Poor sad Rissa Rain

If anyone really knows Larissa, they know she knows how to put on the pouty face. It is so sad and so cute. I love it. She has these sad eyes and believe me she works them to her advantage. Yesterday while we were on the way to Aunt Becky's house for a 7 birthday celebration, I looked back at Larissa and noticed she had thrown up all over herself. I was shocked I did not know why. She did not seem sick at all, well I brought no extra clothes so we had to stop at Target to buy something for her. After cleaning her and the car seat up we were on our way again. At Aunt Becky's she seemed fine she wanted to eat and she ate quite a bit. Then she threw up on the floor. Aunt Becky to the rescue, she was so quick and awesome at helping me, I guess being an RN helped. Well after that we headed home and when we were about half way there she did it again. This time it just so happens we were right by Grandma Phyllis's house. We called her and said we needed a place to stop and get her cleaned up. She said come right over. We went in and gave her a bath and Linnea joined in too of course. With grandmas love and nurturing Larissa seemed to feel a lot better. Daddy went outside armed with paper towels and a bottle of Fantastic to clean up the car seat. After we visited for a little bit grandma wrapped Larissa up in a baby blanket she used to use for Chad. She did not want Linnea to feel left out so she got all wrapped up too. The drive home then was quiet the twins both fell fast asleep. I am so thankful for the love and care of a sweet grandma who helped us out in our time of need. The twins are too I'm sure. Today she seems fine I do not know what made her so sick. The poor twins had just got over having the rotto virus 2 weeks ago, Which they were champs all through it, so this happening again really scared us. I am thankful however for times when we are in need and get to feel so blessed by others.

Easter 09

This year Easter was at our house. It was such a pleasure to have all of our huge family over. the house was filled with people, love and laughter. We had a great time with plenty of good food and company. This was my side of the family, not chad's although Chad's mom Phyllis did come over which was a real treat. Her comapny is always welcome with us and of course the babies. My sister Joy could not come, her kids came without her, she had to work. Joy has this great laugh that is contagious, she was missed. My sisters Michelle, Jenni, and Chrissy and their families all came. My brother John, my mom, and two ladies from church round out the list of people who were there. It turned out to be a sunny yet cool day but beautiful, like Easter should be. There was nothing in bloom yet in our yard so we took minimal family shots. When my garden of tulips bloom we are going to take some more pictures.

The Twins looked so cute. the flowers in their hair are actually hot pink, they look red in these pics.We try our best to get good shots of the babies, they just do not sit still and it is hard so these are some of their best shots.

We did an easter egg hunt for three age group of kids, 1-7, 8-12, 13 and up. All together we had 22kids looking for candy. The twins are going crazy over the taste for candy now that they know what it is, they ask for it all the time. They throw terrible fits over it, they cannot understand why they can't eat something so good all the time.

Little Nathan Daniel hunting for eggs and candy.

Harmony and Laura are so cute together, they are best friends and cousins.

left to right: Lia, Linnea, Larissa, Nathan, Malachi, Alex

left to right: Laura, Harmony, Liam, Isiah, Alexis, Donavon, Harley

left to right: Mya, Elenore, Mitch, Alan, Tori, Markkie, Cody

on top: Xavior, Forrest

Christmas in March?

This March we still had one final Christmas to celebrate. It was with Travis and Marika. They were not able to fly in for Christmas, and although Travis has been here since Christmas This is the first time since November that they were all her together. With the wonderful help of my mom we put together a Christmas celebration including the traditional big Christmas dinner and yes even a Christmas tree. My mom brought the tree over and we set it up and decorated it. After dinner we brought out desert and had a little birthday celebration for Travis as well. The day before Marika, Me, Mya, and Harmony all went to Miss Mollys tea romm in Medina. This is becoming a tradition with us and it is a great girls night out. We all love tea and the food is great too. The best part is just being together. I love having time on the drive there and back to talk with Marika, I love and admire her so much. she is an amazing step-mom to my kids and I feel so blessed to know her. People sometimes think it is odd how well we all get along, and i guess maybe it is. however the truth is I really do love them and have a great time with them. Travis and I have our occasional disagreements but we are mature enough to not involve the kids and we try to be fair with each other. Family is so important and together it just fells so good to all get along. It was a very Merry March Christmas.

