What I'm Thankful for

I know we had Thanksgiving last week but I wanted to acknowledge all that I'm thankful for. I'm so happy that I have the gospel in my life and all the peace it brings to my life, It's so simple. I'm so happy to know that families can be together forever, that no matter when we pass at the end we will be together, how wonderful is that?

Thanksgiving was Papi's favorite Holiday and It was sad not having him at the table and eating his delicious turkey and then 2 days later was his birthday, so this week was extra hard, but we made it and feel so lucky to have each other.

My wonderful family, the opportunity that I have to be a wife and mother, as I look into those little faces, I know what my purpose is. My wonderful mom that has taught me so much about strength and courage and even though we fall we just pick ourselves up and dust off and try again. My sister's and my brother, the dear friends they are to me and I know they would do anything for me as I would for them. I have been blessed with wonderful friends and family and I can go on and on with how thankful I am. I often wonder what my life would have been like if my parents didn't make the journey, here for us. I know that they made that huge sacrifice just for us and I'm so thankful!!!

CADE'S BAPTISM

Our Octobers are always so busy with lots of birthdays and lots of get together's. This year is no exception we got an added bonus, Cade got baptized on Halloween yes, October 31, he will never forget that date. It was a bitter sweet day, we were so happy that Cade was able to be baptized, we were also so sad that we lost our papi and he wasn't front and center like usual. but I know that he was there in spirit and was so proud of Cade.

NEW YORK

Jeff and I had the opportunity to go to New York for five days and we had the best time ever!!! We went with Nikky and Josh. We did so many fun things. We went to 3 Broadway shows, Avenue Q, Phantom of the Opera and Next to Normal, all were fabulous!!! We went to the Rockefeller Square, We went to a Yankees game and it was so fun to see the new stadium, Dave Letterman and we did the City tour on a double Decker bus and Of course a little shopping. We all love to eat, we hit some awesome restaurants. Can't wait to go again. Thanks for all the laughs and good times Nikky and Josh!!!

My sweet baby is growing up

My little girls is growing up and there is nothing I can do to keep her at this age. Olivia just had her 10th birthday and I can't believe how fast time has gone by. I still remember when we found out I was pregnant with her and being so excited and happy, that just the thought of having her would bring me to tears.

Olivia is such a joy to have around, she is so full of life and energy and so sweet to everyone, that is the one trait I admire most in her, is her ability to love those around her. She is the oldest and my right hand, I expect a lot of her and she is almost always willing to help out. How lucky are Halle and Addison to have such a wonderful big sister, all the knowledge she will be able to pass down.

We are so happy to be your parents and there isn't enough words that can explain just how proud you make us everyday and how much we love you. I hope that we will always be friends and talk about everything. I love being your mom and can't wait to see what the future has in stored for you, your future is bright and full of possibilities. Keep smiling and being your sweet self and there is nothing that can slow down.

Thank you for being part of our family we truly are so blessed to able to share this life with you. We love you so so much!!!

Lagoon

We decided to get season passes to Lagoon. We figured the kids were a little older and they would really enjoy it this year. Jeff stayed with Olivia, Cade and The Coopers and The Johnston's, they bought season passes too. And I hung out with Halle and Addison. We had a great time!

This has to be my favorite picture of all time. Halle wanted to go in the House of Terror.

This is all the kids on Water Snake Rapids, the adults just watched, we didn't feel like getting wet and with such a big group the kids were fine.

Addison loves to help out.

All in a month

Okay, so It's been a while since I have update our family blog. I'm just going to do an overview of the last month.

Olivia, loves to sing up for everything at school, she decided she wanted to be in the science fair. I think it's great, so her and her friend did the project together. They decided they were going to test detergents and find the one that gets stains out the best. Anyway the ended up getting 2nd place and Jeff and I are so proud of her.

Cade had his first grade program at school for grandmas, they sang some songs and did a few poems. We didn't know that he was such a ham, he was being the biggest cheese ball, It was so funny!! My mom loved the fact that when he was saying the poem he was looking right at her.

My mother in law took all of us girls to wicked, one of the Jeff's sister didn't want to come so Jeff got lucky and got her ticket. We just loved the show, It was amazing and so fun to be able to go together.

