{Reconnecting}

We purchased my parents a web cam a couple of years ago and I love that we can reconnect with them so easily even though we are several states apart!  However, it seems like our kids turn into the Energizer Bunny whenever we try to skype and their voices go up three octaves making it very hard to hear!  They each want to be in front of the computer and hate taking turns.  They do love showing off any new tricks they've mastered that week.  This week Mya was able to demonstrate he tongue clicking skills!

 Owen was showing Ge and Grandad his battle wounds from his fall off Fish Head Rock.

 Mya was excited to share her popcorn with Ge!  Ge LOVES popcorn!

Besides reconnecting with my parents this week, we also had the great privilege of having my Aunt Shirley and Uncle Harold from Kansas come out for a visit!   Aunt Shirley is my dads sister.   They were fortunate to be here in California and missed the blizzards that have been covering Kansas with snow!

   Our kids quickly warmed up to them!

We had an enjoyable dinner together and I loved hearing all the updates on my cousins.  I'm hoping my Aunt will take the initiative and plan an Elliott reunion, so we can all reconnect!  I sure do love my family!!!!

{Love Red}

I recently added a new pair of shoes to my closet and Mya loves them as much as I do.....

and so does somebody else!!!!

{Owen's Guardian Angels}

Today we went  hiking with the Patterson family out at Fish Head Rock.  We love going to Fish Head Rock!  We have been going there since my dad discovered and named it 5 years ago. We go out as a family and let the dogs run free and let the kids climb rocks and burn some energy.  

Enjoying Fish Head Rock last fall

The boys and I decided that we would rollerblade the couple miles outside of town to Fish Head Rock and meet up with the Pattersons and Kenny and the kids there.

The country road out to Fish Head Rock was filled with pot holes and sand, which made for not that easy of a ride!  We got a little more anxious about being out there after a lady stopped us to warn us about bobcats!  Ian after that was ready to turn around and rollerblade back home!  However, I reassured  them we would be fine and we made it out there none the less.  

We were glad when Darcy and Shawn came to meet us with our shoes.  They had brought Owen and Mya with them because Kenny, who was supposed to go hiking with us, got called in on an emergency goat C-section.  

The kids were all excited to be there and quickly went running for the first set of rocks they saw. 

Owen, Drew, Brody and Orin

The boys were all raising their hands and yelling, "I'm the king of the world!"

They then all took off running ahead of us and went up to the bigger rock, Fish Head Rock.  As I was going slower holding onto Mya, I saw Owen up on top of the rock.  He raised his arms again and started yelling, "I'm the king of the......" as I watched him step forward and go falling off the steep 10 ft edge to the ground!  My heart stopped and I went running up the hill to him.  I was horrified to look and see how he landed, but luckily he was on his stomach and had just missed a big pile of rocks.  He was bleeding from his eye and nose, but I was more concerned about broken bones.  He was crying and shaking as I scooped him up in my arms.  My first thought was, I need Kenny... I can't believe he is not here right now... he would know what to do!  I tried to remain calm and just asked him where it hurt and had him move his limbs around.  He was pretty scraped up and scared,  but seemed to be okay!  

I called Kenny and he was busy doing chest compressions on a dying goat he had just sewn up after performing a c-section.  He finished up quickly and came out to rescue us!  I carried Owen in my arms and thought the whole time, it could have been so much worse! Owen's guardian angels were looking out for him today.  I am so grateful the Lord had answered my prayers this morning, when I asked for protection over my children.   

Owen is my little Super Hero and I'm not sure if he thought he was Superman for a moment and could fly off that rock, but he quickly learned the hard way that he forgot his cape!

I am so grateful for our dear friends Darcy and Shawn who were out there helping me!  I would have been a basket case if I would have been by myself with my kids.  When I saw Owen fall, I left Mya and said, "Wait here for Darcy."  It was such a scary moment and I was blessed to have them there for support.  

The image in my head of seeing Owen fall is horrible.  While I can't stop thinking about it, the thought of not having him in my life is even worse!  I can not even begin to imagine my life without my little Super Hero!  I love him dearly and thank God that he is okay, minus some scrapes.  We are so blessed and I thank my Heavenly Father for his love and protection!

{Cheap Circus}

Since we had a week off of school for President's week, I had to find some ways to entertain the kids.  My friend told me a circus was coming to town and that tickets were only $5.  We thought that made for some cheap entertainment! 

 When we arrived at the circus we saw one trailer with some small dog cages outside.  We quickly realized why the tickets were so affordable!!!

 The kids weren't that impressed with how small the arena was, but the minute Crissa started handing out cotton candy, they didn't think anything about it and the real fun began!

Drew, Tristan, Tanner, Ryder, and Owen

Bella, Avery, and Mya


They kids thought this act was pretty impressive!
We quickly realized as one person went from performing to then running around selling peanuts that this was a single family who put on the traveling circus.  

Mya wants to be an acrobat too!

We didn't get to ride on elephants or see any animals other than dogs, however, the kids still giggled through the whole circus and filled up on junk!  It made for a fun afternoon!

{Mya's Fun Days}

 Mya's preschool group went for a field trip to Petco for story time.  She loved getting to sit in a cat bed as she was read stories about cats.

She was thrilled looking at the animals, but was even more excited to pretend like she was a puppy!  Puppy Elliot and puppy Mya in their dog house!

After Petco, the neighborhood kids gathered to plant a flower garden!   

