Love is still in the air

This picture was on the back of one of Cambria's school work pages. I asked her about it and this was her response:
"It's me and Jase. Do you see all those dots on my dress? Those are sparkles, like we are going to a ball or a date!"
I remember my first Kindergarten crush. His name was Luke.
Kai was late coming home one night. He was in Vegas taking a writer's workshop. Instead of putting the girls to bed like I should, we did mani's and pedi's. I love having little girls! (Bubba was asleep)

I've been put under strict instruction not to display any pictures that Candi and Jonathan have chosen to put on their announcement. :) I am happy to comply:)

I just want to tell you a little about my cousin Candi. She was born with cerebral palsy and has been confined to a wheel chair her whole life. She has endured many challenges in life. Some because of her disability and some that were not. She has her ups and downs like all of us, but mostly she is able to maintain a happy, pleasant attitude. She loves God and she does her best to live a good life.

I didn't retouch this picture yet, but I thought it was funny because seconds before Jon was kissing her hand, he was biting it.

Let me tell you why I like Jonathan. They have been dating for a little over a year (I think). I have mingled with him at multiple family parities and while I don't know him super good, I know him well enough to say that he is a truly decent and kind fellow. He has given Candi the legs that she never had. He has opened doors in her life that perhaps she was afraid might forever stay closed. He takes her swimming and he doesn't push her chair when they walk, they hold hands.

Candi was very nervous to take these engagement pictures because her body gets stiff and tense. She knew she needed to be captured naturally and that forced smile would simply not do.I did my best to make the couple laugh, but really they were just smoochy and cuddly together and didn't need much prompting or posing.

I don't know if I mentioned before what a work out Jonathan got. I had him putting Candi up in trees (to which she was very excited about -"I was up in a tree!") I had Jonathan and Candi Lay on their bellies in the grass, I had him climb up a small waterfall with Candi in his arms, we posed Candi sitting on rocks and Standing (with her chair right behind her to catch her is she fell) behind Jonathan while he laid down on a wall. It was wonderful because Candi was not confined to her chair. We played as we posed and we had a great time.

This was a very special opportunity for me. It was very special for me to see Candi begin the life that she deserves. I think Jonathan is very special and that he will continue to open new doors in Candi's life simply by loving her. I know she loves him.

I just can't think of a clever title

This is totally out of order, but I decided this one picture wouldn't spoil anything!

Last weekend (Valentine's weekend- or should I say president's day weekend) we embarked upon a whirl wind trip to California. We loaded our family van with luggage and children and set off driving south towards sunny (or rainy at the time) California.

Kiera gets car sick now, so she delighted us with vomit at the Jack in the Box drive through. Seeing pictures of Jack really confuses the girls'. Is he a human or not?

We arrived Saturday afternoon and were happy to get out of the car.
The kids played with their grandparents to their hearts delight and Kai drove me to Heritage park so that I could take engagement pictures of my cousin Candi and her Fiance Jonathan.
Kai stayed in the car after a quick survey of the awesome park and read Breaking Dawn.
I must recommend this park to everyone. It is a recreation of Boston and Jamestown circa 1776 - Paul Revere. There are slides and cannons and nets and stairs and ropes concealed all in these 1776 style buildings that are perfect for exploring- oh yeah it's an island too. You cross a bridge to get to it. It is in Cerritos right across the street from the high school. It is amazing!

I hesitate to put the wonderful engagement pictures that I took because I don't want to do it before Candi does, but they turned out great. They were the perfect lovey dovey couple. I didn't have to pose them once. They were all kissy and cuties and oozing love from every pore. It really made my job quite easy. We had Candi laying on her belly and sitting up in trees, and standing next to walls- Jonathan was a great sport to throw her around the way he did. He worked up a good sweat. They really are so great together!

Lastly we had a celebratory dinner for Cambria as per her request. She is a really good girl and always keeps her school clip on green. SO she asked when we were going to celebrate her goodness. I suggested we should do it at Grammy and Papa's house. She thought it was great. We even toasted her- it doesn't take much to make her feel appreciated and I appreciate her being such a good kid.

Cambria became the hula hoop champion and proves she could hula for minutes on end. Only Uncle Ryan could compete with her. We now affectionately refer to Cambria as "Hula."

Kiera isn't smiling, but she was very proud of this candy necklace that she made and she wanted me to take a picture.

Bubby wasn't sure about this Dino encounter.

I almost forgot. We also spent a lovely afternoon at the Migdat's house. Matthew was ordained a priest and we celebrated his birthday and Ryan's birthday. It was fun. We miss hangin' with family.

Faces only a mother could love

Kiera cuddling with the "torturer"

Bubby and Uncle Sean

Too sick

I finally got the sickness that the rest of my family had and I don't really feel like posting.
I am sorry to abandon the small group of people who actually enjoy my blog. I promise to be back soon.

Sunday will be the day I update my blog

For anyone who wonders about my criminal activity from a previous post . . . this is the statue in question.:)

Cambria gave her second primary talk today. This is how it went. Theme: I came to earth as part of a family.

This single piece of spaghetti is easy to break.

A large handful of spaghetti is much harder to break.

This is just like us. Heavenly Father sent us to earth to live with a family because he knew that our family would make us stronger.

I came to earth as part of family. Heavenly father knows I need a family to help me learn and grow. President Hinkley said that we can make our family strong.

Adam and Eve were the very first family on earth. Heavenly Father wanted them to have a strong family. He asked Adam and Eve to teach their children about the gospel. They their children taught their children.

We learn important things from our families. We learn about Heavenly Father and Jesus. We learn to choose the right. We learn how to treat others. When we grow up we will teach our children

We are part of a family. These things can make our family strong.
Read scriptures together
Say prayers together
Have family home evening
Do fun activities together

Even though I am just a little child I can make my family strong. I can be kind to my brother and sister. I can obey my parents. I can be quick to say I am sorry and I can be quick to forgive.

Heavenly Father blesses us when we do what is right.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

These are just other random pictures that I love.

Kiera drew a picture of me and Kai on our wedding day. They turned out just as goo as the real pictures did.

One of Bubba's favorite passtimes:

"Unlocking" doors

Cambria and Kiera practicing for mini drill.

I spoke too soon

Last week I said to my mother-in-law, "This winter has been so great for us. Now that the girls have heir tonsils out, we have hardly been sick at all."

My consequence for this comment:
One husband with Strep throat.
One daughter with a double ear infection.
One son with cellulitous (sp?) in his eye and a weird rash on his arm!
What does this mean? Very little sleep, lots of money on doctor visits and prescriptions and unhappy kids (and husband).

We had to play hide and seek this week for one of Cambria's homework assignments. The girls found some good hiding spots and Kai had a hard time finding them. Cambria's best spot was in one of the kitchen cupboards and Kiera's was in the laundry room.

Malachi has found a new place to keep his pacifiers safe.

This is what Malachi does to our door every time Kai leaves for work. Poor guy. He's surrounded by women. (thanks for the shirt Toshia!)