2009

The New Year is upon us! I hope you all have your wishes granted and that you are surrounded by the people who love you the most! We are looking forward to spending even more time with all of our friends and family in the new year. We are sending you happy thoughts and tons of love.

Scott, Amanda, Lanais, Hunter and Nicolas

The boards dont hit back...

Watch this video of Hunter, very cool.

May I introduce you to Lanais...

Lanais has been working very hard at school. She is a good friend, a good student and all and all a really good girl. Being as candid as I can be and usually am, we really have no idea where this girl came from. She is the ultimate overachiever. I feel bad for her,she really works so hard for everything to be perfect. She has been so busy between soccer, dance and school. She really did a great job of keeping her grades up and (only one B)and staying committed to all her after school activities. I kinda kept hoping something would slip so that I had an excuse to pull her out of something. But nothing ever did so I just wanted to take some time to introduce you to Lanais. Here are pictures of her doing her favorite things.

If we are home, we are often outside doing whatever we want. Lanais prefers her rollerblades over her bike.

Lanais being surprised by the science experiment at the Discovery Center. She went there with her ECL program at school. I truly have no idea what ECL stands for, I was told it is pre-gate program for lower graders. Told ya she was smart.

Sparthenian of the Month (the big award at school)

Did I forget to mention that Lanais takes horse riding lessons too? My mom bought her lessons for her birthday and she is not ready to give them up yet. She is very confident on the horse and when Scott and I went out to watch she got the horse to a nice run all by herself for the first time. It was scary for me to watch... she was thrilled with herself.

Lanais and her brothers at her favorite place on earth...Disneyland. Notice Nic, he hates those giant characters...we think it is funny, we are mean parents.

Soccer...

She has a recital tomorrow night so I will hopefully post some of those pictures soon. I have a feeling she will be something quite spectacular when and as she grows up. It will be a sight to see.

Happy Birthday Nic!!!!!

Finally we are finished with birthday season around here. It gets crazier and crazier every year.

My baby is 3!!!!!!!!!!!

It is the most horrible news. Normally I would be having another baby by now.

He is a very funny guy and 3 is proving to be a challenging age for him (all the others as well). We celebrated by having the family over and it worked out to do it over the Thanksgiving holiday and so the WHOLE family was in town. It was great. We don't get to see everyone enough, but my kids single handily take care of that this time of year.
The following week we invited friends to join us at Chuck E. Cheese for some fun and that is the best place to have 10 three year olds and their siblings. It was tons of fun and thanks to everyone who came. It is truly special for us.

Snake cake...

Evelyn Rose

My brother Jason and his wife Sarah had their 2nd baby on the 2nd of December. She is a beautiful baby. I am thrilled to be an auntie again and the kids are wondering why we are not already in Arkansas to see their new cousin. Congratulations you guys, welcome to the madness.


We love and miss all of you.

Fresno State Football

As most everyone knows, Scott is a HUGE Fresno State fan. He goes to every home game, most away games and just really likes it. We have been to the UCLA game as a family, the San Jose State game, as a family and maybe even to the bowl game (wherever that may be). Those of you with small kids understand what that means. We go with Scott because he loves it and sometimes can tolerate us being there too. At both games Nic had fallen asleep, but only at the San Jose game was I happy about that. It was freezing and he kept me warm. At UCLA it had to have been 100+ degrees in the stadium and he fell asleep on me and I thought I was going to die. We have had a good season (too bad we cant say that for FSU) it was fun hanging out with Daddy and although I think he forgets it sometimes, he is making good memories for the kids, OK maybe just the boys, Lanais is over it already.
Here are some pictures from UCLA


Just to prove we made it to the last quarter, it was soooo miserable I was not sure anyone would believe me.

Lanais' face pretty much sums it up.

Now San Jose...

See the difference

Nic's new way of smiling, very strange

The whole family

Happy Birthday Hunter!!!

My little Hunter is 6. Time goes too quickly. We had the family and friends gather at the park near our house. It started out to be a beautiful day, then it started to rain. Every year I plan a party at the park it rains, it is too funny. We were lucky enough to have good friends in town that weekend as well as my brother was here from Arkansas. We did a backwards party, had cupcakes at the park and then headed to dinner at Hunter's fav pizza place. Everyone came with us and we basically filled the entire parlor. It is good to be surrounded by so many loved ones. So happy birthday Hunter and we love you!

