64 years

Sixty Four years ago, my grandparents were married. Four Children, sixteen grandchildren, and nearly 20 greatgrandchildren later, they are still married and going strong! What an example to follow! 

Happy Anniversary!! We love you!

Talent Show

When Macie first heard about the school talent show, she knew she wanted to perform. Where in the heck did she come from?? I never would have even thought twice about performing in front of people! But, I encouraged her to do it if she wanted. And, of course she wanted to sing a song from Frozen. What little girl doesn't?? She recruited a friend from church to sing with her. These two girls are pretty shy. No one would have ever expected them to want to do this so badly! They practiced Let if Go for their audition. But, the show could only have one Let it Go, so they were asked to pick another song. They chose For the First Time in Forever. I have to admit, I like the song, but it's definitely a movie song...not my first pick for a talent show. You kind of have to have watched the movie to understand a lot of it, where as let it go can kind of be a stand a lone song. And it was only limited to 2 minutes. So we had to cut quite a bit out of the song anyway! We enlisted the help of Uncle Cory to help cut out things to make it shorter, and still sound good and make sense. But, in the end, Uncle Derek did his magic with sound and music editing to make the song ready for their shorter version. It was awesome. The weeks leading up to the talent show were brutal. I was so nervous for them! They sang their hearts out, but really don't have much singing background, and didn't have much help from their parents either! I didn't know what to tell them or how to help them! But, they are 2nd graders, it didn't matter if they weren't record label ready...they'd do well anyway! 

I made them both tutu dresses to resemble Anna from the movie, and Avery's cousin did their hair. They looked adorable. The best ones in the show! ;-) And I'm not biased at all! When it was their turn, they got up there and actually sang. The dress rehearsal earlier that day was a little smoother, but it was still awesome that they both got up there and did it! Both of their teachers were shocked, but yet so proud of them for going totally out of their comfort zone for this!

They were good! I'm glad it's over...and they are too. But, they are already planning next year. I think a comedy show is an option...oh goodness.

Cal Aero Talent Show 

Tiny ballerina

Avila is a natural ballerina. She loves it, and she's good! She is very graceful and dances all day every day, and will bow when she's done. It is the most adorable thing ever! When I saw the city offered a class for 2-3 year olds, I signed her up. She seriously loved every second of class with her newly found friends. Really, though, there isn't much cuter than a two year old in a leotard and tutu.

Happy Easter, from our family to yours!

Disneyland

We are lucky to live so close to Disneyland. Only Jacob and I have passes, so we only get to go for short periods of time while the kids are in school, but ya know what? It's perfect! We get there when it opens and leave at lunchtime, and both Avila and Jacob get a good nap in on the way home! Today was a complete spur of the moment trip. I had several other things to be doing, but put them all on hold. They are only little for a little bit. Might as well live it up! There were lots of firsts today, too. Avila got to ride Jingles, Mary Poppins horse, on the carousel, we saw a girl jump overboard on Storybook Canal, we got to ride in the nose of the monorail, the kids got their picture taken trying to pull out the sword in the stone, and we walked through the castle {Avila hadn't ever done it...} It was a good trip! We didn't ride too many things, but it was enough, and the kids got their fix and we were off! Every Disney day is great!

Both these kids totally conked out! Jacob walked in the front door, but didn't make it far. He's about two feet from the door! It was a hot one today, but it will definitely go down in the books as a good one!

#9

Noah started basketball this year. He has been dying to play for years! In Santa Maria he couldn't start until he was 8, we moved when he was 7. In Escondido, it was 8, too, but the deadline for signups was on the day before his baptism and I completely spaced it. Afterall, we did have quite a few house guests, a holiday dinner, and a few things on our minds! So this year was the year. However, here in Chino you can start when you're five...so needless to say, he's a little behind. But he was excited! 

Practices started in December with games starting on January 11. He progressed a lot from his first practice. It was almost embarrassing watching his first practice...but at the end he was dribbling better, making baskets, and jumping up for rebounds. I think this next year we will be working on confidence to just get in there and play hard and aggressively! He's not too aggressive, which can be a good thing...just not in basketball! He did have lots of fun, so really, that's all that matters, right? 

He's did a good job and we're proud of our #9.

Writing

Jacob loves to write. However, his writing is usually just scribbles, and he expects you to know exactly what he just wrote! This was especially difficult around Christmas time. I would point to a line and say that I wasn't sure what it said, and he said, "It's okay, Santa can read it. You don't have to." Uh oh. He probably didn't end up with that for Christmas!

But, everyday, all day, Jacob "writes". I have several notes from him...and sadly have had to throw some away, although they were cute, I just can't keep the piles and piles of papers around! He also gives them to everyone..even sleeping Miles gets notes!  

Daddy Daughter Dance

Macie was over the moon excited when she brought home the flyer about the Daddy Daughter Dance! She could not even stand it! She seriously counted down the days..and hours! We went dress shopping for the perfect dress. Kinda like Prom, really! But, little girls dresses are a heck of a lot cheaper than actual Prom dresses...I'm kind of dreading those years!

Adam wanted to buy her a corsage, but they were a little pricey. And because we're cheap, we decided to just make one! It didn't turn out to terrible, really. However, it didn't last all night...but oh well!

They both had the best time! Macie loved having her Daddy all to her self. She shows us how her and daddy both danced...and I'm kinda glad I wasn't there! ;-) 

Little Mama

Macie is the best helper. She is really the only one that really knows how to hold a baby and enjoys doing it...well, as long as he isn't wet or poopy! She loves to just cuddle with him on the couch and watch tv or just hold him. She's my go to girl when I have to go to the bathroom or take a shower, she just sits and loves him. It's nice having a child who is old enough and responsible enough to watch a newborn! Noah loves him and likes to hold him, but his legos are a little more entertaining. But, Miles will soon grow out of the "boring" newborn stage, which I love, and be a little more interactive, which Noah will love! For now, though, I'll take advantage of my Little Mama Macie!

Blessed

I know, I know, he's only 12 days old. But, we blessed Miles on Sunday. My mom and dad came to see Miles for the first time, and Carol came as well. It seemed perfect to bless him then, and we don't usually wait long anyway! The first Fast Sunday after the baby is born is usually when we bless them, no matter what! And Miles was no exception. I did, however, think he was going to be born a lot earlier in January! I had bought his blessing outfit in a newborn size months ago, thinking he was going to be early and small. I had no idea that he would be late and NINE POUNDS at birth! But just in case, I did buy the 3 month size outfit, too. And, he wore the 3 month size...at 12 days old! He's my chunker for sure! 

It was really nice to have my parents there and Adam's mom. Adam's cousin, Jared, who lives in Santa Monica came as well, along with his friend Adam, who he has known for years and who lives in Redondo Beach. Adam gave a wonderful blessing to Baby Miles, as usual. And I was able to listen to every word. There was no lapel microphone to malfunction or no screaming two year old to ruin the blessing! ;-) 

 I am very blessed to be Miles' mom. He is a perfect addition to our family. In his short time here with us, I can't even imagine life without him.