We love you Grandpa Lopez!

On Saturday May 14th we visited the cemetery for my grandpa's one-year anniversary.

We love you grandpa!

Next stop:
The Temple!

Father-Son Camp-OUT

Samuel and Owen had a blast at the ward Father & Son Camp-out up at Rollins Lake. Samuel said there was a good turn-out, lot's of laughs during the Guess-Who Father & Son slide show, and a terrific breakfast. What a great opportunity for the brethren to bond as members of the Priesthood!

Mother-Daughter Camp-IN

Since the boys were off in the wilderness, we girls decided we were going to create some fun of our own. Ava's great idea was for me to take them camping too. Good try Ava! Except mom prefers hotels over tents, and besides, Dad had all the camping gear! Whew!

So we compromised and had a camp-in in the living room. The girls dragged all their blankets and pillows down for the big event. Since Samuel was taking the camera with him, we took some quick shots before they left.

Owen's not too happy here because I was trying to kick him out of the picture. After all, it's GIRLS ONLY! But since he cried, and mom felt horrible, we let him cheese with us.

Since it was still early and plenty hot, I had the girls change into their swimsuits and surprised them with a trip to the Fountains. They had a blast romping through the water, and later they played on the playground.

Afterward we picked up a pizza, and then settled in for a movie. The girls were voting for old movie favorites, and were just getting ready for a serious game of paper-rock-scissors to break the tie (Mom stays out of the voting but Iris always votes twice!), when I surprised them with a movie Sam and I bought especially for that night...BOLT!

The girls were so excited they started screaming like mad people, and it culminated in Ava yelling: "We're having way more fun than Dad and Owen"!

We ate in front of the TV (another treat), and after dinner and dessert--which was peppered with food items we rarely buy (Twinkies, Ding-dongs, & Rootbeer-everyone even got their own can!)--the girls were in a sluggish stupor. They sprawled out on the floor and mom came by (per an earlier promise) to give manicures and pedicures.

The next day we all slept-in and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast. It was a happy surprise when Sam and Owen came home early enough to join us at the table!

Here's to a fabulous Mother-Daughter Camp-In!
And yes, I'm still exhausted!

When they were Young: Father-Son Camp-Out

For the Father-Son Camp-out we were asked to provide the youngest photos of both the father and son for an evening slide show presentation. I had a great time picking through my favorites, and finally settled on the ones below.

Samuel said the shot of Owen (on the right), got big laughs!

Here's a brand new Owen:
Just born and on the scale!
He's not one bit happy about it either!

Such is the life of a new baby:
Sleep, sleep, sleep!

And here's my sweetheart at 6 1/2 years old.
He's about the same age as Isabella & Ava!
It's hard to believe that the boy in this picture is all grown up with a wife and 5 children!

And here they are today.
Two of the most influential men in my life. Soon they'll be joined by a third.

I can't wait!

Speed-Racers & Blessings

This is the sight I am fortunate to see every week-day morning! I hate to brag, but my daughters are beautiful! They are intelligent, curious, fun-loving, and FUNNY!

What a blessing to be entrusted with their care!

Packing our Bags

Since I'm 36 weeks now, and my babies usually come at 38 weeks, we decided that for this Monday's Family Home Evening we would pack our bags!

The kids are thrilled because they'll be staying with their cousins; I'm thrilled for my mini-vacation and meet & greet!

With everything thrown in the living room, Owen took a liking to my deodorant and began to "apply" it!

He was super-proud of himself!

Samuel's Mom: Happy Mother's Day!

My mother-in-law is a really special lady. I am fortunate that such a wonderful woman, who is so caring, loving, and generous, raised my husband. He truly is a product of a loving family, who taught him standards and principles that are the foundation for our family today.

How can your children possibly repay you for all that you have done for us?
We can't!

But we tried!

Everyone pitched in for a lovely brunch at Mimi's Cafe, Chocolate-dipped Strawberries, and a Super-Rich Chocolate Cake!

Happy Mother's Day!

My Mother's Day

I love Mother's Day!

I'm always allowed to sleep in as late as I want, and when I make my grand entrance it's to a breakfast menu of my choice.

This year, I selected:

Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan cheese
&
Scrambled Eggs
Ham & Cheese Croissants
Chocolate Muffins
Orange Juice

This year, Samuel could only find a 6-pack of assorted muffins (poppy-seed, blue-berry, & chocolate), and of course, everyone's favorite is the chocolate. Because it was my special day, I was alotted one whole muffin to myself. However before I could take my second half, Iris scooped it up and licked it!

Where did she learn such a thing?

And not only did she lick it, but she proceeded to thoroughly enjoy it!

That little rascal.

Look at my beautiful family!

I could not be happier on this Mother's Day!

I hope you had a wonderful day too!

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!