The Wilson Six

First Week Of Summer

2011-06-27T00:43:00.000-07:00

I really want to remember this summer.

So here are some highlights without

pictures.

Creative writing camp for Sydney and Bella (They are loving it and I'm so surprised. I've never seen Bella reading so much.)
Family only day. (No friends over. We did what we wanted all day. At the end of the day Preston said, "I love hanging out with my family.)
Little league baseball camp for Preston. (I loved seeing him playing ball like a big boy. I got to see him hit a double and steal home.)
Bella's soccer friends over for homemade pizza. (They even made a desert pizza, marshmallows and chocolate! )
Impromptu date with Todd and Preston. (The girls were invited to go out to dinner with our neighbors girls and we had a sitter for Davis so we took Preston with us to Thai food. He was a great date! )
Late evening scooter rides around the neighborhood.
Wonderful friends who took the older three one afternoon so I could have a rest.
Starting to decorate Preston's new room

Next week will include pictures!

My Baby is 1

2011-06-11T17:14:00.000-07:00

I have really been reflecting on the past 18 months. I has not been the easiest year and a half but one thing I can say is that is has brought our family closer together. We have found more love and joy than we knew before.

Each child brings with them their own temperament to a family group. We are so lucky that we have been able to have 4 children all of whom are sweet, loving, polite, smart and strong willed. They are all very different except in one thing, they all love each other and us their parents unconditionally. I'm lucky because I have made a lot of mistakes and they always forgive me and love me still.

I'm sad and also rejuvenated that I'm done with the "THE YEAR OF THE BABY". I'm off and literally running into the year of the toddler. Shari and Ann, I think this year might just be harder.

Davis turned 1 on June 9th. He has been walking for about a month but not independently. This week for my parents visit and his birthday party he decided to be done with crawling completely. And from the bumps, cuts and bruises on his face he should have maybe practice a little more. He is my earliest walker and a dare devil on top of it. He loves to be in the water, dirt and sand. He could spend hours in our backyard and stands at the door asking to be let out. The kids have left the back door open and I have found him out there cruising around all alone. Not a worry in the world.

So what better way to celebrate then a water,

bubble

party in the backyard. When I found out my parents could come for the week I threw it in to high gear and put a party together with the kids and the neighborhood gang. Everyone from 1 to the 9 had a

blast. Davis loved all the activities and joined in on everything. He also seemed to love all the attention and did not cry once.

He really got into his "Smash Cake", and I let him go at it.

I think some made it into his mouth!

We all love this little guy so much. I could go on and on about how all the kids and their friends adore him. He is happy 90 percent of the time. The other 10 percent is when he is hungry, sick or tired. He has brought so much love and closeness to our family. He adores his sisters and thinks Preston is the best thing in the world. He loves to cuddle with me and has started coming to me with toys or books to look at with him.

Before Davis was born I was so worried about how I would handle a new baby and the other children. Once we saw each other I knew everything would be just fine. He has put up with shortened naps, long car rides, fast feeding and many, many school runs. He takes most of it in stride and repays me with smiles and laughter. His big brown eyes melt my heart and his smile soothes my worries.

I'm so lucky to have Davis Todd Wilson in my family. We would not be complete without him in our lives.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVIS!

Sydney The Fish!

2011-06-03T13:29:00.000-07:00

I tired to download the before and after video of Sydney's progress in swimming. I was incredible but I couldn't get it to work. So I had to post without it because we are just so excited.

But first you should know that Sydney started swimming lessons with THE BEST TEACHER, Carol, only in March! We have tried so many swim schools and other private swim lessons without any results. Carol is a Master Swim Instructor so she knows the mechanics of swimming. More importantly she is nice and fun but knows when to be hard on the kids. Sydney's main problem with swimming has been that she is just scared. When she started she was scared to let go of the side of the pool or get to far away from it. Carol was able to not only get her swimming but swimming like a pro! She would listen to Sydney and hear what she was worried about then teach her what to do to get over her fear. It was so good to see Sydney listening to Carol, implementing the instructions and seeing a great result.

This all started with a goal, to pass the Del Mar Jr Life Guards test so she can do Jr Guards this summer. The kids her age have to swim 100 yards in 2minutes 30 seconds, tread water for 5 minutes, swim under water for 5 yards and hold their breath under water for 20 seconds. We really didn't think Sydney could do it by June but she did! She passed her 100 yard sim in 2 minutes 15 seconds! She had time to spare.

No matter what I'm so proud of her. She is swimming like a fish and all her fears of the water are gone. She told Todd while swimming laps with him that she felt so calm swimming. That pretty much sums it up.

As Much Relaxing As We Can Hope For.

2011-05-31T16:08:00.000-07:00

We had a really great weekend. Nothing special but that's what made it great!

We didn't have to be anywhere, no visitors (not that we don't really love visitors, it's just rare that we don't have someone in town during a holiday) and we didn't have any plans.

We were able to do what we wanted, when we wanted to. Which helped Todd and I chilled a little more than we normally do. Which is not much considering the life we lead!

There was a little rain, good food and for me some great runs.

The weekend ended on a high note

with sunshine and a beach day.

I believe Saturday morning started the weekend off right.

I wanted to go for a run but didn't feel good about leaving Todd with all the kids when he had a lesson to prepare for all the teens 12 years old to 17 on Sunday. (This is one of his fun new responsibilities in the bishopric. On a 5th Sunday he will teach a lesson to all the youth! I hear he did great! I knew he would though.)

So I thought I would just take Davis with me in the jogger. Then I had a great idea (thanks to Deanne and her influence on me) to take the girls with me. They rode their scooters and were able to keep up. I was worried they would start complaining but they never tired. We were able to go for almost 5 miles. I was so impressed with them. And they LOVED IT!

The weekend ended with a sunny warm day. So after a Memorial Day "Fun Run", followed by a pancake breakfast and flag ceremony put on by the Boy Scouts from church,

we cruised down to the beach.

We were worried about crowds and taking Davis but both ended up not being a problem.

Davis LOVED every minute of the beach. We stayed for 4 hours and left when we felt like it.

I just love my little beach bums.

Sydney even got out and did some boarding.

Burrrr!

Things Have Changed Around Here...

2011-05-16T10:28:00.000-07:00

Gone from the bathtub are the mermaids and pony's.

They have now been replaced with army men and trucks.

The Sisters are also gone from the bath.

Preferring to shower in my giant shower.

They are so grownup

(9 years old and 7.5)

so bath time is not as exciting as it once was.

We don't have as many free days or afternoons we once had. Gone are pajama Fridays (we used to stay home in our pj's till we just had to get out of the house or not). The dress-up baskets have been given away and replaced with chapter books, remote control helicopters, professional art supplies and soccer cleats. There is not a real nap schedule, Davis is the only one who takes a nap anyway and I have to squeeze it in whenever I can as each day has a different schedule.

But with all these changes come new experiences, challenges and fun!

Some of the fun that EVERYONE was up for

was SPRING BREAK 2011 in Palm Springs!

We loved the heat, pool and friends.

Even a trip to the ER one late night was

an adventure (not to be repeated).

I'm so ready to travel with these kids. They are so fun and love trying new things. They are always up for hiking, swimming, playing games and we had a whole week to do just that.

And lastly, we are almost done with the "Year of the Baby". With it brings relief, like Davis is sleeping from 7pm till 7am. He is eating well and enjoying all the fun and excitement of a house full of siblings. Davis is a mellow, active, happy, spirited, funny and loving boy. He has brought so much love into this family. We have been so lucky that all the kids adore him and still fight over who gets to see him first thing in the morning, hold him and help with any of his care and cleaning. As this year ends I'm also sad that I wont ever have a newborn snuggled on my shoulder again. It's weird to think that this chapter of my life is closed.

I'm so glad we went for a fourth child, though I can say with all certainty that we are done!!! So don't bother asking, ha ha!

In all the ways I listed above and more I know I'm lucky but I'm also soooo incredibly busy. I really did not know I could be so busy! But I'm learning that it is the best kind of busy. Though I would love some extra time to shed this last 10 pounds of baby weight!

I will start posting regularly again and sharing some of the more "light" moments in raising 4 Wilson children. We are looking forward to the summer full of surfing, soccer, seeing friends, a road trip (maybe) and lots of relaxing (well as much as I can get with the group).

After the summer the new school year will bring with it PTA,

3 elementary school classes, a toddler, 3 soccer teams, dance classes, gymnastics class, piano lessons for 3, and Todd in the bishopric.

So my life should be full of laughs!

Giggles

2010-09-28T12:11:00.000-07:00

I have friends that make me giggle. I will get a text from them and what they write will make me giggle. I catch myself and look around to make sure no one is watching me and thinks I'm crazy.

The texts are usually only a line or two relating to something we talked about in passing. Usually light but with some bite to it.

I love it and it makes my day. I will remember it later and there I am giggling or smiling to myself, like a crazy bag-lady.

I hope you all have a good little giggle today or give one to someone else.

Happy Tuesday!

See What Happen's?

2010-09-13T10:36:00.000-07:00

In the header it say's, "See What Happens".

Well you can probably guess from the lack of posts what has happened. I have been busy in the real world with my family. I will start posting pictures tomorrow. I'm sure you can't wait to see Davis and his blessing day!

I have not spent a lot of time on the computer lately. Really I have not spent very much time doing anything considered non-vital! I've had a hard time understanding why I can't get everything done that I used to. Last year I blamed it on the pregnancy and how horrible I felt. So what is my excuse now that I'm feeling good, I'm getting sleep and the three older kids are in school?

Well that question was answered when I ran into friend, well she was in her minivan sending her daughter into piano lessons and I was running my daughter out to my waiting minivan full of kids, so that might be considered a drive-by. Anyway, she asked me how I was doing with four kids now. She has four also so I was not afraid to tell her the truth which is, crazy but not as bad as I thought. She casually mentioned that she has found she has so much more time on her hands now that she is not nursing her youngest.

I had a light bulb moment as I calculated how much time I spend sitting doing nothing except nursing Davis. If I had all those minutes free I would be getting so much more done!!! Why had I not realized that on my own. Probably because I'm pretty hard on myself and think I should be able to get everything done and done well. Not true anymore. So for a moment I thought the solution would be to start Davis on a bottle....

then I remembered that this is only a short time in my life that I will NEVER get back.

So I'm going to go kick my feet up, feed my son and watch the laundry, dust and dishes pile up. Those things will always be there.

Surf's Up!

2010-07-27T16:52:00.000-07:00

Surfs Up!

This is the third year in a row the girls have done surf camp at 18th Street in Del Mar. They love it and look forward to it each summer now. This was the best year by far. The weather was PERFECT! Which if you have been following our weather here in San Diego was a miracle The girls skill level went way up this year. They were both standing up by the end of the week.

Sydney was even able to get her board out all by herself and paddle into the waves. Bella still needed help getting out but could paddle into the waves and would pop up so quick. Sometimes she would get up so quickly she would literally walk off her board.

Another bonus was having our friends (kids call them their cousins) in town from Dallas. This is also their third year in surf camp with us.

