California!

We went on a vacation this summer to California. Our main reason to go was my mom was retiring and we went to throw her a party. We spent two weeks in Cali. It was fun, but it is always nice to be back home. I have realized that I love being home. We had a really nice party for my mom, saw lots of family that I have not seen in over 4yrs or even longer. I think my mom enjoyed herself. She has friends that she has had for many years and it was nice to see them come congratulate my mom on her retirement.

We then ventured up to my dad's house for a few days. He lives up in a little mountain area I guess you could say. The kids had fun playing in his hot tub and running around outside in his yard.

Our next adventure was to San Francisco for a few days. We did all the tourist type things, went to Alcatraz, rode the Cable Car, Were entertained by the street performers, Drove down Lombard Street, walked across the Golden Gate Bridge, and went to Fishermans Warf and Pier 39. It was fun to show the kids around the city. They had all been there before, but not as tourist. We really did have a great time.







The last few days in Cali were spent visiting with old friends, relaxing, going to the movies and the pool. It was a good trip and I think the kids all had a great time. Hannah has said that she loves San Francisco and wants to live there when she grows up...we shall see!

Hannah and the rest of the Gang!

Well again I have been slow at updating the blog. This past March was an exciting one for our family. Hannah turned 8 on March 6th. We had a small family party and went to build a bear for Hannah to make a new bear. The real excitement came on March 20th when Hannah was baptized. My entire family came into town for this special occasion. My mom, dad, sister and her entire family were here. Many friends came to witness Hannah's baptism. I was a little worried at first when Hannah put on her white jumpsuit to be baptized she was pretty upset. She did not like the jumpsuit and was worried how she looked ( I had no idea she was so vain). After a little time alone and talking with the Bishop she emerged happy and ready to be baptized. As I watched my youngest daughter and oldest son in the baptismal font I could not have been a prouder mother. It was a very special day and was made even more special that Christopher was able to perform the baptism. After the baptism and wonderful food we ventured to Fort Pickens. Hannah could not wait to go there she had been talking about going and taking everyone since the first time we went. We had a great time exploring and showing the our family the sights of this historical area.

This past April Carissa returned to college. This time was a little different not taking her up there. She has matured so much and seems to be having a great time at school and making many new friends and even seems to be squeezing in some dates along the way. We miss her tons but I know this is the place for her to be!

Christopher was inducted into the National Honor Society at school this past April. We could not be prouder of him and all his accomplishments.

Matt has started a new job and seems to be loving the fact that he is not the boss. He has had to travel a few times all ready and I am sure there will be many more times he will have to venture to someplace new.
 

 

 

 

Been a long time!

So it has been forever since I have posted anything on my blog. It has been a crazy 6 months since I posted. In Sept. My mother Sister and I took Carissa off to college. We had a good time shopping and getting her ready for the big move in. Once we got her moved in she was ready for us to leave! It was hard but I knew she was ready for it. I was hopitalized in Oct. for my crohns. Not a fun 5 days. Then in November for thanksgiving we went to Disneyworld. We had a great time. Four Parks in Four Days make for a very exhausting time but we had a wonderful time. It could have only been better if Carissa could have joined us, she was at my sisters for Thanksgiving. Both boys made the High School soccer team in Oct. Bryan as goalie and Christopher as a forward. They played a great season Christopher made some great goals for his team including a few headers and Bryan made some amazing saves in the goal. I just love watching my boys play! Dec we had a full house my mom and Matt's parents and brother came for Christmas. I sure do love having them all here. We ate a lot and the kids had a ton of fun with there grandparents and uncle Joe. Of course Carissa was home from school and will be till she leaves again in April. The last 2 months not much exciting has happened. Hannah will be baptized March 20th and my whole family will be there for that. She is really excited, because her Big Brother Christopher is baptizing her. Well that is it for now. I will try and be better and keeping this blog updated!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New School Year

The three younger of our kids started school this past week. Christopher is a Sophmore this year. The week before school started Christoher had an emergency appendectomy. We got it before it ruptured, but still surgery and a night stay in the hospital and he is doing great. I am very thankful that he has healed so quickly. Despite having surgery 6 days before school started he did not miss the first day! Bryan is a Freshman this year. He was excited and is has also joined the ROTC. Hannah started 2nd grade and is loving it so far. Her teacher seems very nice and I look forward to seeing how the year turns out.

