Joshua and a ring

Wow, so tonight I am putting my little man to bed, and it dawned on me that he is a kid now! What?? When did this happen? 9 moves, and 3 states later, we find ourselves here in AZ and Joshua starting school next year. I was singing him his regular bedtime songs, and stroking his head and I got emotional - my little munchkin getting big! Funny thing is that he is still the same little man to me, he does so many things the same....exhibit A - Josh at 18 months old jumping off our couch into the "sea" of pillows. And him today at age 4 - flying like superman into infinity!

So as some of you know my wedding ring went MIA for a couple of months, and I am proud to say that I kept my cool and did not freak out at all. I stayed calm and knew that it would surface or just be gone. Well, I found it on Naomi's bedroom/closet floor. E'lan designed the ring and had it made for me and it is symbolic to me for many reasons, I like to think I am the sparkling diamonds and he surrounds me as my protector and provider; I know it sounds ridiculous, but I adore this ring. It isn't a shining beauty to many, but to me, it is us. It shows how my husband goes to great lengths to ensure that I know how special I am and the things he gives to me are meaningful and unique and worth waiting for. He didn't want me to have any ring that someone else had, he wanted me to have my very own symbol of his love for me, and I love him for this kind of attention. I guess this is a little ditty about how I am a sentimental sucker! Love you babe!

I dyed my hair!

I was soooooooooo tired of my hair cut and color, so before I went completely crazy and spent an ungodly amount of money, I bought a box! Haha, I think I like it, funny what new color and no gray can do for a woman!

El Paso for Conference

Joshua and Naomi adore their Aunt JuJu (Juliette). We went to her work to say goodbye and so that she could "show off the niece and nephew". Juliette is a beautiful person and a kid at heart, it is too bad I didn't have a camera at the park :)

This is E'lan's Abuelita or Lita as the kids call her (grandma in English). She is a woman of great faith and is a great example to us of righteous living. I hope my kids remember her. She said she always feels "rich" when the kids come to visit. She woke up in the morning with a huge smile on her face and giddy, it was cute. We decided to go to El Paso last minute to spend some time with Lita, Myrna, and JuJu. E'lans parents were in Michigan. We watched General Conference in their kitchen, and we all were edified. It was the first time Abuelita had seen Conference - we had some soul searching discussions and just enjoyed doing nothing. There is much to be learned by listening! My husband's heart was very full and he got emotional talking to his family about his testimony and the things of his heart. I just love that I married into such a family as this. I never ever leave El Paso without feeling a better person.

This is the best picture ever. We didn't bring any clothes for chilly weather, so JuJu put some of her smaller sweaters, scarf and hat....I think it looks like a pro picture!

Naomi

This is what she looks like every day pretty much, no frills or super girly clothes.

These pictures were extemporaneously taken while my girlfriend was getting her family photos done, my kids were entertaining themselves, and Naomi was just hanging out in this tree so the photographer took the picture spontaneously. I think they are cute shots, so I thought I'd share.

Last minute Sedona Day Trip

I have been begging to "beat the heat" and E'lan has been really busy at work, but yesterday he suprised me and took the day off to play with me and the kids in Sedona! It was a fun day trip and will stick in my memory for a while. I love this Guy! Behind us there is a small rock formation, they say it is two lovers back to back.....so the lady taking the picture thought it would be appropriate.

I love love love this picture. She was too cute at Slide rock with Elan and Joshua. She loved the cold water.

He looks so brave here in the calm water, huh?? Well, we tried taking him down the "slide" and from an observers stand point, it would definitely be termed as abuse....he screamed bloody murder the whole way down, it was kind of funny! So, I threw him over the edge about half way down, he was contented to stay in the calm cool waters after that. He was a big brave boy trying to go down the rapids with mommy!

Naomi and Joshua loved jumping to Daddy, and they each took their turns.

Best Family day that we have had in a while, and it was worth the 2 hour drive! Goodbye Slide Rock till next year. It was sooooo worth it and very much needed. It's too bad pictures cannot captivate the beauty of this georgeous city.

preview of halloween

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Labor Day

Baseball in the park...and we got on the news for it! We had a rivoting game of baseball, girls against guys ofcourse, and the ladies held their own I must say, including Naomi!

Juliette and E'lan had a tree climbing contest, and E'lan blew her out of the water!

Looking at trains like Uncle Eli drives
Picnic in the park - nothing better than hangin with the fam! These are the only pictures I have of the weekend, I reformated my disk without knowing it would delete all 100 of my pictures. I am sick about it. We got to go to Western Playland, a mini amusement park. Joshua rode all the big kid rides including a free fall, log splash thing, and tea cups! The pictures were great, but I guess they will just have to be in my mind only. We were able to visit with everyone - including our beloved Abuelita. We had a family BBQ on Sunday and the kids stole the show. It was great to be with everyone and relax. Uncle Eli took a cool video of the train he works on, so it was a great treat for Joshua to see that one in person after seeing the inside. The kids call E'lans dad Grandpop or "pop pop" if you are Naomi and he is the apple of their eye as you can see they are always next to him in the pics. We love you guys!

Preschool

Hello All, I just wanted to let everyone know how they can follow what Joshua is doing at school, His teachers have created a blog to track their theories and progress of the kids. I added a link to it on the side of my blog if you want to see what they are up to every week. I am very impressed with what and how they are teaching these kids, way above and beyond my capability. It has been such a blessing to be a part of it. It is called the Childrens Learning Lab Pad. Click and see what Josh is learning!

New things...Preschool, a fish, new haircut?

Well, now that fall is around the corner, or here in AZ a lesser heat, school has begun for Joshua! We decided to put him in a preschool program a couple of days a week with a friend of ours. It is really amazing, very hands on learning. Joshua is loving it, and it gives Naomi and I some personal time! We also bought a Beta fish for Joshua and a baby frog to live in the tank with it to keep it cleaner. Apparently frogs eat fish poop. So, we are headed to El Paso for Labor Day, our first and only sort of vacation this summer. YEAH! The kids love helping me cook and being my Sous Chefs! OH, and a week ago, I come downstairs and there is hair all over the floor. I was checking on Elan vommiting upstairs...in 3 seconds Joshua had cut Naomi's hair! She now has a rooster crow, short side on the left and skimpy mullet. I put it up so that it is not as visible! Aah!