Today is Jeff's birthday...his 32nd one to be exact!I would post a picture of him...but sadly I don't have very many where he's not blocking the camera.
The kids and I are planning a delayed celebration for Thursday evening (his night off) so I'll take some pictures then.
Happy Birthday baby! I know you don't like to make a fuss out of these things...but know how special you are to us...and how much we love you!
I have been a bad picture lady...but I'm making up for that! Enjoy the next few posts of pictures!
My girls
Easter at Grandmas
Look what the Easter Bunny brought Gabriella!
Grandma and Gabriella
Wonder what the bunny brought?
My three angles...I am so blessed!
Brandon with his basket
Gabriella got something too!
Of course Peanut did too!
My mom and I took the kids to see the Easter Bunny on 3/21. Gabriella was unsure what to think...as long as she was not looking at him she was fine. 
Grandma and the kids waiting for the wonderful and oh so entertaining singing bears!
I told you I was gonna do this Sheila! :)
On Palm Sunday all the kids and leaders from Holyland Adventure did a parade through the church with large palm branches...it was an amazing experience!
Alyssa was chosen to read the "Torah" (forgive my spelling) which is the first 5 books of the bible...yes, she can tell you what they are by memory!
The Sunday morning Holyland crew!
Sheila leads our tribe...what a great group of kids we were blessed to teach. We have know many of these kids for years.
a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXV0jKay8l9UMDvvZRweuXhxDm-_IlaWzm_ODORULLvpCDvhADlAooiZrBr52yd1zb_F_94cKVOzysGoxFDS1XpEDdNjA4gCAWU49TU9UIwGmxQz9GBWigqP6Ms34Nj6Pts0GF95CA2Ix/s1600-h/DSC01958.JPG">
I'm gonna play!
My boss is out sick today...relax...I did do some work, but I also found this super cool online scrapbook site! I'm lucky I am here at work as my picture selection is not so good.
I made the page of Alyssa dancing as a test one...not bad for my first try.
My sister and her kids are coming this summer for a visit! I'm so excited to see the kids and even more excited for Jill to meet Gabriella. They will be here for the 4th of July too, I envision us at the BC parade and hanging out...I even ordered all three of the girls matching hair bows! We are also planning a trip to San Diego with all 5 kids plus Julie and our mom...
This is how I envision Jill and I....
Let me start by saying...it's so nice to have Starbucks back in my life! :)
When I went to my usual Starbucks yesterday they were so happy to see me and had my drink ready to go before I even made it to the front of the line.
The kids are on track break now and don't have to go back to school until April 15th. It's nice having them home. We set up another rewards system where they are given two chores a day and if they complete them they get a sticker. Once they collect 30 stickers they get a new Webkin. So far so good, it's been nice coming home to a clean house.
Alyssa is doing an Oceanography class this week that the school is offering. Monday they had the staff of the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef come in and talk to the kids about all different kinds of things. Today (Tuesday) they are going to the Shark Reef for a behind the scenes kind of thing, tomorrow they will leave at 7:15am and drive to Dana Point, CA for an overnight trip to the Ocean Institute. It should be a fantastic trip for them. I know she is really looking forward to it.
Jeff has been working 6 days lately and coming in early and staying late on most days. Who would have guessed how much work loading mail onto trucks could be! The money is great...though I miss him like crazy!
Gabriella has decided that sleeping all night is overrated and is back to getting up twice a night. Shhhhhh....don't say anything but I don't mind. It's a time for the two of us to just sit and enjoy the moment.
She has been sick with a cold most of the month...two trips to the doctors and still not much we can do but wait it out. Not a lot of fun for either of us.
Brandon is still wrestling (freestyle) a few days a week. We missed baseball sign ups but have his name on a waiting list. Jeff is looking into getting him in flag football. We'll see how that goes.
And last but not least me....I'm CRAZY busy but I feel blessed to be that way. Work is work and going along fine. I could sit for an hour and write about my upcoming cleaning and organization projects...but I'll spare you all.
