Christmas week in Cali

When my dad died hospice told us that 3 months out the family will really grieve and it will be a hard time. Even harder then the initial loss. Well for us 3 months out was Christmas...which seemed awful. So we all decided we were going to change Christmas this year. We went on a Cali trip. It was more like summer vacation and I really think it helped us get through our first Christmas with out my dad. We had so much fun. We went to six flag, sea world, Universal studios. Coronado, the beach, hotel Del, and the San Diego zoo.

At Seaworld Shamu show we sat in the splash zone. Eli wasn't happy about this and freaked. We bought a towel and that calmed him down. The towel kept Eli, Liam and myself pretty dry however Jacob and Lili they got soaked. Jacob dried pretty quick and I always have a change of clothes for Lady Lili.




On our way to SeaWorld my mom and Lee rode with us. We didn't have the middle seat in my mom didn't care she sat there so happy hold Lili's hand.


Jacob took this picture at Hotel Del. Look at those 3 cute little heads.


Jerel is Hilarous and this is him acting like Chase. When chase was little he would pretend to be a dinosaur. It was funny, but this picture might be just as funny


In San Diego Utah State football team was staying at out hotel because they were there for a bowl game. When we went to the zoo they were there too. Whenever Liam saw a football player he would run up to them grab their leg and pretend he was tackling them...or was he really trying to tackle them?


Liam's head poking out from under my legs...he's such a monkey



We loved Universal Studio I think it was a group favorite and we will be going back again!




Jacob doesn't like ride so he took the kids and hung with his parents and Adam, While I went to 6 flags and pretended to be 16 for a day. It was fun, but 6 flags is kinda gross.




Sana Monica Pier was a blast spent the whole afternoon there.








Sunday morning we went to breakfast at a 100% black diner. It was yummy food in a bad part of town. We stuck out like a sore thumb in a church clothes BUT everyone was really nice. Jacob even made some friends and bought some pirated movies.


I took this picture strictly to get the two poster behind them. Michael Jackson and Barack Obama.

Missing someone

My peak today was I found 12 voicemails from my dad that I thought was lost forever. The voicemails range from just checking on me, butt dials to even happy birthday wishes. I feel like its a little gift from heaven.

My pit was my kids stayed up late and I still have a lot to do! I'm done being a mom for today. 

I never want to forget the sweet moments I shared with Eli and Liam this morning. I as crying listening to my dads voicemails. This upset the boys and they asked why I was crying. Eli was still confused and said mom he's around you he's an angel. I said I know but I still can't hear his voice and I miss him and his voice. To which Eli replied and said oh like if you died I would be sad and miss your voice. I started to say yes but Liam interrupted and said and I would miss your warm hair. This was so sweet because Liam is always pinching my hair. I asked him one day while he was doing it to Lili why he was doing that and he said he liked it because it was warm. This was so sweet because I knew this was something Liam would honestly miss if I died. It melted my heart.

Lilia turns 1!

 Today this little angel turned one. What a treat she has been. We love our little Lili la rue.

 

Lili is a doll baby. We have enjoyed every breath this girl has taken. She is still a major mama's girl but she is starting to go to other people when I am in the room. She loves he dad and her brothers very much. Food is also a big deal for the little girl. She literally starts bawling when I tell her "all gone." or " all done". She is getting bigger, but I think she is still pretty tiny for her age. (Well at least compared to the boys.

 

 

For Lili's birthday we took the kids to build a bear for the first time. They all loved it. Lili made the sweetest little girl squeals it was so cute. We were not planning on getting Lili one we just thought it would be fun to go on her birthday. However when we got there she was super cute and was squealing at all the cute bears. The boys had fun and of course after watching start wars they left with one Jedi and Darth Vader (Eli calls him Dark Vader)

 

After build a bear we ate dinner and then everyone met at our house to sing to Lili and watch her eat her cake. Jacob and I joked that Lili would eat the whole giant cupcake because well she's in love with food. But I think the giant thing scared her. We couldn't get her to touch it. At one point she started to cry and tried to climb out of the high chair. She also didn't like the frosting all over her. I then just cut her a slice and that's when she went to town.

 

 

Go Cards!

Today the cardinals have a game,. Larry Fitzgerald was giving away free tickets to his game I entered dressed all my kids up in the jersey's and took pictures hoping to win tickets for Jacob. My Peak was  hearing Eli tell William to put on a jersey and take a picture because Larry Fitzgerald is giving away free tickets. It's funny to hear things from a kids perspective.

Pit worn out from sick kids 30 is lame

Never forget Eli helping me clean to house. He's a hard working and even did most on his own free will. He would just run around and pick up something and then he would say mom I did this all by myself. I saw it was there I knew I could take care of it and I did!

Liam fell asleep on the tile in the middle of the hallway!

