New York Trip Recap!

We had such a fun time in NYC that I wanted to quickly document what we did each day so I won't forget!

Day 1: Monday July 28

We arrive in NY at 6 pm after our 2 hour delay in Denver. We get checked into the New York City Athletic Club. This was a very nice place to stay and there is a required dress code to walk in the front door. We ended up using the back door several times! After getting a quick dinner at Whole Foods Market we took the subway to Times Square. We were all amazed by the lights, people, and honking taxis. We went to a few stores but our favorite was the M&M store. After a couple hours of walking, people watching, and shopping we were tired! We eventually made it to bed at 1 am after getting on the wrong subway!

Day 2: Tuesday July 29

We took the subway to Battery Park where we stood in line to get on the ferry for the Statue of Liberty. The line was long and it was hot but it was worth it. It was so cool to see the Statue up close and to be able to go to Ellis Island.While on Ellis Island we were able to see many displays about the immigrants that came to the United States (one of them was my great grandpa). We returned to Battery Park and walked up to Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, and Ground Zero. There isn't much to see at Ground Zero because there are huge fences around the site. There's going to be a monument built there and is to be completed in 2012. We went to Serendipity for dinner,dessert, and their famous frozen hot chocolate. The dinner not so great but the desserts were tasty!!!

Day 3: Wednesday July 30

We got up at 5:00 am so we could head down to Rockefeller Center where the Today Show is broadcast! We were there from 6-9 am and were shown several times in the background. I even met Natalie Morales! We walked around a ton this day visiting many stores: The American Girl Doll Store, the NBA Store, FAO Schwartz, and the Apple Store. We also went to the top of the GE building. They call it the "Top of The Rock." There is a great observation deck where we saw all of the New York Skyline including the Empire State Building!

We went back to the hotel to take a nap since we got up so early! That evening we went to our Broadway show of The Lion King. We all loved it! The costumes, sets, music, and dancing was fabulous! After the show we walked in Times Square until we found a little cafe to have some NY cheesecake!

Day 4: Thursday July 31

We woke up early again to make it to the Manhattan Temple by 8:00 am. We walked a few blocks from where we were staying and it was right there in the middle of town. There's no grass, flowers, or grounds at this temple. It was great experience for Morgan to do Baptisms for some of her ancestors. We walked to Carnegie Hall to show Morgan where I performed with my High School Concert Choir. I was bummed because it was under construction and we couldn't see anything but the lobby. After breakfast we finally made it to Central Park which was right across the street from where we were staying. After taking a short tour in this carriage we went into the park to eat our pretzels and people watch.

We took a taxi down to Little Italy to have an early dinner. It was amazing to see all the little shops and restaurants. We had some good Italian food at Puglia's and then hit the shops. There were many people wanting to give us a "good deal" at their shops. We found a place on the famous Canal Street where we bought some inexpensive purses.

Some of my observations about New York: Lots of people, always in a hurry and have to keep up, when waiting at a crosswalk you must stand in the street so you can get across first, many New Yorkers Smoke, it is very humid in the summer time, I still can't understand the subway system and I'm amazed at how many people know exactly what they are doing, lots of people speak foreign languages, I'm glad that I only had one kid to keep track of and no little kids, food is expensive there, there are no Caucasian taxi drivers, walking is a must in the City and there is never enough time to do everything you want in New York!

It was one of my favorite trips and thanks to Mom and Dad for letting me tag along!

Dates With Kids!

