Happy 18th Birthday David

 David turned 18 on the 18th, his golden birthday.  He has been waiting for this day for a long time.  The thing he is most excited about is that he gets to vote during the next Presidential election.  It is hard for us to get him to smile, but this day it was hard for him to keep the smile off his face.

David's gifts included a laptop, Nike shirts, M&M's and

a leaf with a hand made card from Haley.

He was very surprised and appreciated everything, that made it even better! 

 This year David asked for an ice-cream cake.  I think this is the first time that one of the kids got to pick the kind of cake they wanted.  It was a yummy cake and we had so much fun.  He was able to enjoy dinner with two grandmas, the parents and his sisters. 

Happy Birthday, David.....

we love you so much and are so excited for what the first year of adulthood has in store for you!

Look who's driving now!

 Krystal before the test

 Grandma let Krystal borrow her car for the driving test. This is the car that she was the most comfortable in.
The man giving the test at the DMV was a big guy, he asked Krystal did you pick the smallest car you could find for the test?  It was very entertaining watching him squeeze into the car.

 When they were gone and came back quicker then the other person taking their test that left right before I was scared!  Figured she ran a red light and he told her to get back to the DMV.  They stayed in the car for a while which made us even more nervous.  When they walked back into the DMV she was all smiles.  He said congratulations and went on his way.....so all was good!  Woo hoo

 Krystal after the test waiting for her picture

Dad and I both went to the DMV and then took went our separate ways.  Krystal posed for me while we were at a red light.  Don't even think dad noticed.  Nothing but braces for a couple of days.  Grandma even let her borrow the car and she drove to school that day.  Congratulations Krys.....and watch out world.....here she comes!

Halloween 2011

 This year we only had two trick or treaters.  Laura and Haley were in full spirit and came home with tons of candy. 

 Laura a scary pharaoh mummy and Haley a cotton tail bunny.  They were creative all by themselves this year and pulled things out of our costume boxes to put their costumes together.

Wouldn't you know they were the only two who wanted to carve a pumpkin this year.  This has always been the highlight for the kids (me).  So as we were thinking of creative things to do we pulled a stencil from the internet. The two little girls cleaned out the pumpkin and outlined the stencil. 

David was suppose to do the "big" cutting but that was not of interest to him this year.

So in the morning after they all left for school I cut the rest of the pumpkin. 

Since we had one of the last pumpkins at King Soopers (how I miss the Half Moon Bay pumpkin patch)

This is what we went with....looks scary to me!

SLHS 20 YR REUNION Go Pirates!

Oct 1 was my 20 year HS reunion.  Mike and I were able to get up early that morning to fly to San Francisco.  This is the first reunion I have been to and it was so much fun seeing the old crowd.  Everyone was so happy and looked amazing.  This picture is of our crowd that went to school together from Kindergarten-12th grade.  We missed a couple of guys which we didn't think of til after but it made Peter look like a stud. 

 Sunday we were able to go to the East Bay and visit with family and eat Porky's Pizza.  It is the best ever!!!  Plus we brought two pizza's home for the kids and my other family.  Mike thought I was crazy kept trying to convince me to mail it back, figured the 3 day wait wasn't the best idea.  We didn't mail it back and everyone LOVED it when they had some (no one got sick either).

      

 After we dropped my brother and Angelina off we hung out with our niece Serenity.  We pretended to be tourist and hit some fun places and took a bunch of goofy pictures.  This one got posted even with the fact that I look like Popeye in it.

Great view of the Bay Bridge and Piers as we were heading to the airport to make it to LA Sunday night.

As we were driving to LAX on Tuesday we noticed the Angel Moroni in the distance.  We got off the freeway to see the LA Temple and would have never imagined that it sits in the middle of Santa Monica Blvd.  It is definitely unique in the neighborhood but a peaceful feeling.  We loved the flowers and the reflecting pool. 

The best part of the trip was being able to be with Grandpa Coke on his 92nd birthday.  I don't know if he realized we were there but the wonderful feeling of being with Grandma and Grandpa is something that we always cherish.  They're such blessing and an example of how we want to be when we grow up. 

Here's to a long weekend of wonderful memories that will be cherished for a long time. Especially want to thank my family for watching the kids so we could escape and fall in love with each other a little more.

Happy Anniversary

I am awful at blogging right now but couldn't let this month end without posting about our anniversary.

