April/May Update

On Easter Sunday, we not only celebrated the resurrection of our savior, but also the baptism of our second child, Julia! She asked me to baptize her and it was my pleasure to do so!

In early May, my brother Marty, his wife Patsy and boys, Blake, Tanner , David and Chase came for a short visit. We went to Bounce Town (a place with bounce houses, obstacles courses, air hockey and tons of other fun things to do!), we had a birthday party for David and Chase and they were able to come to our homeschool talent show.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Part Three: Marysville

After leaving Disneyland, the kids and I drove up to Northern California to seeing my dad, stepmom and step grandparents. We had a fabulous time hanging out at my step grandparents farm. We had a huge yummy breakfast every morning and then headed out to feed the cows.

We were fortunate enough to be there in the spring, so that meant that there were lots baby cows! Two were born while we were there and we even got to watch one being born! Here are a few pictures of the two babies. "Sparkles" (named by Noah) was born early in the morning before we were awake.

And "Star" (named by Julia) was born later that morning right after we were done feeding the cows.

We also went to Alta Sierra Biblical Gardens and a chinese buffet for lunch (YUM!)


Joe was able to come join us towards the end of the week. We were all so happy to be reunited!


We also had a bon fire, had fun catching up with cousins, jumping on the trampoline, riding down the driveway in the wagon and relaxing.

Part Two: Disneyland

Our next adventure was Disneyland! The kids and I, along with Papa Bill and Grandma Sally drove from Albuquerque to Anaheim. As much as we love being a part of a really big family, the one disadvantage is that my kids have limited time with just the grandparents. That is what made this part of the trip so special, quality time with grandma and grandpa! One of the many advantages of a big family is having so many aunts and uncles (and now even a couple of cousins!) and the other part that made this trip special was that their Aunties, Missy and Christy were able to join us for the last two days. We had a really great time hanging out at Disneyland and at the pool just relaxing and playing. The pictures from this part of the trip are pathetic at best since our family photographer had to go home to work! But they will have to do!

We also happen to be at Disneyland the same day that our really good friends, Jenn and Carter Moss were there with some of their family. Two of their kids were picked for the Jedi training show.

Anyone who knows our family, knows that we love to travel! Along with the blessing of Joe's brother John's wedding in Albuquerque, New Mexico came the opportunity to go on a 25 day road trip!

Part one: Albuquerque March 12th-25th.

We left our house on Thursday, March 12th around 11:00 AM. We drove down through Illinois, into Missouri, then Oklahoma, where we stopped for the night. We then drove through Texas and arrived in Albuquerque around 2:30 on Friday the 13th. That night, I went out to dinner with all the girls and got to meet Nichole (John's fiance') and my brand new neice Madeline!

The next couple of days involved lots of shopping, eating and hot tubbing until the rest of the family started to arrive. We got to see Jeremiah and Airielle's new house and enjoy some pizza and a movie.

The next few days, the rest of the family arrived and Tuesday night we all went over to John's house and he made his incredible homemade pizza!

The kids were really excited to pick up with Uncle Danny and Aunt Maggie right where they left off in Maui! (Big Fishy!)

The next night the guys had the bachelor party and the girls had dinner together. The camera went with on the bachelor party, so those are the only pictures we have!

The next day we were able to take a tour of Faith Comes By Hearing, which is the company where Jeremiah works. It was really interesting!

That night was the rehearsal!

And then it was the big day!

The Ceremony

Their first kiss!

Man and Wife.

The Reception

The next day we had a brief present opening with John and Nichole.

And then we took the Sandia Peak Tramway up to the top of the mountain.

We spent some time at Jeremiah and Airielle's house celebrating Abbey's birthday.

We had such a great visit! It was so good to spend time with everyone!

Christmas

Getting ready for dinner on Christmas Eve.

Fancy Dinner in the Dining room

Cheers!

Opening Christmas Eve present from Mommy

New jammies made by mommy!

Christmas Eve Service

Silent Night


Good Night!

Christmas Morning.

Christmas Break

We had tons of fun on Christmas Break! The kids and I put this puzzle together. It was our first big one (550 pieces) and the kids were so proud of it, I had to take a picture or two!

Noah lost his very first tooth!

And, of course, we made cookies!

Tadaah!

Thanksgiving

This year our home school group decided to change it up a bit and put on a Thanksgiving Show instead of a Christmas Pageant. I thought it went really well and the kids learned a ton about our country's history. This show incorporated two of the things I love about homeschooling. One, it provided an opportunity for kids ages 2 to 10 to work together and learn together. And two, we gave the older kids an opportunity to write a portion of the script and do what they wanted with it. Kate and her friend Thomas decided to be John and Priscilla Alden (historical pilgrims who came over on the Mayflower). They wrote and acted out a scene in the show together. I was really proud! Julia wanted to be one of the four narrators who read a portion from an "old" book. Although she only just turned 7 (2-3 years younger than the other narrators), I knew she would be up for the task. She did not disappoint! She did a great job and she looked so cute in that huge rocking chair! Noah was awesome and said all his lines at just the right time! Over all I think it
was a huge success!