Utah

We love so many things about Utah. The climate...for the most part...the scenery...family...and the best friends ever! I was so excited to see all my friends this week that on the way to church I got a little emotional. Moving to Utah was so good for our family. I remember Brandon telling me before we moved there...he said that the people at work and in our neighborhood would be a good influence on him (members or not), that his testimony would be strengthened, and that our family would grow closer. He really had no idea how all these things would come to pass. But he was right. More right than he ever thought. Our ward family and those he came in contact with at work we simple...INCREDIBLE. Both our testimonies were strengthened and because of the influences of friends and family...our family became closer. And I owe so much to our Foxboro 1st and 2nd wards. You are amazing. You have been the best friends I have ever had and I love all of you. We had some great fun in the short week we were visiting.

06.30.08 Brandon went golfing and the three oldest spent the morning with Missy and the neighborhood kids. Scavengar Hunt and Allan got A hooked on the Wii. While the kids were preoccupied I went with F to Seagull book to buy, Danielle you will be proud of me, Twilight and New Moon. So excited to read them. Actually I finished Twilight in 2 days. Could not put it down. I was up till 3am. Back to Monday. After lunch, we went to Kangaroo Zoo with Missy and Meagan! What a fun place for the kids. They loved it. Thanks, Allan for bringing socks! We had a lot of fun with our friends. M could not get enought of Ellie and Ashlyn. She was so happy to finally get to play. Then it was off to the Fox's house for a haircut and color. I love Angie! As long as we live on the west coast and vacation in Utah...she will be my hairstylist. The kids had fun with Easton on the tramp and M was so cute...tickling Easton everytime he fell down. So cute. That night we had a BBQ with the Foxs, Ackersons, Andrews, Packers, Dustins (you're sneaky btw. thanks for the game. we love you!), Andersons, Thatchers, and Meagan and Ashlyn. Allan shot off fireworks and the kids loved when Skee jumped over one of them. What a daredevil! To end the evening festivities we roasted marshmellows and made S'mores. It's so good to be with friends. And M and I couldn't get enough of sweet Berklie. She's tooooo cute.

07.01.08 Discovery Center Gateway with Lynette and Maddie! We love them so much. The kids loved DC and Lynette and I just gabbed. Loved it. F found the magnet letters and we spelled his name. They loved everything. What a fun place for kids. We will definitely be going back next time. Brandon did some shopping at Dick's and Barnes and Noble while we played at DC. He had fun and got to read in the shade while he waited for us. The kids didn't want to play in the fountains so we went to get Ben's Cookies. Thanks, Lynette! Those were yummy. And I will never forget Maddie's meltdown. That was so funny. Brandon watched Maddie Tuesday night so Lynette could come to the Spaghetti Factory with all the girls we love. Thanks, Honey! We had so much fun! I love these girls. And I call them Girls because I feel like a teenager hanging out with them. They keep me young. The food was so good, as usual, and just sitting there chatting was so fun. I can't wait till December. After dinner, Che, Jess, Veronica, Anabelle, Lynette, and I went to PBKids where Che bought adhesive mustaches. We all put them on and had a sale associate take our picture. It was hard not to smile cause when we did the mustaches would come off. I loved Jessica's. She looked freakishly normal. Her mustache matched her hair color exactly. It was scary and so hilarious. Thanks for the pics, girls.

