Ok I am going to do this!!

Well Here it goes.. I have not posted an update since November.. a lot has happened so this is going to take a while. It is now 12:06.. lets see how long this takes me. Maddy and Trinity are asleep so I hope they stay that way till this is done.

November was an exciting month for us. Tracie and Ricky arrived in WA on the 15th (I think). We knew for a long time they were coming so it seemed like November would never come but it did.
They arrived with a belly full of baby. Tracie had the glow. She was excited for her little one to come but anxious to get every thing in order. The first couple days was all business for them getting a Doctor getting Medical coverage and what not. They got all that taken care of, had there first Doc appointment and got an Ultrasound. They were glad to find out it was still a girl=)
They also got to meet Trinity for the first time and they loved her instantly. Ricky and Trinity hit it off they just loved each other!

After getting settled in for a couple weeks we enjoyed Thanksgiving together. It was the Fist time in Two years we had all been around the table together. What a blessing it was.

December proved to be just as exciting if not even more. First we had Madison's Second Birthday party. It was Cinderella, since she has an obsession with her at the moment. It was fun She was so excited to blow out candles and open presents! She got a lot of great stuff... Too bad Christmas is around the corner for her and she will get more stuff. I am thinking about having a party for her in the summer as she gets a little older so she don't have her Birthday and Christmas all in the same month.
Next came getting a Christmas Tree... We went to Thortons Tree Farm. It was a beautiful day out. The sky was clear the sun was shining and it was cold. We had a great time. After the guys cut down the trees, we went and checked out all the Animals. Madison could not ask for any thing better. She was having a ball. She loved feeding the Donkey, and sheep. She was laughing and just thought it was the best thing ever. Alexis and Brandon like it but are getting older now and just wanted to move on to the Hot chocolate.. I think Tracie and Ricky were having fun but not enjoying the cold weather. It is Summer in Cuzco right now, and it never gets this cold there. They were troopers but enjoyed getting hot chocolate to warm up as much as the kid's did. Next came decorating the tree. It went pretty fast and the kids helped a little. I just love to see the kids face when I bring down 10 boxes of ornaments and say ok so who is going to help..lol They were great but I did most the work,which is fine cuz I am very particular about how I want things.. That is something I try to work on. =)
After The fun times that the Christmas tree brought we had a couple weeks of down time before the big day! Christmas! It took much time to prepare and only minutes to get threw, but it is worth every second. I enjoyed this Christmas so much! I had all the people around me that I cared about the most. Whitney flew in from Ohio for a few days, Tracie and Ricky were here. It was great. We ate a lot, we laughed a lot, a couple kids cried but all in all it was the one of the Best Christmas' I have ever had.
Ok so it is now 12:48... and you people wonder why I don't update this very often!

So the next great event was New Years eve. It was a night to remember the past year and a chance to celebrate the one to come. I think it was a great night for Tracie and Ricky too. They knew any day now they could be having a baby. We had a fun night of playing games, I made some yummy snacks.. so it was waiting for what seemed like for ever.. for the ball to Drop and the clock to strike 12! It came and it went with a bang.. fire works, cheering, and a ton of HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Well I think what comes next is what we were all waiting for, the arrival of Precious Isabella, she came in to the world on January 10, 2008 at 1:10 am. She weighed 6lbs. 14oz. She took awhile to get here but Tracie got it done! She was so strong and didn't even complain! It was so amazing to be there when she was born. I am so greatful to Tracie for letting me be there and experience that with her. I think it brought us closer and we will forever share that bond. I do not have any sisters, she is the closes I will ever come to having one, and I couldn't ask for any thing better. She is so kind and so loving. She has a big heart and a knowledgeable mind. She loves Christ so much. I look up to her and respect her so much. I enjoyed the time we had together and miss her greatly. I look froward to having many more memories and getting to know her even more.

On January 27th we had Tracie's Baby shower. It was a great turn out. She got a lot of nice things. Diane and I threw the shower for her. I was so happy to be able to be a part of it all. Thanks to all who came to support Tracie and shower her and Isabella with love and gifts.

Isabella being born was bitter sweet. We all knew after she was born Tracie and Ricky would be leaving soon. Once they got Isabella's Passport and social security card they would be leaving for Chili. =( That sad day arrived not a moment too soon. They left on Janurary 29th. As much as we understand why they live so far away it still is sad when they go. We miss them and wait everyday for new Pictures and updates on little Isabella. She is about seven weeks old now.

Well this is not all of the story up to this point since it is almost the end of February, but I have to sign off. Maddy is awake and there is no being on the computer and concentrating when she is awake=) it is now 1:23pm so wow that took a long time but I hope you enjoy=) I will try to be back soon to finish the update.

Giving up..

