Long overdue visit to Lake Jackson...

So finally we were able to go down to "LJ", Lake Jackson for those of you from not round these parts. And it was well worth the wait to say the least and perfect timing, because we got to not only see the Rickers, but the "other" Rickers (Jared and Elaine, lil Jared and Wylee), the Carruths, and Grandmacita aka Rosario. We had a blast. We drove straight to the field where Bailey and Trey had their soccer games that morning. It was the cutest thing, they ran that team, seriously I think they were the only two scoring goals. The bigger kids and the dads had their own soccer game going on at the adjacent field, oh my goodness talk about reliving the glory days. They were jukin the kids and bending in goals like it was world cup, too funny. So after games and trophies, we headed to the Ricker house to celebrate David's birthday. Raise your hand if you're 3. He was so cute and exited to cut his cake, open gifts and hit the pinata. We loved spending time with all of you and can't wait to do it again. It's super hard not being able to see each other everyday because of the distance, so trips like this are what we live for.
Ruth- we will definitely hang out more, without making and breaking plans especially because my son adores you and James and the kids/Sebastian said, "Mom, if Aunt Ruth lives so close, how come we don't play with them everyday?"
Elaine- we will definitely be at your sealing and endowments!!! I can't wait, and Grey Wolf Lodge here we come!
Please feel free to take pics, that's why I posted so many. Enjoy!
Daddy's girls
Bay goin in for the kill Trazor in action Sweet victory!
Our own soccer game Relivin the glory days
Mia, I think you have to stand up to be goalie?
Holly your not making John's baby fever any better
Happy Bday David

Wylee's like,"What do you mean she's not 3, she's a friggin monster?" My nose isn't going to stop running anytime soon, so can we stop with the tissues?

Do you have poop Jack?
John calls this a portrait of the 3rd Reich
Not as fun having to wait your turn to hit the pinata this is more like it
Weeee Ahh, it seems like only yesterday we were in the same hospital, on the same day, on the same floor, with these two, where does the time go?
Oh these boys love them some Aunt Ruth

Finally, Bash let me get a shot

Rings of Blessings....

I was just about to post this Mon.'s FHE lesson, and then I got this email from my sister as I was posting the pics, how weird because it fits with the lesson perfect.

I've never made a fortune, and it's probably too late now.
But I don't worry about that much, I'm happy anyhow
And as I go along life's way,
I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

Haven't got a lot of riches,
and sometimes the going's tough
But I've got loving ones all around me,
and that makes me rich enough.
I thank GOD for his Blessings,
and the Mercies HE's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong,
My faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
and the sun peeped through again.

So LORD, help me not to gripe,
about the tough rows I have hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

If GOD gives me strength and courage,
When the way grows steep and rough.
I'll not ask for other blessings,
I'm already Blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy,
to help others bear their loads..
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

Obviously our lesson was about "Counting our Blessings" and being grateful for all that we have. Sundays talks were so wonderful and really spoke to my heart, so I was inspired to tie that into our FHE with Thanksgiving being so close. I had these turkey's left over from last Thanksgiving, (I had put them on the kids table with markers sticking out as the feathers, and let them write what they were thankful for and decorate their placemats) so I cut out feathers and had everyone write things they were thankful for and then we put them on skewers and stuck them in the turkeys. Bash really enjoyed this and Mia enjoyed trying to destroy them. Afterward we read some scriptures
(ie 1 Thessalonians 5:18) and sang "Count your Blessings" of coarse. We talked to Bash about one of the goals that the speaker made for himself, for one week he tried not to ASK for anything, instead just GIVE THANKS for what he had already been blessed with when he prayed. When we said family prayer that night we gave thanks for all of our blessings, and only ASKED for blessings for others, others who are ill, are in need, or just need prayer. This was a valuable FHE for me because I need to be reminded every now and then as selfish and immature as it sounds, but I'm still human. Then we finished off with some treats that I cheezily tried to tie into the lesson, Rings of Blessings, otherwise known as homemade doughnuts.

A Picture is Worth 1000 Words....

I feel like I've waited my whole life for these moments. When I saw all of our families and friends there at the Temple together with open arms and smiling faces, I knew that I'd felt that feeling before and I know most certainly now more than ever that THAT is what Heaven will be like. No matter how long or short our lives are on this Earth, every moment is so precious and I will try to remember that all the days that I have with all of my family and friends. I'm grateful for all of the blessings of the Temple and the Atonement and I hope that I can live an example of my gratitude. Thank you Kelsey for capturing these moments, you are my hero.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Show off !

Just like a chunker to walk and eat a lollipop at the same time.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Mia's WALKING !

I'm sorry in advance for all of the shrieking, but we were going bananas because she not only started walking, but she was shamelessly applauding herself. I'm so proud of my little walking 9 month old diva. You go girl, walk it out!