I decided before I went to New York with Morgan that I wanted to take each of the other kids on a one on one date. Two weeks ago Brooklyn and Brinley were at a girl scout camp all week so I decided to take Mason on his date. He had a gift card to Big Al's, which is a bowling/arcade center, he wanted to go with me to play the arcade games. We had a great time and Mason was in heaven! He probably told me about 10 times "Thank you mom for taking me here. " We then went to our new Sonic restaurant for half price drinks. Last week Mason was in Scout camp all week. He had a fun time for his last year of Boy Scouts. I went to help on Thursday for the entire day. I was kind of dreading it all week but it ended up being very fun. The boys have so much fun doing boy things: BB gun shooting, volleyball, nature trail hikes, cooking bloody fingers (hot dogs w/ketchup), and archery. Later that evening Mason said "Mom do you know what the two best things about this summer have been?" He said going to Big Als and today when you came to Cub Scout Camp with me. He then gave me a big hug! Little things like that just make my day! While Mas was at camp I took Brooklyn on her date. She wanted to go to lunch and to the Kitt Kittredge American Girl Movie. We had a great time and the movie was so cute! Brooklyn had fun and wanted to have our picture taken together in one of those booths at theTheater. The next day Brinley and I had her date. We both rode bikes up the street to Wendys. She did such a great job riding her two wheeler all the way there. She got all her favorites: chicken nuggets, fries, frosty, and mandarin oranges. Of course she couldn't eat it all! We then rode our bikes to a new park that is close by. On our way there I ran over some broken glass and popped a hole in my tire. I had to walk my bike all the way home while Brinley rode. Brinley still had fun on the date, especially at the new Park. All three of the kids just loved having me all to themselves and I loved it also! Thanks to Morgan for babysitting each time I went out with her siblings. She will get her turn this week because we are off to the Big Apple tomorrow morning!!!

First Day of Boating!

After almost two years of having our boat we have finally taken it out! We bought the boat at the end of the season two years ago and only took it out once for a short ride. Last summer we were so busy with building our house and moving we had no free time to boat! We actually did take it camping last summer to only discover, while we were on the lake, that the boat wouldn't start! We were so bummed! By the time it was fixed it was too late in the season to boat. SO, we have been very excited to FINALLY get out on the boat and have some fun! Last weekend it was very warm so we postponed our food storage canning in order to go to the river. We had a great time! Our friends the Larkins have been constantly trying to get us out on the boat! So they were more than willing to come with us and show us the ropes! A BIG thank you to the Larkin Crew for thier help!Tamara took these pictures of us on our boat. When Jon was in High School he went back East to NJ for three summers in a row with his best friend, Scott Comiso. He worked for his grandpa crabbing and on their free time they boated. Jon is a great driver and skier. He just needs to teach me now! The kids loved swimming, playing in the sand, and especially tubing! Maddie and Brinley were a little nervous but the big kids only wanted to go faster!
Our boat is old and not nearly as nice as some that we saw on the river that day, but we love it. We can't wait to take it out again!

American Idol!

Last weekend I went to the American Idol Concert with some of my friends that also loved Idol this past season! It was a great concert and worth every penny! There were tons of people at the Rose Garden including several grandparents that were there without any children! The concert started with number 10 Idol performing three songs. Each Idol performed in order that they were voted off the show all the way up to number one, David Cook. All the top ten Idols did great but some of my favorites were Michael Johns (bad picture), Brooke White:
David Archeleta:And of course the winner David Cook:I was a Archeleta fan all throughout the season, but Cook brought the house down the other night. Archeleta sounded great, but David Cook was a great performer and really entertained the crowd! Monique you would be so proud of your boyfriend! It was a fun, Friday night!!!

Done With Diapers!

After twelve and a half years of doing diapers I can officially say that we are DONE! Maddie has been potty trained for about a month now and it feels great. We had been practicing going potty in the toilet for a few weeks when Madelyn told me that she had to go poo poo in the toilet while we were at Stake Conference. I figured that she just wanted to leave with Brinley and I. I took both of them to the bathroom and she sat right up there and went in the church bathroom. That was the turning point for her and she has practically been dry every day since then. Jon wanted everyone to know that he was a big factor in potty training Maddie. He thinks he trained all five of our kids but I'm only giving him one, Mason. He fully trained Mason and helped with the girls! Who ever trained the Jackson Five we are just glad to be DONE. We are yet again entering into a different stage in our lives. This one includes no babies. WOW!

Haircut!

