Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

So a few weeks ago we went up to Steven's Pass and played in the snow. It was a good thing everyone still fits in their snow clothes. All we had to buy was gloves for everyone. We had lots of fun throwing snowballs at each other and no one actually got hurt. WaHo! The kids had a blast and it just got me excited about going snow skiing. Let's see if I can get away this winter. We had a nice Thanksgiving last week. We had some friends over for lunch/dinner. Great conversations and all the kids got along great. I'm still enjoying the leftovers with Crenna. We are now looking forward to Christmas, but before we can get all our favorite Christmas decorations out, it is time to move again. We decided that we don't like paying such a high rent, so we found a little bit cheaper home, still in the ward, schools, etc. What am I thinking mid-December and moving, right? I'm an expert, it should go quick. Cross your fingers. I am just glad it actually has a backyard. Once I get the address I will let everyone know. A few days after the move Nana and Papa are coming for Christmas. It took quite a bit of twisting of the arm, but turns out all I had to say is that Maya put them on her Christmas list and vuala, they are coming. The kids are very excited to see them. Me too! I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a fun New Year. See ya next year!!!

Playin' CatchUp

Everyone has been bugging me to update my blog, but it has been on the back burner since I started school at the end of August. We are still alive though and loving Washington State.

Before school started we went to Utah and went to Thanksgiving Point to see the animals. We had tons of fun tubing up at Jordanelle up past Park City. And swimming at South Jordan pool. We love our trips to Utah to see Nana and Papa.

We also were excited to see Grandma and Grandpa here at home. They came and stayed for week and had a productive tourist trip. I think they liked it, just a little!

The kids started school back on Crenna's birthday. She had a little party with some of her friends from church and school here at the house. We made homemade pizza and they made friendship bracelets. I think they all enjoyed themselves.

We went up to Deception Pass one Saturday to get out of the house. We took a picnic and went down by the shore where lots of people were salmon fishing. We tried to not scare the fish, but if you know us, we are not very quiet. But man you should of seen some of those fish.

My parents came up in October for a week to see the kids. We had a fun time. We took them to a carnival at school. I took them downtown to Pikes Market and down to the Locks in Ballard. I think they had a fun time hangin out with the kiddos.

We have been enjoying the fall colors, since we haven't really experienced seasons that much. It is sad to see that a lot of the trees are starting to get naked. The inevitable is coming. Hopefully it will be a calm winter and won't snow too much.

Saturday was Halloween and we went to our church trunk or treat. It rained so we didn't stay too long. We stayed home and the kids watched Casper, I took a nap, and the kids had fun passing out candy.

Next week is our Primary program and it will be great when it is all over. I am sure that all the kids will do a great job. Crenna is one of the narrators. This will be her last program. Can you believe that?

Summer Fun!!!

This is the first time that we have actually had a full summer and we still have another month before school gets back into session. We have tried to keep busy with different activities. At the end of June Andy went back to Utah with my parents and had some one on one with Nana and Papa. The other kids and I took some opportunities to try a few new places out. We went out to a man-made island in Everett where we enjoyed the sun and sand. We also checked out a really cool children's museum in Everett too. The kids had a blast!!! For the 4th of July we just hung out. The kids got a little wet in the backyard. On the 9th we all headed out to Utah to spend some time with my folks. We were also able to go to a little day reunion up in Layton with Josh's family. The kids had a blast and it was great to see everyone. While we were hanging out in Utah, the kids swam, played with the next door neighbor girl, and participated in the children's parade. The kids had fun watching themselves on the TV after we got back. We came back and have had an adjusting July. The twins just celebrated their 6th birthday this past week. I took them to pick out a gift, we went to IHOP for dinner, and then over to the movies in the park. We were excited it wasn't a hot night. Friday we went up to a church owned ranch and stayed the night. They had a really neat waterslide that we couldn't get the boys off of. We had so much fun we have planned to go back at the end of August when Josh's parents come to visit. And we can't wait for them to come on the 19th.

New pics of the kids

Schools out for the Summer!!!

A few weeks ago for Activity Days we decided to make bread for the sacrament. The girls had a lot of fun making a mess and getting gooey in the dough. I was glad when it was over and glad that I don't have to make bread that often. It turned out great and they were so proud of their creation that Sunday.