Travis and his lot of kids.

Marika, Mattias, and Travis.

Make a wish

I made a birthday apple pie with vanilla bean ice cream for Travis. He loves warm apple pie instead of birthday cake.

I think this gift was a hit with Mattias.

The twins share some playtime with TT's new toys. They love TT, they are always trying to play with him.

Harmony loves little TT. He is so cute, it took him a while to warm back up to us it had been awhile since he saw us.

Liam's state project

Liam recently finished a state project for school. He was given the state of Texas to study and write about. He did a fantastic job, and really enjoyed it too. He had a lot to accomplish, including sketches of the States flag and bird and putting together a book and making a poster to go along with it. Along with two classmates Liam finished a final poster including 2 other states from the southwest region. The final part to all this work was a states celebration. All the parents were invited to come to the school to view their child's and all the other state projects. It really was impressive and the kids were proud of their work. Each team of kids put together and presented a PowerPoint project that highlighted interesting facts about each region in the US.

Liams report is the first one on the left.

Grandma even showed her pride and support.

Daddy flew in just for Liams big project along with little brother Mattias. Big borther Travis came too.

Liam was so excited daddy was here to see how hard he worked.

Liam is presenting his PowerPoint project to a professional film crew making a DVD of the whole event.

Liam and his Two Project mates and friends.

A stage show featuring a song naming all the states and their capitals.

We are so proud of Liam. He did a great job, performing and presenting. It was a fun time and memorable.

Activity Day Family Dance

I am Activity day leader for my church. this means I plan activities twice a month for girls ages 8-12 to have fun, learn and apply principals of the gospel. I get all my ideas from their Faith in God book which lists meaningful activities for the girls to accomplish. Its loads of fun and the girls are great. We recently studied "The Family a Proclamation to the world". After this the girls wanted to put together an activity that celebrated families. So they organized and planned and decorated and the result was a Family night of fun held at the church and it was a success. We started out with dinner and each family brought their fave family dish. Then we had a dance, and a talent show. Last there was a desert contest and prizes given. All in all it was a great night and fun too. I am so proud of my girls and they did an awesome job putting the whole thing on. I hope they felt a little closer to their own families and understand a little bit more of the importance of families in God's eternal plan. GREAT JOB GIRLS!!!



Our MC for the evening, Laura Patton




Our families brought a favorite family dish to share

Funny Lexi

Our delicous deserts

The desert taste testing judges enjoying every moment of their hard job.

Crowded buffet table, with eager hungry families waiting their turn.

Our DJ crew spinnin the tunes while our familes en

We had a family talent show and The Patton family sang together.

Look close is there a kid there that doesn't belong? HA HA

California Dreaming

The other day my mom met me at the store so I could run in while she sat in the car with the twins. When I came out she was giving me a look of disappointment. When I asked what was wrong she held up a to do list she had found in my car. The list was titled "what needs to be done before moving to California". My mom no doubt was shocked by this. I had never mentioned to her before that I might move out west. Well the truth be known, I have been doing a lot of dreaming about moving out west. There are a list of reasons why I think this would be great for my family. The list my mom found was just practical things that would have to be done before a big move like that. I feel so sad that she was emotional about this, yes she did cry. I told her that even if we were to move it would not be for a long time. there is a lot of planning that would need to happen first. I do not know what will happen I only know that it may happen. WOW that is so confusing. Now its clear to see that is precisely my state of mind right now.

I have a lot going on right now which is why I have not blogged in a while. I am currently starting two businesses and finishing school. Oh did I mention I am raising 6 kids, excersing 6 days a week, and trying to keep my house clean in my spare time. So there really is not a whole lot of time for blogging. I am trying to catch up so bear with me...Julee