Mammoth

We woke up this morning and decided to ride our bikes to The Stove. Half way there Jake saw people fishing in the stream. Ashton was dying to go fishing. He and Jake decided to go back and get their poles. Sierra and I continued on and ate a delicious breakfast. I got French toast, made with homemade cinnamon bread. Sierra got an omelette. We shared and it was so so yummy! We brought our leftovers to the boys. Sierra and I rode back to the condo. Jake just texted me this picture with the caption "he got one!"

Joe's Crab Shack!

Duke's

I love it when our daddy says let's do our errands and then let's go to the beach and stay late and have dinner at Duke's.

The Doctors Office...our 2nd home!

Friday night, Friday FUN night! The kids have been earning smiley faces and each smiley face is worth 2 pts. Ashton cashed in 10 of his points tonight to have a family movie night, a special surprise was...mom pulled out the couch bed! The kids were SO excited! We watched National Treasure 2 on the couch bed and daddy made popcorn. What fun!!!

Saturday we went to Ashton's bball game and he made lots of shots but nothing was going in, we brought donuts for after game snack, not much option when you don't have a snack schedule and someone reminds you by email at 9:30 the night before but we made it work. Went home and Jake and Ashton went on a bike ride while me and Si checked on Leanne's house then at home we worked and cleaned and later got slurpies. When we got home Sierra wanted to make cupcakes, she did! I only helped a tiny bit, she did a great job and they were DELICIOUS! Homemade yellow cake with homemade chocolate frosting! Saturday evening we went down to the pool and swam before dinner. Me and daddy even got in a played...so much fun! Then we went home and cooked up some hotdogs and corn for dinner. Sierra came out after getting jammies on and wrapped a blanket around herself (it was still really warm outside and in our house). I asked her if she was feeling okay. She said her throat was a little sore. Oh no!!! I felt her forehead and yep she was warm. Both of my sisters families just had strep throat. I gave her some advil and watched a little something together and then off to bed. At 6 am she woke me up and said her throat hurt REALLY bad. I felt her again and warm again. I gave her more advil and ice water. Her throat hurt so bad she didn't even want to swallow her spit. She kept spitting in the sink. :P I dropped Jake and Ashton off at church and then took her to the urgent care. The doctor just looked in her throat and said "yep it's strep!"Gave us a prescription, went and picked it up and then home we went. Jake and his friend Miles gave Sierra a blessing after their presidency meeting, so grateful for the Priesthood and for good men who honor it. We had a nice dinner at home, just the 4 of us. I made pot roast, carrots and potatoes.
This morning we went to the doctor again to get Ashton's staples out. Yay, they're out but he still can't swim for 3 days, needs more healing time. Geez. Sierra is feeling much better.
I'm so grateful that overall we are a healthy family and rarely have to go to the doctor.

Shots!

Yesterday my Sierra had to have her 11 yr. physical. She had to have 2 immunizations. I didn't let them give her HPV4. Before they gave her the shots she didn't want me to stand by her and hold her hand, she said, "I'm good." She tried to be so brave and afterwards she cried. Then we had to go to the lab to have blood drawn to check for anemia. She was so nervous and started to cry while we waited. This time she held my hand. She cried going home. She didn't know what she wanted, I said "do you want Tutti Frutti?" She said "no, I just want to go home." I was driving in our track and she said "I want icecream!" So I quickly turned out and we went and got icecream. She got a HUGE one and filled it over the top. Poor baby! I guess these vaccines never get easier even as your kids get bigger.
Last night we walked as a family to the park. We played baseball together as a family too. Then we walked home all together. Sierra and Ashton helped me make spaghetti and it was so yummy. Such a great evening TOGETHER.

Summer Rain

Last night we went for a walk in the rain as a family. Love this crazy weather! :)

Summer Fun!

So behind, but here we are! Jenn and Bill came to visit a couple of weeks ago and we got to celebrate Kate's 12th birthday at Hurricane Harbor.

 Ashton has started his summer league in basketball and had his first game on Saturday June 16th. He made his first basket in a game and we were so proud of him!

