Family Pictures

We finally got family pictures in November, after much begging from Timothy.  He said we need a picture with Sariah and her hair.  The last family picture she was just a few months old with only a little hair.  We had the pictures taken at the Morongo Preserve where Timothy is a Jr. Docent.  We learned quickly that Sariah loves to pose for pictures.

Sick Kids

My week started out great, I was able to go to breakfast with some friends.  It was cute because Sariah went with me and dressed up and loaded her own purse with Lip stick, money and a play phone.  She is always so cute like that.  I was able to go watch the High School Soccer team play a game, and they Won 4-2, yea Wildcats!!   I also got to volunteer at the NMCRS this week.  I love helping the Service members and their families.  It is definitely something I enjoy doing.  The rest of the week I spent with sick kids, I had to miss the NMCRS Banquet awards ceremony, which was disappointing.  We spent most of the weekend inside.  I was able to go support Nathan at his speaking assignment in Yucca Valley.  We got a Christmas card in the mail and the dog barks, you can only imagine how that excited Sariah. Here is a picture that will surely make you laugh.

Being Thankful

I have enjoyed the last couple of weeks with my family.   It always feels like time just moves so fast.  Earlier in the week Sariah found some old photographs of the boys when they were 6 and 2.  She kept asking where she was, and didn't like any of my answers.  It gave me time to reflect on each of my three children and how blessed we truly are to have each and everyone of them. Later in the week Sariah and I experienced a very rough day.  It seemed like she wanted to do everything opposite of what I expected of her.  She went with me to select the movie for family movie night.  She selected the new Disney movie "Brave".  If you have not seen this movie, it is a must see, especially if you don't always see eye to eye with your daughter.  During the movie Sariah came and cuddled next to me and while the movie unfolded I began to cry.  I have so many things to work on with my relationship with her, so she doesn't want to cast a spell on me.

Sariah asleep on the bathroom floor, using hard stool as a pillow, after our long day together.


I wasn't going to set up the Christmas tree or even do Christmas lights this year, my three year old had a different plan.  She went to the closet and started pulling out all the Christmas stuff and wasn't going to give up.  She is so stubborn at times.(I wonder where she gets it from??)  She talked me into setting up the Christmas tree and I made it clear to her that was all we would be doing this year.  She is very smart because before I knew it she had me outside on a ladder setting up Christmas lights.  Then Samuel chimed in and said we need to keep tradition and sit outside with hot chocolate and turn on the lights as a family for the first time.  Then Nathan came in and turned on Christmas music and we watched the annual Christmas devotional put on by our church.  It seemed as if my entire family would not allow me to be scrooge this year, and I can honestly say that I am glad.

   Samuel, Sariah and Nathan enjoying their hot chocolate waiting for the Christmas lights to come on!

                                             Picture of the house with the Christmas lights on!

                               Christmas tree all set up and decorating, the star is leaning a little!

Thanksgiving break/First two days (written by Timothy)

On the first day of thanksgiving break we all went to DISNEYLAND. On that  first day we went on Star Tours, Space Mountain, Buzz Astro Blasters, and Big Thunder Mountain railroad.  The other attractions that we did were, going to the Jingle Jangle Jamboree, (A Christmas hill-billy show shown at the  Big Thunder ranch), Tarzan's Tree house, and we went to the STARCADE and met Wreck-it-Ralph, and after we met him we got to play the inspired Arcade-game Fix-it-Felix Jr. and its extremely difficult! Then, that night we stayed at a Super 8 motel.

The boys found this stone while waiting in line to get into Disneyland, they thought it was cool!

                                 Picture taken with Pluto at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree!

                                      Sariah in the petting Zoo, as you can tell having fun!

Nathan taking his normal nap at Disneyland.  This paticular nap is being taken by Autopia. 

Family picture taken on Space Mountain.  As you can tell Nathan is having fun!

                                                                  We found Mickey!!

On the second day of thanksgiving break our Grandma and Grandpa Niles went to CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE with us. That day we went on the following rides: Toy Story Mania, Ariel's Under Sea Adventure, CARS, Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, Goofy's Fly School, CALIFORNIA SCREAMIN', and Soaring over California. The other attraction that we did was the show Aladdin.
Then that night we stayed at a Quality Inn.

                                                                 I found my Grandma!!!

                                                      Racing through Radiator Springs!

                                             Picture taken just outside of Cars world!

Family Picture taken in front of RED. Sandy, Allen, Samuel. Timothy, Sariah, Nathan and Solinda.

                                                Sariah riding on her Grandpa Niles back!

Enjoyable weekend

We were able to have a very nice, enjoyable weekend as a family.  On Friday evening we enjoyed watching "Puss in Boots".  The kids liked it so much I think Sariah has now watched it 7 times.  On Saturday morning we headed down to the Soccer fields for the last game of the Season.  It was very intense, but the team was able to win with the final score 1-0.  Timothy played some of the best defense I have ever seen him do.  We then had the end of year party, and of course the annual parents vs. Kids game.  This has been a very relaxing and enjoyable Sunday.  We are all looking forward to this week.  

Family fun with friends!

We were able to go down to San Diego on Thursday night and all day Friday to meet some college friends.  We all had so much fun we didn't want the day to end.  We went to the Mormon Battalion visitor center, the park and of course the beach.  We also had to stop and have lunch at In-N-Out.  Here are some pictures from the day.

              Mormon Battalion in San Diego, CA - Sam, Carter, Eli, Tim. Sariah and Sydney.

                       All dressed and ready for battle- Carter, Sam, Sariah, Eli and Sydney.

                                              Nate and Nate, Nate holding Ivy.

                                                Kids having lots of fun panning for gold.

                                                             Sariah getting some gold!!

The Dads bringing all the stuff down to the beach for the kids, look how strong they are!!

                                         Ivy, Lisa and Solinda having fun at the beach!

                                           Sam, Carter and Eli having fun at the beach!

Busy!!

I know it has been a while since I have posted anything.  I have been extremely busy.  It is a challenge having such a span in age between my kids.  The soccer season for park and recreation is nearly ending and then the High School season will begin.  The kids didn't want to do anything for Halloween, so I just took them to the community center for games.  I have been busy volunteering for the Navy Marine Corp Relief Society.  I spent all of last week in training.  I am looking forward to serving our service men and women.  The kids continue to do well in school. Timothy is constantly checking his grades to make sure his A's don't become A- or B pluses.  He makes me laugh, how much he is like his dad.  He is working hard to get his tenderfoot and 1st class in scouts.  He is also almost done getting his service learning hours for the Jr docent program.  His piano is also coming along.  Sam is Sam, I love how good he has become in soccer this year.  He is also doing awesome in school.  Last of all, Sariah is so adorable going to school.  She loves it and loves riding the bus.    I have been feeling sick most of the week and am starting to be on the mend.  Nathan of course is busy, busy what else can I expect.  His responsibilities at school, church and the community keep him young, at least that's what he says. 

Sam and Sariah all dressed up to go to the community center, Samuel is an Angels fan and Sariah is a butterfly!

                                                Sariah flying around the house like a butterfly!

Sariah with her friends Madison and Megan before going to the Harvest Fest at the Baptist church.