Lauren's 7th Birthday

Her Last Night of Being Six Years Old!

 

Lauren's requested Birthday Menu

Breakfast: Donuts & Chocolate Milk

Lunch: McDonald's {Cheeseburger, FF, Lemonade & Sprite Mix}

Dinner: Pizza & Rootbeer

Love how she is not afraid to express her emotions.  She was full of so much gratitude. 

And you gotta love that toothless smile.  Happy Birthday from her family!

Party with her friends!
Nicole, Michelle, Jacey, Stephanie, Alexis, Kandrea, Alyssa, Ethan, Charlie, Walker,

Honor Rollsss

Matthew and Rachel were both honored at a luncheon for being on the Honor Roll.

Ethan was on the Honor Roll too but we weren't able to attend his banquet.

So proud of each one of our children.

Mother's Day 2011

Love Love Love being a Mom! Love Love Love each one of my children. This year we were able to spend Mother's Day with Steve's Mom. I've been blessed to have some great Mom's and Grandma's in my life.

The pearl necklace, ear rings and bracelet I'm wearing in this picture

was a special gift from my sweet husband.

My beautiful girls and I

Easter 2011

Easter Sunday is always a special day that is close to the heart. So GRATEFUL for my Savior, Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for each one of us. So GRATEFUL for the knowledge of the plan of salvation that have. So GRATEFUL for a loving Father in Heaven. So GRATEFUL for the privilege we have of being able to celebrate Easter.

Easter Sunday Photo Shoot!

Looks like we are about to have Jacob for dinner.

Our Easter Egg Hunt!

Jacob's First Easter!

Fresno Temple

On our way to Bass Lake and Yosemite for spring break, we stopped by to see the Fresno Temple. It is about 2 hours away from us if you head north. However, the Los Angeles Temple is 2 hours away from us if you head south and is the temple in our district. The Fresno temple is small but still beautiful and like always the feeling of reverence was there.

Basketball w/ Rachel

Rachel decided to do basketball instead of soccer this season.  She is getting better and it is lots of fun to watch her.  Way to Go Independence! 

Duke {the pound puppy}

So the time finally came when we decided it was best to get rid of our messed up in the head poor little pound dog. I'll spare you all the details as to why but won't hold back as to how it all went down. We told the kids, that it was necessary for Duke to go to a home where he was happy and felt safe and not so scared of people (Steve or any man for that matter). So they each said their final good-byes before heading off to school.  It was so sad.  I arranged for a friend to watch baby Jacob. I hadn't left him with anyone yet. I loaded the big dog up, just hoping he wouldn't get scared and pee all over the car. He sat in the passenger seat with his head in my lap looking at me with his sad little puppy dog eyes the whole way back to the pound. (We did try finding him another home, but really felt like he was not ok) I got him out of the car, barely, just to find out that they weren't taking dogs until about 3 hours from then and for me to come back. REALLY? I was not a happy camper. I couldn't still have him when the kids got home. So, I picked up Jacob and Steve got off work and met me at home so he was there when the kids got home as I was just leaving again for the pound. This cute little puppy had gotten big and I had to wait in a line full of other dogs that weren't wanted for some reason, while Duke was freaking out. I finally was able to do the hand off. And he was gone. I even paid them to take him back. Such an awful experience. But one that had to be done. We are a much happier family now. Until the next family pup!!!!

Jacob

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The Amazing Race - Valentine Edition

So for Valentine's this year I was lucky enough to be included in this evil scheme. But a fantastic scheme it was. Some friends of mine put this together. It was all planned without the men knowing. Our "plan" was to finish our soccer games, go home and get ready to go out to dinner with the Christensen's to a Steak House we haven't tried yet. Well, Steve got a phone call (all the men got the same phone call) asking him to meet with the Stake President at 6:00pm. You can imagine what could be going through his mind. So he shows up in a white shirt and tie along with all the other men and realize they were set up and were given a new shirt to wear. This time it was pink and says "I Love My Wife".  They were given their instructions and were off on their race around town.  But somehow they ended up at Hooters, this was not part of the race, and just had to take this picture to text to all the wives waiting for their arrival and dinner.  Funny Funny!! 


Their adventure included, buying a balloon, making a Valentine's day card and getting a flower. I think they had fun. We had a delicious dinner, although not steak, roast, potatoes, asparagus, salad and homemade rolls and chocolate dipped strawberries and cheesecake. I'll never forget this Valentine's Day. Thank you Steve for enjoying it well.

Happy Valentine's Day!