Ella goes to her first play!

For those of you who don't know I was in drama in high school. Since high school I have had very few opportunities to enjoy theater shows. So when a friend invited Ella and me to see the Velveteen Rabbit at the Tempe Arts Center I was excited but a little nervous on how Ella would do. I am glad to say that Ella made it through all but the last 15 minutes. The theater offered a room that you could take noisy children to where you could still watch the play but it was sound proof so no one could hear your child (you could still hear the play through speakers). It was a good time!



We got Ethan and Ella to hold hands. Ethan is one month younger then Ella.



If you notice in Ella's mouth there is something. I am sorry to admit that Ella has taken a liking to gum and I bribed her with some gum to stay quiet at the end of the play!

I'm Finally UPdating!

Ok so I'm not that good at the whole blogging thing. I had great intentions of posting all the time so that family and friends would know what was going on over here, but a little thing called life has been keeping me busy. I have started my own preschool and have 19 kids enrolled this year. I was truly blessed to get that many kiddo's the first year. I have also taken on three tutoring students that I help with different subjects. I also am still working on my Master's and will be done next December. Other than those things along with being a mom, wife and fullfilling church callings I have had nothing to do. I am just going to put up some random photos of the family since it has been so long since I last posted. I will try to do better and post more often.

Family Get Together

It was my dad's 65th birthday on the 13th. We had a small family reunion in Utah to celebrate. The kids and I went up and stayed with Heather and her family. William and his wife and their baby Makenzie was there too. Michael couldn't get permission to come because he had some type of military training to do, but his wife Sabrina and their baby Chloe came up. My cousin and his family live in Salt Lake so they came over for dinner on my dad's actual birthday. It was fun getting everyone together. Maybe next time we can have Michael and Christopher there too!

Trying to Enjoy the Summer

It is so bloody hot that the only way to stay cool is to find some water to play in. Madison got a slip-n-slide for her birthday and I finally set it up for them on the 4th of July!



Liam trying out the new slip-n-slide!



Madison surfin' on her feet!


It's a race!



Liam at swimming lessons. He has really improved. At the beginning of summer he had forgotten how to swim, but it didn't take long for him to remember again.

Family snapshots

Jamie's sister Camille took some snapshots of the family this week. Thought I would share them with you all.


Ella is 14 months old now! Isn't she cute!


Liam thinks that this is an Indiana Jones costume. He likes to use a belt as his whip. Indiana Jones is his new thing that he is into.


Madison is getting so grown up! She already acts like a teenager so I think I am pretty much doomed when she really is one.


I've got squinty eyes in this picture, but it was one of the better ones that she took of me so it gets the honor of being put on my blog.


Jamie loves music and he bought this organ at a garage sale.

Madison's Birthday

Madison had a Camp Rock themed birthday because the movie debuted on her actual birthday. I was surprised to find cups, plates, and a table cloth in the theme. Her friends watched the movie, did kareoke, and DDR. They seemed to have a good time.






Madison is really into Webkinz. She got four new ones for her birthday. She loves anything that has to do with animals. Unfortunately for her she might only get to take care of virtual pets since her father is not an animal person.

I love my kids!

I know everyone thinks their kids are cute, but mine really are! Madison just recently had her 10th birthday and she has grown up so much. She is all about clothes, hair, music and friends already. I think I could be in trouble with her when she becomes a teenager. Liam is much more reserved then his older sister. He is happy to play by himself and hang out at home. He will be starting kindergarten this fall and is already reading and phonetically writing. I think that school will come easy to him. Then there is little Ella. Everyone is so surprised how little she is, but don't let her size fool you. She is a wild one. She started taking steps at 8 months and was running by 9 1/2 months! She is also very sensitive and makes the cutest pucker face when she is sad and about to cry. Unfortunately she has earned the honor of being my most difficult baby. I am still struggling with getting her to sleep through the night, she simply refuses. Despite the challenges of being a mom, I love it. They keep me on my toes but I wouldn't have it any other way!

Disneyland! Whoo Hoo!

The family decided to take a trip to Disneyland this past Memorial Day weekend! We had a lot of fun and Grandma was nice enough to tag-a-long and help with Ella (That is why Ella isn't in the picture, she's waiting with Grandma). Madison's favorite rides were Indiana Jones and Space Mountain. Liam was finally tall enough to go on Indiana Jones this year, but wound up not liking the ride. He was scared by all the skeleton bones. He liked Splash Mountain the best.

Madison and Liam were picked to go up and do Jedi training at Disneyland. When they were "training" them Liam looked totally confused and was always at least three steps behind where he was suppose to be. However, they both were able to battle and defeat Darth Mal. It was a lot of fun to watch them up there.