Casillas Clan

I think I can...I think I can....I think I can!

2011-11-19T16:04:00.001-05:00

I know I just need to stop the looming that is there every time I think about this blog and a new post....I feel too overwhelmed to even know where to begin to come back.

So I am just going to do it...

A few things I missed....ha

First day of school....2011

The Big Kindergartner....

Didn't even look back....

There were some tears...not gonna lie....to which Sienna told me "Mom put your tears away... I just want to try kindergarten and see if I like it...if I don't like it you can sign me off...but...(pause)... I will probably like it.
More tears....sigh....when did she get so big? :(

Next up Jman...
Starting middle school. The big 6th grade. When we moved to Ashburn he was in 1st grade! :(

I know it's a bit blurry BUT HE'S SMILING!!!! A miracle!!!!

Cooper last year of Middle School....8th grade.

Hunter....11th flipping grade!!! Seriously how in the world did that happen??? He was just in kindergarten yesterday!

And then Halloween came along....

Apparently Dorothy was the it costume for kindergartners this year.....Sienna and her two besties (Grace and Avery) at the school parade....

Coop and Dylan....love them...they made me laugh.

Jackson and Colin...Jackson's the Mario just to clarify...

Coop's friends start to show up...by the end I think they had a group of about 25...

Rach with Dorothy and Elvis! How cute is Elvis???? Oh man....love him!

Conwey thought to start a bon fire and sit out there for trick or treaters....pretty good idea if I do say so myself....I always make a big ol pot of Chicken Chili and cornbread on Halloween. Want some kind of nutrition in these kids before the massive doses of sugar set in!

Digging in to the loot....

Um Conwey brought this lovely creature home on Halloween....uh..not sure what to think about him....

Jackson got a little bit of candy...

Cooper had a bunch of friends over after and they all spread their candy on the basement floor...it was crazzzzyyyyy how much candy they had.

Sorry all picture off my phone and no one ever holds still...hence the blurry...

And our carving competition always takes place....hmmmm guess which one is mine and which one is Conwey's.....hahahaha

Sooooo here is some of this and that since my last post in August.....

Birthday party days...

Muddy football practice days...ugh

Cheerleader days....

Cousin days....

Zinga Days....

Beautiful days...

Cleaning Days....

Sick days...

warm days...

Snow days????????

Pajama day...

Exhausted days...

Movie Days.....

Cheerleading hangout days...

Coming home from the bus days...

Kitty the American Girl Doll's birthday!

So there are a few of our days since August 7th...hopefully I will be able to keep up now!

Phew....I did it!!!! :)

We are still alive!

2011-08-07T21:22:00.027-04:00

How is it August 7th already? We have had a month of Surgery's..Braces...Birthday's....and lot's of pool time.

Hunter had his surgery on his knee...it ended up being worse than they thought when he re-injured his knee he also tore his meniscus..so he ended up having a torn ALC, torn meniscus, and then they took his hamstring. So needless to say he was in some serious pain the first few days. I wasn't sure he was gonna make it. But he pulled through...and is now doing physical therapy and walking quite well now. They say they can't clear him for any form of sports for at least 6 months. Very sad. Football has started and it's very strange not having Hunter going everyday. :(

This is what he would give me for a picture right before surgery....

But we did get these after...

Lovely huh...we are just so glad it's over and the healing has begun!

Then the same night Cooper fell in his basketball game...we had seriously just gotten home from the hospital with Hunter and had to go to ER for Cooper who had to have CAT scan and ended up having a concussion...

So then the next week my sister Rachel had to have surgery..she had a lump in her neck that ended up being Thyroid Cancer so they had to take her thyroid out. It was pretty scary...

I hope she doesn't kill me for posting this picture...but she was one tough cookie and I am so super proud of her! I am happy to say they got it all and she doesn't have to do any radiation. We were really worried about that.

So we had definatly had enough of hospital and Dr's for the year!

Coop got his braces on...it wasn't as fun as he thought it would be...lived on Smoothies and soup for about 3 days...it's finally getting better.

When he was getting his on there was a girl next to him getting hers off so I asked how long did you have them on for...she says 9 years...Cooper almost choked on the wires they were placing in his mouth. The Dr quickly reassured Cooper she had a lot of special circumstances. Let's hope so!

Sienna got the benefits of the braces too...with lots of Robeks smoothies....

Now on to happier times...Birthdays!

My cute cute nephew turned ONE! Happy Birthday Hudson!

He was not a fan of digging in the cake...it made us laugh. He just learned to walk and he is a crazy man! So stinking cute though. I sure love him.

Next we had Cooper's best friends Dylan's birthday and we felt sad he didn't have his mom this year so we made him cakes and he slept over at our house...he was so sweet talking till about 1:00 in the morning about his sweet mom and her last days. Made me soooooo sad.

Then we had The Big Coop's Birthday...14! Ahhhhh so sad! I don't want him to get any older!!!

Sienna did not understand why Cooper didn't want to wake up and open his presents...she was very confused.

Then she told him she would give him a back rub for his birthday and that got him up.

Then we were off to IHOP for breakfast....Coop still tired I think....

Then we were off to the water park which I didn't have my camera for but Coop brought some friends and they had a great time. He is having a friend party next weekend I am a bit nervous for...with Coop everything is huge...tons and tons of friends. Wish me luck! Looking over his invite list he has as many girls as there are boys this year. Am I ready for this?
Happy 14th Birthday Coop!

We had all the family over for desserts....it's always fun.

So my 2011 10 things I love about Cooper James Casillas...

1. Love Cooper's heart....it is truly golden.
2. He has a really really funny sense of humor....he makes his friends laugh A LOT!
3. He is the most patient member of our family with Sienna when she is throwing a tantrum or being crazy. I trust him more than anything...so very responsible.
4. I love that he comes straight to me when he gets home to talk. We have the best talks.
5. I love how much he loves his family and friends...such a big big heart.
6. He is the best saver of his money...we will probably all go to him for loans one day...ha!
7. He is an amazing student in school...
8. Amazing athlete...
9. I love the look on his face when there is a baby nearby...he has a special knack with babies for sure!
10. There are so many things I love about Cooper James Casillas I really can't even begin to list them all...he is and always has been an amazing son and I love him so very very much!

Nats Game

2011-07-12T10:51:00.011-04:00

We went to a Nationals Baseball Game the other night as a family minus Hunter who had a date....

It was lots of fun. The new Nat's stadium is so great with lots for kids to do.

Sienna is well taken care of by her brothers.....

Sienna and Jackson loved the racing presidents...

Coop was having fun there I promise...despite the look on his face when I wanted to take a picture with him. My family...none of them will ever take pictures except Sienna...she has no issues with posing!

We even got fireworks there.... and they were playing my family's (as in my siblings, uncles etc..) song American Pie...which of course made me cry.

I miss all of them and my cute mom a lot.

And after about 2 minutes in the car...she was out!

Some Summa Time Stuff...

2011-07-12T10:14:00.008-04:00

Summer is flyin...like it always does. Hard to believe it's half over.

Makes me sad.

Can't believe The Fourth of July has come and gone...

We had a good one. It didn't feel like the Fourth to me this year for some reason.

We went to my friend Lisa's for a B-que and I kid you not there were about 50 kids running around her coldasac. My kids actually said it was the best Fourth they have ever had. Basketball and Lacrosse games going all night. Fireworks galore.

Then we headed back to our house for some more fireworks...Conwey and his brother like to get some um how should I say...really big fireworks. I use to fight Conwey on all the money he would spend on fireworks...I gave up on that years ago. He loves to buy fireworks. The kids love it to and so do all their friends.

Here was one of them...

So as Summer is flying by we are staying busy with swim team, Coop and Jackson both on aau basketball teams...which consist of lots and lots of games and practices...Lacrosse camp, basketball camp, lots of sleepovers at our house, golf, lots of physical therapy, and lots of wonderful pool time with wonderful friends.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love summer time? :)

Holly Joy gets married...

2011-07-03T17:40:00.010-04:00

My beautiful friend Holly got married a couple of weeks ago...it was a wonderful and beautiful wedding and reception...

Holly has been through so much in her life...I met Holly at the gym a few years ago. She was a single mom working so hard to raise her son, work, pay the bills, and still have some sort of a single life. I was doubtful when she met Michael that he was really the one. I am sooooo glad I was wrong! He is wonderful to Holly. He is kind, and patient, and respectful, and hard working and he loves her sooooo much and I am so happy they found each other! Weirdly I don't have a picture of Michael and Holly from the wedding....but here are a few I do have. (Holly I need you to send me one)

Jackson and Sienna....Sienna was the flower girl at the wedding. They looked so cute walking down the isle together.

Holly and Michael...I know you will have an amazing life together! Love you guys!

Rachel

2011-06-26T14:16:00.007-04:00

Happy Birthday to my sweet sweet sister Rachel....the big 30 on June 25th!

I really can't believe she is 30 because I feel like she was born yesterday and I was sitting in the room with my mom in Labor. She was the prettiest baby I had ever seen.

We have been best friends ever since....when she was little she was my little side kick...she would come to work with me and help me with whatever I needed help with, she would spend the night at my house and we would have movie nights, she use to clean Conwey's house while we were dating and he would pay her. She was (is) the hardest worker ever!

She followed me to Washington D.C. almost 10 years ago and I can't even begin to list all the memories we have together...Down to the birth's of all of my kids and her being in the room with me. I love her so very much!

We had a little surprise lunch birthday party at the pool for her and it was lots of fun...

Sienna and cute Hudson...

The 10 things I love about Rachel Annette.....

