Life with 3 kids

Sorry for the Break -

We apologize for the break from blogging. It has been a while since we posted anything. We know it is the same for everyone else but at the end and the beginning of the year it just seems like the days and weeks go by so much faster. What have we been up to lately? Some of Ben's family got together at Ben's brother's house in Arizona for Thanksgiving. We had a great time! We hiked, swam in the pool, played games, ate a ton, and watched the kids exhaust themselves. As always it didn't last long enough.

Us seeing the lights at the Arizona Temple. Notice the shorts, nothing like being in warm weather.

Most of our time is taken by 3 energetic kids. Lanie is tearing apart the house cupboard by cupboard and room by room all while trying to escape the motherly care of Megan.

By the look on her face she evaded Megan for a few minutes. No, she didn't fix the disposal but looks are decieving.

The kids were out of school and Ben had the day off work for Martin Luther King Day so we decided to drive up to the foothills and see if we could find snow. It has been raining a lot the last few weeks so it wasn't hard to find it. A word of advice if you are hunting snow. At least dress the part in case you find it. We played in it for 10 minutes and then got back in the warm van.

It is a good thing we didn't play longer because it really started snowing and we didn't take chains with us. We miss seeing the white stuff but I don't think we miss living in it or driving in it.

Jaden had his 1st Pinewood Derby last week. He designed his car to look like a Police Car (the MPD on the back stands for Modesto Police Department). Too bad it wasn't as fast as a police car and I will say we could use more of these type of cars around here.

We have also done our fair share of being lazy, watching movies, and playing games. It is a good thing school has started again.

Jaden and Megan have also been playing basketball. The next post will have to be some pics and videos from their games.

So Blessed

I was going to update the blog as soon as we got back from our trip to AZ. We went there for thanksgiving (those pictures are coming). But when we got back life just hasn't been the same. But I mean that in a good way. I was called to be The New Relief Society President. Our friends who aren't of the LDS faith this means a very big responsibility in our church. I have been very humbled and overwhelmed, and humbled and shocked and an emotional wreck. But it is starting to sink in now. Now, If only I still didn't feel like I am in trouble every time I talk to the Bishop then I will be okay! LOL. That will come and so will everything else as I put my trust in the Lord. I am so thankful for such a wonderful and loving and supporting husband. Who has been there for me! I am trying not to PANIC! I am just trying to take one day at a time. I do feel so blessed to be able to serve and have already seen the Blessings it has brought to our family! I will post some new pictures soon...

I love this quote:

"I feel to invite women everywhere to rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with the thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. I hope you will simply DO WHAT YOU CAN DO IN THE BEST WAY YOU KNOW HOW. If you do so, miracles will come to pass." Pres. Hinckley

All I can do is my best! And the lord will help me with the rest.

October Fun

The kids getting ready for the Trunk or Treat at our church.

We have a ballerina, Lady Bug and Mario. J is not to happy because I made him wear the mustache in the picture. But Lanie bugs is...

J decided to paint his pumpkin like Tylung on KungFu Panda. He did a good job.

Megan really got into carving pumpkins this year.

One night we made these spider cookies. They were fun to make.

Trick or Treating on Halloween. Megan loves to take pictures with Jaden.

Getting ready to go out Trick or Treating with some of our friends.
They had a blast running from house to house and got ALOT of candy!!

Our Cute little Lady Bug.

We have had a very fun and busy month.

Playing pass the Hot pumpkin game. Carving pumpkins. Making cookies. Going to their School Fall Festival. Trunk or Treating and Trick or Treating and Surviving Ben being good for 5 days. I love October and can't believe it is already over.

Oh to be Eight!

Last Saturday Jaden turned 8 years old! It does not seem like he is 8, nor does it seem like he was born 8 years ago. Sorry to say it again but how time flies.

When turning 8 in the LDS Faith comes the decision whether or not to be baptized. Jaden not only decided to be baptized but he was able to be baptized on the day of his birthday, October 3rd. We had a wonderful weekend with several family members coming to participate! Ben's parents came along with Ben's sister, Lisa, and her daughter, Ella. Natalie's parents came along with Natalie's sister, Lori, her son, Laran, and their friend Danielle. We had a relaxing BBQ and party at the park on Friday. On Saturday we went to the Farmer's Market before Jaden and Megan's soccer games. In the afternoon was the Baptism and that evening we had cake and ice cream and Jaden opened some presents. The weather was perfect.

On Sunday we all relaxed and watched General Conference. During and in between all of this we ate plenty of food which of course included lots of Fruits and Veggies from Lindon, Utah. Happy Birthday Jaden and Congratulations on your big day/weekend/decision!

Mom and our sweet boy

Do you see any drool? Dora does

The Lego Lovers!!

How happy is he? And he read every single word in every single card before opening the presents!

Like Father Like Son

A small portion of our great families

Thanks to Aunt Lisa and Ella for the awesome candy gram and decorated door

Our two favorite soccer players

The surprise birthday door

We love you Jaden!!

Wicked Weekend!

So not only was Wicked cool but so was the rest of the week and weekend. As mentioned in the Wicked Post; Lisa, Byron, and Ella came to visit. We had a great time driving through San Francisco, hanging out, visiting Modesto's Splash Parks, Disc Golfing, playing cards and games, eating lots of food (we had to visit In N Out more than once), watching football, going to the Farmer's Market, and visiting the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk followed by a relaxing drive up Highway One on the coast. The only thing is that time went by way too fast!

Gotta love those San Francisco Streets



Natalie and Lisa Showing off their Wicked Shirts



Megan and Ella at the Splash Park



Watching Princess Movies in Princess Pajamas



Belle and Cinderella



How about that view



Notice Natalie is the only one wearing a sweatshirt



Lanie learning to surf



A good view of the Beach and Boardwalk



A view from Highway One

WICKED

Just look how excited Lisa was to go...



Last night I went to Wicked!! It was so cool. I have been smiling all day because I loved it so much! I went with Ben's sister Lisa and her husband Byron. It was a really good show. I have heard how good it is but until you see it yourself you have no idea how great it is!!! If you get the chance it is well worth it. "Ga lenda" was so funny and Elphaba was so amazing. Lisa and Byron and I can't stop talking about it. Wahoo! We loved Wicked!!
P.S. Bryon says " It was Wickedly Awesome!