Proud of Samuel

I was so proud to go and see Sam at his awards ceremony.  He received three awards and a metal.  The first award was for his achievements in Math.  The second award was for his outstanding performance and sportsmanship in Physical Education.  The Third award was for his Outstanding Character, and received a gift card to Sonic.  He received a Math metal for the highest score in the whole school in Math on the state testing.  I always tell my kids as long as they do their best I will always be proud.  Way to go Sam!!

Christmas lights and Santa Claus

I had to laugh because I wasn't even going to put up a Christmas tree this year.  My adorable daughter not only got me to put up the tree but convinced me to put up Christmas lights as well.   It was also cute when she asked me to see Santa so she could tell him what she wanted for Christmas.  I had to fight both Nathan and the boys to let her believe in Santa for a few more years.  There is just something exciting in watching a young child believe in someone who is as giving as Santa.

                                                            Christmas lights at night.

                                                Sariah with her friend Andrija on Santa's lap!

                 Family sitting outside with Hot Chocolate the first night the lights were turned on.

                                 Sariah dancing around the house with a Christmas card that barks.

                                                       Christmas tree all set up, with a leaning star!

Christmas Cookies

The kids were excited to get together and make Christmas cookies with friends.  It was funny to watch even Timothy get into the decorating.  It is so fun this time of year to enjoy time with friends and family.

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!