It's been too long

It has been pretty busy around here. Lots of soccer, holiday adventures, outings with friends and family all the things I am thankful for. Here are a few pictures of what we have been up to and I will apologize in advance it hops around a lot.  

Pumpkin patch

Feeding the ducks after school. Can I just tell you they still love this such an easy way to keep them happy.

Spider face

My little Frankenstein

lots of soccer

Grandma Judy cheering on her favorite grandkids

Grandpa raising Abby up to the sky. It is so neat to see him do this because he used to lift up my sister and I all the time.

Getting together with our favorite cousins!!

Great getting together with family who live to far away

Isabella and Aaron arm wrestling. Isabella won 8 out of the 10 games.

Sorry out of order, but my here are the two bumblebees and optimus prime.

Lots of disneyland with the fab five.

Tustin Tiller Days

We went to Tustin Tiller Days earlier this month and had a great time. We had never been, but it was very similar to the Strawberry festival we attend every year in our city. We were able to go with some great friends and had a great time.

Isabella and Jaylyn

Watch out funnel cake, you don't have a chance with my family

My dare devil

Singing and dancing at the festival.

Isabella's Passion

Isabella your nine and I thought I would take a moment to reflect on what an amazing girl you are.

 

You love to help in the kitchen. Your interest in cooking is wonderful; always continue to ask if you can help.

School, not only are you doing fantastic in school you enjoy playing it at home with your brother and friends. You love to be the teacher and it is so precious to see you enjoy yourself.

Soccer…you have done a great job at improving your skills and working hard to become a better player. You love playing and you LOVE the friends you have made. They are great friends to have.

 

Music… you absolutely love singing and listening to music. You have made the chorus team at school and I am so proud of you. I love singing in the car with you and think you should always pursue your passion in music. It does amazing things for the soul.

Being the big sister I know is not always easy, but you do a superb job. Helping with Abby and Aaron is not always easy, but you are always there for me when I need you. You take such pride in them and are always willing to help them even when I do not ask.

Thank you so much for being a fantastic daughter, we are so proud of your accomplishments, drive and motivation to learn more and the love you share with your family.

You are my shinning star!!! Always go for it!!

Isabella is 9

For the past 5 years or Isabella has chosen to go to Disneyland with the family for her birthday. Not this year… this year she wanted a party at home with all her friends and family. Of course we said yes and it was wonderful. We had about 25 kids and 35 adults join us last Saturday for some good old fashion fun in the sun with hamburgers and hot dogs. It was carnival themed and the kids had a blast, which is all I could ask for.

Here are just a few pictures from her amazing day. Happy Birthday Isabella, we love you so much.

We had face painting and it was a hit..

So excited we remembered to take a picture of us

Here is the gang on the jumper

Just love this girl!!!

Two great friends from school

Happy Birthday big girl

Ten Things

Yikes.. I am a day late, but so happy to be writing about my ten things. Once again a big thanks to Emmy, an amazing mother, wife and woman who I have never met, but yet so appreciate for always just putting it out there and allowing us to follow along.

Ten Things to Smile About

1. This face.. just melts me... ahhh

 2. Dinner out with the family for my amazing mother in laws birthday.

 3. Having wonderful friends who invited us to their kids b day party and had horse/pony rides. Isabella was in heaven. I am in luck she has not figured out a stable is only 15 min away. :)

4. Attending an amazing charity event with my fantastic husband. Date night at its finest!!

 5. More birthday parties with great friends!!

and more horse rides and just as much fun for Abby

6. Having a car full of girls singing and raising our hands up in the air... These mother/daughter moments bring so much joy to me. Thank you Isabella and Abby, mommy loves these times.

7. Taking a little time for me and having an amazing lady, Carina at Flawless Faces, give me an amazing makeup lesson with one of my best buddies. :) Unfortunately I did not take any before and after pictures, but here is an after one with Isabella.

8. All my babes are back in school and loving it.

9. Planning Isabella's 9th birthday party. I am absolutely loving it and hope she enjoys it as much as I have enjoyed planning it for her.

10. My husband, without him working as hard as he does a lot of these smiles wouldn't be possible.

1st Day of School

So before I started this post I went back and looked at the last two years. We say it over and over, but time really does fly by. I try and appreciate every day and remember to breathe through the moments of craziness. I love you kiddos, you keep me laughing and smiling, thank you.

In honor of flashback friday I thought I would post the last two years as well of the kids 1st day. So cute

Big kids are ready

Isabella 4th grade, Aaron 1st grade, Abby Preschool

Abby will be in preschool two days a week part time. She is her normal skeptic self about it. We shall see how it goes.

September 2009

Amazing how much they change in a year.

September 2008

Me and My Babes

7 more days till school starts and I wanted to take the kids to D land one more time. This was either my first or second time of taking all three kids on my own. I have to admit I have been a little hesitant to take them by myself. All of them like different rides and although Aaron is tall enough to ride a lot of the rides by himself he is not old enough. I believe you need to be 7 or 8. So yes this was the day I told my son it was o.k. to tell them you were 8 so he could ride by himself since I was riding with Abby. Yes the honesty is the best policy mom, slightly veered off course for a few rides.

Start of the day... taking the train to tomorrowland

In line at the Matterhorn.. we all can ride this one together and everyone loves it!!!

Tea cups next

In line for Alice in Wonderland... I am not sure about you guys, but my kids love to take pictures so here is Aaron taking a picture of us

Carousel next.. the big kids are so kind to continue to ride the smaller rides for Abby.

Isabella's turn with the camera.

Thanks "T" family for joining us, Isabella loved holding the big guy :)

Ten Things To Smile About

Emmy reminds me every month to look back at the last 30 days or so and remember how blessed I am. Here are my favorite ten things for August....

1. Two little girls acting silly and keeping it fun...

2. Celebrating the marriage of my cousin Susan and seeing wonderful family members we don't get to see all that often.   

3. Attending a baseball game with my amazing husband

4. Pool days... I can not say enough thanks to my in-laws who allow us to swim when ever needed. The smile it brings to her face is wonderful :)

5. Saying goodbye to an amazing cousin who I am so proud of for embarking on an amazing adventure.. We love you Chelsea

6. Kids playing with their dad

7. This little girl growing up and being such an amazing helper

8. Heading to Disneyland with wonderful friends and family 

9. Soccer and Winterbaseball all starting this month. My new name is Taxi Service Summer.

10. OC Swap Meet is back.. love it !!