I know I suck at posting but every once in a while something comes up and I just gotta...  Mada is graduating middle school heading into high school.  That's right HIGH SCHOOL!!!  Her time in middle school was amazing with honor's throughout, choir presidency and leadership.  A new chapter begins for our oldest Ms. Madalynne, High School graduating class 2020.

Mada June 2016 (14 years old)  photo's by Paul Cook

Mada and Julia

McKenzie, Julia Mada & Lilly

The girls off to their dance...

Kathryn you told me it would go by fast and you were right, where has the time gone.

G & G Castleton Visit

September 2015 we are so lucky to have Doug & Kathryn come visit

and of course we had to hit the beach (Laguna Beach California)

A last look together before the journey home!!!  

Its was an amazing visit, thank you for coming!!!!

Christmas 2012

Well I thought this post was a tad bit over due and apparently I never posted it.  My goodness time is flying by, all three of our kids are growing up way too fast.  I guess better late than never, right?!?!?!?

It's the "Christmas Post" ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh yeeeeahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are watching a Christmas special on television odds are it's "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" for the 1000 time...........................  I love it they are all sooooo cute!!!  We let them open one gift together on December 23rd, Mada left the next day for Utah to spend Christmas with her Dad!!!

We had so many deliver at our door that turned out to be BIG boxes of gifts that now every time the door bell rings Max yells out "presents" and runs to the door!!!  We are just so blessed and lucky!!  

As you can see from the picture Zoe is thrilled to be taking the photo...  Actually Sarah had suggested we eat breakfast first before opening presents and oddly enough Zoe was cool with it in fact she thought it was a great idea, Max on the other hand is a normal child and wanted no part of that idea....  Max won!!!

It's our first Christmas all together in California and as usual the presents were over whelming.  After the first gift it all became a blurrrrrrrr.................  The kids would open one present and barely look at it before requesting the next.  The challenge was slowing them down.

Max got a new Strider (blance) bike from Santa Claus and Zoe got a scooter just like her big sister Mada except pink was the only acceptable color.

Dad's visit to California

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My beautiful girl!!!!

Swimming together in the resort we are so lucky to live in...

From left to right

Grandpa Chris (GC), Kayla (Mada's friend), Mada, Paige (Zoe's Friend) and Sarah, Max is in the gigantic hole I dug behind GC

The entry way leading to this massive hole in the sand.

We finally make to the beach, not that my Dad needed the sun...

Mada is doing AMAZING in school!!!  While this is the first time she has shared the outstanding news with us, it is NOT the first time.  Apparently the other certificates are......................somewhere she has no clue where.  Regardless, she is consistently on the honor roll and we could not be more proud of her!!!!  

Max playing on the beach all by himself and his wonderful sister (Zoe) came over 

and dumped a bucket of water over his head!!!

He loved every second of it, he's crazy!!!!

As she gets older it's harder to get photos of our oldest!

Almost a teenager (5 more weeks)

I just thought she looked great in this picture!!

Saturday...

Our day began with pancakes in the morning and all the kids glued to the video game "Toy Story 3"

I can't believe we need to wrestle the kids away from the game.  They literally decline to go play outside and have even passed on swimming!!!  Max and Zoe both on different occasions have been caught down stairs in the middle of the night playing or have simply passed out from playing sleeping with controllers in their hands.

Anyways... 

After pancakes we made our way to the pool and swam all morning then headed home for lunch.

After lunch we headed to the movies to see "How to Train your Dragon 2"  OUTSTANDING!!!  Everyone will love this film.  Sarah and Mada were caught crying during the sad parts but Max and I hung tough!!

From there we went home quick packed up things grabbed a pizza and headed for a Ward beach party in Laguna Beach!!!

After about two hour of searching and no luck finding the party we decided to plant ourselves on the beach and party ourselves.  It was wonderful, the beach had started to cool off and it was over caste but so beautiful...  We are so lucky to live in such a gorgeous place!!!

