Happy Birthday Honey!

I'm behind...Saturday was Steve's 27th birthday! I don't know who was more excited me or myself...Steve was so great he let me pick what we got to do for his birthday. I chose driving to Monterey to go to the fabulous aquarium followed by dinner and dippin dots.
Joe absolutely loved the sharks and the fishies.

And he wanted to touch all of the fish, unfortunately the sting rays had been touched enough for the day and would not come close enough to the surface to be touched. I almost dunked my poor son under the water not realizing how deep the sting ray actually was.

There were lots of fun kid things to do and of course Joe had to stop at the bus thing for a minute. It was great to have a family day and evening. Joe was hilarious at dinner, he didn't have a nap and he was pretty much falling asleep on his plate. He's such a sweetheart. I love showing him new things and doing kid things. I love that Steve let us go down there on his birthday. He is such a wonderful husband and dad. He takes great care to mine and Joe's needs. He is such a hard worker and we are crazy about him. Happy Birthday Steve!

Fun time with friends

The Discovery Bay Museum reopened and I decided that if my friend Stephanie who is very sick and pregnant could go, I would drag myself over the Golden Gate Bridge and go...Ok, I actually like the museum and I love the beautiful bridge, but driving over it would be a different story. My friend Tami and I have the same feeling about the bridge...don't drive all the way to the right side, too close to the water, don't drive all the way to the left side, too close to other cars, stay in the middle and get over it!
First time Joe actually tried climbing in the water, had to document it. He never likes to play with the "shishy's" (fish) but today he wanted to get in with them.

This was a bird that almost nailed Joe in the face as it was trying to fly away from another kid...o and it was eating Joe and Kenzie's trail mix. I think Joe was silently giving it a piece of his mind.

As if I hadn't worn Stephanie out the day before, I talked her into going to Target with me, Joe and Sarah. Sarah's mom had a doctor appointment and I was desperate to find these Hershey Kisses that are pumpkin spice...Still can't find them...so Stephanie shopped and I played with the kids at this little playplace...Joe loves helicocters

We then took the kids to Burger King, and the looks we got when we walked in were hilarious. The whole restaurant went silent. I mean you have Stephanie 20 weeks pregnant, me, and the 3 kids...o a couple Target bags and a gate. We must have looked like quite the sight. We dropped into Old Navy which is where we took this picture. Poor Sarah wanted Joe out of the way, she was in no mood to squish or cuddle. Three cute kids, one fun filled afternoon, thanks Stephanie!

I love how peaceful sleeping babies look! Joe sleeps like his dad either folds his arms or puts his hands behind his head. When did my baby become a toddler?

Our next destination is...

ARIZONA! Some of you may know that Steve was nearing a promotion. We had a couple places in mind and Scottsdale, AZ took precedence. We are super excited to be starting on a new adventure and will be moving sometime in the next month. While we are very sad to be moving away from such wonderful people, we are excited to have this chance! I will have a washer & dryer! San Francisco has been such an amazing place to live in and I am going to miss it a ton. Thanks to everyone who has made it so great! Thanks to everyone that has visited us and explored with us! We are so grateful that our Father in Heaven allowed us this opportunity and is allowing us this next one! We are happy that we will be somewhat close to both of our families, and I'm assuming that since my husband is now working at a resort that has 2 18 hole golf courses my daddy will be coming to visit more!

Yes on Proposition 8

Wow, what an interesting time to be living...what an interesting time to be living in California...what an interesting, sometimes crazy and scary time to be living in San Francisco!

I have learned very recently more and more what a sensitive topic this is. I, probably along with most of you, have friends and an uncle that are gay and I am trying not to be offensive.

After some careful thinking, researching, and praying we are voting Yes on Proposition 8 to protect and restore traditional marriage. Here are the reasons why:

Strong, stable families, headed by a father and mother, are the anchor of civilized society. "Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children"-The Family: The Proclamation to the World

Marriage is something that I hold so sacred and am blessed to have had the opportunity to be married and sealed to my sweetheart for all time and eternity. As much as I am concerned for how I would be affected with Prop 8 not passing, I am more concerned for the children of the next generation. Psalms 127:3 says, "Children are an heritage of the Lord." Children are our most voiceless and vulnerable society. I couldn't believe when I was watching this video about a class of 5-6 year olds attending their teacher's lesbian wedding. They are just sweet children, not old enough to know yet.

Our decision has nothing to do with being against homosexuality, we are trying to protect our family from what repercussions might come if Proposition 8 doesn't pass. Things have already happened concerning freedom of religion and public school in other states that have legalized gay marriage. Please vote Yes on Proposition 8!

