Another happy boy!

A few days ago, I wrote about Jeremy's happiness with his new air soft gun. We are leaving for San Clemente tomorrow and Jeremy can't wait to have battles in the canyons bordering our campground. Only problem was....none of my other kids had guns that could compete with his. So, dad took them all down to the Evike store (the same day we got home from Ventura). Joshua cold not wait to pick out a gun. He was so excited. Jake got sucked in a bit, which I knew he would. He isn't much of a battle/gun type of boy. He enjoys reading, drawing, cooking, planting. Jeremy and Josh are a lot more a like in their interests. However, I think Jake was talked into it, due to the fact that they needed more people to participate in the battle. So, both boys came home with a brand new, expensive, fully automatic air soft gun. Oh Joy! They couldn't wait to set up targets and shoot them. Josh cracks me up the most because he cannot keep his hands off his gun. Every time I see him, he has it back out of the box and is taking it apart for various reasons. He actually had me take the below photo because he wanted to email it to show his friends. That picture isn't good enough now...so now he wants a close up shot of the gun. It is so funny to me and so cute at the same time. He is thrilled with it and I am counting the days until it breaks (not to be a cynic but these types of things always seem to break. ) For his sake, I hope not....I doubt we would buy another one for awhile. Until then, Josh can be a soldier battling for good (or evil) ! :)

Josh's 9th Birthday

Another birthday in our house! With 7 people in the family, it feels like we have birthdays quite often. We always try to make it a special day. I can't believe Josh is 9..where have these last 9 years gone?
For his birthday, Josh wanted to go to a glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course with some of his friends. Louie picked up him and his friends that were in his Thursday classes, in the RV, and brought them to the place. They were so excited!

This is a horrible picture but gives an idea of the "glow". They were all told to wear white for the black lights.
After golf, we picked up dinner and brought the kids to the park to eat and play. Then, back to our house for nerf gun wars....what a dream!

Lastly, cake and presents! Josh said it was one of his most favorite parties! I'm so glad! I think it was because some of his favorite people were there with him to do some of his favorite things!

Sweet little buddies- Then and now....

So, when I was digging through old pictures, looking for the pictures of Josh and "fishie B's", I was flooded with so many memories that seem so long ago, and seem like they were only yesterday at the same time. They bring joy to my heart, yet make my heart heavy because they are a reminder of how fast time flies. I don't want my babies to be older this quickly. I dread the day when they are all out of my house. I could cry thinking about it. I love having a full home with lots of activity going on. (There are those days, I admit, when I am starving for a quiet house...however, I am often more thankful for the noise)! Anyway, when I was looking at old pictures this one of Josh and Julia came up. It looked familiar because I had just taken one of them like this, this last summer. I had to post them side by side to see the difference. These 2 children are so precious to me. I love their relationship. I remember how shocked and overwhelmed I was when I first found out I was pregnant with Julia. It seemed, at the time, to be a bit too soon. However, the fact that Josh and her are so close in age, has allowed them to have such a precious friendship. They play all their little pretend "kitty games" together for hours. He can beat up on her from time to time, but overall, he takes really good care of her. I hope they grow up to be close friends always!!! God knows what He is doing and it is so nice to rest in that, even when I initially think my plan is better! :)

"Fishie B's"

Ok....this is a long story that I will try to make short. When Josh was born, he got PJ's and a blanket from Gymboree from my grandparents that had little fish and turles all over them. This is a picture of Josh as a newborn wrapped up in them.

This became the blankie he carried everywhere. When he was little, he couldn't say "fishie blanket" so for some reason, it became named "fishie B's" by him.

To this day, Josh still sleeps with them and still calls them "fishie B's"...if you can believe it!
Well, to his surprise, I pulled out the Pj's that match it, and put them on Jonah the other night. As if he didn't already love Jonah enough before........Now he said, he can just sleep with Jonah instead of his blanket!

The PJ's are a MUCH brighter shade of white.....but, the blankie has held up rather well for 8 1/2 years, considering it is slept with every night!!!!

2 Birthdays in 1!!! Double the Fun!!!

Well, the baby is due the day before Jake's birthday. That makes it slightly difficult to "plan" a party. Josh's birthday was in April. they both wanted a swim party. So, we compromised. We met in the middle, in May, and had a party for both of them! It was a really fun day! the kids all got along and had such a blast. I, more importantly, had fun hanging out with my friends! Couldn't have asked for a better day. With all the false labor, I wasn't sure if I would make it to the party. Very glad I did!


Very important part of every party.....FOOD!

Visiting with special friends!

Mommy visiting with friends!

...and more friends

The big kids played Wrestle-mania all day! Really funny!

All the kids had canon ball competitions!

As the sun went down, they all found warmth in the jacuzzi!

Then, the cake!!!

......and the candles! Really fun Day!!!

Little Drummer Boy!

Well....not exactly, but I couldn't resist the title this time of year! Josh started taking drum lessons last January or February (2008). He seems like he was born with a desire to play the drums and has had obvious rhythm since we can remember. He finally mustered up the courage to perform in his 1st recital at teh Hyatt, Valencia on December 7th. Hi drum teacher introduced him and I felt sick to my stomach (I cannot imagine going up on stage). I was so nervous for him because he gets shy. Josh surprised me. As soon as he got behind hose drums, he played his heart out, and loved it. Maybe it had to do with the fact that the audience could barely see him over the drums or maybe it had to do with the fact that he has such a passion for playing and feels so comfortable with it. Whatever the reason, we were so proud of him. He did and excellent job and received tons of cheers from the crowd. When all was said and done, he aksed us, "When's my next recital. I can't wait to do that again."

"Lights, Camera, Action!"

Last Thursday was an amazing, and long, day. To make it brief, a friend of ours called asking if Josh would be interested in being in a commercial shoot for a Doritos commercial contest. She has friend that is a director, who wanted to submit a commercial for a contest...the winner's commercial will play during the Superbowl in January. They needed a home schooled boy, Josh's age, that fit his description. I felt like it would be a fun, educational experience for all of the kids to be able to see the making of a commercial. So, Louie and I took all the kids down for the day. We had to meet at Malibu Creek Park at 8:00 am to get the outside shots. then, we met the rest of the crew at the set that was made in Melissa Disney's backyard house. It was a very long day for the kids but definitely a great experience. (Also, my husband and oldest son, Jeremy, were in the scene - standing at the end of the bed). The commercial has been posted on the Doritos Website and voting will begin in January to determine the winner. It's a long shot, but wouldn't it be fun if it won?!

Here's the link:

http://www.crashthesuperbowl.com/#/gallery/video/1695/

Director explaining to Josh what he needs to do.

I love this face!

All the kids had fun exploring the hills while we were there...it was a beautiful day.

Director, Josh Weigel, and Assistant Director, Aaron Moore, work with the cast on their lines while waiting for the set to be finished.

Jake and Julia jumped on the trampoline pretty much the whole day...where do they get the energy?

Director Josh Weigel: very professional and thorough, yet so encouraging and patient.

Julia got to help "behind the scenes" a little with pushing the button for the fog machine...

AKA "atmosphere"!

I think Josh started "losing it" by the end of the day!!!!

It's a Wrap!!! After 13 hours, everyone was so happy we finally had everything we needed!