07.02.08 Brandon went golfing and had a bad game. His words not mine. I won't tell any details because while I thought they were funny and Dave and Skee also got a good laugh at him I will leave it at that. I told Ang that I should pick up golfing and she said then the both of us could beat our husbands! LOL. By 9:30 we were on our way with Rachel, Brandon's mom, to Lagoon! What fun. Brandon and I hadn't been there since '95 and so much has changed. We went on some of the roller coasters and got soaked on the Rattlesnake ride. Lagoon-a-Beach was packed but the kids like the slides. Before we left we ran into Melynda, Lincoln, and Melynda's sister and saw Lynette from a distance. F and I went on the kiddie roller coaster and he loved it! After Lagoon, I went home to grab my camera and headed out the door to take the Foxes family pictures. They were so great. All smiles and I was in and out of there in 10 min. That's a record. Thanks, Ang. You have THE cutest family. I just love Stockton. 'Was that a good smile?' He's too cute. I love him. That night Brandon took A to the new Indiana Jones movie while the girls...and F went to find Eclipes in paperback. With no luck. But I did find it in hardback for $11 at Costco. I love Costco. Then we got some fabric supplies for my temple dress that I didn't work on while I was there.
07.03.08 Park City. And oh how I love shopping at the Outlets! I dropped Brandon off at the resorts and the kids and I hit the shops. We hit Old Navy first, got some cute clothes, then on to the next store. The Children's Place. I got so many church clothes for the boys including green linen pants for $1.99! I didn't pay over $2.99 for anything. The girls got flip-flops for 99 cents and all the kids got sunglasses for the same price. We got school clothes, pajamas, and church clothes for well under $100. I was so excited! We were in CP for a while...longer than I thought...so we went to get Mrs. Field's Cookies and play at the playground there. Then we went to some other stores to browse. Soon it was time to pick Brandon up from work and head back down the mountain. We came home and got ready for a BBQ with some cousins. Leah came home from Logan to spend some time with us and we were happy to see her. Then we headed over to Eaglewood Golf Course to watch the fireworks. We set our blankets down in front of a sandpit and I noticed a little girl's familiar face. I looked around to find her parents and the Castleberry's were sitting next to us! I was so happy. I had been grouchy due to the lack of sleep I had been getting...reading till 2 am. Anyhow Carrie and I chatted about the kids, church callings, and school. It was so great to see her and her adorable kids. They grow so fast. Before it got too dark we headed to the clubhouse were we caught Jamon and Tasha dancing to the live band. Carmen Rassmussen was singing one of her songs. We also ran into the Olsens up there. Then a plane flew over top us and 3 skydivers jumped out. How cool. Brandon and I headed back to the family and got ready for the fireworks. They were really good. I love the 4th of July! I feel so grateful to be a citizen of this great nation. I love America.
07.04.08 Happy Birthday, America. Another game round of golf for Brandon but when he came home and I asked how his game went he said he was done for 6 months. Leah and I ran some errands in the morning and at noon we took the family to see WALL-E! What a cute movie. The kids really liked it and I thought it was sweet. We came home for a nap and another BBQ. My brother, Adam, and his wife, Becky came to BBQ with us. They have 2 little boys, Matthew and Kiel. So cute. I love when my kids can spend time with their cousins. It makes me happy. Brandon BBQ some pork and Leah made a yummy dessert. Everything was yummy. Then Lyn and the kids lite the fireworks. I got F on video saying the Pledge of Allegiance. SO cute. I love him. I'll post that later. And as requested, Amanda, I took Adam's Family Pics. I think they turned out really cute.

We had such a fun vacation. Idaho and Utah. Now it's back home and back to reality.

At the Cabin with the Dustins

To kick off our summer vacation...we went to the Cabin with the Dustins! We had so much fun with them. It wasn't as hot this week as it was last year so we were thankful for cool breezes and pleasant summer nights.

Wednesday, Brandon and Kevin enjoyed a round of golf and took everyone but Mandi, Makinley, and I on the 'Head of the Ditch' hike.

On their way back, they raced leaves down the irrigation ditch. Tradition. After lunch, the kids went swimming in the lake. We enjoyed canoeing, paddle boating, and lounging around on the floaties. By the end of the week the little ones were jumping off the deep end of the dock...'the Man Jump', Chaser called it. Love him.

Thursday, Brandon and Kevin enjoyed another round of golf. And after many board games and lunch, we headed down to the lake for more swimming. Brandon and Keving showed the kids what happens when you capsize a canoe. Then they tried to stand on it while it was turned over. We laughed so hard. I finished my book...Wicked! What a depressing book. I'll never read it again and was told it is nothing like the musical. So glad.

Friday, We took the kids fishing...didn't catch anything but a Sucker...come to find out that they aren't fish you want to eat! So Kevin just threw it in the bushes to die. Not a fish you want to throw back in the water either as it steals food from other fish. Not a nice fish.

The kids had fun playing in the sand while we waited for bites and chasing butterflies. There were so many! When we got back to the Cabin after fishing...new sand had been delivered to the lake. The kids were in heaven.

Mandi and I were able to head into town for a 'Girls Day Out'. It was so peaceful shopping without all the kids. Last year, Jenn taught us how to crank homemade ice cream. So this year we took her recipe and tried it on our own. So for our last night at the Cabin we made homemade ice cream. It turned out pretty yummy but I sure did miss Jenn's ice cream. We invited Brandon's cousin, Janelle, and her 3 girls to come over and play games Thursday and Friday night. It was good to get to know her better. Mandi taught us 'Nines' and Brandon and Kevin battled in Sequence and Ace Duce.

