Sports, Godowns, and More

This weekend was busy!! It really started Thursday for us. We watched Matt and Nicole's

kids while they were out of town. They got here Thursday around Noon, and were here till Friday at 3:30. The kids had fun playing with them. We went swimming, and watched Zookeeper Thursday night. Friday I took them swimming before lunch. They spent the rest of the time outside, playing their DS's, watching TV, coloring, eating, and playing upstairs. Here is a pic of the girls by the pool.

Friday night Boston had another disastrous football game, that brought him to tears. I feel so bad for him. He works so hard, and does so well, and its frustrating to see him have a bad experience with each team he is placed on. He just wants a team that have kids that know the game, and can catch and throw. He keeps getting on teams where most of the kids never played, and probably never threw a ball. I guess it will teach him some perseverance.

After the game, we rushed home and dropped the kids off, and headed to Fresh Wasabi, to meet up with the Godowns. There were a few other couples there, including his brother and his wife. It was a lot of fun catching up. Such a laid back, fun night!

Saturday started early with an 8:00 game. All the kids ate some humble pie on Saturday. Boston scored a goal, but it wasn't enough. Boston's team lost 4 to 2. Aubrie's game was tied 2 to 2. Aubrie had an awesome assist. Ethan had a tournament, and he lost both of his games. His team only has one sub, and the kids get run into the ground. It was the first time Ethan has every cried over losing. Ben said he was very tired, and worked hard and was super frustrated.

Ethan's games were in the late afternoon and evening, so I stayed here with the kids. Boston had scout camp from Noon to 5:30, so it was a bit weird with just the two girls for most of the day. VERY Quiet!!! When Sophia woke up she wasn't feeling well. Ben didn't get home till late, because he went to an Elders quorum social after the games. He brought Ethan with him. Aubrie spent her evening doing homework, and watching Zookeeper again. It was so funny, and Sophia has been quoting it since.

Yesterday I took my friend Erin McMillon out to lunch for her birthday. It was a great visit, and Sophia was so behaved. She usually is, but it was like she wasn't even there. Afterward, I took her on my errands, to Costoc and JoAnn's. Her high that night was all the things she got to do with me. I loved that! I'll miss her when she is in school:( Last night the Godowns came over for a visit, before they headed out of town. They had a good time swimming with the kids. It was great to get one last visit. It was hard to let them go.

Here are some pics I pulled off my phone.

LOVE making these. My good friend Megan showed me how to make them this summer. Aubrie wears them EVERY day, and all her friends want her to make them some. Its so easy, and inexpensive, and it gets my smallest craftiness desires fulfilled! ha

Boys dressed up for Crazy Day. Wish it wasn't blurry, but better than nothing. They spent the spent the night before figuring it out. They love dressing up for anything the student counsel sponsors.

Ethan LOVES his Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. He even takes them on vacation. He can't wait till the next one comes out!

Aubrie got this corn kernel stuck on her tooth. It looks so real. It freaked Sophia out! She thought her tooth turned yellow!

This one is of Sophia joining my workout. Not only did she join me, but her cat, Buddy, and her Minnie! Don't think Minnie cared, but don't think Buddy was to fond of it!

Cold Turkey

So about a week ago Ben said to me, "Have you noticed that Sophia hasn't been sucking her thumb?" After he mentioned it, I did realize I hadn't seen her sucking her thumb. An orthodontist in our ward was looking at her teeth a few weeks ago, and he was telling us that we needed to bring her in for this "sucking thumb" program. I guess she wasn't for that, and so a few days later she said to Ben, "Look Dad, I'm just biting on my thumb now." Since then, we haven't seen her thumb in her mouth. I'm amazed that she was able to do it. At one point, not so long ago, her thumbs were cracking and she was crying that she couldn't stop sucking them. I thought we were going to have to get the bridge in her mouth for sure. To make sure she stuck with it, I didn't mention it to her, until this weekend. This past Friday I said, " Sophia, have you noticed that you have stopped doing something?" She couldn't figure it out and I finally told her. I told her what a big girl she was and how she earned a prize for stopping. On our way to Party City, soon after, she said, "MOM, I want a big Spider for my prize." She had just seen one in some one's backyard and thought it was so cool. I asked if she was sure, and she said YES!!! She asked me where we should put it and I told her in one of our trees. She said, "OH, Yeah! That will be so rude!!!" (That is how she describes doing something to scare people! ha!) Here is her prize