Memory

Today I was thinking about my dad and missing him. Today has been hard for me because today is the first birthday with out him. While I was thinking about him I had this wonderful memory of my dad blessing Liam at the hospital.   A long time ago Liam got very sick he threw up everything and every time he threw up he would go to the bathroom too. Jacob was out of town for a basketball game so it was just me with all three kids and one VERY sick little boy. I ended up taking Liam to the Dr the second he walked in the door the DR said that boy need to be in the hospital. Lili was just a tiny baby at this time still nursing on a regular basis and didn't take anything else. My parents and Jacob's parents sprang into action. My mom took Lili and Eli and I rushed to the hospital. Later while we were waiting for test Lili needed to be fed and we wanted a blessing for Liam. I was our front of the hospital feeding lili on a bench (I didn't want her inside with all the germs) and that when my dad up to me. He was dressed in a full suit and tie when only a short time earlier I heard he was far away at work. He rushed home changed his clothes to look presentable to exercise his priesthood and then he rushed to use to give Liam a blessing. This story touches and comforts me now even more then in the moment. In this one act he showed me just how much his love was for me and my children. How important we are to him. He also showed his true faith by rushing to get dressed and look nicely when using the priesthood. Teaching me and my children just how special and sacred it is. I'm lucky to have such a good dad to do and teach me such important things.

The vomiting continues

Peak Lilly napped from 9:40 to 2! That's what happens when your baby feels awful

Pit lots of vomit and lots of laundry. Seriously my kids threw up on everything. It was like they said oh this hasn't been thrown up on perfect I got this. Obviously taking care of vomiting children I'm running on very little sleep. I'm a hot mess

Never forget what my mom said  told her about sick kids. I was laughing. She said Stacy it's so refreshing how happy you are to be a mom. It made me feel wonderful. 

It ended with vomit

Jacob had to pick up some boys for church today. That meant I was alone in getting everyone dressed and out the door. My Peak was we were a  happy family on time to church.

My family came over for dinner tonight. Near the end of the evening we were all sitting and chatting. Lili started to act sad and funny then my Pit Lilly vomiting. She just kept throwing up all over me. You could tell her body just hurt and the vomiting really shocked her. Poor thing

Some days don't go as planned, but turn out to be absolutely perfect. Today was one of those days! We forgot that Eli had to talk in church until last night so 30 minutes before bed I come up with and write a talk for Eli. Then we had to try and get him to memories it as quickly as possible. That is a little problematic when you child can't read. So I printed of pictures that he could look at that would help him. Eli had the whole talk memorized while he was getting dressed for church. He messed up a little when he shared it in church but I have a video of him doing it at home and he did it perfectly!

After Eli's talk they asked us to go in the nursery because no one showed up. Jacob and I were more then happy to go there. After all it's Jacob's favorite place. Lili got to go for the first time and let me tell you the girl loved it. She played, sat there like a big girl for snacks and loved singing time.

After church we got to relax, I got my temple recommend renewed, Jacob got in some football and I prepped veggies for the week to help with my healthy eating. The day was just perfect and lovely.

Never forget Eli's talk. He did really good but melted when he made a mistake in front of everyone. I learned from that moment. That Eli is a very hard worker and when he messes up he is very hard on himself. I need to Learn from it how to help him.

Science fun

Finally took the kiddos to the AZ science Center. Eli and Liam loved this exhibit. They really started to love it once they realized one side was easier than the other.

It's Liam the fearless and his amazing laying on a bed of nails trick.

I bought a season pass to the science center from living social awhile ago and today was the day we finally went for the first time. Boy have we been missing out. The kids had so much fun. Lilly even found a slide made out of a stomach that she loved climbing up and she even taught herself how to slide down. Aly and Ethan came with us and we even meet up with some of my old Elementary friends, Shelly and Jenny. After the Science Center the boys went to the Gilmore's to play. Lilly and I went home and she played on the tramp while I figured out some tax stuff. Jacob had to work late so this evening Mamo came over and she walked while I rode my bike with the trailer and Eli rode the scooter. It was a very nice day.

My Peak today was we found out we over paid our taxes in 2011 by a whole bunch which actually saved us a ton of money this year. PHEW!! Jacob and I were really stressing that!

Today's Pit was when this lady and this little girl knocked Lilly over at the Science Center. Lilly was so bubbly and happy then after that happened she was very fussy and wouldn't let me put her down for a long time.

I never want to forget that this week we had a lot of fun. I know we became closer and I know we made memories. My house was very messy and kind of suffered because of all of our adventures. Looking back on this I don't care that my house was a mess (I mean I do the mess drove me crazy) because my kids will never remember that the house was a little messier then usual. What they will remember are the fun times we had and that I spent time with them.

Lion King

Apparently the zoo is exhausting. Who knew it was so tiring to look at the animals and be carried all day.

Went to the zoo today and something thought we looked delicious.

