B is for...

Ashton did great in his basketball game. He scored 6 baskets. He even cheered for the other team when they made a couple of shots. He was a team player and a good sport. That's all part of playing a sport and I'm so proud of him. We had a great crowd cheering for him too, Uncle Norris and Aunt Brenna and Tate. Papa came too.
Sierra babysat for the first time last night on her own for my sister Sophi. She did such a great job. Lucy gave her a hard time at bedtime but she figured it out. She came home so happy. She is so capable and responsible. I thought about her but I never worried. So proud of my baby girl growing into a beautiful young woman.

New pics

 When we brought Nixon home with us that first week of January the boys built Ashton's volcano. They had to wet the plaster strips and layer them on top of the string that I had assembled. When it was all dry, the next day, they painted it. So cute! So fun!

 When Brenna came over and spent the morning with us, going on a walk and teaching Ashton some basketball skills. The kids were both playing on ipads cause my mom had left hers too. Tate was playing with them. So cute how he is looking at the camera! :)

 We didn't finish the volcano when Nixon was here. One night when Uncle Norris came over our volcano exploded. You have to pour vinegar in the volcano, Ashton doesn't like the smell of vinegar. :)

 but he sure liked watching it explode! :)

Quickly approaching...

Tonight Sierra has her door shut and behind the door I can hear music playing, Taylor Swift. The teenage years are quickly approaching and we are no way near ready for this.

Hiking

Today is Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday and last night Brenna texted me to say her and Norris had been talking...how about hiking in the morning. We were thrilled. Ashton was going to get to use his new camelbak. :)
I drove my mom to the airport at 5:45am, she was flying to Hawaii to be with her friend Cheri who has a place on Kauai, lucky momma!!
At about 10:00 we gathered up in our awesome rental car, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, we have had many rental cars cause they keep switching them out...we had an awesome Yukon too! Blessings of getting your car crashed on Christmas day! :) We met Norris, Brenna and baby Tate at Placerita Natural Area. Quickly walked through the museum and took a snapshot, how cute they are! We had a great hike. It was such a beautiful day. There were so many people on the trail, Norris and Brenna weren't the only ones with such a great idea.

After hiking Jake and I went and picked up El Pollo Loco. Then we babysat Tate so Norris and Brenna could go and pick out their new carpet for their new house.
Tonight we went to dad's for dinner to celebrate Trina. She and Kai are in town and today is her birthday. We had a great evening!
Last Thursday evening was another Pack Meeting. Ashton got 4 belt loops. So blessed to have great leaders and so blessed to have a boy enthusiastic about scouting.

Ashton had a great bball game on Saturday. I would say he is obsessed with this sport. He lives and breathes basketball. He plays every minute that the sun is shining. He watches the Lakers every chance he gets. He wears his Lakers jersey, Kobe Bryant's jersey to be exact, while he plays in the backyard. He takes my ipad out with him so he can time his quarters. 

At his game he made 4 baskets and they were great shots. He was also a great team player and happy when   his teammates made shots too. He had a great pass, Jake called it a great assist. He was a great defender too. 

Can you guess what Ashton wants to be when he grows up?

We went to baby Jane's 1st birthday party too. She is a doll and it was fun to be with family!

Last days of winter break :(

This morning was rough to say the very least! I didn't want to get up, kids didn't want to get up. Ashton said he had a tummy ache. I let him stay home. Freezing outside, ice in the gutters. Wanted to go back to bed, my cozy bed. Sierra was fighting back the tears when I dropped her off in valet. I drove home missing her already. My mom helped me clean the bathrooms. She went to the store and bought a chicken to roast in the oven for dinner. I love my mom.
I registered for my class today. In February I start school again, microbiology. I didn't get the professor I wanted but I got into the class. My last class before applying to nursing school. :0
Last Friday Jake got home from work early and we took the kids and Karlie to Citywalk (our kids have not been yet). We had so much fun! We went and saw "Wreck it Ralph" at the theatre. We all LOVED it! We shopped and sugared it up at "IT's Sugar". We went to dinner at Bubba Gump's. Thegirls were complaining about eating there (Ashton loves shrimp) until we told them that it is based on a movie and then they were so interested in hearing the story. They got drinks in cups with flashing lights and they got to bring the cups home with us.

Ashton loved that his food came in a boat.

