A Sweet Reward!

The girls have been participating in a reading program in school, and one of the prizes they earned was a delicious one:
A Free Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Scoop!


Needless to say, the whole family was excited to see them collect their surprise!
Why?
Because we get ice cream too!

And mom was happy because they even had some healthier ice cream options too called "Bright Choices"! Owen made it even healthier by eating half my ice cream!

Thanks Owen!

Imagination

I love that my children have one another! Yes they fight, but they also love to play with one another. Sometimes I hear them rooting around in the bedroom, and then, amid squeals of delight, they'll come running to show me what they've been up to! It's always a happy surprise, because you never know what they're going to come up with next!

Playing "mommy & baby".

Playing...?
I don't even think Owen knows!
That's probably half the fun!

Waterbabies

You wouldn't know it by looking outside, but we did have a few sizzling days there for awhile. The kids could not wait to don their swimsuits and head out back! After being liberally slathered with sunscreen by mom, they were finally free to play with the cool water!

Last One

Okay, I could'nt resist!

Here is the official last photo of Easter!

An Elmer Easter

Samuel and I love living close to both of our families, so getting together for the holidays is always a welcome scramble!

Samuel's arms are full with his newest niece and nephew! Parents of twins, triplets, and more, we don't know how you do it!

Aunt Rachel

It's hard to believe this holiday's come and gone!
Next year we'll have a 10-month old!

Please share!

Our school is looking to raise funds for the Art Program!
If are so inclined, please click the link to check out our project.
All donations are tax-deductible and any amount is welcome!

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

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Easter Dinner with the Lopez & Ramos Families

Last year we hosted Easter Dinner in our rental home while we were waiting for this home to be built. At that time, my grandpa was dying, and though we knew the end was near, we gathered to celebrate this special day, Easter, and the resurrection of the Savior.

It was a great opportunity then, for the family to draw close together...

and it remains a great opportunity today as well.

My grandpa has since passed away, but his legacy lives on in his family.

This is just a handful of the grand kids and great-grand kids.
Each and every one, even the older ones who are trying to play it cool, are anxious for the egg hunt to start.

Happy Easter!

Dora for All!

Owen loves Dora.
If he sees her, he goes bananas and won't stop yelling her name. It's really embarassing at the store.

But when I cleaned out Iris' P.J. drawer, and found that her Dora P.J.'s were just too small, guess who was ready to step in-literally!

Dad's appalled.
Mom says at least their blue!

But no one can deny the smile on our son's face.
Priceless.

Sacramento Temple Photo Shoot

Is there a more a more beautiful spot to take pictures than on the grounds of the temple?

No matter the season, the temple is always a little piece of heaven on earth.

If you've never been but would like to go, let us know and we'd be happy to take you!

The Night before Easter

Our kids love to carefully lay out the Easter baskets the night before the Easter Bunny comes. Apparently, like Santa, the Bunny prefers close proximity to the fireplace.


In addition, someone always voices the hopeful wish that he will leave a trail of candy from their rooms to the their baskets.

He always does!

This candy trail is always greeted with loud squeals from the oldest children, who eagerly leap over the trail, anxious to find their baskets brimming with treats. While they are content to peruse their baskets, the youngest child, this year it's Owen, always meanders slowly along the trail, careful to pick-up each piece of candy so as to digest every single one.

Mom's absolute favorite:

Yellow Peeps

Dad's most disgusting:

Yellow Peeps

Guess who else loves them too?


Dad is always "present" at the festivities.
Alert? No.
But present, yes.