Today daddy worked from his phone and went to the zoo with us. The weather was amazing and we really had a nice time. Aly and Ethan came along to which made the zoo even more fun. We go to the zoo pretty often however today the Lions were really close to the edge and upfront so we got a good picture with them. After the zoo Jacob headed to the office and Eli and Liam played with Ethan at the Gilmore's. I went to work out and picked them up after so we headed to Mamo's. We spent the rest of the evening with her because Jacob had to work late. It was a fun filled day.

Today's Peak was that Jacob came to the zoo and the lions were in a really good view.

The pit was Jacob couldn't spend the whole day with us and he was a little stressed at the zoo but I appreciate his sacrfice.

I never want to forget while we were getting ready for the zoo I started to get frustrated with Jacob because he wasn't helping me get the kids ready and load the car. Then I said to myself, "Stacy he is working and why are you  rushing? We don't have to be there right now we are on our own schedule.": This seems simple but usually a little thing like that could lead to an argument and ruin the entire day. I was proud of myself for realizing what I was doing, and fixing. It showed real growth on my part. (I'm sure Jacob is laughing as he reads this but oh well).

Easy relaxing day.

 Today we went to the Children's youth museum (at least that's what I think it's called) Looked up to see Liam doing this with he foam dough. haha he's such a character.

Today we went to the Mesa Museum for Youth. I usually avoid this museum because other parents don't watch their kids to good and I usually leave a little grumpy. I'm glad to say today was wonderful and also pleasant. We meet up with our friends The Barney's and had a wonderful time. We actually stayed way longer then we usually do. After the museum we met Mamo for lunch a Mango's. Geeze that place is so good but for some reason the boys didn't eat a bite of their food. Grrrr! After lunch we rushed out to meet Jacob and design our front door. I'm really exited about that I think it will look really good with our house. After our meeting we stopped by the lot too and checked out the progress in the house. They have the walls up and they are almost done framing the basement. Then I had to ruse home because I had a gym appointment for Lilly and my mom was coming with us. I made it to my class on time however just as the warm up was done the gym came and pulled me our of class because Lilly kept crying.

My Peak was hard to pick our. I really enjoyed the museum, lunch, the door design, and seeing the lot

My pit was not being able to work out. Getting an appointment is hard enough then being pulled out of it is even worse! I fear I will NEVER loose this last 10 pounds from Lilly's pregnancy.

I never want to forget to be playful and have humor. Our house seems more relaxed when I'm more relaxed.

Fighting pillows

We went to the park, feed the ducks, rode the train and had a picnic. This was Lilly's first time doing any of this and well she just loved those ducks.

For FHE we went ice blocking at the park by our house. I caught this cool pictures of Eli

Today is the first day of October break. My goals this week are to do something fun everyday and to watch little no TV this week. I cleaned up the house a little this morning then for lunch we went to freestone park. We had a picnic, and fed the ducks. They also had the train running so all of us rode the train. After spending some time at freestone we went to the library picked our some audio books, some books and a movie. Then we had to drive our and meet the guy doing our windows and pick all that out. I then went to the trainer and got a much needed work out in.  Then headed home for FHE. Tonight for FHE we went to the park and ice blocked down the hills. We had a really good time and all the kids had a blast. Even lilly was cracking up watching everyone go down the hill.

Today's peak we didn't watch an ounce of Tv. We even listened to our audio book while we were driving around. I must say little things like this make me feel like a really good mother.

My pit was Eli wasn't listening very good today. However I didn't talk to him and his behavior is a billions times better. He really is an excellent child.

I never want to forget that I enjoy my days so much more if I just stay busy. Even the little things in the day really help out with me staying motivated and keeps me moving.

Weekend in Taylor

Off to feed the cows with uncle Gayle

Went to Taylor to visit pap. We also decorated his grave for the holiday

"mom only church videos! Mom it's Sunday and I only want to watch church videos." - Eli Ash
He's seriously the sweetest and everyday I worry I'm going to mess him up

 Getting in the Halloween mood by watching a childhood favorite...Hocus Pocus.

This weekend was conference weekend and my mom wanted to go up to Taylor to see my dad. I didn't want her to go up alone and the boys love playing in Taylor so I decided to go up with her. Jacob had some things to do here so he stayed home. We had a great weekend. We decorated my dads grave and we visited a lot. We also enjoyed listening to conference. Lilly didn't sleep very good there so I drove home early Sunday to get a nap that afternoon. Other then that it was the perfect weekend.

My peak was staying at Gayle and Velma's they are always a lot of fun to visiting and talk to. They have the best stories and they are honestly some of the best people around. I just love them.

My pit was that Lilly wasn't sleeping good so I was always tired! Blah I hate not getting sleeping

I never want to forget how much I love Taylor and the graveyard where my dad is. I feel a lot of peace there and I know my dad is happy. I find a lot of comfort in that right now.