I hate to say this... but I have really given up on posting Blogs. I try really hard to keep it up but I some how never find the time. Funny I can check Myspace five million times a day but I can not take the time to post on here.. Yes yes I know bad me. I will try to give a lets see four month up date soon=) Thanks for checking in to see how things are sorry there has not been much lately... more to come I promise.

Family Fun..

It has only been a month since I last wrote!! I am doing better. I have lots to share. We have had some fun times this past month lots of stuff going on in our lives. First was Halloween!
We went to the Harvest Festival at church on Friday then on Halloween we just went around the neighborhood. It was a little cold out but not to bad. We had a lot of fun! I had so much fun dressing the girls up this year. Trinity was Mini Mouse, Maddy was Tinkerbell, Alexis was a cheerless cheerleader(lol) and Brandon was a skull guy. They got so much candy! The week before Halloween Dawn and I took the kids to get there pictures taken together.. these are some of the best pictures ever! I am so glad we did it!

Next are some cute pics me and Alexis took of her room after we decorated it. She is obsessed with pokadots right now so we did her entire room in pokadots. It was a lot of fun. He hair looks really cute here I put them in rollers.. funny stuff!

On to the next part of the story... I went out with my Friend Kelli for her Birthday she was turning 25 so we had tons of people meet up at the Back Ailey so we could sing some Karaoke and have some fun!! we had a blast lots of people showed up and I think she had a great time. Fun times.

This last weekend Alexis had her 12th Birthday party. We did an old Hollywood theme. It turned out way cute! She looked so cute too. She had invited a lot of girls but only a couple could make it. She was really disappointed in her Best Friend Tessa.. She got grounded two days before the party! She had a lot of fun anyway.
We did karaoke and Twister and had a lot of food and snacks. It was great fun. She got lots of cute stuff. She even got a T.V. and DVD player. They are spoiled.

So I have to share a couple cute pictures of Trinity. A couple weks ago she would not take a nap for anything. She was so tired one day but refused to sleep, so at dinner Nathan was feeding her she was eating away having a great time then the next thing you know she was out. She actually fell asleep in her High Chair. I have seen this on T.V. or had people tell me about it but none of my kids have ever done it so I was excited to get some pictures... I hope you enjoy them.

Now here comes the most exciting news... Tracie and Ricky are Here!!!! They arrived yesterday at 5:15pm. It was so great to finally see them. We had a little birthday party for her and had dinner. I am so happy to be able to spend some time with her and get to know her better. I do not have any sisters so it will be great to be able to have the feeling like I do at least for the few months they are here. She looks so cute too, her tummy is getting bigger and she has "the glow" I have not downloaded the pictures from last night I will post them soon. Hope you all have had a great month! More to come soon.. choa

A long one!!!