Ashton ate so much candy during the movie. He wasn't feeling well at dinner. He threw up that night at about midnight. He wasn't sick, not the flu. He didn't throw up again. He woke up in the morning feeling great! Have to watch his sugar intake. He had a great first basketball game this season. He threw up alot of shots just nothing was going in. He was frustrated and disappointed after the game. Never give up! Keep shooting!

Basketball

Today we (me and kids) went for a run/walk with aunt Brenna, Tate and Grammy. When we got home Brenna had lunch with us and played basketball with Ashton and taught him some awesome skills. Ashton loves basketball. Thanks Aunt Brenna!
I am still loving having my kids home from school!

Jesus

Last night we finished our Jesus pictures. We were behind schedule because we were out of town for Christmas. We had 6 left and we wanted to finish them for FHE. The spirit was so strong. Each of us took turns reading. When we were done and all the pictures were up on the wall we took turns telling which picture is our favorite and how does it make us feel. I was crying. Sierra was crying. A beautiful moment. Never want to forget. So thankful for this tradition in getting an opportunity to really get to know our Savior.
We finally broke open our bubbly too to toast to the new year cuz we fell asleep on New Years Eve. I said " let's get out the Martnelli's"
Ashton said "what's fartinelli?"
Haha! Guess we always just referred to it as apple cider.

Time well spent

Loving this winter break! Loving having my kids home! Yesterday took down Christmas lights, sad! Hung out with Brett and Briana, nice! Last night Shane received his endowments. A beautiful night! Love to be in the temple with so much family. We went to Mexican dinner afterward, yummy! My dad and Tori hung out with our kids. Sierra helped them babysit Sophi's kids. Glad they had time spent with Nana and Papa.
Today Ashton gave a talk in Primary. He did such a great job! He was so nervous and told me multiple times he did not want to do this, that he was too shy. I persistently told him "too bad, no choice." He spoke loud and clear so everyone could hear and understand him. He wanted me to sit behind him. Precious is all I have to describe him. When he was done I told him what a great job he did and he said "that was fun." :) A moment worth all the grief he gave me all morning. He fasted most of the day, only had one bowl of cereal. Sierra did great fasting all day. I have my new calling as Valiant 11 girls (Sierra's class) team teacher, released from nursery. It wasn't my week to teach so I got to go to Sunday school and Relief Society. Loved it, felt the spirit, still going to be an adjustment. Missing those babies! :)
Went to dads for dinner.
Watched a new Gator Boys.
Played on Pinterest.
Ashton's talk:
"Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. Part of his plan was creating this earth. I love to be outside. I love to go hiking and I love to play in the snow. Heavenly Father planned for me to come to a family. My favorite thing to do with my family is having a movie night. When Jesus Christ lived on this earth he was baptized. Part of Heavenly Fathers plan is for each of us to follow Jesus example and be baptized. I was baptized last year on October 13th, I received the Holy Ghost too. My baptism day is very special to me. I felt happy. I am a Child of God. I know who I am and why I'm here. I know as I keep Heavenly Fathers commandments I will be happy.
I say these things in the name of...."
Goodnight...zzzz

Starting the New Year off right!

New Years morning everyone was sleeping late cuz we had a late night. I made homemade coffee cake that was the best I've ever made! My dad texted us about hanging out but not just hanging out, he treated us to lunch (Lazy Dog, first time for us) and a movie (Parental Guidance, so good) and then enchiladas at his house with lemon bars and another movie (Odd Life of Timothy Green, so cute). Such a treat and so grateful for the time spent together!
On the 2nd day of the new year it was my moms birthday. We got to go with her to Bergener's house, first time seeing their new house and I loved it! Mom got to go see Briana's first ultrasound for baby #4 while I babysat the kids. We had a great time! Sierra helped Rossi build a hot wheel track and I helped Corbin build his race car track, Ashton and Nixon played video games. Later I ran errands with Briana and we picked up a salad for lunch for the 3 of us to share. :) We made quesadillas and tamales for the kids. Left to go home in the early afternoon and we brought Nixon home with us.
Today the kids built a fort outside and we walked to the park and played basketball. Jake and I rented a car until our car gets fixed, a beautiful black Yukon. Mom has the kids tonight and jake and I got to go out to dinner, Chichi's. Yummy! Now I need to get off electronics and spend some good old fashioned time with my hubby. :)
This is going to be a lucky year, I can feel it!

The kids eating dinner with mom tonight.
All of us at the theatre New Year's Day.

Party in the streets

We were up way to late but we partied in the streets with cousins at 7:30pm. :)