And so now that school is out we have just really been enjoying the weather. June was a record nonstop sunny dry month. It really has been gorgeous weather we have been taking advantage of. My parents bought me a bike for my birthday so the kids and I have been riding alot. My folks came up for a little over a week a few weeks ago to see Crenna graduate elementary school and to see the kids. I think we all loved having them here. Andy left with them and has been enjoying one on one with Nana and Pappa, that is until we get there on the 9th of July. Anson has since learned to ride his bike without training wheels and loves that he is such a big kid now. Andy learned the same day as Anson but had been riding with the training wheels but not using them, so they came off and off he went too. One more to go, Woo Hoo! Aaron prefers riding his scooter, so it might be a while for him.

We were able to go to a Minor League baseball game the other night. It was a lot of fun. The team is called the Aquasox and their mascot is a red eye tree frog, Aaron's favorite animal. The kids got a free glove and the boys got a ball for reading a month at school. We plan on going to many more games, since they had such a blast.

We like to go to a park near our home and play tennis and throw the ball around and let the kids play on the playground. Yesterday we headed over and the boys played with their new glove and ball. Well, needless to say Anson didn't quite catch the ball one time and got a nice shiner. Pictures to prove it. We will be using a softer ball from now on.

Today after church we decided to take a drive over to Whidbey Island. One of the largest islands in the US. We drove over this really neat bridge. The kids and I decided that we wanted to walk across it so Josh drove and met us at the other side. It was a beautiful cool day and we had lots of fun seeing a new area of Washington.

Maya's 9!!!

Maya celebrated her 9th birthday on the 9th. We had great weekend. One thing she wanted was a free no boys day. I don't know how she managed that one, but the boys headed out for our Father/Sons Outing. They left after school on the 8th and the girls headed out for our girls night out. We went to BuildaBear before we headed to a movie. We saw Monsters vs. Aliens. Saturday after going to walmart so I could do a little shopping and Maya could get a present with some of her birthday money we came home where she decided that she wanted to ride her bike without training wheels. When that girl wants to do something, she does! We had pizza with the boys for dinner and had her birthday cupcakes, followed by a movie-Hotel for Dogs. By then we were all tuckered out from a long few days.

Sunday was Mother's Day. It turned out to be a nice quiet day. We had a great meal that daddy made, cute cards and gifts from the kids and a nice long nap after church. I just love being a mom.

We celebrated our 13th Anniversary this weekend. I can't believe it has been that long. We took the kids to Night at the Museum 2 and had a blast. Saturday was a laid back day and in the evening we went out to Red Lobster for a nice yummy meal. Josh commented that for what we paid we could of had a nicer fish fry at home and that man he misses that food down in Mexico. But he says that on a daily basis though. Nothing new. Crenna made a cookie cake for us for our Anniversary. Maya frosted it. It was super yummy. I love that she loves to bake too. My big helper. Monday was Memorial Day and we just were lazy. Kids played outside, mom laid around for most of the day, but we are going to the park so that Mom and Dad can play tennis, while the kids play at the playground. I also bought poppers so the kids could play with them in the front yard. Good times.

Weekend Expedition!

We haven't done much lately, just the same old same old. We have been enjoying the sunny weather and warmer temperatures. Well, not 80 degrees, but pleasant 65-70. In my opinion perfect temps. The kids have been riding their bikes and playing outside with neighborhood friends.

This weekend we were hoping for sunny weather, but it decided to drizzle. Around here that doesn't stop anyone though. We had thought to go back to the tulip festival, but I was not up to the drive, so I had heard of a really nice beach with a lighthouse and playground just west of where we live. We got our umbrellas and took off. We checked the lighthouse off and got a map of all the lighthouses in the area. I think that will be our new expedition we can do on the weekends or this summer. Love free things. After we took our picture we went over to the playground so the kids could get some energy out and I checked out the water to see if I could see any starfishes. There is supposed to be a tidepool with them, but I think the tide was high because we couldn't find the pool. Maybe next time. It had pits to have fires, so I think we will go back and have a little fun with smores and a bbq. I'm loving that there is more than 2 things to do up here compared to the few same things in Mexico.

We wish all the mothers and the mothers to be a Happy Mothers Day on the 10th and a big Happy Birthday to Maya on Saturday who is turning 9. Love ya honey!!!

Spring is in the Air!!

