Crazy Hair Day!

In celebrating Dr. Seuss Week, Maika's school started it out with Crazy Hair Day. This is what we came up with...Don't you think she could pass for a Who?

We created this fabulous look by sticking empty Gatorade bottles in her piggy tails. She was so nervous waiting for the bus to get here, and didn't want to go out until Taylor, Hayden, and Autumn were outside too :) It was so funny to see her run across the road and see all the kids' reactions.

On a side note, this look completely freaked Bronson out! He kept crying and telling me to take the bottles out of Maika's head:)

Vampires

This picture has nothing whatsoever to do with this post, except that I think it's funny. Logan and Maika got a hold of him the other day and dressed him up in Nalani's dress...I love having blackmail material for the years to come:)

Yesterday morning, Bronson woke up whining for a Band-aid.

Me: You don't need a Band-aid, you just woke up.

Bronson: Yes! Mom! I NEED a Band-aid!

Me: What happened?

Bronson: (Very serious, frowny face) A vampire bit my elbow!

Me: (inspecting the scratch on his elbow) Where was the vampire?

Bronson: In a castle, with me and Nalani and Maika and Logan.

Me: Where was I? Where was Daddy?

Bronson: At the store...

I think what really happened was he fell off the bed last night (because he did fall off the bed) during a nightmare about being chased through a castle with his sisters. Dreams are so crazy and sometimes so scary. But, Bronson is truly convinced that he was bitten by a vampire...I think they could've found a juicier place to bite than his elbow...Maybe the Cullens have moved from Forks?

Faith...

This woman, Natalie Norton, whom I don't even know, is the strongest example of faith. To me. She's living through my (and most mother's) worst nightmare. She has the most beautiful, heartbreaking way of expressing herself. Go read her blog...start sometime in December and work your way forward to today. Have a box of Kleenex handy! I found her through my cousin, Jenni, who lives in Hawaii. Natalie is a photographer and took Jenni's family pictures...

Looking Back, It's Pretty Funny!

Last Sunday Kelly wasn't able to make it to church, so I had to brave the kids (Bronson) by myself. Surprisingly he was so mellow and good. He even fell asleep while I was holding him the first hour...then I felt something warm spreading over my lap and soaking into my tights (and he'd already gone pee TWICE since we'd been there!). So, I lean over to Logan and tell her to keep an eye on the girls while we run home to change.

So we're back to church in clean clothes and I'm teaching Kelly's lesson...it all goes pretty well. I leave his class in the hands of others and head to teach my Young Women lesson. About twenty minutes before class is over Maika's teacher brings her to me and says she's not feeling good. There are tears in Maika's eyes, so I believe her:) I have her sit with us while I finish up my lesson. Done. During the closing prayer I hear curious noises and open my eyes to find Maika throwing up. Crap! I cut the prayer off and tell my 16 year old girls to leave (I don't know how teenage girls will react to throw-up and don't want a Barf-O-Rama started). Another teacher brings me stacks of paper towels and the garbage can. We strip Maika down and Rochelle lets her wear the extra shirt she's wearing. After we get things cleaned up, I leave to go find the other kids and get the car to drive to the other side of the building where Maika is waiting so we can make a sneak get-away.

Needless, to say I had had Bodily Fluids Overload. I was happy to be home where Maika could continue to throw-up in the toilets:)

Logan was another story. Her words when I finally found her crouching in my closet playing her DS? "What?! I'm deathly afraid of throw-up! I don't want to be anywhere around Maika!" Me? "Get out of my freaking closet!"

Like the title says, it's pretty funny now.

Christmas 2009

We had a very nice Christmas this year. This is our tree after Santa came to visit. I just love sitting in the living room with only the tree lights on. There is something so relaxing about it. And, during this season we all need something a little relaxing!

We spent Christmas Eve with Jeremy, Rochelle, and their kids. We also had Rochelle's cousin, Tresa, with her boys, and a new friend, Marla that we met at church. Tresa's husband is deployed to Iraq this year, and Marla's daughter was with her dad for Christmas. A special treat was to have Jeremy's dad, Lane here too. He got to play everyone's grandpa for Christmas:)

I made the kids line up on the stairs for a picture before all the madness began...it's funny how they all have their "blankie's" in this picture. I think Maika's is hiding under the blanket that actually keeps her warm...you can see what's left of Logan's hiding behind her back.

NOTE: I switched to the video camera at this point...

Here are the highlights of what everyone received.

Bronson: added to his collection of GeoTrax trains and Transformers.

Nalani: A vanity, dress-up make-up, a Barbie head that she can put make-up on and comb her hair, clothes.

Maika: A Nintendo DSi

Logan: An iTouch

Aundrea: two pair of boots, one pair black, one pair brown, both comfy!

Kelly: A Camelback for his bike rides, a gift certificate for 1 1/2 hour massage.

We are truly blessed to have such wonderful family and friends and hope everyone felt love during this season!

Five Years Old

Nalani turned five this year! What a big girl! She recieved some really fun gifts this year: she got a Leapster with a bunch of books for it, cash, the cute new dress she's wearing in the picture, and some dress-up stuff. We love you, sweet girl!

Make a Wish

These are our good friends Jared and Chelsea...they have four darling kids: Payton, Tate, Cohen, and Tessa. Over Thanksgiving weekend we were able to see something wonderful happen for them!

Last Spring, Payton was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on his optical nerve. It's been a whirlwind for their family since then, with chemo, doctors appointments, brain surgery, and just the stress of having a sick child. When this all started, the twins, Cohen and Tessa were just around 7 months old. I can't imagine the work of twins, and potty training a two-year old, then adding cancer treatments to the mix! Jared and Chelsea are both so strong and faithful. I know they have a wonderful support system of family, neighbors and friends...but they are truly Super Heroes!

That's why it was so nice to be there on this special night. The Make A Wish Foundation wanted Payton to be their Guest of Honor to kick of their Season of Wishes. He waved his magic wand and lit the Christmas Tree in the Pearl District. Then it was time for his wish to be granted...A week at Disney World with his mom, dad, and little brother, Tate. A break from the babies for Jared and Chelsea because grandma is coming to town to watch them. A week of worry-free fun! I can't think of anyone who deserves it more! Love you guys!