We did WHAT????

...or maybe "it's about time!!!" But yep - for the first time in our married lives, Dan and I bought a vehicle. Friday we decided to go out to look at a used vehicle from a private seller and then decided after that we would run up to the dealership to look at some used vehicles that we had seen online. We did NOT have any intention of actually buying a vehicle! The dealer, however made us an offer we couldn't refuse on a used '09. So after 10 years with my little Altima I said a (and NO I didn't ACTUALLY cry!!! and even if I got a bit chocked up - hey I'm pregnant!!! Give me a break!!!!) sad good bye to my first car. The car that we drove off into the sunset after our wedding reception. The car that brought all three of my babies home from the hospital. We traded it in to the dealership (and they were very generous about what they gave us for the trade in) for a newer and bigger vehicle. We have found however that we must be a Nissan family - we traded out tired little Altima for a roomy Quest - yes that's right we are also now a mini-van family. I dreaded this for MANY years, but have spent the last couple years resigning myself to the necessity. Considering that I've never driven anything bigger than the Altima - it's probably best... :) Anyway - out with the old and in with the new! We love it! and best of all???? I don't have to fall down to get in!!! :) *sigh*




Saturday the wonderful ladies in my ward had a baby shower for me! It was so nice to get together with friends. Some of my good friends in the ward got together and set up a WONDERFUL party with YUMMY food - beautiful decorations and lots of LOVE!! Thanks Ladies!! So what did I get for this shower?? What we needed most!! Diapers and Wipes!! :) With two big sisters, this little girl is fairly well (and stylishly) covered - but you can never have enough of these!! :) Especially since her's isn't the only one still needing a diaper to cover it! :)

The rest of the week has been mostly normal for us. Dan's back in school, so the kids and I are getting back into our routines (haha only to have them thrown off again in a couple of weeks) but we've enjoyed our usual trips to the library, play dates with friends and the weekly doctors appointments.

It's kinda funny - but before this weekend, it really still felt like the baby's birth was still a long way off. Now we are getting baby clothes out, and baby swings and bouncers, and setting up the baby's room (which is still occupied by Aaron...) and having baby showers, and I'm wondering WHERE DID AUGUST GO!!!!!!!!!!! and how is it possible that there are less than 20 days until this baby is coming???

Oh and about pictures of the new mini-van... well Dan has it at a Priesthood meeting and so those will have to wait... :)

I WANT MY HUSBAND BACK!!!!

This last week was just a bit crazy.... The girls and I didn't do much - mostly because I had no energy!! Dan had all the teacher orientation stuff going on this week - which meant that he was back to work. The kids and I really liked having him off and home for a while. He's such a sweet thoughtful husband and such a fun caring father that we would ALWAYS choose to have him around more!! In addition to that, once in awhile he teaches a class through CCCC (Collin County Community College) for teachers trying to get certified in Texas. He has been doing that the last couple of weeks, and that is a Tues/Thurs class from 6-9 pm. Wednesday nights is Mutual at 7 pm. Friday night he left almost as soon as he got home for a scout camp out and didn't come back until Saturday around noon. So Dan's week was crazy!!

The kids and I started with the usual laundry and shopping trips on Monday, had friends over to play and eat on Tuesday, I had a doctors appointment on Wednesday - followed by lunch with my mom and sister, and a library trip on Friday.... Ok i'm officially exhausted just typing about it all..... The kids were great, but my energy only lasts so long, and my patience seems to run out soon after.

The pictures are of the girls ready and dressed for church. Eileen chose her clothes and accessories and put on her own make up! Yes she still LOVES that toy make up kit she got for herself. She also did Anna's make up. And wonder of wonders, I'm not totally sick of it and irritated that she got it.... mostly because she has been VERY good at only putting on make up for church and 'special occasions' and keeping it away from Aaron.

So we are now counting down the days and weeks. September is going to be a big month for us and at least for now, I'm eagerly anticipating it!

