Crazy Easter!

So this was the first time in a very long time that we actually stayed in town for Easter. We weren't too sure what to do at first. We ended up deciding to cook a ham and have a big Easter dinner and invite whomever we could. Jon took Maddy to the big Easter Egg hunt the city has and it was crazy! Maddy didn't quite know where to go or what to do so she just ran. Jon said he kept yelling for her to pick up an egg but she just kept running.
On Easter day, we went to church as normal and came back to our own egg hunt in the back yard and our big yummy easter dinner. Jon cooked of course so it came out great! Landen had a great time finding eggs and Maddy and Drew found the rest, we'll the one's that still had candy in them thanks to Tristen and Frankie. Overall it was a good Easter.

Shake weight works for babies too!

Landen has toned arms thanks to the shake weight! =0)

Just when we thought football time was over!

Tristen loves to play football and one of my students at the Junior High told me about the indoor football league they have in the late Winter/Spring time so I let Tristen know and he was all for it.
So then I thought ahh man here we go again with the practices and games every week. What we do for our children. It's all good though because as I said he loves it and I love him. Watch the video for yourself to see how serious he is about it.

Surprise Spring Break!

Spring Break this year we decide it be best not to go anywhere since we had our big trip to visit Jon's family in July so instead my parents came out to visit us, the catch was it was a big surprise. No one but Jon, I, my mom and dad knew and man was it hard to keep it a secret. It was all worth it though just watch the video and Tristen and Maddy's reaction, priceless! It's been fun so far and Landen's even called my mom Grandma. There gonna get so used to them being here for a week we might not let them go back.

My baby's not a baby anymore!

My Landen baby is 20months soon which mean almost 2. He has such a great personality and gets a bit moody but overall he is a good kid. Not so much a baby anymore, he's a toddler. We got him off the dreaded binky for the most part, sleeps in his own bed, and goes potty(when he wants of course). He is eating at the kitchen table with us every dinner and always makes us laugh, just watch the video. Remember you'll have to on the blog to watch the video.

I love you all!

This last Monday was Valentine's Day and Tristen's 14th birthday. I thank God everyday for my beautiful children and I pray that they are always safe and healthy, unfortunately I can't always keep them from getting hurt. Last Sat. one of Tristen's good friend's dad died in car accident. He came and talked to me about it yesterday and about how everyone at his school is sad. I personally have not had to face death too much but I told him what I knew in my heart and what I could as a mother trying to comfort his child. I said " dying was a part of life, good people die all the time for no reason. That's why it's so important to say I love you to the people you love everyday because you never know when they will be gone. It will be hard for his friend but with time his heart will heal and he will always have his memories of his dad and he will see him again I know that for sure." I gave him a hug and told him I loved him and to remember this so that he doesn't take anything he has for granted. Death is hard but knowing that Heavenly Father made it possible for us all to see each other again makes it a bit easier. I did tell him I constantly dread the day that my Mami and Papi die because then it will be easier said then done to handle it, so yes, I pray that I get at least 20 more years with them =0) Selfish I know but it could happen. Anyhow, I wish I could take away any heartache my babies could ever feel but that too is part of life.

Miracles do happen.

So it was miracle but it happened, my brother Sal drove all the way from Sacramento,Ca to Orem, UT and lived to tell the tale. They came last weekend and it was great. The teens went snowboarding w/Jon and Sal, Mel, Maddy, Landen, and I did some bonding time. We went sledding the next day and Landen slept through the whole thing. The cousins hung out Sat.night while the grown ups went out dancing. Sunday was our post Thanksgiving, Xmas Dinner. Jon and Melissa came up with a feast that was gone in second with 4 teenagers and 4 adults. It was such a memorable fun experience for everyone. We hoping enough to have them back someday. If anything they feel our pain now when we make the long drive to California. It's always worth it though. It was nice to have family around.

Xmas at Disneyland

So we decided this year to take the kids to Disneyland as their Xmas present which ended not being the only thing they got but I guess it's the season of giving so it's all good. Maddy was with her dad for Xmas, Hannah was with her mom for Xmas and Tristen was w/Grandma which I think I mentioned in my last blog so anyhow, when we got them all back our real Xmas started. This was the first year that they all bought presents for each other so we brought them all and had them open them at the hotel when we got there. It was great, they all were excited to see each others faces when they opened the presents they got for each other. Plus, we had Grandma and Grandpa there to share the Xmas spirit with us.
So now Disneyland, well the first day we spend at Disneyland was in pouring rain but it was bearable. We bought ponchos and tried to stay dry. We spent most of the first day at Disney's California since our princess lunch was there (lunch with all the princesses of Disney) and we saw shows and got on all the small rides that Landen could go on. We were pretty pooped that day. The next day it was beautiful, sunny, a bit of a cold breeze but dry. Only bad thing was that it was sooooo crowded because the day was so nice. We started in Toon Town and had the girls meet Minnie Mouse. We got on the tea cups and did so much at Disneyland. It was a great time and great memories. We can't wait til Landens older so we can go back. This was Hannah's first time and I know she will never forget it. When we came home we watched the home videos and laughed so much at all the memories we made together. The trip all together was pretty pricey but it was worth every penny.

Lonely Xmas this year.

This year we had only Landen. No Tristen, Maddy or Hannah. Let's just say it was a quiet Xmas which made us lonely. Landen liked his presents which was cute but just not the same without the other kids. At least it makes me grateful to have them when they come back. Hope everyone had a Merry Xmas.

Tristen's Xmas Choir Concert

Tristen's been in the concert choir for his school for two years now and to our surprise he actually likes it. I guess it's in the blood. I love the video where Landen is singing along , he too likes singing. We are so proud of Tristen for doing so good in school and all of his extra curricular activities.