I love the bonding one! You mean to tell me when I wrangle all three of my kids into Starbucks it has been a huge waste of quality time?! 
FYI: If you click the picture it will make it bigger
I did it! I gave up Starbucks for 40 days!
Ok...all joking aside...
This was the first year I gave up something for Lent and remained committed to it. I know Starbucks seems like a small thing to some of you (probably most of you) but to me...it was hard...
However, I am most proud and surprised at Alyssa's dedication. When she asked me what I thought she should give up...I jokingly told her her beloved Nintendo DS. She responded like most typical kids would and said "I love that thing" and I asked, what do you love more...Jesus or your DS? It was never a guess...she brought it to me that night and it has remained on the counter...untouched for 40 days! I am sooo very proud of her. I see God working in her...she is a constant reminder how wonderful he is!
By the way...thanks mom...I love you too!!!
This is a picture of our nephew, Ryan...today is his 5th birthday!
Both Jeff and I feel blessed to have the family that we do, though our niece and nephew live far away I am happy to say that we are still able to have a close and loving relationship with them. When the kids get together it's like they were never apart!
Happy birthday Ryan "TOM"...know that Aunt Laurie and Uncle Jeff love you very much...we wish we could be there to celebrate with you! Hope you get the "pip pops" that you wanted for your "kankles"! Love ya buddy!!!
Gabriella has slept all night for the last 3 nights in a row...despite her yucky cold! On Friday night she was up 3 times and Saturday she went all night!
It's been great...she goes down for the night between 8-8:30 depending on whats going on that night and I have to wake her up at 7am so I can feed her before heading off to work. it's been wonderful!
Gabriella is 5 months old already!
Her current likes are...green beans and peas. Taking a bath with her brother and hanging out with daddy. She dislikes tummy time and waiting to be fed.
She is our love bug and brings a lot of joy to our family!
This morning we had the Angel Easter Breakfast at church. We have a pancake breakfast and Easter egg hunt as well as a bunch of crafts for the kids to do. We ask the families to bring in Easter baskets that we can give to the less fortunate in return. This year Alyssa and Avery also helped out and led a craft. They were making cross book marks. It's good to see Alyssa get involved...makes me so proud!
This is the group of 1-5 year olds getting ready for the egg hunt
Just some of the baskets that were donated!
Ethan & Brandon coloring eggs!
Sheila helping the kids...
Alyssa helping a little girl make her book mark.
Holyland Adventure started Thursday night. We had a good start with about 100 kids who signed up. I had intended to take a bunch of pictures...however my battery on the camera went dead, so this is all I could do. I'll take more this evening and tomorrow as well.
Just in case you missed my earlier explanation, Holyland Adventure is a program designed to take kids back in the times of Jesus. We all dress up in robes and head pieces to look the part. The kids get to go to different "market places" and make things such as leather pouches, wooden toys, weave baskets, make reed flutes and crush spices. They also have a chance to play games and bake fresh bread. It really is a great time and such a good opportunity for the kids as we all know kids learn so much better when it's a hands on experience.
Here are a few pictures...I'll take more tonight and post a few more when I have a chance.
Gabriella rolled over yesterday for the first time. I was beginning to think it was never going to happen! Of course it is hard to roll when you are always being held :)
I missed it cause the kids and I were at church...don't worry though...daddy called to rub it in!
Let's see...what's new...
I finally broke down and took Gabriella to the doctors today...my gut feeling was right, she had an ear infection. The good thing is we got her some antibiotics so hopefully she will be feeling better and back to her normal smiley self soon.
Brandon has decided (already) that he would like to be a soldier...no wait...a Teenage Mutant Turtle...no wait....a dead zombie for Halloween.
I decided I wanted him to quit stalling and go to bed...in the end I won!
Thanks to Sheila (love you by the way, She) I will be making my acting debut at church on Sunday ...Good Golly...you owe me one!
That's about all for now...
I love this picture of Kendal...he's gonna get that boy!
Not a great picture but Brandon is going for the pin...no such luck!
Ya can't take me down!
