Let's Play!

On with the new!

2011-01-09T20:10:00.000-08:00

Five Months have flown by. Wow! It's amazing how fast. No excuses...just busy! On with the new year & the goal of blogging a little more regularly. I'd love to share what we've been up to since Chase was born, there has been quite a bit. I'll try to do it as briefly as possible! First off, I love this quote so much that I wanted to have it permanently displayed on my blog, it's "Love is how we got here", taken from my sis in law Brooke. I love it . I've felt very blessed to have such a full life, with 5 sweet kids & an amazing hubsband. My life has become what it is today because I met & fell in love with this boy.

Here we are the night we were engaged. 12/97

Love is how we got here....

Almost 13 years later--our family. Chase's blessing day.

I left off blogging right after Chase was born so I'm going to back track here and begin with a few shots in the new new newborn phase. As you'll soon see Chase isn't EVER put down much around here. :) Here he is with Allison.
Chase is adorable. He has such a sweet, mellow, smiley personality (thank goodness). He really has brought such joy into our home. All the other kids adore him and their favorite thing is to get him to giggle.

We blessed Chase in October. We were blessed to have family drive long distances just to support us. I love these men in my life. My Dad is on the right & BJ's Dad is on the left.

All the family that made it down.

I love this picture with all of them in white, just being together.

Baby Chase.

Halloween 2010

sleepy tiger

Allie & Chase. Allie loved being a witch this year and loved chanting & singing the tune, "I'm a mean old witch with my Hat...and I ride on my broom with my cat". It was hilarious.

Sleepy Mommy & sleepy Chase. Oh how I love this feeling. I can't complain though, Chase has been my best sleeper. He's sleeping through the night. Yahoo!

Crazy story. this is the edge of our yard! One morning Allison was down watching cartoons & I was resting upstairs. Chase was asleep. All of a sudden I hear a BOOM! Allison calls up to say the TV turned off because of the loud sound. I came down & glanced out my kitchen windows to see huge puffs of smoke & fire raging on the edge of my yard. Our hill was on fire. I ran in to tell BJ (who now works from home everyday... so nice), called 911, then ran out to turn on my hose. The fired dept. was already on it's way. It was a power line that blew. It was scary. I ran through my mind what we'd have to do if the fire wasn't contained. It was contained pretty quickly however. What a blessing that it wasn't at night. You just never know what life brings tomorrow.

Ahhh. My kids with my Mom. What great timing it was that my Mom's flight came in the morning I delivered Chase.

Here comes the smiles!

Sorry Chase, but this was so funny. Thank your Dad.

All the family at the Pumpkin Patch

Loren. We can't believe she'll be 12 this year!

This was a random trip to the pumpkin patch. I told the kids to put on clothes that were either orange, white or black and we walked down. It amazingly turned into a really cute, "everyone's in the mood to smile" photo shoot. I love this picture.

In Sept I got to fly out to UT with Allison & Chase to show my family the baby. It was a whirlwid trip, but so worth it to introduce the little guy to my grandparents & siblings.

Later for Thanksgiving our whole family drove out to UT & found the snow to play in of course!

Lindsey, turning 10 this year!

Jake, who turns the big one this year... 8!

Loren & Lindsey with cousin Ellie, my sister Natalie's oldest. We LOVED playing with these sweet cousins. We miss them!

My sistas! Man, I look tired.

All the cousins

Bean Museum in UT

My Sis Nat, cousin Ellie & Chase

What's Thanksgiving without the pie! The trip wasn't long enough, as always, but it was so great to be with everyone with great food, lot's of family & great memories. We miss all of you guys!

Loren & Chase.

loving the smiles!!

Christmas time. Lindsey is the winner when it comes to who wants to hold Chase. She's always the first one to run and get him out of bed or grab him from me after he's done eating.

Had to get this in for documentation. Chase is frequently caught with these two fingers in his mouth.

Ah. Don't get grossed out but in my attempt to get back into shape after baby #5 I keep getting injured! I've rolled my ankle playing wracketball (bad shoes) & now I have "Bursistis" on my knee cap. It's still there. Not as big, but it's not going away. Too much kneeling the Dr. say's :) It's not very painful but it's been a pain. It's just fluid, and UGLY. It's been almost 2 months now and it's still there. There could be worse things , right? Still, it's a pain.

Chase, getting bigger & chubbier & more personality. He's so fun!

Christmas break we went up to N. California to visit our family on BJ's side & got to go ice skating in San Francisco. For most of our kids, it was there first time & we got to play with Aunt Shannon! This was a major highlight of our trip.

On our drive back from up north the Grapevine was closed down due to snow. We had to do an extra 3 hour detour to get home. We couldn't believe the snow coming down on the drive & the kids were hoping that some stuck in our neighborhood (which really hasn't happened since the 80's). Even though it was pitch dark when we got home Jake & Lindsey got on what cold weather gear we had (most of it we had left in UT) and made a snow man. He was still there in the morning!

Although I've left out quite a bit, including basketball season, gymnastics season, Christmas pics, etc. we've had some great times & most of the camera time has been directed to our newest addition who brightens up the room with his smiles & giggles. We feel very blessed! Onto 2011!

Chase William Hunter is here!

2010-08-25T13:33:00.001-07:00

Chase William Hunter

Born August 19th, 2:06am. Stats: 6 lb. 14 oz. 20 1/4 inches long

Chase was born 3 weeks early. I knew he'd be early and I just had a feeling it would be around the 1st week of school. Well, it was the 2nd week of school! BJ called it as we prepared to go to my 37 week appt. to the OB. He asked me, "So where should we go for your last meal?" Red Robin it was. My appt. was just before noon and by 6pm I was in a steady pattern. After BJ picked up Lindsey from gymnastics & we got the kids settled & ready for bed we called over a friend to stay while we headed to the hospital to see if this really was it (I'd been contracting for days and was a 3-4 dilation in the OB office that day). So, when we arrived I was checked out & was already a 5-6. For sure I thought once my water was broken I'd go super fast. Within that first hour I was contracting every 2-3 minutes & when they broke my water I was already a 7 plus. In the past once my water was broken it was 30-60 minutes tops until I was complete & ready to push (my fastest was 1.5 hours from getting to the hospital & delivering). But this time it took 3 hours to go from a 7 plus to 10 (total of 5 hrs from the time we got to the hospital to birth) & we realized why as I began pushing. He was posterior! Face up. He turned on his own just at the right moment and so we avoided the Dr. having the manually turn him or worst case scenerio a C-section. I feel so blessed that we avoided those situations! Besides some nice facial bruises he was a healthy boy & our biggest baby yet! I've recovered pretty well. My Mom flew in at 5am from Hawaii the morning of his birth. So BJ went straight from the hospital to pick up my Mom. Perfect timing! :) It was so wonderful to have her here & she helped me so much. BJ's Mom made the drive down too & got to see us in the hospital & stay the weekend. so we had two Grandma's taking care of everything that was needed. My kids were in heaven &

I was spoiled!

1 day old. One of my favorite pictures of our little guy.

Aw. :)

Just a little swollen & banged up. Not too bad!

This is what Allison keeps saying... "Aw...listen to his little sounds", "Aw...look at his litlte toes", "Aw... he's so cute". Yeah, she's in heaven. Loving every minute of it & loves to run & get me anything I need!

Big brother Jake. He's happy.

Lindsey & Chase. Oh does Lindsey love holding babies!

Allie & Chase

Loren & Chase. Loren is feeling very mature this time around. She loves holding Chase & tells me she is old enough & ready to carry him while standing up. Hard for Mom... but she is growing up! She's volunteered to change 2 diapers already. Nice!

The whole gang. BJ brought the kids over first thing after school. Mommy looks pretty sleepy!

Definitely lips from my side of the family!

A few days old & loving his new chair from Grandma H.

I feel so blessed to have had another sweet spirit enter our home & that he and I are healthy & doing well. Chase has been such an easy going, calm baby. He's adorable. The kids adore him. I have been quickly reminded what one of my favorite things is...a sleeping baby crunched up & asleep on my chest, snuggled in and warm. Such a sweet feeling.

I have had so much help & so many sweet acts of service given. I'm so grateful for the amazing family & friends that I have been blessed with. I've had so many meals, treats, gifts & visits. I've felt very loved & supported. I have more recent pics & will share them soon! Promise.

Spring/Summer wrap up & baby #5 is almost here.....

2010-08-13T11:19:00.000-07:00

Wow. The time has flown by & I have quite a bit to catch up on! I can try to blame it on summer with 4 kiddos at home or being super pregnant but I won't. Blogging has just been on the back burner. Period. But, I'd love to catch up a little and share what's been happening around here lately.

This past Monday I went in for my 36 week appt. with my OB and was told I'm dilated to a 2-3 and 70% effaced. He begged me to please lay down for another week so that I could atleast get to 37 weeks! So, that's what I've done this week. Lot's of sitting and laying. I don't know how those women do bedrest for weeks and weeks. I'm going about nuts just doing 1 week! Meanwhile each day I'm having loads of contractions and twinges...all of which are getting stronger and more painful and closer together.. but then settling down. I've debated lot's of times on going in to the hospital but then I've been able to hold on. Makes for lot's of anxiety! I don't want to wait too long. Don't want to have a baby at home or in the car, thank you! Anyways, my goal was to atleast make it to the weekend and here it is...Friday! I just want this little guy to be ready and to not regret a thing.

So, we'll see what happens!

I finally had Loren take a few pic's of me at this stage, 36 weeks to show my belly (my sisters say they didn't believe I was really pregnant because they had no proof!). Believe me now?!

School started yesterday, August 12th, 2010. Just can't believe it! Here are Loren, Lindsey, Jake all ready to go...with Allie in her PJ's joining in. I'm glad I didn't have to miss it!

I think Jake was up since 5:30am ready to go. :)

We only had 2 months of summer. Here were some of our end of spring and summer highlights! First off, this little girl had a birthday and turned 9!

Beautiful, sweet Lindsey

Party time in the backyard with church friends, gymnastic friends & school friends.

Happy birthday Lindsey! Favorite gifts: new reading lamp, alarm clock & a new bike.

A little beach time!

On the last awards assembly of last school year all three kids got "Citizenship".

Proud moment...they are GOOD kids!

Jake finished up spring baseball

Loren wrapped up Tennis and loved it.

and this lovely restaurant has finally made it to California! Ah the memories. Too bad it's clear by the airport at 45 minutes away...but it's worth it!

ahhh.... shredded chicken salad with everything on it. Yum!

Loren turned 11 July 4th. Can't believe I have a 6th grader! For her birthday she wanted her ears pierced and to have a shopping day in San Francisco. I wasn't allowed to go...BJ thought I'd go into labor early walking around San Fran. I guess I did have a tendency to go early this time around! Anyways, BJ forgot the camera so no pictures of San Fran but we have lot's of fun pictures with the cousins while we were up there for July 4th weekend.

Beautiful, sweet Loren

Lovin her newly peirced ears & wishin the time would go by faster so she can wear all her other earrings!

Party at the cousins

Lot's of swimming fun. Allie & Michael

Lindsey & Ally

All the older girls. Loren, Lindsey & Ally. Best buddies.

Jake & Matthew

Allie & cousin Ally

All the cousins. Only a few sad ones in the mix.:)

We had such a fun weekend with all the family. Loren scored in San Francisco and was a power shopper with gma & Aunt Shannon & Dad. When Loren's official birthday came, it was on Sunday, so after church we drove over to Sacramento & stayed with our really good friends the Oehlers. They spoiled us & really made Loren's birthday special.

Jake lost his first tooth! He's waiting a very long time to join the club.

The kids have had some great tomato, zucchini and lemonade sales!

Here is a sample of what our weekly crop has been and it's still coming. A great summer in the garden. Lot's of zucchini bread, salsa and grilled tomato and cheese samdwhiches. I don't have a picture here but our nectarine and peach trees went crazy this summer too. One of the kids jobs has been almost daily to pick the tomatos. Wish they'd eat them!!

Last minute Lego Land trip for Jake & Dad to join BJ's brother Daren & his family while they came down to see us. Jake had such a great time with his cousins & first ever chance to see Lego land.

We had a blast at the Santa Barbara Zoo with great friends, picnics & lot's to see.

A highlight for Allie, a zebra car that was broken!

The hit of the zoo, the playground area at the top with a large "ant hill" with pieces of cardboard for the kids to slide down on. Go figure!

Our whole gang!

A little crafting... Loren & I made a crayon roll

Not bad... of course now all the kids want one!

A spontaneous visit from a dear friend, Tamar & her cute 3 kids! We go back to nursing school & our first jobs at American Fork Hospital. She was on the delivery with Jake. So great to catch up & play.

A great day at Magic Mountain with Dad...and one of Loren's best buddies, Maya.
Even greater when it's free. Thank you reading program incentive from Magic Mountain!

This summer was a fun ride!

Onto the next adventure...a new baby boy, number 5.

Anyday. Stay tuned. :) I'll try to post sooner than every 3 months next time!

What have we been up to?

2010-05-14T09:35:00.000-07:00

We've had a fun & busy past few weeks. Jake is loving coach pitch baseball. His team is the Giants this year. When I asked him what he wanted his number to be on his shirt he said, "What's Gpa D.'s favorite number?". We called my Dad & he said, "63. That's of course the year of my corvette!" (his baby--he's had it since college--sold is once then bought it back!). That's all it took. Jake wanted a big "63" on his back in honor of gpa. Pretty cute. He's the only lefty on his team. Everyone was confused at first because he kept batting right, then left, then right again! BJ's having fun with this. :)
Home run Jake!

Allison is loving her "Princess Ballet" class. She of all of my girls loves to dance SO much. We caved, or rather, I signed her up and BJ had to give in! She is so focused and tries so hard to do all the moves. Her favorite part is putting on ballet shoes & leaping.

But the most exciting event that we just celebrated is Allie's 4th birthday! She has been counting down the days! We always have the tradition of opening presents on the morning of their birthday and so at 6:45am she came running down the hall saying, "Mommy, it's my birthday. Can I open my presents?" No reminding this year. She is fully aware! Anything with little ponies, horses, barbies & pink were her favorites!

New tu-tu immediately tried out.

Gma H sent this new black, white & hot pink polka-dot dress which Allie twirled & twirled in (gma knows she loves to twirl). Here she is with her favorite toys of the morning all organized & ready to play pretend.