1. She is the most loyal person I have ever met...
2. She is always up for adventures...
3. She is and always has been the best aunt ever!
4. She is an amazing photographer!
5. She is beautiful inside and out..
6. I know she would do anything at anytime for me or my family...
7. She is the best mom to Hudson...
8. She is awesome at tennis and is still willing to play with me (who is quite the opposite at tennis)
9. She loves life...
10. We have been through thick and thin together and she is one of my very best friends and always will be.

I love love love you Rachie Rach! Happy 3oth!!!

This and That

2011-06-05T19:33:00.021-04:00

End of the year is always soooooo crazy...we still have all the spring sports going on, plus the summer sports have started..plus all the end of the year school activities...we have 2 weeks left of school and I think I am almost as excited as the kids.

Sienna had her preschool graduation last week and I think I cried 10 times....I do it with all the kids...it's just so sad to be finishing up and knowing your never going back. She had the best year and loved preschool so much.

This was the dance Sienna said she was going to do when they gave her the diploma...she makes me laugh.

Bestest Friends....they are both sure they will be going to Kindergarten together next year...hard telling them they will be at different schools. :(

Ms. B and Sienna

One of Sienna's cute teachers Justine.....

Coop and Sienna

So then Sienna started swim team for her first year since she just turned 5 yrs old. She was nervous to begin with, but by the time she was done she said she wanted to do it again..right then.

We have been sooooooo happy the pools are open! When we would drive by in the winter Sienna would say "Hi Pool...I miss you! Can't wait to see you again!" so funny. So glad she loves it as much as I do.

Cousins...Sienna and Nicolas.

Sienna and Lil Jackson...hanging out during break at the pool...wouldn't they make a cute couple! Ha! Just kidding....

So while we are finishing Lacrosse which I don't want to brag but it has been sooooo fun watching Jackson play.

Blue #7

That is Jackson on the right (blue) making one of his goals.....

He is such a natural at it I can't believe he hasn't ever played it before. Yesterday he made 3 of the 4 goals that were made. It's so fun. We really enjoy watching him.

Cooper is finishing up baseball...and then will start all-stars...

Hunter is studying for finals, doing pt, and waiting for his surgery..

Sienna is finishing up soccer, and ballet...

We are looking so forward to summer and no real schedules..sleeping in (as much as we can with swim team) staying up late, making smores, and just enjoying hanging out together.

So two more weeks...woot woot! Can't wait.

Say it isn't so....

2011-05-27T15:42:00.038-04:00

My baby...my last baby....Sienna Maureen Casillas just turned 5 years old!!! 5!

I feel sick to my stomach when I think about it actually. I don't want her to grow up.

We were driving in the car this morning and she said Mom....I just don't feel 5 years old.

I said well what did you think being 5 years old would feel like and she said just you know...older....bigger. (yep Sienna I still think I am 20 yrs old...I don't feel any older! Ha!) Made me laugh.

So Sienna got to pick her birthday out...we tossed around a lot of ideas for parties....the problem is though is that Sienna has mostly boys as friends so doing a party that Sienna would like would be...well very very girlie.

So she decided instead of a big party she wanted to invite one friend to go with her to the "salon" and get their hair and nails done.

Woot woot....easy peasy!

So the day started off like this...

In the night we decorated...Jackson helped me the whole night....she would have to follow the streamer and balloons....

Down the stairs.....

Around the corners.....

And this is what she saw....

I am sorry the pictures are a million different colors...some where taken in the night and all were taken with my phone! Ahhhh remind me to use a real camera!

She is soooo into the American Girl Dolls! We went online and she designed this one and named her Kitty...she didn't know she was getting her for her birthday though!

She loved all the accessories too...Clothes...shoes...brushes....

Cooper gave her a trundle bed for them.....

And she got a kit with toothbrushes and braces...

Her Dorthy Doll she wanted from Grandpa Vic...he is just so darn good at picking out her gifts! ;) Hunter gave her "diamond" earrings...and Jackson gave her the movie Beauty and the Beast. All of which she squealed in delight when she opened.

Her requested breakfast...sugar cereal...can you tell my kids never get it....when they ask for it on their birthday morning when they can pick anything in the whole wide world they pick Lucky Charms, Froot Loops and Fruity Pebbles...ha! Easy for me I guess....

Sienna had a whole conversation with her first beloved American Girl Doll Samantha given to her by friend Holly...she told her it was okay to feel a bit jealous but not to worry she would always have a special place in her heart because she was her first...I wish I would have recorded it! She also said it was okay that Kitty had prettier hair! Ha..she's funny.

Off to the salon.....

After we hit Robecks and took Cooper to school a bit late....

She was in heaven...

She looked through all the books and decided on a hairstyle...

And this was it....too bad it only lasted about 2 hours and it all fell out...arggggg!

Her one friend she got to take was Emmilyne...she is a little older than Sienna but Sienna still thinks they are best friends....

Mani Pedi's....ahhhhhh

She is starting to be a pro at this stuff!

Rachie and Hudson came up to spend the special day with her...met us at Red Robin for lunch...and then we spent the evening with more friends Lil Jackson and Holly opening their awesome presents and making smores...non of which I have any pictures of!

Conwey had to leave on a work trip the morning of her birthday so we waited to do family dinner and cake till the next night when he was back. We went to Clyde's with Grandma, Grandpa and Merry...

Conwey's cute mom, sister Merry and Sienna......

Secret conversations with Jackson.....

Birthday Brownie Sundae's....

And back to our house for Cake and Icecreme and the Hansen crew waiting on our doorstep....Sienna wanted a half chocolate, half vanilla cake because she likes chocolate and Coop likes vanilla...not the fanciest cake but it was yummy!

Thanks for the awesome presents Valentine!

My 5 year old....sniff...sniff....

So here are my 10 things I love and adore about Sienna Maureen.....

1. She tells me she loves me at least 10 times a day..usually with a big hug.

2. She loves to sing and knows every song on the radio....

3. She loves to shop, go to the pool, go to the gym, get her toes done, and sneak sips of Diet Coke...ha...she really is a mini me! :)

4. She immitates Ms Swan perfectly...scary I know...but soooo funny!

5. She loves her brothers madly....she is so patient sitting through thousands of their games in her lifetime!

6. She is tough as nails...so tough, but yet soooooo girlie!

7. She thinks her dad walks on water...and he would for her!

8. She sneaks in my bed in the night and snuggles...which usually means her face is pressed up against mine...not the best for sleeping, but I know I will miss it when she doesn't want to snuggle anymore.

9. She turns into a ooey gooey mess around babies...especially Hudson! Loves him to pieces and is a great babysitter!

10. She is the daughter I always dreamed I would have...

I love you sooooooooo much Sienna Maureen Casillas!!!!

Catch up....

2011-05-22T08:23:00.032-04:00

So I always have this guilt in the back of my head if I am not doing a good job on blogging...and lately...there's been a lot of guilt!

Soooo...here is a little catch up on the Casillas Clan happenings....

Spending lots of time in the back yard until the pool opens....Sienna and Lil Jackson

Pedicures by Sienna...

Hangin with Cousin Hudson...ohhhh he is cute!

Makin Smores...

Can you find Sienna.....she makes a pretty good mannequin!

Weekly Fill ups...OUCH!

Conwey's day at the office...ha

Mother's Day Breakfast in Bed courtesy of awesome Jackson Casillas...notice the skin on the kiwi...too cute.

An awesome purse the boys and Conwey picked out for me...I love it and think it is so cute they picked it out for me!

A flower Girl....

A beautiful Bride and her Father...

Wonderful Family Wedding....

Grandpa Ed and Coop...

Some good times at a special event Conwey took the boys to at National Park...Jackson hitting underground where the players warm up..

Coop

LiL Soccer Girl....

Yummy new recipes tried....Oatmeal Coconut Cookies....YUMMY!

Birthday Girl...Happy Birthday Tat!

A lot of Basketball games....and Lacrosse Games....and Baseball games...and Ballet.

Lots of Physical Therapy for Hunter....we have a surgery coming soon...not looking forward to that at all.
Will keep you all posted....So there you have it...a bit of catch up for the Casillas Clan.

Hunter's Heartache...

2011-05-03T14:40:00.005-04:00

So it's Tuesday night and Hunter has both baseball practice and the first open gym for the basketball team at the high school...he chooses to go to basketball. After all he has been working for months on his dunk and is feeling pretty good about it.

Fast forward a few hours...Jackson comes running into my bedroom saying "mom... mom I think Hunter broke his knee" I laugh..."Jackson he broke his knee?" Not really thinking Hunter's knee was broken....

I walk down to a Hunter who is in tears because he knows there is something really really wrong with his knee.

Turns out he has completely torn his ACL like all the way apart...not just a little...all the way torn so it is now in a ball in his knee.

All we have been doing is going to A LOT of Doctors...trying to decide who is the very best....which surgery we will have because there are 2 to choose from.

As a parent to watch your kids go through this kind of heartache is so awful. I can't sleep at night. Hunter has worked soooooooo hard to get where he has gotten in High School sports. So hard. He is a valuable part of his Football team and his Basketball team. He now can't play Football for this upcoming season of his Junior year...breaks my heart. Breaks his heart. He will hate sitting on the bench not being able to play.

We are crossing our fingers and toes...and our legs that his leg will be strong enough to still be able to be on the team for basketball.

He will have surgery in a couple of weeks and then months of rehab....

Sometimes life just feels so unfair.

We are grateful it's not worse...we know a lot of people are dealing with much worse than a torn ACL but in our world...in Hunter's 16 year old world...it's pretty bad.

