Road Trip & April Fools!

OK...still no sign of any children awake and I think this may be my 3rd and last blog for today and I should be all caught up. April 1st the kids and I ventured off to Utah (Koffi & Landy were with us also). The purpose of the trip was to reunite with the women in the 1st picture. My sisters and best friends- (Boston, Me, Mama, Zandra, Regina, Yolande, & Tamu). It was a wonderful and must needed trip. This type of friendship, bond and sisterhood doesn't come very easily or often and we had been apart way too long! It was 4 late nights and 5 great days of memories and fun. I love these girls and want to thank each one of them for being there for me through every relationship, heartache, old & new job, family trial, bump in my path of faith, gospel questions, each loss of life and birth. All of you are amazing and phenomenal women who I admire and look up to. I love you all and can't wait for our next reunion!

-Mama, keep praying and let's get a ring on that finger soon!
-Zandra, I'll stay in your hotel anytime!
-Regina, I promise to take the burden of being the first one to leave next time!
-Yolande, you get middle next time...dang it I'll probably have a van by then!
-Tamu, you know I'm just envious of your dark chocolate!

This is a big group picture that was taken at a potluck we had Friday night. So many people and so many memories. I love the diversity.

Jim Slaughter, my old boss at BYU, gave Chi a basketball that I swear he had saved in a drawer for as long as I can remember. I think being a grandpa has made him softer.

Boston posing outside of Tucano's, a Brazilian restaurant in Provo that I couldn't really afford while in college. All the meat made me feel really guilty that I was there without Johnson. Sorry honey!

At our first stop I let Chi pick out whatever he wanted in the gas station, after all it was his actual b-day!

She was pretty excited to take a break. Little did she know we still had about 9 hours left in the car.

These are 2 of my roommates from Rick's- Rebecca and Chelsea. They both live in Boise and so we stopped to have dinner with them and let the kids run around. We also called Regina, Mama & Tamu to let them know that we couldn't drive any further and were going to stay the night with Zandra...our little April Fool's joke that pretty much backfired in our face's since everyone believed us and we got in so late that Tamu had gone to bed leaving us with no way to get in the house. hahaha...jokes on us!

Regina a Boston getting acquainted. I'm pretty sure she's one of the few she would go to all week.

She had no choice but to go to Jaylin one day since I was going to the spa with the girls no matter what. She did good enough to get a nap in.

Boston and Koffi playing peek a boo. He was the only man she would interact with all week. Well she pretty much flirted with him the whole time. Sorry Yolande, but it's your own fault for marrying such a good lookin' man.

Vivian and Aaron's twins. A boy (left) and a girl (right) and I'm so sorry, but I cannot remember their names for the life of me.

We spent an afternoon with the twins and Chi's goal all day was to make the babies "happy". It was pretty cute. I can't wait to have another baby to see how he interacts with him.

Chi took this picture and a bunch of other really decent one's too.

Like this one.

Malachi and Jacob (my best friend Sarah's son). For the most part they got along pretty well, until it came to Jacob's planes. Malachi fell in love with a new toy.

Sarah's husband Brett was nice enough to take the boys out each night when he came home from work and one night he took the boys out to get new planes....Thank you Brett for making my sons trip!

After the sandbox Sarah and I threw all 3 kids in together. She watched idol and I let them splash around. It was a real treat to just hang out this way...I never would of thought when we were in college we would end up bathing our kids together.

All clean and ready for a pillow fight.

It was super convenient when my sister Kristi called 2 weeks before the trip that she had gotten engaged and that the wedding would take place while we were in Utah. Her wedding was beautiful, short and to the point. She looked amazing and the cake tasted great...that's all that matters at a wedding.

Malachi took this picture of his papa.

I was so relieved when my mom and sister had arrived to Utah and Boston would actually let them hold her.

Sharlene, Aunt Lezlie, & Stephanie at a family dinner in Logan. Sharlene, Malachi and I headed to Boise for the night on our way home and what an adventure that was. Boston was privileged enough to fly home with my parents. Anyways before we left the restaurant my 2 uncles were trying to give me directions out of Logan the quickest way and totally lost mine and Sharlene's attention. The waitress ended up drawing us a map, which was perfect except we missed one minor part to everyone's directions which took us about 45 minutes in the wrong direction. I was so ticked. We had already left later than I wanted and I was really tired at this point. I actually had to stop like 3 times during our 4 hour drive and even picked up a power energy drink. By the time we got to Boise I of course couldn't go to sleep. I don't drink caffeine so maybe should have just stuck with a coke or Mt. dew.

All in all it was a great trip. Our only downer was that Johnson couldn't make it out with us. I kept thinking he was going to surprise us, but never did. Next time honey!