Over mothers day we had a dance competition in Vegas, we decided to make it a girls trip so, Jen and I went with Olivia and Katie, we had the funnest time and It was a nice little break. The girls did a great job in their competition.

Easter

One of my favorite Holidays is Easter. Seems like you get to celebrate for a few days. We are so blessed to live so close to both of our families that we can hit all the parties.



Saturday started in our neighborhood with a Easter egg hunt and some face painting and of course riding the pony.


Then we went to the Almond party, for some more Easter egg hunting but these eggs are filled with money. My kids ended up with lots of coins and lots of cash (thank you LaRae) the kids can't wait to spend all their Easter money. The food always delicious. As you can see Addison enjoying the ham.


Then we headed to my parents for more fun. Another Easter egg hunt and more food. The kids were happy with their presents from grandma make up and Legos.




Overall we had a wonderful weekend and are so grateful for all that we have.

I'm a quitter....

Cade is our only boy and Jeff is bound and determined to get him to like sports. We put him in everything from basketball, soccer and baseball, he doesn't really like to play, but we think it's good for him to be involved in sports.
Baseball season just started, It was his first practice and he was in the out field messing around, not paying attention when someone hit the ball in his direction and it hit him right in the mouth. His little lips were so swollen and he was pretty upset. The following Tuesday he had practice and he didn't want to got because he didn't want to hit in the mouth again. I talked him into going and when we got there, he got really nervous and said I don't ever want to play, I'm just going to get hurt. I told him that he would be fine, he just had to pay attention and that he had committed to his team and that he is an ALMOND and we are not quitters and he looked at me and said you are not a quitter but I'm a quitter and I'm okay with that!!!!

Viva Mexico!!!

Jeff and I finally went on a grown up vacation. No kids just adults, we had the most wonderful time ever!!!!

Jeff's parents just had their 50th wedding anniversary and rather than having a huge party to celebrated their great accomplishment, they wanted to take all of their kids on a vacation... I know how lucky are we. We went to Playa de Carmen and stayed in a beautiful resort right on the beach, It was so awesome. We were there for 7 days, Jeff and I were thinking wow this is going too long away from the kids and the day before we left we wished we could of stayed one more day, Go figure?

We had 14 in our group and I can honestly say that we all got along really well and truly enjoyed each others company. We all bring something different, unique and fun to the group and I can't wait til we go again.

With 2 boyfriends, what is a girl to do?

Halle decided that she likes boys, two in particular. Mind you, she is only four...One morning we were eating breakfast and Cade best friend had slept over and they were eating and she looked at him and said
"Jackson, I love You!!!" he was so shocked and a little embarrassed he replied, Halle I can't like you, you are only four. Halle says, oh no I'm not I'm six!!!

Fellow No. 2 is a little older

Yep, that is right, Josh is in his mid 30's and he is dating Nikky my sister-in-law. Halle is all over him, every time she sees him. It's quiet funny and alarming at the same time. I don't think Nikky really wants to share him either.

Ever wonder what pee tastes like???

Okay, so today was just like any other day. Addison my 2 year old wanted to wear panties, I was all over that since I'm trying to potty train her. I put some on her and explained to her that if she needed to go potty she needed to sit on the toilet. She said okay mom. I decided I would take a shower while she watched Barney on my BED. I got out of the shower got dressed and began to make my bed when I see a huge wet spot! AWESOME....I can't get mad I left her by herself while I was in the shower. So, I pull off the comforter then the blanket it got stuck on one side of the mattress so I decided to pull it really hard and in doing that the pee that was on top of the blanket SPLATTERED ALL OVER MY FACE WITH MY MOUTH WIDE OPEN, YES, THE PEE DID GO IN MY MOUTH!!! I know, gross huh??
So I ran to the bathroom to spit and to wash my face when I looked in the mirror at my shirt It was like someone had sprayed me with a water bottle. So, just in case you are wondering pee taste a little like vinegar.

Olivia 1st Piano Recital

Olivia has been taken piano lesson since September and she loves it. Saturday she had her first recital and she was so nervous. The teacher had her be towards the end of the recital and the poor thing couldn't take the anticipation until her turn. When it was her turn she walked up Introduced her self and said what song she was going to play. We were so excited for her and so happy to see her play. She did AWESOME and we are so proud of her!!!