Fairy Tale Town

On a crazy Saturday I took all my kids (minus Gabriel), plus my nephew Jacob to Fairy Tale Town.

 

They had a blast climbing the treehouse...

 

...checking out the animals...

 

...climbing on giant stinky feet...

 

...posing as you-know-who...

 

...meditating...

 

...singing pirate shanties...

 

...and generally, reflecting on a fun afternoon!

It was quite the outing, and I was grateful for the opportunity for the kids to just be kids!

Construction Zone

We visited dad on the site of a construction project.

 The kids especially dug the hats, though Owen was constantly having to fix his.

Thanks for the tour!

Back to School Night

Back to School Night is generally a lot of explaining of things already outlined in the mounds of paperwork the teachers give you.  I'm not complaining, it's just that when you're alone with five children you tend to want to move things along.

 

As I suspected, Owen lasted through one presentation and only 5 minutes of the other...

 

...so out we went to play!

 

There was a lot of monkeying around...

 

...and it was a fun way to kick off the new school year!

Bath Time

When they're not slapping each other silly they do have an enjoyable time...

Belly Time!

We always loath the doctors advice to place our babies on their bellies to strengthen their back and neck.  It's not that we disagree with their advice, our kids just hate to do it and ALWAYS cry!

 

Except for Gabriel.

He squirms for two seconds and-boom!-he's out like a light!  He may not be working his muscles but at least he's catching some ZZZ's!

Labor Day Donuts

We spent Labor Day morning munching on donuts with my family.

 

Gabriel with Grandpa Jose' and Grandma Rose.  Gabriel looks so much like my dad, especially when you compare baby pictures.

 

Owen playing ball with Grandpa.

 

 Gabriel can only lay there and watch!

 

But he was able to get in some Grandpa time too.

 

It was a great way to start off the holiday.

Very easy, very slow...

like we had all the time in the world!

Gabriel Dodge

You are an absolute delight my son.

And I love you with all of my heart. 

What a privilege! 

What a blessing!  

What an honor to be your mother!

The Scooter

We visited Grandma after her foot surgery and the kids were delighted to find...

 

her roaring around on a scooter!

She doing much better now, and we are grateful for it.

Pizza...Family...Priceless

To say I needed a night off in the kitchen would be an understatement! 

Luckily, the kids couldn't have been happier.  

Later, we visited Dad's work.

Each member of this family is so precious... 

...priceless, really.

FHE: Otter Pops & Bug Killers

This post-title is pretty self-explanatory.

We enjoyed icy otter-pops...

and then killed bugs!

Gross, right?

But very rewarding...

Especially when you consider what they did to our plants!

Note:  At first it was traumatic for kids who've been taught that caterpillars turn into butterflies.  After all, who would dare kill a butterfly?

Answer:  We would!

Christmas in August?

Isabella made this awesome snowman from play dough!

Are you ready for the holidays, or what?

Garage Sailin'

On this particular Saturday a bunch of crazy girls from the ward gathered at the crack of dawn to head in to Rocklin for their annual community garage sale!  

We all scored tons of deals and I even came away with a 20" bike for Isabella for only $4.00!

Thanks for the great time girls!

I Call Do-over!

Well the first day of school came and went in a blur. As I waited for them to come home later that day, I felt a twinge of guilt for how things transpired. A hearty back-to-school breakfast? No, try a hastily poured bowl of cereal! Love notes in their lunch boxes? They were lucky to get a sandwich! The traditional first-day photos in the front yard with their new school duds? How about a quick kiss and a "Don't be late!".

Absolutely horrible, right?

So in my determination to make things right, I call an official:

Do-over!

There were eggs...

toast...

and yes, even chocolate milk!

We had our front-yard photo shoot-when did they get so big?-and they carried lunches with not only love notes, but love bites in each of their sandwiches!

I am so grateful for wonderful kids who love their mama despite her shortcomings. What a blessing they are to me.

Hittin' the Books

When it's time for the kids to go back to school, it's bittersweet for me.

On the one hand, I absolutely adore being with my children. Yes, they squabble and occasionally drive me just the tiniest bit insane...but they're MY squabblers and I love them to pieces! When summer comes my heart is full and happy to be surrounded by ALL of my children every moment of the day.

On the other hand, as summer comes to a close I do feel as though with each passing day our home shrinks-just a little-but enough to make everyone yearn for a little
...space.

And so, with this new year, this new ADVENTURE, we set off for the first day of school.

Our brood!

Ava preparing to settle in for the long haul.

Her teaching waving good-bye (that's the "get-out" signal for us lingering parents!).

Isabella getting ready to take the plunge!

Finding her seat.

I love you girls!

Beginning the Work...The Great Work

On Saturday August 22nd, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, we commenced the work for my Grandpa Lopez and other ancestors in the Sacramento Temple.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day, and one that Samuel and I greatly anticipated. I am so grateful to have the blessing of my Grandma and Grandpa in doing the work for our family members.

To be able to do this work at all, is a great blessing in and of itself.

Samuel and I outside the temple.
I'm loving the Marilyn Monroe breeze!

Joe & Jessica

Gary, Houston, & Elizabeth

A family picture with Gary and Clista.

Sisters: Clista & Patti

Uncle Ron & Aunt Patti

We are so grateful for all the family in attendance. Your love and support mean the world to us. I can picture my Grandpa, choked up with emotion, appalled to have "such a fuss" made over him, but pleased nonetheless.

Afterwards we dined at Tahoe Joe's-they have the absolute best clam chowder this far inland!-and just...
savored the special day.