Aubries FIRST gym meet

Aubrie had her first gymnastics meet this past Tuesday. It was an inter squad meet, to get the girls prepared for their meets coming up soon. Aubrie was so nervous, and I kept telling her she was just amongst her peers she works out with every day. She said, "Yeah, I know, but I REALLY want a medal!" Aubrie did very well. She got lots of oohs, and ahhhs, from the audience. She placed 2nd on the vault, bars and first on the floor. She was really disappointed with her beam. She placed 5th, and she was one out of the only two girls who never fell! Because of that score she got 2nd overall. She was really wanting first overall, but I told her it would help her work harder for the real meet. She did get two medals, so she was happy with that. We took her to Baskin Robins to celebrate, and we ran into some other gymnasts there who had the same idea. When Aubrie got home she labeled her medals and ribbons, and put them in her special box. I'm so impressed with all her hard work at the gym, and very happy that she LOVES it. I was worried about how happy she would be with the switch from dance to gymnastics. It has been a great transition and a wonderful opportunity for her. I'm also very impressed how well she juggles all her activities with such a demanding school curriculum. She is a hard worker, and its paying off!

When she first stepped on the floor for their march in!

Floor Routine! She did Awesome! Thank you 7 years of dance!

Her backhand spring!

Bar! (Scariest event for yours truly!)

Columbus Day at Rocky Point

Well, we were originally going to go to Disneyland over the holiday, because Aubrie's original calendar said she had off this Monday and Tuesday. Then we got an email saying that was a mistake, so we decided to go to Rocky Point instead. It was a nice alternative! The weather was fabulous, and it was a great relaxing trip. Trips are getting less stressful now that the kids pack for themselves, and I just have my normal "trip" lists that I have memorized! I didn't even start packing until Friday night.

I was determined to get to the beach early on Saturday, so I woke up extra early to get out of the door by 8:00. Well my efforts were thwarted by a freeway closure, that put us 30 minutes behind. Then we realized we wanted inter tubes, so we made a 15 minute stop for that. We ended up pulling up to the resort around 1:00. To our surprise our room was ready, so we unloaded the car and headed to the beach. We spent time throwing the football around with the kids, and playing with the Velcro paddle ball. Then I enjoyed some time in the sun, while Aubrie had some bracelets made for her friends. Aubrie is so thoughtful when it comes to her friends. While the vendor was making bracelets, Ethan and Sophia were going through his merchandise. Ethan came up to me and asked me for his wallet so he could buy Sophia a necklace. I couldn't see what she was trying on because I had my head down, as I was laying out on my stomach. Ben told Ethan not to get her the necklace because it was too big for her. I started to get after Ben for discouraging Ethan from buying something for his sister, until he told me to look and when I did I couldn't stop laughing. It was a huge flower shell necklace the size of her fist. It took up half her chest. We told Ethan that there would be a lot of vendors coming by, and to have her look at everything. Luckily he went for that.

After the bracelets were made, we headed out to the water with our inter tube. We love floating out in the water. It's natures Wave Pool. Eventually the tide started to go in, so we got out of the tubes and walked the beach. The kids love looking for sea life, especially Sophia and Aubrie. Ethan loves digging in the wet sand. The weather was so amazing, we spent until sunset on the beach. We then went upstairs and cleaned up for dinner.

For dinner we headed into town. We ate at a restaurant we ate the very first time we every went to Rocky Point. The service was VERY slow, but we thought we would try it again, because it was recommended. The service was VERY slow, again! Aubrie got a steak that tasted like leather. Luckily Ben and I got the fajitas, which were very good, and there was plenty to share with her. The rest of the kids got quesadillas. Sophia liked looking at the boat cruises shoot off their fireworks. After dinner, we headed to Thrifty. As we were walking there, we ran into Ethans soccer coach. Small world! After we all got our scoops of ice cream at Thrifty and sat down to eat, Boston's teacher (Ms. Bills) and her family walked in the door. Boston said she was going to Rocky Point, and mentioned on the way how weird it would be if we ran into her. What are the chances? They both thought it was so cool, and she took a picture with him in front of Thrifty. We had a first at Thrifty this time. Only 2 out of the six of us didn't finish our ice cream. The girl scooped the biggest scoops on the planet, and we all got doubles. Ben and Boston were the only ones who finished theirs. It didn't feel right to throw it all away! When we got home we were all so tired. Aubrie and Sophia crashed on the way home. We watched a little TV and then the rest of us went to bed.

Sunday was our full day at Rocky Point. We woke up late (8:30) and missed the lowest part of the tide, but it felt GREAT to sleep in! The kids got as much time on the rocks, before the tide came completely in. We bought some nets, so they could catch fish. Sophia and Aubrie spent forever doing that.