Here are a few pictures...

I'm just saying...

"All, to, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression." Thomas Jefferson, the third President the United States, the principle author of the Declaration of Independence, and one of the most influencial founding fathers.

Mickey Cox Cowgirls

Lanais is about to finish her soccer season as well (note previous post). This is her 3rd year playing and she mostly plays goalie and forward. She has scored a few times and has had countless saves in the goal. I never thought I would have a goalie for a daughter. Everytime she gets scored on I feel it 10 times worse than her. She is slowly showing some passion for the game, she gets angry when they are not doing well and she gets very excited when they do (for those who know Lanais well,you understand how that is significant) She has played with the same core group of girls for 2 seasons and it is a fantastic group of kids. Lanais is extremely busy between soccer, dance and school but she is handling it really well. I am very proud of her hard work.

Here are some pictures...

Mickey Cox Rockets

Hunter played his first season of soccer this year at Mickey Cox. Scott and I coached his little team and it was SOOOOOOOOO much fun. Basically "soccer" at this age is three 5 year olds versus three other 5 year olds on a very tiny field all mashed together fighting for a little bitty soccer ball and trying to make into tiny little nets. It is a total free for all, and very funny to watch.

Hunter turned out to be a good little player he understands the field well, he has really good ball control, he gets the difference between offense and defense and does a great job of changing back and forth. Hunter made many new friends as did Scott and I. We are looking forward to many years of watching our kids play sports, this was just a taste.

Here are some pictures...

Happy Birthday Lanais!!!!!!!!!!!

My baby is 8!!! I can not believe how fast times goes by. Having kids was not always a guarantee for Scott and I, and now look at them, all 3 of them. It is kinda crazy when I stop and actually think about it. Anyhoo, Lanais is officially 8. The big kids traded their "friend" birthday parties for a day at Disneyland, so we had the family over for dinner and bouncing. It is always fun when everyone is together. She chose an ice cream cake that takes all day to make...LOL and of course cheeseburgers for dinner. Thanks everyone for coming and we'll see you soon because Hunter's birthday is in 2 weeks and then Nic is only a couple weeks after that... whoever planned when to have these children did not do a very good job. Hee! Hee!

Here are some pictures...

This is what it looks like....

when the toilet breaks!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you ready for some football?

Hunter had his first football game last Monday. It was really fun. It is flag football, of course. Scott decided not to coach his little team because he cant control his "enthusiasm." But for as crazy as Scott is about football he even said it was good. Hunter can not wait to get back to it next week. If anyone is interested we are at Clark on Mondays 6-7. Hunter would LOVE a cheering section!

Our Newest Member~Kyra

Photobucket Album

Here we go again!

In case you did not know, I am a widow.....


a football widow!

Scott is in New Jersey for the Bulldog game!

So it begins!
I love you sweetie! Have fun!

School Days Are Here Again

This has been a HUGE week around here. Lanais, Hunter and Nic all started school this week. Lanais entered 2nd grade, Hunter started Kindergarten and Nic started pre-school. It is soooooo hard to get back into the swing of things. On top of starting school, Hunter started soccer and Lanais is now practicing with her dance team.

Back to school night was Thursday night and it is always a good chance to meet their teachers on a more personal level and see what will be expected by them this year. All I have to say about it is that 2nd grade is HARD!!!! Insane amounts of work and concepts that have to be mastered. She has a very experienced teacher who is very loved at Mickey Cox, but holy cow! She already is doing fantastically at her reading and writing diagnostic tests and struggling a bit with her math. True to form! She will have her work cut out for her, but of course she will do great.

Both the boys' pages are on this picture. I am still learning how to use this site!

Kindergarten is exactly what it was a couple of years ago. Hunter has a different teacher than Lanais had. She is also very experienced and has 4 kids of her own. I cant imagine!!! Hunter was so ready to start school and he LOVES it. He is already a helper for her because he is done so quickly with his work. On the first day when I picked him up I asked hi if school was the coolest thing ever and he said, " It was the greatest day" It brought tears to my eyes!

