Last of the April Family Birthdays

Spencer had a pretty good birthday. He rested most of the morning. What 17 year old doesn't love sleeping in? We went to Mountain Mikes Pizza with the whole family and to grocery outlet. Spencer picked some great treats. He picked out clothes with me at Kohl's yesterday and smiling in line got us 30% off and some Kohl's cash. I was so happy he did so well at the store with me!  Spence got a Very soft throw blanket yesterday too and some superman sheets for his bed. He smiled a lot and enjoyed being with the family. Rah Rah came over and visited for a while and he was happy with her gifts too. We love Spencer, Brian is spoiling him with more gifts in the mail coming soon. Such a big boy! He is growing up so tall and acting like a teen even not loving the picture taking.

Senior Pics

We had an adventure today going to take Senior pictures. We went with the tutor, Ryan and we grabbed a dining chair and had a photo shoot. It was beautiful light out. It looked like rain at sunset. We have beautiful falls near our house and a park nearby with long grass. The kids swung on the swings after and we enjoyed a walk in such beautiful area. Celia was being so cute grabbing a walking stick and loved seeing a little creek nearby. I love exploring with the kids and taking pictures. Emmy is growing up and I am I could capture this time.

Quietest Party Ever

Celia had the twins and Sariah over for a play date. Celia loves Lalaloopsey so we decorated for that. The girls were so quiet, it was nice.:) Allie is such a nice tutor for Celia. She brought her a present, all sorts of great markers to decorate a night light, but the girls took the cardboard it was wrapped in and made neat murals. Spence had his tutoring going too so he had a pre-birthday party. He played with shaving cream, we sang to him and had cake. I made Celia pink cupcakes filled with vanilla and they were a hit. Checked off the dual birthdays off for another year.  Spencer's teachers have a staff development day so he and I are going to go walking and shopping for his birthday this morning.

Folks in Town

I can't believe our little Celia is getting so big. We celebrated her birthday yesterday. My folks were in town checking out the house they want to move into, here by us. We had a great time and even had a family home evening. It was nice to hear their input and respond to the questions they had. It felt very familiar to me and warmed my heart. I told the kids how sometimes we feel prompted to do something, like for me writing down my thoughts. It has been an inspiration that I am happy I have tried out and learned that the Lord has his hands in our lives. He can have our experiences work together for the good of us and so many others. We attended the temple together on Tuesday Night after tutoring and cub scouts, it was busy, but the relationships made through those avenues are priceless.  Each of our friends and family members have blessed our lives in so many ways. We are grateful for Spencer and the strength and compassion we all have acquired from serving him. He has a birthday coming up too! There will be some changes as he gets older as far as tutoring and things, but he has made so many gains, I'm sure it will work out.

Celia has been doing great too. She had a new tutor over yesterday too. They played imaginary and they were pounding out street musical rhythms in the backyard on boxes with sticks. It was cute (Celia prefers I say; adorable). Celia was spoiled with many presents and a trip to build a bear and a visit to Rah Rah's after. Celia is so precious, she wished for her pony at build a bear to be kind. We need more of that in the world. We are so happy she is a part of our family.

Joyous Days

I've loved the family time lately and activities with the kids. We took the kids to Costco and walked in the nature preserve behind it. I love being in nature. It is calming to the soul and so is the temple. I had the great opportunity to go to the temple with three of my girlfriends. We wen to El Pollo loco which is one of my favorite chicken restaurants around. It was fun and relaxing. After lunch Alex and I went and saw a property for potential purchase for my parents. I loved it. It was so clean and beautiful. They are coming up today to check it out. It has been kind of a small seed of an idea that it look like will grow and become a wonderful reality to have my parents in town. Our vacations will now be closer and there are so m any great places to visit around here, I feel, we will be great and happy with their move.

Last Saturday while on our family car ride Emmy mentioned she was asked to Junior Prom. We ad the pictures at our house and they seemed to have a great time. With Graduation barreling forward so quickly, I'm glad Emmy got the chance to go to prom and participate in her High School choir competition at Sacramento state.She is used to her busy days. I'm happy she is living life to the fullest and enjoying her senior year.  I went to a 40th birthday for a friend. It was fun and we have hilarious conversations yummy food and soaking in the Jacuzzi  was a plus. I feel grateful to have my health, Great family, friends and activities to bring joy to my days.

Beautiful Spring Break

We live in such a beautiful area. I'm glad we had spring break to spend time with the family any enjoy it. Spencer and I went on rides and saw sheep. We had great thunderstorms, but managed to stay dry when my parents were here. We enjoyed Easter egg hunts and painting and Joseph's Birthday with the Grandparents. Emmy and Brian went to Idaho to check out BYU and Utah to visit family. We got them back just in time to go to Dickie's BBQ for Joseph's Birthday Dinner. It was yummy and we like to get the soft serve ice cream and put in in our root beer for a root beer float.  We were able to shop for a new home for my parents nearby. There are so many great houses, they found a few thy liked and we will see them up here in the future, I'm sure. I'm glad they are entertaining the idea of moving here. We'd love to have them close for vacations to beautiful places nearby like Mendocino, Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Lakes. It is still green around here even though there is an impending drought I feel grateful for this beautiful area and the pleasantness we have around us. Before Easter we found a dining set and picked it up with a u haul. My dad and I were then able to remove some broken furniture and deposit it at the dump. It sure feed up space and helped make our home more beautiful. There is beauty all around when there love at home. Even though hard times come, I am so grateful for my wonderful spouse Brian, for four beautiful and wonderful children and our great extended family. These blessing help me to be happy and feel gratefulness for the blessing God bestows upon us. My seeds are starting to sprout in my garden and i am hoping for more rain. It will be great to have my parents in town.