2010 Open House

We had a great time visiting the girls classrooms for Open House.  

Ava, our proud first grader, loved showing us around, but was especially excited to take a picture with Mrs. Padilla!

On of my favorite projects on display were these darling pictures of the kids being whisked away by their giant kites!  

Bye Ava!

No sooner did we finish visiting one classroom, we had to bolt to another:  

Mrs. Manley's Third Grade Class! 

Isabella, likewise, loved showing us her around her room, and teaching us all that she has learned thus far!  

It was quite the exercise, 

and by the time we were done, 

I was relieved to be out of school!

Mischief Makers...

Let's face it:  

I'm obviously not Irish,
and despite my love of all things food,
corned beef and cabbage is lost on me!

But I do love candy...

And any excuse to make a brownie...

so I guess this holiday isn't so bad after all!

Especially since it's also fun for your house to be attacked by mischief makers!

Those rascally Leprechauns sure got around...

And to the delight of my girls they left a sweet treat in their wake!

Until next year when, as usual, 

mom will wear one speck of green, 

which Ava will ignore every time, 

to give me 

the traditional pinch!

Thanks Ava!

What's Your Spud?

Ava had a really fun class project in which they were all required to take a potato-any kind-and, using ordinary materials around the house, transform it into a SOMEBODY!

Ava, who is so not a circus person (I guess who is?), was dead-set on making a clown!

After some strategically placed puffballs for crazy hair, a bright red nose, and a painted face, she had a spud destined for the Ringling Brother's circuit!

As for the rest of her classmates, the sky really was the limit, and two that impressed Ava were the Ninja and Star Wars spuds!

They were, 

in her words,

"AWESOME!"

31 and Melting...

On March 14th I celebrated my 31st birthday!

Samuel planned an evening at the Melting Pot, and we dined on all things savory and sweet.  It was a night to remember, especially considering I dipped sweet n' sour pickles (which I hate!), into cheese and LOVED it!

The ambiance is incredible-

how you beat mini-booths?

-and let's face it, 

fondue is the ULTIMATE play with your food concept!

The main course was amazing, everything from lobster to ravioli's, but the best part was choosing from eight sauces to complement each bite.  My favorite was the New York Strip with a creamy blue cheese sauce.  Incredible!

Samuel favored the shrimp with the horseradish, and as you can see, it went down well...

The best is, of course, always last!

It really was too much, and aside from the strawberries-which just scream: Dip me in chocolate!-The cocoa crusted marshmallows rocked!

Where can you buy those?!?

Now for the absolute best part of my birthday...

Breakfast with the kiddies!

They served me an egg-white omelet with spinach and mozzarella, decorated the house with handmade party decor, presented me with a bevy of gifts, and tons of hugs and kisses!

Does life get any better?!?

Well, yes.  

My sister Sophia treated me to an evening of dinner and shopping!

{Okay, it's not "better", but it certainly was fun!}

I love that we're mommies now and can get together as sisters AND friends!  Especially when it seems like just yesterday that we were kicking and scratching each other...yes, we duked it out back in the day.

All told, my birthday was fabulous!

Thank you my sweet family!

XOXO

Me

Expressions

My kids are saints for bearing with a momma who loves to snap their picture!  Everyone indulged save for Bella who refused to sit still for even one shot!  The rest agreed, though some were more willing than others...

Ava Grace, my bruiser! 

Her foot caught on the reading rug at school and she went crashing down.  She's a trooper though, and this smile says it all!  Ava and I share tons of physical characteristics, but where she gets her dynamic personality and adventurous spirit, I'll never know!  She brings an energy to this home that is unmatched, and can sleep like a log late into the morning catching some serious zzz's!

Iris Luciana, Sweet & Sour

That's her daddy's nickname for her and it fits to a "t".  You'd be hard-pressed to find someone whose a sheer delight one moment and a pain-in-the-neck the next!  But as one of our favorite storybooks goes...

"I love you because you're you!"

Owen Joseph, Little Man

 

Persistence is how I would describe this boy.  He is the squeakiest wheel for sure, and is learning, day by day, that momma is NOT at his beck and call!  Shocking, I know!  But oh, so true!  He is a good boy, who still gives me squeezes and loves, and makes my day when I feel his tiny heart beat against mine.

