Pardy Hardy for the Seven Year Old.

Celia had a great little party. She came home from school early for a hurt back, somewhat small scrap on her back, but she perked right up when all her friends came. We had pizza( Little Cesar's was closed so I had to find another under stress), played hide and seek, pin the tail on the donkey after they decorated their own tails and roughhoused a lot. At least the boys did. Celia got a lot of great art gifts and seemed very happy. She shared her chalk and activities with her friends we'll, loved the cake and it was enjoyed by all. Her tutor ally spoiled her and I was glad she was able to come and join in the fun. She is blessed to have great friends and such wonderful gifts. Now I'm taking things down and cleaning up the gifts. A lull in the celebrating ,but only for 3 days!

Party with the Grandpadres

It was very nice and relaxing to go to the park and celebrate the kiddos' birthday early with the grandparents. Rah Rah brought food, presents, and a football and we visited. Jeremiah climbed trees and ran for a buck and Joseph loved throwing the ball around. Papa and I talked about DSLR cameras including bokeh , Celia enjoyed all the bubbles, and Spence of course loved the swing.  Celia loved all her loot and we all went home happy. We missed Emmy she was at Six flags amusement park for her friend's birthday.  Bri, Joseph, Jeremiah played blood bowl and resident evil board games and had a ton of fun. they played for a while. I got to fgo out and see "The Host" and hit In n out with my friend Laurie. I wish all Saturdays could be so fun. Tomorrow we have Celia's Birthday and Spence's on Thursday. The bright side is plenty of friends, food, and memory making. I can't believe how they grow. I remember each of  their days of birth. Time flies and how they've grown!

Gratifying work-The Garden

Being in a newly built home for a year now reminds me of our home we built in Utah. We planted a lot, and made a garden, and tried to beautify our surroundings. Sometimes I feel like it is a desert out here. Some of the things I planted last year didn't make it. Bulbs and succulents did well. I'm glad some geraniums made it. I know they are hardy, but we are still trying to figure out the sprinkling system. I looked at it today and I think things finally clicked for me, so hopefully we won't have plants dying from Too much water.  I planted some vegetables today. I hope they grow and produce. I love fresh produce and getting it from my own backyard, even better.

I transplanted my rose tree with pink firework roses. It was hit and miss, but I am happy to report it made the transition!(sounds like an Emmy flower I know) The plants I have been able to keep are pretty small here, but using my zoom lens helps me focus on the good things. they are still there!  There are flowers and things will fill in with time! Working and being in the yard brings me joy. I've been planning and preparing for birthdays. That's fun, but not as fun as digging in the dirt and smelling the beautiful plants and flowers! I bought garden soil that mixes with your current soil and feeds it for up to three months. With consistency and tending to it, I hoping this will be my best garden year to date!

Our Process of Prom Prep~

I don't know why it is so exciting to have Emmy to get ready for Prom! Maybe, it is the girl time we get to have together, finding a dress, deciding how to do her hair and nails. Yeah, I was a tom boy as a youth, so maybe I am playing dress up with my beautiful Emmy doll. We found her purple dress while we were out shopping, celebrating Emmy getting her driver's license. We knew we wanted a cute cover up and found that later. The cute hair flower, shoes we had and my mom sent Emmy the beautiful pearl necklace and earrings that used to be my sister Tanya's.

We met at our house and we wanted to get some pictures of the kids outside. Andrew's Dad had an amazing camera and set up a mini photo shoot on the neighbor's lawn by their palm tree. The boutonniere was still tricky to put on. They really do need to come with instructions on how to pin it and make it stay  just right. I think the adventure and the attention and complimenting Emmy made her really shine in the pictures I took. I'm excited to see how the other pictures they took turned out.

The school had very romantic decorations lights and arbors and they made it through the lines to get portraits. I saw many kids I knew from church dressed beautifully. Emmy loved all the chocolate covered everything as snacks and they had a great steak dinner at a nice restaurant after the dance.  I hope Emmy knows she is spoiled, loved, and this was fun for even us parents.:)

Best Birthday

Joseph said this was his best birthday yet! I decided to spoil him like I would an only child, hehe. I thought he needs twelve presents, on for each year! It was more I think. Being a middle child, I think it is good to show him some extra attention which he just gobbles it up! I love his smiles, excitement, hugs, and appreciation. We had fun playing badminton although the birdies flew over the fence due to the wind.;) Celia joseph and I took a walk around the neighborhood to fetch them. Celia said she wanted to go hike. We don't believe her, we remember the last time we took her on a hike and she thought she was going to die! Emmy invited me to go to the park and play badminton later and we had a great time. Joseph loves his tent and sleeping bag. I'm sure he will get a lot of use out of them for boy scouts and for just pitching up a room of his own to find peace and quiet.

Joseph's Bowling Birthday

Last Night we went bowling for Joseph's Birthday. I was excited about a Groupon I had and that Joseph really wanted to use it!  We got bumpers on the alley and had a fun time playing a few games. We love to make facial expressions when it doesn't hit exactly as planned.  Celia was a real trooper as it was a long time and she was wanting to be playing the arcade games, which we eventually got around to. w have a coupon  for the snack bar so we waited in this horrendously long line. happily it was right by our lane, so we took turns standing in line.  Slushies and nachos were a hit. Bri bowled for me once and made a strike. Joseph said that is why I won, although I say otherwise.:) Emmy made her first strike ever and beat us all the first game. I was so happy for her.  Joseph and Emmy cheered when I didn't get my third strike in a row to get a turkey, little stinkers. I wondered if I was teaching them well, like to be happy for people when they do well. Right after I thought this I received a compliment asking if Joseph was my son, saying Joseph was such a sweat heart, he had given his seat to her. That's my Gentleman Joe!

I Love General Conference

I love General Conference and the great inspiration I feel when watching. Joseph's Birthday is Saturday, well there is general conference!  He will get to go to priesthood conference with Bri for the first time on since he is 12 now! :) After, they are heading to a super yummy dinner at Lucille's BBQ together, Yum! We had to get him some new shoes, his tennis shoes with his suit won't quite cut it anymore.~

All Aspects of Easter

Spring is here. We had a great thunder and lightning storm last night, much rain. The air smells great and we are enjoying our Easter Sunday so far!  Sometimes I feel Easter can be a little too commercial, however I'm deciding now we can appreciate both.  I'm appreciative for the Lord's sacrifice, his atonement, and resurrection. I am also grateful for the beautiful season of spring and all it's newness that comes from it.  We've eaten a lot of eggs, are excited about a ham dinner, and church should be great! When I feel no pressure to make Easter be a certain way, I can just enjoy the beauties of life, the happiness of my family, and the gifts we are given from our Heavenly father.  Happy Easter!

March Miscellaneous

Well we've done some fun little things I forgot to blog about this month.:) We had a great time washing the cars. It was Joseph's idea. He is such a good boy. he does things around the house like mow and wash cars, but I forget when he does a little complaining. I need to catching him doing good to remember him more.

 Emmy and Joseph have had some fun times at Rah's Rah's house too this month.  I decided to cut several inches off my hair and Celia had a friend over to play. We are fading out tutoring in may, but we have a lot of fun teaching the kids and working on goals with the kiddos during the week days. I'm sure sometime ill miss the busy time doing things with the kids, their projects and school events.  We played a new family night game, it really works well for taking turns and being together time.

Emmy and I finished her Teen Smart driver's training and I feel like we both are better driver's for doing it. Spence is sleeping through the night right now after having a spell of not sleeping. It makes me grateful for the rest when things normalize. Phew, up next, the birthday month! Maybe we can take it easy on the celebrations and get lots of good family time in!