Highlights from Summer '09

It's been a while. I've sorted through the summer pictures and finally had some time to post them. This is a LONG post! ENJOY!!

Early in July we went to a Lake with some good friends who own a boat. It was an AWESOME day!











Just prior to boarding the boat.












Stephen insisted on wearing his hat. It ended up flying off of his head and into the water during our ride. We circled around and got it back though. Then he understood why mommy and daddy didn't want him to wear it. He lived... He learned...












We ended up parking the boat in "Party Cove". The kids and David swam for a while. Stephen loved the raft. He sat on it the whole time David and the kids were in the water. He filled up super soakers all on his own and shot 'em all with it. It was so funny to watch.













Later in July we had the pleasure of meeting Thomas the Tank Engine. A lifelong dream of Cliff's. Stephen was really excited too.













We got to ride in one of Thomas's passenger train cars. Annie or Clarabelle. Stephen was a happy boy that day!










Here's Thomas. A real steam engine.













We also went camping ONCE this summer. I'm not a tent camping kinda girl... but I do it because my kids and hubby love it. Here we are fishing.
















































Now this part I LIKE!!!












We enjoyed a visit to the sweetest place on earth! Hershey, PA.












The kids participated in packaging some Hershey Kisses.










Then I told them to stand by their favorite chocolate. Stephen likes the kisses!












Pretty Lainey likes the Kit Kat.

















And cute Cliff likes the Peppermint Patty (me too!!)












We went to a few Iron Pigs games. GO PIGS!! The Philly's minor league team's field is 15 minutes from our house.











Stephen wanted to climb the fence and hit some balls.

















Lainey celebrated her 9th birthday!! How can I possibly have a 9 year old???












We took her to Build-A- Bear workshop and let her pick out her bear. This was something that she had been wanting to do for a while. She loves her bear. She named it Precious.












Here she is with her 9 candles!















In August I flew out to Salt Lake for the Scentsy Convention. I've been a consultant for Scentsy for almost 2 years now! My business is growing and I'm loving every minute of it. I learned so much at convention, and I am looking forward to a great year. I went with 2 GREAT friends, Mary and Tara!













We spent a lot of time in our yard either in our over sized kiddy pool, or just riding bikes and playing with neighbors.











We visited Grandma's and Grandpa's and Aunts. Cliff attended baseball camp in June. Lainey and Cliff had another great year with swimming lessons. The list goes on. It was a fun and memorable summer.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. The kids are back in school and doing very well.


This is a pic of their first day of school. Elaina is in 3rd grade, and Cliff is in 1st.

Time marches on....

My kids and I went to see this play at one of the summer theater programs at a nearby college. We went with a group of ladies and their kids from our ward.

Cliff and I cried... I didn't know that Cliff cried until we were out in the lobby and I told him that I cried. I looked down at him, and with water in his eyes and a cute little frown on his face he said, "Mom I did too". Something about a sweet little boy having a bad day. It made me cry because I thought of my little, almost first grader, waking up and not getting a prize in his cereal box, but his siblings did. Then going to school and being made fun of by all of his friends. Then coming home and having to go to the dentist. His siblings didn't have any cavities, but he had ONE. Then going to the store to buy new shoes, and not being able to get the blue shoes with green stripes because they were out of stock. So sad!! :( Way to much for a little guy to handle in one day.

I was on the brink of crying at certain parts throughout the show and at the very end Alexander's Mom was tucking him into bed and she sang him a sweet song. That did it to me. The tears started pouring down.

Once we got out to the car I asked Cliff what part made him cry, and he said "The part where he had to get the white shoes because they didn't have the ones he wanted". Then his eyes got watery again and he took in a deep breath. So SWEET!

Seeing this play made me want to be a better Mom. I want my kids to know that I will always be here for them. When they have a terrible horrible no good very bad day then I want to know so that I can hug them, kiss them and make it all better!!!!! I think that I made that clear on our drive home from the play.

I'm looking into other shows around. I'm thinking maybe Mary Poppins on Broadway in NYC??? We'll see!!