Here are some helpful websites:
http://protectmarriage.com/
http://preservingmarriage.org/

F.A.M.I.L.Y
FATHER AND MOTHER, I LOVE YOU

Dear Uncle "Muck" (Mike)

Steve's little brother Mike got his mission call! He is leaving on December 31st and will be serving in Minneapolis, Minnesota for the next 2 years. We are so proud of you and are super excited for you to be embarking on this wonderful journey! Love you and can't wait to see you!

Daddy!

Darling, hurry home! It has been a long 30 hours! We've missed you! See you soon!

Another Valencia Trip

Chelsea went to Valencia and since I never see her Joe and I had to go as well for a quick trip.
Joe was trying to help Grandma with her work
JK let Joe borrow this hat and he looked like a little gangster.
Joe and his bff's, Uncle JK and Uncle Ben. He would run around the house yelling JK and Be (never put the "n" with it) until they got home from school. He followed them around the whole time we were there. My brothers are the best
How cute is my mom!? I didn't know how above and beyond she would go with Joe at the park. He kept yelling for the park, even though Mama and Papa's backyard is huge! We took him and my mom was right along with him the whole time.
At Uncle Ben's football game, Joe caught the sight of Uncle JK and demanded to be with him throughout the WHOLE game. It was great because I could talk to my good friend Linds who came along with her boyfriend Bryan. Thanks for coming to see us!

The next day we went to JK's football game and Joe couldn't walk past the bus without getting a picture. He was obsessed with the buses, trucks, cars, balls...Unfortunately we left the game early because Joe was wheezing and not feeling well. That's what happens to our little guy when the weather goes from 90 degrees to 70 overnight. We had to rush home to get his inhaler.
Loves loves loves his Aunt Chelsea
Grandpa, are you sure I can't come over the fence with you?

Almost to the freezing point...Yes we are all decked out in the red, black, and white...Not because we love the high school, but my mom went to hart, all 7 of my brothers have played football for hart, Chelsea and I cheered for hart, and my dad has always helped out coaching football for hart. It's kind of a family thing.
After the game, we came home and watched Blades of Glory. Thanks Ben for ditching out! Heidi in the middle is Chelsea's best friend from elementary school, love her! JK, thanks for watching with us and for letting us use your phone for an alarm so we didn't sleep through our flight!
The reason I flew home so quick, well aside from my hubby, was to see these blue angels perform. They practice over the bay for a few days and then performed this last weekend. Last year when they came, I was so new to the area and we only made it to the last 5 minutes so I wanted to see them this year....
In this beautiful city....(top of the picture all the way to the right, white house, Danielle Steel's monster) We live 2 streets down and 1 street to the left.

With my wonderful family! Thanks again dear for letting us go!

Thanks Stephanie and Garrett for letting us come over!

Good Intentions...

Don't you love those days when you start off with the best intentions, and then somewhere along the way you hit an obstacle!? Well yesterday Joe and I had a fun day walking to the park with our friends, Jamie and Caleb. We played at the park, looked at doggies, buses, and taxis, which happens to be very exciting to Joe and then we walked Fillmore St. Fillmore St presented more fun, not 1 but 2 lollipops from Jamie that she got from the bank and then a pumpkin spice shake and a carrot raisin muffin. I love fall, especially the festive treats! So pretty much yesterday was a good day for us and I wanted to try a fun new thing today...
We woke up and I thought that since my son has decided he wants to be potty trained, we would go buy him a big boy potty. Target is a little bit away from the city so we usually make a big trip out of it. We stopped at Babies R Us and I didn't see the device I wanted so as we were leaving I stopped in the clothes section and was browsing. Joe found a tricycle and tried to get on it and it flipped over, he hit his eye on a clothes rack and it was bleeding a fairly good amount. Not only that, but the whole left side of his face was puffing up and bruising. We were near the front where obviously associates could see and I was a bit sad that nobody helped. I am a good distance from home with obviously no ice, no water, or paper towel. I felt horrible for Joe and I had to scoop up the snacks we were buying, my poor son and hurry to check out my things. The picture doesn't do his bump justice. We proceeded to go to Target and get the potty, but by then it was almost a lost cause. I could tell Joe was hurting, tired, and done shopping. The whole reason I had driven to this certain Target was so that Joe could play in this little kid area that my friend, Heather (sigh and tear), who just moved to AZ, recommended. We finally got to the toy area and Joe LOVED it! A couple people asked what had happened to his eye, and I wanted to cry. He was a good sport through it all, but I could have done without the little accident to the start of my day!
O yeah, any suggestions on potty training are welcome since I figured I wouldn't be doing this for awhile. :) Thank you Joe for making my life easier!
I also have to write about how much I loved Conference weekend. I loved having Steve home the whole weekend. I loved the Relief Society Broadcast the week before, it got me even more excited for Conference. I loved making breakfast and hanging out with my boys all day. I even attempted homemade cinnamon rolls! I truly know that our Prophet is called of God and that everything spoken about was inspired. I always feel a couple of talks are directed at me. I loved the Primary Children's Choir. My friend Katie posted this quote on her blog, Children are 'society's most voiceless and vulnerable group' as she was writing about an article that she had found about Prop 8 and as I was watching these sweet children sing I couldn't help think about it. The topics at conference are always presented so well and are so uplifting. I loved this weekend and can't wait until the talks are printed!