Down Time

Well this was our last week before Dan starts back to school. Teacher in-services start Monday morning. Not that we got to relax much - but at least we got to see him more often than not! The kids just love having him around. I enjoy having him around for his company and for the fact that he is a wonderful cook who has mostly taken over meals since standing for too long in one place exhausts me!! (or at least makes my feet feel like fat sausages!) He is such a wonderful husband and father and has been so helpful while i'm waddling around like a beached whale!! :) Wednesday we got to go out on the boat with Grandpa. Daddy put the boat into slow and let the girls drive some (in his lap) since the lake was empty. They LOVED it! Eileen drove very straight and was very cautious. Anna was a wild girl and was turning the wheel all over the place going "woooooooah" and laughing like crazy! Instead of putting in just the pictures - here is a scrapbooking page I did with pics from the boat trip. The page was done with a kit called "Blue Dream" by digiscrap coco

Saturday, we went down to my parents house to celebrate my dad's birthday. We ate good food, and played in the pool and just relaxed a bit. The kids just love spending time with Grandpa and Grandma and Aunt Sandi and Uncle Jon. My mom too Eileen with her to pick up my dad's birthday present and while they were there, Eileen told Grandma that they should get a card too. Grandma thought that was a good idea. Of course Eileen quickly decided which card they should get... it was the "Your 3" card with 'Go Diego Go' on it.... we explained that that card was for boys turning 3 and Grandpa was older than that, so she found another Diego card. Grandma let her get that one for Grandpa.

Back from Vacation

We made it! We got to Colorado and back and not only did we survive, we even enjoyed ourselves! :) For those of you who don't want to read a LONG travel log, skip this post.... for the rest of you - enjoy lots of pictures and lots of info! :)

We started out on Friday, right after Dan got back from work around 1pm. I grabbed a Jane Austen Audio Book and was content to drive until the book was over - then Dan took the wheel and finished the trip. The kids did surprisingly well. Between iPods for the girls and crackers we made it through the trip only hearing "when will we get there" a few times and the worst whining coming from Eileen who didn't like having to hear my audio book! :) (LOL - I'm sure she will like Jane Austen someday - but hey she's 4 - I guess i can understand it she doesn't get it yet!) We got in around 5am the next morning having driven straight through (except potty breaks and meal breaks)

We got what rest we could before then next day then spent the next day going on walks, finding treasure and playing with Grandpa Francone. The kids were comfortable with him right away and loved traipsing around while mommy and daddy tried to recover from the all night drive!! We also managed to hit the area just in time for Burro Days. This is one of those awesome local events that they do every year. So that night we went down to Fairplay to check out the activities - including a BBQ and a barn dance. Unfortunatly Eileen wasn't feeling so hot by this time - so we left shortly after eating dinner.

The next day we found a church building and attended the Frisco Ward. We went from Frisco, Texas to Frisco, Colorado. The funniest part was that there were a couple other people visiting there from our home stake! There we actually more visitors in Sunday School than ward members. The second week, Anna and Aaron took the nursery numbers from 1 kid to 3 kids. After church, my Uncle Stuart came up with his 4 kids to play with us for the afternoon. The kids had a blast playing Twister and having fun with their cousins. Eileen was so funny to watch play Twister! She kept getting her right and left mixed up! :)

The next day we got all geared up to go fishing. Eileen and Anna got to take poles that my sister and I fished with when we were kids. We walked to a near by pond and Dan and Grandpa cast and then the girls would wind the reel. Technique may have been lacking, but it was fun and while their attentions spans lasted they really got a kick out of it! So after about an hour we walked back for lunch and nap times.

