Soldier Hollow

Right before our move to California almost four years ago now, we took the girls, Maddy (4 at the time) and Audrey (2 at the time) to Soldier Hollow. I am not sure if they remembered it, but they had fun and so did we. Soldier Hollow was an Olympic venue and now they turned it into a tubing hill. You pay for a two hour period of time and get to sled the lazy way. You sit on your tube as a pulley drags you to the top of the mountain and then you sled down a groomed hill. It is a ton of fun. So the Conrads (Andrew's sister's family), Andrew's mom, our friends the Daytons, and us got all bundled up and went up to Midway for some sledding. Here is Andrew's sister Camille with Drew and his cousin Ryan. Ryan is only a couple of month older than Drew.


Best buddies Maddy and Aubrey.



Waiting in line for the "lift" service. They do limit how many people are on the mountain during the two hour time periods but there is still a wait to get up the hill.


Me with Audrey and Drew.


Here is my niece Emily with her friend. Emily is sporting her new ski outfit.


Paul and Camille with Ryan.

We had a blast that day. My kids have really missed the snow since we moved and they just keep talking about this place. I guess we will have to make it a Christmas tradition. Small side note...we totally saw Kobe Bryant with his wife and kids exiting the previous session when we came for ours.

I AM ONE

I blinked and here we are a year later. I LOVE this kid. He has me wrapped around his little finger. I have had such a fun year with him. He has got a great personality and I am trying to enjoy ever minute of it. We were still in Utah for his birthday so we were able to celebrate with Andrew's family. Andrew made him this sweet cupcake football cake. I think I will leave the cake making up to him from now on.


Here is Gavin waiting in anticipation for his first try of sweets.

Yum. I think he liked it.


Trying to get every last morsel off.

Yep that is one happy baby.

Having a birthday in December is rough but three days after Christmas, sorry Gavin. We did have more presents for him though. He got a fun little push car and a small, soft and squishy BYU football. We are starting early with the indoctrination process. HAPPY BIRTHDAY my sweet little guy. We love you.

CHRISTMAS MORNING 2008

Every other year we pack up all our Christmas loot and head to Utah for the holidays. This year we were able to spend all two weeks there. We sure had a ton of fun. On Christmas morning, we first opened presents with our kids. One of the traditions in my family growing up was to have your picture taken in front of the Christmas tree before all the unwrapping frenzy started. Now I have started that tradition with my kids. So here they are just out of bed.


Here is Gavin with one of his two toys he received this year...he doesn't know any different.



Then after we finished opening gifts, it was time to help get breakfast made. The tradition in Andrew's family is a huge buffet style breakfast. Ham Souffle is the main course and then there is cinnamon rolls, clam and onion dip with chips, all types of fruit, vegetable platter, and treats. Around 11am everyone else in his family showed and we spent a while eating and then eating more. After the kids could not contain themselves anymore waiting on us...we opened presents with grandma and the cousins. Here is Aubrey and Maddy sporting their new matching jogging outfits. These two are so close. I love it.


And a picture of the on lookers. Each grandchild had to watch as one grandchild at a time opened the gifts as to avoid chaos. So here are some patiently waiting for their turn.

Winter Amazement

We spent Christams Eve over at Camille and Paul's house. It was a great evening with really delicious soups. During dinner my brother in law Kip told us that there was this guy up by where they live that makes these amazing snow creations. I guess whenever it snows he uses his tractor, blow torch and creativity and comes up with things ranging from the Simpsons to Madagascar. So after dinner we did a drive by so the kids could see it. I was in totally shock of how seriously crazy amazing this guy is. Just check out the pictures.

Madison Is Student of The Month

Our little Madison is such a great student. She always goes above and beyond what is asked of her. This month she was recognized for all her great achievements and was student of the month. At Friday morning flag salute the school presented her with an award. She was surprised to see Andrew and I and Krystal and her kids there to support her. We are so proud of you. Here is Maddy getting her award. It was pajama day that Friday so that is why she is dressed in her pajamas at school. No I did not forget to get her dressed.

After she received her award we got to have a little breakfast snack with her before she had to go to class. I love that girl. She is just so sweet and just always trying to be her best.

Gingerbread Houses!!!

This year Audrey had a fun activity at school making Gingerbread Houses. It has been so nice for Andrew to work in Temecula and have a slightly less demanding schedule. He is able to be more involved in the kid's lives and they have been so excited to have him there. Here is Andrew supervising Audrey. It was a slightly messy activity but very fun. I am glad the Kindergarten classes take time out of their academics to still do fun things for the kids.

Audrey was very into making it look just perfect. A perfectionist just like her daddy.

Joy School Nativity Scene

Our joy school group went to a Senior Center to perform the Nativity. Drew was Joseph in the Nativity. He was so cute but he was so shy to perform his part. I think all the "grandparents" thought it was so cute even though it wasn't perfect.

After the Nativity was over all the kids went and hugged the "grandparents." I captured Drew giving one of them a big hug. It was so cute. I know these seniors loved having them come and perform. It seemed like it was the light of their day.

Petite Spa Day

For Audrey's six birthday party with friends we threw a day at the spa. We invited all of the girls
in her class and some other girlfriends too to come to the Petite Spa Day all dressed in their jammies. When they came they feasted on donut holes, mini muffins and juice. After their bellies were all filled we started the different stations. These included a getting a facial, having a manicure and pedicure, and making their own bath salts. It was so fun and the girls all seemed to have a fantastic time.

Station 1-The Facial. My bff Karina was in charge of the facials. She did a great job. It was actually her son Nicolas' birthday that day but he said he wanted to come to Audrey's party. I thought that was sweet since he didn't participate in anything but eating and the bath salts.