 Jake and I celebrated 13 years on June 18th! Amazing to be with someone for 13 years and love them even more than the day you married them. We had a groupon for an Indian restaurant here in town called Tandoori Grill, thought we should be adventurous on our anniversary and try it out. It was an interesting experience. We went in there and we were the only one's in there! Half way through our dining experience the sun started coming through the window so the man pulled this huge thick curtain over the window and I thought, "here we go, now they are going to kill us!" Nobody would even know! The food was actually delicious and I would totally eat there again! :)
We also went to a movie, we NEVER go to the theatre and it was such a fun treat! We saw Snow White and the Huntsman. SO GOOD!! We both really enjoyed it!!
When we got home we hurried and got kids in bed, my mom was with them but they weren't in bed yet. :) and then we watched The Glass House cause Andrea from our Ward is on it. Fun to see her on TV. Love you Jake, Thanks for the adventure!!!

 My sister Sophi went to Girl's Camp so me and my mom got to have her kids and everybody, including my mom, slept at out house. How FUN! Felt like we were on vacation too! This is sweet Lucy sleeping in a porta crib in Sierra's room. She was such a joy, she is so happy all the time and brings such joy to our lives. We missed her and the boys when they went home. When we had them we went to the movies and the beach! We saw Madagascar 3 and I spent most of the movie in the lobby with Lucy but that's ok! :) Love being with her!

 On Wednesday night Ashton had his 2nd bball game and everyone came. What a great night! Ashton scored 5 baskets, that is 10 points for his team. He was on fire and we were so proud. Afterwards we all went to In 'n Out! What a fun night!!! Perfect family time!

 See, Grannie even came!

 The kids have been swimming for our neighborhood swim team. Sierra swam in the first meet on Saturday, no pictures cause I was one of the Stroke and Turn Judges. Ashton had a basketball game so he didn't swim. Sierra swam 4 events and one of them was the IM. I was so proud of her, that is a hard event!
Yesterday Sierra had practice in the morning and me, mom and Soph ran while the boys rode their bikes. Lucy was in the stroller. It was hard cause we were running super fast to keep up with the boys. Whoo!!! We stopped at the Glen and the kids played and we did the monkey bars and pull ups. A fun time but my hands were killing me! Stopped at the pool to get Sierra from practice after 1 1/2 hour practice, WOW!
When we got home she wanted to make something so she found a recipe and made these delish cheesy pretzels that are seriously SO good. She did such a good job. My mom had made soup from Sunday's leftovers so we had soup and cheesy pretzels. YUM! The kids had an Otter Pop too!

We LOVE the summer, busy and all!

Together

Today was a perfect day! This morning I went on a run/walk with my mom, walked cuz her leg kept hurting her. Still great to be out on a morning when it felt like we live at the beach. :)

Made pancakes, YUM! I ate mine with banana slices, peanut butter and honey! :)

Dusted and decorated for Easter!

Gathered paperwork to give to our accountant for our taxes. :P At least it's done! :)

Went as a little family and we all got slurpies, even ME! :)

Then we went to the pet store and fell in love with the Blue Nosed puppies. (NO, we are not getting a dog.) We just like to adore them at the pet store.

Went to the mall and showed daddy Dig It, cuz he's never been. Then got Si some glasses w/out prescription at Claire's for a presentation she is giving next week. She looks so cute in them. Ashton got some Sticky Stinkie's (or something like that.)

Went to Grandma and Grandpa's and played baseball at the park.

Home and watched Good Luck Charlie with the kids.

Daddy and kids played basketball in the backyard.

Went to Jimmy Dean's for dinner.

Watched "The Muppets" All Together!

Lovin' Friday

Today was a great day! This morning the gym, then Marshall's. I have a love/hate relationship with Marshall's but made it quick and I did get a few cute things. :) Then the office cuz I haven't worked all week, been studying for my exam, then time to get my kids. I LOVE picking up my kids (especially when they sit in the back and are mean to each other the whole way home) today wasn't like that though. Sierra waved at me when she saw me and they were so lovely. When we got home Ashton got in trouble cause he ate a granola bar (we save those for school, I know, I'm so mean!) He wasn't going to be able to have icecream. He asked me what he could do to earn it. His room was a dis.as.ter! If he cleaned his room and put everthing where it was supposed to go he could have icecream after lunch. After fixing them lunch I was cleaning bathrooms and Sierra came and asked if she could help. Whaaa! Of course, I would love that! She cleaned her whole bathroom! I just had to go over a couple of things! Beautiful and sparkly and even better, she cleaned it. While we were cleaning the bathrooms Ashton was busy cleaning his room, it was beautiful! We were all working and working together! Then when I was done mopping the floors of the bathrooms I walked out to the kitchen and my kids had made me lunch! I kinda knew it was coming cause they would come back to the bathroom and ask "mom, just wondering, what do you like on your burrito? Just wondering?" They made a huge delicious burrito with everything I like, some chips and salsa and a big glass of water! We sat and watched Good Luck Charlie. I have great kids!
When daddy came home we used our free queso and chips coupon at Chili's for dinner. Love family time!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas was perfect! We started the day with the kids SO excited to see that Santa had come. But, we didn't open stockings or presents yet. We got ready for church and ate a cinnamon roll. I LOVED being at church for Christmas morning, what a great start to remember first what this day is all about!