Gabriel Dodge, Monster Munch

Outgrowing Owen by leaps and bounds, this boy, at two years younger, is already wearing clothes that Owen was wearing just last year!  He is a delight, the crown jewel of the bunch!  Just kidding, of course, but seriously, you could not special order a child more perfect than he.

All of my children are priceless, and they bring Samuel and I so much joy.  They can't help but make you want to be better than you are.

S'more Science

I'm absolutely convinced
the best way to make a s'more is NOT over an open flame! 

I know! 

You die-hards will hate this post!

It's broiling them to perfection under 500 degrees of scorching heat.  

We used honey grahams,
 squares of Hazelnut Chocolate from IKEA
(TRY IT-YOU WILL LOVE IT!),
and baby mallows. 

Keep a real close eye on those babies,

but after a few minutes the mallows are golden,

the chocolate perfectly melty,

and the crackers crisp and crunchy!

Enjoy!

Tokens & Tickets

It was finally that dreaded (oops, did I say that?), I mean wonderful, time of year when we raise funds for the girls school by visiting Chuckie Cheese.

As you can see, this is their absolute favorite event of the year!

Owen is my timid little man.  He's very interested in things, but gets nervous when it comes to actually participating.

Take this monster truck ride, for instance.  Gabriel pretty much rolled with the homies, while Owen actually tried to jump ship!

{As I looked at this post a second time, it struck me that one day these boys will actually be riding together in a legit vehicle on the street!  At least I hope it's legit...and please, please don't be a monster truck!}

The kiddies had a blast, and for our trouble, the school raised some money and we walked away "richer" with several tootsie pops, stickers, and bracelets.

A win-win!

Colorful Peacefulness

I have no idea if that makes any sense to anyone, but when I look at this picture those are the words that come to mind.  So much color, and so much peace.

I love home!

New Doors, Same Great Place...

We were surprised to find that the Sacramento Temple now has new doors!

They are stunning, as is the rest of that beautiful building, but it was especially great that the kids were able to to see more!

We usually visit with the kiddies in the daytime, so it was fun to see them explore the grounds at dusk.

Owen and I had a nice little visit before we left.  I asked him if he wants to go inside the temple and his answer is, and has been for awhile, "Moroni!".

I love it!

It's a Dodger Thing...

I don't know how long ago it was, but I believe with Bella we scored this Dodger T.

I love that it's been in the family for years, and it's one of those pieces I don't think I'll ever be able to get rid of.

I'm surprised it still looks brand new...

...but if Gabriel's any indication, the reason it looks so great is because by the time I realize they're finally big enough to wear it...

...their actually too big!

It's fun to come across small articles that remind you of your history, and most importantly, of your family.

Helping Hands

In May members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will have the opportunity throughout our state to participate in Helping Hands, by going out in force to complete a project within our community. 

As I was putting this event on our family calendar, I thought how blessed I am to have "helping hands" of my very own.  While there sometimes seems to be more messes to clean up than I can count, I wouldn't trade it for the world.  They are learning everyday-as am I!-and it's surely an experience we'll all look back on fondly.

On the Same Page...

Here's a sneak peek at what any given night is like as we settle in for Family Scripture Study.  It's not always the most reverent, but we've all taken great strides in making this time special for the whole family.

It helps that everyone has their own Book of Mormon...

...and an opportunity to read.

I have to admit, there are times when Samuel and I are just too tired to see this through.  After hours of chasing these rascals around, there is nothing we'd like more than to plunk them all in bed and flop on the couch with a sigh! 

It's then that I'm grateful for what Elder Bednar recalls of him and his wife's efforts to have a gospel-centered home:

Sometimes Sister Bednar and I wondered if our efforts to do these spiritually essential things were worthwhile. Now and then verses of scripture were read amid outbursts such as “He’s touching me!” “Make him stop looking at me!” “Mom, he’s breathing my air!” 

Sincere prayers occasionally were interrupted with giggling and poking. And with active, rambunctious boys, family home evening lessons did not always produce high levels of edification. 

At times Sister Bednar and I were exasperated because the righteous habits we worked so hard to foster did not seem to yield immediately the spiritual results we wanted and expected.

He notes that what was most important about his families time together was that they were consistent in their efforts.  Not perfect, consistent!

Now that is something we can shoot for!

 

Movie Night

We are at our scraggliest best and loving every minute of hunkering down for a family flick.

This is home at it's comfiest...