For Grandma Sue...My Little Tom Cruise

So last Sunday I was talking to my mom after church, and my sweet tired son was refusin to get out of his Sunday clothes. Well he wanted to keep on his white shirt & navy socks. He reminded me of Tom Cruise from Risky Business plus he was dancing around. I thought this was a cute picture of him shaking it as he was acting like he was coming to let me get him dressed!
And then the photo shoot started! But these were not for mom, these were for "mama." He wasn't ever looking or smiling, so my mom threw out the idea of saying, smile for mama and this was what I got.

"Joe, can you fold your hands for mama?" Of course I can...

"Joe, can you smile for mama?" Sure, no prob...

"Joe, can you blow a kiss to mama?" I guess so...only if she promises to catch it

I started singing the clean up song so he could get ready for a nap, and this is what he did, folded his arms. Funny, he doesn't act this reverent in nursery when we sing the clean up song.
To my little stud: I want you to know how much I love you and how much happiness you have brought Mommy and Daddy in the last 20 1/2 months. You are such a sweet strong boy and I can only hope that you will continue to stay strong. I was talking to a couple friends last night about a scary proposition that I hope gets passed for our own good and am realizing slowly but surely that I can not control the world. Fortunately I can control what is taught in our home and I can hope that you have good friends that will help reinforce what gets taught at home. I hope that our house is a refuge for you. We love you!
For anyone living in California, please do your research on Prop 8 to protect marriage and to protect our families.

Road Trip to Grandma & Grandpa's

It's pretty obvious how much I adore my parents...I tell any of my friends who might be far from home that whenever they want to do a trip to go to Southern California to my house...Well when I got back from St George I got the sad news that our good friends the Mishler's were moving to Arizona. Heather and I had talked about going to Valencia but hadn't gone yet. I told her it was no big deal that we didn't go, but she found a couple days to squeeze in for a road trip with our 3 kids ages 21 months, 20 months and 2 months old. Are we crazy!? Yes, and was it fun? Yes, so thanks for the trip!

The ride down, I thought went pretty well. Kena and Joe read books, played with puzzles, ate snacks (so many that they didn't want McDonalds chicken nuggets, and played hide and seek. Benson slept, ate, and slept, he was such a good baby. Joe and Kena then slept after lunch until we got there. For a 5 1/2 hour drive, I was pretty impressed with how it went.
Yay, out of the car, exploring the backyard and hoping that Ellie stayed away from them.
Swimming in Grandma Sue's big bath tub.
This is what Benson thought of the bath fun, actually what he thinks of his cute mom!

Kena loves to clean up messes, kiss, nurture, be mom's helper and clean Joe...obviously no arguments from Joe

OK, Joe never wanted to sleep when the big boys, Uncle JK and Uncle Ben were playing ping pong or tennis with their friends. I had to put him in his playpen where he screamed bloody murder, and I could only do this when "mama" wasn't home. She came home and was shocked and my dad, Mr. Toughie gave her permission to go get him. Not only to get him and his blanket, but to get him a popsicle too. I try not to be too mean, but I couldn't be upset when I saw his super swollen eyes and when he came out he just kept saying mommy mommy. sigh...it was pretty sad. To help make up for it, he got to share 2 popsicles with grandpa. He would look at everyone and say nummy after every lick, like thank you for saving me!

All the kids relaxing with Grandma Sue when we were done swimming.
OK Joe, that hurts! Thanks still to Sammy for keeping this tractor at my parents. Joe just loves to sit on it!
Swimming with "mama"
Oh, the diving board! I sometimes tend to think my baby is older than he is. I was jumping off with Kena & Joe in my arms just about giving my mom a heart attack! "Jen, you are going to bla bla bla (can't remember), but Joe can't hold his breath for that long." Luckily we jumped off and because I concentrated so hard, took in a lot of water, and love these kids, they barely went under. Thanks for the relaxing couple days and mom thanks for all your help! On the way back we left at night and the kids slept. Thanks Ben for letting us borrow your family! Thanks Heather for the company and for driving!