Cute Kindergarten Grad!

A Different Reaction....

Me: "Hey Cliff and Lain, just so that you know tomorrow after school we are going to the dentist!"

Cliff: "THANKS MOM!!!!!" (with sincere excitement)
Lainey: "Mom seriously thanks!" (in all seriousness)

The Perfect Day

This past Saturday was the most perfect day. Perfect weather, perfect company, and perfect activities!


First Joc, Nain and I got pedicures.














Then we all hoped in the Jeep to go on a picnic.










I made pasta salad, garlic bread, and yummy brownie with cream cheese cupcakes.































Then we played at the playground.


















Then we flew a kite! Look up high in the corner of the picture, and you can see the kite.
















Daddy helping Stephen fly it.

Dance Recital '09

Lainey enjoyed dance this year. She had her recital a week ago. She looked beautiful and did such a fantastic job. Grandma, Grandpa, Grandma, Pop and Joc were all there to enjoy it with us.

The pics below are not from the actual recital day. Some are from dress rehersal, and picture day.

"Dribe da dreen tractor"

A while back we visited Grandma and Pop. Stephen saw Pop's John Deere tractor in the driveway, and became OBSESSED! Unfortunately Stephen wasn't able to take a ride that day. We left their house, and all that he could talk about for weeks was Pop's tractor. "Mama, wanna dribe (translation: drive) da dreen (translation: green) tractor, Mama, dribe Pop's tractor, Mama please dribe Pop's dreen tractor."

WHAT A PUMPKIN!!!!!

Pop, being the AWESOME grandpa that he is, invited us over again and made Stephen's dream come true!! YAY!!!! Pop drove while Stephen sat in his lap. Pop was very patient. After riding up and down the driveway, and around their HUGE yard, Stephen continued to say "adain Pop" (translation: again Pop) "adain, adain". Pop did it again and again and again!!!

Thank you Pop! Stephen really appreciated it! Mama did too... Instead of Stephen constantly saying/repeating "Mama please dribe Pop's dreen tractor", he says "Steben rided on Pop's tractor"! He still remembers it and just LOVED doing it with you!

Cliff's Birthday x's Three!!

I love when Birthdays land on a Saturday. Cliff turned 6 on Saturday May 16th!! We celebrated every minute of that day. Cliff decided that he just wanted to have a "family birthday". So we spent time together as a family. We also enjoyed sometime with my mom and dad, and later that day spent time with David's parents. The Friday night before his birthday we invited one of his little buddies, Jay, to sleep over.

These are the cupcakes that he brought to school to celebrate with his class.
















This is is his buddy Jay.














This is the cookie cake that I made for him for when Jay came over.















These are some pictures from when Grandma, Pop and Joc visited.





















































Grandma and Grandpa.









































He got lots of presents!


























































A FISH!!!!!
















After all of the activities we had one last thing to do!!
















Happy Birthday buddy! We all love you SO MUCH!!

Aunt Kimmy and The Boys

On our way home from Disney we decided to take a different route home so that we could visit with Aunt Kimmy and the boys, Wesley, Dakota and Landon. I'm so glad that we did. My kids miss their cousins so much, and I miss my sister! Cliff and Landon are the bestest of friends when they are together. I am so impressed with how polite, well behaved and respectful my sisters kids are. I love her boys like they are my own!! I wish that they lived closer so that we could hug them more often.








We had been in the car for 10 hours, and were looking pretty shabby!!

Disney 2009!!!

Well I finally have some time to do this.

As stated in a previous post, David has accepted a new job. He completed his last 2 weeks with Applied Analytics, and we decided to take another week before starting his new job to take our family vacation. He will not get any vacation until he has worked for the new company for 3 months. That brings us to August, and we didn't want to go the whole summer without some time away.

We decided to go to Disney World, our family's favorite vacation spot. We just love it there. David has said many times that it is like a little piece of heaven on earth. He is so right. We have a great time every time we go, and this time was no different.