After the other kids got off to school, in a big rush, we had a little party with her best buddies. Decorating pink cupcakes & painting wooden wands were the highlight...

and of course getting in dress ups & jumping on the tramp! So easy to please!

K Gma, this pic is for you. Miss Hollywood was ready to go out on the town today!

That night we had a 2nd round of cupcakes with our family along with one of Allie's favorite dinners, hot dogs (we already had Orange Chicken this week)!

I can't believe how fast 4 years has gone by. Allie is such a joy. She brightens up our day & makes us all giggle. She is such a little sweetheart, so easy going & full of imagination & love of life & everyone around her. Her favorite things to do are storytime, playing pretend with petshops, ponies & barbies, twirling, jumping & big hugs & kisses ( especially steeling kisses from her Dad). We are so grateful to have her. She is so excited to be a big sister & almost everyday asks me when the baby is going to pop out so she can play with him. We love you Allison!

Family room makeover!

2010-04-23T11:05:00.000-07:00

I've been promising my family forever to finally post some pictures of our family room makeover (which continued in the entry & up the stairs). It all began when my friend Melia offered to paint in exchange for piano lessons after I told her I'd love to have a change! I helped a little :) Secretly I was also planning to get BJ a flatscreen for his birthday. He's drooled over them for years but never caved it. Time for our old 11 yr TV to go. So, I'm loving the change. It's much brighter than before. Sometime I'd like to find a fun rug. I love moving things around, changing things up. Also, love what a little paint can do.

Family Room before, the only pic I could find...this is at night so it looks even darker.
Painted it over 5 years ago. Just felt like a fresh change.

Here is the new entry by the stairs, the paint color used to be a pale yellow, now its the same tan as my kitchen.

Family room, two walls are a beige/gray color. Love how it brightened things up
and my little accessories *pop* a little more.

I LOVE this blue/green color...a lighter muted shade of turquoise kind of...called "Smokey Slate" from Home Depot. I already had the deep orange pillows but found the Paisley orange & turquoise pillows at Home Depot (they are actually outdoor pillows...even better for little kids!).

Furniture is still all the same, just the new tv *Yay*.

Here is up close of the pillow that inspired the colors of the room. Love it.

The other couch & up the stairs (used to be the same pale yellow). Back to neutrals on the walls with a little color. Hello spring! There you go. I'm loving it and for the first time in a long time I don't want to move things around! Now I just want to find a great rug and maybe recover a few floor pillows in a fun print. All in time...

It's a boy!!!

2010-04-20T08:30:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I just found out this weekend that I'm expecting a baby boy. We are thrilled! I'm 20 weeks now and feeling less sick...hooray! I'm totally showing. It doesn't look it much here for some reason but believe me, I am! :)

The toughest part for me this time around is how exhausted I feel and my legs and feet get pretty sore. Just a bit more worn out than I remember with past pregnancies. I guess my body is letting me know that I'm not in my 20's any more and having my 1st or 2nd...I'm 32 and in my 6th pregnancy! It's feels so strange saying that. That's quite a few! When the ultrasound technician asked me what pregnancy this was and how many live births and realized I have had only 1 miscarriage I got "The look". It's pretty funny. I get that "look" lot's around here. People think we're absolutely nuts! Oh well. It's definitely feeling like this will be my last baby. I've never had that feeling before with any of the others. I've felt like there was another boy waiting to come to our family and so this is a sweet surprise. You never know...but for now, I'm feeling like 5th and final. :)

Oh! For those buddies in So Cal I really want to put a plug for one of my best buddies Mique, who is hosting a fabulous event in San Diego. It's a one day art and craft show dedicated to all the best of San Diego! May 1st, 2010. Come check them out! To see the list of their vendors, check out their blog: thequeenbeemarket.blogspot.com

Another Freebie! Dress from Shabby Apple

2010-04-03T07:34:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone! We have another business wanting to do a give away on our ForSaleByMormonblog: Shabby Apple is giving away this dress to a lucky winner. Wanted to invite my girls to get in on it if you're interested. Just click here to get to the blog and see the details. Wish I could enter! So Cute.

Free Give Away Fun

2010-03-26T08:40:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone! BJ and I have started a blog for the website we've put together: ForSaleByMormon.com (a place for LDS business owners, bloggers and members with classified items to have a place to advertise, purchase and communicate with one another). The blog is dedicated to announcing favorites, what's new and free give aways. We've had some really amazing give aways so far and there is one going on now from this adorable shop called "Mary Poppins Presents". The owner sells such unique, fun and adorable handmade items. I wanted to let you all know in case you want to enter to win. Super easy to enter, just go to the blog and post a comment (see blog for details). There is a give away almost every week from businesses that want to get a little more advertising. The next one is from Shabby Apple (SUPER CUTE dresses). Anyways, I wanted to invite you to come over to the blog and to subscribe by e-mail or "follow" to get the automatic posts on free give aways!! The Mary Poppins Presents give away ends tomorrow.

Love ya!

The secret is out....pregnant!

2010-03-07T20:56:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone! Just after the new year I discovered I was pregnant and as hard as it was didn't announce it to everyone because of my recent miscarriage last August. But, I've just begun my 2nd trimester (14 weeks) and feeling a little less anxious. So! We are excited to try again for number 5. I'm still a little anxious. I just can't help it because of having my first miscarriage last time around. But, I've had an ultrasound 4 weeks ago and listened to the heartbeat this past week and everything is going great. My due date is Sept. 5th, but that doesn't mean much since I've always been 2-3 weeks early. We'll see what happens. I've been really trying to take it easy...well, most of the time!

I've been a little sick, mostly gaggy and exhausted. I am lucky to not be like those women that can't keep anything down for weeks. My worst symptom really this pregnancy has been my enhanced sense of smell and wanting a nap when I couldn't get one! Not too bad. :) I'm already showing, to me at least Not everyone can tell yet but I'm sure in a week or two it will be obvious. Gone are the days (when I was pregnant with the 1st or 2nd) and I could get away with not showing until after 20 weeks! Oh well. :)

My kids finally have the go ahead to tell their friends and teachers at school this week. They have been dying!! Jake is still rooting for a boy and Loren for a girl (because she thinks that will mean she'll get to take over the office for her bedroom). Lindsey calls it "Loren's evil plan". Lindsey say's if it's a girl we can just get another bunk bed! Allie say's, she just wants to be a big sister and doesn't care. We'll see. In 6 weeks we'll find out what we're having. Pretty fun.

We've had some fun and busy weeks. Lot's of basketball with Loren and Jake the past several weekends. BJ has coached Loren's team again and they've had fun. Jake's bball shot is "money" and he's loving being old enough to play in real games. Lindsey is having fun learning new tricks at gymnastics. Right now she's working on a back handspring on the beam (ah!). Allie is loving preschool and playdates with her friends. She can write her name and is learning how to read...little by little. She is still mommy's little cuddle buddy. I love that. She is so sweet and imaginative.

We got to go up to N. California to see our brother in law get baptized (Such a neat experience...not many dry eyes) and Aunt Brookie's 1st baby shower a few weekends back (yay, another cousin!). It was fun to tell our baby news because now there will be a set of cousin buddies born in the same school year! It was such a great weekend, a whirlwind as always, but so worth it. Gotta download my new pics to the computer...

Hope you all are doing great. Love ya.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-28T07:57:00.000-08:00

First of all, Happy New Year! I'm excited for what 2010 holds for our family. We had some really hard times and some really great times in 2009, all experiences that helped us to learn and grow. Last year made me realize even more how thankful I am for the family and friends that we have in our life. We truly feel blessed. 2010 is well under way but I wanted to share a few pictures of what we've been up to the past few months. First off, Christmas was relaxing and magical...the best ever, the kids said. Well, Santa brought some pretty great things to our house. He must have really found some amazing deals. Yes, he did! Allison got her own little tricycle...no longer will she need to ride around the hand me down spiderman scooter. She was obviously thrilled, especially because it was pink.

The favorite gift was the wii. We finally have joined the ranks of family wii 0wners. Screaming deal to say the least..thank you Craigslist. It's been a hit for the whole family. Ours came with some downloaded games, so good old super mario bros (which I dominated as a kid) has become Lindsey's new favorite game). Loren and Jake love Mariokart.

Ahhh...Loren's favorite gift...new boots/slippers. She loves planning out her outfits and accessorizing. Always a willing shopping partner!

When Jake opened up this skateboard he ran, I mean RAN over to me and gave me the biggest hug and thank you. He...was...so....excited! That pretty much made my Christmas morning.

So, when we had asked the kids what they would rather ask from Santa, a wii or a new tramp (since ours had broken about 5 months earlier). Unanimously the kids said, "Wii!!!!" Mom and Dad really wanted another tramp so the backyard would get used again. Well, I think Santa hit some major deals because we were spoiled to get the tramp too. It was a beautiful, sunny, short sleeve weather Christmas in southern California. BJ and I spent a few hours of it that morning putting together the tramp!

Lot's of fun jumping, playing and being together... a great Christmas. The next morning we drove to UT and froze!

This was the main reason for the trip. BJ gave me a great Christmas present, a trip to UT to see Natalie's new baby Adelyn (Addie for short) and be there for the blessing. We got there the night before the blessing. Here are my sisters and I and beautiful, sweet Addie.

We got to stay in the beautiful condo of my brother Aaron and sister in law Amy and were minutes away from Temple square and all the Christmas lights. Wow, it was freezing and my kids were in heaven. Every little peice of ice was kicked...every patch of snow was investigated and stomped in or tasted. This was probably the first time Jake had ever played in snow. We were bundled and enjoyed all the sights of temple square.

Almost 12 years ago we were married here. It sure has gone by fast.

The fam.

Of course we went sledding! Our pals the Ostlers took as out to a favorite spot and the kids had a blast.

Do you see this? Yes, backwards. Jake tried everything. Daredevil! He was all over that hill, trying every position he could and having a blast.

Hey Hollywood!

We got to stay with my other brother Connor and his wife Amara and cousin Aiden and Liam. I think Aiden wanted us to stay there forever! He loved having his cousins to play around with!
I don't have any pictures of it but we had a fabulous new years with family and friends. Only wish we could have been able to connect with all our family and friends. It was a wonderful trip!

Once back to Cali within another couple of weeks me, Linds and Allie drove to Vegas for the final gymnastics meet of the season...a total fun meet. It was a multi-state meet with all levels of gymnastics there. Our level 4 team got 1st place and Lindsey got to take the trophy home for the weekend. She got 1st place all around. Pretty fun. A great end to a fun season. We got to stay with my cousin Steve and his wife Marnie and family. They were the best! Besides living minutes from a Cafe Rio..ahhhh.... we got to catch up and hang out. They only lived about 10 minutes from the hotel where the meet was and Steve and one of his sons came to watch Linds. We have a great family.

Here is Linds and her coaches, Ola and Jeff.

As soon as the meet was over we hopped back in the car and made it home in 4 1/2 hours. Whirlwind trip! We've been getting back into routine here, lot's of homework, speeches and activities. Jake and Loren started basketball again. BJ is Loren's team coach. Life is busy and fun. This weekend we had BJ's mom in town. She knows just when we're needing a little visit... and help. Lindsey had probably her first real asthma issue in 2 years this weekend, and Jake came down with a fever and body ache, I caught a cold and Allison seems on the edge of something too. When sickness happens, it really happens! I don't have a picture from this weekend...but thank you Mom2 for all you do for us. Love you! New Years resolution: blog more frequently :) Hope you all are doing wonderful.

Recipe for Chocolate Hau'pia Pie!

2009-12-15T22:29:00.001-08:00

Okay ladies...I got some requests for the recipe of the Chocolate Haipia Pie I made for Thanksgiving so here it is! But, before you print this off you must swear to not change or "healthify" the pudding. This is my Grandma V's treasured recipe (chocolate pudding and banana cream pudding--not Hau'pia) and she only gave it to me after I came over to watch it made and promised not to substitute ingredients and call it hers! It's been something I make at the holidays and for BJ's birthday for over 7 years now. It's too yummy to keep to myself but if you're going to make the chocolate or banana cream pudding you must give credit where credit is due... Megan's grandma V. and if you change it in any way, don't call it hers! With that said, remember "Making pie is love" :). Remember that as you stir and stir and stir and stir! Love you all!

1 1/2 cup sugar
2/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups whole milk
2-4 oz. Unsweetened Baking chocolate (I've found that 2 oz. is perfect, 4 is really rich)
6 slightly beaten egg yolks (prepare this before you start and set aside)
4 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons pure vanilla
1 large baked pastry shell (you can make two 8 or 9 inch pies or one large--which is what my Gma & I do--meaning an 11 inch. pan--I'll often double the recipe and make two 11 inchers plus one 8 or 9 incher). I got my 11 inch pie tins at Sur La Table at Gateway in UT...they are hard to come by but they make the pie.

In saucepan combine sugar, flour and salt. Stir in milk. Add the desired oz. of chocolate. Cook and stir over medium heat until bubbly Cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir small amount of hot mixture into egg yolk. Immediately return the yolk mixture and cook 2 minutes. Add vanilla and butter. This is the exact recipe for the Banana Cream pie pudding as well, minus the baking chocolate.

So, onto the Hau'pia pudding

2 cups coconut milk
1 cup whole milk
6 tablespoons sugar
5 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 tsp vanilla (if desired)

Preparation:Pour one cup of coconut milk into a saucepan. Combine sugar and cornstarch stirring into coconut milk. (Add vanilla as desired) Heat over low stirring consistently until thickened. Add remainder of coconut milk and whole milk and continue to heat until thickened. Pour into 8 inch square pan and chill until firm.

Once you have made your favorite pie crust and it and your two puddings are chilled layer with the chocolate pudding first, then Hau'pia, then heavy whipping cream on top. I add 1/4 cup of sugar or so and 1 tsp. vanilla to the heavy cream and let it whip until stiff. I'm planning to make one for Christmas probably on the 23rd...any takers who want to learn? Good luck and enjoy!!!

Happy Late Thanksgiving

2009-12-01T21:40:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's Dec.1st. It really feels like a few days ago that we were taking a trip to the pumpkin patch, which Allie loved. I am amazed every year at how fast fall comes and goes. Don't get me wrong...I love Christmas and love bringing out the tree, lights and presents but it comes up so quick! It's a busy busy time of year. I'm excited and hope to be all done with all the preparations early this year!

