The Great Park

The boys started their day coloring on their faces with washable markers. I said the face coloring is going to have to stop after Halloween.

We decided to go to the Great Park today and ride the Jack-o-Lantern balloon after having lunch with daddy. We heard there were new things at the park. So we went and discovered a free merry-go-round, and a new playground with fun rocks to climb on. The boys absolutely loved it... by the time we went to the playground my cell phone battery died, so I didn't get any pictures of it. They have solar trash cans and we love the bathrooms there. If you get a chance to go, they are open Thur-Sun, they close at 3pm and open up again at 7pm for night rides on the balloon. I'm not sure when the Jack-O-Lantern face comes off.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

They both wanted to ride on a tiger, luckily there were two.

Pumpkin patch 2010

They don't look very happy, do they?

Sharing

I read the September Ensign and was impressed by the Article from a woman who helped her family memorize "The Living Christ." Then I read the blog of a family which is very spiritually oriented and they are taking the challenge to memorize it by Christmas as a gift to the dad. They posted the link that already has it all mapped out for you and your family to print and memorize it by Christmas. So here it is. http://www.bookofmormondiscovery.com/livingchrist.html

Good Luck!

4th of July

I taught Nix the "Yankee Doodle Song" for the 4th of July. He sang the song at my dad's house on Saturday, then he sang it for my Granny (who loves the song) on the 4th. Before he sings it he asks me how it starts, then while he sings he smiles the whole time and is so soft spoken, but he's so cute to watch. He's so sweet!

Tino with a sparkler!

Fireworks on the grass!

We had a fun night with family and friends! And a fantastic weekend with everyone as well! I didn't gain nearly as much weight as I would have if I didn't ask my mom not to make any treats and to just focus on yummy healthy food. We ate so much yummy healthy food.

Nix with a sparkler!
Tino ended up with a little burn on the top of his upper lip. I'm not sure if it was from him pointing the sparkler at his face or from a scorching hot roasted marshmallow.
I almost forgot. Nix and his cousin raced BMX together for the first time Friday Night. Nix came in 5th place in the main event and his cousin finished 4th. The best part was watching them ride the track a few times together after the race. They both did so well. Nix was red and sweaty after the main race. He worked so hard.

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Easter morning

Santa Clause 09

Nix asking Santa for a Rocket for Christmas.

Tino was so excited to see Santa, well not so soon, but after a little while he

mustered up some courage to give him a few high fives.

My sweet, handsome thumb-sucking boy not looking forward to what is about to happen.

Christmas is

the happiest time of the year! We are ready, yule logs and all. Well, I still need something to put in that empty glass hurricane on my mantel. I love the music, the stories, the movies. I love the magical lights everywhere, and I love a sweet warm Christmas Ham!

And I love these boys! They are so excited for the magic of Christmas!

Halloween 2009

For the kids I think it's all about the candy. But for me, it's about being with family and friends. It's also about the chili and the cornbread and the hot apple cider and the popcorn balls. And this year it was definitely about the homemade carmel apples, with the yummiest homemade carmel ever... actually I think I was in a sugar coma most the night because of that carmel. We got together with our favorite neighbors from the growing up days and all our kids, it was a Halloween I won't ever forget.

This Chicken Little head didn't last very long. Tino wasn't having it.

That sword was definitely the costume hi-light for Nix!

October is Here!

Getting ready for Halloween, or at least getting our home in the spirit.

Saturday Easter Egg Hunt

Happy Easter!

We started a new tradition this year from Brett's mom. She sent us an egg carton with 12 plastic eggs numbered and filled with different things to represent the story of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, along with the story. Nix was actually engaged in the story as he opened each egg and listened to why the item was in the egg. Here is the condensed story. 1. Greenery to represent the Garden of Gethsemane. 2. 3 dimes to represent the money Judas earned when he betrayed Jesus. 3. Knotted Twine to represent when the Pharisees tied Him up and took him to Pilot. 4. Chunk of soap to represent when Pilate washed his hands. 5. Square of red felt to represent when the Roman soldiers put a red robe on Him and made fun of Him. 6. Tiny nail to represent when Jesus was nailed to the cross. 7. Pair of Dice to represent when the soldiers played a game called "casting lots" to see who would win Jesus' clothes. 8. Bag of crushed rocks to represent the earthquake that happened after Jesus' spirit left His body. 9. Piece of White cloth to represent the clean cloth Joseph used to wrap Jesus' body when they laid him in the tomb. 10. A Rock to represent the stone rolled in front of the tomb. 11. Bay Leaves to represent the sweet spices Mary Magdalene and Mary brought to anoint Jesus' body. 12. An Empty Egg to represent our Resurrected Saviour. He LIVES!