We were playing frisbee for a little while till Max decided it would be fun to bury the frisbee in the sand when no one was watching... We have NO frisbee any longer!!!

It was an AMAZING day!!!

Sunday morning was busy because Mada was singing a solo at church.  Sarah and Mada left early so Mada could sing with the pianist and practice.  Max, Zoe and myself followed to to far behind.  We sat front row and I did my best to record her performance.  The shakes are from Max bumping me!!!

The video does not do the performance justice I'm sorry.  Sarah was beaming and I could not be more proud!!!

That's it for now we love and miss you all!!!!

Soccer's just a kick in the grass...

So Max and Zoe started soccer lessons!!!  There is an age limit (4 years old) but I think Max (3) can hold his own and so far so good.  We need to work on the pouting and sitting down in the middle of the field when the ball is taken away but outside of that Max is doing terrific.  He is getting exposed to pushing and shoving, accidental bumping of heads, kids hitting each other and just plain rough housing.  I will admit I am getting used to it too... On more than one occasion I wanted to go out there and beat someone up!!!  I however kept my composure, no 4 year old was hurt on this Saturday!!

Max is super focused and he pays attention and is really ready to learn the game.  Although when it come to scoring all the rules go out the window and he will literally pick up the ball carry it to the front of the goal put it down and then quickly kick it in. 

Zoe is fantastic!!!  Super fast, determined and anxious to learn although she kinda listens to her coach.   She is definitely crazy and having a BLAST out there.  This past weekend she scored 4 goals, 3 in the opponents 1 in her own, we are still working on which goal to score in and which to defend.

It's a great way to start our Saturdays!!!! 

BOO!!!!!!!

Another great Hall-o-ween in the books!!!
Zoe went as a Vampire and Max as a Lady Bug to cute...

Mada went as  a giant Mouse.  A couple days before Hall-o-Ween she went to a church dance.  I dropped her off at a church where there was music blasting and hundreds of kids every where.  I was a bit concerned because it seemed more like  a rave than a church Hall-o-Ween dance.  All worked out nicely and Mada had a great time!!!

We hope you all had an amazing Hall-o-Ween!!

We love you all and miss you more,,,

WOW...

It's been some time since my last post and even I was surprised to see just how long its been!!!

First day of middle school (6th grade) for Mada!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe how big and grown up she is now...  I remember Kathryn saying to me "it goes by fast" and you are so right!!!!!!!!

Mada also turned 12 years old in October and has graduated from Primary (4-12 years old) into Young Womens.  This past Sunday (October 20th) her teachers & new friends from Beehive came over early Sunday morning (Mada had no idea) snuck up to here room (12-14 people) and kidnapped her for breakfast, a super cool tradition for all new Beehiver's.

Max turned 3 years old in July and he is so proud to finally be three!!!!

FYI,  the cut on Max's cheek came from another child in day care.  I weird accident that caught Max in the right spot or wrong spot depending on how you want to think of it!!!  

We always find time to hit the beach!!!  

What's amazing to me is how fast the Summer went by.  Before I knew it we were celebrating Labor Day...  I could not and still don't believe how fast this year has gone by!!!  We are heading into the holiday season ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hall-O-Ween

So this past Saturday Sarah comes home and say's "ok let's go" of coarse I am like "go where" Sarah says "to the Hall-O-Ween party"  I say "isn't that next week"  Sarah says "no it's tonight".

We scramble and throw costumes together, I am a "Lion in a Suit"  and Sarah is a "Zombie" type of creature, thing but she looks great!!!  We hustle out the door drive all the way over there and of coarse the party is NEXT WEEK!!!!!

More Hall-O-Ween pic's to come!!!

We Love you and miss you all.

Big Bear!!

Big Bear Lake is a town in the mountains at the edge of the Sierra Nevada's surrounded by National Forest.   We spent a couple days in this beautiful spot with friends and had an AMAZING time. 

