And so goes life . . .

These past few weeks have been crazy! We have had some tough blows lately. One of my good friends in Palmdale (one that actually DOES stuff) announced that she was moving. I'm currently in intense denial because I still have a week left. Dylan was also diagnosed with ADHD and we have been trying to figure out all that goes with that and what he needs. We have been stretching our budget (nothing new really, just getting old) and we had some tough news from extended family as well. It has been a rough time, but I am grateful that I have my kids who continue to make me laugh and who don't complain when our entertainment is something like "lets go to the library" or "how about recycling cans today." You gotta love that kind of enthusiasm for everything in life - even the small things.
So today I am so GRATEFUL for my kids and how they make me see life from their perspective and keep me laughing!

Project time!

So this week was time for a project. I just needed something big to do and I chose our upstairs bathroom because some genius had put carpet in half of it which was completely NASTY after being exposed to our kids for a year so Dylan and I ripped up the carpet and linoleum and then I spent a week laying tile. It is a small space, but it was hard to find the time to complete the tasks. I did though and I LOVE the results. Here are the before and after photos!

Spring Break 2010

So for Spring Break we had planned to drive to Ohio and visit family, but after some car repairs, a fridge repair and a broken sliding glass door we decided to stay home. It was a bummer, but here are some fun things we did instead.

Chloe got these goggles in her Easter basket and wore them for hours!

The boys and I made a tent. It filled the living and dining rooms and we left it up for the whole two weeks. The kids loved it and slept in it several nights.
We bought a trampoline that bent within 5 minutes of jumping, but it di make a good tent for the kids picnic.

The rest of these pictures are from Santa Barbara. We drove up for the day with Rob's mom and we had dinner at this restaurant that is literally right on the sand called the Fishhouse (I Believe) the food was great and the view was better. We sat on the patio and there were heaters so it was perfect!

The girls enjoying the beach

The boys built a hut with the rocks and some drift wood/palm tree branches. It was fun! Here's Zach inside helping getting it set up.

Griffin and Dylan dragging a peice over.

Here they are at the restaurant. The beach is literrally right behind the plexiglasss. Just like 7 steps down to sand and then 15 yards til water. If you ever get to Santa Barbara you need to go here!

Dylan's Baptism

Dylan got baptized last Saturday - March 20th - and it was beautiful. I will admit I was a bit stressed especially when we didn't leave on time. Then when Rob forgot his white pants I was irritated. But, thanks to Brett and his smart comments by the time we arrived at the church all was forgiven.

Dylan was so excited! He loved all the attention and the talks - everyone did such a good job. He said the font was warm and "kinda like a hot tub." What a Dylan comment to make. Rob was hanging up towels and doing stuff so Dylan had about 30 seconds in the font before Rob and he was just roaming around. SO DYLAN!!!! It was very special and I am so proud of Dylan for this decision he made.

We want to thank all the friends and family that came to support Dylan on this special day. I know it was an effort to travel, but it is very appreciated.

Griffin's play

Griffin was in play called Showstoppers at school. They did old TV show songs like Green Acres and Mr. Ed. It was really cute. This is a video of one of my favorites - Gilligan's Island. Griffin is in the back with the glasses (he's the professor) and his best friend is next to him. It is cute. I used my camera to shot the video so it is a little unsteady. Hope the video comes through.

Olivia Fife

This is a picture of my neice who was stillborn on January 28,2010. To say that we had been anticipating her birth is an understatement. The yougest cousin is now 20 months and for our family that is the largest gap we have ever had. We were so excited for Olivia! Heavenly Father had other plans and has taken her home with him. We will always miss her! I wrote a poem about Olivia for Heather for Olivia's service. I have posted it here. All my love to my sister and her family for their loss! We will always love you Olivia!

Olivia’s Poem

Olivia, Olivia how I dreamed of a night
Your brown hair so soft and new and your eyes so full of light
The way I would love to hold you close and welcome you here
I would kiss your face and beam with pride with Daddy standing near.

Forevermore I will picture your sweet angelic face
And dream of you, Evan and Audrey in a lovely place.
The brief moments we shared together passed by way too fast.
How I long to be with you and see your smile at last.

Sweet Olivia did you know your name means Olive trees?
They give to earth a quiet strength, simple beauty and peace.
From the flood in ancient days it was the first to grow
A beauty like those aging trees I knew you would show

Then from the Garden long ago the master bent in pain
Did grasp onto an olive tree and find his strength maintained.
From that act long ago comes the promise of forever
That knowledge gives me peace - our family cannot be severed.

Olivia, so perfect, how we long your face to see
Instead I’m left with memories of what I’d hoped would be.
You have returned to loving hands in heavens far above
Everyday we'll miss our baby and dream of you - our love.

For now we are separated and though the years seem long
Through love of our family and the gospel truths so strong
We will wait to reunite and hold our cute baby too.
Goodbye for a time, Olivia we'll always love you!

End of summer fun!!

