Soccer 2016

We have 3 kids in soccer this season.

We decided to give a program called Upward a try. It is through a local church and it is a Christian based sports organization. They have programs all over and do multiple sports. There is prayer and a bible lesson at each practice.  Also, all of the games and practices are at the same field.  The games are either at 9 or 10 am and our 3 kids practice on the same night at 5:30, 6:00 and 6:30.  The times and one field are a huge reason I am loving this program. 

 Arabella has never played soccer before but she is fast and is learning to be a bit more aggressive. 

 Peter is coaching Jon's team and it has been a good experience for both of them. 

Jon has played before but he is learning some new skills in control.

 Lily seems tiny on the field but she is pretty fast.  She has not really figured out that she should not just chase the ball or those with the ball but that she should get in there and try to kick the ball too. She is fast and has been improving. 

 It was a bit chilly this morning and so Sam and I bundled up in a blanket. 

I am so thankful that my kids have healthy bodies and they can use them to learn new skills and try new things. 

Samantha turns 2

Okay so this happened 11 days ago.

I can not believe my baby is 2! 

She is fiery, sweet, shy at times, a momma's girl, inquisitive, active, a climber, a helper, a follower at least for now, demanding, giggly, and a puppy lover. 

 She loves Minnie Mouse.

 I love the words she is trying to say each day and more and more are becoming clear. 

 I love that her brothers and sisters dote on her.

 She loves to color- unfortunately she colors on everything: herself, the walls, furniture, and at times paper and coloring books too. 

 It was the sweetest thing to watch her gently blow on the candles to blow them out. 

 In the end, I helped her out. 

Samantha Joy, you were an act of faith for me and you are among my dearest blessings. I see in you how Heavenly Father trusts us to when we place our trust in Him. You are a beloved daughter of Heavenly Father and of your parents! 

Easter 2016

My pictures are out of order but oh well. 

Sunday morning, our Stake hosted the City of Flower Mound Sunrise Easter Service. 

We were all up and out the door by 6:15 to sing in the choir. 

It was a bit chilly and the cloud cover made the sunrise a little less dramatic then it could have been. 

But, there was a really good turn out or about 2000 people and the choir from our stake had over 300 people in it. 

I love that I live in a place where the city can host a religious service where all faiths are invited and we can celebrate our Savior, Jesus Christ and that he did not only did die for us but He rose again.

 Lily's preschool Easter Egg Hunt. 

 Then we had a ward Easter egg hunt at a nearby park.  Arabella was really brave and invited her teacher Mrs. Camp who came and brought her adorable daughter Lily. 

My Lily must have been the only one to hold still long enough for me to snap a picture of at the hunt. 

 And Peter Rabbit in the giant Easter Basket. 

The kids suggested to us that we text the tooth fairy (we have had to do that before) and have her tell the Easter Bunny to come to our house while we were at church due to our Sunrise service and then 8:30 church.  That great bunny obliged our needs and brought this giant basket with giant plastic eggs for each child instead of individual baskets. Jon felt it was a little anti-climatic compared to last year. But they were all happy to have candy, new swimming suits and goggles as well as a different little prize for each. Joseph and Jon each received a Disney pin that they really wanted. Arabella received a non-digital watch (what she really wanted). Lily received some new head bands and shopkins and Samantha found a minnie bow and some little palace pets. 

We had a great day of enjoying the spirit of our Savior and time as a family.

Mom's Birthday

I had a great birthday! 

 Famous pancakes

 A much needed haircut with a new style.

 A date with my husband and some friends to a hockey game which the Stars won (that was really nice of them to do that for my birthday)!

The next day, Sunday, I was excited to sport the new dress and accessories sent by my parents and sisters. 

My birthday dinner was on Sunday and it was delicious! 

Zucchini Con Carne, Spinach Strawberry Salad, and Upside Down German Chocolate Cake (we did not tip it soon enough for it to actually be upside down). Delicious! I am thankful actually for these slightly goofy pictures of me because they show how I hope my children will remember me: smiling, happy, enjoying life and loving them and my time with them. I know I am not always sunshine and roses but I do hope that the good in me will out way the not so good. 

Here is the recipe for the cake. 

Although the recipe I had from the box had you melt a stick of butter and add the coconut and pecans to that and then put that on the bottom of the pan followed by the cake batter and then the dollops of cream cheese frosting mixture. Yummy!!

Disney Device 3 Day 5, 6, & 7

 The rockets while Dad and the big kids rode on Star Tours. I am horrible at Selfies.

 Casey Junior may have been one of the longest lines we stood in.  Although, we made it to within 10 people of the front of a long Peter Pan ride and it stopped working.  It took about 5-10 minutes and it was up and running again.

 The Majestic Matterhorn

 Watch out folks! 

 This was such a fun character meet and greet! 

 "So Joseph, how do you plan to dig that hole?"

"Well Dad, I am going to lay here and reach down as far as I can."

"I bet if I get down in there we can widen this and you will be able to dig even deeper."

That hole was impressive in the end. 

 I believe she has a future in swimsuit modeling. 

 We could have easily played for a few more hours! 

 We ended the day with some delicious In n Out Burger!

And finally, home again, home again jiggity, jig! 

It was so good to eat at home, around our table, and share our thoughts about our trip and the adventures we had. 

Disney Device 3 Day 3 & 4

 Give me the guacamole and everything will be okay!

 Okay, she did share some. 

 Jon vs the burrito; the burrito won- it was massive. 

 The La Brea Tar Pits 

 Lily's first time on Cars!

 I love the Tower of Terror!

First time on California Screamin'!