At the end of camp they gave out awards to all the kids. Sydney got the dolphin award for bravery. She was nervous at the beginning of camp but by the end she was taking her own board out and so comfortable in the water.

Bella got the Menehune award. Her instructor said a Menahune was a little person who played tricks on other surfers. She thought that was pretty great.

The girls can't wait to get out and surf again. Todd is thrilled and ready to go with them anytime.

Keep a look out for our Groms carving it up in Del Mar!

Davis 1 Month Old

2010-07-24T13:44:00.000-07:00

Davis Todd Wilson July 9th 2010

Davis is one month old. He started to smile just in the last day or so. He eats, sleeps and fills his diapers like a champ. On the occasion that he does cry the kids go crazy. They want me to "HELP" him or "TAKE CARE OF HIM" right then. One time when I couldn't get to Davis the second he started to cry, Preston ran to me telling he Davis was crying. I said I would be there in a minute. I guess that was not good enough for him because he then asked me why I didn't want to take care of the baby any more. I just laughed and said I did and would get to him the second I got out of the shower.

Todd and I have had many talks with the kids about why baby's cry, eat and poop so much. It's been pretty funny. They don't know how lucky we are that he is pretty mellow for a newborn. I know he will wake up soon and things will not be so easy so I'm enjoying it now.

This past month has been interesting. I've really slowed down. I'm enjoying feeding, diapering and holding Davis. I've been resting and slowly easing into summer. I'm also tuning into the older children and what they need. So far it's a ton of hugging and talking. Sydney especially needs me to snuggle her more than normal. She took it the hardest when I was sick and pregnant. I didn't realize how much until I had the baby. She looked so relieved when she came to the hospital and could check on me and the baby. Bella has been really great since the baby came. She can't hold him enough and wants to show him off to all her friends. She to has needed Todd and I more than we thought. She wants us to do things with her thought. Play a game, make a hid-out or even go for a scooter ride. Preston has liked having the baby here but is only really interested in how long it will take for Davis to be able to play with him. The day we brought Davis home he ran over and took a look at him and asked, can he run now? I said no not yet. Then he asked, can he crawl? I said nope not yet. Then he went on his way.

At Davis's one month checkup he was 11 pound, 75% and 22 1/2 inches long, also 75%. So far he is healthy and strong.

That's all for now....

Returning to "Normal"

2010-06-26T18:44:00.000-07:00

The girls went to my parents house in Northern California for a week.

They returned late last night with Todd. We are now trying to adjust to having 4

children around. It has been a little challenging

but not to bad. Then again it's only been less then 24 hours.

Todd is back from NYC and back at

the office next week. No more working from home or half day's at the office.

So it looks like I'm on my own. You wont be crying for me after

you read the rest of this post. But still...

WISH ME LUCK!!!

I had a very relaxing week with Todd and the girls away and just my little boys.

My friend from high school Caroline

came out for a few days to keep me company.

She "sacrificed" being with her kids to come out and go to

lunch with me. Do a little shopping at the mall. Make waffles for Preston. Watch movies and talk, talk, talk.

It was so fun!

I was so grateful to friends who took Preston on play-dates so we could do all those fun things. It would not have been the same with him in tow!

I wish I could say I took a ton of pictures but no, not one.

We were so busy relaxing I guess.

On to Davis, he is now 17 day's old. I weighed him on my scale and he was

9 pounds 3 ounces! He is waking up more and smiling. He is sleeping the days and nights away still and enjoys being cuddled by all the family members.

We are loving him!

A sleepy smile. I know you want to eat him up, right!

Twins 8 Years Apart

2010-06-21T09:06:00.000-07:00

Todd and I couldn't get over how much Davis looks like Sydney when she was born. It is hard to tell from photos just how much they resemble each other but it is very apparent to us. We actually had a hard time naming him because we would look at him and think "Sydney"!

See for yourself.

Note that Davis was born over a pound bigger than Sydney.

Sydney 5 Days old.

Davis 4 Days old.

I guess we only produce 2 different versions as I have called Bella and Preston twins for years now.

On another note, I'm probably going to jinx myself but I have to say Davis has been such a great baby! He eats well, sleeps well and seems to be adjusting to our family really well. We have been so happy and relaxed. I really hope it stays this way.

I feel so spoiled and lucky that Todd and my parents have been home to take care of me. What mother of 4 has this much time to relax and recover. I have also "allowed" myself this special time. I didn't do that with the other three. I thought it was more important to get up and start doing for everyone again as fast as possible. At least I can say I learned something over the past 8 years!

Davis Todd Wilson

2010-06-14T15:53:00.001-07:00

Baby Davis (or "Mr. Davis" as Bella likes to say) arrived this past Wednesday (June 9, 2010) at 6:16 p.m. He weighed 8 lb. 9 oz. and 21 inches tall at birth and is doing great. Katy is doing great to. Here's are a few pictures:

What I Have Not Been Doing

2009-12-07T20:26:00.000-08:00

I have not been blogging as some of you might have noticed. I'm realistic, I know only about 3 people ever look in on us, Wilson Family SD.

But I do apologized to you 3. Especially to you who have me listed on your blogs and have to look at how long it has been since I posted every time you log into your blog.

I have had a hard time wanting to blog or read blogs even. Everyone is always so happy, crafty, productive and cheerful on their blogs. I have not been ANY of those things. I don't want to bake yummy treats, do crafty crafts, decorate for Christmas, shop or much of anything. And I'm sure no one wanted to know how I was really feeling even if I could sit at a computer for more than 2 minutes.

My house does not have any holiday cheer in it and it is what December 7th! Usually we have it all decked out the Sunday after Thanksgiving. It looks just as it did in August. Well maybe dirtier and less organized.

There are NO good smells from the kitchen. I can't really handle any smells of any kind right now. To prove my point ask the lady at the makeup counter in Nordstroms who I almost threw up on when she had me try on a lipstick which she swore had "little if any fragrance". THERE WAS A FRAGRANCE AND IT WAS VANILLA!!!! She noticed it to after I started violently gaging in front of her.

Why you ask? What has happened to make you so Grinch like? Well if your not on Facebook then your still in the dark. We (meaning me) are having baby number 4 in June. I was so excited when I found out but at about week 5.5 I fell into a black hole of sickness. Todd has had to do a lot more than normal around here. While I

have been getting to know this...

(no this is not by bathroom)

and this...

(not my bed, though I do love it!)

The doctor gave me some medication that helped a little but it made me so sleepy and dizzy I couldn't do much. Todd did all he could but when things became unbearable for him and the kids my mom was called in to get things back on track. Her first 8 hours here were spent entirely on feeding starving children and folding laundry. Sooo much laundry! After two weeks we were back on track (a little) and I knew I could make it till the Thanksgiving holiday when I would be back with my family. Kind friends also brought us dinners and had my children over for playdates. It all helped me soooo much. Thank you!

I'm 13 weeks along and have been able to stop the medication and eat regularly. I think I might be on my way back!

Now I just have to make up for the past 2 months I've missed. The kids and Todd might have to start therapy (just kidding, I'm not that important).

So that you don't think I'm a slacker I will list what you have missed since my last post.

1. The first day of school for Bella (kindergarten) and Sydney(second grade).
2. Bella's 6th birthday and a family party held in her honor.
3. Halloween- Bella was Dorothy, Sydney was a Sparkly 70's girl and Preston was some kind or robot or G-force guy (never quite understood). Todd took the kids to get their costumes.
4. The Ward Trunk-or-Treat night. Todd took the kids.
5. Halloween Night. We all made it out, it was a Halloween miracle.
6. My mom coming out for two weeks to take care of me and my family.
7. First Doctors appointment for me and baby.
8.First ultrasound of baby (we, meaning me and my sisters, named it Gummy Bear because that is what it looked like.)
9. Thanksgiving in Utah.

Well I'm hoping now I can return to blogging and the real world. I'm making progress, I went to the grocery store for the the second time in 5 weeks. This last time I didn't throw-up! Now that is progress.

Self Portrait by Sydney

2009-09-09T20:12:00.000-07:00

Sydney was playing with my phone one day in the car. I didn't know she was taking pictures of herself. I just came across these pictures.

She is so beautiful!

My children are getting hard for me. Not in their behavior but in their continual growing. I know we are supposed to cultivate growth in our offspring, physical, spiritual, intellectual and all that. I love seeing them change and learn.

But...

What I'm having trouble with is knowing that when one phase is over there is no going back.

I have forgotten what it was like to hold my newborn Sydney, or Bella and even Preston. I can't remember what they sounded like when they cried their toddler cry.

So I'm trying to enjoy each phase, good and bad, with them because it really does go fast.

Happy Birthday Preston!

2009-08-24T20:44:00.000-07:00

Preston turns 3 tomorrow! (see I can't believe it, I wrote 3 when really he is turning 4!!!)

I really can't believe it.

I know I say that with every child's birthday but this one is for real.

I CAN'T BELIEVE HE IS 4!

Four short years ago my parent arrived to help take care of the girls when I went to the hospital to have Preston. I spoke with them a few day's before and told them it would be awhile so to sit tight and we would call them if things changed. Well they decided to come anyway and good thing they did.

The day they arrived was the last day my doctor, Dr Ellis would be in the hospital before she left on vacation. Her nurse called me to check in just in case something changed since I last saw her two days before. We had a nice chat where I told her I was fine and feeling great. At the last minute as we were saying goodbye I mentioned that my kick counts went from taking 20 minutes to 45 but I still got them all in an hour.

10 minutes later the nurse called me back saying the doctor wanted me to come in to get checked out. The nurse assured me I would be in and out in an hour, it was just a precaution. I didn't think anything of it and since my parents were already here and I didn't have to worry about child care, off I went to the hospital without even a bag, or a call to Todd.

I arrived at the hospital and the nurse hooked me up to a monitor.

Again telling me I would be in and out in no time. I settled into a magazine and waited.

30 Minutes later in walks Dr Ellis .

She took a look at the tape, called the nurses in, whisper yelled at her for not calling her sooner, turned to me with a smile and said, "Your having a baby today!".

My amniotic fluid was really low, so low that there was only one pocket left. I guess it was leaking out and I didn't notice. For those of you who have had the pleasure of being 9 months pregnant I don't need to explain why I might not have noticed. In my defense it must have been a slow leak. Anyway it was causing out little boy quite a bit of distress. So he had to come out.

I called Todd he was there in record time, with my bag and

by 4:30am our son was born!

It was a very easy delivery and everyone was healthy and happy!

Preston has turned into the greatest little boy. He is loving, telling me many times a day how much he loves me, he is so funny, class clown I hear and he's a natural athlete, gets it from his dad!

Happy Birthday Preston. We Love You Soooo Much!!!

Dinner Conversation

2009-08-19T18:39:00.000-07:00

Here are a few things said at dinner tonight...

Bella and Sydney- "This AGAIN!!!!" (we do not have left-overs but tonight I used the left-over pasta to go with the "fresh" main dish tonight)

Preston- "I don't like ketchup next to my chicken!" (crying, wailing!!!)