Ethan spent time digging a big hole out on the sand, and Boston and I played catch with the velcro paddles. After soaking in some rays, the rest of the kids came in, when the tide started to come in. We played some football with the kids for a while, and then we took the tubes in the water and floated the waves.

Ben took the boys and Sophia up to the pool, while Aubrie and I laid on the beach and soaked in some sun. Then we heard the Mango man come by, and being it was close to lunch, we both enjoyed the best Mango's on a stick we have ever had there. Just as we were finishing, the rest of the gang showed up and and got some for themselves. Then it was time for fun on the banana boat and on the jet skis.

I joined them on the Banana Boat, and we had a great time. The guy driving the boat had fun going really fast and then slowing down. We had a fun bumpy ride. The kids were laughing the whole time. After the banana boat, Ben took the kids out on the jet ski. Last time they did the jet ski, the boys didn't like it. They loved it this time, and Aubrie got to drive...steer?? When they got back, Ben watched the kiddos while I got a massage. I love getting the massages on the beach! It's so nice with the breeze and the sound of the ocean! Aubrie didn't want to leave with the others, and so she parked her towel by me. After my massage, I decided I was going to pay for her to have one. She works her body out a lot with gymnastics, and I thought it would be a nice surprise, and a good reward for her good grades. Aubrie was excited and a bit nervous to get one. She made me promise I would stay close and watch. She LOVED it! Thinking she will be wanting one from now on, when we go!

After our massages we all stuck around for about another hour and then headed up to the pool for another 30 minutes, before we headed back to our condo. We ended up staying outside for 9 hours. When I told Ethan we needed to leave the pool so we could eat dinner he said, "WHAT? I haven't even had luch yet!". It was true. We had a variety of snacks, mangos, etc., but we were having so much fun we played right through lunch till dinner. We have NEVER done that before. We decided since it was Sunday, we would make dinner and skip Thrifty. Ben made spaghetti and meatballs I packed, and we had it with french bread and fruit. I was surprised that we didn't hear complaining over skipping out on Thrifty. After dinner, they spent some time on their DS's while I cleaned up. Then, we ate some candy and popcorn, and played our new "You Have to be Kidding Me" game. Its a kid version of "Would You Rather."

We played that twice and then the boys watched sports in the family room while Aubrie and I watched some movies in one of the bedrooms, while Sophia slept. Eventually the boys joined us, because the TV version of Bourne Ultimatum was on. The kids LOVED that movie and I had fun watching it with them, even though I should be embarrassed to say they watched it! Ha! After the movie, Aubrie and I went to bed, Ethan put himself to bed after reading a book, and Boston and Ben stayed up a bit more to watch some sports. I was exhausted after a long day on the beach.

Monday we woke up at 7:30 and packed up and headed to the beach. The kids enjoyed the low tide, while I soaked in some sun. The kids played football with Ben one last time, and then I took the girls out to float in the tubes. We left the resort around 1:00 to head back home. I so DID NOT want leave this time. This trip was way to short, and pulling up to our house was torturous, because it meant unpacking, homework for Aubrie, and back to the school/extra curricular grind. Thankful for a few days of bliss, though!

"Goodbye Grandma"

Last month was a sad one for me. After 6 years of living with us, my Mom moved. Her brother offered her to live with him, and when we caught wind of it, we knew this was a good thing for her to do. The kids are older and busy now, and besides spending her time with Sophia, she didn't have much else going on for her here. We were worried about her and her social life, and realizing Sophia would be going to Kindergarten next year, she would be even more lonely. We knew she would be moving since the beginning of July, but it just didn't seem real until the movers came to put her stuff on the truck. Then it hit me! It's so weird to come home to an empty house during the day, and her room being just a guest room now. I was really worried that Sophia would have a really hard time. She was crying and sad the night before she left, but she seems to be ok now. Of course, she has only been gone a few weeks, so Sophia may still think she is just on vacation. I think the holidays will be hard.

It is a good thing though. She is doing great out there, and has a busy social life. She lives in a community with people her age, and is doing activities all the time. Sometimes you have to put your own selfish needs aside, and do the hard thing. That is what I had to do. I'm happy she is doing well. She needs to live her golden years with people her age, having fun. I'm glad she was here for the early years of my children. She was a good example of love and kindness. She also spent a lot of time with them doing puzzles, swimming, coloring, doing playdoh, reading, and taking them to the parks, trips to get ice cream etc. That is when my kids needed her most. It was a blessing in their and our lives. She will be missed.

LIfe is Busy! Life is Good!

