The Last Daddy/Daughter Dance...

 My Angel is in the 5th Grade!  Next year she will be in MIDDLE SCHOOL!  (crap!)

She has been looking forward to this dance since I first learned the date back in October.  The theme of the dance was "A Night in Paris".  So we got to work, looking on-line for the perfect (cheap) dress.  Saturday was the big day and here she is all ready to go...

 And here she is with her (silly) date-

Handsome Man

 They headed to the Olive Garden for their traditional pre-dance dinner.  I am on the yearbook committee this year and was asked to be at the dance to take pictures.  I have never been in the past, and was a little uncomfortable being there on  THEIR special night.  But, now I'm so glad I did it.  Because I was able to get all these great pics of the last dance-

Red Carpet Arrival

Buddies-Kayla, Meggie, Sophie & Mia

Mia & Cali & Photo Bomb by Caitlin

Mia, Caitlin & Peanut

Cali & Kennedy

5th Grade Cuties!

 I didn't stay the whole night....but stayed long enough to get their last 5th Grade Group dance-

So glad my little girl and her daddy get to have these special memories!

Rookie Ball

We have been enjoying some nice, chill weekends the past few weeks.  But that's all over now!  And not just the weekends!  Brody is playing his second season of Little League.  And he is now in the "Rookie" division and has games 2X a week!  But he is SO EXCITED!!!  He is on the Giants this year and is on the team with his buddy Nate and some of his teammates from last year.  Friday night was Opening Ceremonies and here he is marching out with his team:

#3 on the field & #1 in your heart!

 VNLL puts on a really cute and special Opening Ceremonies.  He loved hanging out with his team and also friends he has on other teams.

 Jeremy and I left the other kids at home for the night, and were able to have this special night with Brody.  After the ceremonies, he wanted to go to Albertacos for dinner-

We love our little jock!

 Saturday morning we were up early for pictures and then his first game vs. the Threshers.  Before every game, the teams line up and recite the Little League Pledge.

 Brody led the pledge...

 Play Ball!!!

He didn't get a hit his first up.  And he was a little bummed.

 He got to play short stop, pitcher and right field during the game.

 He got a base hit his second time around and when it was time for him to come home, I broke out the camera-

 AND MISSED HIS AMAZING SLIDE!!!! (dangit!)

 It was a great game!

Go Giants!  Go Brody!

Presidents Day

Gonna pop some tags...

 Cali is feeling better and I have been cooped up with her all week...we needed to get out of the house today!  We called Chloe, because Cali has missed her so much.  We picked her up and headed to O'side to do some thrift shopping!  They both had "$20 in their pockets..."

They had fun looking at all the cool stuff, but didn't find anything they wanted to buy.  So, we picked up the Gammy and headed to Ruby's on the pier for some lunch.  It was a beautiful day!

 These 2 are so dang cute!  I love hanging out with them so much!  So glad Cali is feeling better and we could get out and play today.  

Happy Presidents Day!

JA Biztown

For the last few months, Luke has been going to an after school program to learn how businesses work.  They come up with different types of companies, get interviewed, tested on their skills and then get to go down to San Diego at the end of the season to participate with other schools at the Biztown HQ.  Friday was the day!  And Jeremy got to go down and volunteer.  He was part of the Best Buy crew.

 Here's the kids getting briefed about their duties....can you see Luke?  He was so excited!

 Luke was the foreman for AGC Construction.  He was in charge of keeping track of and getting supplies needed to build a Recycling bin.

There were all types of businesses.  And the kids earn "money" and get to spend it at the different places.  Luke used some of his money to get a picture of him and Daddy at the Sea World Photography place-

This whole experience was so good for Luke!  He loved it!  He learned so much and really enjoyed being a part of the whole thing.  I'm so glad we signed him up and that Jeremy could participate with him.

Happy Kissy Face Day!

Man!  Valentines Day almost didn't happen this year!  With Jeremy's big party and birthday, my calling and the flu hitting our house...I wasn't sure how to pull it off!  Luckily, I had Wednesday off and was able to get in an hour of quick last minute shopping and ideas thrown together.  I got these cute little cans from the $1 section at Target.  I personalized them for each kid and wrote things all over the can that I love about them.  Then I filled them with their favorite candies.

  Also, Wednesday night, I think we may have started a new tradition.  I set out envelopes with their names on them.  Throughout the night, they each wrote down what they love about each other and put the notes in the envelopes.

Thursday morning...I was up bright and early to get ready for work.  But, poor Cali was not going to school...she has had the flu all week.  She was so bummed!  She wanted to go to school so bad.  So, I got her all settled in my room (quarantined)- and made sure she got some chocolate covered strawberries.  That made her happy!

When I walked downstairs, these beauties were waiting for me along with my own chocolate covered strawberries and a cute card from my Valentine!

AND-this awesome shirt came for me during the day! I think he loves me!

I had thought up a great idea for our Valentines Dinner, but it was going out....and with Cali being sick, we needed to stay in.  So, I threw this together at the last minute.  I decorated the table all cute with their cans and envelopes on their plates.  I had them all hidden all day and whipped them out just before dinner.

I don't usually try to make the table look so cute, but pinterest has inpsired me!

 I ordered take-out from the Olive Garden and had Jeremy bring it home with him.  It was perfect!  The kids loved reading their cards to each other and loved their little cans.  We all loved the yummy dinner and I also got Madagascar 3 for us to watch!  I got Jeremy a card, some chocolates, Skyfall and a new pillow!  

After, Dinner, we all snuggled on the couch and watched Madagascar 3.  It turned out to be one of our best Valentines Days EVER!  All of us home hanging out and spending some sweet time together.  I love this day and love my family!

YW Super Hero Night

I have had this idea tucked away since I got my calling.  I looked all over the internet and pinterest to see if I could find an outline or lesson of some sort...but decided to make it up myself!  This month's topic in Sunday lessons, has been on the Plan of Salvation and Pre-Mortal Life.  Last week, I taught the lesson and read an article by Pres. Uchtdorf, about the influence and power of women for good.  That went with the Super Hero theme perfectly.  So, we met at the church and I read them some of Pres. Uchtdorf's talk.  Then we talked about Super Heroes and what qualities they possess.  I tied in that the YW values can be seen as our own Super Powers, that were given to us at birth.

Each girl picked a value to be her Super Power of the night.  I had felt in all the value colors, brought fabric markers and scissors, and they had to create their own costumes.  They had to come up with a name, logo and how they would use their powers to "save the world!"

 There were just enough girls for each one to have a different value.  It worked out perfectly.  I think they had a lot of fun coming up with their "alter egos".

"The Love Doctor", "Little Seed", "Truly Candid", "Captain Awesome", "Lady Divine", "Super Knowledge" & "Lightning McMoral"

I was the only leader who participated....Here I am as "Super Sunshine" (Good Works).  My Super Power is to spread sunshine and happiness with service to others!!!

I love my Calling!