We are also grateful it isn't his Senior year. We know with his determination he will be back 110 percent by then.

Easter 2011

2011-04-29T21:31:00.031-04:00

I always like to hear what other people's Easter traditions are...

I always have all these grand plans I want to do with the kids for Easter and then somehow time flies by and I end up not doing them.

We always wait until the last minute or in this case the day before to color our Easter Eggs...but the kids really love doing this. In fact Sienna said to me probably about 6 times after we colored them. Mom that was just so much fun coloring those eggs today.

By the 6th time I started realizing maybe I need to do more crafts with her.

Some Love For Jackson...he is a nice brother helping her color her eggs....

Hard at work.....except for Hunter who did this while everyone else colored eggs....

Sorry for any of you who are seeing these pictures again from facebook...but I gotta get them in my "scrap book"

Okay so it was 9:00 and the whole house was still asleep. Except for me of course...and then Jackson who patiently waited on the stairs for everyone to wake up. He is my early riser. Always the first one awake.

Sienna was next...awwww so sweet those two....

Ok Ok .... this is what it's really like here.....

I love Sienna's squeals in pure excitement when she sees her basket....

Jackson's Basket

Coopers basket....

Hunter...seriously always way to cool to act happy or excited...has to be the last one to walk in...good thing I love him!

Yes that is a turtle...Conwey thought it would be funny to put it in Hunter's basket....Sienna thought we had a new pet....somehow that turtle was released back into the wild. (thanks Jill) ;)

New Earrings....

Conwey even got a basket from the Easter Bunny....

So these kids...they don't love finding the Easter Eggs...even Sienna! I walked around the house after they were done and found quite a few eggs they didn't get...and as you can see not the hardest hiding places.

They did take a bit to find their Golden Eggs...The Easter Bunny figured they needed to work pretty hard for that Egg that had 10 bucks in it.

The Easter Bunny also now does half candy eggs and half money eggs...the boys would shake the eggs and if they didn't hear money they would put it back...

Crazy Crazy kids...I loved the hunt of the eggs when I was little.

Sienna loved her Lalaloopsy Doll which if you ask me is a bit creepy with her button eyes...but then again Sienna loves anything and everything creepy. Her favorite show is Coraline....Creepy!! She's funny.

Ready for church...

We had Easter Dinner at our house this year...lots of fun but I of course forgot to take any pictures due to running around hosting.. but I did get some of the cousins who pretty much did this the whole day...gotta love it!

Happy Easter 2011!

Brain Freeze...

2011-04-17T10:35:00.003-04:00

I feel like my mind is frozen and I just can't think of anything to post about lately...
I feel like everyday is a whirl of activities going on all around me but just nothing interesting enough to blog about....this ever happen to anyone?

A few of the whirling things around me everyday...first let me say Spring is here! Woo Hoo...at least I think it's here. One day it's 85 degrees and the next it's 40...this week has been 70's which is the perfect spring weather!

I layed 30 bags of black mulch in my front yard this week and my back is still hurting....but it looks so nice...makes me happy. I had my awesome Action Jackson helping me almost the whole time...so we hit Baskin Robbins after. Funny how an ice- cream cone can make everything better....

We as always, have crazy spring sports starting up so our weeks consist of a lot of baseball, lacrosse, basketball, ballet, and now Sienna has started soccer. It's pretty crazy and some days my head just whirls around trying to figure out how to get everyone everywhere they need to be.

We just had Conwey's nephew get married and he seems so happy...makes you wish you could be at that stage forever. His niece is next month and Sienna is so excited she gets to be a flower girl.

My new gym finally opened after driving 20 minutes everyday for almost 4 months I now drive 4 minutes to my beautiful and awesome new gym...I have a huge grin everyday as I drive there now. Had friends join who had never ever been to the gym before in their lives..and have been amazed how rock solid they have been on coming everyday to classes...so proud Tat! :)

My friend Julie had a baby...her 4th boy....but he is the cutest thing ever and I love love love holding him. Is it weird I didn't love holding my own babies but love holding my friends? Maybe because I get to hand them back when they are hungry or fussy....seriously though baby Maxwell is the cutest!

Conwey's sister Summer had twins! Yes twins...the cutest, sweetest little girls...and Nico called me a baby hog last week at their blessing lunch...again...love holding other's babies...sorry Neek.

Hunter is getting closer and closer to getting his license and the best part I don't have a heart attack when he drives anymore!

The cherry blossoms are out and everyday as I drive around I feel so lucky to live in such a beautiful area.

Sienna, Jackson and I went and saw Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2 yesterday because it was pouring rain and I laughed so hard I had tears running down my face. I know it's weird...but I just think those are the funniest little movies. I might have been the only one in the theatre laughing....

Spring break starts tomorrow....wish me luck. I don't know why but we never go anywhere for Spring Break...we never really have. We might need to change that next year Conwey...as he is getting on a plane for Arizona today... Ha!

We finally got a dining room table....the boys are soooo bummed to have their wrestling room gone...Conwey has really always wanted to get a table but for some reason I really didn't care...I mean really when will we ever eat in there. But he found one he loved at Restoration Hardware and I have to admit.... I do really like it.

Soooooo that about sums up some of the whirling in my brain....actually I could probably go on and on but it's probably already bored some of you so I now am going to go get my crew ready and out the door for church...

Have a fabulous Sunday!

She makes me laugh..again..singing the Tangled song

2011-04-12T22:01:00.004-04:00

You might want to pause the music on the sidebar for this...

Sleeping Sienna...

2011-03-28T21:22:00.009-04:00

I couldn't find Sienna...I kept calling her and calling her. I went looking and this is what I found...didn't even have to tell her it was time for bed...and then I looked down and saw what she did and it made me laugh out loud...you see she does this stuff all the time...she has been doing it since she was tiny....Hunter use to do it too. She makes me laugh a lot.

Love those bunny slippers...all set for when she wakes up...not sure about the book maybe it's for barbie...

On another note...my latest project...got my banister painted. It's been bugging me since the day we moved it. Finally done! It's like just going down my check list of things I want to change in my house. Eventually I will get it all done...then I will probably be ready to change it. Ha!

Before...

After...

I actually thought the handrails were going to be darker but he said this was the darkest stain before black and he used 3 coats..oh well...I am happy with it. On to the next project...

Life and Stuff...

2011-03-16T20:33:00.003-04:00

So Cooper has a little friend named Dylan. For those of you that have been around Cooper and his friends this isn't the Dylan you are thinking of...different Dylan. This Dylan is one of my absolute favorites of Coop's friends..super lovable, funny, nice to Sienna and just has something so so sweet about him...
Whenever Coop asks if he can have friends over if Dylan is involved I can't help but say yes....some of his other friends...maybe not as much....

So I was sitting on my bed on March 4th when Coop comes in and I could tell something was wrong....tears in his eyes....he tells me Dylan just called me mom...he was really crying....he said his mom is in the hospital and his dad told him he needed to come say goodbye to her...she was dying.
Well that's all Coop needed to say till I was in tears...as we both sat there on my bed crying asking each other what does a 12 year old boy do without a mom? Coop says who is going to make his lunch, wash his clothes...take care of him? I say.. I don't know.

Coop woke up Monday morning and said Mom I have a missed call from Dylan at 12:30 am...I am afraid his mom might have passed away....I am grateful Cooper is the kind of friend that Dylan feels he can call at 12:30 am to cry about his mom dying....I am grateful Coop is the one everyone is asking if Dylan is doing okay...even the teachers, and I am grateful that Cooper knows the answers because he is that kind of a friend that he asks Dylan.

How do you make sense of it all? I can't....I tell Coop all I know is Dylan is gonna need us...I will pick him up any time and drop him home, he can come over after school, on the weekends, eat dinner with us... any time he wants.

We just got back from her viewing....I am so filled with emotions right now I don't know what to do with them. Thinking about this sweet boy...when everyone goes home and life goes back to normal....only his won't ever go back to the normal he knew. Who is going to tuck him in at night...I am sure his dad is a lovely person and will do the best he can but it's just not his mom.
Since I lost my mom I feel his pain but I was in my 30's... not 12.

This is the picture he posted on his facebook as his profile picture and I cried when I saw it...

This has definitely made Cooper and I have some pretty serious conversations about death. Tonight I said.. wow Coop I am so grateful that we know Dylan will see him mom again...imagine how awful death would be if you really thought you would never see your mom ever again. I know my mom will be waiting for me with open arms one day....

Sports Court...

2011-02-25T13:51:00.012-05:00

I know! I know! I have been horrible about blogging lately....
Too much always going on and I fall asleep with out even finishing my show at night these days!

So February is almost over...wooooo hooooo!
Spring is right around the corner and we are so ready. Shorts and flip flops can't come soon enough...but that also means baseball season is here so mixed emotions.
Jackson has decided to branch out from his brothers and not play baseball this spring, instead he is giving Lacrosse a try. I am super excited about this and think I will love Lacrosse...now only have to sit through 6 baseball games a week instead of 9.. Ha!

So the boys got their Christmas present..the sport court is in and they really haven't come off it since it went in. The doorbell hasn't stopped ringing either....lots and lots of little boys. As long as they are outside I am soooo fine with it. It's things like today when I walk downstairs to the basement and there is a trail of muddy footprints going from the sport court to upstairs....arggggg. I put a very large sign on the door that says TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES BEFORE COMING IN! We'll see how well it works...

So here was the process...

The boys loved this..the cement trucks put the cement in from the front yard..it stretched that far.

Rain and all...can't get them off of it....

