Who would have guessed?!

That I would be the mother of an 11 year old! I can't believe it! She is an angel and I'm so grateful for the opportunity and responsibility Heavenly Father has given me as her mother. I adore her and love her dearly! Happy 11th Birthday sweetness!

 We had a smashin' family party and we all put on our best clothes for the occasion!

 This is the Almost Famous Chocolate Mousse Cake that Sierra and I made special for her birthday cake. It was very complicated and took half of Saturday to make but OOOOOHHHHHH it was so worth it and so DELICIOUS! My girl has rockin' taste buds!!! :)

 
 
 So grateful to so much family who came to celebrate with us and spoil our 11 year old. We had Jacque and her Luke and brand new baby Jane (6 weeks old), Grammy, Grampy, Shane, Aunt Sophi and Uncle Rich, Lincoln, Rocky and Lucy, Grandma Charlene and Trisha, Grandma Janelle, Uncle Travis and Aunt Miriam and Melanie, Nana and Papa. Sierra had made food assignments and everyone brought something. It worked out amazing and was so much fun! Sierra planned the games too, we had 2 minutes to write and story and Sierra would pick the best story to win a prize; Improv, where Sierra gave a situation and people had to act it out. Then we had cake and opened presents. Whoever stayed got to do Just Dance. Sierra is quite the party planner!

Her birthday was actually today, Monday and she was so excited to wear her new red Toms, her new headband, bring her balloon and platter of homemade chocolate-chip cookies to share with her class. She was also so excited cause it was cloudy and rainy and she wanted the weather to be this way on her birthday. She decided later to leave her balloon in the car cause it might be a distraction for some of the boys in her class. Good decision! :) We took Sierra to school and then Ashton and I ran to walmart to get her a gift from him. Yep, he missed the first hour of school. I took him back to school and hurried home to do a few things and then I went back to school to...

 
Pick up my girl, I took her to the Book Castle where she got a pink purse, a necklace and a bookmark. Then we went to the Habit and had lunch with her certificate that she got from primary. :)

 After lunch we headed to the mall! We found a parking spot and then it started hailing! Sierra wanted to make a run for it so we did! We were laughing the whole way as we were getting pelted and soaking wet! We got her a new case for her I-touch, a new dress, a pink wallet for her pink purse, a cupcake that we sat and ate together. We had such a great day together!
Her friends, Karlie and Chloe spoiled her. They wrapped her desk and put a balloon in a pot on it. They gave her a sweater and a BFF necklace, she got one of the F's. They also gave her a bag of cookies and this cute sash that says "I'm 11 today!".
 
Grammy took her shopping after school too! She was so happy and said that "this birthday was the best ever!" (I think she says that every year!) :)
Some of her favorite things: pink, spaghetti (not too saucy), "Ramona and Beezus", "17 miracles", "Opposite Day", she LOVES to watch movies, loves to talk, write and read, she's already in Alma of the Book of Mormon and started in January :), loves school and hasn't missed a day yet this year!, loves just being home, loves being with her friends, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups and Skittles, pigs, elephants and cats, loves doing creative activities, loves babies, loves babysitting and looks forward to doing alot of it, loves jewelry and accessorizing!

Think much?

I don't know what I'm thinking?! I had my first exam last night in anatomy & physiology. I studied for about 5 days straight, yep neglected my family. The lecture exam went great! The lab practical was brutal! Don't think I did very well. :(
Jake and Ashton have been sick. :(
Ashton went back to school today cause finally no fever.
Today I was able to get some cleaning done, work done at moms office.
Donated blood today and got my gallon pin. :)
Actually made dinner, with si's help and took Ashton to his basketball practice.
Feeling back to normal.

sup

Today is my darling sister, Briana's, birthday! Happy Birthday!
Last Thursday Sierra had her presentation of learning. She did such a great job. She did alot of the work in her group. She is quite the little actress!
Last Monday Ashton got his black tip on his white belt, he gets to test for his yellow belt! :)
Friday Rocky tested for his next belt in Taekwondo and did such a great job! He stayed so focused! He got to break boards at the end of his test. He did it! We all went to IHOP to celebrate.
Saturday Ashton had another basketball game, much better! The team they played against was about equal to their abilities. Our team has improved also. Ashton played great defense, stole the ball and had his hands up the whole time. He is also quite the hussler too, back and forth! :)
Tonight we went to dad and Tori's for dinner.
I have studied alot and still have a lot more to do, wish me luck! This is SO hard! Test on Wednesday!

We made it...

100 days!

Now how many days till summer vacation!

LOVE

The day started off bright and early. I got a shower in and then puffy pancakes in the oven, made lunches, made sure we grabbed everything and headed off to school. But first, we enjoyed our puffy pancakes! and a surprise from mom and dad, chalkboard mugs with heart shaped marshmellows! :)

My adorable little valentine's!

We even did heart hair again!

Sierra heart attacked daddy's car!

I helped in Ashton's classroom, I always do on Tuesdays. We brought a veggie platter to his party. They got to do fun valentine's activities, pass out valentine's and enjoy yummy food.
Sierra didn't get to have a party, I told her to get used to it, they did pass out valentine's though and her play dough was a hit!

We went to piano lessons and got The Habit for dinner. It was a pretty great day!

Surprise!

School is rough! I'm only in 1 class but it's Anatomy and it's HARD! When I got out of the car I was just looking forward to being with my family. When I walked in the house, Jake and the kids were hiding and jumped out and yelled, "Happy Valentine's Day!" and this was what I found on the table...

Ahhh, I LOVE my family!

I enjoyed the early festivities with hugs and kisses, a few pieces of candy and a few cookies! and then we had to finish making valentines.

The kids were off to bed and I told Jake I needed to watch some mindless television. Rushed to get jammies on and then cozied on the couch to watch "Once Upon a Time." :)



First Day

Here we go!

So far...

we have had healthy kids! Not much different has been happening at our house. Not many pictures being taken either. We have 1 more basketball practice to go to, 2 every week + a game. So, we still have all of our activities to keep us occupied. Not having a mutual activity every week to have to go to has really changed our dynamic. My calling as Nursery Leader is much less demanding. This last weekend Sierra was invited to a lateover with Karlie and Chloe. Very different at our house when one of the children is gone. Sierra was gone from 5pm to 11pm so we took Ashton out to dinner, to Chili's, and then came home and watched Gator Boys with him. The next day, on Saturday, it was Sierra's turn to have time with mom and dad cause Ashton went on a playdate with Elijah. So, we took her to get a slurpie, then to Walmart cause I needed latex gloves for my class and then we went to the pet store. Sierra found a kitty that she wanted to take home but, she already has a kitty! :)

Watching our son play basketball is very frustrating!!! Ashton was open several times and could have been passed the ball but these 2 boys just kept passing it to each other. AHHH! Then another boy was just plain being a ball hog whenever he got the ball he wouldn't pass it, just run around and try to get away from the other team so he can make a shot. JUST PASS THE BALL!!!

He has fun playing, but for Jake and I, it is painful/stressful to watch! I don't think we will be playing this sport again, just stick with baseball! Glad we tried it though, cause now we know. :)

Hello February

Ashton went to the dr yesterday and he has strep throat :0! Hold on, we went cause I thought he might have an ear infection and we come out with strep throat, YIKES! He's missing his field trip to Santa Monica Pier Aquarium today, that is sad!

We hope February brings healthy kids!
What else does February have to offer; Vanessa starts school, Sierra has a birthday, Valentine's Day, lots of basketball and karate, Sierra starts sewing class with Grammy, lots of piano practicing!
Goodbye January 2012!