Bella- "You know how when you made this pasta last night and I liked it?"

1/2 second later...

"Mom, Mom, Moooommmm?????"

Me- "Yes Bella"

Bella- "You know how when you made this pasta last night?"

Me- "Yeeeeesssssss Bella."

Bella- "Weeeellll, it tasted good last night. But not tonight."

Me- "Thanks for letting me know."

Preston- "Ya, I not like this pasta either now."

Sydney- "Do we have to eat all our dinner?"

Me- (Fake smile) "Just till your tummy is full."

Five seconds later...

Preston- "My tummy is full!"

Me-"O.k. but don't ask for more food later."

Preston- "Well actually I can eat a few more bites. Can I have liquorish when I eat all my dinner?"

Me- "Silence"

20 minutes into dinner and still no one as had more than two bites of food...

Sydney-"My food is cold."

Me- "Want me to heat is up?"

Sydney- (Eye rolling) "No, I don't like HOT food."

1 minute later...

Preston-"Don't look at me Bella!"

Bella- (Just staring at Preston)

Preston- "STOP looking at me!"

Bella- "I'm not."

Preston- "I saw you looking at me."

Bella- "I'm not. I'm looking out the window behind you."

Preston-"Stop looking at me."

Bella- "I'm not."

Preston- "STOP LOOKING AT ME!!!"

Bella- (Silently staring)

Me- BELLA!!!!! (Warning her with THAT LOOK!)

Sydney- "Even though I don't like this, I'm still eating this."

Me- "great"

Preston- "BEELLLAAA, Stoooppp Looookinggg at meeeee!!!!."

Me- "Everyone PLEASE EAT!"

Sydney- "If this electricity goes out what happens."

Me- "Nothing." (To tired to get into it with her.)

Preston- "Sydney stop looking at me. Stop talking, I don't want anyone talking."

Bella- "When I eat this pasta with my applesauce the applesauce tastes weird."

Preston- "I ate a piece of broccoli. Can I have liquorice?"

Me- "No"

Preston- "Sydney!, Sydney!, Sydney!, Sydney!, Sydney!"

Sydney- "My food is cold still."

Bella- "My food is stinky"

Sydney- "Your Right!."

Sydney- "You know what I'm most afraid of?

Me- "No"

Sydney- "Bats! But only the babies because their so ugly. And that they suck your blood."

Bella- "Ya me too."

Me- (To tired to tell them not to be scared of baby blood sucking bats, sits and eats.)

Preston- "I wish our house was made of toys."

Bell- "No! Candy! A house made out of candy would be cool!"

Sydney- No, No, I wish our house didn't have a roof and then we could play outside in our room!"

Everyone laughing!!!

45 minutes into dinner and nobody is done eating yet...

What's it like at your dinner table?

Blogger Confessional

2009-08-14T11:39:00.000-07:00

I'm sure none of you have ever been to "THAT POINT" that you just gave your kids a bag of cereal and left them on the couch to watch cartoons all morning.

I did!

Reasons?

1. When I asked kids what they would like for breakfast all I heard were shrieks and crying.

2. It was 6:30am.

3. I had 4 plies of laundry calling my name upstairs that needed to be dealt with.

4. I have been the camp councilor, entertainer extraordinaire, life guard and kid party animal for what like 9 weeks, and none of the kids seem better for it.

Fighting ensued at 9:43am and they are now in their rooms reading quietly. So far I'm enjoying this morning more then the day's at the beach, park, zoo, camping, soccer camp and playdates.

Feel free to tell me about any "Friends" bad parenting this summer.

Post Edit: I had a great birthday yesterday and will post about it when I get the pictures!

A Piggy Bank In My Garage!

2009-08-10T20:10:00.000-07:00

I have a bad habit of taking things that are not being used any more and taking up valuable living space and throwing them into the garage. Once there I don't have to deal with the item and feel like I have accomplished something.

That is until the garage gets so full I can't park my car in there any longer! I had a pretty good pile going recently and was dreading the day I would have to deal with it.

Well Friday was that day.

I couldn't take it any more and started going through the stuff that had accumulated. My first thought was to throw it in the car and take it to a donation center.

I was standing in the middle of my mess when I had a light-bulb moment.

I took out my handy-dandy iPhone and started snapping pictures of the things that were in good to great condition. I went inside downloaded the pictures onto my trusty Mac and began posting sales ads on www.Craigslist.com.

I don't want to make you jealous by telling you how much money I have made this weekend but I'll tell you this much, my kids will be sporting some pretty great back-to-school clothes!

So a word of advice, if there are unused items taking up valuable square footage in your home, there is someone out there waiting for it with open arms!

2009-07-31T11:43:00.000-07:00

I love summer at home! This is one reason...

Where else can you see your little man fly.

Over and over and OVER again.

Happy August!

Sweet Dreams

2009-07-25T11:41:00.000-07:00

We have a bed time routine that has not changed much over the past 7 years. The only thing that has changed has been the length of time the routine takes. Each additional kid has added 15+ minutes!

We usually have baths. Blow dry hair. PJ's and teeth. Then books, lots of books! Prayers, hugs and kisses, more hugs and kisses and then lights out. Or that is what I thought...

I guess now there is an after hours night life that I didn't know about going on. This is what I found when I went in before going to bed myself...

Sweet dreaming little ones.

BTY, Bella woke up with a pain in her neck, wonder why!

Family Reunion in the Redwoods

2009-07-16T15:45:00.001-07:00

We had a great time in Northern California. We went to get reacquainted with some close relatives. All except one of my Dad's sisters and brothers that are still living showed up. He has 9! As did most of their offs

pring who now have been busy multiplying and and replenishing this earth of ours. We all seem to have been

on the same tra

ck for the the past 10 years. I believe

there were more kids under 10 at the reunion then there were adults! It was such fun.

Todd had never been to the Redwoods.

I grew up camping there every summer so it felt like going home.

I had to show him around so we tried to fit everything possible into the four day's we were there.

I was so happy that both my sisters came along with their darling children!

I think Grandma and Grandpa were pretty happy too!

Had to drive thru the tree of course!

The place where Sydney's front tooth decided to come out!

And we celebrated the 4th while we were there!

Happy Day's!!

Sydney explaining why we shouldn't write our names in the giant log.

We really can't wait to go back.

I'm missing my family already.

Happy Fathers Day!

2009-06-22T18:42:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day Todd!!!

These pictures remind me what an amazing father Todd is.

He LOVES babies and would rock and hold them for hours.

He loves toddlers. Thinks they are so funny and will play game with him for hours.

Over-all Todd loves his kid!

He never tires of playing with them, teaching them

new things or cuddling them.

And in return they think he is the "Awesomist, coolist, superhero" (the kids words) dad around.

Sydney and Todd her first day home.

Todd and Bella when she was minutes old.

Father and son (Preston is only weeks old) watching sports together.

Can you see how content they are?

Love you, love you, love you.

Tourists

2009-05-26T11:32:00.000-07:00

Doing it the Tourist way!

We rented a bike for 5 and peddled our way around Corinado Island this beautiful weekend. It was so fun and the kids had a blast. They only wished they could have peddled also. So did Todd and I!

After a long day playing at Corinado Island all the kids fell asleep

(well tried to look like they were asleep).

Love that they are holding hands.

Some other random cute snaps!

School is almost out and we are sooooo excited! We can play tourist all day every day!

2009 Dance-off Champion - Torrey Hills!!!

2009-04-25T14:12:00.000-07:00

Our man Preston won the dance-off at our annual neighborhood Easter egg hunt last week! We always knew he had the moves and he was so excited when they handed him the huge chocolate bunny for first place! And I've got the whole thing on video so looking forward to breaking this out in the future (like wedding reception, maybe for his prom date etc.). Classic!

Egg Hunts

2009-04-25T13:54:00.001-07:00

"I found the Golden Egg!"

Did somebody say no more than 5 eggs each????

Proof that I do cook!

2009-04-25T13:38:00.001-07:00

Lighthouse

2009-04-25T12:50:00.000-07:00

Todd here. So we broke out of our Carmel Valley bubble last week (seems like everything we need is within a 3-mile radius, so why go anywhere else?) and ventured South to Point Loma to check out the Lighthouse and the amazing views of the ocean there. There's also a great surf break called "donut holes" that's only accessible by boat but you can see it from tidepools by the lighthouse.

Cool "pirate ship" we spotted from up above.

Is it obvious that I was the only one that wanted to take this picture?

We see lots of lizards in our backyard, most of the time doing push-ups. I read an article that says that's how they communicate with each other (and how they get strong to climb). The kids thought it was hilarious so anytime we see a lizard we check to see if it's doing push-ups. Maybe this one at the lighthouse would still have a tail if he'd been doing his!

School Field Trips

2009-04-01T18:53:00.001-07:00

I love school field trips. I like to use it to spend some quality time with each of my children without their siblings around. Also it's a great time to get to know what your child is like around their friends and teacher. You get to know the other kids in the class better. And some times when your really lucky you get to see the contents of their stomachs and what they would look like in a sharks mouth.

Bella's class had the unique experience of going to a Top Veterinarian hospital in Sorrento Valley. One of her friends in the class has an "In" there. Her parents are Vets. Because the school is right by the Coaster Train station in Solana Beach we just walked down to the station, hopped on a train and were deposited about 1/4 mile from the hospital.

What a ride it was. If you have not taken the Coaster you have really missed out!

Bella asked if she could sit with her friends while I "chit-chatted" with my mom friends. I complied, didn't want to cramp her style.

If you can't see to clearly or have not had a baby, here is Bella getting an ultrasound on her tummy. We saw the bagel and apple juice from snack time sitting inside.

We also got to see her friend Nicholas's baby brother, who is waiting to be born in the summer. He looked like he was enjoying the trip, sucking his thumb.

A small side trip into a pottery and landscaping yard. Very interesting to the children. The owners saw all the kids there and turned on all the fountains for them!

Field trip number 2 was with Sydney's class to the Birch Aquarium.

Sydney and I had a really nice time together. She sat with me on the bus and was so proud that I was there. We had lunch together and were able to just talk and laugh without interruption. Her friends that were in our group were a lot of fun and so nice to each other. I felt really lucky to be there.

Here is the group I was with. We had a really fun time together. They had a scavenger hunt throughout the aquarium and were very determined to finish it. It proved harder then we expected as some of the displays had changed since the scavenger hunt had been made! First graders take their work VERY seriously.

They loved the shark tank. Wonder if I could get one of those for the house?

HELP!!!

Good Day

2009-04-01T14:40:00.000-07:00

Last night I did this before bed.

This morning I got up before the sun and did this.

It's going to be a good day!

Day 6= Still no sugar, zero Diet Coke.

Flower's, Hat's, Gloves and Hot Chocolate!

2009-03-29T20:03:00.000-07:00

FLOWER'S, HAT'S, GLOVES AND HOT CHOCOLATE!