Top left:  Tatiana, Dan, Logan

Bottom left:  Zoe, Papa, Mama & Max 

I made the mistake of telling Max and Zoe we were going camping, when in fact we were not even close, we stayed at a beautiful resort like place with pools, hot tubs, basketball & tennis courts and play grounds for the kids, it was terrific!!!  The kids however were so bummed we were not pitching a tent with a fire and all that goes with camping so we promised before the end of the Summer when Mada gets back we will camp!!!  

Left to Right:   Logan, Max & Zoe

It was the perfect beginning to our 4th of July week!!!  

These mountains pale in comparison to the Wasatch Front but it was still wonderful to be back in them.  I would like to head back up in the winter to try and ski but I fear I have been ruined by the glorious mountains of Utah.

Finally Sarah's role with the Orange County Register is growing as they are asking her to contribute to a weekly fitness article that will be published in the newspaper and also on the web.  We will furnish you all with links as soon as they are available.

Congratulations to Tammy, Nathan & Brian on the new addition to the family, we can't wait to meet you Claire.

We love and miss you all!!!

Oh boy it's been a while...

I think my last post was back in March so I will give an abbreviated version of the events...

Easter came and went and the Easter Bunny did not disappoint.  Zoe found hers first and was eager to share so she woke Max up and the two of them ended up down stairs with their baskets.  Thank goodness everything is wrapped well, this forced the kids to come upstairs to Sarah and I to help open everything.

Sarah was helping Zoe unwrap the solid chocolate Easter Bunny when I discovered she actually prefers the hollow chocolate rabbits.  I was STUNNED!!!  Who in the world likes the hollow kind, I always felt cheated, I loved gnawing on that huge, solid bar of goodness but of coarse Sarah preferred the hollow kind, so weird!!

Question:   Solid or hollow chocolate rabbits on Easter?

Then I learned that Sarah charges an opening fee...  I guess the idea is whatever she opens for the kids she gets to take a little for herself she referred to this as "snitching"!!  I discovered this idea as she was opening the SOLID chocolate rabbit for Zoe... She went on and said that the kids were cool with it, so of coarse I had to ask Zoe if this was true... Her response, "NO NOT REALLY!!!"

We decided to drive down to San Diego on Easter.  The reason for our drive is we need book shelves BUT we want them to be rustic so reclaimed wood is what we are looking for and we found this guy in San Diego who has this gorgeous reclaimed wood that was brought in from the Pacific Ocean.  The color's are magnificant aqua blues, rust orange and grey's exactly what we are looking for.  Now we just need to find the right brackets to hold the shelves up.

Mada got a new skate board and is riding it all the time and is getting so good at it.   I was worried because she, like her Mama have a tendency to walk into large objects, things normal people tend to avoid like kitchen islands or parked cars. You can see why I might be concerned but not to worry she is doing GREAT!!!

Zoe's 4th Birthday has come and gone and it was tremendous.  According to Zoe "it was the best Birthday EVER"

The day started with her waking to a big sign saying Happy Birthday and balloons followed by a big breakfast of pancakes.  Mama and I high fived the switch and off to work I went.  Mada made a birthday cake and card for Zoe and later that day Mama (Sarah) took Zoe to build a bear where Zoe built my little pony (Rainbow Dash)  She carry's it everywhere she goes and such a great idea to help celebrate her birthday, good job Sarah!!!  I left work early to get home to help celebrate and open presents.  Max and Mada could not have been better or sweeter on a day that was all about Zoe!!  We all ate cake, ice cream and choc sauce for dinner and dessert followed by popcorn...............................yup I got sick to my stomach!!!!

 We are just so lucky to have such an amazing family and blessed to have so much and seemingly the opportunity to work hard and do more for ourselves to better our already amazing lives.

The challenge is to recognize just how blessed we are and appreciate what we have...