So now we are waiting on Landscapers to come in and tell us what to do to get rid of all the mud and make things a little prettier back there...they sure made a mess of the yard. Worth it though....best Christmas present ever...they will play on it every single day. Much better than having them sit and play video games....not that there's anything wrong with video games! :)

The Big J

2011-02-04T20:53:00.017-05:00

I started this post but haven't finished due to me having strep throat...sorry J-man...strep stinks!

Jackson has many names...Jackson, J-man, J-dog, Action Jackson, J-diggity, Jaxy....

Well my little Jackson Edward turned 11 years old last Thursday...Feb 3, 2011.

So J-man's day started with scones for breakfast...his favorite cookies from Holly...cards with cash from grandparents and his Aunt Holly...presents...he was very excited about his new Hyperdunk basketball shoes he got that he wasn't expecting...Hunter said oh man I had to wait till I was 16 to get those! Not Fair...well life isn't fair Hunter and they didn't have them when you were 11! :)

and then he was off to school.

He was anxiously waiting for me to bring him something delicious for lunch...but instead I surprised him and picked him up from school before his lunch (which btw starts at 11:00 am! Talk about early lunch!)

He was a little bit happy...(Jackson got to wear his clothing of choice for his birthday which is why he is in basketball clothes..even though I told him he should wear jeans seeing as it was 29 degrees out..he convinced me to let him pick then when he got to school the principle scolded him telling him he needs to be in long pants and shirt! Ha!)

So then we were off to his choice of lunch Ci-Ci's...(not my favorite place)

But these two were very happy to be there.....

Bad pic of me as I had strep starting out and didn't know it was strep but not very often I get a pic with J-dog smiling so had to use it!

Conwey had to fly to Arizona in the afternoon...he was so sad to leave on J-man's b-day. We went to dinner the night before with the family and Jackson chose his favorite restaurant Nagoya....

I will have to put those pictures in later because we took them on Hunter's phone and I have asked him a million times to send them to me and of course he still hasn't.

So then Sienna had school so Jackson and I were gonna go to a movie but there wasn't one that worked in our time frame so we ran and got video's and treats before his Aunt Rachel came up.

Then he went and played basketball with brothers and friends...

When he came home he saw this from Rachel and Hudson..

Talk about a nice aunt! Jackson thinks Rach is the coolest!

So then we were off to dinner at Jackson's choice The Steak House...does it seem like we had a lot of eating out for Jackson...it did to me!
Conwey had left on the airplane so Jackson wanted to invite his BFF Grant to go...so thats what we did.

They had a good time...

Grant and his mom and my friend Lisa...

The things we have to do to get a smile out of Jackson!

So that was that...we are now trying to put together is friend party between basketball games and cold weather it is pretty tricky trying to find the right time...but we will figure it out.

So My 2011 things I Love about Jackson Edward Casillas....

1. I love that he was born in the year 2000 makes remembering how old he is so easy! Ha!
2. Even though he seems like he's getting so big he still needs hugs and snuggles...and is happy to give them out.
3. He is an AMAZING little Athlete...
4. When he isn't teasing Sienna he is playing tea party or reading her books...sometimes I just sit and listen from the other room to how sweet he is with her.
5. He is such a good kid...always chooses the right.
6. He has a great laugh..
7. He soooo looks up to his brothers and would do just about anything they tell him to. (good thing they are good kids!) Especially Hunter..I think there is enough of an age distance that those two really get along..
8. Does amazing in school and always has...
9. Still the fastest go getter around..Jackson run and grab that thing upstairs..he's back before I even finish my sentence! :)

10. I love love love that he has decided to branch out from baseball and what his brother's have always done and try Lacrosse this year. He isn't afraid to be different from his brothers.

I really really really can't believe he is 11 years old. I could swear we were just having his 8th birthday yesterday. I really wish these kids would just stop growing up!

I love you J-Man! Your are a light in my life that would be so dark if you weren't in it!

Thanks for being such a wonderful son!

Love,

Mom

Zoe

2011-01-23T14:44:00.002-05:00

So a few weeks ago a friend of mine got some horrible news that her sweet 4 year old has a tumor behind her eye. It has caused complete eye sight loss in that eye and that they had 3 options to consider...they decided to go with chemotherapy that will start this week and they will have to do for a whole year!

As I have thought so much about my friend April and her little girl the last couple of weeks I just wonder why some people have to endure these horrible trials and others don't.

I can't even imagine having a trial like this and pray I never will. I am always so amazed by the strength from these parents as they go through these things.

I feel like I have never taken my health or my children's heath for granted I am grateful every single day for our health.

If you would like to read sweet Zoe's story you can follow her mom's blog she started by going here... http://z-o-e-thegreekwordforlife.blogspot.com

Conwey- January 15th

2011-01-16T00:00:00.014-05:00

So today was Conwey's Birthday. It was a crazy day full of basketball games...probably just how he loves spending his day, which was probably good since I was feeling a bit yucky...

We made him breakfast in bed, gave him his presents, and then he was out the door...

Sienna was excited to bake him a cake with blue frosting because that is the color of his basketball team he coaches...(the Tar Heels) We all went to dinner at one of his latest favorite restaurants The Dock...then we all watched a movie together.

So just wanted to do my 10 things I love about Conwey before his birthday is officially over...and it is 11:59 p.m. right now!

1. He loves his kids and family more than anything in the world....I love how much he loves his family...his dad...they have a special relationship...neither of them talk too much but they understand each other (because they are sooooo much a like) it's very sweet.

2. He is a great provider.

3. He is an awesome coach...parents and kids just adore him. (with a undefeated team so far!)

4. He is an Amazing Sunday school teacher...kids fight to get in his class...some sneak in and have to be escorted out.

5. He is very passionate about sports...

6. If Conwey is your friend he will do anything for you. He will give you the shirt off his back.

7. He makes THE BEST guacamole in the world.

8. When Conwey starts laughing you can't help but laugh..and when he and his brother Nico start laughing (especially in movies) it just makes you laugh. (even if it is the dumbest movie ever!)

9. Conwey is very quiet (I know so opposite of me right...guess opposites did attract) unless he is comfortable with friends or family and then he gets on a roll and has everyone laughing...

10. 20 years ago I met a guy named Conwey (weird to think I was only 3 yrs older than Hunter is now when I met him!)...I hadn't ever heard of anyone named Conwey..(except Conway twitty) something about him intrigued me...he wasn't like all the other guys...little quiet, kinda kept to himself...beautiful blue eyes...ambitious...smart...nice...AWESOME athlete...had amazing legs...(first time I met him he was getting ready to go for a run) The first time I had a chance to really talk to him we talked all night long...(who knew Conwey could talk all night long??) ended up being my best friend the rest is history...20 years and 4 kids later...

Happy Birthday Conwey!

**So we have very few pictures together...I am always the one taking the pictures...but we got this one last summer at a beach wedding we went to...It was a great time with good memories so I like it...

The January Blues....

2011-01-09T08:40:00.002-05:00

I think I have the January Blues...it always seems to happen.

There just isn't much to like about January...I take my Christmas decorations down and everything seems bare. I find myself looking for new decorations all the time because I feel like my house seems so blah...

It's so stinking cold outside I have to make myself go places because it just hurts to walk out....

There just isn't anything to look forward to..(besides Merry's Birthday celebrations :) and Conwey's too...)

The gym is insanely crowded with all the new years resolution people who take all our bikes, equipment, car spaces and then they are all gone by February...not to return till next January....happens every year!

The kids faces are all so pale that they look almost sick....

I get spring fever and then realize I have like 3 more months!

Tell me what is there to like about January? I would love to know....

I think I need to figure out some fun January traditions to make the month a little more fun....anyone have any suggestions out there?

I defiantly have the January Blues....

Christmas Morning-2010

2011-01-01T13:02:00.022-05:00

The brutal waiting on the stairs to come down.....

Hunter, Coop, and Jackson's big present this year is that they are getting a sports court put in the back yard. Can you think of a more perfect present for them? They are all just a tiny bit excited.

Sienna's present from Santa...I think I am having more fun playing with the cute pieces than she is!

Sienna got her long awaited Easy Bake Oven from Grandpa Vic...I soooo remember making cakes in mine when I was little. So funny they are still such a hit! I think Cooper has had more fun making cakes in it than Sienna...he's an expert now.

My favorite part of Christmas morning is all the hugs! We hugged after every present when I was growing up and thank heavens Sienna is keeping that tradition going strong....

I love watching the kids shop for each other...thinking of the perfect gifts, then wrapping them, and the excitement as they watch each other open them.

I also loved each of their sweet gifts they gave me. Coop gave me a cute silver heart necklace, Jackson gave me some awesome pajama pants that I love, Hunter gave me a ton of my favorite gum and Sienna she gave me a really awesome bench from Anthropology...hmmm not sure how she pulled that one off since Conwey and I agreed on no gifts this year for each other!

Sienna loved her pizza making Barbies from Holly and Little Jackson....

Hunter actually gets harder and harder every year. He had no list for me this year...I had to guess on everything he got. And fyi because of the sports court we weren't going crazy on the gifts so it made shopping for Hunter nearly impossible...but I think he was pleased...mostly with his 20 bottles of hairspray he got..or maybe his zit medicine Jackson gave him! Ha! I love funny gifts.

J-man's comment to me on Christmas afternoon was priceless to me. He said

I LOVE my life...I have everything I could ever want. Wow...after a month of stressing over Christmas I was pretty happy to hear that one!

Hmmm Coops gifts look strangly familiar...like exactly what he wanted last year...just a different name on the back. He was very happy to get his Rondo jersey.