This weekend was great for our family, well me maybe more. My favorite flowers are tulips and it just happens they have a tulip festival the month of April up north of Seattle about 40 minutes from our house. We were able to go this past Saturday. The weather cooperated for us and it wasn't too cold for the tulips. A few of the varieties were out and it was so beautiful to see rows of them. I officially love Spring. I haven't seen blossoms on the trees in years. You guys in Arizona don't know what you are missing.

We had a nice relaxing Easter. On Saturday morning the kids colored eggs and after church on Sunday they hunted them. After that they ate all the candy that the Easter bunny gave them.

All in all we had a great weekend.

Trip to the Seattle Aquarium!!

This week is the kids spring break so we decided to go down to the Seattle Aquarium. We had a lot of fun and the weather was great. Can't beat that.

Our Disneyland Trip by Crenna

These are some of the pictures that Crenna took from our trip to Disneyland. The kids ask all the time when the next time we are going. Wouldn't it be nice if we lived near it so we could go on a regular basis. Wishful thinking!

Practical Jokes.

So this weekend Crenna got a practical joke kit. I didn't see what was in it, which I think I should have. Last night when I was getting ready for bed, I went to go to the bathroom and right by the toilet was a very big bug. It was kind of dark so I really couldn't tell what kind. Naturally I screamed and then I went and screamed for Josh who was still downstairs. He came up with his shoe to pound on it, and then he started to laugh. I didn't think it was so funny that he was laughing at the bug, but it turns out that my lovely wonderful daughter Crenna played a trick on me and put a plastic cockroach by the toilet. Ha Ha. I did laugh and then I tried to place it somewhere were she would find it and maybe scream herself, but to no such luck, she wasn't scared. All my kids know how much I love bugs and things of that such. They try and make me scream any chance they get. What great kids I have!

One down 4 to go!

So I told Josh that I would move to Washington, but that we were going to get some things done. One of those things is to teach the kids how to ride their bikes without training wheels. I'm an awful parent when it comes to things like that. Poor Crenna is 10 and yes, yes she finally has her training wheels off. It is a way big thing for us, since they don't get on their bikes very often. She got out there last week and I noticed she wasn't even using them. After a little bit of anxiety on her part, we took the training wheels off, and off she went. She was so excited. Now we have 4 more to go. Hopefully it won't take 2 more years to get Maya trained. Cross your fingers for us!

Just a day out in Seattle

Last weekend Josh surprised us and took us on an outing to the famous Pike Market downtown Seattle. We had a fun time watching a few fish get thrown. We looked at all the interesting things for sale, and went down by the harbor near the aquarium. I bought some tulips, my fave. I am so glad the season is just starting. It sure is a crazy market with lots of people, but I wouldn't mind going back. Kids had fun and we even got a little bit of chocolate for being so good. All in all it was a good outing.

Crenna's new doo!

After looking at Crenna's bad haircut that she got down in Cabo, we decided to see my great hairdresser in Utah to help us out. See if she did a good job. She looks so grown up now.

Disneyland 2009

Long Time No Blog!

It has been forever since I have blogged. I have gotten hooked on Facebook and have neglected updating my blog. Lots has been happening with our family since our episode at the beach in Cabo.

We made the move up to Utah at Thanksgiving. We had a great meal with my family and a fun time visiting. Josh stayed a few days and then headed back to Cabo for work. After the break I got the kids in school and got them on a schedule. We did that until it was Christmas break. We had a great Christmas. Josh came in for a few weeks. We went tubing up by Heber. The kids had a blast, even mom and dad did too. Josh left on the 1st of Jan., again back to work in Cabo. The kids were on year round school so they had the whole month off of Jan. We went to the library alot and played on scooters, and did the school work that the teachers had sent home with them. It was a long month, but we knew that after Jan. was over we were headed to Disneyland for a week.

Josh's work shut down and they parted ways. He packed up the house and was headed north by the end of Jan.

We had an awesome time at Disneyland. The kids had an awesome time. They loved all the rides and we all enjoyed each others company. We also headed to the Santa Monica Pier, where we ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. We drove down the famous Rodeo Dr. and I was so excited to finally see the famous Beverly Hills Hotel. We walked the Walk of Fame down in Hollywood. Crenna even got to see her Hollywood sign more than once while we were there.

The kids are back in school and I am loving that we are back on a schedule. We are happy to be back as a family once more again. I hope we never have to do that commute back and forth ever again.