A Full Heart

Once again, heartache has hit our circle of friends. Randy got an early morning call yesterday from our bishop, informing him of an unfortunate car accident that claimed the life of a good friend's son.

He was an amazing young man with a personality that drew people to him; a good kid that never did anything to make his parents worry. His parents take great comfort knowing that he lived his life the way he should.

He was expecting his mission call next week. In fact, yesterday was the day his name was to be taken to the temple. It was. Hours before the accident, his dad prayed with the family that he would be sent to the place where he could do the most good. He was.

One Year Ago Today...

...Tyler was baptized in the beautiful waters of Hawaii.

The past year has come and gone so fast. My kids, although not noticed on a daily basis, have grown so much.

I promised when we got back last year that I would recount all the comments we received along the way....here it goes...better late than never right?

While at Disneyland before heading to Hawaii, we turned countless heads with our brood in matching shirts (which were an absolute life-saver!)

Many people thought we were a school group. One even asked if I was a home-school mom because I "look like one". Whatever that means. As the night wore on and people we leaving, we took that as our opportunity to hit the rides once more. Randy took the older kids on Splash Mountain while I headed in the direction of The Haunted Mansion with the little ones. Just after we parted ways, I felt I was being followed. A man dressed in baggy pants with chains hanging from his belt loops made an unexpected comment: "I thought us Latinos had a lot of kids. But I think white people have a lot, and they make good moms, too." Why thank you, I think.

As we boarded the plane, we heard whispers of, "Do you think they are all theirs?" Then the pilot greeted us with an, "Oh my gosh! It's the Von Trapp family!" ( I got the biggest kick out of that one!)

Everywhere we went we were asked questions like, "Are they all yours?", "Are any of them twins?" and "How do you do it?"

My ego was stroked a few times as well with compliments like: "They have the most gorgeous blond hair and blue eyes!" and "You have the most beautiful family I have ever seen!"

And you could always hear people counting "One, two, three four, five, SIX!" The funny thing is, I have to count them too. Not because I can't keep track of them, but because it never seems like there are that many of us (and, no, I don't take that to mean there is another waiting for us...)

We have such good memories from this trip.....I want to go on another. Somebody mentioned Puerto Rico- I think that sounds fantastic!

I Dreamed a Dream

Wow! Take a look at this- it will bring tears to your eyes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PPlkOyaqaQ

Let that be a lesson to us all and don't ever give up.

It's a Wrap

The microburst of festivities has come to and end. We have one month to recoup our finances and our energy before the last two birthdays and then summer vactation begins! Woohoo!!! I feel that way now, but I haven't forgotten my love/hate realtionship with summer...if only. If only we had year-round school....I can dream can't I?
For our 14 anniversary last week, we made reservations with Grandma and Grandpa to watch the kiddos and made the long trek down the hill to the finest hotel around (I am a little biased since it is run by my good friend's husband. Not to mention, I became quite familiar with the insides before opening day.)


Being the amazing friends they are, we were welcomed with some goodies on the table and sparlking cider in the fridge. :) We also had special after-hours priveldges in the hot tub. It's all about who you know. Thanks Merrill (and Mindy!)


Spring break began the next day. as the kids get older, having them home becomes easier. They help out more, and demand less. For now anyway. Friday we took the kids to a children's museum. It was well worth the money spent and Randy and I had as much fun as the kids.




Unfortunately, my battery died part-way through. That might actually be a good thing. because I took way too many pictures the next two days. We had a nice Easter and enjoyed our time together. I think the pictures speak for themselves.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Celebration #3 aka: Tyler's 9th Birthday

Our house celebrates big, twice a year. Once from December to mid- January, and the other from the end of march to the end of May. The current three week stretch contains 3 birthdays, an anniversary and Easter. Our third celebration in the series is Tyler's birthday.

Tyler at an Easter Egg Hunt back in '03...

On Saturday, for all the Spring celebrations, we took the family to a first-run movie. For the first time ever. Sure, grandparents have treated us, and dollar theaters are our friends, but this was a special request, for a special occasion. We splurged and took everyone to see Monsters vs. Aliens. Emma was terrified for 'Susan' and kept repeating "she's getting too big!" The other monsters didn't bother her a bit, but a ginormica person was too much for her.


On the way home from the movie, Randy inquired as to what type of cake Tyler was having for the impending celebration upon our arrival at home. I had not yet made one. I'm a good mom like that. I have no trouble remembering gifts, balloons, and decorations. But the cake almost always slips my mind. I urged Tyler to want something like strawberry shortcake (his dad is good at that one,) or pie. Something, anything, that could be picked up on the way home (one thing I don't do is store-bought cakes. Gag.) His eyes lit up at the mention of cheesecake. Score! We passed a Costco on the way home and I ran in to purchase the celebratory dessert.


The only kind they had was key-lime...thank goodness it was a hit with Tyler.


It was easy to buy for Tyler this year. All he asked for were 'surprises'. But he had dropped enough hints, that we knew just what to get him.

Happy Birthday, Tyler!

Just look how he's grown!

We love you!

My Birthday Recap

*note: there are no pictures of my birthday since I am the one that always sits behind the camera...

After getting over the fact that I am not having another baby, I had a great birthday. ;)

My friend invited me and the kiddos to swim (per Hannah's persistence.) She made me a cute board for my bare walls and a nummy cupcake. We had lots of fun and realized just how anxious we are for swimsuit weather.

Later, the fam and I celebrated by going out to eat (per my insistence.) I didn't care where, just as long as I wasn't cooking. We had a good time swapping sandwiches, chips and salads. That's the good thing about a big family- everyone orders what they want, and then when someone decides that wasn't really what they wanted, there is always someone else willing to consume the unwanted food. So we played 'musical vittles', and in the end the food was gone and everyone was full.

My friends took me out for dessert. It took a while for them to get over the fact that I am a PUNK and fooled them into thinking I was preggers. In the end, we had a great time and almost closed the restaurant(I think they have healed now.)

I was visited by many and brought wonderful cards and gifts. I am so lucky to have such great family and friends!

Friday, My parents watched the kids while Randy and I went shopping and out to lunch. On them. How sweet is that?!

We did the official family celebration Friday night. We had pizza for dinner because, well, two nights of no cooking is heaven. Then my FIL and BIL brought my kids' little cousins over for a night of trashing the basement. My kids are always up for that. And for the record, it's still trashed. ;) My FIL, of course brough ice cream, and we had strawberry shortcake for dessert. I love strawberry shortcake for two reasons: a) no frosting, and b) Randy knows how to slice strawberries. And he's quite good at it.

Then Randy gave me my presents which are quite nice, and totally undeserved. He got me some clothes, a ThermaRest for camping, and an awesome new comfort bike. I have been riding all over the place like the Wicked Witch of the West.




Minus the hat.

APRIL FOOLS!

I must say I pulled off a good one...but I'd like to point out to some people that I never said I was pregnant or expecting. I simply posted a generic ultrasound picture with a link to a new blog and look what you all assumed. A friend once told me what happens when you assume....(love ya Min!)

With today being my birthday, I have never played an April Fools joke or had one played on me. So this was fun. The last time I pulled off a prank was 14 years ago. I have not lived that one down.

My Sitemeter stats were more than double their norm. And the responses I got were more than I anticipated. So, for those of you disappointed that I really am not expecting our little "7th Heaven" I am truly sorry. It was all in good fun- the spirit of the day. So thanks to all of you who congratualted me, and to everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday. It really was a great one!