We had such a great week! Thanks, Dustins for coming to the Cabin with us.

We had so much fun catching up with you and making fun memories. Next year...your Cabin!

Princess!

You Are Jasmine!

Independent and adventurous. You don't want much; just to break out of the guilded cage society has put you in and experience life to the fullest. Following orders isn't really one of your strong points, and you would rather live a life of poverty than being forced into something that you hate.

Which Disney Princess Are You?
Thanks for the link, Kristi! What a cute quiz.

Cubs in Space

Adam just finished his first year at Cub Scout Day Camp! Three fun filled days in space! He had so much fun. And BONUS...he passed off so many achievements in his Wolf book. Adam is thrilled.

I was able to help on Wednesday with Adam's group and we had a great time together. Adam got to pet a live baby python and a 4 foot iguana. He learned how to shoot a bow and arrow...and was the only boy in his group to hit the hay! He also got to shoot a beebee gun. He was way excited for that! The Cub Scouts played LOTS of water games...made lots of crafts...and learned tons of cool information about Space. Since that was their theme. He can't wait for next year.

Sisters

Sisters, Sisters

There were never such devoted sisters.

Never had to have a chaperone, no sir,

I'm here to keep my eye on her.

Caring, sharing

Every little thing that we are wearing.

When a certain gentleman arrives from Rome

She wore the dress and I stayed home.

All kinds of weather we stick together

The same in the rain or sun.

Two different faces

But in tight places we think and we act as one... uh-huh.

Those who've seen us

Know that not a thing could come between us.

Many men have tried to split us up but no one can.

Lord help the misterWho comes between me and my sister

And lord help the sister who comes between me and my man!

Father's Day!

As I sat in church, yesterday, listening to the talks on Father's, I was able to relect upon my own father.

My dad, Luis Enrique Sanchez-Rivera was born in Puerto Rico in the 1940's. When he was about 7 years old, his family moved to the United States and settled in New Jersey. This is where he met my mom, married, had my sister and me. Dad was in the 82nd Airbourne Division in the Army. The military took us many places like California, Texas, and North Carolina. My dad took several different languages courses while in the Army...Russian, Polish, German...and I remember him eating Polish Sausages for lunch with mustard and lots of Saur Kraut. I can't spell. I remember seeing him in his Army BDUs. I remember that when he got out of the military he wanted to move the family to Missouri.

We called it Misery. He went back to school to get his Masters and taught Spanish at a high school. Missouri is where most of my fondest memories are of my dad. He taught me to play basketball. I love basketball. Back then I played for the middle school and Junior High teams so height wasn't an issue for me. However, my dad taught me that I would have to be quick and a good shot to succeed. I remember practicing with him and it seemed like he never missed a shot. It was incredible.

Once my team was playing in a tournament and one of the games fell on Sunday. He told me that I could choose what to do. Well I chose poorly and decided to play on Sunday. He took my agency away from me and told me that I had been taught to keep the Sabbath day holy and playing basketball on Sunday was not the right decision. However, he did let me go and cheer my team on. Some of my teammates were mad at me...they lost...I felt terrible. I know my dad made the right decision for me because I think of the choices my children are making now...and they are so much more righteous than me. They know that we don't go to birthday parties on Sunday...or attend baseball practices on Sunday...and I am thankful for that. I am thankful for my dad teaching me that at a young age and for making the correct decision for me so that I could teach my children to choose the right.

My dad is battling Dimensia now and doesn't remember a lot. Sometimes he forgets that I don't live near him or he forgets the names of my children. This can be frusterating for him and me...but as long as I have those memories...I can share them with him. What a blessing that is to me. And will help me to remember him. I have been so blessed with a father who loves me. I have never had to think twice about that. He's always been there for me when I've needed him and I love watching him with my kids. They love him so much. One Christmas, Kennidy came to me and said, 'I know who Santa Claus is!' I was stunned. 'Who is it?' I asked. 'It's Grandpa Sanchez!' A couple of years later when she was carpooling to school...she informed all her friends that her Grandpa was Santa. She's convinced all our kids that Grandpa Sanchez is the really Santa Claus. I love it.

Happy Father's Day, Dad! We love you.

