Last Trip to the Snow this Season...

This was a really fun trip. The kids knew this would be their last snowboarding trip for the season so they couldn't wait to try new things. I was getting over a cold and couldn't ski because of being 24 weeks pregnant. However, I enjoyed dropping them off, seeing them off and picking them up after, to hear about all of their new adventures for the day. In between, I would relax and get work done on the computer. All the kids are really confident on the snow now and everyone does a good job "keeping up" so it is fun for everyone. As a matter of fact my kids have far surpassed me! I am scared to death of steep hills and speed....something most people enjoy. the older I get the more scared i get to fall, and therefore do not enjoy feeling out-of-control....which is how I feel when I am going too fast. Major wimp, I know. My husband constantly teases me!

Above is a picture of the whole gang just before getting on the lifts together!

The above picture cracks me up. Josh did so well this trip and wins the "most improved" award. He wanted to snowboard all day, when the other kids would want t come back to the cabin to sled. He even conquered a double black diamond run, the hardest run on the mountain, called "The Wall". The name says it all and makes me feel nauseous to even think about it! However, when he has had "enough", he falls to the ground, with no warning and buries his face in the snow! Thankfully, daddy and Uncle Franco were able to talk him into 1 last run after the melt-down, so he would leave with a positive feeling!!!!

Daddy and Josh!

Here's another picture (above) that needs and explanation. Julia and Josh were hanging out together in the snow, collecting things. When they were told to come in, they dragged their sled, full of treasures back to the cabin. Josh proceeded to pull icicles out of his pockets to show me, and then set them in the sled with their other treasures! It's kind of hard to distinguish the icicles here. I don't know why, but it made me laugh so hard that he put icicles in his pockets! Maybe too much time collecting shells at the beach!!!

This is our favorite Mexican restaurant to eat at every time we go to Big Bear. It's almost impossible to get that many people to smile at the same time! ☺

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

These pictures are kind of hard to tell what you are looking at. They do so amaze me though. I had my 23 week ultrasound yesterday and got a few pictures to take home. He looks just like a little baby you would see out of the womb....but yet is still developing and being sustained by God inside the womb, until every little detail is ready for him to come into the world. These 2 pictures are of his face (with his arm in front of one side of his face). It's amazing to even see a pouty lip in one picture! It just makes me that much more excited to see him and meet him!!! What a blessing and amazing creation!

Funny Girl

Julia makes my husband and I laugh on a daily basis. She loves to be goofy and corny to make people laugh. She seems to have the perfect balance...she loves to dress up, wear make-up, get her nails painted and have her hair curled; yet, she is the 1st to wrestle and roll around in the dirt with the boys! The other night, we sent the kids up to get their jammies on for bed. Soon after, she came running down the stairs, posing and acting up in this outfit she found in the costume box: a power ranger with built-in muscles. She proceeded to pose in as many poses as she could think of, while even kissing her biceps (where did she learn that?). She had us laughing very hard. Is it that obvious that she has all brothers?

Valentine's Day Party

It has been so much fun to be meeting for our co-op group again, after such a long break for Christmas. It's amazing how much more enjoyable and relaxed it is this year, now that we have a year under our belts! We had a good time throwing the kids a little mini class Valentine party. Lots of food, and a card exchange, of course! The kids had a great time!

Lights, Camera, Action....

At the end of the semester at the Huckleberry Learning Center, the kids always participate in an end-of-semester show. This year, Jeremy played in a mini guitar recital for the guitar class he was taking, the older boys were in a play called "The 13 Colonies" from an "American History-Theater and Art" class, and the 2 younger ones sang a song from their "Classical Kids" class. For some reason it is always so painful for me to watch their performances...maybe because I am so terrified to be up in front of a crowd and I am picturing myself in their shoes. Kids plays and performances are always just so goofy and funny to watch. It was entertaining though and the kids worked really hard to prepare so I figured I should reserve a spot for it on my blog page!! :)

Louie thinks they look like convicts in the above picture!

The above picture isn't a very good shot,but I had to include it. It made me laugh so hard to see our giant boys break out in "song" and "dance" for the musical. So funny! They did a good job though!

Julia got VERY "into" it...Josh was a bit more embarrassed!

Gotta love California.....

Well, we came home from the beach Thursday, and left for the snow Monday. The kids have been begging to go to Big Bear since before Christmas. This year, they all had season passes so we knew we needed to go! Louie had 4 days off so we headed up to the mountains with our dear friends, the Modugnos. We had a fabulous time. Josh and Jacob needed a quick refresher course on snowboarding but Jeremy retained everything from last year. Julia took a few runs to warm back up to skiing, but once she did, she was back to skiing faster than me, on bigger slopes than me. I think it's just that it is so scary to fall as an adult and kids think nothing of it. I feel like such a chicken when I ski with them! This year, however, I could not ski, because I am 19 weeks pregnant. I actually enjoyed dropping them off, watching them, having quiet time while they were all there, and picking them up after the fun! Overall, a great trip. We are so blessed!