On Tuesday, we climbed into the back of Grandpa's pick up truck (well Dan and the kids did - I sat shot gun) and went up Mosquito Pass. Mosquito Pass requires 4-wheel drive, and for good reason too!! The scenery was stunning, the ride was bumpy and Eileen's favorite part was getting high enough to find snow. We made it as high as the North London Mine and got out and played and looked around before heading back down the mountain. Eileen loved the snow!! Anna loved it once she got over slipping and falling on it. Aaron even got into the snow-throwing action by grabbing Aaron sized handfulls and tossing them a foot or so away. Then we all snuggled back up in the truck for a bumpy ride back.

Wednesday we went down to Breckenridge where we soon outfitted ourselves in tourist-y sweaters (having forgotten to pack any) We walked around enjoying the ambiance. I found a fun quilting shop and the kids found an awesome toy shop. We then headed for a park/playground area for a picnic lunch and some play time. The kids had a blast!

Thursday evening more people starting arriving. Dan's brother Paul and his wonderful family came up to play with us and my Aunt Tina and cousin Frankie came up. We managed to get a fire going and roasted marshmellows for s'mores. After getting all good and gooey, we went inside and put the younger kids down to bed and we started teaching Aunt Tina how to play Settlers of Catan. Tina was soon hooked on the game, but Paul's oldest daughter Bianca CREAMED us all!! She beat us old fogeys soundly!

Friday we went down to South Park City which is a restored mining town. We got to walk around the buildings, climb on trains and old mining carts. We checked out the old equipment and drug stores and lots of other neat exhibits. Eileen kept comparing the mining displays to "what the dwarfs do in Snow White" It was cute to see her make that connection. Also my Uncle Frank and their old foreign exchange student Bernard came up. We played settlers again and to Tina's major excitement - she won! :)

Saturday the Jones' headed down to Breckenridge again for more playing. Saturdays are much busier!! They had a cool gold panning exhibit going on, so the kids got to try their hands at panning for gold. Then once again we went to the play ground to eat and play. That evening we roasted hot dogs outside and Paul made his famous Dutch oven Peach Cobbler. Once agian we got all sooty, sticky and deliciously full!! Aaron didn't want his hot dogs cooked, he just wanted to chew on them! That night Paul and Candace started for home. :( The kids had such a good time playing with their cousins and getting to know them.

The next day we went to church again and then in the afternoon we walked to a neighbor to see her horses. They were beautiful and the girls loved looking at them and feeding them snacks. Then we started getting ready to take off.

Monday morning bright and early we headed for home and after a LONG stormy trip (LOL - we actually got hailed on in AUGUST!!) we arrived safely at home.

In addition to all this (there's MORE!!! - yep) no day was complete with out going on walks and collecting wild flower and lots of coloring and swinging on the tire swing. I think we exhausted my Grandpa!! But Eileen told us on the way home that she was going to miss him and asked when he could come visit us. So at least wonderful memories have been made!

This trip has reminded me of a few things:

1. Colorado is GORGEOUS!!!! The landscape there is just stunning!!!
2. I LOVE my family - immediate and extended. I love spending time with them!!
3. I don't like dry - i seriously missed the Texas humidity. :)
4. I LOVE my bed. I'm so glad Dan and I got that bed when we got married and I have NEVER regretted it. I missed it this trip!
5. Traveling with kids may be possible after all....
6. I'm so glad we made this trip before purchasing a new vehicle - between spilled crackers, hail storms, and the like - I'm glad it went to a car that is on it's way out anyway!! :)

Ok if you made it to the end of this travel log - you must really love us - so WE LOVE YOU TOOO!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Our week

We had a rather busy week (especially considering my general reluctance to go anywhere!!!) Monday we went to the sprinkler park and had tons of fun in the sun and water. The kids love going there and playing with other kids and I like it because we can go play in the water with out all the stresses that come with the pool and 3 small kids who can't swim.... :) Plus it's about the only place where it is bearable to be outside in the summer here!

Tuesday night was Enrichment for me. It was nice to get out of the house and spend time with other women! The kids never like it when I go, but I'm always a bit more sane for having gone.