Sydney turned 7 years old. I'm not sure how it has happened that I've been a mother now for 7 years as I know I have not aged one single year, ha ha. We celebrated in true Sydney style with a tea party. Being the social butterfly that she is we narrowed the guest list down to 13 girls. I'm telling you that was really hard for her. Sydney said "This was the BEST day of MY LIFE!". I loved it too.

The Birthday Girl coming down to her guests.

A game of Pass the Parcel.

Hat decorating. Good job Sydney!

Tea Time!

Eyrn and Lily looking so cute!

Preston even had a "Magic hat" has he called it.

Haley and Konatsu using there best table manners.

Sydney is such an amazing little girl. She is so thoughtful in all she does and says. She takes her responsibilities as the Big Sister VERY seriously. I have been known to say quite frequently to her that "I am the Mother, I can handle this...". But I really do appreciate all she does for me and how much she loves her sister and brother. She told Todd and the other kids one day that, "Mom should not have to do all the work, and Daddy should start to cook." I don't think we need to go as far as Todd cooking but it made me feel good that she notices that I work hard for everyone.

More recently she has been talking about getting baptized

and wants to starting to read The Book of Mormon on her own. I know this is because we have such good friends and teachers at church who are good examples to her and reinforce what we are trying to teach her at home.

Sydney has sooo many interests right now. It is hard to keep up with it all but I don't want her to miss out on anything. So right now she is playing softball, going to gymnastics classes, musical theater and art classes. She is really good at all of these activities so when softball season started I didn't have the heart to take her out of anything. So far she is thriving and her school work seems to be improving also.

(Sydney March 17th, about an hour old. Todd said she was so quiet and awake, checking her Daddy out.)

Sydney's birthday more than any of my other children's birthday's make me reflect on how lucky I am to be a mother. Maybe because she is my first, maybe because I came very close to not being able to raise her and see her grow up.

When she was only minutes old I had to hand her over to a nurse so I could be taken care of. We thought I would be gone for about an hour or so. I remember the nurse had to use some force to take her from my arms as there was an urgency to get me to the operating room. An uncontrollable urge made me hold her tighter for a minute and look straight into her eyes. I can still see those dark, bright newborn eyes of hers in my mind. Something in me did not want to hand her over. I didn't know it would be days before I would hold her and weeks before I would see her clearly again. Through those first few hours, days and weeks of bad news I always knew I would be here and I would be the one to raise her. I know how lucky I am and try to never forget what a treasure motherhood is.

Happy 7th Birthday Sydney.

We love, love, love you!

Diet Coke Update

2009-03-29T17:57:00.000-07:00

(Above picture not taken today)

Sunday , "A Day of Rest", well that's what it is supposed to be. But the reality is when you have children ages 7, 5 and 3 there is never any rest. Sunday is no exception. Now that church starts at 11am my children who usually can't get out of bed during the week on there own before 7:30 arise at 6:30 am. We then have a BIG breakfast (trying to fill them up to get through lunch time church), I clean up, get everyone dressed, we eat again, I clean up again and off we go. At this point I have had at least 2 diet cokes. I have been known to go to the store on Saturday just to get a few of these Beauties to get through a Sunday. Then when we get home everyone is tired and hungry and we go through the lunch/dinner, cleaning up, crafting faze of the day.

Again I'm hitting the Good Stuff.

This Sunday I had two sick, cranky, not so fun little girls to stay home with. Much harder then the average Sunday I've decided. They have been sick for a couple of day's so they are past the napping and watching t.v. phase of illness.

At one point I was losing it a little (a lot really) and was getting ready to load the girls in the car, saying the heck with it "who cares if it is the Sabbath, Heavenly Father would totally understand what I'm going through right now", and heading to McDonald's for an XL Diet, extra ice.

But I Did It!!! Instead I resisted the temptation and instead sent the girls to separate rooms and read a book for a half hour. I'm feeling pretty good.

Only 33 day's to go!

Best Week Ever

2009-03-27T16:51:00.000-07:00

Todd and I decided to write out what our "Best Week Ever" was and make it happen, NO MATTER WHAT!

What is the Best Week Ever mean? Well basically it's Todd and I getting in our workouts, dinner's planned, FHE happening and other important things done in a non-rushing, non-hectic manner. Also it includes some FUN, FUN, FUN. Like beach evenings and dates for Todd and I! But the most important part of the BWE is that no matter what we get the things done that are written down. The great thing about writing it all down is that Todd and I are on the same page. We have a schedule together and then if something changes we can help each other out. We are hoping this leads to some good habits and less stress.

We are starting next week. I did mine this week but had some hiccups. Like Sydney staying home for two day's sick. That can really screw up a mom's personnel schedule. Then preschool carpool went south due to Field Trips and Bella being Unique of the Week hitting us. But I have to say over all it was a good practice run.

In MY perfect world each day I would be happily working out early in the morning and Todd would be getting kids up. I know that can't happen every day but it did a few mornings this week. See usually if I work out early in the morning I come home and everyone is still sleeping! That means rushing around, maybe a little yelling and STRESS to get Sydney to school by 7:58! Todd really stepped it up this week. He is NOT a morning person. I got home this week and all the kids were up, beds made and everyone was coming downstairs dress and on schedule. I'm really proud of him because he is NOT a morning kind of guy (did I say that already!). Also it's hard to get Sydney out of bed. Some morning she has to be carried down from the top bunk to get her to start moving for the day!

Next week will be even better because we will be putting both of our BWE schedules together.

Are you still waiting to find out what that picture at the top of the pages means???? Todd and I have caught the fitness bug at the same time! Todd has started a regular workout schedule and he wanted to stop drinking soda. So in support we are both off soda. I'm a little scared. To make it even better!!! (not really being truthful in that statement) I'm off sugar again for 5 weeks too. O.k. I'm on day 3 of no sugar and we are on day 2 of no soda so wish us luck.

Quick update- I started writing this post yesterday. Last night Todd and I went out to dinner and neither of us had a coke or dessert. Wow!

12 Things I Am To Tired To Do Today....

2009-03-26T11:24:00.001-07:00

Today I am to tired to...

1. fight Preston to change out of his P.J.'s today, so I let him wear his footie PJ's with his rain boots because they are the only shoes that will fit over the feet of the PJ's.

2. fold the laundry, so it is in the washer going on it's third wash cycle because if it goes into the drier I will have to deal with it and if I leave it in wet it will get that funky smell.

3. send Bella upstairs again for a weather appropriate outfit. She will learn that foggy weather does not mean t-shirt and shorts.

4. do all the dishes from the two and half days without clean tap water.

5. blog about my amazingly AWESOME life because that would require more than a list.

6. make a real dinner. So I served the kids breaded chicken from a box, carrot sticks, apple sauce and milk. They were in heaven by the way. I'm starting to wonder why I cook so much.

7. to eat anything other then left-over mango tart.

8. make Sydney's Habitat project. So what if she is the ONLY kid in her class with a diorama that looks like a 1st grader actually made it. (I did supervise the use of the hot glue gun not that tired).

9. bath the kids. Sydney ended up giving them baths, I helped.

10. change out of my workout clothing, going on two day's now.

11. drive thru Mc Donalds for an XL diet coke. That say's something.

12. take Sydney to the Doctor for a fever. I'm waiting to see if any other symptoms appear. I usually run to the Doctor when any of the kids have a fever and 90 percent of the time it's a virus. I'll be wrong this time for sure because I'm playing the odds.

Getting that off my chest makes me feel good enough to go up and tackle that laundry, maybe.

Road Trip!

2009-03-18T21:56:00.001-07:00

(Had to slip in this picture of Todd. He found this stylish "Daniel Boone" hat

in a gas station in the middle of ?? and had to have it.)

Road trips always create memories, there's no doubt about that. Driving to Utah and back with 3 small kids is always a little unpredictable. At the end of the day, it was "mission accomplished" for our full agenda: Drive round trip in 4 days, take kids skiing (despite blizzard conditions and a 2-wheel drive mini-van) , stay with Grandpa Ray in Las Vegas, visit Grandma Libby, Uncle Nate, sleep-over at Aunt Gena's with all the cousins, Lunch with Great-Grandma Wilson, Todd's cousins and aunt Susie (and anybody other family/friends we can squeeze in) and build a snowman (or a snow bunny in our case).

Oh yeah, somewhere there's a "relax and enjoy our vacation" in there. Are we the only ones that feel more tired after a vacation than we do before going?!

Tumbleweed in the grill - a badge of honor for any true road trip.

You can't do this in San Diego!

(carrot bunny ears? It's all about imagination, right?)

Preston pitching in...and Sydney finishing the job.

Rule #1 - Make a snowball bigger than yourself

(just don't let go of that thing Pres!)

Our snow angel (Bella) and Sydney looking like a pro with Paige.

Preston loving snowballs of any shape and size.

Catch up time

2009-03-18T20:59:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photos to catch up on the latest and greatest around our busy household.

Fun in the February rain!

(It's not always sunny in San Diego, just most of the time!)

Woohoooo! It's Friday night "Movie Night"!

(And raid Dad's closet night...)

Crazy hair day at Torrey Hills

Preston got into the act at home with his mohawk.

We love our baby crib, but we've all graduated to "big kid beds"!

(It's been with us since Sydney was born in NYC)

Preston getting comfy with all the new space - plenty of room for all the friends.

2009-03-01T17:47:00.000-08:00

Have you heard the news? Red Mango has opened up at the Del Mar Highlands! I found out during sacrament meeting via text message (thank you M). Funny this should come up on the first Sunday of the Month.

Lunch anyone, say Tuesday noon-ish?

(Purely for research purposes)

Stuck in the Doldrums...

2009-02-13T11:12:00.000-08:00

I remember hearing (kids were watching I was probably cooking or doing some other chore) an episode of The Backyardigans where they were on a ship and were stuck in the "Doldrums", click on the word to see the definition, it is perfect for how I feel. I feel like I have been stuck in the Doldrums for the past month. To do this I'm starting a few projects that I have been wanting to do for awhile now.

First- Decorate Preston's room. I can't decide between the Great White Shark bedding from Company Kids (Todd say's no stating bad Karma or something have to do with him being a surfer and that Preston will also be surfing.) or this fun Stripped bedding from Land of Nod. If you would like to weigh in please feel free just click on the underlined words to view the bedding.

My other project is to paint the downstairs guest bathroom! A decorator suggested the color so I went with it and never fully convinced myself that I liked it. So it's time for a change. Color still to be determined. But I can say Restoration Hardware is my first stop.

Also I'm doing a mini-makeover on myself. Some new clothes, new nails (meaning manicure and a pedicure) and shoes, definitely shoes.

Let's see if I can work this out and find my way out of the Doldrums. Wish me luck.

Cousin Pictures!

2009-01-20T18:17:00.000-08:00

We are missing our little cousins.

Next week we will be in Utah and can visit three of them but the other to are in the frozen wasteland called Chicago.

I don't think they are able to leave even if they wanted.

Burrrr!!!

Three Little Mermaids!

