30 POUNDS

I have lost 30 pounds as of today! That is how much Hannah weighs! That is a crazy thought!!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Cat!!

This kitty lives in our court yard in the back of our house. She always looks so grouchy. The dogs were barking at her. I just thought it was cute she was sitting in the birdhouse.

Peanut butter & Chocolate Chip cookies

My Dad

Please keep my dad in your prayers.  He had several doctor's appointments yesterday at the Veteran's Hospital.  His test results didn't turn out to well.  The doctor's called mom this morning to bring him back down to the hospital ASAP he is in congestive heart failure.  His breathing is awful.  I will post an update later when I find more out.

Silverware anyone!!

Hannah is getting old enought that she can do simple chores around the house. She loves to put the silverware in the drawers for us. If we start to do this job, she gets so upset and tells us that it is her job!!!

ABC's

Hannah writing her ABC's!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

First Day of School

One of our traditions is to take pictures on the first day of school!! It is hard to believe that Jacob is a freshman in college, Emily is a Junior in high school, and Hannah is starting Pre-K!!

Jacob & DJ

Best of buddies since 2nd grade!

Wanting to go with Jacob!

Our beautiful Children!!

Emily & Ellie

Best of Friends since 2nd grade!!

Our cutie Pie!!

Starting Pre-K!!

Big Questions tonight???

David & I believe that dinner time as a family is very important. This is where we as a family go over our day and just talk! Everyone gets a chance to talk and open up about things they are doing and dealing with. This also gives us a chance as a family to pray together.
 Recently we had an interesting dinner conversation. The kids were asking me about my years in high school......Some of the best memories of those years were with my youth group and my church. But other than that I don't really talk about those years of my life. Don't get me wrong, there are those really good memories, but I have a lot of BAD ones too!!!
 While going through the bad times I never wanted to talk about how I was feeling or what was going on, because I got told that it is "all high school drama" and it didn't matter. What the problem is, is what was going on did matter and did need to be taken care of. Please understand, I was a good kid, but there are certain things where parents need to be aware and active in their child's life. Having to deal with these situations alone (before David and I were married) has made me a stronger person and more aware of the needs of young people. I felt alone a lot, but I knew Christ was there with me through all of my trials. I was a very QUIET kid in school. I still have to know you pretty well before I open up. I think this goes back to me not being able to express my opinions and feelings for things. I was always told that "this is the way life is, just deal with it", but it is not that way. High schoolers have feelings and opinions about things. I believe as parents we need to LISTEN to them and guide them.  Their high school years are the molding years to their adult life.
 Being there for our children is something that David & I try to do all the time.  We want to be the one they come to as their Mom & Dad! When the say the word MOM, MAMA, or MOMMY, and DAD, or DADDY we are the ones who should be answering and NO ONE else. It is like when we call out to our Heavenly Father we want him and no one else.
 I do have one thing that NO one can take away from me, and that is Jesus Christ, no matter what is going on I know that Christ will listen to me!!! This has always been a great help to me.
 David and I have always agreed that as parents we want our kids to have more than we had. I want people to consider me a person who has a voice and opinion on certain things. I would think I have and have had some good ideas and dreams, but as a young person I felt like these ideas and dreams were squashed! I don't want that for our children.  I would hope as a parent I have allowed my children to express their ideas, opinions, & dreams.  I don't want to be a squasher of ideas and dreams!!!.
 Family time around the dinner table can be a wonderful time to express ourselves and grow. I know it is for us!

Santa Cruz!

David & I had a wedding in Pleasanton! So we decided to make a mini vacation out of it.  On Sunday we drove over to Santa Cruz to check it out.  This town is a fun place to hang out.  I would love to take the kids up there someday soon!! David & I had a nice time such walking around & talking!! Our schedules are very busy, so every chance we can to have couple time without the kids we grab it and run!! 

c

A day with my honey!

David & I had a wedding in Pleasanton Ca yesterday. Today we decided to drive over to Santa Cruz to check it out! This is a fun town. Can't wait to bring the kids up here! Maybe over Christmas break.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Santa Cruz

Chocolate chip cookies

I decided to bake cookies for David's football team every Friday night. I baked 7 dozen chocolate chip cookies tonight. Every cookies was gone out of the basket. The boys loved them!!

Hannah enjoying the dough

The dough!!!

Empty basket!!

A Day At Disneyland

We all spent a day at Disney on Sunday. It was definitely a much needed break from home, just to recharge our batteries and chill out a bit as a family.

 Can't go wrong with starting a day out with the best breakfast burritos on earth!

 Really, how can you argue this!?

 Made it! The new entrance to Disney California Adventure looks great!

 First ride! The new Little Mermaid attraction!

 Even the big kids loved it!

 Mickey's Fun Wheel - Mama's not a big fan..

 The two girls!

 Dad took this shot. He likes getting all artsy..

 She loves the Carousel! :)

 Dad using Jake to model and play with his camera.

 The kids in one of our favorite spots in the park.

 Self photo family tradition!

 A couple celebrating their anniversary in the parks was nice enough to ask if we wanted a shot taken like this, we obliged.

 CRAZY FACES!

 Jake and Emily got to ride the new Star Tours, they loved it!

 Later that night at Silly Symphony Swings.

 "I wanna see the new paraaaaaAAAAAaaaaade!"

 I think this is my new favorite shot of Hannah - Jake.

 Dad and Hannah watching the Soundsational Parade.

 Simba!

 And Jake's favorite part of the parade...the girls!

 And Emily's favorite part! ;)

 These costumes were really awesome!

 Emily thought Bert was really cute.

 And Jake thought the same for Mary Poppins.

 World of Color time!

 She LOVES this show.

Little Squirt!