Wednesday was Anna's first dentist appointment. She did so well!!! She sat still the whole time (and Anna NEVER sits still for more than 1 minute) and she followed all their instructions. Mommy was very happy that it was a painless ordeal for all involved. Her teeth are healthy and though the front tooth is chipped, at least it isn't dead.

Thursday night I went out with some girls in the ward so we could all hang out with a friend who had moved away and was back visiting while she packed and moved some stuff. We had a great time eating and talking - so much so that I didn't get home until almost 11. :)

Friday we had friends over. Natalie and Mia Walker came over to play. The kids loved having a friend over and Anna and Mia get a long well.

Saturday was the usual chores. The kids kept asking when we were going to go somewhere and Dan and i just kept telling them over and over - we AREN"T!!!! we're staying home!!!

Well Dan's waiting for me to go to bed - so Good Night all!!!

Sparkly Lips and Smoothies

We took the kids to Walmart to spend some of their money that they had earned. The girls had fun looking at the toys and considering their options and deciding what they most wanted, that was in their price range. Anna very excitedly chose a barbie. (Mommy was just glad that it was a barbie that didn't have lots of small parts and lots of removable clothing!) Eileen's choice was one that I was reluctant about. She decided that she wanted a make up kit. She decided that this was what she most wanted and I made sure she understood rules that would surround it's use. That afternoon during nap time she got our her make up kit and had fun putting sparkly stuff all over her lips and eyeshadow all over her eyes. She then moved on to mommy. Thankfully she knows that boys DON'T wear make up!! She had TONS of fun walking around making kissy faces and showing off her sparkly lips. She was so cute!!

Sunday was tiring as usual. I got a call Saturday night from Eileen's teacher that she was sick and needed a sub. So I got to teach her CTR class. We had a fun lesson on missionaries and how the Lord blesses those who serve missions. We talked about Ammon in the Book of Mormon and about missionaries today. We got a visit from our ward missionaries and also got to talk a bit about Eileen's Grandparents who are serving a mission in Singapore. For a group of 4-5 year olds they are SO SMART! And so sweet!

We had smoothies as part of dinner and the kids LOVE to help make smoothies. Their part is to put in the ice. Aaron is starting to get old enough that he HAS to participate in everything his sisters do, so here he is on the counter helpin make the smoothie. After we walked over to our friends house to visit and play. The kids had fun and tired themselves out completly!! YEY!

The Doctor....

Anna and Aaron both had well child check ups today. Aaron's 18 month check up and Anna's 3 year old check up.

Anna was so cute and so well behaved! She got to stand on the big girl scale and stand up to get measured. She got to do an eye test and a hearing test. She got her finger pricked and didn't cry at all, she drew pictures for the doctor and was very good at doing what was asked of her. She is average height and a bit on the skinny side. She is smart and the doc was impressed with her drawing abilities.

Aaron was also a sweetie! I think he was just showing off for the nurses! He let them measure and weigh him with no problems while I took Anna to the bathroom. He didn't cry when he got his shot (though he promptly pulled off the bandaid!) And he climbed all over the doctors office. He was also average for height and a bit further on the skinny side. (WHERE DOES HE PUT IT!!! - the kid eats more than I do!!!)

So we aren't breeding basketball players, but we do have a couple of healthy, happy kids who are growing up healthy and strong. (Must be all those prayers..."Dear Heavenly Father, Thanks Thee for this day, please bless the food will help us be healthy, name of Jesus Christ AMEN")

Happy 4th of July

This year for the 4th, we went down to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Their HOA puts does a small parade through the neighborhood each year. The kids can ride their bikes behind a fire truck - Dan and I weren't up for this and I doubt the kids would have lasted long either because of all the hills, but we hung out at the end location and got arms (instead of cheeks) painted, and had snacks and got to check out the fire truck. After we went back to my parent's house to swim and have lunch.

If all that wasn't enough to exhaust Dan and I.... I mean the kids.... after we went to hang out with our friends the Walker's to play and have some AMAZING food. All in all, it was a fun day, and we all collapsed at the end of it!