Paige, Jessica, Madi, Sydney, Max (happy face) Bella, Adam and Preston on lap.

(This is the 100th picture we took. Can't get 9 kids to LOOK and SMILE at the same time!)

We are so lucky to have such fun cousins. Come back soon!

Love you!

What do you think Bella got for Christmas?

2009-01-09T15:20:00.000-08:00

Christmas Day!

And the day after.

And the day after that,

they have been stuck to her feet.

Even during performances!

2008 Reflections

2009-01-01T20:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Things I'm grateful for from 2008

(in no particular order)

Getting healthy and losing those few extra pounds.
Meeting Deanne who helped me with the above!
Preston's non-stop talking.
Todd's job.
My parents coming to help out so many times.
Primary kids and all they have taught me.
San Diego weather.
Sisters who always give me good advice and are willing to travel miles to come see me.
A husband who supports all my craziness.
Friends and strangers who blog.
Age and all the knowledge that comes with it.
My wonderful kids.
Friends who are never that shocked by the stuff that goes on in my life.

A Christmas Eve At Our Home.

2009-01-01T14:48:00.001-08:00

I was a little worried how we would do all our fun Christmas Eve traditions when we did not get home from Palm Springs till late morning on Christmas Eve day. I had some errands that I couldn't do before we left on our trip like all the grocery shopping for Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas dinner, cooking those meals and the baking of everyone's favorite pies (Todd-chocolate, Grandma Libby -blackberry and Kids and Me -pumpkin) plus some small gift still needed to be bought and wrapped! How could I do all that and still do all the fun stuff?

With Todd's help we pulled it all off stress free!

Once home I ran to the grocery store to stock the house for our Christmas Feast's while Todd unpacked the car. Then he wrapped presents that still needed wrappings and ordered our Christmas Eve dinner from Pick up Stix! Yes you read that right. Let me explain. My family has a tradition of having Chinese food for Christmas Eve dinner. This funny tradition originated from a family joke which you will probably not get so I wont bore you with the telling of. My mom, sisters and I usually make most of it but order a few things from our favorite

Chinese restaurant in my home town. It's fun and a break from the usual traditional fixing we just had a Thanksgiving and will usually have again the next day. (If your wondering, yes my family always has a party Christmas Eve and another on Christmas day) So I have done this with my family the years we have stayed in San Diego. But I knew I could not pull off almond chicken, sweet and sour pork and all the fixings this day before Christmas and keep my sanity. So Todd stepped in and came through with the next best thing. Insuring that we could do this,

Todd reading The Night Before Christmas

and Luke 2 to our children,

opening new P.J's and posing for pictures in Christmas P.J's,

baking cookies for Santa,

set out cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer,

(How do you think he fits down Bella?)

and later that night,

stockings hung with so much care and Santa's arrival at a peace-filled house.

It was a Very Merry Christmas.

It FINALLY Happened.

2008-12-30T19:51:00.001-08:00

When Sydney's first Christmas approached I did what every mom does during Christmas time and took her to have her picture taken with Santa. I thought this would be a fun Christmas tradition that we would do every year. Well that first photo session was so horrible for me, watching her screaming and crying that I never really made a good attempt after that.

Over the years we would get close to a Santa and I would think maybe we should try this again. But as we made an approach Sydney and Bella would always say No, No, Noooo!!! And later when Preston joined the party he would just scream.

Then I got my hopes up at our ward Christmas party this year. The girls are older now and Preston does just about anything they do. Really I thought the clincher was that Santa was giving out CHOCOLATE to all the little boys and girls who came to sit on his lap and tell him what they wished to get for Christmas this year. THIS IS THE YEAR! Our children are crazy for chocolate and I thought would do just about anything to acquire some of that dark gold.

We had our camera ready and I was staying calm with an encouraging smile on my face. You know the one that says, this is perfectly normal kids, everything is just fine. Just don't screw this! Please, please, please!

But as we got closer, the girls on either side of me holding my hands and Preston with Todd, I innocently asked Bella what she was going to ask Santa for. She looked up at me with her lips tightly clamped together, shakes her head quickly from side to side and says, "He already knows I'm notty!" Drops my hand and skips away to join her friend Rebeca without a second look back.

I sputtered after her,"What did you do!!??".

Then Sydney let go of my other hand took a chocolate from Santa's helper and ran off. Same went for Preston.

No sitting on Santa's lap. No picture...

Until later the next week....

Todd and I had to be in it with them but we did it! First ever Wilson Santa picture.

And we all survived.

A Little Stop Along The Way.

2008-12-30T19:42:00.000-08:00

We took a new road to Palm Springs. Well it was supposed to be a short cut but let's just say we took the more exciting route and found SNOW. Lot's of SNOW!

I told Sydney that she should wear some warmer shoes because it might be cold if we stopped along the way. She thought these would be fine! I might have insisted if I knew what was ahead. She really didn't seem to mind. She is such a So Cal girl. Burrr!

Making snow balls. Not pictured is the one getting them thrown at her (mom).

Bella made a new friend.

Off to warm Palm Springs (boy were we wrong).

2008-12-29T16:39:00.000-08:00

The Wilson Family knows how to live it up. We took a vacation before our vacation, heading to Palm Dessert for a few days. One of the things we did was take an adventure in a dun buggy through the desert.

We went on a fun but chilly ride through the desert. The kids were excited but didn't really know what they were signed up for!

Here is are hot ride! Very fast and loud.

After our cold dun buggy ride though the desert we then hiked to a natural Oasis. The hike was a little hard for the kids because there were some big rock to climb up and over but they really enjoyed it. It was so interesting to see a spring coming right out of a cave in the middle of nothing but rocks and sand. If it has not been so cold the kids would have probably jumped in.

The best part for Todd and I was the dune buggy! We loved it.

I think Preston's eye's tell you how much he and the girls liked the ride! Fun but scary.

Decorating the Tree.

2008-12-29T16:27:00.000-08:00

We have very high ceilings in our living room so we have a very, very tall tree. Sydney said she wanted to put the angle on the top this year. Once she got on top of the ladder she decided it was not such a good idea. Todd kept her up there even though it took about 4 attempts to get it on straight.

Sydney coming down the ladder!

Preston with "His tree".

Having fun.

Thanksgiving Celebration!

2008-12-07T17:01:00.000-08:00

We had an amazing Thanksgiving this year. It was so amazing that it has taken me a week to recover! My whole family and Aunt Diana came to San Diego and The Wilson House for The Feast! But before we sat down to The Big Dinner (and I mean BIG, 28lb turkey big) we spend 3 days in Disneyland! The HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!!! Well except for maybe Disney World.

The Castle had snow and extra sparkle during the winter. We were screaming with excitement when we saw it. Sydney wanted to stay and look at every decoration.

We stayed at the California Grand Hotel which was a

treat alone! This hotel was so beautiful but just like Disneyland and our hotel were decorated for the Holiday Season. They did such an amazing job. The first night we stayed at the hotel the Christmas Elves were hard at work. We woke up that first morning to a huge Christmas tree in the lobby, giant presents, ornaments, wreaths and garlands covering every inch

possible. The kids and I were amazed!

The hotel was so close to the entrance to Disneyl

and we didn't even have to take the train in. Also the hotel has it's own entrance into California Adventures!

We were so spoiled. Todd said we might never be able to go back if we don't stay at that hotel.

First stop was the Tea Cups.

Then Dumbo and then it was off to Finding Nemo.

Then a little breakfast with The Disney Characters. I don'

t know how much we ate really. But we got to meet a lot of characters.

Even the characters were dressed in the holiday finest. Cute dress Minnie!

Bella thought Goofy was very funny!

My mom takes all the Grandchildren to Disneyl

and by the time they are 6. She bought all the little girls princess dresses to wear at Disnehyland. They each picked out the one they loved best. Sydney's is a wedding dress with all the princesses on it. She just couldn't decide which was her favorite. Bella loved Alice In Wonderland and was so happy to have found her dress. This trip Grandma treated all the girls to a lunch with the Princesses at Arial's Grotto. We met ALL the Disney Princesse and had an "Fancy" lunch. The girls were speechless.

A scary BUG!

Don't eat the Princess and Alice. We LOVED the Bugs Life area in California Adventures. Even the "stinky" show as the girls called it.

On to the Jungle Cruise. The kids were waving to all the animals.

And then the rain came. First it was a sprinkle then its was a drizzle and by nightfall it was fully raining. But that did not stop the Wilson, Case, Lloyd, Lowe family. We stayed late into the night. My sister April, Mom and Adam even went on Splash Mountain multiple time! Wish I had a picture of them after that!

Having fun even in the rain!

It's Buzz! Preston was, is, obsessed with this "Shoot Gun" he got after the Buzz ride. He was shooting and shooting and shooting.....

I was hoping it would run out of batteries in the first day. No such luck. The Buzz ride was his favorite, obviously.

THE END.

Night Swimming!

2008-12-04T13:29:00.001-08:00

Let me first say that I LOVE Fall and Winter weather. I love to wear boots and coats and sweaters. I just look better in layers I guess:). Really though the colder weather did not seem to get here soon enough. But The Family is missing the pool! I'm not a huge fan of the pool mainly because it's wet, cold plus there are tons of germs but mainly I admit don't like wearing a swim suit. But I do it (and the beach which I do love BTW) all spring and summer and into the fall.So I'm a little burned out on it.

Here is our last session at the pool back in early November. It was still so hot that we went swimming in the evening. We were there unit it was very dark and everyone else had gone in. I'm not kidding when I say that I still I hear 5 time a week, "When are we going NIGHT swimming again!".

I say, It's tooo COOOLLLDDDD! Then I laugh a little because it's 60 degrees which to most of you looking in on my blog is considered very warm especially for November and December.

So I'm saying GOODBYE to the pool until at least May. Sorry kids. But it's time to start decorating the house for Christmas and wearing our cute winter clothing. Please don't be surprised though when you run into Bella in shorts and t-shirts still. She is the hardest to convert to the winter wear. That is another post though.

Bella's Version of the Pilgrim Crossing to America

2008-12-03T14:41:00.000-08:00

Bella's preschool has been learning about Native Americana Indians and the settlers to the Americas. So they started making up a play to share what they had learned with their parents. They made this ship and their Pilgrim and Indian hats themselves.

I didn't have the heart or desire to tell Bella that Pilgrims did not get to wear pink bonnets . She looked so cute!

After the play the class rocked our. Literally, they used rocks and sticks to make music. Fun but loud. She sure has good teachers (if not a little deaf).

Here she is in her cute boat. This picture does not do it justice. I wish I had a shot off all the kids jammed in there like a Pilgrim clown boat!

Thanksgiving Programs

2008-12-03T14:32:00.000-08:00

Sydney's 1st grade class did a program before the Thanksgiving break. They sang some very funny songs about the Thanksgiving turkey and such. She was having a great time as you can see from the pictures!

Sydney there is a turkey on your head! I wonder if she will find this as funny as I do some day?!

Here is most of her class waiting for their turn to sing (yell) about stuffing the BIRD with BREAD!