We had a great Thanksgiving up north with BJ's family. I brought the pies, as always. This year I did banana cream, chocolate cream and chocolate haipia cream (if you've been to Oahu...I was attempting the famous Ted's Chocolate Haipia pies!). Haipia is a coconut pudding. I must say... it was a success! Pie for three days was lovely. Every Thanksgiving I think of my gma who taught me how to make pie. BJ arranged for us to have family night at gma's house years back so we could learn how. She would make it for the holidays and then surprise BJ with one for his birthday because she knew he loved them so much! It has to be BJ's absolute favorite dessert. I love to say that making homemade pudding and crusts is pure love. It's a process and can't be rushed, but really rewarding. I'm so grateful that I learned how (so is BJ!). It's something passed down from my sweet grandma. I always think of her as I'm stirring that pudding! I didn't take any pie pictures this year but I have in the past. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and if there is anyone local dying to learn how to make pie...I'm going to teach a few how sometime this month!

Gymnastics State Meet

2009-11-18T09:18:00.000-08:00

Gymnastics season is officially complete. We had state last weekend in Long Beach and Linds did awesome. She got 7th all around competing against 8 years olds with an all around score of 36.975, which is so great. She got 9.35 on bars, 9.35 on beam, 9.25 on floor and 9.050 on vault. Tough, tough competition. To give an idea, there were 695 gymnasts that competed that weekend, levels 4, 5, and 6, aging 6-14 or so. Lindsey ranked 66th of the 695 in total all around scoring. It was exciting and fun.

Jake happened to have the onset of a fever and sore throat at the meet...which later was diagnosed a few days ago as strep! Poor guy. We have been hit hard with sickness at our house the past few weeks. Jake got the flu first a few weeks ago, then I caught a horrible cold, worse cold I've had for atleast a few years, then BJ and Loren caught a variation of my cold. Lindsey has had a nasty cough too...then Jake got strep. I've been watching Allie ...just waiting for what's next. She's still in the clear...but there has not been much sleep going on over here! Happily, Jake got back to school as of today and is ready to be there! We're hoping to have a healthy Thanksgiving! Hope you all are healthy and have a great week!

Here are videos of Linds at state so Gmas and Gpas can see!

Fall Break in Hawaii!

2009-10-28T12:36:00.000-07:00

We were able to go to Hawaii over Fall Break to be with all of my family. My parents live there on Oahu and flew the entire family out. We are so spoiled! They may or may not sell their home in the near future so they wanted to be sure we were all out there together at least one more time. What a wonderful trip it was. I think Loren's highlight was finding some beautiful shells along the beaches and has had fun showing them to her class at school and her friends.
We got to go to Sea life Park with the cousins. This was the first time our kids had seen dolphins up close. They loved the cute seal, penguin and dolphin shows.

Here are all the kids in my parents hot tub off the back of their house. Gorgeous.

Allie and cousin Aiden petting the turtle at Sea Life Park.

This was a blast. We all rented a Paddle Surf board and all took turns paddling out on the ocean. Lindsey, of course was the most daring. :)

Jakes favorite...Turtle Beach. This time we saw lot's of smaller turtles in the water by the rocks and then huge ones that came out onto the beach.

Loren with our beached turtle. Lindsey was actually swimming around when she felt something swim between her legs and it was a turtle! Scared her half to death but became a great story!

You can't see us very well and Loren is missing from this picture but this is out on the Pali lookout (I think that's how it's spelled) where the winds are so strong you literally feel like you could fly away. It's amazing!

Shaved ice, yeah!

Ahhh... me and my sweetie.

My favorite part of this trip was just being able to see my kids interacting and playing with gma and gpa, their aunts and uncles and their cousins. So nice to just be together!

We also got to finally meet our newest cousin, Liam. He was the happiest, mellow baby ever! So adorable...and all my kids loved making him smile.

I loved watching Allie at the beach. She got the courage to go down to the shore and gather water to bring back to her "creations". She loved it and I'm sure went back and forth a hundred times each time we went to the beach. She and cousin Aiden loved this game!

Here is the entire Doxey family, with one on the way... so close Nat! We're standing in front of my parents home in Laie. What a blast. The kids were fabulous on the plane too! It was such a great trip. I loved being with everyone and can't wait to play again. Aloha!

Gymnastics Season begins!

2009-09-14T09:39:00.000-07:00

Lindsey's gymnastics competitive season has begun. She competed 2 weeks ago in the "Judges Cup" and this past weekend in the "1st Prelim" (a Sectionals qualifying meet). She is doing awesome. I've got to brag for a little bit. On the first meet we were blown away. All of her scores were above 9. She got 2nd place all around with a score of 36.95 (4th on floor and bars, 2nd on beam, 3rd on vault). Her team ended up getting 1st place (they take the top 6 scores from each club) and because Lindsey had the highest score from her team she got to take home the plaque. Well, this past weekend Lindsey got 1st place all around. She got 1st place on beam, vault, floor and 3rd place on bars. Her all around score was 37.35! The highest our gym has had. Pretty cool. She's rockin. This season she confident, polished and just having a lot of fun out there! She got to take home the team trophy (which was almost as tall as her). The team got 2nd place by .5 of a point. I guess Lindsey wasn't satisfied with her gold in competition so yesterday she successfully did a hand stand in the family room, walked on her hands to the steps, walked up the steps on her hands, turned around and walked back down the family room steps into the family room. Seriously Linds?! Well, that's all on the gymnastics front. Here are a few videos of her in action...it's hard to get a good one from the stands! Next up, we had a great piano recital yesterday! All the kids played. Jake was said to have flying fingers and jaws dropped on Loren's performance. I even learned a new song to play ... been a while. :)

Videos: Beam, from Judges Cup, 2nd place. Floor, from 1st Prelim, 1st place.

Bars, from 1st prelim, 3rd place.

Want a Free Give-Away?

2009-09-08T21:12:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone. I wanted to let you know that my sister in law, Brooke, is sponsoring a free give away at our website: http://www.forsalebymormon.com/. It's a free Limited Edition 11 x 14 print that she designed. It's free to enter...and it's so cute! I had to pass it along. Give away ends 9/23.

Sad news and miracles

2009-08-27T08:08:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday I went to my ultrasound and found out that I would be having a miscarriage. They couldn't find a heartbeat and the baby was measuring 8 weeks instead of 11. It was a hard day. A lot has happened the past few weeks. BJ was laid off from work only a week and 1/2 before. Our kitchen has been in remodel mode for weeks with all the contents of our cabinets and drawers on the floor and tables...waiting day after day only to have another no-show to finish the staining! It was a lot...and I cried ... and cried.

I've learned a lot throughout these past few weeks. We all have trials, no one is exempt, no matter if you're trying your hardest to do the right things. It just happens and it's how you get through the trials that determines how you learn. If it strengthens you or not.

I have to share what has happened since this time. Going back to the day we found out about the baby. At the Dr.'s office, right after we heard the news BJ's phone rang, he didn't take the call then but when we got home he called back to hear that he was being scheduled for an interview the following morning. He was offered the job that afternoon. It's a 6 month contract with not too far of a commute. The salary is close to what he made before and we feel very blessed. He'll start around Labor Day if not a little sooner. So, with such sad news one day, the next day such wonderful news.

Because I was out of the danger zone (no longer pregnant) BJ and I just finished staining the kitchen and all weekend I cleaned out cabinets and organized. It's all back together and it looks fabulous. It's amazing how therapeutic it was to put away and organize and clean. It was hard living without the kitchen! I posted some pictures showing what we've done so far. We are very close. We ran out of stain for one last section in the back and want to put on knobs and hopefully will be all done this week.

So, yesterday I actually had the D&C and have had an easy recovery. What I had was a "missed miscarriage". My body didn't realize that the baby had died and so was continuing on as if I were pregnant. So I had three options... wait for my body to spontaneously miscarry (which sometimes wouldn't happen for weeks to months--they only would have allowed another month to continue), medication to cause severe cramping and bleeding to bring about the miscarriage or the D&C (Dilation and Curettage, an outpatient surgery). I opted for the D&C. I didn't want to just wait around and wonder when the miscarriage would happen. The medication would be extremely painful and the chance of having to do a D&C anyways if something was left behind is always a possibility. I was nervous but also at peace with the decision. The surgery was quick and today I already feel almost back to normal. Not much pain at all.

These past two weeks have been one of the hardest times of my life but also such a blessing. I knew BJ would find a job, but just didn't know the timing. I knew the miscarriage was natures way, God's way, of saying, let's try that again, things just weren't quite right, but it was still very hard. I know even more now, without a doubt, that Heavenly Father loves me, loves my family and loves all of us. He knows of our trials. He wants to bless us. He sent His love through many angels, my friends and family. From the beginning I felt such support, love and friendship. I have had many calls, beautiful flowers, yummy treats, hugs, talks and notes. I had two of my sweet friends show up and kick BJ and I out the door on a date while they watched the kids and cleaned my house. I had dinner brought in to us yesterday from sweet friends in my ward. On Sunday a friend who does my hair came up to me with a hug and said that she wanted to do my hair for me free of charge. Seriously! I have felt such an outpouring of love. I am overwhelmed and emotional just thinking back to these past few days and all that has happened and all of the people who have cared and checked in on me and served me and my family. I am just so grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed me to have these sweet people in my life.

I am feeling pretty good, my emotions are still kind of close to the surface, but I'm good. I feel blessed to have 4 healthy, great kids that I have to squeeze and love and a sweet husband who works so hard, is so postive and takes care of me. We'll try it again in a few months for that number 5 to join our family. In the mean time I want to focus on being healthy and enjoy my husband still being home for a little while longer (what a blessing that has been to have him home to be with me during this miscarriage and caring for me after the procedure). And...I'm going to enjoy this kitchen...here are the pictures. I love you all. Miracles do happen...even in the hardest times. I truly believe we are here to help eachother through life, we can be bring the little miracles to others through our love and service. That is what has happened to us.

Kitchen before ( our sample granite slab is sitting on the counter)

Another view

The new kitchen...granite, stained cabinets dark, new sink, faucet. I want to find a fun rug...

Another view. New range hood, wider bar. I love it...it's almost done. A lot of work but worth it.

I love how my older black oven just melts into the cabinets and how I can't see the crumbs!

I've got news...

2009-07-28T22:26:00.000-07:00

Look to the left everyone. Yes, we're having another baby! Baby #5, due March 12th (not that that means very much, I've been consistently 2 or 3 weeks early!). I'm very excited. I'm also nervous ... and a little sick! The sickness hasn't fully kicked in, I'm only 9 weeks along, so I know what's coming. :) I'm not very good at keeping in this kind of news, or any kind of good news!! It's interesting what happens when you're expecting your 5th instead of your 1st or 2nd. You know exactly what you're getting into! You know how your body will react to pregnancy, you know how sick you get, you know that hundreds of sleepless nights are in the near future. But, you also know the joy that comes. I love sharing the news.

It was a little harder making this decision this time around. Life is pretty busy right now with 4 kids under 10. I have many of those days where I'm completely overwhelmed or exhausted, and wonder how I can do more. But, I've felt for a long time that we weren't done. There is another child waiting to come to our family. I really hope that I can do it. I really hope that I can have that endurance and patience to give that love, attention and nurturing to another child. I come from a big family and so does BJ. Being part of a big family, a huge extended family and marrying into a large family has truly blessed my life and it is blessing the lives of my children as they have more people with that special family bond that truly love and support them. I love big families. I am also blessed to have a husband who truly helps me and ENJOYS being a father. He also knows when I've had it and I need a night out! :)

Well, I'm grateful that I have been blessed with children. I'm grateful that my Heavenly Father has entrusted me with another of His children and I'm going to try my best. I know I'll have rough days but it will all be worth it. Allie has been so fun and so easy going (probably a good reason why I could consider having another!) It's been so cute to see how my older kids take care of her and their giggles at all the cute, funny things she'll do or say. I'll have little helpers. Allie is going to LOVE being a big sister. She won't care if it's a girl or boy, as long as it's a baby. But Jake...he sure wants a brother! We'll see!

Summer Catch Up

2009-07-12T14:27:00.000-07:00

What can I say? I try to do it all but with 4 kids and all we have had going on something had to take the back burner...and it seems to always be the blog. So, this fine Sunday, I've FINALLY downloaded pictures to the computer and hid away upstairs...later to find Lindsey had used her creative juices to make us all a treat. Can you guess the surprises? Sprinkes, cinnamon, yogurt, cheerios, choc chips, choc syrup... mmmmm

To back way up to end of May...it has been so long! T-ball for Jake this year was fun for one reason...Travis was on his team. He loves to play but this being his 2nd year of T-ball he was feeling too old. He's ready for the real thing. He's actually just really ready to be on a real basketball team!

Beginning of May we drove out to N. Cali to be at cousin Adam's baptism. We love hanging with our cousins...always quick trips up there but worth it.

I can hardly believe that Allie is 3! May 13th was her big day. She had been talking about her upcoming bday for days and weeks as she saw me, BJ, and then Jake all have bdays with cake and presents. She figured out prety quick what birthdays were all about. She was ready & super excited! She had it all figured out. She wanted pink "pupcakes" with pink frosting and pink icecream. She wanted new dresses so that she could twirl like a princess. She really has brought joy and lot's of giggles to our family. She gives the best snuggles and nose kisses and her giggle is contagious. We love our little Allie.

Lindsey turned 8 yrs old on May 22nd. A birthday she's been looking forward to forever!

Linds is a sweetheart. She's a little mommy. She loves playing and taking care of little babies and toddlers. She can appear timid, but is very confident & strong. She is not afraid to perform & has fun doing it! She created a gymnastics routine to perform in front of the entire school. Showing off "the worm", back hand springs, splits and all. No nerves. She's pretty excited about gymnastics season starting next month.

Linds & best buddies bowling for her bday.