We drove 20 hours to get there. 20 HOURS!!!!!! It was so much fun though!! Our kids did wonderfully, even Stephen! We just kept reminding him that we were going to Mickey's house, and that it was a long, long, long, long ride there. He understood and was very patient the whole way down. Elaina and Cliff were so good too.

We visited Hollywood Studios (formerly known as MGM Studios), Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney. We had planned on visiting Animal Kingdom as well, but later decided that we would rather swim at our hotel, and let Stephen take a much needed nap. He ended up sleeping for 4 hours that day!! We stayed at the most BEAUTIFUL hotel, Buena Vista Suites - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. It is not on Disney property, but is only 2 miles from the parks. It was AMAZING!! Seriously, I would give it 5 STARS!!! So clean, 2 huge flat screen High Def. TV's, comfortable beds with LOTS of pillows, plenty of sleeping space (could sleep up to 6 adults). It had 2 rooms, so we could put Stephen down in one room, close the door, and still be able to do the things that we needed to without waking him up. I could go on and on about that hotel. We loved it and will probably go there again in the future.

David has become an expert navigator through Disney World. I am amazed at how much we are able to do at each park without waiting in hardly any lines.

Here are some pictures of our wonderful trip!! I'm already looking forward to our next trip there. Anyone wanna come with??


Cliff hoping to be picked for "Jedi Training", and he was!!!!














Cliff imitating "Russell" from the upcoming movie "UP". Good impression Son (look at the figure in the case behind him)!!














Is anyone else excited about this???














Stephen's first time meeting Mickey




































Playhouse Disney, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse














Lainey's favorite part!










Bell and Beast










Looking through the window while waiting in line to see Buzz and Woody















Cliff shooting Zurg with his lazer beam














Meeting Woody for the first time
























Thirsy boy!!














Playing on Tom Sawyer's Island











Pirates of the Carribean - A family favorite











Look closely, and you can see Captain Jack










Mom and Nain



























The magic carpet ride. Stephen is sitting next to David, but he's really short!










Stephen really wanted to do this ride!!










Lainey and Cliff did too!















Bros for life!!











Excited to swim










They all enjoyed putting together Disney potato heads










My two peas in a pod











Feeding the fishys















Getting Mickey's Autograph














Goofy!

Disney 2009

My new camera took this AWESOME picture of Cinderella's castle!! Doesn't it look like a postcard?? We had an absolutely, unbelievably, amazingly, GREAT time at Disney World last week. I am now sorting through 350 pictures taken while we were there. I will have a new post reporting all of our fun very soon!!!

Onto New and Exciting Things!

For the last 10 years David has worked for my Dad's business, Applied Analytics, as a Sales Rep. selling instrumentation to Municipalities. He graduated from Rutgers University with an Economics Degree (his PASSION) back in 2001. A few weeks before graduation my Dad approached David and offered him the job. David, Elaina and I were living in a one bedroom apartment and had been surviving off of David's part time income as an administrative assistant. Times were tough, and we were so excited for the opportunity that my Dad had offered us. Since then we have come a long way. David has worked hard and has really grown his sales territory. He has learned A LOT!!! David was never very technical, and this job forced him to become technical!! I am amazed how he went from knowing absolutely NOTHING upon being hired, to becoming practically an expert in the field. We are truly grateful for all of the good/bad experiences that we've had with Applied Analytics.

My Dad is looking to retire in the next couple of years, and for some time now we have been anticipating this and contemplating the next step. We have spent a lot of time on our knees praying to our Heavenly Father asking for his guidance to help us know what direction to go. Over the last 2 years David has been looking into other job opportunities where he would be able to use his Economics degree and do something that he would truly love! Without any experience in the economics field, all of the positions available to him were entry level, and wouldn't have provided the income to sustain our family.

To make a very LONG (2 year) story short.....

