Cousins, Six Flags, and Old Sac

We had a great time with the cousins. I can't believe the amount of energy they have. There were a lot of water gun fights, dancing to the Wii and running around. We rode bikes to the new park in our neighborhood, we visited old town Sacramento, we went to the movie and saw divergent an d to DI for fun finds. Our days and nights were packed. We especially loved Six Flag discovery kingdom and just getting along together. I think this trip was the best interacting between cousins yet. No drama to be found and the grandparents and cousins were sad to be leaving. They are off to go see the Sequoias and we are prepping for scout camp and other weeks of summer vacation. It is nice to have family come to us too, it sure makes it easier to not have a long drive after our time together. m glad Kieran and Addison could come from Hawaii and visit. We may have to visit them sometime!

Daddy's Day

Father's Day was a pretty good day. It started out different as Spencer went me with me for car rides after sacrament instead of with Brian. Brian and I got to sit by each other in Sunday school for a little and Bri got to have root beer floats after priesthood. We had cards and little presents for Brian. The red velvet cake was very moist and yummy. We bought it from a girl in our ward trying to earn money for EFY. It was delicious. There were plenty of Brian's favorite foods at lunch and dinner like Lechosa(papaya smoothie) and green chili with pork. The car rides for Spencer were nice and it is always fun in Brian's car listening to podcasts or music. It is a great routine.We are so happy to have Brian as the Dad of our little family. We play, pray, and strive to be kind to each other because of him

We are Making it and Having Fun to Boot

Spencer has had this week off school and he has been going to places in public more with us and doing so well. A few out of daily routine is a big upset for Spencer so we have to keep busy. We went swimming at a friend in the ward's house. Other people came, but Spencer hung out quietly enjoying comfortable sets and hanging out under the waterfall that fell under the pool. Joseph (and I) were happy he had other kids to swim with that were his age who would fight back during a long lasting water fight. We went into Grocery outlet, my new favorite store and bought groceries, again Spencer was able to be there quietly and wait to make it through the checkout line. We also visited two parks this week one right after the other and Spencer let us know whose car he wanted to go in, when and if he wanted to get out and seem to regulate well what he was most comfortable with. Yesterday, we swam in the Solano's pool(They have the Most beautiful yard). Spencer did well again! I'm pleased and still kind of surprised.:) Emmy and I had a chance to go on a bike ride last night which was lovely. The moon was full, the sun was setting and it was nice and cool out. Emmy hadn't rode a bike in a few years so it seemed fun for both of us to be out and about. I loved date night this week too. We ate Thai and found a good replacement for the Thai coconut soup I love,but  the Star of Siam where we usually get it went out of business. It was delicious and we walked for a while after which I love spending time with Bri, walking and talking. Emmy had her first job interview ever and I'm pretty proud of her that she dressed up and has a resume and went and had that experience.

Spence didn't sleep one night this week and it through my schedule off so I haven't been sleeping this week. I'm glad we are getting some fun and relaxing activities in, because it helps with being sleep deprived. I think tuckering the kids out for a better nights sleep has worked for the most part. I got some rest last night and feel measurably better. We have the weekend to go and Monday. We are making it!

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.