Okay...I was really spoiled! I got to go end of May to Hawaii to be with my Mom and sisters. My Dad was off to UT helping my brother, my Mom needed to stay behind to work... so we planned a girls trip. My sisters, Natalie & Jessica were out for 10 days & I got 4 days. I had a free ticket (all skymiles) and a free place to stay. How could I not do it?! It was beautiful, amazing, relaxing, wonderful... I loved it. I think I still owe BJ more foot & back rubs for all he did while I went away. I have a good man, and some amazing girl friends who helped a ton. Thank you!!! Can you believe this is my parents back patio view? They actually rent out the home to vacationers if any of you are looking for a get away to Hawaii --you'll have to check it out at http://www.forsalebymormon.com/HawaiiOceanVillaRental

Me & my sweet, beautiful sisters, Jess & Nat. Love you guys!

Natalie & her little Ellie. I was so ready for Ellie to get to know her far away Aunt! She called me "Mega". So cute!

Me & my Mom. My Mom spoiled us the whole trip! Thanks for everything Mom, what a wonderful memory that was to be there together. Love you so much!

Another view off the back of the house. Seriously!

Jess & I....chillin. So fun!

So I got back just in time for the last week of school! Here is Jake & Allie right after Jake's kindergarten program.

School is out and guess who flew in for Lindsey's baptism weekend! Gpa and Gma D. in THIS PLANE! I still can't hardly believe that my Dad flies this plane...that he built...when I was in elementary school. It's pretty amazing.

June 13th, family joined us for Lindsey's special day. Here is BJ's sis, Aunt Shannon with Allison.

Lindsey & Dad just before her baptism.

All the family that came to support Linds. BJ's parents, his sisters Shannon & Shelley, along with cousin Ally and my parents. We were really blessed to have so many members of our family there along with several ward friends. Lindsey really had a true desire to be baptized and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. She already has a sweet, sincere testimony of the gospel. We are so proud of her & the blessing & joy she is to our family.

So right after baptism weekend we all drove out to UT for a few weeks. My Mom opted to drive with me instead of fly back with Dad! We had so much fun with our family there. A major highlight was to attend the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house--along with going to Tucanos afterward for dinner! Here are the kids with cousin Aiden. Oh Jake.... :)

We got to be there for our family reunion/surprise bday party for my Dad's 60th. That is 60 candles! I had been working on a book for my Dad...for hours and days...another reason why blogging didn't happen! It was really rewarding. I scanned all of these old photos of my Dad in his younger years & of him with all of us over the years & asked his siblings, my cousins, my siblings their spouses to write memories/thoughts of him to include in the book. He loved it. We gave it to him at the reunion...just too bad that it was rainy, windy & FREEZING at the reunion! In JUNE! Still wonderful to see everyone.

I only got a few shots there...here are a few of my cousins, Matt & Luke, asking me whose legs looked better, and tanner! Love my family :)

Only a few cousins & Aunts...by the end of the quick reunion and everyone was almost gone the sun started to come out! Until next time... loved being with everyone.

My Dad, later caught reading the book I made with his magnifying glass! Sorry Dad, some of those fonts were pretty tiny to be able to fit it all in. I cried several times as I compiled the memories and thoughts from my family regarding my Dad. It only reinforced to me that I am not alone in knowing that he has blessed lives through his service & love & is truly amazing. Love you Dad. Happy 60th!

Look out, long boards are now on my kids Christmas list. Thanks to my brothers, my kids had constant entertainment as we were up the canyon celebrating my brother in laws bday. They picked it up fast!

Nice posing Loren!

Ah, Jake is very happy.

Lindsey, focused & learning the ropes fast.

Cute Allie, easy to catch in a pose! I do miss those canyons...

I absolutely loved seeing my kids get to know their little cousins. Lindsey was glued to cousin Ellie & Ellie just loved her back! So sweet. We were able to really spend time with all my siblings & their families this trip, along with lot's of gma and gpa time. It was wonderful.

The kids were great sports, sleeping together & lot's of driving. Lot's of fun memories as always. The kids are better swimmers thanks to lot's of pool time wherever we visited. We were there for 2 weeks with BJ coming out for the reunion weekend in the middle. It was nice to get back to Dad & to our own beds though!

And now we've been back ...beaching it for 4th of July weekend.

Loren turned 10! Early morning present opening. She wanted Scooters Jungle for her birthday party. It was the first summer in years we were home for her birthday. Our little firecracker. Okay, not so little anymore. Can't believe she'll be in 5th grade this year. Loren is really exceling on the piano. She is playing Fur Elise, and beautifully! She's playing basketball right now, and I'm the coach. It's been fun, and busy. Two games and one practice a week during summer ball. Loren is very mature, sweet, organized & a great helper & example to her siblings. We love you Loren!

See, we have been pretty busy! I am so sorry this is huge entry! I'll be better, I PROMISE!

11 Years Ago...

2009-04-23T10:41:00.001-07:00

Eleven years ago today I was married to this man for Time and all Eternity. I love him. He completes me. He makes me laugh, he's a great husband and father, he makes time for the kids and I, he's hard working, he's faithful, he's honest, he's HOT...I could go on. He's not perfect...but he's mine . He and I share the same dreams. Sometimes we don't agree but I can honestly say that we've had a thousand times more "ups" than "downs". It's easy being married to BJ. We're not doing anything too big today to celebrate, besides getting some lunch together, because life happens! But this weekend we'll get to have a little more alone time.

I was twenty and BJ was twenty-three!

Salt Lake Temple, April 23, 1998.

and here we are...11 years and 4 kids later ! It's been a fun ride!

How many ways can you read a book?

2009-04-01T14:17:00.000-07:00

I thought this was hilarious! I seriously walked into the kitchen and found Lindsey in this position reading her book! How can this be comfortable Lindsey?
Loren's buddies on the basketball team.

Loren loved being on a basketball team so much that she is dying to do it again...so we signed her up again ...and this time I'll coach :)

Here is my wrist...all healed up. A nice little slit. About an inch long. It's still a little numb from my thumb to my wrist but the feeling is coming back...thank goodness! We've been great. busy as ever and super excited for spring break. This weekend is Jake's 6th birthday! Just a few random pictures this time but hopefully I'll get back into a blog groove again and post a little more often. Love you all!

I have a good excuse!

2009-02-18T08:34:00.000-08:00

So it's been FOREVER since I have blogged but I have a really good excuse. Jan. 16th I had surgery on my wrist. I've had a nice bump there for years and finally had it looked at. When the Dr. couldn't find any fluid to remove, and realized it was tissue he said it had to come out..."lumps and bumps belong in the bottle, not the body", he said. So, something that really never bothered me now really was going to! I had a quick outpatient surgery which I cannot remember. I remember asking the anesthesiologist that I wouldn't mind watching the procedure...he just laughed and that was the last thing I remember until they woke me back up! Life was very different one handed for two-three weeks. I was very sore! The Dr. had to cut into my thumb tendon and move a nerve out of the way to get to the lump (which the biopsy came back as fine...scar tissue of some sort), so my thumb to my wrist has been numb for over a month and barely this week I've been able to attempt the piano. It really has only been the past two weeks that I could actually type and put my hair in a pony tail! With that said, I have a picture or two in a sling I'll post. But, since I could now do things with both hands I decided to get crafty and make some pillows! It really is fun to create something. I found some fabric to brighten up my family room and recovered two pillows and made a throw pillow...then had a little extra to make a square for my kitchen table! Anyone who knows me knows that sewing is only something I've attempted in the past few years...still trying to figure it out most of the time! A proud moment and I'm so glad to have two hands again!

So, since it's been so long I'll just post some highlights since Christmas. Jake's favorite present was his own basketball and shoes. He LOVES basketball.

Loren loves fashion. She was thrilled to have some "skinny" jeans from Grandma and some new shirts and leggings from a store we can only afford when it's 50% off!

We had some homemade presents from the kids this year. Jake made an Indian boy for Daddy.

Lindsey made a family picture for me...and you can see her favorite present in her hand. Handball is her FAVORITE thing to do on any wall in the house! Ah Christmas morning robe and hair!

Allison's favorite was a Dora doll and a "princess" nightgown. Very easy to please!

Right after Christmas Grandma H., Aunt Shelley and the cousins came down to visit. Of course we had to make cookies! I think Allie loves chocolate cookies as much as her Mom.

Here is Jake in action!

Cousin Matthew and Michael and Jake. They really are best friends!

Funny story--the night before my surgery I was chatting on Facebook to my brother Aaron teasing him that it had been 80 degrees this past week and that he should come visit. He and Amy couldn't stand it and rearranged everything to come to the sun and visit us. They arrived the next evening. It was SO fun to have them. I love how spontaneous they are! We can't wait for them to come back!

We all went to the Getty's Villa together and on the way found an injured butterly that let us get up close.

Here is a pic of the sling. Nice. Couldn't get the arm wet for a week! That was interesting!

The Getty's Villa was cool. They had a kids room where the kids could dress up and pretend they were part of a vase design. Here is Lindsey.

Loren.

Jake of course!

and little Allison!

The kids could make paint on their own designs on vases throughout the room.

A beautiful place...just a few too many "bare" artwork & statues for kids under 9 to see! We didn't stay very long!

We made it out to the beach too of course. Lindsey found a way to do the splits.

always beautiful, always fun.

This was taken the weekend after my surgery. Loren has been playing on a city league basketball team and BJ is the coach. She has been having great time. She is awesome at defense and is so fast!

Here is Loren and some of the players on her team.

Jake has been playing in a basketball class as well and he's been heaven. It just ended a few weeks ago. His shot is "money".

I have a feeling that we'll be watching basketball for a while! Very fun!

Just a few weekends ago we drove up to N. California to attend BJ's 15th reunion (actually 16th) in Livermore. It really was a fun night catching up with old friends. So many of BJ's closest friends were there. I really loved meeting everyone. I think we shocked them all with how may kids we have. Many were single, engaged, just married or had one maybe two kids max. Here are a few pictures of people there. Thanks to Grandma H. and the cousins for watching the kids for us!

Fun visits & Merry Christmas!!!

2008-12-23T09:01:00.000-08:00

We have been very spoiled in the past few weeks with visitors! My little sister Natalie ( just 5 1/2 years younger) flew out at the beginning of the month with her sweet little Ellie (who is 1 yrs old). We had so much fun! It doesn't matter what we do...we just always have a blast. I love her so much! I didn't want them to go. It made me want even more to be closer. Thank you Natalie for coming!!!

Oh I miss her!

Allie & Ellie in their matching pink sweaters. So cute!

Loves pictures!

Jake got his first award at school for academics. He is SUCH a good reader!

Last Monday we got to go to Disneyland! Grandma & Grandpa came to visit & gave us a trip to Disneyland for Christmas. We are spoiled! This was Allison's first time seeing Tinkerbell & all the Princesses...she was in shock and very happy!

Loren & Lindsey up, up & away!

Sleeping Beauty's castle was open this year. Disneyland looks amazing with all the Christmas decorations. We've gone to Disneyland at Christmas time before & it was hard--1 1/2 hours to wait for It's a Small World for example. That is basically all we could wait for with really little kids so we watched the parade and left. This trip was just the opposite because of the drizzling weather in the morning. We were prepared with ponchos and didn't let the weather change our plans. We got on all the rides we wanted & had such a wonderful time!

Allie & I.

Grandma & Grandpa with Loren, Lindsey & Jake. We are so blessed to have such giving & fun grandparents!

Allie's favorite of course, Small World, & all lit up for the holidays!

All of us...a little cold but happy! Thank you again Grandma & Grandpa! We miss you!

Merry Christmas to all of you!!! We love you all & are so grateful to have you in our lives. It has been so fun to be in better touch through blogging. Even though I don't blog as frequently as I'd like, I love being able to share our family doings & reading about all of yours. This is one of the first Christmas holidays that we aren't going to drive to family...and it's hard...but it will be nice too ;) I love spending holidays with ALL the family we have! We just couldn't do it this year. We felt very blessed to have my parents & sister come out & we will have BJ's Mom & sister with our best friend cousins come out after Christmas. Thank you to all our family & friends for all the support & love you continue to show us! Have a wonderful holiday. Love you!

State!

2008-11-25T08:39:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we had our first little road trip in our new 2005 minivan--complete with DVD player. Nice. Allison was thrilled to be in the car on our way to Bakersfield for the State gymnastics meet for Lindsey! Lindsey did so well. She competed against other 7 year olds. She got a personal best on 3 of her events. On vault, she got a 9.1 which earned her a 7th place medal and got her in the coveted "9 club" at her gym. The first place on vault was a 9.3. It is amazing how close it always is! On bars she got a 8.8, her best ever. This time the bar was set to the right height and she wasn't wearing those large grips. :) On beam she tied her sectionals score with an 8.3 and on floor she got an 8.35, a personal best even with a little fall on her landing. Her all around score was 34.55. She did amazing & we are very proud her. She has worked very hard & it has been so fun to see her grow & improve at each meet. Thanks Grandpa H. for making the 4 hour trip to come watch! I've uploaded videos of her events. Enjoy!

Lindsey on floor.

Awards...she is 3rd from the right. Pretty awesome!

Lindsey with her coach Ola and her teammates Carolina & Bella.

Let's catch up...and WE'RE GOING TO STATE!!

2008-10-27T17:15:00.000-07:00

Time to catch up & finally post about some things we've been up to! We've already had our ward Halloween party. Our kids scored at the Trunk or Treat. Hopefully Halloween night can be a little easier & SHORTER this year! Loren is a "Pirate Cutie" this year & loves to pose for us.
Jake couldn't decide, but then an hour before the party announced he was going to be a cowboy!

Allison is a "fairy princess". Wonderful to bring out those bags of dress ups & be set for the next few years! She's catching on REAL fast what Halloween is all about: chocolate!

Lindsey is a Jeannie. We finally had the perfect opportunity to use a birthday present from last year...her curly, braided hair extension. She was in heaven!

Had to throw this one in. This is one of Allison's favorite faces. She say's, "Look at my scary face! Ahhhhhhh!" Cracks us up! At the party she twirled & danced for everyone at the cosume parade. She's not afraid to perform. So cute.

All dressed up & HAPPY.

Few weeks ago Allie was on the kitchen table & rolled over thinking there was more of it and crashed to the floor on her face. This is a picture taken 3 days later. It was black & blue & swollen before. We weren't sure if she would lose a front baby tooth, which was bleeding & the gums all swollen & bruised. So far so good. All healed & still trying to get up on everything!

Nice cheeser Jake!

