Rey Is Here!

We've been looking for our dog since about Thanksgiving. I've "liked" just about every shelter and rescue in LA on facebook, and we were soooo close to adopting two different dogs from local rescues, but they just weren't the right fit. We've been talking to all our dog-lover friends, and since Adam has been coaching on Mutt & Stuff, he talked to the dog trainers about our search, too. About a week ago one of the trainers told us she had a puppy she rescued but couldn't keep. We decided to meet her, and that was that. We found Rey. (Couldn't escape a Star Wars reference, but it suits her.) She moved in today and so far, so good. Rey is a 6 month old terrier mix. She's such a sweet girl, and playful with the kids, too. I'm sure not every day will be this easy, but today she's been such a joy and we are grateful to have her. (And no accidents inside - yipee!)

 Look at that sweet face.

 She's made herself right at home, and we learned she likes to stretch out.

 Our dog whisperer... Audrey's already a little mommy to Rey.

 Part of the pack:

Welcome to the family Rey!

Weekend Pictures

Daddy/Daughter Dance... they had a blast.

Lots of sugar:

 Blurry but adorable:

 They might be drunk on Shirley Temples:

 Beautiful Piper, Kailey, Audrey, and Ava:

Today's birthday adventure with friends. Boys-only trip to Mountasia (with Superdad Adam) for laser tag, arcade games, and mini-golf.

 Hilarious:

While the boys played I hung out with these three adorable, crazy girls:

 Jazelle brought the Pie Face Game and a can of whipped cream!

 Pizza party (just ignore our sad, sad grass - or lack thereof):

"Happy Birthday" ice-cream cones:

Lots of fun with lots of kids:

Full weekend and we are ready to crash.

Love.

My heart just about exploded as these two left for the school Daddy/Daughter Dance tonight.

Can't wait to hear all about it!

Tyler Is Ten!

It happened. Bittersweet. I want time to stop, and yet it's so cool to watch Tyler grow and become this totally neat kid. Ten is gonna be lots of fun, I can already tell.

Did my mom birthday duties and dropped off three dozen glazed donuts to the 4th grade - Tyler's request.

Stocked the fridge with Tyler's favorites, like his favorite sodas (introduced to us in Vegas by Adriana and Jason.)

After school we were all ready to help celebrate.

Birthday phone calls from family, and lots of present opening:

Then we took a birthday break and went to Cole's first t-ball practice. Really like his coach, and two of his buddies, Toby and Ashton, are on his team. It's so fun to watch Cole have his turn, and Audrey and Tyler were excited to cheer him on.

Then off to Tyler's favorite restaurant, Islands. He was craving a cheeseburger and fries. Love these three - it was a great time hanging out as a family.

Had to end the night with a candle and "Happy Birthday". Dessert for five:

Tyler still loves his Legos, comics, origami, books, and anything Star Wars. He's so super smart, and self-motivated with school work and piano. Loves to write, and told me today he wants to be on the school newspaper. Lately he's watching a lot of sports on TV, and playing basketball out front. He's hungrier than ever and doesn't order off the kids menu anymore. Baseball is going great. He's pitching and has grown into one of the leaders on his team - he's come a long way since his first season. He loves cub scouts and is excited to go to camp again this summer. Tyler's a fantastic big brother - a great example to Cole and Audrey. He has such a special place in our family - watching him grow up is such a privilege, and so neat to watch. Things are changing and I can tell he's not our little kid anymore, but it sure is fun to go on this adventure with him and help him navigate it all. Happy birthday to our favorite ten year old - so grateful you're ours!

The Week So Far

Yesterday was the Cub Scout Blue & Gold Dinner. I think it was a pretty nice night, and I know the boys had a blast. It was fun to pull the evening off as a family. Tyler completed his Bear and is on to Webelos. Congratulations Tyler! Can't believe you're 10 tomorrow.

This little guy looked too cute for school this morning:

Audrey and her girlfriends - it was Wacky Wednesday. Audrey wore her clothes backwards and mismatched socks. Tyler didn't want to be wacky, surprise surprise ;).

I went with Cole on his field trip to the library today. I love his adorable class and teachers.

