And the Best Actress Award Goes to...

Yep, you guessed it! Paris!! This weekend Paris had a film festival at her school. Her team had 7 hours to make a short movie. They already had the story line, but they had to do all the filming and editing in the same day. She made cupcakes from scratch (they were beautiful and amazing) to keep the boys focused. There was another boy on her team (not pictured). I guess the cupcakes did the trick, because her team one. She also received the "Best Actress" award. We were sooo proud of her. She loves doing the news everyday and thinks about new fun ideas everyday. It combines so many of her great talents!! We feel lucky she goes to such a great school that provides this fun, creative outlet for her.

Christmas Play

Our Ward put on this really cute Christmas play this weekend. Darin and I are the mom and dad of this cute little family. The rest of the play is all the primary kids. It was adorable and hopefully will be a tradition for the ward. I wish I had more pictures, but as you can see I was busy.

Savvy had to work extra hard at being an "unrighteous person."

Madeline was the star angel as "Gabriel" She said her line perfect. We were so proud of her. She was apprehensive at first, but was a true "star."

Easton played the part of the "inn keeper" who let's Mary and Joseph stay. The music was beautiful.

Ava's First Dance Performance

Ava loves to dance! She walks around her very tiptoe's all the time. Everytime music comes on she just can't help herself, she wants to dance. I love having all these "dancers" in the house. It's a dream come true for me!

Ava loves to watch the dvd of her at this recital. She can't get enough of it. I can't blame her, either can I!

Madeline was so proud of her! She is on a "dancing break" this year after we burned her out last year letting her do "mini company". I think she was re-inspired after Ava's big debut. Thanks Tosha for bringing extra flowers:) It was sooo cold outside I didn't want to get out of the car to get them...

Fall Break

For Fall Break this year we went to Newport Beach, CA. We had such a fun trip. We stayed in an amazing house. Lucky for us the amazing house is rented to my brother Jimmy for the off season. He stays in the bottom half with his roomate and we rented the top. It was so much fun to get such great family time in such a beautiful place. Newport in October, definitely on the calendar again!

My Baby Turns 14

Last week Paris turns 14. She was elated to wake up to buckets of snow falling from the sky, because this meant "snow day." Translation: No school. It was the best birthday present she could have received. This Birthday reminded me of her 8th Birthday when we lived in San Diego. They were having intense wildfires and the sky looked burnt orange and it smelled awful. The kids couldn't go outside and of course school was canceled. We came up with a "Birthday Itenerary". It outlined the day in 15 minute increments. We had to get creative since this isn't what we planned. It turned out to be a great day, just like her 14th. She once again couldn't go outside because all her "snow clothes" are at the cabin. She did do a little playing outside, but not much. All day I kept thinking I lucky I am to be her mom. Here are 14 of my favorite things about her. Hard to whittle down. These are in no particular order.

1. I love what a great sister she is. She adores her siblings and is very kind to them. I especially love the way she treats Madeline and Ava. Their eyes light up when she walks in the room. She does sweet things with them and has a way of making them feel special. She takes her job as the "oldest child" very seriously and is really good at it!

2. She has an "attitude of gratitude"

3. She loves being with me and still likes me coming on her field trips. She will kiss me on the cheek, and hold my hand even when we are with her friends.

4. I love the way she treats others and generally views the world. She includes everyone around her and never puts herself above others.

5. She has a testimony and is dilligent about reading her scriptures. (she stretches and reads every night)

6. She loves to read, and will escape for hours. Sometimes when we are on vacation I have to stop her.

7. She knows she is smart, but never wants anyone else to feel like they are not.

8. She has beautiful handwriting.

9. She is a great cook and fantastic and presenting food and setting a table.

10. She is a perfect babysitter, and never complains about it. She babysits every saturday night for us, and gives up all kinds of other activities. She has never once complained.

11. She loves to talk to me, and is willing to share her life with me.

12. She is confident without ever being arrogant.

13. She has a great sense of humor.

14. She is beautiful inside and out.

A Place of Perfect Bliss

Wonder why there aren't very many pictures of me in Hawaii! I'll tell you why. Hawaii is stunning beauty everywhere you turn. But me.... Crazy in Hawaii. Serious crazy curl hair. It can't be tamed it can't be fixed, it has to be hid! Seriously:)


We had so much fun exploring in Hawaii. This reminded me of the Dominican Republic sans the paranoia for food induced sickness...

A definite trip highlight was an evening sail on one of the "America's Cup" sailboat. If you ever land yourself in Maui. Skip the sunset cruise and go for this. It was fast and adventurous, unlike our previous San Diego sails with the kids. I can't wait to take the kids back!

Darin in the "wet zone"

We also sailed on a big catamaran for a snorkeling trip. I much prefer this to swimming out on our own. I hate to say it, but it kinda creeps me out. I am so afraid I am going to really see something. This was awesome because we were on a "guided snorkel safari." I should note here, Darin likes exploring on his own. I like the peppermint cool towels they give you at the end of the snorkel safari...

Four Seasons next to the Grand Wailea. There isn't a resort there that's not amazing, but I think this was the nicest...

Yummy Food. I think it's garnished with micro basil. I want to grow some and put it on all my dishes. It would even make mac n cheese look good!

We woke up at 2:30 a.m. to see the sunrise at the crater. It was beautiful and it was COLD!
I have the hotel blanket around me and several layers. Not enough....

They let the crew members help with the sails. It definitely felt
"Gilligans Island."

Did I mention we loved the food!

35 "words of affirmation"

For my Birthday my sister Shauna posted this on her blog. I think it should be a new tradition. I think it may have been my favorite present. Look at me loving "words of affirmation." I do love those!

Happy Birthday, Lori!
As a tribute to her I thought I would do a post on Lori. She knows how much I post, so this is BIG! 35 things I love about her 1. She is a happy person2. She trys really hard at everything she does3. She loves her kids4. She is intrested in the world around her5. She is motivated6. She is immune to chaos7. She is not a "yeller"8. She is good at debating her point9. She is a peacemaker 10. She is a devoted wife 11. She doesn't speak ill of her husband or kids 12. She loves that I live by her 13. She makes efforts with her family 14. She loves the Lord 15. She teaches her children the gospel 16. She is a good daughter 17. She knows how to be a good friend 18. She has compassion for others 19. She is thrifty with her money 20. She teaches her kids the value of work 21. She packs 3 sandwhiches for the whole family 22. She is easy to forgive 23. She doesn't care what other people think 24. She always trys to do what's right 25. She is a good example to everyone 26. She trys to better herself 27. She is a good sister 28. She never runs out of things to talk about 29. She's healthy 30. She set me up with my husband 31. She is good to me 32. She is savvy 33. She's fun to shop with 34. She is like our mom 35. She's beautiful! Happy Birthday!

Easton's Baptism

Madeline and Lily sang "I am a Child of God". I am sure it rose to the Heavens...

Mema and Pepa and "us" outside the RS room

Easton couldn't wait to receive his scriptures that Nanna and Papa brought. He kept asking all weekend when he could get them. He has been reading everyday and stayed up until 10:30 last night reading them. He "gets" it....

Easton with Allison Whitten, the primary president. She was so great to come support our family and offered some very kind remarks...

The Bishop's wife who took Ava out during the confirmation. This is how I got my Angel back...

Jake and Jarica. Thanks again for making the trek. They came straight from a funeral. They were an amazing help!