Missing Pictures

I have had the following post's written for some time now, but have had trouble uploading pictures. I figured I would post what is here and add the pictures later! Check back for the pics!

Class of 2009

Well she did it! Carissa graduated! We are so very proud of her. We had 17 people here to celebrate her graduation. We got front row seats thanks to Carissa' Uncle Troy, Matt and My sister Crystal who ran when the doors opened. Carissa and her senior group sang the National Anthem and it was one of the best I have ever heard. The ceremony it self was short and sweet, the reading of the names on the other hand was a little long. After the ceremony Carissa had some friends back to the house and they stayed up all night playing games and having fun. The saturday before graduation we had a party for Carissa to celebrate. We had a good turn out and everyone enjoyed great food and fun. There was also some dancing young and old! Carissa we are so proud of you and look forward to all you will do as you head off to college and enter into a new phase in your life!

Carissa's Senior Prom

Carissa had her Senior prom and had a blast. She decided at the last minute to not go with her date and to go with friends. It was fun taking her to get her hair done and all pampered. Then it was off to get dressed and take pictures. Carissa said she had a great time, she went to dinner then to the dance and then her and her friends went bowling in there dresses....She of course looked beautiful.

1st grade over......

Hannah had a very successful 1st grade. She had a great year and is now reading at a 3rd grade level. She enjoys reading and was one of 3 kids who earned over 100 AR points and received a medal for her accomplishment. She had an end of the year party and really enjoyed herself. Her and some of her classmates showed of their talents with us. Hannah did a little hula hoop routine, it was the cutest thing. Grandma Joy got to come with us and as usual fit right in helping the teacher dish out Ice Cream to all the kids!

Ranking 25th

We are so proud of Bryan, we attended his awards ceremony at school and Bryan won a few awards. The Presidential award, an award from one of his teachers, and he received a medal for being ranked 25th in his class. We are so proud of you Bryan great job we know you will continue to do well in High School. Speaking of High School Bryan has decided to join the Navy ROTC at the High School. He participated in a summer camp the week after school got out and he won an award for Top Male Marcher. He really showed his stuff and he did a great job.

Spring Soccer

Well I guess it is about time I update my blog. Things have just been so very busy this past month or so, I have not had a chance to sit down and let everyone know what has been going on. Christopher, Bryan and Hannah all played spring soccer all on different teams. Needless to say I was at the soccer fields 4 nights a week, thank goodness they are close by. They all of course played great, Christopher played forward for his team and had a few goals along the way. Bryan played forward and goalie, he made some goals, and saved even more goals for his team. Hannah got to play on the same team as her good friend Kate. They had a blast. Hannah loves soccer and is a great defender. Her coach gave her the name "big foot" and of course Hannah thought that was the greatest thing. Everytime he would say go get it big foot or great job, she just got the best smile on her face.

Spring Break

We went to Colorado for Spring Break. The real reason we went was my nephew Austin was being baptized. It just happen to fall on our spring break so the whole family, minus Matt went. We had a great time, we enjoyed spending time with my entire family, my mom, dad and Roseanne were all there and of course my sisters family. We enjoyed a fun restaurant with cliff divers and caves, and different shows to watch. We went to an indoor pool and went up to the snow to ski and snowboard. My kids have never had the opportunity to do this before and they had a great time. The boys took to snowboarding and after a little bit of lessons they were off and running. Carissa and Hannah skied and did a awesome job. Carissa is looking forward to being able to go again when she moves to Idaho for College. The day before we left there was a blizzard and the kids had a good time watching it snow and finally going out to play in it. We did have a little bit of a hiccup on the way home and we were stranded at the Dallas airport for about 9 hours till our flight finally was able to take off due to storms back here in Florida. We are happy to be home, but look forward to another fun trip back to Colorado hopefully sooner then later.