I love being out in the sunshine in February playing in the dirt!

My social butterfly, Mya, always with a friend!

 Elliot used to be know as Mya's neighborhood friend, however she is now called, "sister!"

The two never want to leave each other's side and spend hours a day together.

I'm so grateful they have each other and that Mya is surrounded by fun little kids her age!

On Sunday Mya asked me to play princess with her.  I surprised her and put on an old bridesmaid dress that she has never seen.   When she saw me, her eyes were huge and she was beaming, she said, "Mom you look BEAUTIFUL!"  We then danced throughout the house.  She then put a spell on me that made me fall fast asleep.   She ran to Prince Daddy to come and awake me with a kiss!

I can not imagine my life without my little princess!   She has so much spirit and spunk and brings me so much joy!!!  I love her dearly!!!!

{Pack Meeting}

Ian joined boy scouts when he turned 8 and has loved getting to do fun projects and hang out with friends!  He was very excited to attend his first pack meeting.  He was asked to assist in the color guard and felt very proud.  

Ian and his buddy Tanner

The scouts worked on a service project where they made cards for children battling cancer in the Loma Linda Children's Hospital.

 Ian presented me with a mother's pin.

 Then Kenny flipped Ian upside down, which is a tradition at your first pack meeting, while I pinned on him his bobcat badge.  It is hung upside down and can be flipped around after doing an act of service.  Ian was able to flip his badge around later that evening when he consoled an upset Owen by reading him books.

We had a fun evening and I loved watching Drew and Ian receive awards for completing scouting achievements.  These boys are growing up way to quickly and I am so proud of their many accomplishments!  They are on their way towards earning their Eagle Scout Award!

{Be Mine Valentine}

 I Love Valentines Day and enjoy showing the people I love just how much they mean to me!

We came home the night before Valentines day to this sight on our front door!

We had been "Heart Attacked!"

I pieced some things together and realized it was from our dear friends Darcy and Shawn.  Some of the hearts were addressed to Kenny, referring to his cuteness, and I knew that had Shawn written all over it!  We have the best of friends!

I was grateful for Darcy cutting out hearts for our front door, so that I could use them to decorate my table with Valentines morning!  

I attempted to make heart pancakes for the kids and a few of them turned out recognizable!  However, many of them did not....

My sweet little Valentines!!!  

 Kenny gave me a huge Valentines surprise and picked out and bought me leather boots!  I was shocked because he has never bought me shoes before.   I love them!!!   He never ceases to amaze me!

The way to Kenny's heart is his stomach!  I surprised him with these beauties!

Mya had a Valentines party at preschool.

Mya's preschool buddies!

Finished Valentine Craft

She was pretty proud of her heart cup cake she decorated!

The boys came home with tons of candy from school and a major sugar high!  I was grateful for an early night, so I could spend the evening with my hubby!  It was a great Valentines Day!  I love and adore my family!

{Party Week}

February has been filled with birthday celebrations for our friends!   We attended four parties just this week!  Our first party was on Tuesday and was for Mya's little neighbor friend Elliot.  We enjoyed playing outside in the beautiful sunshine, going through an obstacle course.  

 Mya chose her outfit for the party!  She told me, "I want a party skirt to twirl in!"  She made a great choice!

 Elliot and Mya!

Three days later, we went to Luke's birthday party in the snow!!!

Gotta love the random California Weather!

My kids were ecstatic to see the snow!  Growing up in Kansas, I am used to snow and really don't think much of it.  I forget my kids are California kids!

Unfortunately, the snow melted a couple of hours later.  

Because of the snow, the jumper was moved inside the house!  Thankfully they have really tall ceilings!

The next party was for adults!  I loved getting to go out with the girls to celebrate Darcy's birthday!  She is one of my coolest friends and I love her!  We dined at the Haven and ate scrumptious cupcakes!

Owen was the only one who attended the fourth party, which I did not get a picture of.  It was a batman party and he did say, "It was soooo COOL!"

Our party week left me tired and on a sugar rush, but it was totally worth it!  I love our friends and am so glad we were able to celebrate their special day with them!

{Good Bye Training Wheels}

Owen's training wheels have been off now for a couple of months.   He has been much more resistant to learning to ride without training wheels than his older brothers were.  He has been riding around our cul-de-sac, but did not seem to really enjoy riding his bike anymore and kept requesting that we put his training wheels back on.  We decided we needed to go out on a long family bike ride to build up his confidence and to be far enough away from home that he couldn't quit or he would have to walk home!

After A LOT of whining on Owen's part, we ventured out on our bikes.  Of course we had to bribe him to go with us, promising a chance to jump on our friends trampoline if he rode to their house.  However, only a few blocks from our house and nonstop bickering, he rode and fell right into a bush and wouldn't get up!  At this point, Kenny and the other 3 kids, yes Mya included, were way a head of us and I was left to deal with this!!!!

To get him to stand up I had to be the mean mom and tell him I was leaving, which I started to do!

We have to push Owen to do anything physical, but it always pays off in the end!  Not only did he rally, but he rode the whole 2 miles!    

 Drew and Ian slowed down long enough to let Owen be the leader for awhile, which made him ride even faster!

The beginning of the bike ride started out horribly, but by the end he decided that he did not need to put his training wheels back on!

Daddy and Mya

She could ride her bike all day without a single complaint!

I am so grateful for the beautiful winter weather we enjoy in Sunny California that permits us to go on family bike rides!