Pass the Chips!

On this Thursday I was absolutely exhausted so Samuel suggested taking the family out to one of our favorite restaurants:

Felipes!

It's a small, hole-in-the-wall, to-die-for restaurant that has amazing chips and salsa-Owen was addicted!-and the best Chimichangas, Pork Tamales, and Tacos.

 

 

The kids absolutely LOVE the SUPER-cheesy quesadillas, rice, and beans.

 

We were one happy family, and I think I'll have to remember to be exhausted more often around the dinner hour!

Park Days: Inspired!

 Our Relief Society has organized one day every week where we can get together and let the kids play at various parks around the city.

I admit, I hardly ever make it out (mornings are so crazy!), but when I do the kids never fail to have a great time and I love the opportunity to visit with other moms.  It is such a great opportunity to get to know them better, and I always come away smiling.

 

I am so grateful for for my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I know the Relief Society Program is ordained of God, and that the meetings and activities truly are inspired and are designed to draw us closer to Christ.

What a resource! 

What a blessing!

As we all strive to strengthen our homes and our families.

Eight is Great!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love this girl!

 

Isabella,

thank you for being such a wonderful daughter!

 

Truly,

you are a light to this family...

and to the world!

 

We love you!

 

Mom

Elmers - Flu Shot = Flu!

Last year we made our way smartly to the flu clinic the moment the vaccines became available.  This year we became complacent, and when I called, they were already out!

Blast procrastination!

In a matter of DAYS the kids and I all came down with the flu!

 

Ava had the worst of it, with a stubborn fever of 104.5!

Bella was the last to get sick, and was positively delighted to finally be sequestered at home with Ava from school!

Next year, guess who'll be first in line for the flu shot?

Love that Styrofoam!

 

A new picture wrapped smartly  in Styrofoam quickly became the toy of the day!

Ball Wall, Cart Wheels, & even a Dogpile!

We had the privilege of watching our two nephews, Jacob and Luke, while their parents attended the temple. 

 What to do with so many kids? 

 

Hit the school!

 

Samuel with our gaggle of gear.  Apparently we can't function without loads of stuff!

 

 

 

Gotta love that ball wall!

 

 

And cartwheels until you're literally sick!  We ended with a massive dog pile on Samuel.  I would say with glee that we squeezed him like a tube of toothpaste, but I was next in the line-up and felt the strain of six hefty little buggers too!

The boys wailed when their parents came to take them home.

I guess we did our job well!

Roast-a-doro!

We celebrated the colder weather with a roast and invited our neighbors and some families from our ward.  It was so much fun, and even though my personal favorite was the chili topped with Frito's (who doesn't love Frito's?!?), I think the favorite by far was the s'mores with dark chocolate!   

Dora and Alan (not pictured)

 

Zachary

 

 

 

Olivia, Samuel, and Gabriel

 

Tammy and John

 

 Crystal and Brandon

 

The kids had a blast roaring around in the car.

 

Overcast Day = Perfect Park Fun

 

 

We met up with a good friend of mine, a fellow school mom, for a park play date and had just the best time.  Nothing beats an overcast day that's perfect for playing while you keep toasty with a warm sweater!

Field Trip: CSUS

The kids love that dad is back in school just like them.  One night I took the kids to see what it was all about.

 

They couldn't believe the size of the campus and loved seeing dad when his class let out for break.  Samuel even took them inside to see what his classroom looked like and where his desk was.

 

All was well until we left got a flat tire on the way home!  Luckily Samuel was able to reach us quickly and get us off the side of the road.  What an adventure!

An 'Ensign to the Nations' and to my sons...

What a sight!