It's gonna be a CrAzY SpRiNg!

We joined a soccer league this fall called TCYSA. It is a program that plays in the fall and the spring. When I signed up the boys, I figured we would only play the fall season since they both wanted to play baseball in the spring. Well, fall soccer went SO incredibly well for both of the boys we couldn't help but say yes to them playing the spring season of soccer. They both have fantastic coaches and really nice teams. The problem is that soccer overlaps with baseball for about a month. Originally, we told Adam yes he could do both but we thought since Tyler was only in kindergarten that he should just choose one so he did and he choose soccer. WELL...you have to know the story doesn't end there! As spring approached Tyler kept bringing up the fact that he REALLY wanted to play baseball. He kept asking and asking. We kept saying, no and no. So, I get Adam all registered for baseball and get his schedule and AMAZINGLY there are no conflicts between soccer games and baseball games. YAHOO. This same night before bed while Tyler is saying his bedtime prayers this is what I hear, "dear God, please let mom sign ME up for baseball". Guess what? Tyler is playing baseball too! The adorable prayer request tugged at my heart strings, I went online and realized that we missed registration. I sent an email to the program just as a long shot asking if they had any spots left. I immediately got a response back that they did. I signed him up and they even let Tyler request to be on his best friends team! I believe this was just meant to be....and boy does Tyler believe in the power of prayer now! ;) HA! All that to say it's going to be a crazy spring. Most of April we will have 2 soccer and 2 baseball games each Saturday. Top that off with first communion for Adam and the other 3 cousins in 2nd grade and it's BUSY. All fun busy but BUSY! :)

SPRING BREAK
We just finished our spring break. It was totally awesome. It went by WAY WAY WAY too fast. We started the week with 3 days of play dates, baking cookies, and coloring Easter eggs. We ended the week at Stoneridge Resort in Blanchard, ID. We spent Easter weekend in Colville celebrating Carisa's Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion. It was all fun and memorable!

Stoneridge was the most family friendly vacation I have been on! We had our own one bedroom condo with a full kitchen. It had a indoor pool/hot tub, racquetball courts, full basketball court, tennis, pickle ball, pool table, ping pong, miniature golf, a playground, and hiking trails. We spent two nights and all felt like we could have easily spent a few more there. It was also very affordable which is always a big plus.





Easter
Saturday on our way from Stoneridge to Joe's house, Carisa's parents set up an incredible egg hunt for the kids.





Saturday mom and dad met us at Joe's house and made our traditional Easter pizza. Grace and Eliza helped.


Since we were going to Easter vigil mass which started at 8pm, we decided not to even attempt to bring Max. We should have thought twice about bringing the others as well but it was a big deal to see aunt Carisa get baptized so we brought them. about 45 minutes into the mass 5 of the 6 kids we brought were asleep! It was quite the memorable mass! Adam was the only one who stayed awake for the entire thing. Here are some pictures of the kids all dressed up. It was classic. Grace and Eliza LOVED getting all dolled up. The boys we had to MAKE get dressed and pose for one picture.





Happy Easter and Happy Spring!

Father/Daughter Ball 2012

What a memorable evening! Justin took Grace to the annual Father/Daugther ball. He gave her a corsage and took her to Red Robin before hand. He said it was so cute because they were in a booth and she was sitting (actually bouncing) across from him and then asked to come sit right by him. He also said she wore a permagrin the entire evening. At the dance, they got their pictures taken and danced the night away. They didn't get home until after 10pm! He walked in with a passed out little girl on his shoulder. priceless I tell you. There is just something very very special about a father/daugther relationship! :)

Adam turns 8!

It's hard to believe that 8 short years ago we became parents. Was there really life before children? I sure don't really remember that life! While it seems like it flew by, Adam does seem like he should be 8 to me. Maybe because he's my oldest, I don't know but he seems big and old and he is growing into a very nice young boy. (if you ask me, but I am pretty biased) He had a great birthday. We made cool cupcakes for school. He did all the piping on these and they were fun to make with him.







He had a family party. I am giving the kids the choice these days between having friends over or having a family party. It's too much and too large of a group to do both. Adam chose family and we had a very nice time. The highlight was getting a basketball hoop! Thank you Uncle Alex and Aunt Anna. My family and my parents went in on it also. He has been outside shooting hoops every day for at least an hour since he got it! I have to admit Justin and I are having a blast with it too. :)

the fabulous cake was made by our favorite cake baker Pauline. As you can see Adam asked for a "basketball" cake. She is amazing.