Easter in our home lasts for several days. Starting with dying eggs and Easter with ourselves, then Easter from Grandma and Papa, then Easter with Nana and Papa, then finishes with Easter with Grammy and Grampy... well, at least that is how Easter will go this year. Every year seems to be different. We started it out tonight at home.

Christmas Morning 2008

I was up with Ro before anyone else was awake... then Par woke up and the three of us whispered until Nix woke up. Then it was over, everyone was awake. We told the story of Jesus' birth in Luke Chapter 2, then we had a morning prayer. Frank Layton came! I mean Santa came to our house last night! He ate most the cookies, drank the egg nog and his reindeer nibbled on the carrots we left out. Apparently our kiddos were "NICE" this year since their stockings weren't filled with coal... some year they may receive some coal, but this year they received an orange and apple for health, a movie (Kung Fu Panda) for peace (well it gives mom a little peace when they are spaced out on the couch with a movie), and chewing gum for love (since Nix loves gum). And toothbrushes so their teeth don't fall out from all the candy around here. Nix got a light saber and cars from Santa too. There was a letter from Santa on the desk, next to the plate of cookies, which Nix excitedly brought into the bathroom where Brett and I were brushing our teeth and Par read the note aloud to Nix and us: "Dear Nix & Ro, Thank you for being good boys this year. I brought you some toys and gifts, but remember who the greatest gift giver was. Heavenly Father gave us baby Jesus, and we remember He gave us all the gifts we have. Remember the birth of Jesus this day, so you might feel the true meaning of this Christmas morning. Love, Santa"

Our boys have 3 loving sets of Grandparents who spoil them at Christmas time, so here is a "Thank You" to all of them, and a few others for some awesome gifts.

Thank you Grandma & Grandpa for the Nintendo DS and Sponge Bob game, learning cards, motorcycles, Book of Mormon hero puzzle blocks, and awesome sweatshirt to match brother. Love, Nix

Thank you Grandma & Grandpa for the play tower!!! learning monkey toy, cute clothes, and awesome sweatshirt to match brother. Love, Ro

Thank you Grammy and Grampy for all the Book of Mormon stuff (movies, activity books, and books), roller blades, and USC warm-up suit. Love, Nix

Thank you Grammy and Grampy for the Leapfrog Train, and the USC sweatsuit. Love, Ro

Thank you Nana and Papa for the Annual Pass to Disneyland! the car launcher w/ cars and the rescue book w/ cars. Love, Nix

Thank you Nana and Papa for my mommy and daddy's passes to Disneyland so I can go with them, and the funny car w/ bunny that goes and sings. Love, Ro

Thank you Aunt Stacy for the Hot Wheels Game. Love, Nix

Thank you Aunt Stacy for the Leap Tad that talks and sings. Love, Ro

Thank you Aunt Amy and Uncle James for the Tom and Jerry movies! Love, Nix & Ro

If this wasn't enough, we received a lot more than this, so "Thank You" to everyone we didn't mention, and thank you for gifts still to come (we think there are some stragglers)... Brett and I received so much more than we gave, we are humbled at this time of year and so grateful to all of our family, whether they gave us anything or not. We love you all and Merry Christmas!

We had our traditional Christmas breakfast... sticky buns, bacon, omelets, and OJ. This year it rained Christmas day so we stayed indoors the whole day, playing games and watching Christmas movies, and I made split peas soup with the ham bone from last nights dinner. It was a nice, relaxing, wonderful day!

Baby's First Christmas!

Pey, and Rae Christmas morning!

Ready for Jedi Training at Disneyland!

After Morning Nap with Ro's Toy! c: