What's been going on

As most of you can see (except for what my awesome hubby did for mother's day) I have not posted in a long time. The reason... nothing has been going on. It hasn't been boring around here. We still do our co-op pre-school. We go to the library every once in a while and the last two weeks Benjamin has been busy with Itty bitty Baseball and Abby even took a Mom & Tot Gymnastics class (Future post on that). But the last two months it's been the same old, same old. It's probably been because I am pregnant and the first trimester I am so tired that I rest every chance I get so I end up behind on everything else. The other thing that has been consuming our spare time is that we are trying to buy another house. We are looking at mostly short sales and forclosures because we want to get a good deal. So it has been a long frustrating process and we still have nothing. I'll let you all know when something does go through. So pretty much all my spare time has been house hunting or sleeping. And that has been my life for the past 3 months. So now you know where I've been. But now that I am in my 2nd trimester, I am getting my energy back and I plan to get out a lot this summer, so you should be seeing more frequent posts. This Friday I will find out what I am having (I am 19 weeks along), so stay tuned for that! Well I guess that's it!

Mother's Day Hollywood Stars

Babe-

These are our children wishing y0u a Happy Mother's Day. We rehearse about 3 times. Abby picking her nose was not part of the rehearsal. It's her originality and personality just for you. The second one is take two.

I LOVE these Angels.

Happy Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day - Beautiful Mama

From Benjamin and Abby your life's greatest treasures. Mama we just want to tell you how much we love you and appreciate everything you do for us. From whipping our tush to hugging us and feeding us. And let's not forget bringing us into this world. We owe everything to you. Truly your are the best Mother in the whole wide universe. On this Mother's Day we hope you feel special and know how much we LOVE you.

Your Angels - Benjamin & Abby & Daddy

Easter!

This year for Easter, we had a few different activities. It started with some early Easter crafts in Abby's Mommy & Me class.

What cute bunnies!

Then the Thursday before Easter we had an Easter party at Benji's Pre-school! It was so fun, but I was so busy that I forgot to take pictures. Luckily I was able to steal a few from Yadira. ;)

And Egg balancing relay

Crafts

Look at my Easter Egg!

And we ended with a super fun Easter Egg Hunt

It was a Blast!

Then on Saturday we went to a nearby city Easter Egg Hunt and it was horrible! Way too crowded and my kids only got one egg each. Lindy came too and as you can tell by her face, it was kind of lame. So we decided to go to Walmart and buy some candy and have an egg hunt of our own at my house. That was way more fun and it lasted more than 5 seconds.

Abby looking for Eggs

Benji looking for Eggs

Lindy also did great! And she had a lot more fun!

Cute kids!

Later that evening we decorated Hard boiled eggs! Benji was pretty proud of his eggs.

This was a first for Abby so she was especially excited!

Look at our eggs!

The following day, Sunday, was the actual Easter Day. But there were no egg hunts, parties, or chocolates. We had a normal Sunday and after church we talked to the kids about the true meaning of Easter and that is the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is why we have Easter, to remember that he overcame death and lived again, that all of us might live again someday! What a glorious thing to celebrate. I hope next year to do something a bit more spiritual and fun on the actual Easter Sunday, but for this year we had fun!

I'm 30!

Well, last Wed. the 23, I turned 30. I was hoping my hubby would write something significant on my blog about how awesome I am. :P But twas not so. Oh well, I know he loves me anyway. So yes, I'm 30. It's weird, but I technically feel the same. It's sad that I can't say that I am in my 20's anymore, but I am looking forward to this next phase of life. It seems like just yesterday I was a poor, struggling newlywed. And now, we are in a totally different phase of life. We are progressing in so many ways, and we feel so blessed to be out of those struggling years. Now mind you, I am not saying we are rich, we still live on a budget, and I still coupon in order to stay in that budget. But if I need to buy something, I can and if we want to go out to eat, we can. And it's nice. And I know it is a blessing from our Heavenly Father. But it just makes me realize how excited to see what the next 10 years brings. I know there will be ups and downs, but hopefully there will be more ups. 30's... hear I come!

The Zoo

Yep, here we are at the Zoo.... again. We just love the Zoo and who can resist when it is Free! The last Wed. in Feb. (the last winter month) the Zoo had a free day and although it was cold, it actually wasn't too cold and it was sunny. So it was actually a pretty good day! And the kids had so much fun!

Benji, checking out the map

The girls checking out the elephants

The Rhino is always fun to see

Aaron has this great kids digital camera and Benjamin was so happy to have a great friend who was willing to share with him.

Monkeys!

Abby got the biggest thrill out of getting so up close and personal with this little monkey

Getting a better look

More fun animals

Nap time?

The three musketeers

And we ended with the ever so fun Zoo carousel!

A fun day!

Happy Birthday Abby!

Can you believe it?! Abby is 2 years old! We had a "small" party. We only invited a few friends but our family is so big that it is never a small party. But it was a lot of fun. Abby loves Nemo and the Little Mermaid, so we decided to have an "Under the Sea" Theme. She loved it!

I made her a Mermaid cake. I wrapped the Ariel doll in fruit roll ups and made star fish out of gum drops, I also stuck gummie sharks and Swedish fish on. I think it looks great!

My mom made her this awesome Nemo Piñata! She is the best Grandma ever!

And of course the house had to be decorated like we were under the sea!

Complete with a fish net "catching" my light fixture. :)

And I was especially impressed with the octopus balloons that I made! They are amazing (if I do say so myself)!

Some of the guests were Mom, Allan, Lexi and cousin Lindy

Grandma Rosa & Lindy

Abby just loves her cousin Lindy (aren't they so cute together)

friend Sabrina and her older sisters

Aunt Lily, Aunt Rosi, Nena "grandma" and cousin Ruben

Of course Big brother Benji was there.

And we had one very special guest, Great Aunt Beth. She was here from California helping my dad and just happened to be in town to join us! It was so fun, we don't usually get her for things like Birthdays! She loves seeing her great nieces and nephews since she is practically a 3rd Grandma!

For Lunch the adults had Taco Soup and the kids had hot dogs shaped like Octopuses

Piñata Time!

Yea! We got candy!

Then it was time for Cake!

She did so good blowing out her candles!

and loved eating her cup cakes!

She is such a special little princess! We just love her! A few things I love about Abby is...
She is so independent
She is so Smart (her vocabulary is off the charts)
She is athletic (as much as you can be for a 2 year old)
She is sweet with her brother (but can drive him nuts too)
And she is such a Mama's girl!

We love you Abby! Happy Birthday!