Jackson was dying for a pillow pet this year....Conwey was like I don't think my 11 year old son needs to be a getting pillow pet...so this was the next best thing. He said he actually likes it better...phew!

Sienna has been longing for these dress up high heal shoes...her 2nd cousin has them and she wears them every time she goes over. I had a heck of a time finding them but finally tracked some down on ebay...phew again! She hasn't really taken them off since.

My sister Rach gave all the kids really sweet and thoughtful gifts...they all loved everything she gave them. The fake blow up tongue was actually fought over...strange. :)

Grandpa Vic sent the perfect gifts for everyone! Just how he knew exactly what they all wanted I will never know! ;)

Really one of my favorite parts of Christmas is going to the mailbox every single day and getting all your cards. I hope this tradition never ends in the electronic world we now live in!

So even though I felt very overwhelmed this Christmas for some strange reason I really really love Christmas time. I love the gift giving...I love the daily thoughts that somehow always turn to Jesus birth...I love the Christmas music...the lights that decorate all the neighborhoods...the baked goods that show up on your doorstep....and just the magical feeling of Christmas Time!
So here's to 2010 Christmas! Till next year....peace out.

(Don't know why I just typed that but I am keeping it in because it made me chuckle.)

Christmas Eve- 2010

2010-12-31T17:27:00.018-05:00

I am not sure what happened to the month of December because I could swear we were just having Thanksgiving!

I am feeling mixed about Christmas being over. Kinda glad it's all over but yet sad too.

It sure is a lot of work. This year for some reason I felt very overwhelmed...I am not wanting to take everything all down either. So not fun and even though I have had my tree up since the day after Thanksgiving I am not wanting to take it down yet.

So some highlights of Christmas Eve 2010...

Christmas Eve...after a yummy mexican dinner...

Santa Ed....

Sienna couldn't believe Santa knew Grandpa's special nickname for her...she thought it was pretty darn funny.

Nicolas and Henry...

Even big kids get to sit on Santa's lap..and there are twins in Summer's belly!

Some aren't not so sure...

And some just fall alseep on his lap.

My bestest lil buddy Hudson...

Rach and Jman

It was a full house and as always a lot of fun to be all together with family and friends...

Briar Woods Falcons!

2010-12-21T21:33:00.008-05:00

So I realized I never really wrote much about Hunter and his football year.

If you can believe it he just finished! He has been practicing since August 1st! Every day! 4 hours a day...during the month of August he was doing 2 a days...they even made them practice on Thanksgiving! That is a lot of football. But it all payed off because for the first time for Briar Woods High School they went all the way to the State Championships and yep they took it! We were nervous wrecks...sweating, biting our nails, screaming...it was a close game and the team they played were undefeated. We really weren't expecting to win...but win we did. So very exciting!

The sweet cheerleaders left this for Hunter before a big game against our rival school.

I have to say I was so impressed with Hunter this year. He worked so hard...he got multiple awards at the Awards dinner and he even Lettered which is pretty great for being a Sophomore.

Hunter is such a good kid. He always does what he is suppose to do and doesn't complain. (unless it has to do with cleaning)

I am so so proud of him.

Not to mention they wouldn't let any of the football players try out for Basketball until

football was over. Who knew Football would last into December! It was killing Hunter. He wanted to be playing Basketball.

So he gave it his all at Try Outs and made the Basketball team too.

Have I mentioned how proud I am of Hunter? We were all not sleeping very good during those 3 days of tryouts.....and we were jumping for joy when he made it.

Hunter #24

I am so excited to watch him progress in his High School Athletics...I Love love love watching him play basketball.

So Hunter...if your reading this....I am sooooo proud of you! I love you oh so much!

Love,

Mom

Tree

2010-12-11T20:31:00.009-05:00

Can I just say how much I love Christmas Time and sitting by the Tree.....almost as much as I love Summer time! My kids are getting tired of listening to my Christmas music too...but I just don't care....there is always Christmas music on all the time at my house! :)

So a couple people have asked me to post some of my Christmas decorations on here so here are a few of my favorite's around my house....

Love love love my wooden stocking...

I feel like it's Christmas everyday going to the mailbox...Love love love getting all your cute cards and my door is starting to fill up....Love it!

Some of my favorite ornaments.....

Yep these little guys match my big wooden stocking....love them!

And of course I will end with my most favorite ornament...the picture of my little mom so she can be with us every Christmas...makes me cry every year when I take it out to hang on the tree.....

Happy Christmas Time everyone!

Happy Birthday Holly!

2010-12-07T15:43:00.005-05:00

So every once in awhile you meet a person and you instantly become friends and feel like you have known that person FOREVER...I still remember the day I met my sweet friend Holly at the gym. We are a like in so many ways we even named our kids the exact same name...not just the first name the middle name too. Weird! Jackson Edward.

I love love love Holly she is an amazing person and I don't know what I would do without her...so here are my 10 Things I love about Holly Joy Haefner...

1. She is without a doubt the most generous person I have ever met. Not just to me to my whole family and extended family as well....

2. She is an amazing mom doing everything on her own..not sure how she does it. She works soooooo hard!

3. She is so fun to be around and always happy.

4. She sings with me (out loud) in our gym classes...sorry to everyone around us...but we just don't care.

5. She is an amazing athlete.

6. She has been through sooooo much and yet still keeps an amazing attitude.

7. She comes to all my kids games...even baseball!

8. She bends over backwards and goes above and beyond for the ones she loves.

9. We love all the same shows and can always count on her to introduce me to ones I should be watching but not watching...sometimes it can take awhile but when I finally listen she is of course right on and I get hooked.

10. She is beautiful inside and out and I feel very lucky to have her in my life and in my family's life.

11. She is an AMAZING (yes I know I use that word a lot but just describes Holly so well) Baker! (had to add that bonus one)

So Happy Birthday Holly! I hope it's the best year of your life...I have a sneaking suspicion it's going to be!

Keepin it Real...

2010-12-05T21:47:00.005-05:00

So the other day I logged onto my sweet friend Holly's blog (Happy Birthday today Holl..10 things I love about Holly coming soon) and in her latest post she mentioned my blog and how I never complain or vent..just blog about my amazing family. I can't get it out of my mind and while I so appreciate her sweet words I REALLY REALLY don't want to be one of those blogs that makes life seem perfect and hope I'm not...you know one of those blogs that are like the Christmas Cards making life seem so peachy all the time.

While I am VERY grateful for all the many blessings in my life, it is so far from perfect.

From kids fighting about cleaning their bathroom (ALWAYS A FIGHT) to dirty socks I find all over the house and in the backyard, to worries about my kids, worries about family, my own personal struggles, worries about friends, worrying about the fact that Hunter will only be with us a few more years full time, the black permanent marker that is Sienna's best friend right now...and the evidence of it on the walls, on the pillows, the couch, the table and on the tv screen, the kitchen faucet that has been broken forEVER, the 80 loads of laundry that need to get done each week, the layer of dust that is on my dresser right now, the lists of things that don't get done everyday and I fall into bed exhausted every night then wake up at night worrying even though I know I should be asleep...I worry on the inside...in the middle of the night.

The daily struggles that come with living with 5 other people, struggles in relationships...

I guess that's life and I guess I just figure you all don't really want to hear about all that stuff...if your even still reading this now...life is far far from perfect.

I have been blessed with an amazing family that I love very much...and I am sorry if it appears we have a hunky dory life all the time...cause we all know that is just not Keepin it Real.

Turkey and Tree's

2010-11-28T21:11:00.018-05:00

So Thanksgiving has come and gone..and I completely forgot to take any pictures. I asked my niece Jordan to send me the ones she had taken but haven't gotten them yet. It was nice though...and when I get those pictures I will elaborate! :)

While we were on the way to dinner Conwey asked everyone to name 5 things they are Thankful for...Coop made me a bit teary when one of his was how thankful he was for me and everything I do for the family...they do appreciate it! Woo Hoo!

I'm gonna do a quick few things I am grateful for...No particular order..and nothing too serious because we all know the true things we are truly grateful for.

Family

Wonderful Friends

A Home

Health

My Comfy Bed

Trader Joe's

A new Nephew

My Gym..and all my friends there and my awesome instructors

Ashburn

My MacBook (Chris if your reading this...best gift I ever got!)

Employment

Apples and Peanut butter :)

A garage

Summertime

DVR's

Music

Conwey's sister Jayne and her family stayed with us for the weekend and Sienna was in HEAVEN having her cousins all weekend long.

Jayne and I got a morning of shopping in at Luckette's..which is the coolest antique store ever, and we hit the outlets for a bit too. We love having them here.

Then later that day we went to get our Tree and I am sure I have written every single year about how Conwey is the only one that wants to go cut the tree down...this year it was a bit chilly out so we all decided we would find a tree super quick and get outta there fast. We pulled up and actually saw the perfect tree! We said that's the one...and Conwey said hmmmm lets look around...to which he got a lot of moans...but he soon realized it really was the one and we weren't pulling one over on him.

Sienna thought this one would be perfect!

Conwey has to study it to make sure it is full enough...I am actually wondering how it is going to fit in the house!

Jackson pulled, dragged Sienna around and for some crazy reason she loved it.....

Not sure what prompted this attack but Hunter never learns...Conwey always catches him somehow.

And look like Father like Son...

awwwwww.....

Not sure what I did to deserve this though...apparently I didn't saw the tree for long enough...

So was getting pushed back down every time I tried to stand up...Conwey thinks he's so funny...Ha! And to make it worse they took pictures!

So it was nice and quick..and then we headed out for hot chocolate...peppermint hot chocolate! Yum!

