Tuesday, March 31, 2009

heaven in blue foil

oh my goodness...



to die for. seriously

go buy some now, they won't be around long.
(I got mine at Target.)

J.L.E.

Happy Birthday to my boyfriend, Jacob!

On Valentine's Day '08, this little guy asked me to be his girlfriend. I accepted and we have been together ever since. I must say, I have had a lot of boyfriends in my day, but this guy definitely is in the top 3.
This guy celebrated his 5th birthday last week. Since Ty's bday is in January, poor Jake counts down the days (and there's a lot between Jan. and end of March) until his big day. On his actual birthday we of course had the traditional bday breakfast. His specific request was a "J" shaped pancake with chocolate chips and sprinkles, eggs and OJ. He opened his presents from us. Then we played with his toys and then went to pick up Tyler from school. We went to Rainforest Cafe for lunch, with a surprise visit from Daddy and to the Lego store to pick out something fun. Jake picked out Lego archery sets for Tyler and himself. Thoughtful brother! After the mall we came home and relaxed for a couple hours. Then a few friends came over and we headed to Chuck E. Cheese to party it up. The kids played lots of games, ate dinner and enjoyed cupcakes. We left straight from there to go to baseball pictures and finally made it home around 9 pm. What a fun but busy day!

Jake is an amazing person! I have thought since he was born, that I am so blessed to be his mom and to have him as part of our family. One of my favorite things about Jake is his enthusiasm. This guy is excited about everything and he does everything with passion- so much so that he sweats all the time! He's been that way since he came home from the hospital- sleeping, eating, playing video games, coloring- and don't even get my started on anything physical. (he takes after his Dad) He is very active and is good at everything! He's been riding a 2 wheeler bike for almost 2 years now. He's an amazing soccer player, baseball player and loves to try all sports. He's great at riding his bike, skateboarding, his scooter and now he just got rollerblades for his bday and he's really learned quickly.He is very smart and LOVES homework. He actually had me ask his teacher to give him extra homework. He LOVES school (preschool) and can't wait for kindergarten next year. Another favorite thing about Jake is that he is very positive. He gives compliments all the time- to other kids, his siblings and to Aaron and I. Every night for dinner he is always the first to say "wow, Mom, this dinner is really good." It's sweet because he does it even when it's not his favorite thing. He tries really hard to be good and to choose the right.I often thought, during his toddler years, that he was going to be a handful when he got older, but time has proved me wrong. He has really changed over the last couple years. He has settled down a lot and although he is busy, he is a good boy.
I love him more than I could ever explain. He is like a big ball of energy and smiles and happiness and cuddles. I am so glad Heavenly Father sent him to our home- and I am so glad he's my boyfriend!
This is one of my favorite pictures of Jacob. This was after Tiny Tots (preschool) graduation last year. They have a swim party after the ceremony. He came home and was relaxin' with his graduation cap on, still in wet swim shorts and sucking his thumb. Oh, the life of a 4 year old!

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Grandma,

I know you check my blog on Monday's- so I just wanted to wish you an extra Happy Birthday. Yes, I know I'm a day late. Please forgive me. Aaron was out of town this weekend and I had my hands full, being a single mom. I hope that yesterday was wonderful and that you and Grandpa enjoyed yourselves. Knowing you, I am sure that you had a great day and did something fun! There will be something special for you in the mail this week!

We love you and are thankful for you. You always remember us on our special days and we all love your homemade cards. We love you Grandma!Love,
Aaron, Danielle and kids

Monday, March 23, 2009

here it is

I had the busiest week ever last week. Returning home and then trying to get ready for Addie and Jacob's b-day, unpack, finish the quilt I made for Jake's bday and just get back into normal life-was exhausting and crazy. But it is SO good to be home and be back together as a family. In fact I was so busy I had something every morning last week and didn't get to the gym at all. I was nervous to go to Weight Watchers yesterday after all the cruise food and no exercising, but I still lost a pound! I was shocked! The craziness ended yesterday- as we celebrated the bdays with family at our house. Although, I just got off the phone with my brother and he asked me if everything was okay because I seemed a little "on edge"yesterday. Yes, I was stressed and tired. So I apologize to my family if I seemed a little grouchy yesterday- I wasn't at all- I was so happy that you all came to help us celebrate!

But now... Spring Break! And I slept in until 9 am this morning. Yeah for no school/homework and a week to relax! This morning we made it to the gym (felt so good to be back) and then spent a couple hours just playing at the park and enjoying the beautiful spring weather. What a day!

So here's the cruise run-down. Lot's of pictures ahead!