I don't know why, but I love how cute the kids look all bundled up in their snow get-up...sometimes they can hardly move because they have so many layers on! :)

So cute!

Jeremy snowboarding (picture taken from the lift)!
Jeremy and Josh:
Daddy and Josh on the lift!
All the boys taking a break to eat the lunch we ran up to them.

This lot is across the street from the cabin....(snow summit is in the background). They had so much fun sledding in the afternoon, after snowboarding and skiing!

Carpinteria!

Louie has been dying to go camping ever since we got the RV at Christmas. I realized I had to give in or he might explode! So, we went for a quick 2-night trip to Carpenteria! Everyone had so much fun and no one wanted to leave. We LOVED all the grass and trees around our camp for the kids to play...but, if there were hook-ups in that section, it would have been perfect!

Below is a picture of the centerpiece that Julia made from flowers in our backyard, and replenished with flowers around the camp. she also added a seashell border for extra decoration...she felt every table should be "pretty"....even a picnic table at a campsite....so precious!

This was the tree right behind the RV, where we kept out bikes and the table we BBQ'd on!

This picture was taken just after we parked and set out the mats and Sophie's little play pen (that she refused to be content in).
This is the view out the front window...the beach is just beyond the grass.
Daddy and Julia heading out to the water....
Julia playing T-Ball!
Josh and Julia loved climbing all the trees around our motor home!
We all rode our bikes into town for Mexican food!
S'mores for dessert when we got back to camp.

Tis the Season....A little Late!

Christmas is always my favorite time of year. We had a special time again this year but it is always so crazy because we have 3 separate celebrations! Julia got an "elf" for her birthday that was supposedly sent from the North Pole. The funny thing is....in our home, we have never "believed in Santa". However, at the classes Julia goes to, lots of the kids had these special elves. They supposedly come to visit for 10 days from the North Pole and get up and get into mischief at night when everyone else is sleeping. So, one night she "had a snowball fight" and Julia woke up to cotton all over her room. One night she "got into the treats" and there were candy wrappers all around....you get the idea. Well, next to her new American Girl Doll, Noel became her best friend. Those 2 girls went with her everywhere. She started crying uncontrollably 2 days before she knew Noel would go back with Santa....made me wonder if it was worth having her visit. Anyway, the picture below is Julia sound asleep with her 2 friends on the night she knew Noel would leave. The funny thing is, when I went to get Noel to pack away for next year, I found that Julia had tied her to her so that she couldn't leave! The next morning she explained to me how tricky or strong elves were. She was sad for days and is counting down to her visit next year.

Christmas Eve morning, we wake up and have a special breakfast and do "Christmas" as a family. We want "our" celebration to be the 1st before they are bombarded with gifts and attention at 2 other homes!

Then, Christmas eve, we go to Louie's parents' house to celebrate with his family....this is always when they have celebrated so that worked out well for us when we got married.

Finally, Christmas morning, we go over to my parents' house for breakfast, presents and we have a mellow day and usually hang out all day until after dinner. Louie worked Christmas day this year, which was sad, so it was that much nicer to be able to just hang out!

The Happiest Place on Earth...

So, I am a little behind on my blog, but I am slowly getting there. The week before Christmas, we went to Disneyland a family...this is our favorite time of year to go. It was cold, and the rain was on it's way, but we bundled up and had a great time!

Here we are in our way to "Goofy's Kitchen" the next morning for brunch!

The kids had fun with the characters that walked around and visited the tables in the restaurant!

And here we are in the lobby of the Disneyland Hotel on our way home!!! It was a fun trip!

Julia's Tea Party!

Julia has been begging to have her birthday party at Olivia's Doll House for a couple of years now. She has been to a couple of parties there and I thought she might out-grow it. We took her to "Sweet and Sassy" for her party last year, hoping this would be a substitute that would satisfy her...but, it didn't work. So, we wanted to make her happy and allowed her to be "Queen for a Day" at Olivia's Doll House this year!Here's Julia getting on her dress that she picked out!

Then, she got her make-up, hair and nails done!

I always love the cute "up-do's" that they do to the girls!

The thing that cracks me up about Olivia's Doll House is that every square inch of the house is COVERED with trinkets, etc. Maybe that's what seems so magical to girls her age! This was the table...yikes...major over stimulation for the senses!

This was what she was waiting for!!!.....As "Queen for the Day" you get to control the "bell" and ring for service any time you or any of your guests need anything and the "help" comes running!!!! :) Look at that evil laugh.

The girls all looked so pretty and had so much fun!!!!! I am happy for her that she got to have her party where she has wanted it for so long!!!

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."