Feast With the Beast

So last Friday night we had been invited to an event at the Houston Zoo called FEAST WITH THE BEASTS, it's an event that has food and drink booths from vendors around Houston and the proceeds benefit the animals at the zoo. My friend Rachel's mom owns a chocolate fountain business called Fountains of Chocolate and had a booth at this event and if we agreed to help man the booth we'd get free tickets. I love doing stuff like this so we were so exited and then Mia got 4 shots that day and wasn't feeling well, so John stayed home with her. Well, I headed down there anyway cause I knew she'd be fine with daddy and met up with the other couples. I just could not believe how cool the zoo looked at night, with all of the entertainment, food booths, and animals that were being displayed out there. They had the lions out and huge giant rabbits or Flemish Rabbits to be exact. So, we worked at the booth for a while and then got to walk around and try out all of the foods from the Houston area restaurants that were set up there. I called it "grazing". We tried Greek, Mexican, Caribbean, Cajun, Persian, Tex-Mex, Asian, you name it, not to mention the dessert and drinks boots like Ooh La La cupcakes and Jamba Juice. Oh I was in Heaven ! I will definitely volunteer for next year. I adore animals and we all know how I feel about food, so this was a magical combiation for me. We ended the night watching the last couple of songs performed by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, which was this cool-cat swing band that had the crowd going nuts. Thanks Rachel for the invite I had a blast!


our booth look at that fountain of sin
just about to flip, go daddy-oh Big Bad Voodoo Daddy shut'n it down

Halloween Day - Discovery Green / Aquarium / trick or treating

So it's taken me so long to post these but, my family is relentless in demanding pictures of every moment of our lives. (Mom, Dad, & Yanet mostly) Gosh, that sounds like I'm complaining, but it really makes my heart skip a beat because I know how much they miss & adore their grand kids, so I do it with pleasure. It also makes all those hours behind the lens worth while.

So we went to Discovery Green Halloween morning and had a great time. I'd seen it on other people's blogs and been dying to go and let me say that Halloween was a fabulous time to go. The weather was phenomenal and they had tons of stuff for kids to do. They were even setting up a huge inflatable movie screen to screen "Frankenstein" later that night, along with games, food, candy, and entertainment ALL FREE !!!! I couldn't get over it. So big ups to Disc. Green, we'll definitely go again. I have to mention a funny story that happened there. We were strolling Mia along and John noticed a cart that soled little mini funnel cakes. So, we stopped and he asked if we wanted to walk over there, we agreed and as he began to push the stroller he noticed he couldn't, he began to push harder and was saying like "I can't get this thing to roll, it's stuck" then Sebastian walked to the front of it and shouted "MIA" so we all stop and look, and my poor little fat girl is wedged up under the stroller sprawled out on the pavement looking up at us in terror and possibly anger. We of coarse rushed to her aid, but quickly began laughing because of the unforgettable look on her face like "I can't believe you just ran me over for funnel cakes. She barely cried and we began walking to the funnel cake cart whose attendant had witnessed the whole incident. She was glaring at us lividly. So we walk up and she's like "is she ok? doesn't she have a restraint, do you feel guilty?" We were jeez lady, it was an accident have a sense of humor. She gave poor Mia free funnel cakes and a little hug. Oh it was so funny!

So then off for more adventure we made our way to the Downtown Aquarium. Oh, so worth ! This really makes the Texas State Aquarium look like the fish tank at Red Lobster, just kidding I shouldn't hate. But, it was fun nevertheless and buying the all day pass is the best way to go. We did the Aquarium, carousel, Ferris wheel, and Shark voyage for tons cheaper than buying tickets a la carte. Then we stopped off at Red Lobster, of all places, to revamp and recharge our batteries for the trick or treating later that night with the Brenners and Yanet. It was a fun-filled day and the kids were troopers. Mia ran out of steam right around 8:00pm and even though we gave her her 1st sucker she was so tired she was deliriously rubbing her eyes with it. Oh this Halloween was one the best I'd had in a long time, even since I was a kid.

The weight of the world sailing, takes me away .... Aquarium MC dowtown art

Since when was Halloween a two day event ?

Oh my goodness last weekend was absolutely BANANAS !!! I still cannot believe all of the running around we did starting Fri. After Sebastian's book parade at school, we pulled him out early and went down to Miller Theatre (by Herman Park) and met up with the Wharton, Birch and Packer kids (Thanks for the invite Michelle, fantastic idea)to see Alice In Wonderland. I'd been told about Miller Theatre before, they said it was a great family activity because 1. it's free 2. they've got concession 3. its outdoors and surrounded by all of downtown's main attractions and 4. did I mention its FREE? It was kind of chilly so we made a b-line for the concession and got some hot chocolate and pizza, popcorn and nachos of coarse. I was amazed that Mia sat through it. After the show we walked around the gardens and took , yes, more pictures. I had never seen the Rose Gardens, they were incredible. Houston is filled with family fun, there is just so much to do, and most of it doesn't cost a penny. So, then it was back to get errands out of the way before Trunk or Treat at the church. That was an awesome turnout. We saw the cutest most creative costumes ever. Then believe it or not, one more function after that, Sebastian's piano recital was scheduled after Trunk or Treat so it was off to the Bitsoie's house for that. After they played their pieces we all enjoyed the nacho bar and sweet treats. It was a great night, and personally I love the idea of activities leading up to Halloween because then kids really get some use out of the costumes we spend time and money making and buying just for one night. Although I'm proud to say that I only spent $11 on Mia's "Pocahontas" costume and $6 on Bash's "Michael Jackson" costume. They looked too stinkin cute with their budget costumes.


Mia swallowed a petal