Thank you Chuck E Cheese!

We did have a fall break since I blogged last. We stayed local this year, no big trips. It was nice. A great highlight was taking the kids to the beach, just Mom's & kids. It's always a hit.

Big news...Lindsey qualified at an earlier "Prelim" meet for "Sectionals" in gymnastics. I never put on pics from prelim but this past weekend at Sectionals she qualified for State!!!! Yay! She has been working so hard. I attached video of her four events below. It was pretty nail biting exciting! Emotions were high for all the gymnasts. The pressure was on. We were more stressed & nervous than she was probably but it was a lot for her too. She got a personal best score on 3 of the 4 events. You need a 33.0 or higher to qualify for State. She got an 8.15 on floor, then an 8.7 on vault, then a 7.85 on bars (later that night Lindsey told us for the 1st time, getting teary, that she hadn't been using grips on the bar in practice but thought she had to at the meet...but they were too big! She had a hard time holding on to the bar! Wrong time to be using something you're not used too. We'll know better for State). Last event was the beam. Adding up her scores we knew she had to get an 8.3 or higher on the beam to qualify. She got an 8.3. We were screaming! She ended up getting a 6th place medal for her beam score. She was competing against other 6-7 yr olds. She is one determined & focused 7 yr old. State will be in Bakersfield the weekend before Thanksgiving. The next day, Sunday, was our primary program which for the first time I had the opportunity to write :) It was a BIG project. The kids did amazing. I probably teared up 3 or 4 times! Loren & I accompanied "I Love to See the Temple" with a duet. She was a brave girl! Pretty exciting weekend! Phew! :) Take care!

Lindsey and her buddy Carolina from team.

Fun weekend

2008-09-11T21:40:00.001-07:00

Here is Lindsey on the beam. Lindsey's gymnastics season has begun & last weekend was her first ever meet. She did great. Tough competition. She was a little sad that she didn't get a medal. It's a hard lesson to learn that you aren't getting a medal even though you did a good job---especially at 7 yrs old. Her best score was on vault. She got an 8.8 and the sixth place, which got a medal got 8.875. Pretty close! We'll see how this weekend goes. For the next few months, almost all the weekends will be spent in meets.
BJ's Mom came down for the weekend & after the meet we found a beautiful beach in Oxnard. Why is the beach SO relaxing & always just fun!? We love the beach.
BJ & Allison--testing the waters.
My little sidekick! I'm never in the pictures much (I'm always behind the camera). Thanks to my mother in law for having the camera!
Our own little "slimming pool" in Allie's words.
Beach= Happy kids

We have been so busy with all the school work, house work, activities, etc. Something about the beach breeze & waves that rejuvenates---ahhhh!

End of summer play & school begins!

2008-08-25T13:48:00.000-07:00

We've had a jam packed end of July-August! We had the cousins to our house as soon as we were back from Utah. So we introduced them to the Kidspace Discovery Museum! Here is Lindsey & Ally climbing up the "ant hole".
Spider web climbing

Jake LOVES this place!

All the gang climbing the "roots" . This place is in Pasadena. It is a hit. My kids love love love it

This beach made our top of the list for S. California beaches. To be able to park right up to beach, swing & slide & climb & then walk a little further to the water. Perfect! Santa Monica, off of Wilshire & California St. I believe. A must!
Having a blast jumping the waves!

Silly poses

Allison's favorite thing in the world! Swinging! Besides tuna of course.

Such a fun beach! We'll be back soon!

Our last get away before school started was to the Santa Barbara Zoo with our good friends, Pam, Eden & Reece. It was beautfiul there & so fun.

As you can see, Lindsey & Eden are such good buddies. They had a ball walking in hand around the zoo together.

To say Allie loved the zoo would be such an understatement! She LOVED naming off all the animals she saw for days after!

Giraffe zone
First day of school, August 13th. The shortest summer ever! Loren is in 4th, Lindsey, 2nd & Jake in kindergarten. Growing up so fast!

Big kindergartner! Jake was counting down the days/months to school starting since April.! He has been SO ready to go to school. Only probem: he has to wait until 11am to go everyday. Dying! He started playing the piano like his big sisters & that has really helped him to have something else to do while he's waiting. Some Mom's are just sad when their little ones go to kindergarten but I'm the opposite. I'm so excited for them! Mine have all been so ready & so excited to go to school.

A few days after school started we took a day off to drive up to San Francisco for a wedding! BJ's sister Paige & Andrew were married Augst 16th.

Loren, Lindsey & cousin Ally were flower girls & very proud.

It was freezing!

It was a party weekend! The wedding was beautiful & the kids danced till they dropped. The band LOVED Allison's moves!

We're all in the routine of school, drop offs & pickups, homework, activities, errands....a very familiar list to many of you! Hope you are all wonderful. We love you all!

We're Back!

2008-07-25T14:59:00.001-07:00

Let's see...absent from blog world since May! Very bad indeed! :) We have been busy--room makeovers, backyard fun, two week road trip beginning in Northern California & on to UT (which I drove with the kids!), swim lessons, park & movie trips, play dates, etc. etc.! I've been horrible at documenting it all. I have a bunch of pics to share. Sorry we've been gone for so long but WE'RE BACK!! :)

Ever happen in your backyard on a Sunday afternoon?

They were so proud

The only way to get them to bring it all back inside was to give in to a sleep on the tramp request. BJ had to work in the morning. They are all pretending to be asleep. It was fun, until 3am when my toes were frozen & my legs were cramping from Jake laying on my bottom half. Transferred to the family room...ah warmth! But a fun memory :)

Allison LOVES tuna. She'd have it for breakfast(which she has before), lunch & dinner if I let her. She finds a way to get into the cupboard to get a tuna can & find me.

The girls room got a makeover for their birthdays. Loren was the most excited--she was DYING for an "older girl" room. Lindsey didn't mind the light pink walls & butterflies but Loren was ready for a big change & we had a lot of fun doing it! Three little girls in a room, but it came together!

First we painted the walls mint green, hung sheers & I found hot pink blankets & shaggy pillows. Then we made pillows. This was my first attempt & it was so fun. I sewed, the girls stuffed & helped a little with hand sewing to close them up. I was so surprised at how easy it was. My sewing abilities have usually only been with mending or hemming curtains!

The black & white polka dot fabrics were inspired with covering these little chairs forever ago & so I found similar fabrics & we really had fun doing projects together. In the process, the crib was converted to the toddler bed & Allie got some freedom--which means I get a visitor almost nightly around 4am.

All the pillows! The girls were in heaven & I was proud!

Then the girls painted letters for their names & we modge podged scrapbook paper shapes & ribbon to decorate. They LOVED these.

I inherited this flower basket (thank you Lindsay!) so I painted it black & found some huge hot pink daisies to put in.

We painted this magnet board, glued on beads & made magnets with clear stones & scrapbook paper & scrapbook flowers.

The girls have kept it pretty clean & are very happy. Lots of little projects & if you know me at all you know that once I get into a project I just have to get it completed and check it off. I love this stuff & it was fun to include my daughters & make it a fun memory together.

The end of June we started our road trip beginning with my sister in law Paige's bridal shower In Northern California. Couldn't miss it! Here are all the women in the family, BJ's mom, four sisters, me & Veronica (BJ's oldest brothers wife).

Allie was the only child aloud from the clan & she LOVED that ribbon!

Paige--so adorable & ready to be married! August! Yay!

Pool party with the cousins!

Cousins are always just the best of friends.

From the family up north we drove out to Sacramento & stayed with our really good friends, Jena, Mike & their 3 boys. Kids had a blast...just like old times.

Then BJ flew home & I started the next morning for UT with the kids. We got in to my Aunt & Uncle's house pretty late--mostly because I had to experiment with how to keep my tail light from hanging by it's cords & banging the bumper. I was so glad it wasn't a major flat tire that was making that horrible sound. Bungee cords worked. Here are my youngest cousins on my Dad's side--the youngest cousins of about 60 I think!

I was so excited to find out that a bunch of my extended family was getting together for a BBQ while I was in town! I miss being near them all. I just love seeing my kids find instant buddies with my own cousins kids! Family is so wonderful.

Here are my sisters & all our girls. My sis Nat in the middle is holding her Ellie who we hadn't seen since her birth. So fun to be together.

My girls with their cousin Aiden--my brother Connor & his wife Amara's son.

My sister Jess surprised Loren & Lindsey with colored extensions for their birthdays. Loren was VERY excited. She turned 9 while we were in UT & had probably three parties with all the family we saw. BJ flew in for the 4th of July & for the weekend--so nice.
We spent three nights with my grandparents & while we were there we had a cousin sleepover. Being at "Oma" & "Opa's" (great grandparents in Dutch) house is a major highlight. These are my cousins (I'm the oldest grandchild on my Mom's side) & they are just a little older than my kids. My kids ADORE them & they all have so much fun together. Wonderful memories made. We were all spoiled by my grandparents!! We love them so much!

I'm so proud of my little sister Jessica & her husband. They launched their own salon business --Olivia Jade Hair Studios--in Saratoga Springs, UT. We finally got to see it all completed. It is beautiful. She is so talented! Any UT locals need to check it out. We got some cute makeover hair-do's in there!

Here is a peak inside with her products & little boutique. Video of my sis & her salon will be posted on our website, myplace2sell.com, soon!
Sleek hair stations. Seriously! Jess! You guys are amazing!

So I've posted a million pictures & could have posted several more--it has been such a long time since I posted -- but here is another highlight & for all those visiting UT you've got to go here. My kids absolutely LOVED the Gateway fountains in Salt Lake City. We've never seen pop up fountains like this! They were so soaked!!

They can't wait to return!

We had such a great trip. The driving got old for sure but it was all worth it. There were so many friends that we wanted to visit while we were there but it became a family focused trip. It was so nice to have the time to hang with my sisters & spend so much time with my grandparents & extended families on both sides. We'll be back & to all those buddies I couldn't connect with we'll hook up soon! Since being home we've had some FUN & I'll post soon about all that! It's been nice to be home & back in routine & recovered. Can't believe school starts for us in 2 weeks. Hope you all are great & hope to hear from you soon!

May Memories

2008-06-01T22:20:00.000-07:00

May has been a busy month full of sweet & FUN memories. Here is Jake & I at his preschool "Mothers Day Tea". He is such a sweet boy. So thrilled to show me the gifts that he made.
Lindsey got an Academics award at school. Allison just loved getting to visit "Dee Dee" at school. We're so proud of Lindsey!

Lindsey turned 7 on May 22nd! We had a "mock" sleepover. It is the way to go! All the fun of a sleepover but none of the drama. The tramp of course was the biggest hit. We had all the girls come in their PJ's, had pizza, decorated cupcakes, watched a movie with popcorn, painted nails & did a little craft. All the girls left by 9pm. A definite success & super fun.
Lindsey's cake... the colors of the girls new bedroom makeover...more pictures later! Almost finished with it.

Nice Loren! All of the girls had a little fun with the icing. Loren was my special "helper" for the night. She wanted "in" on the gift bags :)

Quincey, Aubrey & Eden. Super silly & best buddies of Lindsey!

a close up

Allison turned 2 on May 13th. I can't believe it. This was her favorite gift. She can almost count to 20 & loves to point out all the colors & objects she knows. She is such a cutie & has 3 tutors daily teaching her new things to say & do.

Loved those cupcakes!

Jakes's preschool graduation. Here are his two best buddies, Riley & Reece. I can't believe Jake goes to Kindergarten this fall!

Jake with his two preschool teachers, Miss Rose & Miss Glena. They were amazing!

One of my favorite pictures.--just took it today in the backyard. Lindsey still absolutely LOVES to be with Allie every chance she get's & Allie loves her SO much! So sweet together.
Jake had is final T-ball game of the season. Jake has had a busy month! Here is Jake with Coach Mick (our really close friend) getting his first ever trophy. BJ was the assistant coach this year.
The Dodgers.

Up to bat. He can hit that ball every time! Maybe next year he'll keep the helmet on as he rounds the bases. So funny. He'll hit the ball, start running, realize he doesn't want the helmet on, stop half way to 1st base, throw the helmet back to home plate then continue running.

Way to go Jake!

Hope you all are wonderful & winding down a little like we are. School is out in 2 more weeks. Yay! Have a great week!

10 Years!

2008-04-29T21:45:00.000-07:00

We left this little face (yes, those are Mr. Potato head glasses!) & three of her siblings for seven days (something we haven't done in 7 or 8 years) to celebrate our 10th Anniversary. We've never gotten away for more than a day or two so this was a big deal! 10 years!

Flu & cold season hit our home hard this year. It was only the day before we left that Allie (who got hit with both the flu & a cold--which resulted in asthma issues of course) was finally keeping fluids & food down. She was a sick little girl. It just broke my heart & I was a nut case to say the least. My AMAZING mom flew from Hawaii to watch the kids. Knowing she is a nurse & has had 5 kids helped with my anxiety. It's enough to get through the routine, homework, activities, etc. etc. of four children without having sickness on top of it! Besides Allie missing her mom & still recovering (and doing lot's of treatments/meds), Jake got the flu a few days later & then my Mom caught the cold! Mom, you are the greatest! We love you & we owe you SO BIG! We had a wonderful time & wish the kids would have been healthy! Thank you, thank you for doing this for us! Here are some pics from our trip. We cruised along the Mexican Riviera...to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, & Puerto Vallarta.
Our favorite destination...Cabo. Someday we'll come back to spend more time here! Beautiful!

The beach in Cabo...ahhhhhhhh!

Okay...this is probably why it was our favorite destination---MI CASA--perhaps the best Mexican food we have EVER eaten...and we eat a lot of Mexican food! We wanted to find an authentic Mexican Restaurant & found it. So nice that BJ could use his Spanish & get in with the locals to lead us to this place for lunch! So good! We'll come back to Cabo just to eat here again.
Isn't it adorable?
Oh yeah!

A view off a museum terrace in Mazatlan. We did a walking "historical" tour for our excursion in Mazatlan.
Coast of Mazatlan
Mazatlan... streets in the "Old Town"

A Mexican couple we met on our tour (Spanish speaking only). Lot's of translating for me. We met several really great couples & families on our trip.
An opera house built in the 1800's. Mazatlan.
The Catholic Cathedral in Mazatlan.
Here we are on our actual anniversary on the ship. Happy couple!