It was also neat to have a chance to talk to Eileen about what this holiday is about. Trying to explain to her about freedom and how blessed we are to live in this country. Last night while looking at quotes about Freedom, I came across some really interesting ones that really got me thinking. So here for your philosophical pleasure is one of my favorites. It really got me thinking about how freedom was perceived by our fore fathers and how it is perceived by many today.

There are two freedoms - the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true, where he is free to do what he ought. ~Charles Kingsley

I hope that I can teach my children the true meaning of Freedom, and that they will grow up understanding that with the freedom to choose, comes the responsibility to choose wisely.

Bottle Rockets

Eileen has been talking for months now about building a rocket. We told her that since Grandpa is rocket scientist, he could build one for her, but it would talk a LONG time. She was growing impatient (asking every day if it was done) when Dan came up with an idea. So they went to Lowe's for some parts and spent the afternoon building a bottle rocket. Then for Family Home Evening, we all went outside and fired off the bottle rocket until the air compressor no longer had enough oomph to get it launched. The kids had so much fun launching it and getting wet.

Happy Birthday Anna

Well this has been a crazy week! The grand finale being yesterday which was Anna's birthday. We have spent the week visiting teaching, partying, and exhausting our selves.

Aaron has become very curious lately. He has figured out how to un-screw lids and has taken every opportunity to get into thing and then cover himself in them. Between scrubs, and diaper rash cream (see pic!) he now has the softest skin ever!!!! Soft as his own back side (as Dan said)

I had my first ever Pampered Chef party...one person came.... :) (THANKS DIANNA!) but we still had a fun time making a VERY yummy chocolate and strawberry cake!

Thursday Night, we went down to my parent's house to celebrate Anna's birthday. My dad took off the next day for a reunion and we wanted to celebrate with him before he left. We swam in the pool, grilled hot dogs and hamburgers and had lots of fun. The girls always love getting to see their Grandparent's and their Aunt and Uncle. Anna really got into the whole opeining presents this year. She would open something and then say "Oooohhhh I REALLY like this!!!" She got some really cute clothes from her Great Grandma Penny, a purse from her Aunt and Uncle and Princess sheets and "The Grouchy Ladybug" game from Grandma and Grandpa.

Friday night, Dan and I went to the temple and bumped into an old friend. It was nice to see her and chat with her again. It was also nice to have a night away from the kids :)

Saturday was Anna's birthday and party. We got up in the morning to get some cleaning and chores done. After, some of Anna's friends came over for water fighting, jumping on to the love sac and eating pizza, cake and ice cream. I let Anna pick her own cake mix and she picked pink! Pink cake mix, pink frosting, pink sprinkles, pink ice cream and pink plates and cups. LOL! She has never shown such a pink obsession before, but now it seems to be her favorite color! All the kids seemed to have lots of fun. Anna especially! After the party was over she wanted to play with EVERYTHING!! She got a fun bingo-type game, a tea set, a book, bubbles, finger paints and side walk chalk, and sunglasses and a princess towel. She also got a pair of earrings from Great Grandpa Francone (which she is VERY excited about) and a couple necklaces and bracelets - one set of which came from Grandma and Grandpa Jones. Mommy and Daddy are boring - we just gave her a blanket for her bed. Daddy set up the bunk bed for the girls in their room so Aaron can sleep on the trundle bed after the baby is born. She was less than thrilled until she realized what it was for! Now she loves it! :)

A friend from the ward also dropped off a couple of her old Cabbage Patch Dolls which the girls have been playing with non-stop since then. They are loving diapering and changing their clothes and such.

Sick = Boring...