Prop 8

2008-11-07T15:23:00.000-08:00

I have not posted about Prop 8 but my friends and family know where I have stood throughout this campaign. I have never been so proud as I have been watching my friends and ward members doing what is they have been asked to do. It has strengthened my faith in the Gospel and in the democratic process. I believe strongly that Prop 8 was passed because the people were educated on what the Prop stood for. I have heard countless times that it passed because of "out of state funding" or that "the mormons bought the vote". I do not believe you can buy votes. I believe the money educated the people about what Prop 8 said and what it could mean for the future of our families.

This article was forwarded to me from my friend Tiffany. She received it from her husband with one line, "Silver lining". I thought that summed it up well as you will understand once you read the article called "A Long Strange Trip it Has Been.

And to my friends who do not share my same point of view please read also.

The Sky Is Falling!

2008-11-04T09:52:00.001-08:00

No this has nothing to do with the ELECTION today. It is RAINING in SAN DIEGO!!!! My children are amazed and one is in tears. I don't have a rain coat that fits Sydney, so she left for school a sad, sad girl today. I was not prepared for this down pour. Though I should have seen the signs. There were a few sprinkles on Sunday and a short drizzle on Monday, totaling 20 minutes. We San Diegans don't see to much rain in early November, so I ignored it and kept my flip-flops firmly on.

But today it is pouring and does not look like it will stop this morning. At least 2 out of 3 of my children are happy. They have rain gear that fits! See the happy children on their way into school.

Dino Preston making his own way into school.

Bella skipping off to school! She was stomping in puddles where ever she could find them.

My carpool kids!

So after the wet morning carpooling and getting 4 children into their classrooms I came home to eat my breakfast. I just bought these new bowls and just love the color. I poured my cereal and added my fruit and went to get a spoon. When I looked back I thought how pretty the bowl looked with the boxes next to it. So I took this picture of my pretty breakfast.

Something to be grateful for during this month of gratitude.

Best Halloween EVER!!

2008-11-01T11:43:00.000-07:00

A quote from the kids collectively. We went Trick-or-Treating with our friends from the neighborhood and the kids said last night was the "Best Halloween of Their Lives." I thought that was pretty funny. Here are pictures from Halloween day.

Notice the bare feet! It was 80 degrees at 5:30pm and he was sweating. But that is Halloween in So. Cal.

Sydney as Batgirl, Carolina as a Pink Wonder Woman, and Bella in a more authentic Wonder Woman costume.

Showing us their collective Wilson Supper Hero POWER!

Bella and Sydney at the Ward Trunk-or-Treat party. After collecting 3lbs of candy they kicked back in the trunk and passed out candy.
Go Super Hero's!

A Fall Walk Home

2008-10-31T16:31:00.000-07:00

Sydney and I on our walk home this afternoon. She was picking up leaves and putting them in her black caldron!

It has started to smell like Fall here. I Love the crunch, crunch of leaves under-foot.

By the way, Sydney was complaining about how hot it was.

Happy Halloween

2008-10-30T20:13:00.000-07:00

I have really been enjoying Halloween this year. Our household was very busy this month so my house is not as decorated as it has been in years past. But last night we got out a few things before we headed to our ward Trunk or Treat. I have to say I think this years Carmel Valley, Del Mar ward Trunk or Treat was one of the best I have been to in the 6 years we have been attending! It was fun to see ward friends and friends from other wards who came also.

Halloween is so great this year mainly because of my kids. But here are my Top Five 2008 Reasons I Love Halloween This Year.

1. My kids are so into it all and have been counting down to the day!

2. Each of the kids picked out their costumes this year (I'm a bit controlling I know but I've made progress and allowed them to pick their own). To my delight they themed!! Superhero's was the costume of choice. The kids were so cute running around in their costumes taking on their new identities! Bella has been pretty sick but rallied nicely for the party. Funny how that happens.

3. The fun of putting together Sydney's class Halloween party. One activity we will be doing is cupcake decorating. You can see here I was trying to make spiders and a witch. I could not for the LIFE of ME find shoe string black licorice which would have made much better legs and witch hair!!! I looked at different 5 stores!!!! It was not till tonight around 6:00pm when I realized I could have probably found it at one of those over priced candy stores at the mall. You know the ones where you can fill a bag with different kinds of candy for $2.00 1/8th of a pound of something like that. O well, I think the kids will get the idea and enjoy it.

4. Dicussions with kids about witches, ghosts and bats.
Speaking of bats Sydney's class took a poll on who like bats and who didn't. She came home and told me how many of her classmates like bats and how many did not. She said she was the only one who said she didn't know. So we sat down at the computer and learned all about bats and what they did. She decided she likes them. Funny because late last night (late due to ward party) as I was tucking the girls in we heard a bat outside their window. Bella got a little scared but Sydney was able to explain to Bella why they make the sound they do. Bella felt much better after hearing Sydney's explanation.

5. Last but not least- one holiday closer to Christmas!!!!!!

Our Bella Rose Turns 5!

2008-10-28T10:44:00.000-07:00

Bella was born in the afternoon on October 7th 2003. Only about 18 months after her big sister Sydney. I think the time she was born is important because it makes me think that is why she does not like the night. She was born in the full light of the day and wants to enjoy as much of it as possible. She has never liked to nap or sleep through the night. I used to be frustrated by this but after 5 years I now embrace it.

When she was a newborn she would only sleep curled up next to me. She would cry and cry unless she was in my arms or snuggled as close as she could to my side. She is still my best snuggler and comes in each morning before everyone else is up to have a little snuggle time with me.

Bella has done just about everything at a fast pace. She said her first word at 3 months. She could crawl faster than any baby on earth and once she started walking she took off into a run. I don't think she has really stopped since. But there are few little girls who care more about others or one who is as sweet.

Bella loves everyone she meets and everyone who knows her loves her in return. She LOVES, LOVES, LOVES her big sister Sydney and wants to be just like her. She can't get enough time with her "baby" brother Preston. Bella has been and leading him around playing games and singing songs since he could follow on his own. Sydney could always get baby Bella laughing and now they are always laughing together.

Bella just seems to glow and we all just want to be in her light. I still can't believe she is 5 years old now. There are days I wish I could go back in time for an afternoon when it was just us girls, Sydney 2 years old and baby Bella playing in the water in the sink together while I laughed with them. But then again we would probably be missing Preston and wanting to get back to him.

When I found out I was pregnant with Bella I wondered what life would be like with another baby girl in the house, now I can't imagine a world without Bella in it.

Thank you Bella for letting me be your Mother. I love, love, love you. Hug and Kiss!

Skater Kids

2008-10-26T22:27:00.000-07:00

Todd here again. Our new thing on the weekends is to go cruise the blacktop at Torrey Hills Elementary on our collection of scooters, bikes and skateboards. This past week the kids wanted to try the long-board skater on their own. Up to now I've been putting them on the nose and cruising down the hills with them, but they thought it would be way cooler without Dad's help. They did great as you can see in this clip!

Hole-In-One!

2008-10-26T15:41:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm going to interrupt Katy's blog flow here to brag about the best (ok, maybe luckiest) golf shot I've ever made - this blog is about family highlights after all, right?

Hole number 8 at Talons Cove golf course in Utah (ok, I took a picture of the ball in the hole as proof). I was playing in the

BYU rugby team's annual alumni golf tournament and hit my first (and probably my last) hole-in-one! No, I didn't win a car or even

a motorcycle (although Harley Davidson was considering sponsoring the tournament but backed out at the last minute...bummer!).

But I did get a one-liner in the Deseret News sports section the next day, so at least I can keep that clip as proof of the "glory days". My brother Nate was playing with me which was cool and we both got a big kick out it.

So after 10 years of frustration that only a golfer can appreciate, and hacking around trying to learn how to hit a small ball with a skinny stick...I finally have a highlight. I'm seriously considering unloading my clubs on ebay and finishing while I'm on top.

Who Wants To Bake, and eat?

2008-10-20T20:23:00.000-07:00

I'm so behind on my posting but will get back on it within the week. I have been sooo busy and you, my e-BFF's will hear about it all soon. Nothing to exciting but I like to keep things current.

So back to my topic. Who wants to come over the first week in November and bake a little. Shari offered to help me learn to bake bread. What do you say Shari would that work for you? We could chat and bake and have some fun. I hope it is cold and we could have a fire going!! Put your response in the comments area. I LOVE the FALL!

PMV (Personal Mini Vacation)

2008-09-22T20:16:00.000-07:00

I have recently been introduced to the PMV by a friend of mine. I had long thought of this idea but didn't quite know how to do it until she enlightened me. Not to say I have not been on many very nice adult vacations (thanks Mom and Dad for watching the kids for us!) and I have been on girls weekends also (thank you friends and again Mom and Dad), I have even been on some fun couples trips lately. So as you can see I really have nothing to complain about. BUT... (you knew the BUT was coming) I have never had a vacation alone. I needed a mini break today. I wont bore you with details of why, they are the same ones you could come up with to justify a mini break. Sooo what did I do, I took the afternoon off. I let Kristin my wonderful babysitter, my clone to do the afternoon pickup, homework and snack, while I shopped leisurely at the mall. I tried on 15 pairs of skinny jeans, that is a whole other post BTW, about 6 pairs of shoes and bought new makeup. I also had some small spa services set up so I could come home feeling like a new women. It was only an afternoon but it sure made a world of difference. Maybe next time I will stay the night at the Double Tree and sleep in! Baby Steps!

I found a pair of shoes I will share with my blogging friends. I thought these were way ugly when I saw them but the sales guy talked me into trying these and other "booties" on. Since I was not in a hurry (remember PMV, no kids or schedule) I decided to humor him. I have now decided I love them and love the idea of booties.

See we who are so blessed to live in San Diego do have a winter dilemma. Do we buy hot, long boots for the whole two weeks a year when we could wear them without sweating to death? Or so we flip flop through the puddles saying the rain will only last another few days? Now I feel I have found the San Diego boot.

No I will not be wearing them as the models do with dark tights and mini skirts or dresses, I will be wearing them with jeans where they will look like regular boots but with out the sweet marks under my arms. Enjoy and feel free to try some on the next time you are out shopping.

My Favorite Time of the Year is Here!

2008-09-19T14:33:00.001-07:00

Costco has everything I need for my favorite thing to do during the holiday season, BAKING!! I'm worried that since I have not been baking for a while I might need some practice before I start letting others eat my creations. Luckly I went to Costco the other day and they have these iteams and many more, in stock right now. The 25lb bag of flower was a steal! I couldn't carry the 50lb bag or it would have been in the cart! I will be going back now that I see what they have stocked there. I will just leave you with this, chocolate chips, nuts a plenty, all the holiday spices and much,much more!
I leave to bake with Bella and her friends that are here for a playdate.

Preston's Second Love (Cause I'm his 1st)

2008-09-19T14:33:00.000-07:00

Preston picked this flower while we worked in the backyard. He picked it for Bella (say the double L the way the spanish do, as a Y). He held on to it for 30 minutes until we left to pick her up from preschool. He held on to it for the 20 minute drive to the preschool. We were almost there and I looked back and he was asleep. See the flower still waiting for her!

