Randomness

I had the day off the day Shrek #4 came out, so I took the kids to the first showing. Ron was golfing, so it was just us 3. There wasn't anyone there, so it was pretty nice. The only issue I had was that Emma still has accidents and I didn't know what to do if she had to go during the movie (She didn't go before it started). I ended up taking both of them in the middle, so that eased my mind. They enjoyed their own container of popcorn, drink & fruit snacks! The movie was really cute to!

After the movie, we had some other earrands to run including getting new tires. So, we met up with Ron, left my car, and went back a little later when they were finished. I couldn't resist this picture! He doesn't really like his daddy much! :o)

The next day, we had our stake temple day, so I took Gabi and the kids down with me so that I wouldn't have to drive by myself. They had fun playing at the park and walking around the grounds. Gabi said they really liked the water fountains. We stopped in Valencia on the way home at Wood Ranch, and since I had packed sandwiches for the kids, they got dessert. The dessert for the kids is some ice cream and 3 little cups with hot fudge, sprinkles and mini m&m's!

Gabi didn't want her picture taken!

We went to Ihop a few days ago and Michael did the maze for the first time! He did this (mostly) all by himself! The only help was Ron telling him that he had run into a wall and he needed to go the other way.

Ron's brother Chris came into town and, being the good uncle he is, read the kids a bedtime story!

...while Ron picked his nose! :o)

Earlier that day while Michael was at preschool, Emma and I went to the nail salon and I got a pedicure and had them paint her nails. She did really well for a couple of hours, but then she started chewing off the polish. This was the end of the day where one of the nails is completely gone, and partials on the others. He also did a flower on 3 of her nails, which she had chewed off 1 of them by the time I took this picture.

Michael really wanted his picture taken in his bed!

My Greatest Work

So here it is. My 2 greatest, most challenging blessings in my life. It still seems strange to think that I'm a mother of 2 beautiful children, but it also seems as though they've always been here. I sometimes feel inadequate as a mother. I'm not the best cook, maid, teacher, organizer, etc, but I feel I do my best and I think they're turning out pretty good! I know there are things that I need to work on and I'm trying my best, and that's all I can do. But the one thing that I do do the best is love them with all my heart and would do anything for them! They are my whole life! They each have their own personalities and can drive me crazy, but in a split second they give me a smile, or they hug me, or make a silly face and all those feelings go away and it makes being a mom all worth it! I can't thank my Heavenly Father enough for letting me take care of these kids. He must know I can handle them or else He wouldn't have sent them to me, and for that I am SO grateful!

3rd Annual Mother's Day Trip!

The Friday before Mothers Day, my mom, Amanda and I set off for Ventura for our annual mother's day overnighter! It started 3 years ago when Ryan & my dad went on a father/son campout with Ryan's oldest 2 (Aaron was still a baby) and Ron had gone to Wyoming for his grandma's funeral that we weren't able to make. I got onto priceline and found a nice hotel, but Aaron had gotten sick, so my mom, the kids and I went. Last year, we ditched the kids and it was just us girls. This year it was us girls plus Abby! When we got there, we checked in and headed to the outlet mall! After visiting a few stores, we headed to Octavios for dinner.

Octavios is an italian restaurant nearby and it was good!

After dinner, we went to the movies to see "The Backup Plan". It was a cute movie! Even Abby enjoyed it!

This was our hotel! It was really nice and ALL their rooms are smoke-free!

The next morning we got up and headed back to the outlet mall, but they weren't open yet, so we headed to Ross, where I went to town on all the clothes! I bought so many shirts! I also got a few things for the kids and even a sofa table for my hallway! I LOVE IT!!! After Ross, we went to the outlet and stopped at our FAVORITE cookie place....TERRI'S CHOCOLATE CHIPPERY COOKIES!!! This place is AMAZING! The cookies are crisp on the outside and melty/doughy goodness in the middle! We dream about these cookies ALL YEAR! They are $1.50 per cookie, but you can get day old cookies for cheaper. HOWEVER they are not even comparable to the freshly made cookies!!!

After hours of shopping, we were getting ready to head back and found the ocean, so I stopped for a picture.

On the way home, we stopped in Valencia at the Elephant Bar for dinner.

We had a great time and I'm looking forward to next year! We figure in a few years, we might start taking our daughters with us and make it a real girls weekend! Thanks for making it fun, girls! Oh, and here's a picture of the back of my car with all of our stuff!

Relay For Life

A couple Saturday's ago was Bakersfield's annual Relay For Life. Up until 3 years ago, I didn't know much about this specific event. Almost 4 years ago, my mom was diagnosed with uterin cancer. September will mark the 4 year anniversary of her surgery. She underwent some radiation treatments and has been in remission ever since! To celebrate, we attend the Relay for Life every year. It is great event and I feel humbled everytime I go. I enjoy watching the sea of purple as they take that first lap around the track! I am so blessed to be able to see my mom walk it! Here's to more birthdays!

We got there a little late, but just in time to see my mom & aunt Teresa.

They had a Beatles cover band that the kids enjoyed dancing to.

You could buy a balloon and write your own message and every hour, they released them.

Emma dancing! She stands like this and shakes the one knee. It's pretty funny. I got video of it I'll download later.

Emma taking a picture of grandpa....I think she needs a couple more photography lessons!

So, just before this, she was on my dads shoulders and was apparently lifting her shirt up, THEN she finds this pole and started swinging around on it....should I be worried?!

I just happened to see this sign and noticed something pretty cool...

Don't see it? Here's a closer look.....Stockdale Jewelers!!! (my work!)

Piniata time!

The loot.

Fishing game.

Our Survivor!

We take a picture like this every year, but my aunt doesn't like her picture taken, so this is what we get!

Much better! (Their hats light up!)

Bounce house time!

We were there from about 8:45 am to 5 pm. The kids were EXHAUSTED!! Emma even fell asleep before I pulled out of the parking spot! I wasn't feeling too hot by the end the day either, so I just put the kids down when I got home and went to bed myself. I had a couple people call me and then about 9:30 pm my body finally figured out what it needed to do to feel better (I threw up!). Michael stayed asleep until about 7:30 the next morning, but Emma woke up around 12:30 and was up for a couple of hours before going back to sleep.

Hot Rod Street Nationals

A couple weeks ago, Ron took the kids out to the fairgrounds to the car show. His dad is a welder and rebuilds street rods. Here are a few of his cars.

This is the one he just finished for Ron's grandpa. (It's my favorite!)

This was the first one he'd built since Ron & I started dating.

This was the 2nd recent truck he built for his wife.

He also had another truck he entered, but it broke down when they were going to take it to the fairgrounds to set up.

Things I couldn't Resist...

We took Noel to my parents house one day and this is how she sat on the ride home.

Michael making his lunch for preschool.

My 3 favorite people in the whole world taking a nap!