It was a week night and with a reunion trip planned, a big celebration wasn't in the works.  Mike was early (on time) from work with roses and plans for my favorite PF Changs.  We sent the kids off to YM/YW and enjoyed a quiet weeknight meal.  That doesn't happen very often for us.  Then being the wise man he is he said do you want to walk the shops?  OF COURSE!  He doesn't like to browse like I do but he walked through the shops looked at home decoration ideas and sniffed candles.  (even though he told the sales lady I was torturing him) .  Last stop picking up Maggie Moo's before watching dancing with the stars in bed!  Have to say he was very accommodating to what I love.

Thank you Mike for a wonderful night and being such an amazing husband.  I love love love you more then you'll ever know!  xoxoxoxo

Rampart vs Gateway 9.2.11

RAMS as the National Anthem is being performed.

This last weekend David started his final season of football. He has a new number 79 and is one of the biggest guys on the team.  David sprained his ankle a week and a half before the first game.

 I was so upset he wasn’t able to practice and he was upset that he wouldn’t be able to start.

He was put on the injured list and lost his position. Two days before the first game he was able to return to regular practice. We weren’t sure that he would be able to play since he hasn’t been “practicing” like the other boys on the team. So on Friday the family packed up and went to the stadium to watch the game.  The team was winning 20-7 when the game got called for lightening in the 3rd quarter. David wasn’t in yet but it was still worth watching him on the sidelines and run through the banner with his team as they were introduced.

 Lining up (on the end w/ blue sleeves)

Saturday at noon the game was continued and this time he was able to play. David played guard (his usual position) and tight end. He did an amazing job and the team even had an interception with 4 seconds left in the game the refs called it back for the RAMS holding in the backfield. The final score was 20-9. AMAZING!!!! I was so proud of David and the team. The guys did a great job. We also found out that David’s coach is the son of one of my dear friends. When I saw Jerry after the game I asked what he was doing there. He asked me the same question. I said….my boys playing! He said, well my boys coaching! What a small world.

When I wanted to go to the Doherty game later Saturday night, Mikey told me that I was a football fanatic. I didn’t go but today realize he is probably right. David hurt his thumb at practice Tuesday night. When he came home his hand and thumb were huge. He soaked it and took ibuprofen. He had finished practice Tuesday night so it couldn’t be too bad, right? Well I got a call from the trainer on Wednesday and he said that he thinks David’s thumb is fractured and we needed to get him to the doctor. This morning we went to the doctor and sent for x-rays. The great news is his thumb isn’t fractured. The bad news is before we knew what was going on the Dr. said that David wouldn’t be able to play. Instantly I was light headed and felt like passing out. It was almost like someone had turned the lights off and turned the heat way up. Apparently it scared Dr. Lawson and David enough that I ended up on the table and the doctor wouldn’t even let me sit up. The thought of losing this season after all the time, effort and money freaked me out! So Mikey….I know this doesn’t happen often but I think you were right. It was either a hot flash or I’m a football fanatic! I’ll go with the latter!



                                              

Final score 20-9 RAMS! Here's to a great season!

First day of school 2011/2012

Our annual first day of school picture in front of the tree.  David pruned the tree's last week so you can't tell how much each of the kids have grown.  This is the last year that all five of them will be starting school in our area.  It is so painful to think that but I know that is all part of life.  David is a senior, Krystal a junior, Alan and Laura 8th grade and Haley 5th grade.

 This year I followed David and Krystal to school to get the picture of them in front of the school.   Last year I didn't do that but I just couldn't miss my last chance of taking a picture of my boy in front of the school.  He tried to avoid me and made the goofiest face it didn't make it to the blog.  But I do have it!  Can't tell you how much this boy is looking forward to his final of year of HS.

 Krystal is just behind her brother.  She is my tiny junior and growing up so fast.  She barely stopped for the picture.  Couldn't figure out if it was they were embaressed of the way I my hair was or the moo moo dress I had on.  j/k (even had make up on)

 Alan started a new school this year.  He is attending with two of his cousins.  He is wearing a uniform but is still much happier. This school is for middle school and high school so he is in the middle of pack.

 Laura is also in 8th grade and in a school all by herself again.  When I was walking with her to school on the first day she said, 8th graders are suppose to be mean but I don't feel different.  Enjoy your the year...just one more year til you're the low man on the todem pole.

Haley is in her last year of elementary school.  She is 5th grade and finally the big girl at school.  She seems to be enjoying the year and not always being the youngest like she is at home. 