Junior Primary Lesson on Tithing

2008-09-14T14:08:00.000-07:00

The lesson I was teaching my 6 year olds in primary was on tithing today. I was trying to find a fun way to teach this concept so I did a web search and found a fun idea. It was on www.sugerdoodle.net. I thought I would share it with you as it was a big hit today!
Tithing and Temples
by Melinda Haney

We first discussed what tithing was and how we got the money to build the temples. Then I gave each child a dixie cup with 10 M&M's in it to represent 10 dimes. I also had a bag of white homemade playdough that was shaped into little balls. If a child wanted to help build the temple, then they put one M&M in our tithing envelope. Since they had paid their tithig, they got one ball of play-dough because they helped to build the temple. Each child got to shape their ball into a stone and then place it on a paper plate and we built a small miniture temple out of our stones. Then we talked about how Heavenly Father always blesses us, and how sometimes it is hard to part with our money (M&M's) but if we follow the Lords commandments He will bless us more then we could ever imagine. So at the end everybody who paid their tithing, got two extra M&M's as their blessings.

(I did have some children who did not want to put one of their M&M's in the tithing envelope because they wanted to eat them all. I told them that was completely fine, because Heavenly Father always gives us a choice. However, if they chose not to pay their "tithing" then they would not get a temple stone to help build the temple, the only way to get the money for the stones was by paying their tithing. Because they all wanted to help build the temple, they all decided to pay their tithing.)

Back at Hanna!

2008-09-12T10:02:00.000-07:00

Hanna Fenichel, the preschool I wish I went to. Sydney is a graduate of this world of dress up, messy play, animals and endless hours of creative play. Bella and Preston have been following in her footsteps and are now firmly planted there. They talk endlessly about "their school" and their teachers and friends. Their first day back this year was full of excitement as they wondered what changes had happened to the school while they were away for the summer. I was excited to know that all the paint, sand and water play could now be done a school and not in my house for a few months.

Bella is in a new classroom with new teachers this year. Her teachers, Eva and Marta have been with the school for years and have a wonderful way of incorporating science the 3 R's and friendship into the day with out the kids figuring out that they are not just having fun. And how could the kids help but be intrigued with what they have to offer. Walking into their room you see four different kinds of animals, a mother rabbit with 3 babies, 2 hermit crabs, 2 parakeets and a millipede. As the children learn the basics like beginning reading and writing there are rabbits hopping around the classroom and beautiful music softly playing in the background. I wish I could spend a few day's here. In true Bella form she asks me after only a week of school if she "has to go EVERY day". I just smiled and said gently that yes she "gets" to go every day. I was also smiling inside as I thought that with all that preschool has to offer nothing was better then a day with Mom! I think we will have to take a few day's off of school together.

Preston has totally changed regarding preschool. Last year he really wanted nothing to do with it. This year on the first day he walked right into his classroom, gave his teacher a huge hug and got to work painting. He has been coming home talking about all his friends and the fun play they did together. He is very social and happy. Those of you who know Preston and our struggles over the past year know what a pleasant change with is. I'm so happy for him and this new world that has opened up to him.

First Day of 1st Grade

2008-09-11T20:36:00.001-07:00

Sydney went back to Torrey Hill's Elementary on August 25Th as a first grader. It was really hard to see her go after the fun summer we had. I also knew she did not know what she was getting into. The longer day's at school, more work and less play. I knew it would be hard on her. But she was up and ready to go on to 1st grade in her new dress and shoes she picked out. She had gone to the school over the weekend with Todd to see where her classroom was so she felt very confident as she directed me and her siblings where to go. Todd and I were the typical parents with the camera and video camera out documenting every footstep. There was not a tear shed by her as we all hugged and kissed her goodbye. I felt sad but I kept up a good front for her.

Happy Birthday to my Boy's!!

2008-08-30T15:18:00.000-07:00

My boys are growing up. Mainly my little man Preston but also his dad. Preston and Todd have birthday's two day's apart. We tried for Preston to come on Todd's birthday but he wanted to make an entrance on his own day. Preston's birthday landed on the first day of school this year but even with all the excitement of that we still fit in a very Preston birthday. Which means robots (yes his new obsession) and baseball! We had a little cake with some friends that morning and then that night the family had more cake and went to see the Padre's play. Preston and Todd could not have been happier.

I really can't believe Preston is 3 years old. He is turning into such a little boy with his own opinions on just about everything and a love for all things that roll or bounce. He also LOVES robots. We don't know where he learned about robots but we think it's so funny when he walks around the house imitating one and speaking in his robot voice. I miss my little cuddly baby who looked at me such such adoration but I seem to fall in love with each new stage he is in.

Our favorite Man around the house had a birthday to! Todd's birthday came a couple of day's after Preston's. We celebrated in Todd fashion, which includes Grasshopper pie from Baskin Robbins and the beach. Sydney is really into boogie boarding so she insisted that Daddy wanted one so he could go with her. He was pretty surprised by his new board (he's an avid surfer) but was very excited to try it out with his girls. So after he opened presents we headed to the beach for an evening picnic dinner and a sunset boogie boarding session. It was such a great night!!!

We love you Todd- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Summer Endings

2008-08-25T14:58:00.000-07:00

Our family had a lot going on the last 3 weeks of summer. The girls spent a week at my parents house in Northern California while Preston and I had a mini vacation at home. We hung out and did "boy stuff" while the girls were away. It was REALLY quite around the house which took a whole 24 hours to get used to! Actually I did miss them and was very happy when they got home. Here are a few pictures of their time away.

To Potty Train or Not To Potty Train... that is the question of the day!

2008-08-05T13:24:00.000-07:00

Thomas the Train and a simple trip to Target started this whole debate. Let me just start by saying I am in no hurry to have Preston potty trained, this has happened on its own. Todd believes it is to soon, but I say if it happens, WOO HOOOO!

Preston and I were at Target when he saw Thomas the Train underpants. They did not have his size but he was set on getting them and wearing them. I searched the other Target in our area and came up empty handed. I did find Deigo though brought them home. Preston loves them and has wanted to wear them for the past two days. I was not prepared to start potty training and really don't know if he is all that ready. He has the basic signs for readiness like not liking a wet or dirty diaper, going long stretches dry and he has gone in the potty by himself. The only thing is he does not like the potty chair I have for him so I thought maybe the above Thomas the Train potty seat might do the trick.

So the question I have for you is would a new potty like this work and is it to early to potty train a boy. By the way he will be 3 on the 25th of this month. All advice is welcome.

4th of July

2008-07-29T13:32:00.000-07:00

We were in Lake Winnipesaukee for the 4th and had a wonderful day. The weather was great and the lake was warm. We went out on the boat and hung out on the beach before we barbaqued and watched fireworks. We even played the all american sport baseball out on the lawn in the afternoon! After dinner Jess made a fire in the fire pit for the kids to roast marshmellow's and play with sparklers. Then we loaded all the kids in the boat and drove out closer to town and watched the fireworks show. It was really fun and everyone had a blast. It went by way to fast. Thanks for the wonderful week friends!

Lake Winnipesauke

2008-07-29T13:21:00.000-07:00

We took the whole family across the country to one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to, Lake Winnipesauke, New Hampshire. Our good friends the Hatch's invited us out again for the 4th of July. We were there with them and another family the Cutler's. All together we had 9 kids which sounds like a very tiring vacation on the lake but it was relaxing and fun. We were able to do some skiing and wake boarding. The house we stayed in had a tree house and a trampoline along with every water sport and toy you could need. The kids were spoiled for choice and by the end of each day were completely tired out. I had a great time catching up with Melissa and MA. We left the kids a few times and went shopping and to dinner with our husbands. I was even able to wake board a few times!

Life at the Beach!

2008-07-29T11:54:00.000-07:00

We have been having the best summer! The kids are at a great age for the beach. So with my good friend Vanessa and her four kids in town for the month of July it was one big party! We spent a lot of time at the beach, staying from early afternoon till evening. We even had a baseball game one night, girls against boys! Sydney is telling me the girls won, I think the tide won. We had to leave as the tide was coming in a little to close.

Sydney really took to boogie boarding. Last summer we couldn't get her to get wet past her ankles in the ocean so this came as a big surprise. She and Lily would be out in the waves for hours having a great time. Bella was happy body surfing and playing on the sand.

Along with the beach we also went to Legoland, a Padre's game and saw some fun movies. We did a lot of kids stuff but we did get away with our husbands for some nice dinners and some fun girl's nights. Can't wait for next year!

I wish I could post all the picture but there is not room. Hopefully I will get a slide show posted soon.

Happy Dad Happy Kids

2008-06-13T18:48:00.000-07:00

Bed time can be challenging around our house. This night I left it to Todd. As I cleaned up dinner (looked at a magazine and checked e-mail) I could hear all sorts of things from the upstairs. The kids were laughing and yelling, playing and splashing. I wondered if they were really getting ready for bed or if when I finally went upstairs to "help". I thought I would have to take charge and get them all ready myself. But when I went up the kids were all clean, in their PJ's and most importantly happy. I was happy to see Todd had the camera out and took some cute pictures.

Listening to Todd and the kids that night made me remember what a great dad Todd is. Todd can make even routine thing like bath time fun. He gives up so much free time and what could be some guy time to be with the kids. Todd always wants to include them in the activities he loves, like going to ball games, recently the U.S Open at Torrey Pines and of course the surfing. Where as I tend to be scared to try new things with the kids he loves it. He is sooo patient and really takes the time to talk to them. I know the kids feel his love for them. Love You Todd.

Why We Live In San Diego...

2008-06-06T14:45:00.000-07:00

SUMMER VACATION IS ALMOST HERE! IT'S TIME TO HIT THE BEACH!!!

Preston and I had about an hour and a half to kill before it was time to pick Bella and her friends up from preschool. Sooo what else could we do with summer vacation right around the corner? Hit the beach of course! As you can see from the above picture Preston was pretty excited.

Come on MOM!!!!!

Going........

goooooing....

GONE!

Join us any time, we will be here all summer long! Happy Summer.

Father and Sons - first ever

2008-05-29T10:16:00.000-07:00

Todd here. So Preston is still only 2 but it's never too early to start a good tradition. We had our first ever father/son outing a couple of weeks ago. We camped on the beach at San Onofre with about 100 or so other fathers and sons from the Del Mar stake. Preston was pretty stoked on his head lamp and thought it was cool camping on the sand.

(it's official - me and Pres kicking back in our tent)

He slept pretty good but was mesmerized by the sounds of the ocean and the train that ran by throughout the night. "Dad-da, what that sound?". Every time I thought he was asleep a train would go by and he'd jump "train Dad-da, trainnnn!" We got some In-n-Out burgers on the way up so dinner was taken care of Friday night (plus he crashed out before we made it to the group campfire, so no hot dogs) and then we had some tasty donuts and bananas for breakfast.