Easter- JC in charge

Well I'm hoping to get this 2nd blog done before one of the kids wakes up. Easter! Easter was interesting. I left Johnson is charge this year since we were on the road the day before. Let's just say he is a funny man and learning about our American traditions. Normally one would line the bottom of an Easter basket with artificial grass, well not Johnson. He decided to line our kids baskets of egg filled candy with more candy. It was slightly on the extreme side, but really cute. I love him for doing what I ask.

Okay so minus the candy, new clothes and feast Easter service was great. I gave the Easter sharing time this year and am grateful for the insight I was given by the spirit. Heavenly Father has given us the wonderful gift of His Son. Christ's life, ministry, atonement, Crucifixion, and resurrection. It's all part of the same package. The prophet Lehi had a dream once about a fruit tree that apparently tasted so amazing he wanted to share that fruit with all of his family. Well just like that fruit, I often eat or experience things that I want my kids to have and sometimes with others around me. I'm constantly suggesting things to others in conversation that I think are great, but I know that I don't share the greatest thing in my life with those around me enough...the gospel of Jesus Christ! Christ gave us an eternal gift, one that will never get old. Because of Him we can ALL return to our Father in Heaven to live with Him Eternally. My goal is to share this amazing gift, this plan, this peace, this knowledge, His Gospel with everyone I meet. Thank you Lord for your resurrection and for You!

I should of taken the family pic before church, by this time Chi had an accident in his pants, Bos was dog tired and had drooled chocolate on the front of her sweater and dress. I'm still learning.

Sophia (my niece) came to visit and show us her Easter dress! She was an amazing example to us and gave up Hannah Montana for 2 weeks in observance of Lent.

4 buckets may have been too much for 2 little kids.

Chocolate heaven!

At the end of the hunt, he really needed some competition.

She found a few eggs and then gave up for what she really wanted.

Catching up!

Well this is the 1st of many blogs to come...hopefully all today! I left my camera up at my parents on Easter and haven't had a chance to upload any pics since the beginning of the month, which happens to be a lot since we went out of town and celebrated Easter. This first blog is just a bunch of miscellaneous pics of the kids here at home.


I'm so grateful for my calling in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Last Sunday Sis. Ricks from the General Primary Board came to visit our stake and held a fireside for parents and primary workers. Our ward primary children were asked to do a special musical number and just brought tears to my eyes. I was so proud of them. The spirit really does radiated from the youth of today. In Sister Ricks talk she mentioned some things that humbled me and uplifted me, leaving me with a desire to want to be a better mother, wife, family member, community member and servant of the Lord. She mentioned some things that prophets have told us to do in her lifetime and they were: 1. Plant a garden, 2. Clean up your yard, 3. Read the Book of Mormon, 4. Father's control your tempers, and 5. Mother's control your voices. The basis of her talk was from The Family: A Proclamation to the World, which states: "Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities." She highlighted each principle and how we should apply them in our families. It was a long day of church, but I'm grateful for the opportunity to uplifted by a leader of the church and was of course humbled.

No her binky isn't gone yet...the trip to Utah screwed us up, but it's going soon. If anyone has any suggestions on how to ween her let me know. Her hair is often this crazy when she wakes up.
It's a good question as to what he thinks he's imitating...all I get is "belly, belly, belly."

My girl and her chocolate. She will go crazy for some chocolate.

Sharlene popped in last night to hang out with us and caught Boston in a pretty hilarious squat. What you can't see is that her belly is out much further than her toes. She really does love food!

Yes, my 3 year old is still in a high chair, but only when I can't get him to sit down and focus. All he wanted to do last night was watch the other kids playing outside from the window.

Three-year-old Mania!

My little man is three... how crazy is that! I can't believe that it has been three years since the birth of this precious and beautiful child. It was been a true blessing from my Father in Heaven to be his mother here on earth and I thank Him everyday for letting me be in this little man's life. For those of you who have the priviledge of knowing Malachi you all know that he has an energy that is beyond comparison. One second he can be as rumbuxious as one would expect a three-year-old to be, but then turn around and be the most tender and timid child. I recognize these same traits in other young boys that I meet and I can only think that our Father in Heaven has something great in store for them to do. I just hope that I'm up for the job to keep him in close to me and close to God.

For Malachi's third b-day we went with a "Cars" theme and invited three of his close friends- Scarlett, Gavin, and Shawn along with his cousin Sophia, g-ma and g-pa Pixton, uncle Levi, aunt Sharlene and close family friends Davida, Landy & Koffi. We had a great time, but in the end I was one exhausted mama.

Let's hope these eight wheels don't lead to scratches and bruises.

Not the easiest thing I've done, but I got it done and that's all that matters.

Everyone loves hot dogs and cheetos...I think some of them may have even had a few carrots.

You can't really tell in this picture, but he was terrified of these candles and wouldn't get close enough to blow them out.