Life is at a pace I can't seem to keep up with these days. There is always a laundry list of "to do's" that sit there not getting touched. I think its the first time Ben has asked me to spend money, and I'm not doing it. He wants me to find new family room furniture, a new bed for our new heavenly Marriot mattress, and tile for our laundry room. I'm lucky to get the bed made, do the laundry, and have the family room picked up. It's not like I'm sitting around doing nothing. I'm always busy. A day seems like its over before it begins. There is always something. I feel accomplished if I get out of my work out clothes and in the shower before noon.

That is one thing that is taking up my time, but I need it! I have been hitting the gym hard. I think I'm repenting from a slothful summer. My friend called me a few weeks ago to join her for a boot camp. It is HARD, but I am loving the results. I always feel better when I work out. I usually work out after the kids go to school. I would love to do mornings and get it over with, but we have 6:30 scripture study. Yesterday I realized this is our 3rd school year doing it. I'm so happy that we have stuck with it. I know they don't get something out of it every morning, but it sets a good tone, and gets them in a good habit.

Aubrie has to leave her at 7:45, the boys leave at 8:25, and unless Sophia has school, I am out the door. There is always some errand to be run, and before I know it, its noon. Sophia still naps around 1:00, so that gives us about an hour for lunch. I usually try to do a reading lesson with her at that time. I am using this great book my friend told me about. I wish I knew about it when I had Aubrie. It's an amazing program and Sophia is already learning to read. She is so excited, because she LOVES books. Ethan and Sophia are my lovers of books. Ethan reads every night, without being asked. He LOVES to learn!

The kids all get home around 3:45 and then its crazy busy! Aubrie has gymnastics three times a week. Two nights she goes three hours and the other, she goes two. Sophia does gymnastics, also. Boston is doing football (which has been a disaster of a team, but has been a good lesson). They are all doing Soccer. Ethan is doing Excel and has only had one game. Aubrie and Boston are on amazing teams. Boston's team has great teamwork , and passing skills. They all hustle. Aubrie is back with the Cheetah-Bears . She is so happy to be back on that team, and Boston is loving the feeling of success again. They are all doing piano. Sophia is doing Lets Play Music, and LOVES it! I bought her a Hello Kitty CD player and she plays the CD in the morning and plays EFY CD's at night when she goes to bed!

So with all that, mixed with scouts, and activity days (for Aubrie, and for me as a leader) and all of Aubrie's homework, things are busy. I don't have much time for playing, but am happy at the pace. It keeps things moving, and keeps the kids from being idle. I still get to sit and watch my nightly shows with Ben, and all the other projects really don't matter in the long run. There is a time and season for EVERYTHING. This is my time to give to my kids. Soon they will stop needing me as much...and then I'll have tile, furniture, etc....and I'll wish I had young kids instead! Life is good! I'm enjoying every minute!

Father and Son at The "Nelly" 2011

Ben will be posting text soon

Chicago

Chicago trip.....ben will be posting text soon!

All In "The Program"

This year was Sophia's first year in the Primary Program, and Aubrie's last year. So it was a bit bitter-sweet for me. I was so grateful, however, that I was lucky enough to have all my kids in the program at least for one year. All the kids, but Boston, were sitting on the same side, and luckily we could see Boston up on the top row, so I spent the whole time trying to give them all equal "looking" time! That was a lot of work! LOL

Aubrie had to give a talk. Her talk was on "How choosing the right has blessed her life". She spoke about certain standards she has kept that will help her keep the Strength of Youth standards when she is a Young Women. She told about her decision not dance at a Sunday recital when she was four, and her decision to call and ask if she could watch a particular PG 13 movie, when she was at birthday party a few years back. She did a GREAT job! We had several people tell us that.

Boston and Ethan did very well with their parts. Boston memorized his, and Ethan read his. They both looked really sharp in their suits! They both sang all the songs and knew all the words. Ethan's class had a special singing part, and Ethan got a bit shy then, but I could still hear him. During the program all the boys sang "Praise to the Man." Ethan and Boston sang their loudest then. The Spirit was strong when all the young boys sang that song!

Sophia was a hit! She stood in the front the and she sang louder than anyone. She knew a lot of the words, and just faked the ones she didn't know. Not only did she sing, but she rocked back and forth to the music as she sang. She also memorized her part, and said it loud and clear. Everyone was talking about her, and I could even overhear people that didn't know she was my daughter talking about that "cute girl in the pink polka dot dress that sang louder than everyone." My Mom was loving it, as it reminded her of me at that age! I could see her tear up in the back. Sophia really enjoyed being up there, and you could see it. I hope she doesn't lose that zeal for life, and not caring about what others think. Even though they all just adore her!