Two Babies and a Wedding

It was so nice to spend time with my sister and her new little ones for a week. Scott and Andersen came home from the hospital about 3 weeks ago and are almost 5lbs. each. They are so tiny. And both so different. Scott has a nice olive complection with dark hair and a very easy going attitude. While Andersen is fair with light hair, including a receeding hair line...poor boy, and tends to be a bit more up tight. He loves to sleep and if woken from his sweet slumber is a very cranky baby. While Scott wakes up every 3 hours on the dot. Both are skinny and sweet and I really enjoyed helping out with feedings, burping, and changing diapers. And as much as I loved helping...I was glad that it was just helping. I am getting too old for midnight feedings and such. I was so tired one day that I went to take a short power nap one day and ended up sleeping 6 hours. But then I was ready for the night feedings. We also did a photo shoot with these little ones in their nursery. I loved the way this room was painted. You did a great job, Amanda. And once the room is finished those little boys will not want to leave it. So cute. Each wall was painted a different color to match the crib bedding. A brick red, apple green, sky blue, sunshine yellow, and a deep chocolate brown. And 2 half walls that my sister painted with chalkboard paint. Oh I just loved it. I miss our toy room but know how I can paint the next one! Here are a couple of sneak peaks. Those boys were super cute. Anderson even pooped in my sister's lap.

And my brother, Lehi, got married the weekend I was there.

So happy to be home. I really missed my family. I always say that I need a vacation but sometimes just saying it is enough. When it actually comes around to leaving...I really do miss them. Thanks, Honey, for taking good care of everything while I was gone. Love you.

Mazatlan, Mexico

Okay I know you are all probably tired of my blogging about M and Del Sol. But you don't have to comment...this is my journal and one day she will read it and I just want her to know how proud and excited I am for her about this. It's exciting to see your child's face in a magazine or on a STORE FRONT! So this post is really for her. I love you, M! This is the Del Sol Store in Mazatlan, Mexico. So exciting.

Seasons Ending....School, Sports, Spring

Last week...

Wednesday: Super Student Awards- K and A both received the Super Student Award...and I accidentally deleted their pics before I downloaded them to my computer from my camera, idiot! This Award is given to students who got 6 out of 8 Student of the Months. We are so proud of A and K for working so hard this school year. They have both done really well. They don't award Kindergarteners but M did exceptionally well this year and we are just as proud of her!

Friday: 4th Grade Math Olympics- K was a little nervous but she did really well. She was glad she got out when she did because she didn't want to be faced with the hard division!

All Star Soccer- K made the All Star team this year and is really excited. Their first practice was great. I am sad I won't be able to watch her game but I am looking forward to her telling me all about it.

Ten kids- We had K's 2 friends over after school on Friday until 7. And the Workman kids (4) while their parents went to the temple. They were all so good and played really well together but man were they loud. Loud laughter! When Brandon came home I met him in the garage and said, 'I am so glad we don't have 10 kids!' He surprised us with 2 new movies. 'Little Rascals', can't get enough of this movie...so cute...and 'Night at the Museum'. Both really good movies. When I came home from K's soccer practice the kids were watching 'Mary Poppins'. The little girls were really into it but the boys just wanted to play the XBox. Sorry guys...maybe next time.

Saturday: Soccer and Baseball. K's team played the Hammerheads again. Last time the Hammerheads beat them 6-0. This time around they tied 1-1. I was so proud of all of them. They did awesome.

The Indians, A's team, played their first playoff game and won 6-1. It was strange the first 4 innings neither team was hitting. All strike outs. Our guys kept asking when the game was going to end and I told them, I was dug out mom, 'In the playoffs teams play until someone wins (they were tied 1-1)'. So they upped their game. They made 5 runs the next inning and prevented any runs to secure their win in the last inning. It's amazing what a little motivation will do...someone has to win!

Monday: Talent Show. M's kindergarten class sang and danced to the cutest rock rendition of Itsy Bitsy Spider. They all wore black and made these cute spider hats. So cute.

K played 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow', a new composition by her piano teacher, and she did really well. I was so pleased.

Then her 4th grade class performed 'American Rap'. Too funny.

A's friend, Timothy played his violin with Mrs. Kotik...Koby and Emma sang 'I Am a Child of God', so sweet...and the Fraser brothers (aka Sibling Rivalry) rocked out closing the Talent Show. It was so fun to see all the talent.

Tuesday: Fun in the Sun. Today the kids will get to play...ALL DAY LONG. I'll let you know all the activities they had when I get the report after school.

Spring is going and Summer is coming. I can't wait! We have May Flies and I hate them. All over the house and hovering over the lawn...when it gets hotter...they leave. Or so I'm told. It can't get hot quick enough. We are enjoying our spring and we love this weather. Same as Utah so far.