Here is a view of Yelapa--our excursion when we ported in Puerto Vallarta. Yelapa is a small fishing village only accessible by boat. We got to go snorkeling, kayaking & then hike up to a little waterfall & then lounge on the beach. A really fun day. The only downfall...seeing way to many people get super drunk!
Yelapa
A humble home in Yelapa. Yelapa only got electricity 2 years ago!
Such a cutie!

The waterfall we "hiked" to in Yelapa :)
Oh I love tropical views!

SO HUGE! We sailed on Princess cruises & we still can't believe how huge our ship was!
Out of order...but here is Mazatlan on our walking tour of the monuments
Mazatlan view

1st formal night on the ship...a Sunday...we decided to attend a Jewish Passover service. A great experience. We met a wonderful family & we exchanged lot's of information on eachother's religions.
Such a cute family!

What a sunset & what a great escape with my favorite person with benefits! :) Thank you sweetie. To hold hands for seven days & do anything we wanted to do...was WONDERFUL!!!Now we're back to reality & fast! Everyone is healthy though! Yahoo!

Thanks again Mom!

Our Miracle drug & lot's of catch up...

2008-03-29T15:36:00.000-07:00

We're on the mend over here. Since my last blog everyone else in the family got sick--with a nasty chest cough. Thank goodness Allison didn't catch it this round. I may have got it the worst...and I've still got it. I haven't coughed this much or so hard for a few years! I had to include this picture of Allie though from a few weeks ago. I still can't get over how easy it was to give her treatments. She's so fascinated with cartoons right now because she has figured out so many words & loves to point out all she knows. She is a big girl! Well, I promised to share with you all our miracle drug from my last blog...which WORKS!...so here it is:
Sambucol. You won't find it in a pharmacy. Only in a vitamin/natural/holistic/health foods type store. With two children with asthma, flared by virus induced respiratory infections I was determined to find something to help. Asthma is scary. I'm a nurse & have been trained in drug therapies. I never looked into herbs or holistic type therapies until recently. But, I'm hooked. For a year I've given Sambucol to my kids when I first notice they are coming down with a cold. What it has done for us is it decreases the symptoms & the length of the cold...it "nips" it by boosting their immunity. By doing this it has prevented their colds to get bad enough to trigger a asthma attack. They'll cough and have drainage but NOTHING like before. So, there you have it. Try it & see if it helps. It's safe enough for infants, just divide the dose accordingly. I get the adult strength & divide up the dose for my kids so that it will last longer. It has been a great blessing for us...to be asthma flare free for a year is pretty good!

Now for some catch up! Allie had a blast finding eggs this year at Easter time. Here she is with Tabitha & Lindsey at our ward Easter party.
She is now addicted to "cannee". She seems to find all the kids hiding places for their baskets & runs to find me and say, "mmmmm yummy cannee!". Oh boy! I don't have a picture of it but on Easter Loren, Lindsey & Jake "hid" some hardboiled & plastic eggs in the backyard for Allison. It was so cute to see them so excited to help her hunt. She was in heaven!
Loren had her Hawaiian dance class recital. It's her second class. She LOVES it! Her favorite is the poi balls. She can hold the poi balls with one hand & do the "butterfly". Pretty tricky!
So sweet. My Loren is growing up too fast!
All the girls

Jake just had his 1st ever T-ball game this weekend! He couldn't be happier to be in his new cleats, baseball pants, shirt & hat. Ever since T-ball began two weeks ago with the team mtg & practice he has worn his hat daily. Today at the game he was seen dancing in the outfield! :) His Dad is an asst. coach & out there with him so he is in heaven.

All the sisters watching Jake at the game. Go Jake!!
Besides dancing Jake was focused too & getting those balls & making some big hits. Pretty fun.

Lastly, I did it. I've joined the big 3-0 club. 30 years old!!

Everyone has asked me if I was ready to turn 30 & I say YES! I've been excited to turn 30 if you can believe it! I've got 4 kids! I've earned 30! :) I had a great birthday. I was very spoiled by my sweet friends & family. I had a great surprise from two of my best buddies (thank you Mique & Tara for kidnapping me!!), plenty of GFM (guilt free money) & gift cards to spend (thank you to my awesome family & friends!) & an amazing husband who threw me a party (thank you honey! You're the best!). Thank you everyone for making my birthday so great. Now I just need to get rid of this cough!

Happier Days

2008-03-05T21:28:00.000-08:00

Allie had happier days like this a few weeks ago! She's got her phone, birdie toy & a dozen Hawaiian "pritty ecklace" (s) on. :) So cute how she would put them all on & run to find me to say, " Mommy...LOOK! Pitty ecklace!" Of course, Loren & Lindsey are all saying "So pretty!" to her & she was thrilled. Well, I'm ready for those days! Allie hit her 3rd cold in a row (over the past few months)...and for almost a year now we've avoided the major asthma meds (oral steroids) & Dr. visits because we've been able to nip the colds before they got bad enough to really kick in heavy asthma symptoms (more later on what I've found that has SAVED us on early nipping of colds). Both she & Lindsey have asthma & have done so well for about a year. SO! Allie is a trooper. This time the cold was just too nasty. BJ & Jake got it really bad & then Allie got it. I tried everything but the heavy wheezing set in along with major cough attacks & wasn't going away. Nebulizer treatments every four hours (10 min breathing treatments...and done with ease now that she loves to watch Elmo, Little Ponies & Caillou! Yes! Gone are the days of the headlock to get through a treatment!), Flovent (daily inhaled steroid), oral steroid dose for the next few more days, constant coughing, off and on wheezing & runny nose..the kind that get's rubbed all over the face! She has been a sad & tired little lady & therefore...mommy is very tired too! It's still nothing like her MAJOR asthma episode last year where she was almost hospitalized so I am relieved but today...I was so tired! It's all getting better.

So, I have a few pics to share. About a month ago or so Loren was in the school spelling bee for the 3rd grade & got 3rd place. Loren was in it last year as well & got 3rd place. Two years in a row! We are so proud of her. She loves school & it is so nice that she is independent on her homework! :)
This was really cute. Loren & her best buddies at school planned a special outing to see the Spiderwick Chronicles movie...just after Valentines Day. Just Moms & girls. They had all read the Spiderwick series & had been talking about going together as soon as they realized a movie was coming out. We had this same group of friends over for a playdate the other day and they are cute together. Making up plays, singing to songs, tramp games. Loren said it was the best play date she had ever had!

Well, that's about it for now. On the mend over here! Sorry Gpa D. for not posting Lindsey's "He-man" pushups video. Coming soon. :)

I've been tagged...again!

2008-02-20T21:56:00.000-08:00

Rules of this game.Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names and then goes to their blogs and leaves a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and that they should read your blog. Got it?

10 years ago...
I was in pre-nursing courses at BYU Provo & engaged to BJ. They were hard classes! Try Patho physiology & Microbiology while being engaged! We were married in April, the day after my last final. Oh yeah, my last final was at done at something like 7pm the night before my wedding!

5 things on my "to do"list today
Well, first of the all the day is over but what I had was...
1) Get through the piles on my dresser to finally dust under it (did it)
2) Get my bathroom & the kids bathroom cleaned (did it)
3) Do Jake's preschool book with him (his reading book--he's getting good!--we did it)
4) Finish my "homework"--I read a book on Asthma to get my CE (continuing education) credits done to renew my nursing license. Finally finished this & mailed it in! It's only taken me a year I think. I read half of it this last week!
5) Help the girls with piano...make practicing happen for two days in a row! (Yes!)

We are busy...had more than 5 things on the "to do" list!

Snacks I enjoy
I love chocolate chip granola bars (why do I buy these!). I love graham crackers, open faced toasted PPJ's, apples, slices of chedar cheese, bagels with cream cheese...I could go on :)

What I would do if I were suddenly a millionaire
Pay off our house, invest a bunch of it, put a bunch of it into savings...go to Europe with BJ or maybe Tahiti :)

3 bad habits
1)When we make chocolate chip cookies I can't just eat one or two...
2) Piles...too many piles
3) Stay up too late & pay for it in the morning (When do kids decide to sleep in past 6am?)

5 places I've lived
1) Alpine & Provo, UT
2)Santa Clarita, CA
3)Chiba, Japan (only for 6 weeks as an exchange student summer before my Junior yr of highschool).
4) Oahu, HI (went to BYU Hawaii my freshman yr of college and met BJ there)
5) Draper, UT

5 jobs I've had
1)Drive-through at McDonalds (my 1st job...wow)
2)Secretary for a Family Practice office (when I was in pre-nursing at BYU)
3) Pineapple Delights girl at the Night Show at the PCC (Polynesian Cultural Center) in Hawaii
4) Telemarketer (Pathetic high school job...that payed better than McDonalds--I was one of those voices pleading to give a survey!
5) Mother-Baby nurse & Piano teacher

5 things people don't know about me
1) I have very bad toe nails....VERY bad & I can push my lips under (and they'll stay). BJ HATES when I do this! (Picture Jim Carrey, anyone remember that movie?) Yes, teeth. Frightning!
2) I went sky-diving in Hawaii. Loved it! Never will do it again but loved it.
3) Ran track, cross-country & played on the high school basketball team. My relay team won 1st at State one year...I ran the 200 meters in that relay team. Good times.
4) I've river rafted down the Grand Canyon with my Dad & brothers & a bunch of other guys when I was in highschool. The only girl in the group. Can you tell I like thrills?
5) I once took a dare to eat pasta for an hour by my cousin (Erika & Heidi, you know who dared me to do this!) The dare was for $100...and he never paid up! I think I was dating BJ at the time. He found out early on he was with a girl that could eat. Boy was I sick! I still love pasta if you can believe it!
Friends I have tagged: Whit, Sunnee, Melissa, Angel & Jen.

Valentines Tag

2008-02-13T23:16:00.000-08:00

I've been Valentines tagged! Here it goes...

1. How long have you been together? We celebrate our 10th Anniversary April 23rd! We're going on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera to celebrate. Ahhhhhh.
2. How old is he? 32 (33 in April)
3. How old are you? 29 (30 in March) I know, BIG ONE!
4. Who eats more? Hmmm. Anyone who knows me knows that I can eat. I think we tie. But, if we're eating chocolate chip cookies, I win.
5. Who said "I love you" first? BJ. Don't we all wait for the guy to say it first? I was ready to say it back pretty quick!
6. Who is taller? BJ.
7. Who sings better? Tie again. We don't have trained voices but we can stay on tune! Not many people know about BJ's GREAT singing voice. He can always pick out the harmony...where I love to sing the melody. OK...BJ just came in & denies the tie. He say's I'm better. Hm. :)
8. Who is smarter? Are we talking computer stuff or medical? Obviously I'm the medical but BJ is better at Perquackey. Any of you played that game?
9. Who does the laundry? Megan. BJ has tried very sweetly to do it before, but after some articles of clothing shrunk he has been forbidden. He does ALL his own ironing though. I HATE ironing!
10. Who does the dishes? Mostly Megan.
11. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? It changes. Every pregnancy I end up on the left but then when it's all over I'm back on the right.
12. Who pays the bills? Megan. Love the Bill Pay.
13. Who mows the lawn? Of course it's BJ. I don't think I've EVER mowed the lawn.
14. Who cooks dinner? Mostly Megan...but BJ makes GREAT gourmet breakfasts & Mexican. I CRAVE his salsa! He also likes to experiment. Most of the time it's REALL good...except when he put vanilla in the scrambled eggs back when I was pregnant with Loren & ohhhh was it bad! Now his experiments always surprise me with how fresh & creative they are. I really love when he cooks! I love to cook too. It's hard to find the time to really cook every day these days!
15. Who is more stubborn? On a scale of 1-10 - We're both not super stubborn people. Although BJ really was a stubborn kid I guess (according to Grandma).
16. Who kissed whom first? BJ kissed me first. VERY early on in our courtship :) I was realed right in! :)
17. Who asked whom out? BJ asked me out first. He worked in the testing center at BYU Hawaii & asked me out right before I was going to take a math test! Hard to concentrate on that one... I could see him through the window the whole time!
18. Who proposed? BJ. I knew it was coming. It was perfect. A view, down on one knee in the snow...a wonderful night.

19. Who is more sensitive? Definitely Megan. Megan can be WAY too sensitive. BJ is a good listener.
20. Who has more friends? I'd say we're the same. I chat, e-mail, blog with them more often though. We both love making new friends & staying in touch with old friends.
21. Who has more siblings? BJ. He's the 5th of 7. I'm the 1st of 5.
22. Who wears the pants in the relationship? I'm happy to say that we are truly equal partners.

I love BJ so much. He is my perfect fit, my best friend and the hottest guy around! We have the same goals, the same dreams. We love being parents & he is a GREAT Dad. I feel so blessed to have him in my life.

10 years has gone by so fast!

OKAY...now you all are tagged! What are all your answers. Happy Valentines Day!!

Lindsey's gymnastics "Mini Meet" & other FUN pics!

2008-01-29T12:31:00.000-08:00

We have had some fun events recently! It has been busy but so fun. I know my posts are always a long time coming but...oh well! Forgive me all you daily bloggers! :) First off, Allison is CRACKING ME UP!!! I finally got this on camera. She loves to get in BJ's closet & peek around to the mirror smiling and say "Hello" then giggle & do it over and over again!

Such a cutie! Look at that long pony tail? :)

She discovered some silly things to do with herself & the mirror. Do you like the children's floss green things sticking out of her mouth? She thought she was so funny!

Mirrors are so fascinating!! She just giggled & giggled after finding her tongue!

Here is Lindsey & I at her 1st grade's annual "Grandparent Tea" day. It really is a cute day that the children plan for the special grandparents in their life (& also fun for the parents!). They sang songs & presented all the projects they had worked on in preparation for this special day. Lindsey's grandparents live pretty far away so they couldn't make it but she received letters from them telling stories of when they were her age. Priceless! I'm so impressed with our elementary school & the effort they take into creating memorable projects/events for the kids. This event was a celebration of family & ancestors & what we can learn from them. So cute!

Here is Lindsey with her teacher & some of her favorite friends.

