11 years

Goodness where dose the time go. My Lilly has turned 11.

11 years ago a become a mother! It has been the biggest blessing and honor of my life. I am forever grateful for this sweet girl who has been our guinea pig on the journey of parenthood. There are so many wonderful things about her that just make my heart happy. She is kind, lighthearted, and easy to laugh. She is thoughtful a great big sister, helpful and so so loving. She is our song bird and has developed such a lovely singing voice.

It was such a pleasure to treat this girl to her day and celebrate the way she wanted.
First things first birthday wake up, presents and breakfast pancakes.

Lunch was a special treat. We went to Firehouse Subs. (Did you know a free sub on your birthday?) So that was a no brainier for a girl who loves her Italian sandwich. Following our lunch we had to get dessert at the Sweet Tooth Fairy.

One of the greatest things about Lilly is how happy she is when she gets when we eat out or go somewhere special she just loves it and you can tell. And you can't help but have the time of our life too.
For dinner she requested ham and cheese sliders followed by birthday dessert with cousins. Her choice this year was peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream.

I thank my God for everyday for this girl so so lucky to be her mom.

Tripping to Vegas

Kevin and his Spartan crew (Hannah and Pablo) Set out this weekend for yet another Spartan race.  This time it was different we all went for a little out of town get-away to LAS VEGAS.  We pulled the kids out on Friday and off we went.  Welcome to Nevada.  Here we are at Hoover Dam.  You get to actually walk across this bridge that is over the dam. It is really spectacular to see this bridge. It is so high up and so long and just amazing to see over such a big gap.

During this little drive we drove through a few little towns that I have only heard of. Now I am no longer a stranger to Kingman, Wickenburg, the little town of Wikieup or the 4 houses of Nipton. 

Our plan was to go see a little of Las Vegas with the kids in the day light. Just to show them the massive buildings, the glitz and the glam. We did little reminiscing when Kevin and I would travel with our families in the summer to Utah or the River, back when the Excalibur was the newest casino on the block.   We saw the Bellagio fountains, gardens and Chihuly's blown glass.

I had to take a picture of my Lilly with all the gorgeous lilies.

We hit up Caesars Palace. Oh my goodness that place just keeps going and going. We saw the fall of Atlantis show and their huge aquarium. The kids and I could sit and look at an aquarium for hours. In the mall there they had a sports store and would you believe it Jerry Rice was signing autographs. Kevin was too chicken to meet him and get his picture but yep we saw him just 5 yards away.

Next on our tour we hit the Flamingo just because they have a bird habitat on their grounds.  They have flamingos, pelicans and other water birds. The most impressive thing to see was the Koi fish they were the biggest ones I have ever seen.  Then our family favorite thing to do is to ask google for more formation. We learned that koi fish can live for 100 years and can grow up to 3 feet long.

By this time every one was starving. I had already planed out where to eat. The SHAKE SHACK. I know they have great dinning in Vegas but I had heard the Shake Shack is all the rage in NY so I had to try it. Plus we where on a budget with 5 so this was a great choice.  The Shack burger was awesome, The Shake, not so great. Really the burger, Oh I'm now remembering how creamy the cheese was, YUM-O but really it could have been that we were all so hungry and that I can't remember the last time I had cheese on my burger.  Thanks Shake Shack you did me proud.

Hop back in the car and head out to state line to our luxurious hotel Buffalo Bill's.  Yes it was a run down as expected.  But hey we were on a trip so I grin and bare it. With all of its faults, like the tv from 1980, the closed pool, or the pool next door that we were to use had a broken heater.

But the good features, a roller coaster, an arcade and a log ride balanced out the bad.

The arcade Max's happy place. Something I will never understand.

The kids were happy to watch the tv set from the 1980s all morning. See you are getting a glimpse of our set from CSI Las Vegas.

And when we got really board while waiting for our Spartans to finish the race we played red light green light in the hall.

Here are our Spartans. They all had a great race. Hannah left them in the dust. Kevin was happy with his time even though he cramped up at the end and had to have a hand full of salt before he could move again.  Smart on his part. He didn't think it would be safe to jump over the fire with a cramped leg.

After the race it was time introduce our kids the buffet.  Because of the crowd they seated 9 of us in this booth. We like to be cozy when we eat a lot.

Quick family trip in the books. So glad that we were able to getaway and be with my team that I love so much.

April 12

To be honest I all but forgot it was the 12th until we got home from church.  And being that  it was Sunday we didn't venture far. This is 12 on the 12th home addition.