Everyone got into the cake except for Malachi- I'm pretty sure he didn't have one bite.

Gavin sure loved the cake... he insisted on eating the mouth portion of McQueen and then tried to request more frosting. We sent him home soon all sugared up!

A little too matching, but cute.

We played Ring Around The Rosie, London Bridges, Musical Chairs, Hokey Pokey, Follow The Leader and a balloon race. The two older girls really helped lead the younger ones and even Johnson got into the games.

They tried so hard to hold their bridge up, but Johnson was too big to go through.

Poor Scarlett tried really hard to get the balloon to stay.

They were just too little to keep those balloons in. Maybe next year.

Everyone loves Ring Around The Rosie.

Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate this special day with my special little Chi.

Seriously!

This is "weekend update" with Alisha Chang -in honor of her husband JC who loves the original "weekend update" on SNL.
All I have to say is it's snowing again!!! I've made this point with a few of my family members, but everytime I have to take someone to airport it snows...EVERY TIME, just ask Nicole, Sharlene, my mom (I guess those are the only people I take to airport), but SERIOUSLY!
Where the freak is spring!

Nothing insightful

Well I hope insight isn't a rule to blogging, because I really don't have any tonight. I feel all guilty inside that I haven't been updating the 2 followers we have. lol. Love ya both, seriously, I think I'll follow Jamie's lead and use my blog as a journal...blahblahblah yes it's a 'mormon thing'.

We've been real busy round these parts (not really). Below you'll find pictures of my one year old signing her own thank you's! (baby genius & she has etiquette) Of course all her etiquette goes out the window when it comes to sweets. I made my sister Sharlene a b-day cake friday (not the prettiest....sorry Shar) and the girl went nuts for some frosting. It was hilarious and I of course let her run all over me and have at it. She was great.


The last 2 pictures are of Boston's very first playdate with her new friend Lilly. They were so stinkin cute and got along really well. At one point Lilly had hurt herself and started crying so guess what my little princess did? She went right up to her and gave her not just one big hug, but several. It was the cutest thing ever. I love this girl.

We're in trouble

Is there a specific age when we should start saying "no" to Boston? At this point we really let her run the house. Yesterday she emptied out the tupperware lid drawer and I watched her to do it, I even helped a little. It was a fun game she started with her grandma this weekend where she started handing her lids and saying 'tankyou', but will this be a fun game at 2? Tonight I had both kids in bed by 8:30 (amazing for Chi) and then Johnson came home and did his usual bed check of the kids. Well as soon as he peeked into Boston's room her head popped up and she reached right for him. Of course he pulled her out and let her stay up. Well, when he gets home late he hasn't had dinner yet and she's all about that. Again this is not something I think will be so cute later. Or maybe it will be. Who know's? Every parent only has so many experiences with each child and they don't last long. I personally think that I will try to cherish these late nights with my night owls, it's rare to get them alone. And besides it's not even 11...I must be getting old to think that 10 is late.

Poor supervision

Apparently I need to keep a closer eye on my kids. Last night Boston escaped from the bath, pulled out a dirty blanket from the basket, opened a bathroom drawer, grabbed the first thing in reach and ran. She could of numbed herself up with Orajel and then today while I was on the phone with an operator Boston started screaming her head off because Malachi had stolen her cheetos and then decided to smear them on the window. And then later while attempting to look somewhat decent before stepping outside with them they decided as a 'couple' to take every cushon off the couch and chair to make an indoor trampolene. Whose kids are these? And why aren't they being supervised?

It's hard to get upset when they're so stikin' cute though!

3rd times the charm!

Boston- guess what? everyone loves you- especially your mother. She wanted you to have a wonderful birthday and so she whipped out this wonderful cake- its a three layer chocolate cake with homemade frosting and she made the decorations herself. This is just a small proportion of how much your mother cares about you...

She also made you your own personal cake to eat and to make a mess out of....

Before the party your grandmother wanted you to try out a party favor but you didn't seem to like it...

Sensing your disinterest your grandma found another party favor that appeared to be a winner!

Happy Birthday Boston! Note- this was your THIRD birthday party...

Can't have one without the other.

Well I just couldn't blog about one and not the other. After his constant complaining of wanting to come home...he's finally home and now he wants to go to Uncle Rick's house (back in CA). I don't think he really knows what he wants. Good thing he has parents. He was so excited to get back on the plane...correction "jet" (as Chi told me several times) that I think he wore himself out all day in anticipation. He of course perked right up for the landing and yes my child was a screamer. His sister was okay, but he complained about the pressure the whole way down. Sometimes I miss the days when nursing fixed everything.

He just wanted his picture taken too and this was good reason to have one of him while his sister was getting most of the attention. Of course it didn't really start to hurt until we noticed he had a booboo.