Colors and Mom

2010-11-19T19:54:00.012-05:00

So everyday I drive around and can't believe how beautiful all the tree's are. The colors are so bright!

Yellow, orange, and my favorite red...I look at this tree everyday and I just had to snap a picture because before I know it those leaves will fall...

Fall in Virginia is pretty amazing!

I was thinking about my mom the other day (November 15 to be exact... can't believe she's been gone 6 years) and going back through some of my memories of her.

I just kept remembering when I was little we were driving around and my mom just couldn't believe how beautiful all the leaves were.

She pulled over on the side of the road and we all got out and walked around...we were jumping in the leaves and she had us all stop and soak in the gorgeous fall day and the wonderful colors. I am very grateful for that memory of my little mom. I hope I can pass it on to my kids...

I miss my mom!

Vince...

2010-11-09T16:52:00.004-05:00

So I LOVE Vince Vaughn...really really love him. Not in a attractive sort of way I just find him to be the absolute funniest person EVER. He can really just be sitting there and it makes me laugh. Conwey thinks he is pretty much as funny as I do so we love to watch his movies.

Last night we had tickets to go see him live with Kevin James...I mean how can you go wrong with that duo?

It was sooooo much fun. It was in DC and we went to eat before with some great friends.

They had 3 other comics there and they were really funny. I forgot how much I love to laugh that hard...tears streaming....

I am so sad I forgot to take any pictures...it was such a fun night though.

Looking forward to their new movie...hoping it's as good as it should be!

Halloween 2010

2010-11-01T22:20:00.025-04:00

Halloween...I love Halloween. Sienna loves Halloween too...she made a pretty cute witch. (after about 3 other costumes)

I really couldn't believe it when Jackson wanted to be a banana this year! Usually he likes the blood and gore....Little bugger still on the no smiling kick though...

Jackson and his BFF Grant..who was a hamster...

Sienna did not like the Guts....and thought it was weird that we kept calling it Guts....

She got every last pumpkin seed because I am crazy for roasting the pumpkin seeds! We love them!

Everyone hard at work...

Except Hunter.....

Then they all gave up...

and started doing this....

But Conwey and I finished them up...mine is the one you can't tell what it is! Ha!

Baby Hudson came up to go trick or treating with us...Rachel and Jimmy came too....we had chili and cornbread and wayyyyy too much candy!

Sienna and her cute lil pumpkin..

And for some reason Conwey thought she should have blood....doesn't he know this is our only girl...and he has 3 boys???

After trick or treating the boys talked me into watching not one but TWO scary movies with them...We were up till 2:00 am....I am too old to go to bed at 2 am! Luckily we had no school Monday or Tuesday...woooooo hoooooo. I love it when there's no school! Sleeping in...not having to make lunches. Such a nice treat!

So all in all it was a pretty good Halloween...and I can't believe it's over....now I have to go take everything down...just to put up the Christmas stuff in 4 more weeks...ahhhhhhhhhhhh............

Sienna's first day of school....

2010-10-26T11:46:00.006-04:00

I realized I didn't post about Sienna's first day of school yet and for my journal purposes gotta get these pictures in here...

Sienna LOVES school. She asks me everyday if today is a school day and if I say yes she squeals with delight...

Here are a few pictures from her first day....she is growing up way too fast! :(

If you are wondering what important necessities she might have in her purse for the first day of school..let me tell you...lipgloss, (of course) her phone, her sunglasses and her keys...you just never know when you might need any of these items on the first day of school. No to the backpack.. purses are way better. :)

Yummo Popcorn Treat

2010-10-24T21:12:00.004-04:00

So my kiddo's and I were wanting to make a yummy Sunday night treat tonight so we made this yummy popcorn treat and it was a hit...the kids said it was the best thing they had ever tasted so I thought I would post the recipe for you all...
I am sure you could make many different variations of this that would be yummy too...

2 bags butter microwave popcorn
1 bag white chocolate chips (Guittard works great)
3/4 cup mini milk chocolate chips (I actually didn't use these)
1/2 - 3/4 cup Heath toffee bits (I used the regular ones and the milk chocolate covered ones)

Pop popcorn in microwave - remove any unpopped kernels. Place in a large bowl. Melt white chocolate chips in a glass bowl in the microwave on 70% power. Cook for one minute, stir the chips, then microwave for another 30 seconds on 70% power if needed. Stir until the chocolate is smooth. Drizzle chocolate over popcorn then gently stir to coat all the popcorn evenly. Sprinkle on the mini chips and the toffee bits. Fold in gently. Spread out popcorn on a cookie sheet to dry.

You could probably make these into popcorn balls really easy too.....

Halloween Time

2010-10-18T16:49:00.017-04:00

October...once I decide to let summer go I end up loving October...fall fills the air...

The leaves start changing in my backyard....

I start baking everything pumpkin...we pull out the jeans and sweaters....and Halloween...

I love Halloween. As the years go by I love it more and more.

The excitement of the kids makes it so much fun. Trick or Treating....it brings back so many great memories of when I was little and my brother and I waiting by the window until it got just dark enough that my mom gave us the ok to go...we would run through the neighborhood with our pillowcases trying to one up each other with the candy.

It wasn't like it is now..the kids go for 20 minutes and their bags are full. We had to work hard for that candy..1 little piece for every house we went to. We would be out for 4 hours! Brings back such great memories!

My neighborhood goes kinda crazy for Halloween too...I mean some of the houses are decorated more for Halloween than Christmas...

Every year I pick up a couple more decorations so maybe in 10 years I will catch up to some of the houses around here.

This year I let Sienna pick a decoration and my sweet little 4 year old picked this...

You might say she has a bit of a dark side.....

She said this pumpkin wasn't spooky at all and she didn't really like it...Ha! Who is she?

She approved of the welcome mat though...

And all the skeletons we have hanging around....

I love this witch...I got it years ago...her face cracked and I have looked every where for one that is similar and I can't find one so she still goes on the door cracked face and all...

My witches feet...I love these feet...I saw them at a store and didn't get them and then I thought about them forever so I had to go back and get them...

And this is my favorite decoration...found it at my favorite store..Marshalls!

I love Marshalls! Nothing beats a great deal!

So with Sienna changing her mind everyday about what she is going to be this year we are still on the hunt for the perfect costume....

Stay tuned!

Happy Birthday Julie Linton!

2010-10-12T22:17:00.014-04:00

Happy Birthday to my dear friend Jules...

Not sure what I would do without you....

I loved spending your birthday with you and I am sorry if you didn't love the signs all over your neighborhood... :)

Bahahahahahah.....it was fun making them!

And sneaking over in the night putting them all up with Cooper!

10 things I love about Julie....where do I even begin.....

1. She bends over backwards for the ones she loves.

2. When she gets the giggles...there's no stopping the laughter...we can laugh until our stomach's and faces hurt...

3. We never ever run out of things to talk about...

4. She loves my kids like her own...and treats them like gold...

5. She is always up on the latest hollywood gossip and I always know who to go to if I need to find anything out.

6. She is an amazing oatmeal chocolate chip cookie maker and always brings me a bag of frozen dough balls that I can just stick in the oven..it's awesome.

7. She is an amazing listener and advise giver, never ever judges.

8. She is the friend that shows up on your doorstep to help even when you tell her not to..

9. She is an amazingly amazingly strong person!

10. She is soooo thoughtful and caring...honestly I could name 10 more things so easily...there are too many things to love about Julie Linton!

I am so grateful for our friendship! I know we will be friends till we are old and gray!

Happy Birthday! We still have more dinner, shopping, and movie on Saturday..woot woot!

Where have all the good ones gone....

2010-10-06T20:21:00.015-04:00

As 9:00 pm rolls around on a typical night, dinner's done, kids are in bed.
I get in my comfy pj's, climb in my comfy bed...exhausted from my day of... well probably the same day that all of you get exhausted from.

Grab my remote...pull up my dvr'd shows to settle in and watch...

Watch what??? Not sure about you but there is NOTHING I am dying to watch this fall. Nothing!

Even the shows I have recorded, I just find myself on my laptop not even paying attention.

I use to have nights I would look forward to...get almost giddy as I heard the music starting, not wanting it to end (I know...I know...but it's the little things in life right!)

I feel very disappointed in ABC, NBC, and CBS...I find myself watching Bravo and E channels more often these days.

I miss my Friday Night Lights

At least we have 1 more season with FNL but we don't get it until next spring! What is that about?

Lost

Alias (look at the young Bradly Cooper!)

Felicity (oh how I LOVED Felicity!)

Party of Five (LOVED this one too!)

My So Called Life (I loved all these who am I kidding!)

Relativity (does anyone even remember that show?)

So seriously where have all the good ones gone???

What are you guys watching???

Betty Crocker...um... NO

2010-10-03T14:33:00.008-04:00

I really really don't like to cook. I have written posts before on how if there was a pill to take instead of having to eat I would take it...I would buy stock in it...I would be so happy!

But I do like to bake...or maybe I just like the outcome of baking much more.

Some times I make things from scratch...but sometimes a good old mix is my kind of baking. Faster, less mess, and tastes good.

Well I want to share a very YUMMY mix for pumpkin pancakes. I have made them from scratch a few times but I have to say this mix tastes better than the scratch ones.

It comes from one of my BFF's that helps me all the time with my meal time dilemma's.

Some of you may be familiar with him...Joe's his name...Trader Joe's.

Really don't know what I would do without him. He helps me with quick healthy dinners for our crazy schedule. And guess what when he helps with dinner no one complains! It's great!

I suggest he become your BFF too!

Delicious! We like to make a topping to put on them that seriously tastes like pumpkin pie. Cool Whip and some pumpkin pie mix mixed together...seriously DELICIOUS!