1. Tara took this picture in the middle of the lesson in Relief Society. I totally forgive her and am so glad that I have it. We all dressed in black and white skirts, one stripy, polka dots and me in floral, funny thing to do.

2.  Family movie getting comfy on the floor.

3. Movie this week The Book of Life. Seriously cutest movie, loved the music.  I have been listening to it all week. I LOVE YOU TOO MUCH

4.  Meal planing my favorite. not really.

5.  Getting ready for dinner.

6.  dinner BLT's and spinach salad.

7.  Love love love when Kevin helps with the dishes

8.  Admiring Luke's grass head guy he made in preschool

9.  Lilly getting through the newest book adventure of the Penderwick's. Penderwicks in Spring. Oh Love love love this series.

10.  Time to make cookies, I figure I can enjoy a treat since I fasted all day.

11.  Now time to play with dessert just a little.

12. I had the guts to pull out the sewing machine and finish a quilt top that I have had cut for almost a year. Top done now time to quilt it.

Starting From Somewhere

I'm behind but I have to start from somewhere, so this is life according to me for this past week.
Preschool stuff we have been studying frogs. Seriously cutest little guy. We get to watch him grow into a frog.  He is the second one that we received because the first one died. The company was really nice and sent us a new one free of charge. This time I was much more careful to make sure he was adjusted to the water temperature before I poured him into his bowl. That seemed to do the trick and he is still swimming.

And check out this craft that we did. It was so cute and the kids loved it. I love to hear the kids discuss the life cycle and other things that they have learned for our study.

It was Luke's turn to bring the show and tell bag this week. Out of all the fun things that this boy has and dose, he wanted to bring his pajama pants to share with the class. He is a crack up and so ready for kindergarten.

This weekend was busy and fun.  It was Max's first pinewood derby. Kevin and Max had worked on the car a lot well they had worked on a few cars until they this last one. The time was worth it because he did pretty well. He won a few races and he was pretty happy. It was really fun to see him and his buddies enjoy the race. I love this photo of Max reacting to a finish of a race.

 This is his car "STEEL" (the red car) winning this race

Our stake goes all out for this event with decorations, flags and that track all high tech and stuff. It was fun and my boy had fun.

Next event of the day was a lunch and Easter egg hunt with John, cousins and friends. Everyone got candy, everyone got eggs. What was there not to love about this afternoon?

 Then back home to change and get ready for the start of General conference with the Women's broadcast.  Since Kevin was working Uncle Pablo offered to take my boys fishing for the evening and they were thrilled to find that Pablo had bought them their own fishing poles. Now you must understand this event. When they go fishing with Pablo it is event and a party. They get 40 oz drinks, bags of chips, donuts, and other treats to pass the time as they wait for their fish. This time no one caught anything but they were stuffed and had a great time.

The broadcast was wonderful and it filled my soul.  I love that I get to go with Lilly and with the girl cousins and have a night out just feeling good. This conference marked 20 years since the proclamation on the family. I was taken back by that because it dates me. I was there when it was first presented just hard to believe that so much time has passed. As always the prophet was able to see our day and know the Proclamation of the Family would be a document that we would need to study to believe, live and share.

 The main point I got from the meeting is, the family is the central to Gods plan and it is in OUR families that we grow and become the people that God wants us to become. It is my privilege to be a wife, mother, daughter, sister and aunt.  When I seek the Lord's will in fulfilling these rolls I will become closer to my Savior and can do his work.

March 12

1.  It's spring break they got to do what they wanted, including playing on the computer when they woke up.
2.. Or they could choose to play on the tablet.
3.  Papa and his fruit.  He sent them home with me. They are as good as they look.
4.  And look what else he sent me home with. Still insisting to take care of me and make sure I eat.  I will say that I ate plenty while in CA. Now I'm working it off.
5.   A little Papa photo shot before we get on the road. Lilly and Papa
6.  Papa and me.
7.  Luke and Papa
8.  On the way home we finished listening to The Black Stallion. Oh I loved it and so did the kids. I love listing to books on tape on a road trip just the best way to spend time.
9.  On the road, good bye LA
10.  GAS in California is ridiculous and then in the middle it is even worse. Just here for a potty break thank goodness.
11.  Lunch on the road, Subway. Perfect choice. They now have a flat bread pizza that Luke was very happy with. Yeah everyone was happy!
12.  Home again reunited with my love.