Cole and his buddy Toby at Icky Sticky Time. They're together so much, and are the best of friends - we've started calling them Colby.

With the cub scout dinner behind us we are ready to celebrate Tyler's birthday! Lots of fun happening the next few days, including Cole's first t-ball practice (!!!), and Adam and Audrey going to the daddy/daughter dance at school. And you guys, I think we found our dog! More details to come, but it looks like she'll be moving in this weekend! Oh my....

New Week

This past week the flu got me. I was out. Really, I don't think I've been that sick in quite some time. I'm convinced to get the flu shot next season (even though I know it's not 100%, I will take my chances to not get this sick again!) Today I'm finally over the hump. It's the first day I didn't completely crash by 1pm and have to take a two hour nap. The first day I enjoyed food (also not a fan of Tamiflu and the week-long nausea it gave me.) The first day I wasn't 24/7 achy. Today I finally went to the grocery store after a week of not wanting to look at food. Grateful for a husband whose been around, made dinner or was fine with leftovers or cereal, let me sleep, helped with the kids - silver-linings during hiatus. There were good things this week, too, like Tyler losing his silver-cap tooth (I've only been waiting about five years for that, and yes the tooth fairy left an extra dollar.) Audrey's almost done selling Girl Scout cookies (last call!), and hit her goal of 250 boxes sold. A fun lunch and pedicures with the Encino Girls. A lovely Saturday - gorgeous weather, picked up the boys' baseball gear, Adam was handy and put in our new mailbox, Toppers for dinner (yay appetite!) We had a great Family Home Evening - helped Audrey with her primary talk, then Tyler taught us origami. I'm ready for a new week, and it's gonna be a big one with the Cub Scout Blue & Gold Dinner, and Tyler turning ten!

Love.

When your Valentine's Day starts like this you know it's gonna be a good one:

A simple breakfast before the not-sick people went to stake conference. Mailboxes filled with a little candy, tic-tacs, and Tsum Tsums made for happy kids.

Happy Love Day!

Last Few Days

We had Sam over for a sleepover while his parents were out of town. It was super fun, and my kids loved it! All four kiddos ready for Valentine's parties at school. They came home with tons of treats and chocolate.

More Girl Scout boothing. These girls are adorable, inside and out.

While Audrey boothed I went to urgent care and found out I have the flu! Lame! Tyler has a fever now, too, but it doesn't seem to have hit him as hard (maybe because he got the flu shot?) Laying low the rest of our long weekend and getting healthy. Luckily the weather has been amazing so we've had windows and doors open, airing the house out to get rid of these germs.

Doing a little Valentine's prep for tomorrow. An easy breakfast, and gotta fill our mailboxes, of course. Happily I see Adam got me some See's Candy - I'm pretty sure that cures the flu.

Little Actress in Training

Adam finally taught a beginning sit-com acting class that our kids can take! Audrey went tonight and Adam said she did great. It's a two day workshop with about 8 other kid actors. Tyler will attend the next one. I just love this picture.

Learning her lines:

She came home so happy and excited about her night with dad, and the scene she gets to learn for the next class.

 Also it's been 70s and 80s this week (hurrah!), and we spent the afternoon getting these together. Love Valentine's Day in preschool and elementary.

Boothing

These girl scouts were adorable selling cookies outside the grocery store today. 150 boxes sold in two hours! Good job, girls.

I mean, how can you resist a girl scout dressed up like a giant cookie!?

Had the sister missionaries over for dinner and family home evening tonight. Love them and their awesome spirits. They always remind me of my missionaries back in Queens. Had the thought that I hope my three kids all go on missions someday - I think it would be so good for them. Sometimes I lack the discipline to really study the scriptures, and going a mission is a great foundation for that. Like spiritual boot camp. Not to mention how much missionaries touch people's lives (another reason I'm so grateful for mine.) We'll see what they decide someday...

Ready for a low key weekend. Tyler has been watching a lot of sports on tv, and is actually excited for the Superbowl. We all decided to have a nacho bar and rootbeer floats Superbowl Sunday, so that's what I'm looking forward to.