "Mommy, you cleaned my kitchen?" (her kitchen being my kitchen)
Me: "Yes baby"
Maile: "Oh, thank you!"

Zachary: "You are in charge of paying all the bills too?!?"
Me: "Yes"
Zachary: " Wow, you are in charge of a lot of things for our family!"

And to think I thought they didn't notice all I do!

First Day of 4th Grade!

It seems like just yesterday Zachary was just 5 years old and now he is a 4th grader. That just sounds too big! He was so excited to start this year off especially after meeting his teacher Mr. Kirtpatrick at open house. He seems like he is going to be a fun teacher! This morning Zachary looked so handsome and he even put on a little cologne so that he would smell good too! I hope this year is just as successful as last year grade wise and I hope he finds some really good friends. Wow only two more years until middle school!

Auntie Amanda's Last Weekend

Whenever Auntie Amanda comes into town Maile goes and spends the night at my Dad's place. Maile always comes back telling her stories of how much fun everything was and how much fun she had with Auntie Amanda. Well this was her last weekend before she had to go to school and Maile got to spend the night Thurs. Of course Grandpa, Grandma and Amanda spoiled her rotten, took her to dinner and then to see the fountains at the Bellagio. Now the twins usually have to stay home, it would just be too much with all three but when they came and picked Maile up Becca was putting on her best please take me pout. She didn't get to go right then but after Grandma Marj felt guilty for 24 hours they took the twins out the next night! They got to have dinner at the district, ride the carousal and they even got new shirts and sunglasses to match. They too came home so excited to tell us about how spoiled they were! I think it is so good that they get to have special time away from Mom and Dad and the usual "rules"! I know they are all looking forward to the next time they get to go! (I am too, the break is nice)

My Amazing Weekend!

I am really having a hard time putting my feelings about the weekends events out of my head and into the computer so bare with me! I cannot describe really how I feel but I would like to share that I was baptized and confirmed this weekend. It really was a first step into the life I am cannot wait to share with my family. Elder Wilcox, Elder Riddle and Elder Tonga were the best missionaries I could have asked for and they taught me so much! It was just a quiet Baptism with my little family and Eric who was Zach's Missionary when he got Baptized. So I want to just thank everyone who knows me because you have all had and impact on my decision and for that I will always be grateful!

The Tigar's Roar 2008

Zachary's ATA studio finally got a chance to host their own tournament this past weekend and it was out at the Primm Valley Resort Convention Center. The school owners Mr. Martin and his sister Mrs. Martin, with the help of their mom and lots and lots of other people threw a very exciting and fun tournament! For us it was an excuse to get a sitter, my mom of course to watch the kids overnight so we could be able to help out during the tournament! Friday and Saturday were very busy, friday we had to help set up and Zachary had his demo practice and a weapons class. After everyone was done we got a chance to hit up the Desparado roller coaster. Zachary and I got to ride and it was a blast! I was however a bit scared since my lap bar was way too loose! If I wanted to, which I didn't I could have stood up mid ride. After haning out for a bit it was time for bed! Saturday was the big day. Zach and I had assignments to help out, me doing registration and Zach standing post at the door. We were done with our assignments in enough time to watch the demo that Zachary was in. He actually got to star in the video that went along with the theme of the demo. I was having a super proud moment seeing him not only on the screen but also watching him in the demo, he has really gotten so good and focused on taekwandoe, not to mention he has grown up way too fast!! After the demo Zachary got to compete in Forms, Sparring and Weapons. He did awesome! He was in the ring with two of his buddies from his school and all three were such great competitors. They pretty much dominatied the whole ring. Zachary placed 1st in sparring, which was the most awesome match he has had to date. He placed 2nd in forms and 2nd in weapons. It was really exciting to see all three boys do so good at this tournament, they have struggled just a bit recently since they are all new black belts. After Zachary was done competing we helped out more and then it was time to clean up. It really was a great day and a half. Zachary did great and Zach and I got to spend some time with adults without having to worry about the girls because we knew they were home safe with Grandma! We are really looking forward to next years tournament!

Clipping Coupons

I have a new obsession and it is oh so rewarding! I am usually pretty good at getting the most for my money when it comes to grocery shopping but I just recently realized all the money I was throwing away with my mail. Every Tuesday I get the Grocery ads and coupons in the mail. Well yesterday was no different but this time I decided to see if there were any coupons worth clipping. Good choice I must say. You see grocery stores honor any manufactures coupons even if the store themselves already have the items on sale. So lets just give and example, Smiths had boxes of Kellogs cereal on sale for $1.00 if you buy 10 participating items. I then clipped a coupon for $1.00 off any two boxes of Kellogs Cereal. All said and done I paid .50 cents per box of cereal! After using about 6 coupons I took my total bill from $26 to $18, it was that easy. Just think of how much money I can save in a year by clipping coupons!