When I first stared this blog I made a promise to myself that I would keep up with it! As you can see it has bee over two months since I last posted anything...oops. Well today will be a re-cap/cram session of what has gone on in our lives. So I hope you enjoy=) When we left off last we had spent a day in Rockaway with Nathan's family.
The next Big adventure was LAS VEGAS!!!! My Mom ,brother, and I flew to Vegas for six days. We left on August 10th. This is the first time that we have ever gone anywhere just the three of us. It is somthing I will never forget. We had a great time minus the bag of stuff I left in a cab totaling around $300! (Oh well) The first night was great we went shopping and played some slots! Daniel won like$100 in the first twenty minutes!!! A few of my friends had flown to Vegas a couple days before so we all met up did some shopping and had some drinks it was Great!
That night we went to NOVE an Italian restaurant at the Palms where we stayed. It was the best food I have ever had! We had a great time. We left on Sunday evening for Utah. My Grandpa, Grandma, and Dad all live in southern Utah so we rented a car and drove there for a few days. I had not seen my Grandpa in a long time, like six years! I use to live in Utah when I was in Jr. High so it was great to go back and see how things have changed. I even got to visit with my best friend Brandi from Jr. High. It was crazy! I have a lot of Family that live in Utah all on my Dads side. I have a lot of great memories of them and so it was nice to go back and see everyone. On Tuesday we drove to Parowen, Utah where my real Grandma is buried. We got to see the house my grandpa grew up in and the house his mother was born in. We have never done any of this with my Mom it was nice for her to be able to see everything. We drove threw Brian head(no snow this time of year) then to Canyon Cliffs then on threw Zion National park. I had done all this as a kid but never appreciated it as much. I never really took it all in like I did this time. It is too bad what we miss as children. We don't take things for there beauty. We look around and say wow a couple times then get back in the car and put our headphones on and read our Teen Beat...lol. After we did our visiting in Utah it was back to Vegas for the day then we headed home. It was a great time.
Our next adventure of the summer was Cannon beach with my Mom and all four kids! It was the perfect day. The water was warn the sun was shining! The kids had a blast! Alexis and Brandon played in the water for hours. Maddy loved playing in the sand and water. We had a great time. Trin even played in the sand. We had lunch and Pig'n'Pancake. Played in the Arcade, got some salt water taffy. It was a perfect day trip!
Well My 28th Birthday was the next event of the summer... not that I was too excited to turn 28!!! Well at least I am still in my Twenties.... lol We went to dinner at Sakura of Japan.. kinda like Benihanas. It was fun. Then on Sunday my mom took me shopping and spoiled me. I got lots of new clothes it was Sweet!!!
So are you bored yet?? Well I am not done sorry heehee... We got to go Shotting around that time too. It is Nathans favorite thing to do so we went up for a few hours just Nathan, Brandon and my self. Brandon had a blast!
Nathan big event for the Summer was going Camping!!!! We went for the night with Alexis, Brandon, Trent, & Heidi. It was awesome! Brandon and Alexis had so much fun making fire. They both had there own. I made beef stew and read my Book. Trent, Nathan, and Brandon went on a hike.... got kinda lost and didn't come back for three hours!!! They were all dirty and sweating, Brandon didn't have a shirt on and got some scratches from bushes when they had to climb up a hill that was all over grown. Nathan had to carry him on his back!!! Poor guys!!! The next morning me made breakfast and hung out for a bit. The kids got some cardboard and slid down this big hill it was so hilarious. Trent even tried a few times! So so funny.
It the mist of all this fun My best friend moved away! I am sad to see her go but I think it is one of the best decisions she could have made. I miss her everyday and love her so much. I hope she gets to come visit soon=) Oh ya and Trinity started crawling! Maddy is talking more ,they are growing up so Fast!!!!
Well the summer is officially over! It is raining and stormy now. It is nice to wear jeans and hoodies again I love it!!! The kids started School, leaves are falling. The best news we have I have kept for last. Alexis and Brandon are now here more! Nathan and I moved October 1st. We moved just around the corner from the kids. I get them every Tuesday after School they spend the night and go home home the next day, we get them Friday AND Saturday nights now too. So I see them more I am closer to them and Life it good!! Moving was not fun but it is over now! We are slowly unpacking and getting things organized. It is a new Chapter in our lives and I look froward to making more memories.
We are excited for Tracie and Ricky to get here I can't wait. Well I have gone on and on. Thanks for checking in on us, and i promise I will keep up with bloging!!! Love ya!!!

Maddys First Trip to the Beach

We went to Rockaway toady to visit Nathans Grandparents and the Family. We had lunch and a couple cakes to celebrate all the different Birthdays. We went down to the Beach it was the first time Maddy had been to the ocean. It was so much fun to watch her and all the expressions on her face she called it Ba, Ba, this is what she refers to all water. It is her word for bath.


She ran for the water! She was so excited. It was so funny.

She got a little wet then decided she was a little scared. She had to hold Nathans hand the rest of the time. She wouldn't let go! She played in the sand a bit she liked it a lot.





She finally let Uncle Gabe hold her and and play in the water. It was great! Gabe got more wet then I think he wanted to. Maddy had fun, and that is all that matters!

Fourth of July!

We had lots of fun we had family over and a BBq we had so many fire works it was great! Can't wait till next year!

Maddy had so much fun! She didn't know what to think at first.

Look up its a big one!

Me and Cherissa.
Alexis and Nathan being silly.

Being a mommy

Before I was a Mom I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations. Before I was a Mom - I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night. Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep. Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put them down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom. Before I was a Mom - I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy. Before I was a Mom - I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom. It's who I am

Camping!!

Nathan and I finally got to go camping. We have wanted to for awhile it being summer and all. It started raining on Thursday pretty bad, so we thought for sure it would continue threw the weekend. The weather channel said it would be nice Saturday and Sunday but you never know. I got everything ready all day Friday. By the time Nathan got home at 5 it was still raining but we decided to go anyway. It only rained till about 7pm then it quit. We drove around on Larch Mt. for a bit and found the perfect spot! It turned out to be a perfect camping night. We made smores and sat by the fire and enjoyed the peace and quiet.
The picture above is a view from our camp site. It was beautiful.
I was taking pictures of Nathan making sticks to roast marshmallows, he was standing by the fire and the picture looks like he is in the flames too cool!
On Saturday we got up late, we got to sleep in it was so nice. Then I made breakfast and we just hung around I read a lot he shoot his guns it was just so nice to be all alone with him and enjoy each other and the outdoors. We took a nap. Well we took two naps! It was great. I made dinner in a dutch oven on the hot coals. I made beef stew it turned out really good. I hope we get to go again soon.

Here is a picture of a beautiful stream. And a deer we thought it was fake it was holding still for so long.