At 8 years old what I would like to remember about Adam is; that he excels at school and loves it. He is especially good at math and loves it. He is a perfectionist...already. He makes friends easily but doesn't have one best friend in particular. He loves sports. He tells me that at recess he finds whatever game looks fun and joins it. He is very competitive and really likes to win. (don't know where he gets that from!) He loves to play board and card games too. He is a compliant kid who goes with the flow and doesn't make too many waves. For the most part, he is very helpful to us and sets a very good example for his younger siblings.

Happy Birthday to our sweet Adam!

A Tribute

A tribute to a most wonderful Grandpa who will be so greatly missed. My grandfather passed away on Jan 2, 2012. He was a kind, gentle, wonderful man. I have many many fond memories with him. It is hard to believe he is gone, but we all feel so lucky for him to have lived 92 healthy years! He never spent one day in a hospital! He was born at home and died at home. I am greatful that my children all knew him. His funeral was beautiful and peaceful just the way I imagine he would have wanted it. Rest in peace Grandpa, we will miss you!!!!!!!






I could not figure out how to flip this one. I also do not know what year this was taken, I am guessing i was around 3 or 4 in this picture :)

Happy Holidays!

I haven't posted since Halloween. That is probably fine since I don't think many people actually read this, but it's NOT fine because this is how I am supposed to be remembering all the fun times we are having these crazy days. So, the last update was Halloween... I guess the next should be Thanksgiving! For Thanksgiving we went to Walla Walla. It was very nice. We visited family and ate lots of good food. For Christmas we stayed home on Christmas Eve, opened Santa gifts Christmas morning and then headed to Clarkston for a few days. We had a very nice time with the Baerlocher's. As for recent updates, I have decided to just post my Christmas letter, I think it sums things up quite nicely.

Can you believe Christmas time is here again? Where do the years go? Some days are quite long…but the years seem to just fly on by! We hope this letter finds you all in good health and spirits.
Happy little Gracie girl enjoys her music class, gymnastics and story time at the library. She is by my side all day long which I don’t mind one bit. She will start preschool next fall and I know I will miss these times with her. She loves to play with her babies and most of all her baby brother who already loves to tackle her. Having 3 brothers, she will be one tough girl for sure.
Running children around and after the latest coupon deal is what keeps me busy most days. I feel so blessed to be able to be at home with the kids. I really do love it…most days!  I continue to volunteer as the school’s nurse. I did my first ever sprint triathlon this summer and loved it!
It’s been 5 years already for Justin working at J-U-B Engineers. He continues to enjoy his job working for this great company. In the little spare time that he has, he spends it watching the kids sporting events, keeping up with the honey do list around the house and of course the ever important wrestling with the kids.
Soccer, soccer and more soccer! Having two boys playing this year made for many soccer practices, games and fun memories. We also had fun with baseball in the spring and lots of fun pool time this summer. We really enjoy our 300 days of sunshine!
Tylerman is doing wonderfully in kindergarten this year. He loves his teacher and has made lots of wonderful friends. This guy is pretty much always good for a laugh no matter what the situation may be.
Max is as adorable as ever and at such a fun age. He keeps us on our toes all day everyday. I truly know all about the saying “a mother works from SON up until SON down”. He will forever be known for saying “YEAH” with a lot of enthusiasm after everything and anything that anyone says. It is precious!
Adam is a big second grader and doing quite well. He is preparing to make his first Reconciliation and first Eucharist this coming spring. He really enjoys sports and will start playing basketball in January.
Saint Joseph’s is our amazing school and parish that we are proud to be a part of. We believe truly good things are happening there!

2011 was a filled with lots of great memories and it’s always fun to see what another year will bring. May you all have a joyous Christmas and Happy New Year!





Here are my favorite pictures of the holidays.


Mr. Max! At 18 months he is BUSY. Climbing, opening doors, playing in toilets, wrecking legos, very opinionated yet not able to communicate what he wants very well. All this adds up to never a dull moment!

We got a skiff of snow before thanksgiving.

he really is a doll, that's works in his favor for sure.

homework! doesn't he look so grown up?

I thought this picture was too precious for words!


I am not joking when I say that Grace really will be a one tough girl!

on the move!

this is the blanket that i crocheted Grace for Christmas

I made this one for Tyler. I made one for Adam also but I can't find a picture of it!

Christmas pictures!