We had a rather uneventful week. When I got Aaron up from bed Tuesday morning he was wheezing so we took him in to his doctor and they sent us home with our very own nebulizer and some meds. He's still a tad congested, but generally feeling MUCH better and no more wheezing. Well shortly around the time Aaron started getting sick - so did I. So Aaron and I have been stuffy and icky feeling all week. We haven't gotten to see any of our friends or go anywhere (other than the doc's office.) I also had a check up on Wednesday. The girls got to stay at Grandma's and play while I took Aaron with me. Then we all had lunch together.

Eileen and Anna got to spend the night down at Grandma and Grandpa's playing with Aunt Sandi and Uncle Jon. They had a blast!!! They got to go swimming, play with an EZ bake oven, go on walks, watch a movie, sleep in a tent in the living room and play with the dog Mojo. While they partied, Me and my boys went out for dinner at Kenny's Burger Joint and then went to look at new vehicles.

Saturday was chore day and "get ready for Father's Day" day. :) Then for Father's Day, the girls and I got up early to make biscuits for Daddy for breakfast. The girls punched out flamingo, palm tree and butterfly shaped biscuits just for him. Then we went down and had dinner with my parents and Sandi and Jon. Now I just need to sleep for a week.... :)

NIGHT!!!!

School's Out For Summer!!

So what does that mean for a family that has no kids in school???? - Not much.... :P Dan did get 3 days off between the end of School and the start of Summer School - that was nice. :) But now he's back and life is back to the same routine. We did manage to have some fun and get stuff done around the house though. :) Tuesday we went down to my parents house to swim and have dinner. The kids just loved seeing their grandparents, and Sandi and Jon and Mojo. Anna and Eileen just LOVE the pool. They love playing and splashing and swimming around in their tubes. Aaron got put into his little floatie and liked it ok, but it wasn't his favorite thing in the world. I think he would have prefered more freedom, but mommy is still too nervous around pools! After we had hamburgers and hot dogs and played some more!

We also went to the spray ground again this week. We met up with some friends there and had lots of fun splashing around with the Tolberts and the Alcalas. Aaron LOVES the spray ground. He is so funny to watch and to play with.

Saturday was chore day again. The girls had completed all their chores for the week and so were able to do some extra work around the house to earn some money. All 3 kids had lots of fun cleaning and helping out. After earning their money, seperating out tithing and savings, they decided that the wanted to spend some money. So we went to Walmart to look around the toy aisle. Eileen had decided that she wanted a "Littlest Pet Shop" toy and so she looked until she had found one she liked in her price range and very seriously determined that the butterfly one was exactly what she wanted. Anna wandered around looking at things and picking out things that were WAY out of her price range before finally settleing on a "Princess ball" that she has hardly let out of her sight since.

Right before lunch, Aaron got his hair cut. He has been needing a bit of a trim for awhile now, so Dan pulled out the clippers, sat him in his high chair and we buzzed him. Not totally, but since his hair is so fine and so fair it looks like we did. He looks so much nicer now - but older too... :(

Sunday was the normal cranky kids and tired parents! I sat in Nursery with the kids today to help out and Anna and Aaron loved having me in there with them. It is always fun to watch them interact with other kids. Then after church, we enjoyed a yummy dinner and Dan and Anna and Aaron made a YUMMY peach cobbler for us all, and then enjoyed licking the beaters!

Chores????

So we decided to try something new this week. We started Monday night and set it up for Family Home Evening and have been going all week. We have started a system of chores. The girls have a few chores that we expect them to do every day. If they finish those chores, then on Saturday, they have the option of doing extra chores to earn spending money. They can earn up to their age in dollars. So after making sure the girls made their beds and cleaned up their toys each day, we all spent Saturday morning working around the house. We had a list of chores they could help with and how much they were worth. After the morning was over we payed the girls and helped them put their 10th in to tithing and another 10th in to savings and the rest into spending. We gave them 3 little jars each (haha, I'll post pictures once I make them cute!) All in all it's worked so far and the kids are actually excited about doing chores! :P
We also went to the spray ground on Momday with a bunch of people from the ward. The kids had a ball and (despite my best attempts at putting sun screen on them) came home sunburned - except Eileen. We also came home exhausted!!! :) Other than that, we kept busy all week and tired ourselves out in the normal ways!