Brinley has been wanting to cut her hair for a long time. I have been kind of dragging my feet, but I told her if she really wanted to she had to wait until after the ballet recital. She has been excited for her hair appointment all week! We talked about donating it to Locks of Love. She has been really excited to give her hair to some little girl that doesn't have any due to cancer. This is Brinley's before picture:

This is while she was getting her ponytail cut off:

And this is Brinley when she is all cut and styled!We all love her new hair and we are proud of Brinley for thinking of others!

Last Day of School!

Our last day of school was on Wednesday. This is always a bitter sweet time for me and my children. We have been blessed to have great teachers at our school, Harmony Elementary, and we are sometimes sad to end the year. Some years we have really loved our teachers and this year was one of them. Both Mason and Brooklyn had fabulous teachers. They have both made great progress and are excited for their new teachers but sad to say goodbye to their current ones. On the last day of school they had a big assembly with the whole school and then went to their individual classrooms to say their goodbyes. This is Mason with his two teachers Mrs. Wright:

And Miss Hannah:

Brooklyn's teacher, Mr Schiewe, was awesome and we were both sad to say goodbye to him! She got really emotional when she had to leave her classroom for the last time. When I saw her I also started to cry:

Brinley also had her last day of preschool a week ago. She had a great teacher Miss Tracy that we loved !!!
It doesn't seem possible that my little 35 lb. girl can be going into Kindergarten next year! We had our official first day of summer yesterday. It was beautiful and 80 degrees! It was filled with sprinklers, water fights, friends, and lots of otter pops! I'm not so sure that big costco box is going to last all summer long! Happy Summer!

Super Stacey!

I wanted to thank my friend Stacey for running with me this morning. I told her last week that I needed to start running more miles. I was a little nervous because she's a great runner, biker, um a mean athlete! She planned a route for us that was fun, challenging, and beautiful. We went 9 miles, my longest EVER, in 90 minutes. I was so excited that I finished and I felt great. Thanks again for pushing me along to reach my goal of doing a half marathon in September!

Ten Days in Turkey

It has been ten days today that Jon has been on his business trip in Istanbul, Turkey! It has been busy with only me here to manage the troops and all their activities! At one time Jon and I considered me tagging along on this business trip with him. We decided against it because the airline tickets are very expensive and we didn't have anyone to watch the kids for two weeks! It is a good thing that I didn't go because I would have missed so many "end of the year" activities! These are all the Extra things that I've had over the past ten days!

Wednesday May28
A three hour track meet that Mason participated in with other Harmony Huskies. He competed in four events and received two third place finishes, a second place in their relay, and a fourth place.

Thursday May 29

Pride Night at the elementary school. Brooklyn's holding a story she wrote "The Very Clumsy Caterpillar"

Friday May 30

Another First Grade field trip to Lacamas Lake Park. Saturday May 31

Mason's basket ball game that ended in a nail bitter! I also participated in a 5K run with six other friends from my ward. It's called the Starlight Run which is associated with the annual Rose Festival in Portland. There is a run just before a big parade called the Starlight Parade which happens usually around 9pm. Many people dress up in costumes, so my friend Tamara had the idea of being bumble bees. It was great fun and we got lots of cheers as we buzzed by people!

Wednesday June 4
Morgan marched with her Dance Team in the Junior Rose Festival Parade. She also had an end of the year Banquet for Dance Team that evening. She got a certificate for Perfect Attendance and got "Dancer of the Month" given to her by her team leader for the month of March!

Thursday June 5

Brooklyn had a musical performance where she was a praying mantis in their play "Over the Garden". I also went to Mason's tennis class for the first time.

I did have to say "no" to some things these past few days . We did not attend Morgan's recognition assembly for the National Junior Honor Society. I skipped mutual once and I didn't attend Enrichment. Somethings I just couldn't do with everything else going on. It has been hard trying to juggle all these extras and the normal stuff all by myself. I have realized these past ten days just how much Jon helps me out! I never want to be a single parent and we are all counting down the days until he comes home! Just three more!!!

My only son!

