A Surfing Tradition

Every December 26th John, his brothers and their Dad go surfing for his birthday. It's a tradition they have been carrying on for years. It was a beautiful sunny cold Ventura winter day. Here are some great pictures that John's brother Jim took of their trip. Enjoy!!

Here is John and Jeff preparing to freeze. While Bill laughs.

John and Jeff walking to the point.

John on a fun wave.

John finishing this one off nicely.

Jeff on another fun wave.

Here is Jeff finishing this wave off even nicer.

John with a cutback.

Christmas

Christmas has come and gone. For John and I the anticipation of seeing our girls faces on Christmas morning is worth more then anything we could ever get one another. Our girls slept in until 8:30. We thought they would never wake up. I told John there is no way I was letting him wake them up. They eventually woke up and realized it was Christmas morning. Paige was extremely disappointed that Santa was not there. We kept saying that Santa was coming and she took us literally!

They had wonderful time opening presents and seeing what Santa had left them. Before we knew it all the wrapping paper was lying still on the ground, the girls had begun playing with their new treasures and it was over! It has always been a rather strange feeling for me each year as I gaze at our darkened tree days after Christmas is over. It is a lonely and sad sort of feeling, but then I begin to think about the previous year and what it has brought to our lives. It is a great feeling to know that another year is about to begin that will be full of challenges and triumphs. I love to recommit myself to things that are important to me. We feel truly blessed that we are safe and happy and were able to remember and teach our children about the birth of our Savior. We hope everyone the best this upcoming year.

Emma's Blessing Day!

Disneyland

This was our girls first trip to Disneyland! The girls thought they had died and gone to Heaven!! They each got a pin to wear that said it was their first visit. Girls and Dumbo on Dad! Did I just say that!!

Girls and Dad on Dumbo!

The girls sitting in the boat just as we were about to go into It's a Small World. Ellie and Paige were so giddy they could hardly sit still! I have to say one thing about Emma. We got her out of the car seat for two rides, and a diaper change. The rest of the day she was in her car seat. She did not make a peep the entire day. What an angel!

Okay, now meeting some of their favorite princesses they thought was just about the most awesome thing ever! Elle just kept looking at me like, Mom is this really happening! Girls with Cinderella

Girls with Mulan

Girls with Alice

Ellie and Paige waiting for the Christmas Parade to start!

During the parade so many of the characters were coming up to Ellie and Paige sitting on the curb. No doubt because they were so cute!! Anyway, Ariel and Prince Eric came over and were talking to them. Paige kept pointing to her pin that tells everyone it was their first visit to Disneyland. Eric kissed paige's hand and she thought that was pretty cool!

We were so cold and tired and were looking for somewhere to eat dinner. We ended up eating at Cafe Orleans. It was right outside the exit of Pirates. We were the last people to put our name on the waiting list as they were closing early for Fantasmic. Sadly you had to have reservations to eat inside. Well, I went up to the manager and had a little talk, and a few minutes later we were comfy and cosy inside the restaurant. They brought some warm water for the Emma's bottle and we had a wonderful and expensive dinner. :) Another bonus was that if you were eating at their restaurant you could stay on their balcony and watch Fantasmic! It was awesome. We really had a wonderful day!

7 Weeks Later!

Emma is now 7 weeks. These pictures are for you Mom! Sorry it has taken me so long, and that there are not more. She is still the "perfect" baby!!! We are so lucky and love her so much.

We can't get this binki out of her mouth! This is new for us because the other girls were never interested. Now I can see why you need to have a million around the house. My sister said to be careful because it can turn into a nightmare, especially when you are putting it back in her mouth 7 times a night. So far so good. We only let her have it in the day and it's worked out ok. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and when your tired all rules are out the door, right? :) It is so fun to see her personality blossoming. It literally melted my heart the first time I saw her smile. We have even heard a little giggle. Isn't it weired how it just feels like they have always been a part of your life? We are so happy she came to our family!!

This is really funny!

I've always loved synchronised swimming! Michelle, this post is dedicated to your glory days! Someone said, "This is an answer to that age old question: What do Mormons do if they don't drink? I had to laugh!

The Essence of Imagination

"What we can easily see is only a small percentage of what is possible. Imagination is having the vision to see what is just below the surface, to picture what is essential, but invisible to the eye. "

-Author Unknown-

Many years ago when I was sitting in a waiting room somewhere, I came across this quote in a magazine. I thought it was beautiful and it really made me think. I scratched it down on something in my purse and forgot all about it. Anyway, tonight I was going through an old planner full of pictures and different thoughts of mine, I came across it. Just thought I would share!!

Our family will be voting YES on prop 8 in the upcoming election. We believe that marriage is sacred and should only be recognized between a man and woman. If this proposition fails, the most important people in our lives will be greatly affected, our children. We encourage everyone to vote and remember what is at stake!

Emma Jane

What a relief and blessing to finally have Emma with us! She was born September 25th at 2pm. She was 7 pounds 10 ounces. The girls were so thrilled to have their new little sister finally arrive. When they got to the hospital they kept checking my tummy to make sure no baby was in there. They could not believe we were actually telling the truth and that a real live baby would be coming home with us. Paige is so glad she can finally say that she is a big sister now. Ellie has been extremely helpful but can't understand why I won't let her take over completely!:) My mom has been here helping out for a while which has been wonderful. Thank goodness for moms!! We were also so happy to have Janet be able to come down and help the day Emma was born. John can't believe he has three beautiful daughters. Girls everywhere!! What guy could ask for anything more! Well, in her first week of life, Emma has been a doll. Now we are just holding our breath! If things stay the way they are, it will be too good to be true. She is perfect and it's hard to imagine how Heavenly Father can let go and trust that we will do our best to teach them all they will need to know. AAaaaaaaaaaaaaa. To not be pregnant anymore! I know all of you moms know just what I mean. Thank heaven for little girls!!!

Another One Bites The Dust!!

Here are Ellie's kindergarten pics! Better late than never! Ellie loves her teacher and has made a lot of friends. Paige is going to miss her best friend being around.

Paige giving moral support!

Sea World

Before Ellie started kindergarden we went down to Seaworld for her birthday. Grandma and Grandpa "T" were able to come with us. We also picked up Uncle Jeff when we got down there. He is going to school at San Diego State Univirsity. The girls had fun with their Grandma and Grandpa and one of their favorite uncles.

The girls and flipper.

Gearing up for the Shamu show.

By the time we made it to the Shamu night show, little Paige was all tuckered out.

The girls and Uncle Jeff. Paige actually looks like she had one to many!