Another California adventure

We got in really late, so we went to bed as soon as we got to my Nana's house. The next morning the kids were up and helping daddy Juan pick berries and other fruit in his backyard

First thing's first...........pedicures! Kylie and Lex had their first pedicure.

I am sure the ladies were glad to get us out of the salon, because Kylie, Lex and I all messed up our toes, and had to go back in for a touch up.
After our toes looked pretty, we had a b.b.q. and I was able to meet Andrew's girlfriend. Lexi loved her right away, and spent most of the night by her side.
The next day I met my friend Nicole at the mall for lunch. The kids loved the play area.........

especially Carson, since there was a Thomas ride

We took a day trip one day to see my grandma, uncle, and great uncle

This is my great uncle Clayton. He lives in a home where he can receive some assistance. He was glad to see the kids.
We also saw my dad's mom and had lunch with her. What a busy day. Too many people to see, and never enough time!

My nana read the kid's a bedtime story pretty much every night.

This is a picture of the Oakland area

My friends and I took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese one day. We were there for several hours.

Sandra, Diana and I

After Chuck E. Cheese. ha.ha

My friend Audrey is having a baby next month! One of the reasons for our trip to California was so that I could go to her baby shower.
I think Carson was the only boy in the place.........he doesn't look to sad about it either!

Sandra, Diana and I. Sandra is another reason for my visit. She has been fighting cancer for over a year now, and she is still giving it her all. She has a bone marrow transplant scheduled for next month. I am SOOO proud of her. Words can't even express how proud. She looks beautiful and does her makeup everyday, dresses up everyday, and most importantly she has the best attitude about everything. I know she has her moments of break-downs........but who wouldn't. She is amazing and I really admire her. It sucks not being able to be there for her more right now, but I am so thankful for technology and the opportunity it gives me to talk to her often. We had a wonderful time. We talked and laughed and even forgot about what she is going through for a little bit.......which is priceless!

The shower was beautiful. Definitely fit for a princess. The food was yummy too

My friend Diana made this beautiful decoration for the baby's room. The butterflies are made out of diapers
Kylie was Audrey's assistant. She helped hand her all the presents and she even helped her open a few.
My mom and my Nana kept saying they had a surprise for me. I found my surprise at the baby shower, when Julie (my nana's daughter) and her two girls Emma and Lauren showed up. They live in Southern California. What a perfect surprise.

Later that night Julie, Sandra, our friend Amber and I went out to dinner and to a movie. We had Thai food. It was delicious and the presentation of it was amazing!

Julie and I

On our last day there we went to the Oakland zoo, and my cousin and her kids met us there

These bats were fascinating

Carson was showing me how the bats hang. He is pretty good at it!

My little spiders

The zoo has some rides for the kids, so we did that at the end. It was a great day!

we all went out to dinner after the zoo. Lexi was exhausted and slept on the bench while we ate.

Here is Lexi snuggling with Emma while watching a movie

On our way to the airport the next day, we stopped at one of my favorite hot dog places.
Traveling with three kids on an airplane is challenging. I couldn't of done it without my mom's help. They did pretty good on the plane. It was just getting on that was a pain. On the way there we had a soda spill and leak all down the isle, on the way home I couldn't find my boarding pass ( the kids had a meltdown a few minutes prior to getting on........it's amazing that I was able to remember what my own name was after that! ha.ha. Then we had a couple of gift bags filled with small toys and it ripped when I picked it up, so I transferred it to another bag which also ripped..............really??

finally at our seats

the happy meals were a great idea! Carson set off the metal detector as we were checking in, we had him take off his belt, and then it when off again, we discovered that he had a little car in his pocket. Everyone was laughing. Love him=)

We were all SO happy to see Kyle. That is the longest we had ever been away from him. Kylie was glued to him for a little bit.
I came home to a perfectly clean house, and some beautiful roses on my table from my amazing hubby. Maybe I should go away more often.........