Mason is the only boy amongst four sisters! He is such a good boy, brother, and son. He puts up with a lot of drama & whining, the color pink & hair bows, ballet recitals & dress ups, skirts & shoes, baby dolls & polly pockets! Just give Mason a basketball and he will be happy. Mason really wanted to have a brother, and was convinced that Maddie was going to be a boy! When we told him after my ultrasound that he was going to have another sister he started to bawl! It was so sad. Jon and I both started bawling with him. He has adjusted well with only having sisters, and takes great care of the three little girls. I feel blessed to have at least one son! For Mother's Day at school he made a card for me titled Mother:

M: other

O: f five children

T: rying to get all of her work done

H: as to work every second

E: very day trying to get a break

R: eally great

I just thought that this was hilarious! I laughed and cried at the same time. He has been helping me out tons lately by babysitting for me on Wednesday nights when Morgan, Jon, and I all have to go to Mutual. Yesterday I bought him this Kobe Bryant jersey for a reward for all the babysitting he has done!

Thanks for being such a great son, I love you Mason!

Maddie's Face Today!

Family Photos???

We were suppose to get family pictures taken today, but I postponed them due to Maddie's face plant!

I'm bummed because we now have to wait for three weeks to get them taken because Jon will be out of town! Mason and Jon are excited because they both hate taking pictures. Maddie actually looks worse today because her eye area is now black & blue! She didn't cry very long but I feel bad for her because it looks so bad! Hopefully no more spills in the next 3 weeks!

Eight is More Than Enough!

For the past few days I was watching the Lake Kiddos while their parents were in Utah! I have decided that eight is a lot of children and I'm glad that I only have five! They were great and everything went extremely well. A big thanks to Morgan, Mason, and good old Griffy for being my big helpers! Here's Mason and Griffin being silly one night before bed:

The little girls enjoyed laying out, jumping on our new Trampoline, running in the sprinklers, and eating Popsicles at the beach party on Friday. It was so warm last weekend that we broke two records! 95 degrees! Saturday was a little crazy with every one's schedule! A big thanks to Johnny boy for doing a lot of it by himself since I was a an Aerobic seminar in Portland. Now that I have finished my trade with Stacey, I now only need to do one more trade for my friend Karen who watched my other children during our cruise!

Field Trips!

It has been a busy week with lots of extra school activities! This week I went on the first grade field trip (Tuesday) to the Clark County Fair Grounds for a Dairy Exhibit. We learned all about different types of cows, how they are milked, what they eat/drink, and how the milk is transferred. The kids had a great time and even got an ice cream bar. The next day (Wednesday) I went to Morgan's Middle School for the honor roll assembly. She received her second 4.0 for another trimester!

Great Job Morgan! Since it was early release that day, we both went to get pedicures to celebrate.

That same morning Brinley had Kindergarten Roundup. This is where she gets to go to the Kindergarten class, meet the teachers, and do some activities. The parents go to another room to learn more about the Elementary school, the teachers, and about Kindergarten. I actually sent Jon to this event since I couldn't find a sub for my class. Brinley is very excited to go to Harmony and had fun with her friend's at Kindergarten!

My last school event of the week was Mason's fourth grade field trip (Friday). His class went to the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. This is in Oregon City, OR at the end of the Oregon Trail. It was a pretty fun field trip. We learned about the pioneers that traveled on the Oregon Trail and many of the struggles they faced. The kids also visited a hands on Museum where they were able to load a wagon, dress-up in pioneer clothes, and play with pioneer children's toys.
This picture is of Mason and a friend Marissa from his class. Overall it has been a crazy school week, but I am grateful that I'm able to go on these field trips and support my children!

Magnificent Monique!

I just wanted to say thanks to my sister Monique for re-vamping my blog! Some of my friends have commented or asked me how I changed my page layout. And my answer is "I have no idea!" My little sis did it all and I love it! Check out her new cute layout, at the Always An Adventure link. She's well on her way to making the transition digital scrapbooking! Thanks! I love you tons!

Sixteen Years!

After 16 years of marriage, I can finally say that I don't mind when my husband barfs on me! Just kidding! I'm the one that is way more sensitive to motion sickness than him. This was just a funny picture that was taken on our trip. We were on a smaller boat that was "rockin and rollin!" Happy Anniversary Honey. Sixteen great years and many more to come!