Just a random picture of Allie :)

Just when we are tempted to "give away" a toy (in this case this play kitchen which has been loved & played with since Loren was 4!) it is brought back to life in full force! Allison can't get enough of it. She "organizes" play food & loves showing each of us that she can say what she is holding--bread, juice, turkey, eggs. She is loving to tell us every word she knows! One of the cute things she says is "Oh Man!" from Swiper the Fox (Dora) & when someone in the family is tickling her or chasing her & say's, "Silly Allie", she'll say, "Silly Lo Lo" (Loren) or "Silly Daddy" or "Silly Mommy" in her cute little voice. :) She is a talker & is such a joy!

Jake is computer man! He clicks & clicks without care of the consequences. But, he is also really good at maneuvering the mouse to play his new games. He loves to sneak and play a computer game (Christmas present & new form of contention in our house!). We've discovered the BIG need to set time limits. BJ say's Jake has discovered things he's never seen before (because he clicks lot's of things that weren't intended to be clicked) He's 4! What is this kid going to be like as a teen! I didn't have a computer in the house until I was in high school I think! I remember typing out my papers & using lot's of white out and I'm not that old!

Lindsey posing at the end of the mini meet...every gymnast got a medal :)

Lindsey is front & center. So flexible. We don't know where this came from! They'll hold splits positions & Lindsey will be giggling. BJ & I just cringe as we watch her sometimes. A good way to get laughs from her teammates & coaches is when she sits on the floor with legs straight & together in front then she reaches & picks up her feet with her thighs still laying flat on the floor. What's that all about?! :)

In the splits & stretching out the neck. She's in the front with head all the way back.

Linds on the beam. This is the event that scares me to death! Well, Lindsey did great. She performed in front of about 200 people. It was really low-key & fun. Lindsey can't get enough of gymnastics & it's been fun to see her develop great self-confidence. She loves to condition & tells us that she has to work hard to get better..."maybe I'll be on t.v. someday Mom & get a medal". That library movie of "The Greatest America Gymnasts" was watched MANY times. Oh boy...
I'm so excited to discover that I can upload videos! So here is Lindsey on her bar, floor & beam routine at the Mini Meet. She is 6! We are proud of her & her hard work. It sure is fun to watch! I've seen these routines done MANY times in practice & perhaps a little smoother but what I LOVE is for example on the beam--Lindsay loses balance & hops right back on to do the move again & get it right! She could have skipped it & continued but she was determined to get it & do it! I love that. Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

2008-01-04T16:25:00.000-08:00

Happy New Years everyone! It has been FOREVER since I've blogged about our family! Sorry! This holiday season was probably the busiest we have ever had! Some things had to slide until the New Year and one of those things was my blog! Next Christmas I'm determined to start everything earlier & plan better! I think I always say that but never do!! I really will next time! It was all worth it but it definitely was a crazy, busy time!

Our holiday was wonderful, filled with many memories & events. We were so blessed to be able to be with so many members of our family. Love them all so much!!

I really love Christmas time. I LOVE getting in touch with old friends as well as new friends & family members & giving & receiving Christmas cards with family updates & pictures. I love getting the home decorated for Christmas & planning & attending Christmas activities & gift giving. I love planning Christmas for my family & feeling of their excitement & anticipaton. I love the stories, thoughts & reminders of the birth of our Savior & of His life & realizing again how blessed I am to have the gospel in my life. Christmas time is a busy time but is also so magical & wonderful. I love to share this holiday with those we love!

The Christmas magic really began with Santa visiting Jake's preschool. Jake was so thrilled to sit on his lap & tell him what he wanted--a remote control car. Santa was so fun & kind. Jake still treasures the picture Santa gave all the children. This was such a fun day!

Christmas morning...Loren was so excited to find High School Musical treasures. She got an MP3 player to rock out to all the songs. Car rides will never be the same!
Lindsey asked Santa for a new bike! It was so cute, all the kids wrote letters to Santa & taped them on the fireplace, every day we'd see the letters placed a little differently on the fire place. The were proud of their work & so excited for Christmas. Lindsey wrote two letters. One letter thanking Santa for the presents last year & a new letter asking for a new bike & petshops.

Allison loved her new baby
and all the STARBURSTS she could get her hands on! She calls them "nanny" for candy. Lindsey thinks it's so funny that Allison loves candy so much and so she sneaks it to her when I'm not looking. Ahhh! Besides the addiction ,Allie loves to suck on things and then throw them anywhere she likes--this includes all fruit and vegetables (she especially likes to nibble on carrots & spit it out or bananas). I've found many slimey surprises! If I can catch her quick enough I can convince her to chew it a little more or throw it in the garbage (which she calls "garby"). Running, while yelling out "garby!" & then getting to open the lid & watch the item fall into the hole is her favorite thing to do these days! Oh, except jumping on the tramp. She is really getting good at it. Lindsey is currently teaching her to do better somersaults too & to "stick it!" Yes, gymnastics is a big thing around our house. We won't be surprised if little Allie does gymnastics too...

Jake's remote control car. Go Santa! Looks pretty excited about it? Oh yeah! BJ would have died for remote control like this as a kid!

We definitely had a High School Musical, Hannah Montana, Petshop Christmas. The girls were in heaven.

Even after getting the kids to rally up the starbursts SEVERAL times that morning, Allie just kept finding them!!!

So easy to please with new jammies!

and Elmo of course! :) Elmo was BJ's best friend too while I was in UT (kidsless!). I better back up. We found out about some family events we didn't want to miss with BJ's family so instead of following our original plan to drive up to Northern Cali late Christmas morning we held a family council & decided to write to Santa and ask if he would please come early this year. Then Lindsey piped in and said, "why don't we ask Santa to come tonight!" (this was Dec. 21st I might add). BJ thought that was the best idea he had ever heard. I was feeling the guilt of course knowing that we'd be there with all the cousins Christmas morning & wondering how our kids would handle watching their cousins open everything in front of them. We thought of taking all the gifts from us up on our trip, but in the end...we just did it all! We've brought Christmas with us before & swore we'd never do it again! So, Santa came after all & after "Christmas" was unwrapped we headed for breakfast at Eggs n Things. A fun treat...that made our Christmas very relaxing. BJ votes we do it early every year! Anyways, after one of the busiest Sunday's ever we piled in the car immediately after Church & made the drive to arrive at BJ's Dad's house 4 hrs later at a house full of all his siblings & their families. The first event of our our trip. My camera was out of battery but it was such a great afternoon & to be with everyone there. The only downfall was the allergic reactions all of our kids had from the animals. All our kids are So allergic to cats & dogs!

Lindsey lost her front tooth...& then lost her other front tooth & loved chanting the words, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!"

Okay, I can't remember if I posted this picture before but this was before Christmas and I was gone. BJ was "watching" the kids. Well, I guess he dozed off & Allison roamed up to the bathroom, climbed into the sink & fell asleep! I've seen her climb into the sink before...such a classic picture...nice one BJ. :)

Christmas morning at the cousins! What a cute group! We were amazed at how great our kids did watching their cousins open all of their gifts. When asked later about it they all agreed that it really wasn't that bad...especially because they got presents from Grandpa & Tammy & then from Grandma & then from Aunt Brookie. They still had presents to open! Not bad!! :)

It was so fun to be there this time for BJ's Dad's party, the Christmas Eve festivities & Secret Santa Exchange among the siblings, spouses & Gma, then Christmas Day and then to top it off- to be there for BJ's Sister's 40th birthday party at BJ's Restaurant. All of BJ's siblings, except one brother who lives in Oregon made it there with their significant other as well as both of his parents. It was a fun night! Great food, tons of laughs! I sat there & realized that in about 10 years I"ll be 40 & Loren will be 18! Yikes! Her 8 yrs has flown by. I hope the next 10 will be a little slower! Wow.
Bj's sister Shannon. Look at that crown! BJ's brother Lane (the brother in Oregon who couldn't make it that night) made this crown out of silver pipe cleaners. Yeah! The creative juices in this family are amazing. Do you see the "S" in the center for "Shannon"? Seriously! :)

So, after all the festivities in Northern California BJ sent me to UT for the weekend so I could be there for my sister Natalie's baby's blessing, KIDSLESS. Something I haven't done since my Grandma's funeral a few years ago. It was so relaxing & so fun to hang with my family for a few days. I got to play "Auntie" for once. After some Cafe Rio, shopping, fun movies & family time I was so relaxed! How grateful I am to have been able to be there for my sister. BJ, stayed in N.Cali with all the kids & drove home after his brother Darren's baby boy was blessed on Sunday. This was my first time away from Allison for more than a night & BJ was a little nervous...but Elmo & milk saved the day. Anytime she'd say, "Mommy" he would say "Elmo" or "Milk" & she was fine. Success!!!
Here are my parents, my sister Natalie & little Ellie. So cute! Me & Ellie.

What do you know, after the blessing & sacrament mtg was over I stood up to leave with my family & saw my friend Monica, one of my best high school buddies, sitting in the back. She & her husband are living in India right now, so I was so excited to see her! What are the chances! They were there visiting for Christmas. This was her husband Bart's family's ward & they had decided to go last minute. I ran into two other guys I knew in high school too. Always happens when you visit UT! Fun times.

Well, to finish up the longest blog ever I wanted to share what I have spent every spare second of Dec. working on, a digital scrapbook for my Mom (& for me & all of my siblings & anyone else in my family who wants it). This is the reason that this holiday season was probably the busiest ever. I was scrambling to get as much of this project done as possible. It took lot's of time, & I was learning how to use photoshop in the process. Photoshop is so fun! One of my favorite things I was able to do was use the "lasso" tool & preserve my Grandmother's writing by cropping out my Grandmother's writing from her original scrapbook & then play it with it & insert it into my book. I can honestly say I'll probably completely convert to digital scrapbooking. Something I thought I'd never do. I've always LOVED to scrapbook, ever since highschool. How wonderful it was to know that I could print off several copies of my work instead of manually putting together several copies to all who wanted this. These pages aren't in order but here are some of the pages I did & presented to my Mom when I got to UT. I've been wanting to do this for a very long time & it is still a work in progress but it has been so rewarding for me. I have loved talking with my grandparents, getting their childhood memories, & memories of their courtship & first years of marriage. To know these stories & to have these pictures are just priceless to me. I had scanned these pictures in UT last summer...all of them being 2in. by 3 in. pictures. I wanted to scan them at a high enough resolution to blow them up & then digitally scrapbook their history & then the life of my Mom. My grandparents came to America from Holland & their story is so amazing. My mom was the first born & was born in California. THey lived all over the world & had so many experiences. I'm excited to document it & have it for my family.
Before our trip to N. Cali I hadn't even gotten to the pictures of my Mom yet so every spare second I had there, I worked on about 4 more pages. I got about 15 done...and have much more to go! So! I'm thrilled that it has been started & now that my mom is in on it I am excited to get her early memories & continue building on this book. I plan to continue with the pictures I have & then build as I get a hold of more pictures. My Mom was so surprised & loved it. Later, when my Grandparents saw it after I had already left they couldn't believe the clarity & to be able to see their pictures so much bigger & edited (thanks to my brother Connor). They loved it & want their own copy. It was SO worth it. SO rewarding! I'm excited to continue the project at a much slower pace :) Here are some of the pages! They are all 12x12 pages. Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season & a Happy New Year!

Courtship pictures. They knew eachother from childhood.

Picture taken just after being married.

Their voyage to America. Finally together!

engaged...but my Gpa had to go back to America to save money for my Gma's voyage. They were apart for a year & were married by Proxy.

Honeymoon & actual letter my Gpa wrote my Gma's father about his plans for the future & his love for my Gma.

Their first pictures in America, newly married. They lived in a little trailor right next to Compton College.

My mom was born.

Fun pictures of her as a baby.

These pictures were all so tiny & even a little blurry! It's amazing what you can do!

Good night!!!!

Thanksgiving Memories

2007-11-28T21:46:00.000-08:00

What a way to kick off the Thanksgiving holiday! Jake's preschool performance was the cutest. It was about 5 -7 minutes long with a "Thanksgiving Feast" afterwards. Jake just beamed and was thrilled to sing for his Mom. He is such a sweet boy. He just LOVES going to preschool! He's cheesing with Riley & Ed--two of his best buddies!

Ever since BJ called up my Grandma V. (let's see...probably in 2002-03) to plan a "family night" video taping her teaching me how to make her famous Banana Cream Pies I have made them ever since! My Grandma made these for BJ's birthday & holidays & now I'm the woman in his life making his cream pies. I have to admit I crave and love them just as much as he does. But it IS an act of love. It is a process...a long process but the end result is worth it. I really have loved learning to make homemade pies. Everytime I do it, I get a little better at it and I think of my Grandma. In fact, while I was making them this time around I called my Grandma & she had just finished making 4 pies herself! A great tradition that has passed down. I'd post the recipe but you really have to watch & learn so if any of you are interrested I'd be happy to share! :) But you've got to come over. These pies are HUGE...made in 10 inch pans. I made banana cream and chocolate cream (both Grandma's recipes) the day before Thanksgiving. It wasn't too bad transporting them up to N. California! YUMMY!

Pretty isn't it? :)

We arrived at 2 AM Thanksgiving morning to the Bay area (Way too late! But couldn't be helped!) and after recovering a bit we headed over to BJ's sister Shelley's home for the festivities. Here are some of the family that were there: BJ's brother Daren & his wife Veronica are on the left with their newest addition, Joseph, in BJ's sister Shannon's arms on the far right, and BJ's sister Shelley in the center with her two boys, Matthew & Michael. It was a TASTY Thanksgiving as always & more great family memories complete with lot's of laughs & ping pong tournaments---Bj & I won the couple play-offs--best out of 5 (because of BJ of course!). We are all such competitors! :)

Let's get a closer look at that baby! Sweet Joseph is only 7 weeks...he slept through most of Thanksgiving I think! Shannon has been the designer & painter of the show "Fresh Coat" on the DIY network (redoing a room using only paint). She just launched a book describing some of her simple tips using examples from episodes on her show. You can check out her book here. BJ's other sister Shelley just "ghost" wrote a book that is selling on Amazon called "The Million Dollar Idea in Everyone". You can see her book here. Yeah, my sister in laws are authors, on t.v., you name it! So proud of them all. The are all SO talented.