Highlights: Some serious daddy/preston bonding. Waking up to sound of surf.

Not-so-highlights: Waking up to aroma of a poopy diaper in a zipped up tent...

(story time...baseball book) (headlamps are so cool)

( next year we're bringing the surfboards)

Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month

2008-05-07T17:57:00.001-07:00

This is my niece, Maddie, age 6 and nephew Max, age 4. They are such wonderful, smart, funny and loving children. I'm so proud to be their aunt. They also have Cystic Fibrosis. They are healthy and doing great because of the latest treatments and medication prescribed by their CF doctors. Most importantly they are doing so well because of the treatments and care their mother gives them daily. May is CF awareness month. I have posted a link about CF that I hope everyone will take a look at so that we can all learn a little more about this disease and see how we can help in forwarding research for new and better treatments and hopefully a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.

www.cff.org

WE LOVE YOU MADDIE and MAX. Hugs and kisses!

Spring Break 2008

2008-05-07T17:21:00.000-07:00

We had a great Spring Break in Palm Desert. REALLY WILD! Ha ha :) Really though we had a great time. Our good friends the Wickhams went with us (see Kate in the yellow floaty. She can swim but thought the floaty was fun to try out). Todd was always in the pool with the kids. I'm a wimp and didn't want to get wet all the time.

One afternoon Todd spent an hour or more pulling the kids around the pool in a Kanga line. They loved it! It was pretty funny to watch.

The day we left we decided to visit The Living Desert. It is sort of like the San Diego Wild Animal Park but not nearly as good. Of course it was 100 degrees that day!

Here are the kids at The Living Desert. The kids loved the butterfly exhibit so we spent most of our time there. Bella was a little disappointed that there were not as many animals as she thought there would be. What can we say she is a little spoiled by the San Diego Zoo.

Preston was not dissapointed though! There was a huge model train exhibit at the Living Desert. I'm not to sure what the two had to do with the other but Preston could care less why they were there he just wanted to watch them. Preston could have stayed there all day watching the trains going and coming. It was worth sitting in the 100 degree heat to see how happy he was!

You can see most of the Wickham and Wilson kids enjoying their ice cream one night (Kate is not pictured). They were always so busy swimming and playing all day that this was one of the few times we could get a picture of the kids together! Take a closer look at Preston's shirt if you can. It only got worse!

Hanna Art Show

2008-04-27T15:17:00.000-07:00

I love our preschool! Those of you who have ever talked to me about our preschool Hanna Fenichal know how much our family LOVES it. Besides being right next to the beach and the children being able to go there to study every aspect of it, the teachers are amazing, the family's are very involved and supportive, it is a small setting and the daily activities are educational but exciting for the kids. But mainly I love it so much because the kids LOVE it. Sydney still asks to go back!

One of the best things the classes do each year is to study on artist for the whole year and in April they have an "Art Show" in the evening. Everyone comes all dressed up and we have "fancy" food and drinks and view the children's renditions of their artists work. It is so exciting for the kids and they are so proud of the work they did that we as parents just melt. It also gets the parents ready to spend some big buck at the Spring Fling school fundraiser that just happens to be the following weekend. You can see Preston's and Bella's individual art projects. Preston's class did the large painting in the first picture above. Preston's class studied Monet and Bella's class artist was Dr Seuss.

We tried really hard to buy Preston's class art project during the live auction because we loved it so much but when the bidding was up to almost $2,000 we had to step back. Our table was going crazy, cheering for Todd as he and another dad went back and forth with the bids going higher and higher. Friends at our table were even throwing in money of their own to keep him bidding (what good friends, ha ha!) but in the end we just couldn't keep going. It ended up going to the family who was bidding against us for $2,500! I think they would have gone as high as they had to to get the piece. It was pretty funny!

We will have to be happy with our money in the bank and Preston's individual work :). I think we will survive!

Feeling Good!

2008-04-27T14:54:00.000-07:00

After having three children in 4 years I realized I was really out of shape. My idea of "back to normal" had also changed after each baby. So about 5 months ago I took control and with the help of a professional I found out how off track I had really gone. Under the guidance of the most AMAZING women who is a certified trainer and dietitian I have lost 16 pound and 18 inches, which might not sound like a lot to those who watch "The Biggest Loser", but I'm only 5 feet 2 inches tall and had 20-25 pounds to lose. I'm not saying the work is over I still have a ways to go yet but I have come a long way.

What has made me blog today is not the weight lose but how healthy and strong I feel. I was on the biggest high last week when I ran 7.5 miles without stopping. I did it in just a little over an hour and I felt sooo great. Understand that in December I could not even run 1 mile straight! Running has not been my focus during this period but I decided to give it a try because I had a mental block with regards to long distance running. For the first time in 6 years have confidence in my body and in it's strength. I have had the confidence to try new classes at the gym and I entered my first race this May. I'll keep you posted on how that goes!

3 Piggie Opera

2008-04-17T15:34:00.001-07:00

Sydney was so excited to be in her first kindergarden class performance. They performed the "3 Piggie Opera". Sydney took it very seriously and did just great. I hope the video posts then you can hear her also.

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-03-26T19:49:00.001-07:00

Sydney had a very special day. I took Sydney and her two good friends, Emily and Lily all the way to L.A. to the American Girl store. My mom and Lily's mom Tiffany went along and I think we had as good of a time as the girls. Before we looked around the store we had Tea in the Cafe. It was so cute! Lily really enjoyed the "conversation" card's they had on the table. She would get so excited when asked a question or asking a question. Sydney loved trying the hot chocolate and pink lemonade. Her birthday cake was amazing! It looked like a wrapped present. Sydney also loved the peppermint ice cream that was served with it! The girls we all giggles and everything was exciting to them. They were given goodie bags to take home with all sorts of girlie things like hair bows and lip gloss.

We spent a lot of time in the store later. It was like a doll museum! I thought Sydney would want a new "Big Girl" doll but once we were inside the Bitty Baby section she only wanted new clothes for Hanna ( Hanna is her Bitty Baby her Grandma Lowe gave her when Bella was born). Hanna and Sydney sleep together every night and she travels on all over-night trips. I was glad she still loves to play with her baby doll. Just maybe it means she is not getting to big just yet. Grandma Lowe was so nice and bought Sydney and Hanna matching birthday dresses (picture to come). I think Sydney wore her dress for 3 days straight!

Swim Lessons

2008-03-26T13:31:00.000-07:00

The girls started swim lessons again in February. Sydney is getting used to the water and try's to be very brave but she does not seem to be a water-bug like her dad. We are hoping she will grow to like it. Bella is the opposite (true in most things) of Sydney and can't wait to get in and never wants to get out. It is obvious from the smile that is always on her face while in the pool. I wouldn't be surprised if she was smiling while under water! Preston is next.

Froggy Doggy Song

2008-03-15T18:03:00.000-07:00

My sister April had this song posted on her blog so I played it for my kids. They can't get enough of it now. Check out www.Keywilde.com

Camping

2008-03-10T10:38:00.000-07:00

This past weekend the girls and I went on our first ever over-nighter. I've really been looking forward to taking Sydney and Bella camping for a long time now (don't worry Preston, your turn will come soon my man). So, after a busy work week and a few trips to REI and Walmart, we packed up the car on Friday afternoon and headed out for our overnight adventure.

We camped at San Elijo State Beach which is only a few miles up the road and is right on the bluffs overlooking the surf at Cardiff. The campsites are pretty basic and we had lots of neighbors (and their dogs) but we had all we needed to experience the great outdoors.

Bella helped me set up the tent while Sydney scouted out the campsite and watched the surfers right below us. We set up camp, built a fire, cooked dinner on the camping stove and then cooked marshmallows and made smores. The girls were pretty tired by then so we checked out the stars for a few and then snuggled up in the tent to read a few books with our headlamps on. We all sacked out pretty quickly as the sound of the surf lulled us to sleep (I gotta live closer to the beach someday...). All in all, the girls were total champs.

Highlights:

Smores - cooking, eating and and wearing them (Bella got a lot of mileage out of a single smore - it ended up on her face, pants, hair, chair, the tent and even Dad's shoes).
Flashlights and headlamps - very cool according to the girls.
Doughnut Holes - "Dad, can we have just one (i.e. five) doughnut hole"? Right behind the smores, the doughnut holes were a big hit. Something Sydney actually likes more than bread and butter!
Cooking on the new camping stove - took pictures to have evidence that I actually do cook once in awhile (ok, so only when camping...)
Camp Store - Bella got a toy cell phone which she claims was the highlight of the trip.

Tavarua 2008

2008-03-10T10:36:00.000-07:00

In January we were back for another week in paradise - Tavarua Island, Fiji. Great waves, weather and new and old friends. This place is awesome and the surf can definitely get pumping. Best part is there are no crowds since the only people allow to surf Cloudbreak and Restaurants are the guests of the island. We made a pretty cool picture book using our Mac so if you're ever at the house we'll show it off!

I could write all day about how great this place is...

Check out this video clip - awesome wave (unfortunatley, i'm holding the video camera on this one!)

Choo choo!

2008-02-25T20:18:00.000-08:00

Fun at Balboa Park

Right next to the San Diego Zoo and on the corner of Balboa Park is a really cool train ride and a fun merry-go-round. Preston is into trains right in a BIG way so we definitely had to give the "choo choo" a try (or two!). It's pretty cool, a sorta mini-locomotive with passenger cars. Big enough for adults to go along for the ride to.

We also hit the merry-go-round and another little ride right next door. Kids had a lot of fun. Bella especially liked her butterfly ride and Sydney liked chilling on her "throne" on the merry-go-round.

And the doctor says..."Shepherd's Fracture"

2008-02-23T21:50:00.001-08:00

Here's a great shot of my left foot. Turns out I broke the talus bone (didn't know I had one...) behind my ankle when I played in the BYU rugby team alumni game back in October. I guess they call it Shepherd's Fracture (after some doctor).

I've been relegated to wearing a "boot" for the past six weeks and looks like a little surgery is in my future to remove the round bone that's floating around in there behind my ankle. Bummer, but I gotta do it soon to be ready for summer fun with the kids!

Catching up...at least a little

2008-02-23T21:47:00.001-08:00

Ok, so we knew it would be hard to keep this up to date and to post all the photos and stories we'd like to share since life is just so busy. We'll do better, and here's an attempt to quickly catch up on the past few months...

(You can click on each picture to see it bigger!)

Our new pet - Butterfly

Today the kids were out back playing and Sydney saw a butterfly land on the grass. After the kids were ooohing and ahhhing for a while, Sydney decided this was the pet they'd been waiting for (they've been asking for a dog or kitty for a long time now...especially Bella).

Long story short, Sydney got a glass and Bella got a piece of paper (teamwork you know) and they caught the butterfly by putting the glass over it and then slipping the paper underneath so they could pick it up. After awhile they let it out but it stayed around for some classic pictures - they were convinced the butterfly wanted to stay and be our pet since it kept flying back to us!

Here are the pics:

And Preston's "mohawk" for the day (woke up this way...)