Living the Dream.. Night~

I always feel so blessed when we get to go to Dream Night at the Sacramento Zoo. It is touching to walk in and be showered with gifts, attention, and smiles. Then as we walked in to the park they have Panda Express for us. I love that we can have a special time to go to the zoo in a comforting and non hassle way. I'm glad I brought a big bag since the kids got so much loot. Emmy was at Youth conference so we missed her, but had a great time!

 The Giraffes were such a highlight and I loved seeing Spencer love the magic show, taking pictures where you put your head through the hole, and watching his sister get upset. Celia was a little overwhelmed by all the activities and gifts. She found the one thing everyone didn't have and wanted that. We calmed her down though and it was a super great time. I'm glad Spencer tutor could come and help with the kids and Spencer did great. He was always finding benches to sit at so he was able to last at the zoo for a while! Bracelets, stuffed animals, cotton candy, fortune cookies, chap sticks, coloring books, crafts, a magic show, Swedish fish candy, and the Panda Express chicken and rice were some of the great gifts. Wow what dream night.

Family in town and a Big Day for Celia

We had a great time visiting with family this past few days. My parents came in town on Wednesday. My kids were in school and we had a babysitter so we had fun after school and tutoring, then date night. We went to Buca di Beppo. My dad loves to eat family style and we love ambiance so it was a great choice. We give the kids a hard time about always ordering pizza and only pizza, but again it seemed to be the biggest hit. Grandma took a picture of it. It was impressive in size at 18 pieces. I loved shoe shopping. We got Celia set with shoes to go with her dress she got from Rah Rah  for her after baptism outfit. On Thursday, we went for a walk and my parents enjoyed being out in nature and walking amongst the grass and trees. I had an appointment to get my stiches from oral surgery out and Celia had a follow up apt with a dr. We learned Celia needed to be put back on anti seizure medicine. I'm glad we are getting that taking care of before any big episodes occurred. Friday we had the chance to go to the temple and do family names and have lunch with Brian, Emmy and my folks. We enjoyed each others' company. That night we went to Celia's end of the year Luau. Celia danced for us up on stage with her first grade and also on her own while we were waiting to get shaved ice. We got; pina colada, watermelon, cherry, and bubble gum flavored shaved ice, which was yummy. We went to Costco for dinner after and Loved that too.
Saturday Morning we all got ready and went to the stake center for Celia's baptism. There were 5 other children from the stake to be baptized. I was so glad she did so well and Spencer Wowed us all. He sat with us in the prayer meeting moved front he chapel to the baptismal font room then another room for confirmation where he watched intensely as Grandpa gave a talk about the Holy Ghost. Emmy was a hero running home for something for us and Joseph helped guide Spencer to the restroom and sat with him as we attended to Celia. She went under water and I was able to whisk her away to be dried off quickly. She loved going to mountain mikes pizza after. We met the McCartneys there and Celia got a CTR bracelet to match the CTR ring she received from Rah Rah. We loved celebrating her special day for days. We are so proud of Celia.

A Great Weekend

Another Oral surgery under my belt. At least taking it easy is what I need to do at this time. I did however got to Zocalos in the Fountains shopping center. It was beautiful and the mango salmon was extremely yummy. We had a few birdies come by and visit us as we sat after dinner and enjoyed being outside. It was a great date night with my Hubby!

On Friday, Spencer had no school for a teacher development day and Brian took off work to get ready for the Father Son campout with Joseph. They saw a river otter and enjoyed a priesthood fireside. But before they went , instead of resting a bunch, we got very motivated and organized the garage. It had been a long time coming, but with beautiful steel storage racks, we lined up the bins and got things off the floor! There is so much space to walk around my car, it is fun. We've even had two cars in there when Spencer refuses to get out of the car and he stays in the garage for a few minutes before coming in. I don't think I've ever had my garage this tidy and believe me I've tried. I'm hoping with these racks the mess on slowly get in the walkways as everything has a place. Emmy had a great time at the Sadie Hawkins dance with Andrew, They were the most matchy and really enjoyed themselves.

On Saturday, we played a bunch of different board games and had a great ride to Deseret Industries. Brian found me a U2 cd that I'm enjoying listening to in my car as I pick up kids from school. Celia is getting ready to be baptized late this month so she is practicing getting splashing by the slip and slide in the backyard. Joseph shows her how to run and slide face first on his tummy, but she will slide on her knees only so far. Seeing them play in the backyard reminds me that I've been doing this ort of thing with Emmy and Spencer when they were very small. How blest I am to have years of water fights and playing in the backyard with the kids. I feel very grateful for those memories.

Magnificent Mother's Day

I feel like we have been celebrating me or Mother's Day for a week now. It was great having all the cards, kind words, and gifts culminate in a nice lunch with Rah Rah and Papa and having our picture taken. Spencer was so sleepy, his allergies were really bothering him so he took a nap for several hours. Brian Bbqed some steak and salmon. Rah rah brought over her yummy mashed potatoes with chives in them and homemade rolls. We also ate asparagus and lemon loaf for a little dessert. It was relaxing and a beautiful day. Emmy got to come to Relief Society with me at church and sing in sacrament meeting a sweet primary song about mothers. I felt the spirit strongly in Sunday school as we talked about doing the will of the father, (examples of Balaam in Timothy and Martin Harris in Joseph Smith History)having our desires with His and gaining a personal revelation of our relationship with him. It definitely helps us to do the work we are asked to do 

if we know we are loved and supported by our Savior. I've also been thinking about how important is to be kind to others and mindful of our actions and thoughts. I feel very fortunate to have such loving family. We played some games together and Spencer wanted multiple long car rides to finish off a great day. We are blessed.and I think this was the best Mother's day I've had. 

Winds, clouds, and flowers.

Celia was in a play at school. It was a red riding hood skit. She played a flower singing cute little puns that were names of flowers. I loved her headdress. It was handmade by a mom and was the best costume there. Due to extreme vertigo I had that day, I was a few minutes late to her play. I was happy to see part and my heart melted as she gave me my Mother's day card and gift she had worked on so hard that day. It was a wonderful painted box with coupons to spend time with her snuggling, getting kissed, doing art. I'm so glad she's mine.

The clouds have been awesome this last week. I felt like I was in Colorado San Luis valley with the rain clouds rolling in each day and the clean air. Allergies are a problem for Spencer and I, but the views of the sky have been worth any discomforts. Spencer got hurt (bit) by another student at school so we rested as much as we could after school. We did go to.the park across from the Sacramento zoo. The lake was so nice. Spencer was so happy seeing the ducks, geese, and squirrels. Celia picked flowers.and we listened to someone beating on a drum as they lead a drum circle. Across the pond from us were teens taking pictures for a formal dance. Spencer was quite interested. He loves being around teenagers. I was glad to see him so happy on this outing.

I was walking at a park nearby my house and decided to take a trail I hadn't been on before. I was pleased to fine a river, gorgeous weeds, and a swing on a tree. I want to go back with my children, they would love it. For a while I felt like I stepped into a fairytale adventure book with cool breezes, plenty of foliage, and freedom to roam around. Happy day!