I have decided that I don't like libraries as much when school is out. Friday we went to the library and it was a ZOO and there wasn't even story time this week...think we may have to make a different day our library day...

Popsicles!!!!

We've had a fun week. A busy week, but a fun one. On Memorial Day, we did NOTHING!!!! Daddy was home and we went no where and just spent all day cleaning and playing at home. It was sooo nice! No commitments, nothing. Just having fun being together. We had a water fight for Family Home Evening and then the kids got a real treat - Popsicles!! We don't eat stuff like that much, so the kids LOVED it! Below are some pictures of them enjoying their popsicles.

These are some scrapbooking pages that I've done this week. Eileen has been scrapbooking with me while the other kids nap. She sits in my lap and tell me where to put each picture and which papers to use and where to put the cute little embellishments. It's been fun doing this together as mommy/daughter bonding time. Plus these are about the only pic I took this week, so I figured I'd let you see the more interesting versions! :)


So Tuesday was Eileen's Last day of Preschool (yes I took pics of this, but they aren't all that impressve and I'm gonna scrap them later!) Eileen had tons of fun. We did a little party with ice cream, and gave them their little certificates of completion. She's had so much fun doing this, but is so sweet and optimistic about the changes that will happen for next year.

Wednesday we spent the morning at our friends house and got to make YUMMY pizza's for lunch! (Lori - AWESOME idea, the kids LOVED it!!)

Thurdsay we met Dan at school for his BPA end of year party for the students and had fun running around, and eating more pizza. (though not as good as Lori's)

Friday was Library Day!! The kids LOVE going to the library. They love looking at books and choosing books to put in their bags. They love being read to and "reading" to me. After we went to the playground to play and eat lunch and met Lori and Evonne for a nice picnic. The kids love getting together with friends and running out their excess energy!! (haha, I like it too for that matter!)

Saturday was our Stake Enrichment Conference. It was AWESOME!! I was asked to be part of a musical number for the opening part and was so glad I went! The spiritual uplift was incredible and even though the kids (and Dan) missed me all morning, I think they will find them selves glad to find a mommy who is in a much better mood! :P

Today of course we had some great lessons and speakers in church and I'm so grateful for these opportunities I've had to 'fill my lamp' and to prepare for another week.

This is the last week of school for Dan and we are looking forward to a week off before he starts Summer School.

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

Ok, so Dan's birthday is on the 19th. The day of, he took the day off work and we spent the day playing together and just relaxing. We walked around the pet store with the kids and laughed as they got excited over every animal they saw. Then we spent the afternoon playing together and making daddy's cake. Finally we had a few friends over that evening for cake and Ice Cream. Dan and Eileen tried to make a pinata together for the kids to whack at during the party. They had a rough start of it, because they couldn't get it to dry, but eventually they just used it with its one layer of paper mache and it worked since most of the kids were under 8. They played with water balloons and just had lots of fun!

Saturday we celebrated again with my parents by spending the morning on the boat. Dan, Eileen and my dad were the only ones brave enough to get in the cold water. Dan took Anna and Aaron out in the tube (which was ok with Anna because she wasn't actually 'in' the water)

Today we got a new Bishop, since the old one got called into the Stake Presidency. It was a really neat experience and a great Sacrement Meeting....I just wish I could have heard some of it.... I think that we are the ward joke now. Today during the Sacrement, Anna and Aaron bonked heads pretty good and started crying loudly. After about 10 seconds Dan and I couldn't get them calmed down. We exchanged glances, picked up all 3 kids and walked out. Everyone in the ward (ourselves, the Stake Presidency and the Bishopbric included) were trying VERY hard not to laugh out loud. We were quite a sight. Me with a girl in each arm and Dan with Aaron.