Happy St. Patrick's Day

 

 

Randomness

*Joshua loves mushrooms. He eats them out of my salad all the time
*Audrey asked if she could get her ears "punched" (pierced)
*Audrey wanted to listen to the song "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" during breakfast yesterday
*Both of my kids are obsessed with pickles. They ate an entire jar in two days
*I played Bunco for the first time last week and had a great time. I even won the "even steven" price. Dave put away three loads of laundry and vacuumed the house while I was gone. It added to the greatness of my night

Trip to California to Meet All the Boys (and to pretend to take care of my mom)

My sister Melissa, found out she was pregnant the day we moved to Texas. She didn't tell me on that day, and I am glad she didn't...I might not have boarded the plane. I knew that when she had the baby we would need to go meet the newest member of our family. When we booked the tickets, I had no idea I would be meeting two new members (Melissa's baby, Rockwell, and my sister Jessica's finance, Ryan). And just to mix things up a bit, my mom fell while skiing in Canada and broke her leg in three different places, resulting in surgery and a long recovery. Nothing to cheer up a bed ridden grandma like having a house full of family right?!
The first boy I met: sweet, perfect, beautiful little Rockwell. He is a dream baby and I loved holding him and watching sweet Savy be such a doting big sister.

 

 

 

My beautiful mom. She is go-geter and I know being laid up must drive her crazy but she never complains. It was fun to lay around, talk and enjoy each others company. I came thinking I would help her, but whatever help I did was quickly undone by my sweet kids.

 

She was allowed to sit up sometimes, and Joshua wanted to be by his "D" whenever he could (I know this picture is kinda fuzzy but I love how bright Audrey and Savy's eyes are - our two blue eyed girls. I think Mr. Rockwell will have blue eyes too).

 

Snuggling in D's bed watching a movie. These three are so darling together.

The second boy I came to meet was Jessica's fiance, Ryan. He had a lot to live up to, marrying the baby of the family and all. I am very happy to report that he passed the test with flying colors. He is darling with my baby sister, so sweet to my kids, and will be a great addition to our family. I am so glad I was able to meet him. Thanks for coming to meet us!

 

 

Here's the thing about Jess, and the lucky guy who gets to marry her...she is a total girls girl, but also a guys girl. She knows all about football, soccer, and hockey, but also how to make hair pretties. Ryan is one lucky guy, and now that I have met him, she is pretty lucky herself.
Playing a little football.

 

Andrew and Carrie were kind enough to come from Utah as well adding to all the fun, and all the spoiling of my kids (thank you, thank you for coming!). My kids sure do love all their aunts and uncles.
The kids loved playing outside and being pushed by Uncle Ryan (there will now be two uncle Ryan's) and having Chinese lessons.

 

Aunt Rachel is a champion. She is such a help with the kids, and they all love her so much.

 

The third boy I was able to meet was Gus, Addi's third baby boy. Isn't he adorable? How is it that he is here already? We were able to go into San Francisco for an afternoon on very short notice. I think my mom needed some peace and quiet.

 

4th boy: Angela's sweet Joseph. Yummy.

 

New big brother Jack, with sandwich all over his face. We miss you Jack.

 

Joshua and Jack had so much fun together.

 

Dave's parents were kind enough to come pick up my kids and take them for a while so I could really be a help for my mom. After that we headed on down to their place for more fun times and a birthday celebration for Joshua.

 

Another boy I was able to meet: Kristin's "friend" Eddie. Laughed my head off. Very funny guy.

 

We celebrated Joshua's birthday at a really fun place that had games, blow up bouncy house things, yummy pizza, and...

 

glow in the dark miniature golfing. The kids loved it.
 

Joshua in his shirt that represents his roots. San Francisco, CA. Dave's job that brought us to to SF was working for GAP corporate.

 

We came back to the house and had this darling cake that Kristin made.

 

Make a wish! I wish for a piece without saliva on it.

 

Audrey made Joshua a necklace for his birthday. She is wearing what I call, "proud big sister face".

 

Our five day trip to California was short but sweet. I am so glad we were able to meet all these boys, and at least give my mom some distraction from the pain. Until next time California...

Happy Birthday Joshua

It is hard for me to believe two years ago today you came into our lives. What did we ever do without you? You add so much joy, love, happiness and a need for patience to our little family. I love everything about you...

I love your sweet little face

 

I love the special bond you share with your sister and your dad that started immediately

 

I love how you love bath time

I love your smile, your giggle and your belly laugh

 

I love the two of you together

 

I love how you love to wear hats

I love how you will snuggle your sister on the couch and watch a monkey show (Curious George)

 

I love how your birthday is within days of Aunt Ritz, and Mormor

 

I love your big brown eyes and long eyelashes

 

I love your curly hair (and I love that on the morning of your birthday you will go with your mom and we will each eat two donuts and 13 donut holes and then come home and you are sneaking more treats)

 

I love how you have changed me into a better person, I love how you made me the mother of a son, I love how you made Audrey a big sister, I love how you have strengthened our family in every way, and I love celebrating you.  I love you Mr. Man.  Happy second birthday.

 

Valentines Day School Party

I love going to Audrey's school parties. Since Mandy is the room mom it turned out darling. I love that I get to "help" but not "be in charge". Ha!

Sweet kids. Joshua's shirt says, "Mom's Little Romeo". Thanks Memor for the true true true shirt.

All the kids singing "Skid-a-marink, I Love You" for the parents.

I am reading a cute book called, "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" It's about how everyone carries an invisible bucket and we need to fill each others buckets by doing nice things, and showing love for others. We then decorated little buckets.
I am wearing what I call my "teacher face".

Checking out the snow storm.

Passing out valentines.

 

Audrey's loot!

 

Day O Love

Valentines Day 2010 did not disappoint. It started on Friday night with a fun date with Chris and Megan. We went to one of my favorite restaurants, Maggianos, and then to see the movie Valentines Day. Since it was opening night, we got to the theater early and our fabulous husbands waited in line to get seats while Megan and I shopped, and even tried on the clothes! I have never seen a movie on opening night and I was a little skeptical of it, but I have decided I am a fan. At funny parts the whole audience would laugh and it was fun to be part of such a big group. It wouldn't have been as fun if we didn't have good seats, but thanks to our hubby's, we did.

Saturday morning all four of us went to the gym along with Mandy & Colby, and Chris & Megan. After a lame attempt at yoga, we called it quits and all went to get donuts instead.

Sunday, the actual day of love, we started our day with a fun breakfast for the kids (those pictures on are Dave's camera, which is at school, so those pictures will come later). That night we had a little dinner over here.

Love these people, and especially the person taking the picture.

The Hot Tamale challenge. Colby dared us to all eat 10 Hot Tamales at the same time. It didn't seem to bother them very much...

Good thing Megan didn't go into labor...

and I was sweating bullets and I thought my eyes were going to pop out of my head. I am clearly a wimp when it comes to eating hot things. However, I pulled through and was able to swallow that hot mess.

Our handsome men

Our beautiful, boot wearing girls.

Happy Love Day!