Fun in the sun

It is probably obvious who I made this cake for. We celebrated my dad's birthday in May, and I wanted to make him a cool cake. I am by no means a good cake decorator.....but this cake was perfect for him. He loves the packers, so that is what I gave him. It was late when I decided to make it. Kyle went to our small local store to get me some supplies and I did my best with what I had=0)He hates pictures, but the kids need to know that their grandpa was around quite a bit.....even if I only get a few pictures a year to prove it. ha.ha
We had a free Saturday last month, so we planned a fun day for the kids. Kyle wanted to take them miniature golfing for the first time. They loved it.
A cute picture on the lizard decoration. I don't know if climbing on them is allowed, but Kyle wanted them to do it.

Waiting for their turn

Lex taking her first swing ever!

We were also able to make it to a great parade that day. These dancing horses are my favorite. I can't imagine the time it takes to train them to do this!

There are lots of interesting things at parades........what more can I say?

My little love bugs waiting patiently for some candy to come their way

Father son campout/ random pictures

My princesses came into my bed one morning after Kyle left for work. So cute to see them snuggling!

My handsome little man all ready for bed=) The turkey is his sleep buddy every now and then.

Looking good for church

Our church does a father and son camp out each year, but since my dad does not go to church.....he Kyle and Carson went on their own camp out. I love this picture of Carson riding in the front. I know it is so good for him to get some male bonding time.........without all of us girls!

He got to do some fishing

And hang out by the fire with lots of snacksThe girls and I stayed home and went shopping and out to eat with my mom. We had a great time. Kylie and Lexi enjoy playing dress up together. Kylie gets herself all dressed up, and then she dresses up her sister. It is sooo cute!
One night Kylie insisted on wearing her princess dress to bed. So here is our sleeping beauty!

Mother's Day and cupcakes

My kids and I on mother's day! They were so good to me. I love them more than they will ever know, and I think it is great to have a day to celebrate motherhood. It is hard work to be a good mom........and exhausting too!

I am also grateful to be able to show my gratitude to my own mom on this day.
I woke up to beautiful flowers, pretty slippers in my favorite color, and a new set of pots and pans. Thanks to my kids and their dad for treating me so well that day!!
Also, I feel so lucky to have made some great friends here in Idaho. My one friend and I have been on a mission to find a great cupcake. They all look so pretty, but don't seem to taste as good as we hope. She made some last month..........and they were fabulous. I was changing my clothes one night when she called and told Kyle she was bringing us some cupcakes. I was laughing, because I had just put on my cupcake jammies! What a coincidence. Kylie and Alexis were still awake to sample the yumminess! I had a hard time saving one for Carson.......but I did! They were the best we've had yet.
I have put on my cupcake jammies a few times since.......but I haven't had any more treats magically appear right after. I guess I need to buy a new pair!

Pre-School Graduation

All ready for kindergarten!!! Kylie and Carson graduated from pre-school. A few other moms and I took turns teaching the kids at home. Kyle was impressed at how much they learned in this short amount of time. They both can write their name and they know the alphabet along with the phonics of each letter. We went on several fun field trips and made lots of fun crafts. It was a success, and it would be fun to do it again sometime.

They had a program for all the parents

The girls jumping on the trampoline

The kids all sang a couple of songs for us, and one of their teacher's read each of their favorite things as she handed them a diploma. She had come over a few days before to ask them some questions and get their handprints. I will put their answers at the bottom. So cute!!

Hot dogs........how can you go wrong with those!

The boys playing in the rocks

more yummy food

this is what we brought

It was a privilege for me to participate in teaching my own kids, along with a few others. Kylie and Carson really blossomed, and it was fun to watch them make friends and learn so much in such little time. These were their questions and answers..........

Favorite Color? Kylie: Purple, Carson: Blue and Orange ( I am sure that has nothing to do with BSU)

Favorite Food? Kylie: hot dogs, Carson: Macaroni and cheese

Favorite thing to do? Kylie: Color, Carson: go to Disneyland

Favorite thing about preschool? Kylie: Writing letters, Carson: making stuff

When I grow up I want to be? Kylie: just like my mom, Carson: a shooter

The last answer was my favorite. I am sure Kylie will want to be something more exciting than just like me, but I couldn't ask for a better compliment from her. That is the nicest thing she could ever say. Melted my heart for sure! And as far as Carson's answer................I am not so sure how I feel about that one. ha.ha.