Day 1:
We left for San Pedro at 1 pm. I did cry when I left the kids- but once we got on the road I was so excited that I didn't feel too sad. We went with Janell and Darin, Keri and Clint and Joanna and Kirk. We had so much fun together- thanks guys for being such great company! We got on the ship around 3, had the emergency evacuation drill and then got ready for dinner. About on hour after we got on board I started feeling sick and I ended up with Bronchitis. Yuck! I didn't feel too bad though thanks to lots of Ibuprofin and Sudafed. Ended the night in the hot tub.

in the car- so excited for our week ahead!

Day 2:
Cruising at sea. It was chilly. Worked out in the morning. Explored the ship. Boys did a dodgeball tournament. Napped. Formal night. Juggling and comedy show.We were laughing at Clint, because it didn't take him any time at all to get comfortable- we found him doing this a lot!

Aaron enjoying 4 appetizers of shrimp cocktail!
Serious business! A mean game of dodgeball- our hubby's dominated!

Joanna played too and she was great. I was so impressed that she would get out there with all those boys and play.


Day 3:
Port at Cabo San Lucas. Handed out some toys to the kids. Rented ATV's and took a ride though the desert and ended at the beach. We went in the water at this amazing beach- so beautiful. Had lunch in Cabo and did some shopping. Dinner on the ship.


Joanna had just been on a similar cruise a few months before and she had the great idea to bring some little presents to hand out to the local kids. It was so fun to see their reactions- they were so grateful for such small things.

Janell handing out a coloring book and crayons.
That little boy on the right had the greatest look on this face!

Day 3:
Port at Mazatlan. Went with the Lackeys to do zip lining. Took forever to get there, but it was super fun once we were actually flying through the hills attached to a rope and a tree. As I was flying over trees, the thought repeatedly went through my mind "A mother of 4 should not be doing this kind of activity. My children need me!" All was well and we were protected! Back to the city, time for a little shopping. Dinner on the ship. Another show. 70's music and dancing.


Day 4:
Port at Puerto Vallarta. Off the boat at 8 am with the whole group, to take a catamaran to an island. We saw some whales on the way there. Once there we snorkeled, kayaked and took a little boat to another part of the island to enjoy the water and the beauty. Lunch on the catamaran. Shopping at the port. Dinner on the boat. Ice skating show. 80's dance show- Pure Energy. Poolside midnight buffet.I am officially in love with my new camera. (christmas) It's waterproof and this was the first time we tested it out- and it worked great!
Janell and I taking a swim.






Day 5:
Cruising at sea. Very cold and windy. Watched the belly flop contest. Played lots of games. Ate way too much. Napped. Ice skated. Took salsa dancing lessons. (yes Marlina, Aaron did it too!) Comedy show.


Day 6:
Cruising at sea. Still cold and windy. Got a hot stone massage. Did the rock climbing wall. Boys played basketball. Towel folding class- sounds lame, but it was so cool and now I can fold towels to look like animals! Played more games. Formal night. Farewell show. Hot tub to end the night.

Every day they would change this little plaque in the elevator to remind us what day it was.
Every night we would find a cute new friend in our room. My favorite was the monkey hanging from a hanger.
Waiting for a show to start. Each night we would have a Pina Coloda or a Miami Vice. Yum!Formal night.
All of our feet in the hot tub. The girls had cute toes!
The farewell show. We were in the third row and I think we saw little more than we wanted to. They were actually very good performers and the shows were very entertaining.Day 7:
Back to LA. Off the boat by 9:45 am and home by 10:30. Back to reality!!
What a great week and one that we will definitely remember forever. This was our 10 year anniversary celebration and it was perfect! Great friends, fun memories, lots of relaxing, yummy food and lots of laughter. Can't wait until our 20 year anniversary!

Are you in Janell, Keri and Joanna???

Monday, March 16, 2009

here today, gone tomorrow

When we left on our cruise, Carter was my baby. Walking a little, crawling a lot.

When we got home yesterday, Aaron and I couldn't believe how much he'd changed in 8 days. He's a toddler now! That little guy is walking EVERYWHERE now. He doesn't crawl at all, unless he has fallen and is trying to stand back up. He's not even one yet, and although he still is a baby, he just seems like a toddler now. It happened so fast!

I just can't seem to get enough of him... enough kisses, enough holding, enough staring. He's just irresistible, as he toddles up to me and puts out those chubby, soft arms. I pick him up every time. Am I spoiling him? Probably. Honestly, I don't care. I love that he knows I am his Mommy and when he needs me, you better believe that I'm going to pick that boy up and give him lots of loves. We love you, Carter man! (or as the kids have nicknamed him: C-pants, C-dog, Carter boy, Carter pants).


I love this view. His sweet little head is perfect: always smells good, perfectly round, soft and fuzzy and always ready for a kiss.