The girls all waited their turn to lay down on the "banana seat" to get their facial.



The girls all looked so cute with the cucumbers on their eyes.




Station 2-Manicures and Pedicures
My mom and Krystal became "hired" help and did professional manicures and pedicures. The girls had so much fun getting their nails done. It was really fun to watch.

Station 3-The Bath Salts
Here is some girls making the bath salts.

Audrey's Six Birthday

My little Audrey is six. I know I always say this but I just don't know where the time goes. This year Audrey requested a butterfly cake. Thankfully my hubby is such an artist. He is so good at looking at something and recreating it. So Audrey got not one but two butterfly cakes for her birthday. Here is Audrey making her big wish.

And the birthday girl with her daddy...

And a close up of the creations...

We are so grateful Audrey is a part of our family. She keeps us on our toes and provides us with a lot of excitement. She loves dogs, playing with friends, teasing her siblings, watching movies and has the best imagination around. We love you Audrey.

Breakfast With Santa

Tis the Season...

This year my dad invited the whole family to a Breakfast with Santa at his country club. I have not done something like this since Madison was a year old and I was so excited to have this experience with the kids. When we showed up our table was decorated with these cute teddy bears and so needless to say Audrey was in heaven. I have never seen someone with a fascination for stuff animals that rivals hers. We had a nice breakfast followed by cookie decorating, a puppet show, face or hand painting and pictures with Santa. Before the puppet show, the puppeteer was walking around for the kids to have an up close look at the star of the show.

Drew has loved Santa this year. The whole morning he kept asking when we were going to get to see him. At one point I couldn't find Drew and I finally found him in the room where Santa was just starring at him in awe. After patiently waiting our turn, he finally got to sit on Santa's lap. He didn't even tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas. Just sitting on his lap and getting a hug was enough for him.

After Drew hugged and hugged and hugged and hugged Santa, the whole family got in for a picture. As you can see Gavin was not as enamored.

After the pictures were over, they all got to go have either their face or their hand painted. Drew choose to have a dinosaur (his other love) on his hand. All of a sudden Drew disappeared. We found him down the hall showing his dinosaur off to Santa. I think we "lost" him three other times. Santa was so sweet to him though.

I just love this picture of Andrew and Gavin.

So my dad invited my mom to this fun event. We have come a long way since they first divorced. In my wildest dreams I never imagined that we would be able to spend times like this as a entire family. I am so grateful that we have made it here.

Baton Recitals

A girl in our ward, Diana Tomseth started a baton twirling class. Madison and Audrey were in the same class and they had so much fun learning how to twirl. Madison was so excited when she found out that they got to be in the Christmas parade in Old Town Temecula. Audrey on the other hand was a little more timid. I know I couldn't believe it either. She kept saying she just wanted to be in the class but not be in the parade. She finally came around and gathered some courage and was in the parade.

Before the parade, they also had a Christmas recital. Here is a picture of the group of girls...

Two other girls from our ward were in it too...Sidney Handy and Alexis Arnold.

Here are the girls after the parade. They did such a good job and were a light after all the boy scout troops we saw that night.

Madison's Baptism

Getting to this day was a little crazy. Sickness flew through our house like wildfire just days before and then the day of and days after Madison's baptism. Admist all the throwing up, Andrew also broke his ankle and had kidney stones. Madison was a little worried Andrew would not be able to baptize her but he was determined. Madison was baptized November 29, 2008. It was such an amazing day. She was surrounded by those who love her so much. Her Nana, Poppa, Jodi, Uncle Nick, Aunt Kendra, Uncle Dan, Aunt Krystal, and cousins Ally and Cole were there. Her Aunt Camille, Uncle Paul and their family drove down from Utah for this special day and so did her Grandma Dixon and her Grandma Law. She was so excited that they all got to be there. When I asked her who she wanted to give her talks at the baptism she choose her Uncle Dan for the talk on Baptism and her Grandma for the talk on the Holy Ghost. Both of the talks were amazing and I know the spirit was felt by all. Here is a picture of Madison and her dad before the baptism.

A picture of our family after the baptism.

A picture of my family outside of the church




After the baptism, we went to Wolf Creek Park and had a nice lunch and got to visit with family. We are so grateful and proud of Madison for making this important decision in her life. We are so thankful that she is part of our family. We love you Maddy.

Last Day Of Soccer

Soccer season has come to a close. The Comets started off a little shakey but then they came back with a vengence. Madison's coach Dan Messirow was an awesome coach. He was so good with the girls and really helped Maddy improve her game. She made a couple of goals...an improvement from last year. Here is her team.

And here is Maddy accepting her trophy and gift certificate to White Lime (Yummy!!!)


Here is Maddy with Coach Dan.

Maddy's 8th Birthday

Madison turned eight this year. She decided that she wanted to have an Olympic party. All the kids came to the park and participated in a bunch of Olympic games. There was a relay race, a discus throw, and a sack race. At the end they each received a gold metal. One of the boys from Maddy's class told me it was the best party he had ever been too. Success. YEAH!!! Here is Maddy opening her gifts.

And eating her cupcakes. Nice blue lips. Michael from her class is sitting next to her. He was the one who told me it was the best party ever.

Andrew and I collaborated on this cake and this is how it turned out. (I couldn't get it to upload the correct way but you get the picture)

Maddy you are such a joy to have in our lives. You are helpful, sweet, and sensitive. You are so smart and do great in school. You have a love for learning about the gospel and at times I think you know more than I do. Your current loves are teather ball, your American girl doll, and riding bikes. Mom and dad love you.