I could write lists of my favorite Trader Joe's products...long lists....this one is defiantly worth trying out for all you Trader's shoppers!

Bubbalicious

2010-09-29T17:37:00.005-04:00

So Coop is a pretty funny kid. He makes his friends laugh a lot at school...at least that's what all his friends tell me.

Well the other night he came home and told me when I went to back to school night I had to tell his teachers that I was Bubbalicious's mom. Huh?

He told all his teachers that his name is Cooper but everyone calls him Bubbalicious or Bubba for short.

His teachers said the only way they will call him that is if his parents confirm it.

Today I got this note from Coop..should I start to worry? I don't think I want a child named Bubba... :)

Time is ticking away..much to my dismay!

2010-09-24T22:45:00.028-04:00

I am laying here in my bed so emotional for some reason tonight (yes emotional is a better way of saying it than crying my eyes out!)...maybe because I have been sick the last couple of days and have a lot of thinking time.

Sienna fell asleep next to me and as I watch her sleep I feel so sad. I just really want to freeze time. I don't want my kids to grow up. Is that normal?

Sienna as a newborn....

Coop has always taken amazing care of Sienna since day one...

Conwey took the kids to grab some dinner tonight and my sweet Cooper is calling me asking me what I want to eat. Trying to talk to the guy at the place to get my veggie burger baked, not fried..( I mean who fries a veggie burger! seriously?) when they couldn't do that he called asking if I would want something from Chipotle instead. It just touched my heart that he was working so hard to try and get me something to eat because he knew I wasn't feeling well. Then he brought it up to me on a plate....love him!

Cooper

Coop and Hunter ages 1 and 4

I don't want my kids to grow up! Hunter's been gone tons lately he leaves for school at 8:30 am and the nights he has games I don't see him till 11:00 at night. On the days he doesn't have games he doesn't get home from football practice til 7:00! Makes me sad.

I don't know if these feelings are normal or not. I know I shouldn't dwell on the inevitable but I find my mind just wanders there a lot....and I get so sad.

Hunter

Coop and Hunter

I was thinking about my mom today realizing it's been almost 6 years since she passed away. 6 YEARS! Hunter was 10...Jackson's age. Jackson was 4... Sienna's age.

Where did those 6 years go? I sometimes feel like it was yesterday..then when I try to remember what her laugh sounded like or what her voice was like...remember what her hugs felt like and I can't remember....it makes me so sad. I miss her.

My mom and I....

That's Coop as a baby..so this was about 11 years ago.....

And then we have my sweet, crazy Jackson.....

Rach has always had a special relationship with Jackson...and all the boys...they adore her.

This is when he was 4 and broke his leg snowboarding...

I really feel like all these pictures were taken yesterday...

So for now I am going to cherish these days while my kids are the ages they are...and still love and want to be with me. I know it probably won't always be like this so I am soaking it in today.

Sorry for the emotional post...just had to write these feelings down. Especially before tomorrow comes and they are all fighting and driving me crazy. :)

Dancing in the Rain

2010-09-22T16:25:00.006-04:00

So we had a weird unexpected rain storm today...and I could hear Sienna outside...I immediately got annoyed because she was all dressed and ready and I was thinking oh that little booger better not be outside in that rain!

Then when I looked out the window this is what I saw...and well it kinda melted my heart.

Don't mind the bush I was trying to be sly and take these pictures so they wouldn't see me through the window....

Not sure what she would do without those brothers!

First Days and Football...

2010-09-19T14:40:00.033-04:00

So I haven't even posted any pictures from the first day of school yet....as you all know we weren't ready for school to start....so the first day was sad sad sad.....

Jackson is in his final year of Elementary which is crazy to me. He was in 1st grade when we moved to Ashburn.

Me: Jackson please smile..just one smile...

Jackson: There is nothing to smile about..its the first day of school.

I got a little one...

Me: Oh no Jackson there's the bus...RUN!!!!

Jackson: Nooooo seriously...on the first day!

There it goes...

It's a good thing the bus driver knows Jackson well...

She will make a special stop just for him...

Phew...he made it! Way to start off the new year! :)

Coop: Mom stop right there! You are not following me to the bus stop this year!

Me: Coop I am just gonna go to the next mailbox I promise

Coop: NO!!!! You are not doing that again this year! SERIOUSLY STOP!

Me: Dang...it worked last year...next year I will have to get my long lens out!

Me: Bye Coop...sniff sniff....I love you...I will miss you today!

Hunter: MOM What are you doing?

Me: Just taking some pictures on the first day of your Sophomore year...

Hunter: You are NOT following me to the bus stop!

Me: Geez what is with you guys...there's nothing wrong with me following you to the bus and taking pictures...

Hunter: MOM I AM DEAD SERIOUS...STOP RIGHT THERE.

Me: oooooookkkkkaaaaayyyyyy (Yelling as he walks down the street...) I LOVE YOU HUNTER! HAVE A GREAT FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Hunter: silence...pretending not to know the crazy lady yelling down the street to him...

Good thing I get to go home to this cute face that still loves me and lets me take pictures! Love her!

We decided to start a new tradition of going to get ice creme on the first day of school as well as the last day of school...the kids seemed to like this new tradition....

Rach was up for the day and she liked it too...

Baby Hudson wants to know where his ice creme is....

So then we were off to Hunter's football game...funny they had one on the first day of school but he was glad not to have to worry about what to wear to school on the first day..just his jersey.

Hunter #78

Hudson wasn't quite sure what to think about his first football game...

Jackson and Sienna... we love when friends come to the games!

Hudson liked his 2nd game a bit more in the comfy arms of Holly....and while it looks like Rach is holding a small baby..that's just her burrito don't worry! ;)

While we miss summer time so much we love football games...at night...under the lights...with hot chocolate and popcorn...and spending time with good friends and family! It's a good thing because we have PLENTY more football games to go.

Jackson- The Hokies

Cooper- The Rams

Hunter- Briar Woods Falcons!

Stay Tuned......

Really?

2010-09-15T08:29:00.018-04:00

My baby...my first born...just turned 16 years old. I am so not sure how that has even happened because I swear it was YESTERDAY I was 16. I should feel so happy he has grown into such a awesome young man but I just feel sad. I only have a few more years with him.

Hunter is a hard one when it comes to birthdays and Christmas...he doesn't ever say what he wants to do or what he wants for presents. This year was a bit easier in that all he has been wanting for months is the new iPhone 4...he has been dreaming about getting his little hands on it so I knew we had a good gift for him. Although I think I had him freaked out he wasn't going to get it. He kept saying BUT ITS ALL I WANT! Other than a car..which I keep telling isn't going to happen especially because he doesn't have his licence yet.

So we planned a mean basketball game with all his cousins and uncles for him which he loved....and we had a family BBQ for him. Not quite the sweet 16 party he sees on MTV but he was still happy...easy to please...Cooper will be my child that wants that sweet 16 party! Ha!

He woke up to scones for his bday breakfast...

and lots of hugs...

You wouldn't want to think that they might actually love each other..could they hug any farther apart?

Nicolas...best baby holder ever!

Jimmy and Taylor no doubt talking politics...

Jman

Nico and Sierra

Hunter and his cousin Micah...they have been best friends since birth.

Grandpa Ed...don't think he could love Hunter anymore than he does...such a great grandpa!

Aunt Rachel who has been around Hunter his whole life...one of the best Aunts Ever!

and a very tired looking mom...who loves Hunter more than anything..(and cute baby Hudson)

So my 2010 10 things I love about Hunter...

1. He has the best laugh ever

2. I KNOW I can completely trust him at all times to do the right thing

3. He is a mac/apple GENIUS

4. I love how he always gives me the 10 minutes after picking him up from somewhere on the way home telling me everything about his day or night out

5. He is a great example to his brothers, sister, cousins, and whole family

6. He is a great athlete

7. He gets straight A's even in his honors classes

8. He isn't the best cleaner (like shoving everything in his closet when he is told to clean his room) but when he decides to really clean he does a great job

9. The older he gets the more I love to just hang out with him

10. He is really really funny and makes all his friends laugh all the time

Hope you have the best year ever! Free to date up a storm! Have Fun! I love love love you Hunter!

Nooooooo......

2010-09-05T16:27:00.018-04:00

I think there might be something seriously wrong with me...I start having little anxiety attacks a few weeks before Labor Day because I get so super sad when summer ends. I think I am one of the very few moms out there that doesn't want school to start. I love summer! I love hanging out with my kids, going to the pool, B-ques, sleeping in late, staying up too late, I get soooo sad when it's time for the pools to close. We even tried to talk the lifeguards at one of our pools into staying for one more week....he laughed and said he's out of here...on to a cruise in Miami...hmmm don't really understand what's so great about that...why he wouldn't want to stay in good old Ashburn Virginia...but whatever!

This is Jackson and his attached at the hip brother from another mother Grant...they have had more sleepovers this summer than I can even count.....We love Grant though!

Time with Friends will be so missed...

I don't want to think about Fall...about Halloween, Thanksgiving, let alone stinkin Christmas!

Noooooo to cold weather and coats, boots, and

hats!

I love love love to be able to walk out in flipflops &

shorts..to not be chilled to the bone!

Sooooo with that little rant off my chest

I am going to enjoy one last day of summer,

one last day at the pool with my kids...

Sniff, Sniff....

Balloons to Heaven....

2010-08-27T12:03:00.018-04:00

So back in March one of my girlfriends was telling me about a family in our neighborhood that had twin baby boys that were 6 months old and one of them was just diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer. I started following their story on their family blog.

