march

march roared in like a lion...and is leaving like a lamb....meaning....it was super fun and busy at the first of the month....kerry, austin and cedar came for 10 days during their spring break...nonstop action....then they left....and that's when march turned into a lamb....just sort of normal and boring....while kerry and austin were here we....went to dinner a lot..we got some delicious street tacos one night...

                                                             baby russie and his favorite friend sophie

                                                                           baby cousins

                                                                                disneyland!!!

street tacos

                                                                                                                            beach

..had some family dinners at home...watched movies on tv...did a lot of shopping....went to the beach for some gorgeous days...almost better than summer...had a few bbq's with friends and family...went to disneyland....cedar came down with pneumonia....poor baby!  the cousin babies played...and the bigger cousins met us at d-land....it was a great time....it's always so sad when they leave...i love having visits from any and all of my kids!!!

rain!

i'm not kidding when i say we haven't had a winter....we've had gorgeous 75 degrees and up, up, up since before christmas....i'm sorry to say this to those that live in snowy, frozen spots...it's been a gorgeous winter...probably better than last summer....but, of course the downside of this is that we are in a drought...which is no bueno.....but, that all changed in the last few days...since wednesday night it's rained and rained and then rained some more....of course...it seems like we can't just go halfsies....when we get rain, we get a lot...but, it's wonderful...maybe it will put a dent in our drought, maybe the hills will turn green....it's wonderful to hear that noise of pitterpatting...or in our case it was more like a faucet was turned on and never turned off for 3 days...but, we'll take what we can get!!! i love it!!! plus, maybe the dogs will go outside again....they sure are spoiled!!

Miracles

I've been  visiting cedar and his parents....it is just a miracle to watch these little ones.  He has been learning to crawl and more importantly, to stand.  It's just amazing to watch him as he goes through all the motions.  You can just see his little mind whirling.  He has a great purpose and fantastic concentration!  I just hope he can keep it! He works to a kneeling position, then he grasps the table....he puts one foot on the floor, then another and pulls himself up.  He's so thrilled when he's done it. He's trying to move between objects, but realized that the jumper was too wobbly. What a miracle life is and especially the sweet babies!

mlk weekend

kerry and austin had a few days off of school....so they jetted down here for a quick visit....always a lot of fun....
we saw mama mia....which is one of my favorite plays!
we had a great beach day...lots of babies...beautiful, gorgeous weather....celebrated ashley's big birthday!  went to the park, drove up to ventura for a great lunch....movies, food, what else can you ask for?  fun times....

                                                                             it was ashley's 25th birthday, so we celebrated with a bbq at her mom's

                                                                                                                 baby russ 'chillaxin'

                                                                                                                            park day

                                                                                                                        saying bye

hawaii

we had a great christmas...crazy, busy, fun....and then....the whole family met up in hawaii for some rest and relaxation....just what santa ordered......the first few days i chilled on the lounge....not wanting to think or move....it was perfect....the kids did activities...and i chilled some more....i think my brain was in overload so i couldn't do one more thing...the hotel had a party on new year's eve....we watched from our balconies...they had a band with a terrible singer...she droned on and on...but, they had fantastic fireworks....fun to watch....new years day we headed over to the north shore and met up with the hannemann family....went to the beach...they gave us a private party at their fantastic restaurant called "seven brothers"...it was delicious....the next day russ went surfing with shem and brought andrea, tams and ira back to visit...then, shem came and we went to dinner at the aulani resort which was next door...it was delicious...but, we had the only rain of the trip that night..and it poured....they rushed us inside and took really good care of us....it was a heavenly trip....and i need to go back!

                                                             the older kids really love those babies

                                                                                      a few of them went to pearl harbor to check it out...

                                                                                                           new year's eve party in my room.....

                                                             beach and dinner with the hannemanns

willie and kelly went to the pcc and then more swim time

christmas.....getting ready

it's been a crazy month.....busy, busy....decorating, parties, helping kelly recover, a very quick trip back to denver (one day)....shopping (i LOVE amazon!)....cards....and all that fun....here are some pics....

getting ready for christmas....

the last few weeks have been a whirl.....i went to colorado the weekend before thanksgiving for kate's baptism....kerry, austin and cedar met me there...we had a fun weekend in  the icy cold with the colorado mullin's .....the baptism was wonderful....kate was so happy and excited...i can't believe she's that old!!! we went bowling and to dinner after her baptism...church on sunday...then, home again...a quick trip...on wednesday before thanksgiving i picked up kerry, austin and cedar at the airport....we spent the weekend in orange county with kelly and her kids....kelly had a hysterectomy on that wednesday, so we came down to help her recover....we stayed at pelican hill in newport beach...it's a nice way to recover!!! we all had massages...played in the pool with the kids....just sort of relaxed....it was a nice weekend....so beautiful down there....
came home and babysat little russie....kristen, her mom and grandma went to "the price is right"
on monday.....so, now, i'm onto getting ready for christmas!  my lights are up...and they do look nice...i put the finishing touches outside....now, i have to get my house decorated...presents bought, shipped, cards done, baking.....maybe i should quit while i'm ahead!!!!