So at the end of August all of my family got together and had some fun! It was great to see all the cousins together and we had a great time. Perhaps it is that it is getting colder here (40degrees or so in the morning) or what but I am suddenly missing these summer days.

Chloe - such a big girl!
Savannah learning to be a fish!

Our sweet Zach - happy anywhere!

Dylan just chillin'

Griffin always the stud!

All the cousins except for two. I just LOVE the beach!

Savannah's new do!

So, a couple of months ago, while I was cutting the boys hair, Savannah came in and cut off one of her ponytails (she had part down, but two ponytails on the side). It made me sick! We have sinced fixed it and her hair is much shorter and you can still tell, but they did a good job of hiding it as best they could.

This is after the haircut. Not too shabby.

During the haircut. At first they said they could not help me, but one of the ladies tried and she did a great job.

This is what it looked like on the side she cut. You can't tell, but her hair in back was down to almost her bum!

From the fron. You can see how long the other ponytail was.

Magic Mountain!!!

Rob's mom bought us annual passes to Magic Mountain and we have been having a blast. The girls are loving the kiddy area and while the boys find pleasure in these rides all of them have taken to the roller coasters. They LOVE Revolution (1 loop) and Griffin is dying to ride the more extreme roller coasters. They all went on the new Terminator ride which is kind of looks like an old time wooden coaster, but it goes CRAZY fast. I will admit I was a bit nervous about it, but we went on (even Zach - who is 5!) and it was fun and everyone loved it. Here are some of our calmer pictures.

Rob and Chloe. They love this ride!

Griffin and Savannah on the kiddy coaster

Dylan and Zach on one of those rides that goes up and then like falls down and bounces

Chloe and Savannah on the same ride. This is Chloe's FAVORITE ride. It is fun to watch her ride.

Pioneer Park

Pioneer Park is one of my favorite places to go with my kids. It is one of the perfect places where they stay entertained and have a blast.


Emilee with

Dylan enjoing the water

Griffin teaching Chloe how to avoid the water.

Savannah and Aubree! They are so CUTE!!

Zach just chilling!

Pioneer Day

Each year for Pioneer Day we go on a hike.

Usually we go to Peters Canyon in Orange, CA and the kids have a really great time. This year my mom came too and that was great. There is some complaining and some rough moments, but overall I think it is a good experience. We talk about the pioneers and why they did what they did and why we remember them. We try to sing songs, but it usually does not go over very well. It is a good time to think about how hard the trek from Illinois to Utah must of been and the kids by the end are VERY grateful that we live in an age with air conditioned cars. This hike is about 2 miles I think and I have been doing it for about 5 years. The first year Griffin was 3, Dylan was 2 and Zach was like 5 months. That was a rough year. It has gotten easier and it is FUN!!! Anyone want to join us next year?

Bottom Picture is the beginning and top is towards the end.

Living it UP!

I thought this was a cute picture of Savannah living it up with her cousin Riley. She can get people to do what she wants!!!

Griffin had his mowhawk for 6 days. His friend (who does NOT usually have a mowhawk) also had one. They had a fun afternoon.

We're Back

Well since it has been almost a YEAR since I posted I figured I better get back into it. Everyone is a year older and I now have an 8, 7, 5, 3 and 1 year old. We are having LOTS of fun and enjoying summer a WHOLE lot. We have moved into a new house (one of our own!) and we love it it. It is big enough and comfortable and it is worn in enough not to make me crazy when the kids are, well, Vikings. Rob got a new motorcycle and he is loving the freedom of cruising around without depleting our wallet in gas money. He takes off every chance he gets and we miss him! But at least he is having fun. We have done some fun things like camping with our ward and the Morgans at El Capitan and going to Vegas for Rob's sister's wedding. I have posted some pics to get up to date somewhat, but check back soon as I PROMISE to keep up this time.

Pictures are from today back to Easter.

Griffin cut his hair this morning. He promises to cut the rest off when a friend from our ward makes good on his promise to have him come over and swim and have hot dogs if he cuts his hair.

This morning before the hair cut.

Fourth of July fun (except Chloe who is exhausted, but she did do one sparkler!)

Savannah was the flower girl at Nikki's (Rob's sister) wedding. Isn't she cute?

Camping with the Morgans! SO FUN!!!! Plus our tents were behind this picnic table and look at that Awesome view. It was great!

Our boys were VERY into the fire. Surprising I know. They made sure it kept going and LOVED putting in the dried grasses to keep it BIG. Such boys! Such Vikings!

Zach's Preschool graduation. He was SOOOO cute and we were so proud!

Zach and Chloe at Zach's preschool graduation.

Me and my favorite people at Grandma's house.

Dylan's end of the year field trip to the Aquarium of the Pacific. He waited for almost 1/2 an hour to touch this fish. He was so excited!

I just love this picture of Chloe.

Easter Sunday! It was fun. Plus, Heather especially, check out the paint on our front door and let me know what you think. I will try and post a better pic soon.