Bella turned 4, Happy Bithday!

When Luke turned 4 I thought he was so big but Bella still seems young. Maybe it because I have Luke to compare her too. We had a fun day full of swimming, Chuckee-cheeses, pizza, ice cream and as many shows as they could stay up to watch (they finally fell asleep at nine thirty which is late compared to their usual bedtime of 7pm). Bella has changed so much this year! Turning from a toddler to a little girl. She is becoming more aware of others around her and really wanting to help and please. She still comes and gets in bed with us almost every night. Whenever she doesn't want to do something her classic response is "I can't my legs hurt" lol. She is very creative and loves anything pink or has to do with mermaids. Her best friend is still her big brother Luke. They spend hours playing together everyday. She is a bit of a tomboy and doesn't mind getting a dirty or wrestling a little. She is always surprising with her natural ability to create, draw and understand peoples needs. She is definately a nice mix of both James and I. Her nick is Sassy pant which she will refer to herself as (a little of me). She can also get absorbed in a deep imagination (a little James), she is quite the actress. Most of all she is a darling blessing to our lives and I am thankful for everyday we get the chance to spend together.

Houston

We didn't get the AC fixed in our car cause we didn't think we would need it till spring. We were wrong!

More Willowbrook Mall pics

Blast from the past

James grew up near Houston, in Spring TX. We were able to go to his old ward this past Sunday. I got to meet so many of the families he has told me stories about. It was wonderful to meet these kind people and get to hear stories of James. The Child's family who James actually lived with during the last semester of his senior year invited us for dinner. Here is James and them with their 2 youngest kids are pictured below.

BELLA'S BIRTHDAY EVE

WE R AT MACCARONI GRILL. BELLA GOT TO GO AND PICK OUT A BARBIE MERMAID FROM TOYS R US TODAY. She thinks its her birthday present little does she know I have another one for her tomorrow. When we get back to Homewood Suites Daddy is going to take her swimming. ONE HAPPY GIRL!

FHE

We went and checked out the Christmas lights in Houston tonight. We found this awesome house. There was another with lights syncronized to music so awesome!

Willowbrooks mall play place Houston

Growing up

Book of Mormon Stories

I am hesitant to post because I don't want it to get taken the wrong way, but since my blog is private and since it was so funny I can't help myself. We were at the mall play place in Houston when Bella at full volume announces "there are brown people here"! Then as we r leaving she announces at half volume "Mom there are brown people here and they didn't even kill us, I guess little brown people don't do the killing". I later realized and explained that the laminites in The Book of Mormon stories we read don't represent the brown people we live with now. Lol

BEAUTIFUL BOY

Boy do we love this kids. We r in Houston again this week with James. The kids are having fun swimming in an indoor pool.

Christmas FHE

For family home evening tonight we made this cute nativity from the Friend magazine and watched the new bible story movie of Jesus's birth.

Snowflake mobile

We made snowflakes today and Hung them from the kids ceiling fan.

Roy

He is 10 months now and is getting so big and bright. When he wants something he points and says "that". His favorite word is DaDa but when he really needs something or is sad he calls Mama. He speed crawls and is a very adventurous and curious. He can stand unassisted but hasn't taken his 1st steps yet. He is still a joyful happy child with so much love to share.

Thumbs down for Arthur Christmas

The kids and I had fun going to the theatre and hanging out but I would not reccomend this movie, in my opinion it was a total downer.

Nativity

I got this adorable little people nativity at a black Friday sale! The kids love it and I love it cause I don't have to worry about it breaking. It was fun telling them the story of Jesus's birth and watching them reinact it. We also got our Christmas tree up. I let the kids decorate it this year and they did a really good job, amazingly royce hasn't detroyed it yet, we will c how long the bottom 2 ft of ornaments last.

Houston zoo

We r on a work trip with James this week down on Houston. Today we stopped by the Houston Zoo. It was a nice place. Luke's favorite was the anteater, Bella's was the baby elephant and Roy went crazy over the chimpamzies. Good exhausting fun, the kids (and I) were pretty burned out after walking around for 3 hours.

Swimming

The kids wanted to go swimming at the hotel yesterday and I accommodated them. Lol it was cold even the hot tub was cold but as long as they were in the water and moving they were okay. They were not to happy when it was time to go. Burrr!

Sonya Joy and baby Connor

Happy thanksgiving

Luke and the cat

Funny conversation I had with Luke today. "Mom, do u want to know something crazy"? Me slightly distracted "uh huh". Luke "the cat caught a bird". Me still distracted "oh really that's gross". Luke "yeah he is eating it, crazy cat". I hear the back door open and shut, a few minutes later Luke comes in and it had registered what he said. Me "Luke what did the cat do with the bird"? Luke completely facsinated "He ate it, the whole thing, I watched it"!
 

More San Clemente

We played at the tide pools (Bella even went swimming in her new mermaid costume from Tracie) made new fun memories at the park (where Roy followed in Luke's footprints and put dog poop in his mouth, so gross!). Enjoyed spending time with our friends the Syeds (Tracie is the best!). Got some raw goats milk and liked it. We saw the Hanson and had lots of fun with Rachelle and her sweet kids. Tori is still Luke's favorite friend that's a girl. Till next time good bye beach

James in South Africa

James left for a 11 day work trip to Durban South Africa today. I don't usually get emotional when he leaves but I was and am today. I am not sure if its because he has been gone so much recently or if its because he will be so far away. Either way I hope he has a fun, successful, safe trip and look forward to his return. Love you James. Here he is heading to the airport.

Tide pools

The first night we were here we went down to the tide pools. We we crabs and Bella found a starfish.

Halloween 2011

We went trick or treating with the Syed family. Lots of fun and too much candy. By the end of the night Royce and Bella were asleep in the Stroller and Luke was tired but still eager for more candy. Bella was Ariel, Luke was Darth Vador and Royce was a gorilla. Luke funny quote: we were walking up a hill and Luke says " man this trick or treating is going to hurt my back". Luke was also did a good job gathering candy for Royce.
Sorry the pictures were the best I got.

James vacation

Yesterday James was able to be with us and it was a wonderful day. We went for a walk swang and chased waves in the morning. In the afternoon we went to the beach and had it pretty much to ourselves. We boogie boarded, played frisby, watched Royce eat sand and seaweed and just had fun and relaxed. We ended the day with dinner watching the sunset from the condo. It was a day to remember and I am grateful for it.