Congratulations, Mari Chuy!!!

We were invited to be part of the baptism celebration for the little girl of a friend from work. Mary Chuy was exactly 3 months old on this special day! It was the perfect day, perfect weather, perfect park, and perfect food for the whole thing! Thanks for including us, we had so much fun!!!

The Cake!

Jump House!

This was definitely the most fun of the evening! The kids all had a great time, and slept REEEEALLY well that night! Thanks, Letty, for letting us be a part of your specail day for you and your family!

Tournament Fun!

This past weekend we headed to Rocklin/Roseville area near Sacramento for our first Tai Kwan Do tournament! It was really fun to do something all together as a family, and to watch the kids compete for the first time! They did really well, didn't get nervous or scared, and they can't wait to do it again! (If I can, I'll try to post their videos of them doing their forms.)

The Medals!!

Mommy-Daughters Outing!

After a long day at the tournament, we left the boys in the hotel room to watch football, and the girls headed out for pedicures, milk shakes, and a little shopping! FUN!!!!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

65 years ago today, my Dad was born in Birchtree, Missouri! And 35 of those years, he's been an amazing father to me (and my sister and 3 brothers!) I have to say that my appreciation for my dad has probably multiplied by the billions since I've become a parent myself. So many things that I used to resent or roll my eyes at as a child are now things that I strive to instill into my own children. I love the saying about how "your parents become wiser the older you get." You just don't GET IT when you're a kid! I'm sure I wasted alot of time ignoring a wise word of caution, or just plain trying to get out of doing things that would've helped me be the better ME that God intended for me to be. But I like to think that a huge portion of it DID sink in!

Dad, I LOVE you, and I thank you for everything you taught me, for the Godly examples you showed me, and for being such a great "Dampa" to my children! Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Ma-lak

Ma-lak..... What to say?! He's approaching that awkward, "I'm still a little boy, but some things aren't cool anymore" stage, which I had hoped was years away still. He has homework 4 out of 5 nights a week, and is happy to keep his reading log of how much time he spends reading, per Ms. McDaniel's request. It'd probably be easier for him to just write in "every spare moment" and call it a day! He seems to be taking after Mom, who always had her nose in a book, too, most of her school life! Yesterday, I asked him to find something new to read that he hasn't read yet, and guess what he chose? The August 2009 issue of American Rifleman magazine...

Rea

Every ounce of extra energy I have these days has gone into trying to figure out how to keep Rea's creative endeavors channeled into something non-destructive, yet still quasi-satisfying for her. This comes only after finding Rea's "autographed letter to her fans" written on every book that she owns (and some of Daddy's important ones), most of the magazines in the house, and ALL of the empty notebooks that could be found.

Her latest is her new fashion line for Barbie who, if you look closely, is sporting a nifty tattoo design on her face and legs, compliments of Rea's Sharpie. She decided that Scuba Diving Barbie needed more clothes (she DOES only have a bathing suit), so she "hand-painted the fabric" (Magic Marker versus Mead notebook paper) and whipped her up a new little cocktail dress. I cannot keep enough scotch tape in the house. Please note the cool side pony tail, which Rea insisted on wearing to school herself one day last week. I'm still not sure how she talked me into that one...

Ni'ke

Ni'ke has the most infectious giggle ever! I'll have to try to catch her in a little video one of these days.... I always crack up at how she loves to snuggle under a blanket, even when it's 90 degrees outside, and especially when we watch a movie (probably something she learned from her mother as being essential for movie-watching).

Ya'shar

So, Ya'shar pretty much wears a baseball cap (backwards of course) about 80% of the time. We've even caught him in bed at night with one on, after he apparently climbed out of bed and went and found it!) Funny, b/c Ma-lak HATES to wear hats!

But one thing Ya'shar DOESN'T hate is eating things that are green! He's quite the salad and veggie man! The other night we had salad with our spaghetti, or suh-setti as he calls it. :) He's learning his manners and was very quick to remind his brother and sisters that it's not nice to "surp"! (slurp)

The bottom picture is of him intently watching Dora the Explorer. When the glazed over epressions begin, it's usually time to go outside!

Welcome Baby Eli!!!

My new nephew, Eli Allen Hathaway arrived at 10:02 AM this morning(eastern time!!) and was 6# 14 oz, and 18 inches long! Congratulations to my brother Brent, his amazing wife Jess, and their little girl Ava for this blessed new addition to their family!

Happy Birthday/Anniversary!!!

Today we celebrate two very special occasions - the birthday of my amazing husband, and the 7 year anniversary of the day we were married!

Thank you, Sweetheart, for 7 of the most perfect years I could ever have imagined! May our love for Him and for one another continue to grow and flourish more and more! I love you!

"The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever." (Psalm 138:8)

Sushi Outing!

One of our dear work friends, Pam, was recently back in CA for a visit! I worked with her for a few years back when I first moved to Santa Rosa, and was so bummed when she moved back to Wisconsin to be close to her parents.

So of course her visit back was a great reason for a bunch of us to get together for some great sushi at Osake and visit outside of a stressful work environment!! Also joining us was Virginia, our manager who retired about a year ago (boo hoo!) She's the angelic-looking white-haired lady posing with me and Ya'shar, who's attempting to master the chopsticks.

We miss you both and think of you often!!