Tuesday, August 23, 2011

First Day of School- 2011


It's hard to believe that summer is over and the girls are back in school. I love summer time when you don't have a strict schedule with activities, sports, homework, etc. Here is Tori wishing she was going to school with her older sisters.
Madison is in 3rd grade and Ashley is in 1st grade. I tried getting them to wear the same outfit, but they didn't want too!
It feels just like yesterday when Madison and Ashley were just little babies. How can they be in 3rd and 1st grade already!

Ready to head out the door. They have been so excited for the first day and can't wait to see their friends!

Monday, March 28, 2011

The Latest



We have been busy lately, but loving it! The girls finished their basketball season the beginning of March, ran in the jog-a-thon, had St. Patrick's Day, and did some coloring!I love this picture of Tori! And, yes, we DID know she was doing this.
Ashley was very proud of her basketball trophy. I don't have a picture of Madison and her trophy. Oh well!
This is Ashley and her Kindergarten class right before they ran the jog-a-thon. There are four Kindergarten classes and Ashley's teacher told all the kids they had to run the entire time and they could NOT stop for water. It was interesting to see all of Ashley's class running and watching the other classes always stopping for water. I was so proud of Ashley. She ran for the entire 30 minutes and never stopped.
Below is Madison! She definitely is a RUNNER not a jogger. I think she ran the most laps in her class or tied with one of the boys.
I just love these little munchkins. They bring so much joy to my life! We made leprechaun traps, last minute, but we didn't catch any of those pesky leprechauns. They always visit our home and mess up my kitchen and turn all the food green. It's a good thing they always leave a fun surprise for the girls. :)
Madison and her 2nd grade teacher, Ms. O'Gorman right after the jog-a-thon!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Celebrating My Mom's 75th Birthday

We had such a fun, family celebration for my Mom's 75th birthday. She knew we were all meeting for dinner, but she didn't know that all of her children were flying in for the event. Because my Mom's birthday and my parent's anniversary are only 3 days apart they always plan a get-a-way trip. This year they wanted to see Lion King in Vegas! All of us kids decided to surprise my Mom with tickets to Terry Fator's ventriloquist show. I guess my parents have always wanted to see it!
Just love the birthday cake that Gary and Jen brought. It was delicious!
It is always a riot when all of us get together. You can always expect good time at one of our dinners. And, of course, way too much talking about dentistry!
One of my favorite parts of the evening was when my Mom stood up and told each and everyone of us how much she appreciates us and what we have done in our lives that makes them so proud. She went on and on about everyone and all of our hard work. Her children, her sons-n-laws, and her daughter-n-laws. I think this is one of my favorite traits about my Mom. She always lifts you up, never talks negatively about anyone, and doesn't have a jealous bone in her body. She has always been such a great example to me. I just wish I could be more like her. I will try every day!!!
Another fond memory of my parents, is that every morning before my Dad left for work we ate breakfast as a family and my Dad always, I mean ALWAYS, kissed my Mom goodbye. There was never a morning that he forgot.
I just love this picture of Tori above. She is such a treasure! It's hard to believe she is TWO already. Where has the time gone? She is talking so much and almost completely potty trained.
Took another trip down to Disneyland. Madison and Ashley had a total blast! Also, ran into Juliana and Josh Smith that we know from dental school. What a total surprise and treat! Miss hanging out with Juliana, taking our runs, playing basketball, etc. Just wish I had my camera when I saw her!!!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Ashley's 6th Birthday and Disneyland

It's hard to believe that my second child just turned SIX years old and is in Kindergarten. Ashley has grown up so much this year and has learned TONS in school. It is so fun to see the joy in her face when she has sounded out a word or has found a sight word she knows.
I LOVE this picture below of my beauties at Ashley's birthday party. So glad we were able to capture Tori picking her nose! Priceless!
Madison and Ashley really have become best friends. Of course, they still have their sisterly moments, but it is such a joy as a parent to see them together. To see them share and care for each other totally makes all the hard work of parenting worth it.
We have been talking a lot in our family about daily scripture study. Ashley has really been trying to do this and I loved that she fell asleep while reading her scriptures. She doesn't know all the words, but she loves trying! And that is all that counts!
Madison picked out a piggy bank for Ashley for her birthday! She is really excited in the picture below to give it to her to open.
We decided to get season passes again to Disneyland. Wow, we are so glad we did. We went last Wednesday and the park was practically empty. We were able to literally, walk on every single ride. The girls had a total blast and didn't mind playing "hookie" for one day of school.

Dinner at the Blue Bayou. Every time we go on the ride "Pirates of the Caribbean" my girls want to eat at the restaurant you can see inside the ride. So this trip we finally were able to get a table. If you want my opinion, totally over-rated. A fun atmosphere, but we probably won't ever go again. At the end of the day we decided to stay for California Adventure's new water show called "World of Color"!!! Seriously, so awesome. It was so fun to see all the Disney movies displayed on a screen of water. My girls loved it! We video taped most of the show, so we don't have the best pictures, but I definitely recommend going if you ever make it to Disneyland!

We had amazing seats (or I guess a great spot to stand) and stood in awe! Spectacular!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Daddy Daughter Dance/ Nojoqui Falls/Christmas 2010

I haven't blogged in forever and have so many pictures that I need to upload that it has been hard to know where to start. At the very end of summer we bought a home, renovated, and moved in. We have been super busy, but lovin life. Well, I guess I will just forget about the past few months and start with the most recent pictures.

Joe took the girls to a Daddy Daughter Dance that the community had. The girls had so much fun getting dressed up, having their Daddy all to themselves, going out to dinner and dancing all night long.



We hiked to Nojoqui Falls. A really beautiful place!

Christmas 2010!



Wednesday, August 25, 2010

FIRST Day of School!

I can't believe that Summer vacation is over and it's time to head back to school. My girls have been counting down the days for the first day of school. Ashley was super excited this morning to finally start Kindergarten. She has been waiting a LONG time to be in elementary school. Everyday we would drop off Madison, she would ask to stay. Let's hope now that she is old enough that she still wants to be there. :)
Madison started Second grade today. She loves school and couldn't wait to see her friends that she has missed all summer.



The girls and their Daddy!



This is Madison's best friend, Boe, who lives up the street from us. We are actually moving this weekend so Madison is bummed she won't be able to walk to school with Boe. We are only moving a few blocks away to a home we just purchased. I will blog more about that later.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Basketball

Basketball season is over and Madison is very disappointed. This was her first time playing and she loved it. She ended up playing in a league where the girls were 1 - 2 years older than her and these girls were GOOD . I was surprised by their dribbling skills and their ability to make their outside shots. In the beginning, I thought Madison might be in over her head, but I think playing with girls that had more experience only made her try harder. I can't wait for next season and hopefully Ashley will be old enough to play too!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Brad Paisley Concert

Last Friday night we headed down to LA and went to a Brad Paisley concert at the Staples Center. I am not a huge country fan, but thought it would be fun since my two brothers and their wives were going, and my parents were going too. Brad did not disappoint. He was so entertaining and of course it helped that we had great seats!
My twin brother Gary, his wife Jen, me, Joe, my sister n law Angie and my brother Steve! My parents didn't get in this picture, but they were sitting with us too!



My parents!