Two More Months!
There is only two more months from today until all the kids get out of school! Some people might think that is so late, and yes it is! But I have gotten used to my children getting out later than the rest of the nation and I like it! I decided this week to get really serious about only having two more months to accomplish anything! I have made a goal to finish all my 2006 scrapbooking, and finish Maddie's book before the end of June! That's pushing it for me but I will finish! I then need to decide what I'm going to do with scrapping, Digital or not! O the dilemma! So I better get cracking! I am just finishing Mason's Baptism pages, yes he's now 10!

Sunny Saturday!

Last weekend was absolutely wonderful!!! The temperature on Saturday was probably around 78. You just can't beat a day like that here in the NW. The kids loved it and eventually put on their suits and ran through the sprinklers.

Jon and I were working of course working! I asked my class on Saturday morning what they were going to do. Some said yard work, golfing, biking, Saturday's market, and all I had to say is "we're working!" It seems like we always work on Saturdays! I guess when there's only one day a weekend to get things done, that's what you do! Hopefully we'll finish all of our projects and by the summer time we can play and maybe even take out our boat this year! Jon and I made our garden boxes, went to Home Depot twice, picked up three yards of dirt, and made one small detour to pick up a Diet DP. We were so excited to finish our project, and ready to plant that garden! This weekend will not be so nice, it's only suppose to be 48 degrees! What? That's considered unseasonably low!

Spring Break!

As this week is coming to an end I quickly wanted to recap what we've done for my journaling purposes. Day 1 Monday was spent preparing for my parents to arrive, hanging out with cousins, helping the Moses' move, and mopping my floor until 1 am. Day 2 Tuesday I woke up feeling miserable! I was sick with the 24 hour flu again for the 2nd time in three weeks. Jon had to pick up my parents at the airport and they then came to my house to entertain my children and take care of me! Thanks mom and dad! I laid in bed most of the day, didn't get out of my jammies, and wore my glasses the entire day! Welcome to my house mom! Day 3 Wednesday I woke up a new woman, Yeah! I taught my class and quickly showered so we could go to the Tulip Festival in Woodburn. The weather was beautiful and sunny! The kids enjoyed the tulips and tractor ride.

The big kids then wanted to jump on these trampolines with the harnesses. They talked grandpa into paying for them. They loved it and were actually a little scared! Morgan and Brooklyn both did back flips:

Mason was catching some big air:We didn't think Brinley was big enough to jump, but she did great and loved every minute, she also did a back flip:

Day 4 Thursday was spent preparing for our Silver Falls trip. Jon has wanted to go camping all winter/spring. He booked us some rustic cabins. It was basically camping without the tent. It was fun the first day, but we woke up to rain and snow on Friday. The kids had a blast sitting by the fire, eating smores and sleeping in the cabins!

We were bummed that we didn't get to go hiking to the falls. It was so cold, rainy, and snowy. The only falls we saw were from the distance!
I am still trying to finish all my camping laundry! I'm not so sure about winter camping. When we got home we got all cleaned up, went to Olive Garden for dinner and then played games. Day 6 Saturday was spent watching conference, going to a movie, and playing more games. What a fun week it has been especially because Mom and Dad are visiting! I'm looking forward to Monday when I can get some one on one time with mom to go shopping and out to lunch!

Best Christmas Present Ever!

Mason finally got to use his "best" Christmas present from last year! It was two tickets to a Blazers game. Mason decided to take me with him to the game last weekend since Jon already went to a game this year. We were both very excited for the game and counted down the days all week. We rode to the game with some friends that were also going to the game. On the way down Mason was telling Brother Zundel all his favorite NBA players. I think both Karen and JR were both pretty shocked at how many players he knew! It was very fun to be at the Rose Garden and see the game live! He loved every minute of it, including the Nachos and drink that we purchased at half time. The Blazers were ahead most of the game but ended up losing in the last four minutes! It was a great night and a big thanks to Santa (Big Guy) for sending us the tickets in the mail!!!