Welcome October!

Remember, this is my favorite time of year!

Go ahead, make your family spooky too... http://www.picnik.com/.

Party Time

Last night we celebrated Jack's birthday with a party. Lucky Jack had lots of friends and family come to share in the fun.

Just like his mom, he was the last at the table... savoring every last bite of his cupcake and ice cream.
Jack was totally spoiled and has been playing with his new toys non-stop. And Wesley's loving the new stuff too, like it was his own birthday.
We had a great time,

thanks again everyone for making Jack's day!
Also, how awesome is this birthday banner my mom made for Jack?! As if she didn't have enough going on, I added another project to her list. I saw banners like these on different blogs, but what's so cool about this one is clear pockets on the back to put a birthday picture in each year as they are growing up.... 18 pennants... 18 years of birthday pictures... so cute... great keepsake.

Happy Birthday Jackie!

Two years old... I can hardly believe it.

He's so adorable and smart and funny and mischievous. He is loving and sweet and still has the biggest crocodile tears, that can sit on his cheeks for an hour after crying. Totally one of the cutest kids you'll ever see. We love him!

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

I think this is Avery's motto. She didn't start rolling until about a month ago, no signs of a first tooth, and don't even think about crawling. But this past week she's realized with movement comes newfound freedom. She's learned rolling doesn't just take her from belly to back, but that it can get her from one side of the room to another. And after she figured that out it was time to crawl. She's not totally got the hang of it, but she is scooting around like a champ. This means the boys toys are all within her reach and they are not too happy about it!
And to add to the excitement... she is clapping.

She must have seen us do that a lot lately.
You're too cute baby girl!

Keeping Busy

Remember last year when I spent a day making a ton of flowers for Avery's hair (months before she even arrived)?

Well, today I made these.

Why have flowers only when you can have bows too?

But, I didn't spend all my energy on Avery, the boys got a little something too. And although they didn't turn out quite perfect, they were good enough for Brad to ask me to make him some also.
So today while I kept busy with projects and friends, I was really just distracting myself.
Because today, my mom was in surgery... the first step to ridding her body of breast cancer. And today was not a fun day... the first of many I'm sure. But, if my mom is anything, she's determined. So this next while may not be fun (and my mom is all about fun) but, as her best friend said, "It is do-able." And she would know.

Preschool

Wesley started preschool this week and, although it is just with a few other kids in our neighborhood and these first two days have been at our house, he LOVES it. We'll rotate homes between all six kids and throw in some field trips. The kids think they are sooo big. When I think that he still has another two years before kindergarten I want to cry, so we're both glad preschool has started!
And why take a picture alone on your first day when you can take one with your best bud?

My thoughts...

After 11 years living away from San Diego, I still think it is the best place on earth... not Disneyland... San Diego.

I love the ocean air.

I have never seen kids with more sand on them than mine.

Every time we went to the beach they covered themselves, on purpose, in sand. Including Avery, who did a face plant just to get her hands on the stuff.

I am so happy to have my brother Chad home after serving his mission in Chile.

I love the cheesy signs we took to the airport.

And I love that Wesley was not content holding his own sign and insisted on trading... resulting in a mixed up 'Welcome Home'.

There is almost nothing I enjoy more than spending time with my family.

We had a super fun week. Loved the beach, pool, bonfire, zoo,... the list could go on and on.

I wish Brad and Jenee had been there.

I love my mom.

In hard times (and in good) I wish we lived closer to eachother.

I'm grateful for the example her and my dad have shown me.

I'm thankful they helped me develop my testimony at a young age and I'm thankful their testimonies are still examples to me today.

I love my siblings.

I really love that I can cry with my sister-in-law (who's really more like my sister) when none of the boys around us will cry.

And I love Brad. His strength and quiet at difficult times calms me. Reminds me of my dad.

I realize now more than ever that the women I grew up with are some of the best women of the earth. I can still lean on them and look to them for guidance.

I'm thankful for the friends I've surrounded myself with, they couldn't be a more positive influence.

And I'm thankful for a great cousin (who's really more a great friend) who stopped by when she had a million other things going on to bring me flowers. Her kindness always impresses me.