Our silly boys! Cousin Michael, cousin Matthew, Jake & cousin Adam, Thanksgiving Day. BJ's sister Shelley's backyard is always a hit, especially with the tramp & bike ramps. Each visit these cousins get bigger & become better buddies. Cousins are the greatest!

Lindsey, Loren & cousin Ally. These girls were inseparable! They had their first ever sleepover at cousin Ally's house--without Mom & Dad staying too! We stayed at Grandma's. They had a blast of course!

I'm not sure how many times Loren & Ally got Lindsey all done up to get "married " to cousin Matthew (which was several times over the 2 days) and happens every time we visit. So cute! You can't see it very well here but the girls were loving the blue eye shadow! :)

Our last stop was at BJ's Dad's home in Tracy. Allison went to Grandpa with BIG smiles...a big deal! She is VERY attached to her Mommy! We spent the afternoon there and had a great time as always! There is lot's of fun at Grandpa's house: animals to see (but not touch--oh the allergies! Thank goodness for Benadryl!), TONS of toys, bikes, snacks, and visits to the "music room" & "hobby room". Jake wants a guitar for Christmas now --Thank you to Grandpa & Tammy :). Grandpa was in a vocal band in highschool...he is AMAZING!

All the gang at Grandpa's house! Grandpa & Tammy are holding our kids and then their children are to the right: Catherine, Rachel, Allan & David. Such cute kids!!

Then we headed back home! Probably the fastest drive home in the history of drives home from N. Cali. We opted to drive home Sat. instead of facing the traffic Sunday...which we have been stuck in before! It's not fun being in a "parking lot" on the 5 South and adding 2-3 hours to the normal 4-5 hour drive! We made it home in 4hours! So great. It was another wonderful Thanksgiving to share with our family & friends (we ran into BJ's best buddy from highschool & his wife at a random ward "Turkey Bowl" and got to catch up with eachother--better send me that picture Michelle! ) :)

I just love Thanksgiving time and the opportunity that it gives me to reflect on all I'm thankful for. I have been blessed with so much. I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, for the direction & peace it gives me. I am grateful for my husband & children, who bring such joy to my life, and I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful family members & friends to share life with. I love them all!

I should have blogged about this days ago but I swear that ever since we got back our lives got MUCH busier and hectic and stressful! Oh, I should have gotten more done in November! Lot's going on, lot's to do, projects to start, Christmas errands & preparations...I'm sure you are all in the same boat..but probably much more ahead of it all than I am! I love this time of year though!! I just need it to slow down a bit so I can get everything done! Well, hope you all are wonderful! Christmas season...here we come! :)

Hawaii

2007-11-08T08:17:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful trip to Hawaii! It was just a little too short! We flew out Tues, Oct.30 and returned Tues, Nov. 6. Not enough time but so worth it! My entire family was there together. I am the oldest of 5 siblings and we were all able to come out with our spouses & families. My parents currently live in Laie (a few minutes from BYU Hawaii) on "The Point". My Dad has been building a twin house that they own one side of. It was beautiful and so spacious! This picture of BJ & I is on their backyard patio overlooking the ocean. I know! Gorgeous! It was actually a pretty rainy week! But we didn't care really...there was sun when we needed it and the best part of the whole trip was spending time with everyone & being there for my sisters baby!
The day after we got there was Halloween! My Dad (Elvis) is in the middle! My sister in law, Amara, is on the right holding cousin Aiden (17 months or so). We got to go trick or treating for about 30-45 min before an amazing down pour of rain! We luckily had one umbrella to squeeze under while my brother ran to get the car! We were soaked! But we still had fun!

Here is Lindsey & cousin Aiden chillin' at the beach!

This was hilarious! We went to "Bathtub Beach" where there is a nice waveless area--which the kids loved--and put Allie on a board. She didn't move a muscle! She didn't cry either! She is another little dare devil like Lindsey and can balance better than any of our kids when they were her age. She didn't know what to do or whether she liked it or not...but...

we couldn't stop laughing when we saw her big toes gripping!

All the kids on my parents back patio overlooking the ocean! So beautiful!

Our family...on our last night.

We actually managed to get a Doxey family picture with everyone! We wanted to wait until the newest member of the family would be born--little Ellie. My sister Natalie delived Sunday, Nov. 4th and came home the next night so we could all be together on the last night before we were heading home....and hopefully get in that family shot!!! We did! Doesn't she look amazing for having a baby the day before?! Being there for her baby was the highlight of the trip for me. We were all there at the hospital welcoming baby Ellie into the world! In the picture, from left to right is my sister Natalie holding Ellie and her husband Michael is behind her, then my sister Jessica (holding Jake) with her husband Tim behind her, then me & Allie with BJ behind, my Mom (with Lindsey in front) with my Dad behind her, my sister in law Amy (with Loren standing in front) and my brother Aaron behind, and my sister in law Amara (holding Aiden) with my brother Connor behind. Our family is growing!! The greatest blessing in my life is family. I love them all so much. What a blessing it was to be all together for Ellie's birth and to be in Hawaii!!!!

Look at this little peanut! I just had to get this picture of Allison from behind! So cute. It took her a little bit to get used to the feeling of sand on her feet. She wouldn't even put her feet down at first. It wasn't long before she didn't want to be anywhere BUT in the sand and jumping the waves!

Grandpa Doxey & Allison. I have the best parents! They love every minute and enjoy every discovery with my kids. I feel so blessed to have them in my life and in the life of my kids. Our last day my parents volunteered to watch the kids for the day and let BJ & I take some time. It was so wondeful! We went down to campus & strolled around the bookstore (BJ & I met at BYU Hawaii) and then went to Pipeline & Waimea Beaches (where we happened to find my sister Jess & Tim as well) and just watched the waves and relaxed! That was vacation!

Here is my sister Natalie, her husband Michael & little Ellie. Such a cute little family! Good job guys!!! :)

Me & Allie playing around! Look at that sunset!

Oh Lindsey! :) We have no clue where this flexiblity came from!

Well, this is only a snapshot of our trip but it was SO great...except the the airport & plane rides! Oh it is hard to travel with little ones! Jake had a melt-down at the airport & Allie didn't like having to stay on my lap for 5 hours! Whoever sat behind and in front of me I'm afraid didn't have a very relaxing flight! I ended up standing in the aisle several times bracing the bumps and trying to rock her to sleep. I'm sure I was a sight! :) After getting back to our car and then finding the rush hour afternoon traffic on the freeway I looked to BJ, who was as exhausted as I was and said..."It was worth it". And it was! We were quickly thrown back into routine & I am happy to say the laundry is actually done....phew! Fun times!! :)

Fun Halloween Craft (no it's not too late!) & Hawaii Preview!!

2007-10-29T21:48:00.000-07:00

When school & activities were canceled during the fires last week I desperately looked for something fun to do with the kids. They were going nuts not being able to go outside. So, after talking to a dear friend (thank you Jane!) who had just done these crafts with her kids we got on the site http://www.familyfun.com/ & got crafty! These were fun & EASY Halloween crafts made from things I already had around the house. A definite success. My kids LOVED making these! The kids were able to mold their own ghosts (with salt dough) from this easy recipe :

***This dough was so great & so easy--it would be fun anytime to let the kids mold shapes for any occasion! Besides ghosts, Loren made a swan & a witch. Jake also made a car for his ghost! Lindsey made an entire family, with twin baby ghosts of course!

Then, we used brown paper bags and made the spooky paper bag trees by following these simple instructions:

It has been way too long since I've visited their site. What great ideas! I know that I'm super late blogging about these and that it's almost Halloween already but oh well!!! :) Check out the pictures of these ghosts & spooky trees on this site as well as other great ideas at http://www.familyfun.com/ .

Ok...next...we're heading to HAWAII tomorrow to see my parents & finally be together with all my immediate family!!! YAY!!!!! Loren gave us a little preview & got us in the aloha spirit today at her Hawaiin Dance Class recital! SO CUTE to see those little hips swayin'! She's getting pretty good!

This is Loren & her teacher.

Swayin' to "Over the Rainbow". Go Loren!!

So cute!

Would any of you guess that I have performed a hula dance for an audience at the PCC in Hawaii? :) It was our "recital" for the hula p.e. class I took at BYUH! The funnest p.e. class I ever had (okay...except my surfing P.E. class!). No, I was not a dancer for the PCC . White, blonde girls can't find many jobs at the PCC--Polynesian Cultural Center--but, I happened to luck out and got a job my freshman year to sell "Pineapple Delights" at the night show...Moo Moo and all! Want me to bring you back to my BYUH single days? Why not. Fun times! Next time I get back on here! :)

Oh, I can feel the tropical breeze & the sand in my feet already! I'm so ready to get to fresh, clean air & tropical paradise....not to mention seeing my family!!! & hopefully being there for my sisters 1st baby to be born! (So sorry Whit that I can't pack you up in my suitcase! We had some good times didn't we?). ALOHA!!

Surrounded-- By Fire & My Little Treasures

2007-10-22T21:36:00.000-07:00

I don't have any pictures of the blood-red sun & the blackened sky of yesterday or the neverending images of canyons & homes up in flames or threatened that filled the news stations today--I just didn't think to capture it! I have been just amazed & shocked & it just hasn't felt real--that this was happening in our valley! It still doesn't quite feel real. But, I know that to many it is VERY real since they had to quickly gather their families & precious belongings/valuables & evacuate from their homes --or were evacuated at some point today because of these amazing wild fires. We have been in "hibernation" mode all day & have felt very safe & "far" away from danger--while all around us fires were burning! Surrounded!Today, the kids were restless, wanting desperately to play outside while we kept tuning into the news off & on & trying to find things for them to do. Two of our children have asthma & so we stayed in with all windows & doors shut tight. I was on edge, watching them every second, looking for the signs of an attack. They were affected, but thankfully not as bad as I was expecting. We had quite a few melt-downs today & needless to say mom was tired & not as patient as she could have been! It's been a long day! Why am I awake!? At one point we didn't know if friends were going to be camping out at our house last night due to a pending evacuation order or that if family from San Diego (who had a mandatory evacuation) would be coming to stay with us today.Things were just up in the air! As we checked in with friends or were called by friends today we realized how close the fires actually were & that it was affecting many of their lives. They had gone through the experience of gathering what they could & evacuating with their families. I imagined what they must have been going through & was hit hard with the reality & possibility that we too could at some point be foreced to leave our home & many of the comforts & "things" we have (if not this week maybe next year or in 5 or 10 years). To have to leave, not knowing if your possessions would be there when you returned would be overwhelming. However, at times such as these it is amazing how quickly priorities are put into perspective. Things are just things, a house is just a house...but our families and friends are the real treasures, the real happiness. How quickly we can become focused on the "things" around us, including all the really good things we are involved in...that in an emergency situation is all canceled & not of real importance...the focus is turned back to those things that can never be replaced...our loved ones. I'm grateful we're safe & that all my kids are sound asleep in their own beds (& that two of them are breathing & not suffering from asthma attacks!). Tomorrow is a new day to treasure. I'm so grateful for my little family & I hope & pray that all our loved ones are sleeping soundly tonight as well.

Admitted Confession

2007-10-20T12:18:00.000-07:00

I know...I know...I'll confess and admit that one of my "faults" is to stew & then stew some more on things (ok...lot's of things!) & change my mind MANY times while I'm at it. Usually, once I do this a handful of times I finally get things to where I really like it! In this case--my little banner at the top of my blog--I needed more color!! Oh, I love photoshop! I'll change my mind again probably, just be prepared! I've been known to "just need a change" & quick! When I have my mind set to it I won't wait around for help. Probably my worst example of this is back when we lived in Draper, UT. I just HAD to move the piano to another wall because I needed a change & thought it would look better--BJ was at work--oh well, can't wait! It's got to happen NOW!! Not the smartest idea considering I was 8 months pregnant (with Lindsey). Put me into a nice set of contractions (not new since I have contractions for months & always have babies a few weeks early!). Well, I had Lindsey about a week later. Yup! I'm nuts. The piano had wheels though!! :) BJ just laughs & knows that things may just change around when he get's home-- pictures changed around on walls, kids entire rooms changed around (& then sometimes moved right back), something painted a new color, another "little" project started--need I go on?! I'm a nut case! But, I have fun doing it all. I love to see things in a new way, make something old look newer & be a little creative once in a while. It's not a fault, right?! It's my outlet! :) ok...here's the lovely piano that has moved around I don't know how many times!

Check out our new website business!!

2007-10-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

We finally have launched our new website business: http://www.myplace2sell.com/. Go check it out and post something you want/need to sell or get free advertising for! This can be anything...your home, car, clothing, shoes, home decor, appliances or your homemade product, service, or business. We have been working on this forever it seems and it has finally reached launched status! Yeah! We have many more features that are coming to the site as well! This is a video classifieds site where sellers can either list items they have for sale with pictures, or take it a step further and use video as well. It is so much more interesting to see how a product looks from all angles, or the sounds or functions it has. It is also much more captivivating to see a video of someone describing their resume, or taking someone on a tour of your home, rental, service, business, etc. from the comfort of their own computer! If you are overwhelmed at the video option just take some pictures. For examples of what others are doing visit our site!

Finally!

2007-10-16T10:53:00.001-07:00

I have finally entered the blogging world! I have been viewing several of my friends blogs for months getting great ideas & loving their pictures & updates----So! After much coaxing & reminding & then more coaxing I finally have done it! (Thanks to Mique & Lindsay!). I decided to name our page-- A New Day to PLAY--because it's a new goal of mine and I need a daily reminder! Every day is a new day to set aside time to just play with my kids--either spontaneously or planned, for 5 minutes at home or an afternoon at the park or somewhere... but just PLAY...with my undivided attention! Sometimes my days are SO busy filled with the typical stuff mom's do like carting kids to their activities they are involved in, homework, lot's of reminding :), laundry, dishes, running errands, projects, making meals, more cleaning up and...oh the list goes on! Sometimes, we get through a day and got lot's done...or NOT, but we didn't just PLAY! So, there you go! Who is joining me?!

We had a great time playing at the pumpkin patch last week during fall break. All the kids & I went with Jake's preschool class...they had a blast!!! A major highlight was counting what seamed like 100 scarecrows in the corn field during the "train ride". Allison was amazingly entertained in her stroller for almost the entire tour! At the end she was released and loved "organizing" the little pumpkins she found. Aren't these kids cute?!