Surviving Without a Camera.....

Well on Maile's birthday my camera decided to just stop working! Fortunatly my mom had hers and we were still able to get some good pictures. Unfortunatly the insurance that Best Buy sells to you is not a replacement program, it is a we are going to take your camera for 4 WEEKS and try to fix it. If it cannot be fixed we will replace it with a "comprable model." So now it is a waiting game. I just don't like the feeling of not having a camera! Best Buy is not on my friends list right now!

It's Party Time!!

We woke up this morning to cloudy skies which really don't go hand in hand with pool parties but I had a feeling we would get some sun by noon and I was right. Maile's birthday party turned out great! We had her party at Desert Breeze water park one of our summer hot spots. We invited all our family and friends and the party turned out pretty good. Maile was loving the water as usual and even more since she had all her friends there. She had help blowing out her candles and opening her presents since she was being a bit shy with all the attention on her but as soon as we got home she was all about seeing the presents and playing with her new toys! So overall the day was pretty fun and now we are all exhausted!!
Now as an adult and having my own kids I realize just how much work goes into making sure the party goes smoothly. I really would like to thank Zach for being the kid keeper. It was much easier to get things done without having to worry about them. I want to thank my Mom for all the help she always gives when we have something big going on, couldn't do it without her help! Last I would like to thank Jasmine for being my partner in crime today. She was there helping set up and there to help take it all down! So thank you from me and Maile for such a great day!!!!

My baby is 3!!!!!

Today Maile Angelina, my baby, is three years old. I cannot even believe how fast the time has gone by! From the day she was born my Maile was one determined little girl. She survived her first few months of life, beating the odds and has since grown into this perfect little girl. She is sweet and caring and so full of life. At three years old Maile is one smart cookie and is always surprising us with the things that come out of her mouth! Maile is also a slight bit stubborn, she is certainly a girl who knows what she wants! I am so looking forward to see just what new adventures life will bring to our family as our babies grow into beautiful little girls! So today we will celebrate Maile turning three and I will try not to be sad that my baby isn't really a baby anymore! Happy Birthday My Big Girl Maile!!!!

Happy Fourth!!

The fourth of July can easily go down in the books as my favorite holiday. I still remember from my childhood how much fun we always had. I want my kids to have the same fond memories of July 4th when they are adults. So yesterday we woke up early and went the church breakfast and parade where we got to see our friends and then walk in the parade. It was cute watching all the little kids with their decorated bikes, wagons and scooters. After the parade we went home for a nap, we were going to have a long day ahead of us. After nap time we got ready and headed to Aunt Lezlie's and Uncle Dustin's house. Lezlie really went all out, she had every aspect of our afternoon and evening planned and it was perfect! The my girls Auntie Sam and Leila got to play in the little pool outside and enjoy hot dogs and then mud pies. Grandma Liza, Grandpa Mike and Grandma Marj were all there too so the kids had fun hanging with them since they love, love, love their grandparents! So after the kids were set the adults and I may only be speaking for my self got to pig out on delicious BBQ. Dustin's dad made hamburgers, hot dogs, pork ribs, beef ribs, fillet and the best baked beans ever! I haven't eaten so much in a long time!! After we ate and had some cake we got the kids back in their cute clothes and headed out to Boulder City for the firework show. It was actually a really nice night, not too hot at all and we had a great spot out in left field of a baseball diamond. The kids were running around playing and then the fireworks started. All the kids loved them. It was a really nice show even though we were interupted by the sprinklers that someone forgot to shut off! Over all by the end of last night we were all exhausted but it was so worth it to have such a fun filled day!

Maile's Answers

Tag my Kids

What does Mom always say to you?
Maile: Dada
What makes Mom happy?
Maile: Happy Cakes (birthday cake)
What makes Mom sad?
Maile: Crying
How does Mom make you laugh?
Maile: Toys
How old is Mom?
Maile: six
How tall is Mom?
Maile: a big one mommy
What does Mom like to do?
Maile: Dance (obviously I am a closet dancer!)
What is Mom's job?
Maile: Work
What is Mom's favorite food?
Maile: Cheese
How do you know Mom loves you?
Maile: At this point interviewee did not want to answer any more questions

This was fun, I never really thought about asking her these type of questions I guess our kids are smarter than we think!

I tag all the girls on my small buddy list!

Night Out

My Grandpa threw my Grandma a 70th birthday party at Nora's, a great Italian restaurant here in Vegas. We left the kids with my mom, got dressed up and enjoyed a night out just the two of us. It was so nice to be out and able to actually visit with family without the interruption of our kids. As much as I love having kids, its moments like this when I remember how fun it is to be just us.