A week of BEACH!!!!!

A few months ago we asked Josh what he'd like to do with the family before he leaves for his mission. We only had two stipulations, we couldn't fly there, and everyone would have fun. He chose the beach. So we got looking at different options and found this amazing beach house in Oxnard California that was right on the beach and perfect. And when I say perfect.......it really was! We had so much fun!

 A very fun thing was the six person bike, there was also a 4 seater one. We went on bike rides a lot and had fun racing them!

 There were these fresh fruit stands all over the place, we loved the oranges and strawberries, there were lots of orange groves and strawberry fields near by......delicious!!!

 Mostly, the kids LOVED playing in the water and on the sand!

 He wishes he could just be a beach bum....well, that or LeBron James.

 The house had everything, a fully equipped kitchen, soft comfortable beds, big screen tv's, and a great hot tub!

 Each person picked a meal to help with, dad's meal was freshly caught lobster and steak......everyone loved it, except Gracie...she chewed the lobster for about 1/2 hour before she finally swallowed it....guess she takes after her mom and doesn't really love seafood........

 LOVED this every night.......abosolutely gorgeous!!!!

 Lots of board games!

 Cute sandy EJ toes!!!!

 S'mores and campfires on the beach.....nothing better!

 I made some fun food, this was one concoction!!!! I also made ice cream a lot, my kids loved it and I ate too much of it!!!

 We had a nature scavenger hunt....one of the items on the list to find was something you think is a treasure....Jaemon got a beer bottle lid. Hmmmmmmm?????? That's a great treasure buddy!

 Of course the nightly ritual began with the NBA semi-final games. We had to watch them religiously, that was part of the deal for the biggest two boys....then we'd play games or watch movies....we tried to watch all the Star Wars movies (that's on Josh's bucket list too)but we only made it through three.....then we'd had enough and tried other great classics....like Forrest Gump!!!!!

 I took the three oldest to Six Flags one day (CRAZIEST RIDES EVER) and brought back the little boys these super hero capes...they had a BLAST playing Batman and Superman!

 We really loved this vacation. We made lots of great memories together and really enjoyed every minute. Very soon our family dynamics will change dramatically, so I treasured this time with all of my little babies (some of which aren't so little!) and I am so glad we went!

And of course, if we're in California................. we couldn't resist a little Disney!

Busy Busy May!

 May is a busy busy month!! We've had a LOT going on! Jen is excited to be on next years Student Council and seminary council!

 Jaemon got a very very close second on his pinewood derby race...he was oh SO close to getting first!!! And his car was definitely COOL!!! He got the lightening bolt award and was very very excited about the race!!

 Jen had lots of track meets, and PR'd (personal record) quite a bit and did great!

 She also sang in choir concerts and took top honors at their choir festival!

 Tyler was a top student and completed fifth grade honor roll! He also performed in a play at school and was cast as Abraham Lincoln and recited the Gettysburg address!! Good job TY!!!! He also placed second at the Hershey Track in the 200 meter, over all!!!! Not to mention, his talent show where he placed first in his pie eating contest.....now THAT is a talent!!!!

 A very very special day was May 19, when Josh went through the Manti temple! We are so proud of him and the decisions he his making. We are cherishing every moment we have with him before he leaves on his mission Aug 8.

 Track awards!

 We got a new TOY!!!! Lots of fun summer memories in the making!!!

 Three of Josh's best friends went into the MTC on the same day. He will miss them lots. He has just a few more weeks till his best friend leaves for Guam. Sad to see them all go, but exciting times for these great kids.

 Jen took Conner to MORP, they had a great time and were so cute, he is one of her best friends!

 Jaemon got the mathematician award in his class....he most certainly DID NOT inherit his math smarts from his mother!! Way to go Jaemon!!

 Here is Ty was his Class helper award and medals for track!!!

 Jen also went to Prom.....she was dreaming of a yellow dress, and she looked like a beautiful princess in it.....love this girl! She had a great time!!!

 Piano recital was good, love it when they're short and sweet! All the kids did a great job. Sometimes they wonder why I make them practice and take piano, but I love the music in our home and I think every single one of them has lots of talent and should use it!!!

 Brennan had a choir concert where all the songs were Disney. He liked the one from Newsies and I Can go the Distance from Hercules! Good job bud!!!

 Gracie graduated from Kindergarten! We are proud of her and her accomplishments this year, she really has learned a lot and had a great time with Mrs Mayhew and her friends! She is ready for first grade......not sure mom is.... I will miss her and always cry harder the first day of first grade then any other grade!!!

 Here are some of Jaemons favorite projects this year.....he did a big project on alligators and deciding to say no to drugs!!!! He worked hard and is ready to go on to third grade!! WOW!!!!!!

Honor roll for Brennan. Except for art, he did great this term........ ART.....isn't that one of the easier ones???? Apparently not!!!! We are happy for him doing so well.
Yes, May was fun. And we decided not to have any of them play baseball this year.......WHAT?????? We may sabbotage all their chances for ever being MBA players.......yes, we just may. But I am happy to not spend every single second at the baseball diamond (or 4 for that matter) every single night. I think we've been plenty busy without it....and the way the summer is shaping up.....it's not going to get any less busy!!!  Good times!!!

Meant To Be

 Our sweet Chinese baby Eisley Jayne Lan was sealed to us this weekend. What a wonderful, memorable day. We will never forget the happiness we felt this day! It has been 13 years of ups and downs, and disappointments and joys. When I finally had the opportunity to go pick her up and hold her for the first time and tell her I was her mama, I know our Spirits remembered each other. We were meant to find one another. Because of a Heavenly Father who prepared me, and a sweet Chinese mommy who through some amazing circumstances was able to give birth to her, leave her somewhere where she would be found easily, and miracles upon miracles, she is now with her forever, eternal family. When we were in the temple, all in white with so many people surrounding us that we love, I felt so much peace and joy. This is the most important thing I will ever do, being a mother is why I am here. Raising these precious babies is a daunting and hard task, and I pray every day I can measure up to them, I learn far more from them, then they will ever learn from me. I love each one of them, and their daddy, with all my heart! The sealer asked me if I felt any different about Eisley than I do with my other kids. I had worried about that before I got her, I wondered if I could really love her the same way. The answer is an unwavering, YES!!! She was meant to be ours.  I found a song that I love called  Meant to Be. I know in my heart and soul this baby, as well as all our other sweet babies were meant to be!!!!!!!!!! And I am so grateful!

"Meant to Be" -Stephen Curtis Chapman

Long Before You Drew Your First Breath
A Dream Was Coming True

God Wanted to Give A Gift To The World
So He Wrapped It Up In You

Every Step That You’ve Taken
Every Move That You Make
Is Part Of His Plan

You Were Meant To Be Touching
The Lives That You Touch
And Meant To Be Here
Making This World So Much More
Than It Would Be Without You In It

You Were Meant To Be Bringing
The Gifts That You Bring
And Singing The Songs
You’ve Been Given To Sing

You Are Perfectly, Wonderfully,
Beautifully Meant To Be
You Were Meant To Be touching 

The Lives That You Touch
And Meant To Be Here
Making This World So Much More
Than It Would Be Without You In It

You Were Meant To Be Bringing
The Gifts That You Bring
And Singing The Songs
You’ve Been Given To Sing

You Are Perfectly, Wonderfully,
Beautifully Meant To Be
You Were Meant To Be 

For every breath that your taking
And every move that you make
It’s a meaningful life you’ve been given
Live it well