When we got home we got back into our jammies and then started opening.

Sierra had made Jake and I (with Grammy's help) a beautiful, really soft, cozy blanket. We cozied under it right away. We LOVE it! and Ashton made us a coaster, so colorful, we LOVE his artwork just the same. :)

I told the kids that they did not need to worry about getting me or daddy anything but that they needed to get something for each other. I LOVED how thoughtful they were. They both used their own money too. Sierra got Ashton a dragon candle (from aunt Briana, it was found in her storage, it used to adorn her bedroom as a teenager but she never lit it, looks brand new) and a dragon mini pillow pet. He LOVED both~!

Ashton got Sierra an adorable new shirt and an S necklace. She LOVED her gifts too!

Then we played in the snow...

Went to Grandma and Grandpa's at 1:00 for linner. :) We got home about 3 and just enjoyed the rest of our day! Grammy came over in the evening and spent the night at our house. Uncle Norris and Aunt Brenna came too for a little bit. We were watching "A Christmas Carol." Briana stopped by too and Nixon stayed and spent the night. That was a good surprise, especially for Ashton. It was a beautiful day!

Merry Christmas!

skipping school

got kids early from school at 1pm

when I signed the kids out, for the reason I wrote "family time" :)

drove to Grannie's

ate yummy soup and cornbread Grammy made

decorated candy houses with Lincoln and Rocky

worth skipping school :)

A quick getaway

We decided at the last minute to go away, just the 4 of us. We surprised the kids, I got us all packed up and told them to get their suits on cause we were going to the beach. We went to Mandalay in Oxnard. When we parked and walked into the hotel lobby the kids were confused and then after Jake got us all checked in the kids asked, "are we staying here?" Yep! "we are?!" There were huge grins and pure excitement. They were so excited when we got in the hotel room to see every little thing. "Look at this, look at that!" We LOVED every minute. So fun to be together and spend that time. I told my little family as we were walking on the beach together that this is heaven on earth, being together in such a beautiful place.
This is us in the hot tub...
We were at the pool first and then we were at the beach and then back to the pool.
Showered and went and got pizza.
Picked up a liter of icecream and 4 spoons.
Got free nachos and popcorn from the hotels Happy Hour.
Went back to the hotel room and ate icecream, nachos and popcorn. What a combination! :)
When we checked in the reception upgraded our room to ocean view, THANKYOU!
We watched the sunset from the balcony of our hotel room.
We watched Yogi Bear.
Went to sleep.

Totally worth the one night, would do it again! :)
I LOVE this little family of mine!

Last Day, Party at the BEACH!

The last day was a FUN day!
I love it that they love each other! :)
Sierra with her best friend, Karlie
B-ball is a fav


Vegas Theme- not thrilled about that and Sierra was totally stressed out but the decorations were cute! and they were playing math card games and earning chips. The teachers were making Shirley Temples and they had a cotton candy machine.

Sierra with her teacher, Ms. Navarro. Sierra LOVED her!

Ashton eating party food with all his friends!


I took my kids out of school about 15 minutes early and siblings met us at school and then we went to the beach. We got food from In'N Out on the way, it was delish! It was FREEZING but still SO.MUCH.FUN! Love to be with family!
Sierra was in the water even though it was freezing inside and out, she just can't help it, she LOVES the water!


Rossi LOVES her! The whole time he asks, "where's si si?" She loves him equally! :)

Briana with walking Corbin!

See?! Those guys have wetsuits on, not Sierra! She's awesome!

A seal!...and then...

Look how close we all got to it! We think it was injured or sick. Made us sad!



and then it was time to slide down the hill!

and JUMP off the hill!

Headed home and then off to Dad and Tori's for pizza and hangin' out with all the fam in town for the wedding! Such a GREAT, FUN, FULL day!