One Saturday morning, David and I were having a random conversation (about nothing special). The conversation eventually turned into a discussion about our feelings on the uncertainty of our future. What were we going to do?? We both thought that we were doing all that we could and should be doing to receive the blessings of knowing what we should do?? We were both serving like crazy in the church, we were paying our tithing, we were having family home evenings, going to church, teaching our children.... etc. We were just emotionally exhausted and confused....

THEN the conversation went a different direction. Maybe David should go back to school? Maybe we should look into the MBA program at the University just 15 minutes from our house? David has ALWAYS talked about getting his MBA!!

Since then we have looked into the program. Turns out it is the #1 part-time MBA program in the nation!! David has started the process in applying for the fall semester. Last Saturday he took the GMAT and scored well above average. Looks like Heavenly Father was looking out for us after all!!

THAT'S NOT IT!!! While we were in the midst of deciding to go to school, David received an invitation for another job interview. This time it was for a job similar to what he is doing now. Only for a bigger company... Great benefits, home based office, better income, TUITION REIMBURSEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The job interview went great! They loved him! He is excited for the opportunity. It suits him perfectly..... PERFECTLY!!!!!!!!!

David has received and officially signed the offer. Last week he gave my Dad his 2 weeks notice. My Mom and Dad were both so supportive and very happy for us. I love them!!

I am amazed at how this has all come together, just like a little puzzle. Even though the last few years have been difficult, and there were times when we thought that it would NEVER work out, we just left it in God's hands and knew that if we continued to do the things that we should be, then Heavenly Father would take care of us. Knowing these things brought us so much comfort.

The coolest thing was for our kids to see it all happen. Even though we didn't tell them every detail about what was going on. We did explain some of it. They saw prayers being answered throughout this process. That makes me so happy :) Hopefully this experience has taught them that Heavenly Father is watching over them, that he does listen, and that they can depend on him when times get tough. It has definitely strengthened my testimony of prayer, tithing, and having faith. Trials truly do make you stronger!

Bust A Meal

www.bustameal.com

Check this website out. It has helped me so much with meal making!! It has really yummy easy recipes, and they customize the recipes to your liking.

If you have issues with planning, making, and serving a meal... Then this website will help!! Promise!

Easter Morn

Happy Easter everyone!

I am so grateful for Jesus Christ! This Easter David and I wanted to take some time to really TEACH our kids about what our Savior did for us. We want them to understand what the Atonement is, and what it means for them. I've lived for years knowing that Jesus suffered, bled and died for us, but I didn't TRULY understand it. David and I read the stories from the Bible to our kids. We tried to translate those stories into their language so that they would be able to follow along and learn. We spent time after the kids went to bed talking about it. We spent time alone thinking about it. I felt my Saviors love! I cannot express in words the love that I feel for him.....

I am so thankful for my husband, and his knowledge and understanding of the gospel. I love how involved he is. I have been a member of the LDS church for 9 years, and still have so much to learn. He is willing to teach and communicates his feelings and thoughts so well. I am so blessed.

Here are a few pictures from Easter morning, and right before church - all dressed in their Easter Outfits.

First Haircut!!

Stephen is almost 2 and a half, and we hadn't gotten his hair cut UNTIL today!! David has a really hard time parting with our children's hair!!! I was FORCED to cut Elaina's hair for the first time at the age of 4 when she got gum caught in it. Cliff had cute little curls that hung down his neck, and bangs in his eyes when I finally cut his hair. Stephen had an uneven, half curly, half straight, mish-mosh of hair, and last night I was finally able to talk David into letting me cut it!!! David was especially nervous about getting Stephen's hair cut because Stephen has the cutest curls. He was so afraid that they would all get cut off. I assured him that I wouldn't go super short!!

So today was the big day. After years of searching for someone who could cut boys blonde hair (they are really hard to find!!) I finally found a lady named JoAnn. She does such a great job cutting and fading Cliff's hair. We have used her for about a year now. Today, Cliff was to be the example, showing Stephen how it's done. Fortunetly, JoAnn was available to cut Cliff's hair, and another girl named Randi was able to take Stephen at the same time. He did GREAT! No tears, no thrashing of the head, no trying to get out of the chair... It couldn't have gone any better.