Jeff and Brandon got back home late last night...it feels nice to have them both home. Brandon did very well in both tournaments too. He wrestled Freestyle on Saturday and came in 3rd place out of 7. He has not wrestled this before (besides a few practices) so obviously Jeff was excited. Yesterday was the Folk style tournament, he came in 4th out of 10 boys in that tournament! Not bad for the little turkey considering he just started at the end of October. Jeff took lots of pictures so when I am home and have access to them I will download a few to share.
Two of the high school boys who went along also made Team Nevada. That is a big honor, it will allow them to wrestle and train in the off season and I believe also allows them to travel the country to other large tournaments. So...yeah to Kyle and Nolan!
While they were gone Alyssa, Gabriella and I enjoyed some down time. It's clear that Brandon is my hand full...he makes sure we never have a dull moment (we do love him for that) Alyssa was busy with the cheer clinic and two birthday parties. We also enjoyed lunch out together, a little bit of shopping, we had slumber parties in my room and even watched Hannah Montana together.
Gabriella did not enjoy her time so much. She has a little bit of a cold and that darn tooth of hers is making her miserable! My poor happy, easy going baby was not herself the last few days.
Better wrap this up and get back to work...Like I said earlier...I'll post pictures later when I'm back home.
No wonder I don't allow myself a bunch of spare time...I spend it looking back and getting sad about how fast time has gone by. My baby will be 10 next month!!
First show...April 2003
Last year...April 2007
Just what do I do with all this extra time?!
Jeff and Brandon are gone. (poor Alyssa had a VERY hard time with that)
Alyssa is at school and is staying afterwards to help Helen (her best friends Elizabeth's mom...also a 4th grade teacher) do some things so I won't be picking her up until 4:30 and Gabriella is taking a nap!
Actually I do know what I should be doing (cleaning and laundry) but I promised myself I was not going to make myself nuts with all that stuff this weekend. Of course I will do it...just not obsess over it.
For the record...Alyssa is NOT staying the night at Jack's tomorrow...I will be picking her up when everyone starts to settle in for the night...so once again people...RELAX!
Hmmmmmm....guess I'll go and just sit...maybe even read...now, that is a concept!
Jeff and Brandon leave tomorrow for Winnamucca, they will be gone until late Sunday night. Though I will miss them tons...part of me is looking forward to just hanging out with my girls.
Alyssa is going to a cheer camp on Saturday morning until noon and than she has a party at Jack's to go to...it's a sleepover...relax....I have spoken to his mom...and come on people...they are kids. So essentially...it will be just me and Gabriella. I do plan on doing some things around the house (cleaning and laundry) but I also am planning on relaxing and maybe doing a little shopping too.
So, please say a prayer for Jeff, Brandon, Coach Cortez (aka Alex), Kendal, Kyle and Kalani for a safe trip and strength for the tournament. It's a great opportunity especially for the older boys so we pray they excel and kick some serious butt!
I know not everyone has a life like mine...
Sometimes when I get hung up on issues like the fact that I'm not a stay at home mom or I don't have the big house that I want simple things in my life remind me that I already have everything I need and more.
God has blessed me with three beautiful kids that some people could only dream about and a husband so amazing that he still makes my heart melt like it did when we were love struck teenagers. So...thanks again God...just in case you missed it before...I owe ya one!
Brandon wrestled in the regionals yesterday in Overton. It was a long day that started at 4:30am...but it was a great day. Brandon won 1st place in his weight class and even had a pin! He was so excited and you better believe so was Jeff and I. I'm so happy he has a place to release his energy and he gets to do something that he really likes. He started this back at the end of October and was only going 1 day a week...now he wrestles at least 4 times a week and we can actually threaten him with no wrestling when he's having one of his moments. He really does love it! He has also learned the importance of team work and enjoys cheering on his teammates...it's great! Enjoy the pictures and the videos.
The two men in my life!
Check out the sprawl...
You can look at it but you can't touch it!
Everyone is required to sign a form after a win...
Not the greatest picture...but this is the pin!! If you look in the background you can see Coach Jake and his teammate Anthony cheering him on!