By the end of the Program I was exhausted from laughter.

Oh, one of the funniest things about the program was when one of the Deacons picked up a piece of bread that fell on the ground and put it back in the tray. We were glad he wasn't passing to us!

Paino Recital 2011

The weekend before school started up, Aubrie and Boston had a piano recital. They are now back with Heather. She missed teaching them, and fit it in her busy school schedule. She combined with another teacher, since my kid are her only students. Boston played a song by Mozart, and a Star Wars Medly by John Williams. He probably would have played Clocks by Coldplay, if she would have let him. He plays that song every morning. In fact, a few weeks ago, Boston said there was a guy in the lunch room at school with a piano, advertising for his piano lessons. His friend got on and played a song out of his piano song book. Then Boston asked if he could get on and he played Clocks, of course. All his friends came over to watch and listen. Since then, he has been tagged as the musical kid! He said he is trying to get together a band! Ha! Ok, so back to the recital. He did a great job! The Stars War Medly was the hit! Lots of clapping!

Aubrie worked really hard on her piece. She played Morning Mood by Evard Grieg. It is a very pretty song, and it was difficult to play. I'm impressed that she stuck with it! She also had a great response from the audience. The kids also had to write up reports on their composers. I liked that they had to do that! It makes them really appreciate music more. I'm thankful for Heather, and her love for my kids and her patience when they go through there "musical slumps!" They are becoming great pianists. I can't wait till they are playing hymns from the song book for family home evenings! That what matters to me.

August 2011 Beach/Disney Trip

So here we go, round two with the Beach/Disney except this time we were at the Hendrickson's. They were so great to accommodate us. We loved staying there. Aubrie had the girls to pal around with, and their boys are also our boys age. We got to their house Thursday night. Their girls were at girls camp till the following morning. So we woke up and went to Disney first thing, and then LouAnn met us with the boy later in the day. We were able to get on Star Taurs twice in a row, and were happy to FINALLY get all the segments. Not only did we get all the segments, but I was the spy on one of the rides. It was the first ride we rode when we got to the park. Sophia started freaking out, saying she didn't want to ride the scary ride. She was getting it confused with the Tower of Terror since you can't see the ride till your on it. We finally got her on it, and she liked it. Our next ride was Space Mountain, and she fought us the whole time. She was screaming as we were sitting down with her, and so Ben just had to walk off, she was so hysterical. We realized we scarred her by blindsiding her with Tower of Terror the last time we went to Disney. She still will not ride Space Mountain, and even if I mention it to her she gets upset. Disney wasn't very busy, and the weather was great in the morning. We spent the other half of our day over at California Adventures. We didn't ride the roller coaster last time we were there, and so we HAD to get that in! Also, we rode the new Arial ride for Sophia. Our last ride of the night was Soarin over California. We waited in line, right before you get on the ride for 30 minutes. They wouldn't tell us what was going on, but we knew someone had to be hurt. When we got off the ride, we saw a family crying and then saw a person on a stretcher gettting worked on. We still don't know what happened to them, but since they started the ride again, we assumed it had nothing to do with the ride.

Super exited waiting in line face!

Saturday we all met up at the Beach again. It was another relaxing day on the beach. We had to cut it a bit short, so we could get to the Angles game that night. Jon and Lou had 4 tickets, and they invited us to go. It was so great being there. I remember my Dad taking me to the games when I was a kid. I LOVE watching baseball at the baseball stadiums. The crowd is different than any other sports crowd. So great to be there! The Angles stadium is so nice now.

Sunday we went to church with the Hendrickson's. The kids thought it was cool to go to church with their friends. Sophia had no problem going to primary by herself, and Aubrie was elated that she got to go to Young Women with Jamie. I went to Relief Society by myself. It was a great ward. The building was really cool. It's a two story building and has two chapels. The kids thought it was the coolest thing. While there, we ran into the Cooks (Andy and Carrie). It was nice to see her. Later that evening we had a BBQ at the Hendricksons with the Hellewells, and Nelsons. It was so nice to be surrounded with old friends. This trip made me really think about moving there. I realized how much I loved being with our friends, how much I miss the weather, and the people there. It's so laid back, and low drama. I love it there! It actually got Ben wanting to move there, too. Its now in the back of our minds, if there ever is a possibility. It's in the Lords hands, now that he knows we would consider it. So many things I would miss here, and so many things I wouldn't. Ok, can't think about it now. So many attachments here! Anyway, it was a GREAT trip! Also on this trip we were introduced to "Kids History" on youtube. Check it out sometime! You have to watch them a few times to appreciate them!