First Daddy had to give Stephens head one last rub!!
















Snipity Snip!!





















The ladies were so sweet. They gave him a lolli pop, and a cute little stuffed kangaroo!! They also gave us a little lock of his hair attached to a certificate stating that he was brave, and had graduated from baby-hood.




















When we got home I stuck Stephen in the tub to wash off those little cut off leftover pieces of hair. I towel dried his hair, and ran my fingers through it. THIS is what his hair looks like now....





















Daddy was really happy with the result!!

Egg Hunting and Coloring!

This year it was just David, Lainey, Cliff, Stephen and I. We've been really stressed/busy with a lot going on (be looking for an upcoming post - explaining it all... VERY EXCITING!!) So it was very nice to be able to relax together and not worry about anything other than each other.




















Fun Times!!

I Planted A Pear Tree!!

First, I had to dig a BIG hole.
















Then I had to put my tree's roots into the hole.

















Now fill it back up with dirt.











Pat it...














PHEW... That was hard work!! I can't wait till I can pick and eat some pears!!

Teaching The Cutie

Tonight Lainey and I were talking to Stephen. I asked him "is Lainey a girl or a boy?" Stephen replied "Nainey a gurl". I said "O.K. is Mama a girl or a boy?" he said "Mama a gurl". Lainey said "is daddy a boy or a girl?" Stephen replied "daddy a boy". Then I asked "Is Cliff a boy or a girl?" Stephen replied... "Cliff a Jedi".













Oh it was soooo cute (we were NOT expecting that)!!! Lainey and I just looked at each other and at the same time said "AWWWWWWW". Our hearts melted right there. He speaks with long pauses in between each word, which is so cute. Each word requires so much concentration. He is talking so much and is so smart. Our sweet little Stephen is growing up way to fast.

This Is What Happened Two Sundays Ago

Some of you may already know this because of my facebook posting... Here's the whole story.

David and I drove to church separately. We both had to pick people up for church and wouldn't have had enough room in one car for all of us to fit (including kids).

David arrived at church before us. He dropped those that he drove off at the front door and drove around to the back entrance (where we always park). He entered the church, and decided to wait outside the chapel doors for us to arrive. As he was waiting he noticed a young man walking up the hall towards him. The young man was alone and had his head down. A minute later 3 other people walked up the hall and joined him. My husband was looking at him thinking -

Man!! He looks really familiar.

He thought some more, and then realized who it was!















A minute later I walked in the door. I immediately walked over to my husband and asked him if he could take my keys and hold them for me. As I passed the keys to David he tightened his grip on my hand and said softly "Terri, David Archuleta is standing right over there." MY STOMACH DROPPED!! I casually turned around caught a glimpse (IT WAS REALLY HIM!!) and immediately walked over to my friend who was standing a few feet away and told her... She whispered "SHUT UP... WHERE????" I calmly pointed at him. She walked over to him, put her hand on his right shoulder and tried to turn him around. He resisted her force. She finally got him to turn around and she said "DAVID ARCHULETTA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE??" He smiled sweetly and waved.

He obviously didn't want to cause a scene. He walked in, stayed for Sacrament Meeting, and ducked out early during the closing song.

I have always been a huge fan of his, so I was totally thrilled to have come that close. It was a very exciting day for everyone in our ward!!!

After church I talked to David and got his side of the story. He told me that when the 3 other people joined David Archuleta they looked in the chapel and noticed that the chapel was full. David A. said that he didn't want to sit in the front. My David got up and said "I can set up some chairs in the overflow for you if you would like". David Archuleta humbly said "No that's O.K. thanks I'll just sit in front". He ended up walking all of the way up the isle to the 2nd row!!! Everyone saw him. You can imagine how many pointing fingers and whispers were going on during that hour!!

Stephen Fingerpainting

This is how it started...


















He became a little more comfortable with it....













UH-OHH!!!




































The MASTERPIECE!!