Nic started pre-school at a different school than the kids went to. It is right up the street, so when it cools down we will be able to walk. He is in a 3 year old classroom. He goes from 845 to 2 but I usually pick him up at 1245. He did not cry at all on his first day and when we went back Thursday he did not cry again. I could not believe it. His teachers say he is great and really good at school! SHOCKING!!!!

Yesterday after I dropped Nic off at school. I came home and did not know what to do with myself. I have not been alone in almost 8 years. I know I am supposed to enjoy the little breaks but I just was not sure what to do with myself. Crazy I know!! I'm sure I will find something to do.....like clean my house, coach Hunter's soccer team, plan and organize Movie Night, get the Room Parent lists finished and distributed or maybe get a jump on the Holiday Boutique, plan my kids' birthday parties, grocery shop, see a friend or 2 once in a while and maybe just maybe do something for myself.....I doubt it but we'll see!

Best Friends

Lanais and Bianca

We recently had friends who just moved back to California from Yellowstone, stay with us for a few days. Cynthia and I met in my original playgroup, when our girls were only months old. We had a great visit. They moved a couple of years ago and her daughter Bianca still says that Lanais is her best friend. We think that is very special. We had them join us at Wild Water water park, stayed up til 2 in the morning chatting, we saw a movie, Farmers Market and coffee with girlfriends.

The boys

Cynthia is a great friend. That is the perfect way to describe her. I love and appreciate her honesty. She seems so OK with herself it is like she gives others permission to be OK with themselves. If that makes any sense. I just really appreciate her.

Snow cones for all

Her kids are so sweet. Lanais and Bianca have similar personalities and always have as far as I can remember. Her son Alex is a few months older than Hunter and he is the funniest, sweetest most lovable little guy. It was a great visit mostly because the kids get along so well. Thanks for coming and we will see you soon!

Pismo Vacation

Hunter's Page

Last week the kids, my mom and I headed to Pismo for a couple of days on the beach. We stayed at a little condo right on the beach. It was awesome! Scott came up on Monday for a few hours (of course he made some work stops along the way). The kids were so excited to show daddy the beach and all that they had found and learned.

Lanais' Page

We had a bit of a scare the first morning we were there, at least it was scary for me. We were at the end of the pier watching sea lions and dolphins when a fisherman threw his rod and his lures caught Lanais sweater, the weight smacked the the railing in front of me. As I realized what had happened I could not believe that his 2-3 inch lures went through her sleeve and did not even scratch her, not even a mark. It was crazy. When I pulled those jagged, pointed 2 pronged lure from her I was terrified to look under, but nothing. He kept saying,"that was so close, that was so close." It took everything I have to not shove him right over the edge.

Other than that we had a great time. My mom went cray building sand castles, she had more fun than the kids did. Nic did not like the ocean water and Lanais went all the way in as much as she could, Hunter had to ease into it slowly. Pretty typical for their personalities.

On another note, I signed Nic up for preschool this morning. I found a place different from where the other kids went but it is really close to the house and it comes highly recommended. School for everyone starts in a couple of weeks...haven't I been waiting years for this??? I think I have. Now we keep our fingers crossed he wont get kicked out. HeeHee!

Summer Daze

This summer has flown by!! We have been spending our days at the water park and at the kids art studio. Swimming with friends and taking road trips. Only one month before school starts. Target has all the back to school stuff out and it is screaming that we are about to go back to the hustle and bustle of school. This school year is a special year because Hunter will be entering Kindergarten this year. I am so excited for him, but at the same time I am so sad for myself. I want to keep my kids close to me at all times and feel so vulnerable when they are out in the world and I am not there with them.

So, lets talk about Hunter... he is (if I do say so myself) the most beautiful boy. He has huge blue/green eyes and a smile that melts anyone in its path. He just tested for his orange belt in Karate, (after only going for a little over a year) and is looking forward to playing soccer this year. When Hunter gets into trouble, which is not very often, he fights tears with everything he's got. It seems to be such a man thing to do. It is the saddest thing I have ever seen. Which makes it extremely hard to discipline him. That being said he is not a bratty kid at all. Everyone who has ever met him, loves him. And so do I more than anything in the world. He will enter Kindergarten ready for the challenge. He is so smart and fun and will grow up too quickly. I miss him already.