We introduce the kids to hiking...  We took Max and Zoe hiking for the first time.  Zoe of coarse lead the pack and Max made sure we did not move too fast by bringing up the rear.  They LOVED it!!!  I mean LOVED IT!!!  That's all they have been talking about since waking up the next morning, when can we go hiking again.  I am blown away by their excitement and because of their enthusiasm I can't wait to go again!!! 

Kiki and Kelley came to town on Memorial weekend and it was spectacular!!!  The kids were all super excited to see them and as usual they did not disappoint.  We did it all, swimming in pools and water parks to The San Diego Zoo to Faris Wheels and shopping until the kids gave out.  Wine and food every where and we finished the weekend by celebrating my 44th Birthday ( I am getting old).  I love it when my family come to visit because it a vacation for us too!!!!

I thought this was a cool picture of Max...

 

I know I am missing soooooo much so here are the last bits that I can remember.

     -Mada and Mama both were involved in a musical.
     -I am teaching Zoe & Max how to swim!!!

     -Mada went away to science camp with the entire 5th grade for 3-4 days.

     -Mada is in Utah for the Summer with her Dad and other family.

     -We are going to Big Bear Mountain for a couple days with some friends.

     -Sarah started another "No Excuses" weight loss session, 12 weeks everyday 6am, right up
       her alley!!

MORE PIC's...

As always we love and miss everyone!!!

 

The "LOOK"

Holy cow time goes by very quickly before you know it we will be talking about Christmas again!!

Hi, it's us...

Well we have all been sick and some of us even twice since the last post.  The weather is sensational and all is wonderful!!!
Max knocks his drink on the floor not just daily but multiple times a DAY, AND EVEN MULTIPLE TIMES A SITTING!!!!!  Deep breathe and the constant reminder he is only 2 keeps him alive.

Sarah and Mada picked out shelves for Mada's room and they are up.  Mama (my MacGyver) did an amazing job putting them up and the best part Mada loves them.  The day's of Mada having a room to herself are quickly coming to an end.  We figure by the end of summer Zoe & Mada will be sharing a room.    Obviously Mada is not terribly thrilled about the idea but we will make it super cool for them.  Max has no idea how lucky he is, then again he will be soooooo bummed Zoe will not be in the same room as he, they are so tight and close, they do everything together.

Mada had her Honor's Choir concert this past weekend and it was sensational.  Top notch all the way and a packed house.
Mada also had a revolutionary type thing going on at school...

top row, 5th from the right...

Here she is...

Sarah and Mada are still doing rehearsals for the musical they are taking part in.  Mada got a solo part in the production and she is thrilled and soooo excited.  This last practice Mada stayed late to practice "acting" with some of the other members and she LOVED IT!!!! and now she has the "bug", the "ACTING" bug that is!!!  So nice to see her so excited about things.

Zoe and I were outside riding scooters, she rode Mada's and I road her's.  we raced back and forth for hours it was such a blast. Max was sleeping and Mada well actually was sleeping too (sick).  We took funny pictures, have a look!!!

We drank juice boxes and played some more and yup you guessed it took more pic's...

Thank goodness I have kids, Mada used to do this with me maybe I can get her to make faces with me again before she gets to old!?!?!?!?

So it's Saturday morning, Sarah is off to teach and the kids have taken her spot in our bed (6am).  Max starts to sing the abc's and I cuaght it on tape, he is soooooo cute!!!

Max Finishes and now it's Zoe's turn!!!

While the singing was terrific it was the "LOOK" for me that stole the show!!!  If looks could kill I am afraid Max would NOT be with is anymore!!!!   Priceless....

Friday evening I had the pleasure of escorting my little girl to a Father Daughter Dance at the church.  I know the pictures are dumb but I love them and they are entertaining for me..............

The evening was terrific!!!  We played games, had a picnic and danced together, we learned how to Waltz... well we learned 3 steps but it was a ball!!!! It was a wonderful evening for the two of us and so nice that it was just me and Mada.

I am sure there is more that has happened but................................

Anyway's... We love you all and miss you even more!!!