When I heard about it I was like.. oh Jessie don't start reading this it's not going to end good. His chances were almost 100% that he wouldn't make it.

But for some reason every day I logged in and read about what was going on with them that day. About how his surgery went....about how his chemo was going....looking at this sweet baby everyday with a smile on his face and an amazing family that was so positive.

I started thinking hey he really might make it..and at this point it was too late...I had already fallen in love with this little sweet guy.

So as I sat down on August 15th to see how the day was going with baby Declan..I was stunned to read his mom's sweet words...

(the below is taken from their blog)

AUGUST 15, 2010

…I am sitting next to my husband watching my sweet Declan sleep for what could be the last night.

Today, we got the worst news any parent caring for a child with cancer could get…the cancer has spread and there isn’t anything that can be done to stop or cure it. There aren’t words to really describe what we’re feeling right now…we’re numb, terrified, distraught, sad for what we’re about to lose…too many emotions to collect.

At the same time, we’re also glad for what we have had…6 more months with him to love him, hold him and smile with him. He has lit our world up in a way we could never have imagined. We are blessed beyond belief to have been given the gift of this little boy, our Declan.

Tomorrow we have the unenviable task of telling our boys their brother will be going to heaven soon and watching them say good-bye. We will also watch his Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins come to love on Declan one last time.

Declan’s time with us is now short. Please pray for his comfort and that of our family during this time.

I am sure everyone that followed this blog was feeling the same way I was. Tears running down my face. I was stunned and soooooo sad. I have to admit I have been teary ever since. Every time I think of this sweet little boy and his brave and amazing family that I don't even know my heart just hurts.

Baby Declan went to heaven on August 18th 2010.

I can't explain how this baby has touched my life. I am not usually this effected. But for some reason this little guy made his way into my heart.

So yesterday in honor of Declan and his twin brother Cole we along with thousands of other people who he also touched released blue and gold balloons at 6:00 pm.

When I went into the store to buy the balloons a guy was standing there already blowing up a lot of blue and gold balloons...he said he had been there all day blowing them up and he didn't even work in the floral dept. Again with my dang tears...they just won't turn off. I was so touched at how many strangers were taking time out of their day to go buy balloons for Declan.

Just typing this makes me tear up. It was an amazing experience that I am grateful I was able to take part in.

We lost a few balloons along the way...but still had 3...then one got loose into our tree and we only had 2 left...I thought...well even though we started with more 2 is the perfect # one for Declan and one for his brother Cole.

Jackson was even willing to be a little late to football practice....

You can watch his sweet family in the clip below letting their balloons go.

Thank you sweet Declan for coming into my life and making me realize even more how precious life is and how lucky we are to be here with our loved ones.

http://declansjourney.com

Above link to their blog if you would like to read about it.

Carmen

2010-08-19T22:25:00.004-04:00

Happy Birthday to my dear friend Carmen....I love love love you. You are one of the kindest people I have ever known, you are a patient loving mother, you are the best exercise partner a girl could ask for, you are always ready and willing to go shopping, or get a pedicure with, you are an amazing baker and we love all the benefits from it, you are a great finder of all information ever needed when there is a illness or problem, you are a great pool partner, you are a great supporter of not only me but all of my kids too, you are beautiful inside and out and I am very thankful for our friendship!

Carmen's Birthday Dinner

Lisa, Carmen, Julie, Jessie, Stacy, Rachel

Sienna's Photography...

2010-08-08T17:19:00.013-04:00

Sienna is constantly taking pictures lately..whenever I upload pictures I find all kinds of Sienna's little pictures... so here is some of Sienna world....

Gotta keep it real on this blog...and well this summer this is how Sienna's room has been....she's been very messy...

You may notice a theme with Sienna...pictures of her shoes....the girl loves her shoes!

Coop turns 13

2010-08-02T21:07:00.034-04:00

Ahhh I have 2 teenagers in the house now! Cooper turned 13 years old yesterday Aug 1st.

It really is making me sad to watch my kids growing up. Even though they are becoming such amazing people it makes me sad...time is slipping away.

So Coop wanted a big ol friend party...like he always does. So what do you do with a bunch of 13 year old boys? We were brainstorming...I told Coop no sleep over party when he asked...learned my lesson the hard way on the sleepover parties.

So he told his friends the party went from 4-12 midnight. I couldn't believe it...what on earth were we gonna do for that long. So we decided to take all the boys out to eat at CiCi's pizza. Now if you don't know what that is let me tell you. It is a boys dream place to eat...all you can eat pizza and any and all kinds. They even have macaroni and cheese pizza. Can you even imagine...so as I went to get in my car and they had the music turned up and the car was rocking (literally rocking from the boys inside) I knew it might be a long night.

We had 3 cousins and Uncle Nico with us too...which is always more fun! :)

So after dinner we headed back to the house for cake and ice creme, fireworks, and a scary movie outside...the girls then showed up which is always entertaining to watch.

Cooper's favorite cookie cake Holly brought over for him which was so thoughtful! I just have the best friends ever! :)

Holly and her friend Michael....

Lighting fireworks...

Movie Time...lots of treats, and screams from this crew...I guess it was a good creepy movie to watch outside.

Hunter and Holly playing a mean game of bball before the movie started...

And there were a lot of pranks...all and all I think they all had a great time. As the last kids got picked up at about 12:45..I sank into my bed to wake up the next day for his actual birthday and family dinner party....

Talk about a healthy breakfast right!

Sienna's present to Coop...his favorite Bubblegum.....

Coop and Eddie

Becca and baby Hudson

Summer and Louisa

Grandpa Ed

Grandma Jill

And Sienna with her crazy sweet tooth she has....

So as another year has come and gone in the blink of an eye here are my

10 Things I love about Cooper James Casillas

1. Coop has the sweetest, tenderest heart around.

2. He is one of my best friends...

3. He talks to me everyday about little and big things..

4. He takes AMAZING AMAZING care of his sister Sienna.

5. He knows right from wrong and listens to his heart.

6. He is a straight A student.

7. He is good at all his sports.

8. He worrys about his family a lot.

9. He is smart with his money...he will be my little banker one day.

10. He still gives me awesome hugs!

I love love love you Coop! Happy 13th birthday!

Vacation Part 3

2010-07-20T21:05:00.036-04:00

Last Vacation Beach Post I promise!

The last few days.....

Too many all nighters for Jackson...it caught up to him!

Sienna and Noah

Sienna and Lana

cousins
Chris, Lana, and Noah

Yes that's right...your not seeing things...that's me...fishing...but Conwey put the worm on and took the 2 fish I caught off the hook...but I reeled them in really good! :)

My sister Becca grabbed the camera and I gave her a hard time but I am glad I have the proof now! But ahhhh I got her back...

She caught one too...with Cooper's help

Sienna isn't going to know what to do without her cousins!

Fresh, Hot, gooey donuts..I have always had this thing about donuts...I can't eat them, not because they aren't delicious but because I have always had a metal thing with them because they are so unhealthy...not that I couldn't eat 4 donut holes which equal the same as one donut...but my mind is kinda crazy...anyway they gave us these donuts while we were waiting in line and I took a bite...oh my word...I haven't ever tasted anything so delicious. That was my first time eating a hot out of the oven donut. I have been missing out! YUM!!!! I ate the whole thing!!!

So did Sienna....

Sierra brought some crafts...the kids loved them. Sierra always makes it fun.

I don't know why I love to take picture of Sienna from behind but I just love them!

Jackson

Sienna was telling Sierra all about it....

Talk about a bubble bath...she couldn't stop giggling.

This was a fun little restaurant we found...started by 2 surfers in the 70's.

So Conwey booked a deep sea shark fishing trip for the guys...I can't say I wasn't a little nervous as they left for it, but they got home safe and had a blast.

Yes those are real sharks...

Coop actually dropped the poor thing right after the picture.

Conwey said Jackson was extremely nervous holding it...but I said who wouldn't be!

Cousin Eddie

The week went way to fast...

We were sad the day we had to pack up and come home. Even though it's nice to get home to your house, bed, and life (and new baby nephew)...there's just nothing like the beach.

We loved sharing the week with The Thomas Family. The cousins all got along so well and it was so nice and mellow. We loved that sisters, and nieces could come too. We love spending time with family. I am happy to have Sienna back though..she wouldn't give me the time of day while her cousins were nearby. :)

So till next time...we love OBX!

Vacation Part 2

2010-07-15T18:47:00.019-04:00

Sun, Sand, and Surf...seriously what is better than that? Have I mentioned ever how much I love the beach?

So I am just gonna update the blog as we go along so I won't be so overwhelmed at the end of the trip...

No fear of the fish...

Cooper loves to fish...play in the waves...and play chowzer!

Sienna and Lana in their Bo Derrik braids...

Baby Louisa

Baby Valentine and Page

mini me....

Hunter has done a lot of sleeping...loved this little contraption he made today...

My sister Becca who is here for the summer living with us...Sienna and me

Jackson has really taken to surfing...thanks to some lessons from Chris!

Crabs for dinner...everyone looks so happy to look up and take a picture for me don't they? :)

Now I am off for some football on the beach...

Beach Vacation Part 1

2010-07-13T21:36:00.037-04:00

So I am sitting at the beach right now listening to the waves outside my window...ahhhh it really is my favorite place on earth!
We weren't sure we were going to get here this year. We had a lot of things working against us but at the very last minute (literally the night before we left we booked a house)
We were waiting for Rachel to have her baby which I am happy to say hurray she did...cutest little guy...Hudson James Jeffries came on July 9th at 9:17 am. After a very long night Rach did it!