California!!

We finally had a nice tax return and decided to take a little vacation. We didn't tell the kids until the night before, that we were going to Disneyland!! They were totally shocked and excited. Logan was so excited that he only slept 3 hours that night. Early Thursday March 11 we drove to the airport. And hopped a flight on JetBlue (who else) to Long Beach.

Jacksen liked to watch the planes.

Here we are in sunny California. The boys loved the palm trees.

Colton just being Colton.

We spent the afternoon at Huntington Beach. It was a little cold, we pretty much had the beach to ourselves. The older boys loved having the waves splash over them, while Colton stayed mostly on the shore.




I love "Falicornia!"

Little Jacksen enjoying being in the comfort of my arms and having the wind blow through his hair.

Sweet sandy toes.

On the pier at Huntington Beach.

What a beautiful sunset!! We had a long but super fun Day 1. Now it's time to do a little grocery shopping and hit the sack. We're going to Disneyland in the morning!!

A visit from the Tooth Fairy

Ethan has been waiting and waiting and waiting to finally loose a tooth. It was a week before his 7th birthday when he discovered he had a "wiggler." He worked that tooth for several days. Then one day after school he came home sporting a new hole in his smile. He had his tooth in a baggie. Poor teachers that have teeth falling out all year and have to give a baggie. Gross. I pulled one of Logan's teeth out. NEVER again, that is the grossest feeling to feel something tear out of its socket. Elch! (Grandma- I don't know how you could stand to pull out our teeth!!)



So I had just finished Ethan's tooth bear. This little guy has a little pocket on his tummy for the tooth, so it doesn't get lost under the pillow. Then the tooth fairy can put in a dollar in it's place. That's the idea anyway, but as I was tucking Ethan into bed we discovered that the tooth was not in the pocket. My Ethan is the kid who if it isn't attached to his body, he would loose it. It just proves my point that now he lost the tooth, it was inevitable that he would loose it. Oh how we searched for that blasted tooth, Ethan was so distraught thinking the tooth fairy wouldn't come. We wrote a note to her and to Ethan's surprise, found a dollar in the morning! Next time he looses a tooth, I will hold onto it until bedtime!

Happy Birthday Jacksen!!

On February 13 my little cupid turned ONE!! (are you birthdayed out! We have all of our boys' b-days within 2 1/2 months-one more to go) We finally decided that my little mop-top needed a haircut. It was in his eyes and over his ears. Carl took him to get one before his little party.



After the cut. Ohhhhh, my little baby is growing up.

Everyone loves Jacksen!!

He loved to open presents.

He had lots of help if any of the wrapping paper wasn't coming off quick enough!

So many fun things for birthday boy.

Jacksen loved his little party hat. He sat and giggled for a while when we put it on.

Jacksen's little train cake that he gets to eat, or destroy, which ever came first.

He wasn't so sure he wanted to get dirty.

But he soon got over that fear and dug right in.

Eating cake is a full body experience.





Happy birthday to my sweet, loving baby. Jacksen, you are growing way too fast for me. I love those chocolate brown eyes, sweet smile, and loving spirit.

Till we meet again

My grandfather on my mom's side hadn't been doing well. Last year he was in and out of the hospital and had been at a care center for a while. Here he is at Jacksen's blessing last year. My mom had spent most of January down here taking care of him. He finally past away on the 24th of January.




Ethan, Uncle Mike and grandpa before the funeral the following Saturday. It was a beautiful funeral. My mom gave a great life sketch. My grandpa was the man of 9 lives. He has had so many accidents that should have taken his life. It was good to hear all the stories of my grandpa that I didn't know. My cousin sang the most beautiful song.


The grandsons, either by birth or marriage, as pallbearers.



I caught this moment between my dad and brother after my dad gave the grave site prayer. It still makes me cry every time I see it.


After I quit crying, I start again with this one of Logan and Grandpa.


Later that day we all went around the farm remembering all the good times we had there. I love this picture as it makes me think of my grandfather-a very strong, hardworker who could fix anything.

Me and my siblings, Mike, Erick, me, and Nicole.

The house. Oh the memories.

Now, my grandfather NEVER threw anything away. What was an old car, was our forts. This was one of our favorites.
Up in the rafters is another one. Although it was a little scary. One time we were playing and my cousin was listening to Michael Jackson's "Thriller." The wind started to shake the building, I freaked and came down so fast, never to return up there again.


One of the many tractors around the farm.


The old swing by the house. It was very sad to go around, knowing things would never be the same again. I didn't really get to know my grandpa, we only saw him occasionally, he was always working on the farm, and when he came in, it was only minutes before he fell asleep in his chair. I know that he is with my grandmother and is very happy. It will only be a short while until I see him again. I love you grandpa!

Colton's 4!!

I need to do a little catching up. Colton's birthday was the 24 of January. We had a family party the week before, but somehow those pictures have disappeared. He had a dinosaur cake and we went out for dinner with his grandparents and Aunt Nicole and Uncle Chad.

At 4, Colton loves to play on the computer (playhouse disney and pbs kids are his favorites), loves to play with his best friend Whitley-those two are always together, play any kind of make-believe, loves his legos and can spend hours building houses and whatever.I asked him some of his favorites, and this was his response.
Tv show-Super Why, Dinosaur Train, and Spongebob.
foods-broccoli and carrots (actually that's true!)
place to go-McDonalds & Toy's R Us
vacation-grandma's and Mom-mom's house
Song- Jesus wants me for a sunbeam
color-blue, red
superhero-super why


Ohhh, the anticipation of what could be inside!!


Colton recieved some Zhu-zhu pets, little toy hampsters that move around like real hampsters. He loves them.
Some of his loot.

My Colton, truely unique, fiesty, lovable, determined, and all mine!! I love this boy!!

Winter Wonderland!

This is what we woke up to Saturday morning. We probably only got 4-5 inches, but it was so beautiful on the trees and everything.



My sweet little eskimo all bundled up. This is just before he realized he couldn't get around in his snowsuit and started to cry.


Never miss an opportunity to eat fresh snow!

The snowman they made. I think he's the cutest snowman I've ever seen. His name is Pinnochio, guess why.



Carl made a little sledding hill, he felt like the guy at the water parks, helping the kids on the slide. "Next!"