We are so excited to have everyone back in school.  This year I think they are all happy too!  Here's to a great start of another school year!

Return from the trek

Apparently I can't take very good pictures.  So you'll have to imagine the great smile through the blurriness.

David and Krystal were able to join our Church Stake on an activity called the Trek to Eternity.  It is when they dress up like pioneers and pull hand carts through Wyoming.  They left on Sunday and just got home tonight.  It was a total of 40 miles.  They were amazing and it both came home hungry and ready to shower.

 This isn't something that they are forced to do and both went voluntarily (with some complaining).  Krystal helped Aunt OJ make most of the clothes in preparation for the trek.  They were allowed 17 lbs of personal belongings in a 5 gallon bucket (which doubled as their seat).  We are so proud of them and all the challenges they conquered while they were on this trek. 

http://lds.org/gospellibrary/pioneer/29_Rocky_Ridge.html

Payback

 Last night Mikey and I went to see the other love of my life Kenny Chesney. 

 We had been to Lyle Lovett and this was his payback.  Mike likes to say that I want to marry Kenny.  NO WAY....just want him to sing to me!  It was so amazing even with the rain.  We were about 42 rows up but it didn't matter.  It was W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L!!!!  Billy Currington and Uncle Kracker were there too.  Just a fun night all the way around.  Here is my lone picture of me with Kenny.  Well a girl can dream can't she? 

 It started to rain as we walked in and it lasted until Billy was done.  It didn't matter the crowd was wild.  Mikey went and bought me a shirt and a ball cap which will replace my old Kenny shirt that I wear so much it is getting holes.  Thank you Mikey.....thank you for a memorable night, putting up with music you don't like and your wife drooling.  Love you!

Girls trip

 My Aunt lives in Minnesota.  Krystal and my Aunt have a special relationship, they have been asking if Krystal could go out to visit for a couple of summers.  This summer the trip was in the works.  Krystal and I flew out to meet O.J. (original Jill-since both of us have an Aunt Jill). 

 What else could we do flying into Minneapolis but go to the Mall of America?  We hit leggo land and all levels of the mall.  It was so much fun and even better the next day.

 One thing that Krystal wanted to do before we got there was the mirror maze.  You had to wear plastic gloves so fingerprints weren't left all over the mirrors.  It was so much fun and Krystal took off faster then you would believe, she would walk so fast that she would hit a mirror and fall.  OJ and I were behind and would try to help but find we were reaching for the wrong Krystal.  Below is a picture that I thought I was hiding behind her.  duh.....we're in a room full of mirrors!

 Krystal was definitely missing her siblings by this point.  Mom isn't as much fun in a pool as the siblings are.  She entertained herself doing flips and showing me the different swim styles she learned in life guarding this year.

 Who could leave the mirrors without getting a kiss?

 I had to buy the sign above....it so fits our house.  Below only Krystal could fill Bubba's shoes!

Thank you OJ for a great time and keeping Krys for memories I'm sure she'll never forget!

Look who's getting kisses

Hardly slept a wink and so excited to have the boy home.  He did give me a hug in front of his team, but when he got home this is what happen.  I guess we know who he really missed.

Family adventures

We have had a very busy summer so far.  Krystal and Laura spent 6 days at girls camp.  Dad and Alan spent 6 days at scout camp and David is currently traveling home from a 6 day trip to football camp.  It has been such a whirlwind of adventures but so glad for the opportunities

I was able to surprise the girls and pick them up on Saturday morning.  They were dirty and happy as can be.  It was a great ride back with them and their

friends.  They can't stop singing Vanilla Ice (thanks to one of their leaders) who is also an amazing dancer from what I hear. 

All three girls and I drove up to family night at scout camp Friday night to have dinner with the boys.  It was so hard leaving them after not seeing them for five days.  But it is wonderful having them home.

Now to David, talk about a boy who is nervous to have mom "home alone".  He encouraged me before he got on the bus about locking the doors, windows and making sure the garage door was shut.  Later that night he sent a text message making sure I locked up and shut the garage door.  He is currently on the bus driving home from Reno.  Can't wait to have the family all under one roof again, even if it is only for one night 'til the end of July.

This blog would not be complete if I didn't mention the biggest goof of all in our house.  Dad got a bike for fathers day.  The kids have wanted to go on family rides and it seems there is always something happening or we're short one bike.  No more......and he sure looked cute on his bike.  To one of the best dedicated fathers I know.....Happy fathers day Mikey, we love you!