Laguna Beach!

It's been a month since we went out of town but I wanted to do a post for my own records. We went to California the beginning of May and stayed at my parents house to watch their dog, "Bear" while they were in Israel for 2 weeks! Who wouldn't want to do that? Besides, he is so cute and cuddly and my kids adore him! Anyway, the weather was overcast the entire time which was nice for a change but we definitely didn't come home with a tan from the beach! Grandma Bella came with us to help with the girls and we had such a relaxing time. We hung around the house and watched so many movies, ate out, shopped, went dolphin and whale watching, went to Sea World, went to Disneyland and just enjoyed being away from the heat and enjoyed being with each other with no chaos! We had so much fun... until the last 3 days! Jason got sick with the flu on Mothers Day (lucky me)! Emmie and Ava both got strep and Ava also got it in places I never knew you could catch it! Ava also smashed her finger in the shower door and screamed like no other. I got strep and a breast infection at the same time. Talk about MISERABLE! So, I had a friend that lives in our neighborhood call in an antibiotic for me. Needless to say, we were trying to leave but I couldn't even get out of bed the last day so we put the drive on hold until the following day thinking we were on our way back to normalcy. Well the last night I had gone to bed, I was taking my 5th bath up in my parents room in the middle of the night and Jason was yelling for me to come and feed Elsie because she was hungry. So, I get out and go running down the travertine stairs without drying off because I was trying to hurry to get to my baby and BOOM! I fell all the way down the stairs and hurt myself very bad. Luckily Jason was at the bottom so he picked me up and put me on the bed. I have never been in SO much pain in my entire life! I would much rather have had a baby naturally, it hurt so bad! So, we delayed the trip another day because I couldn't move. I completely forgot that I was running a fever with a breast infection and strep throat. Ava and I flew home the next morning so that I could get my back looked at and she could go to the doctor. There was NO way I would have been able to sit in the car for 5 hours! We are all better now thanks to Dr. Curtis! Avas finger and strep eventually got better and Emmie still hasn't been able to kick this cold that she has had for the past month. She is on her 2nd series of antibiotics and we are hoping that she doesn't have pneumonia. We had such a fun time on our first little family trip since Elsie has joined us! Life is good but would be a lot better if Em got over this sickness! Thanks to my parents for letting us come stay in their beautiful home for 2 weeks and getting to wake up to this every morning.......                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

This is their view from their beautiful home!

Emmie and Ava at Sea World

Em was so tired!

Little Miss Ava

Good ol' Sea World and Shamu

Grandma and Ava waiting for Shamu to start!

Emmie and Dad

Mom and Emmie

It was so COLD!

Our little family at Disneyland

The happiest place on earth! (it truly is with a handicap pass!)

Mom and Elsie at Grandma and Grandpa McCleves!

We went on a boat and went dolphin watching. It was so awesome, we found a pod of 300 dolphin and they were surrounding our boat! They were so close you could touch them! Amazing!

Em Bug sure did love the BUMPY boat ride! She smiled the entire time. It was better than Sea World to her!

Dad of course got sea sick. He said it put his equilibrium off for the next week. I, of course don't buy it!!!!!

Em and Ava in Minnie mouses house

Ava

Mickey Mouse

Dad and Em. She loved the feeling of the water on that spinning ball!

Dad and Elsie. He sat out most all the rides at Disneyland due to his equilibrium being off! We still LOVE him!

Sisterly LOVE! 

Grandma and Elsie

Ava and Dad

Mom Elsie and Em

Love the teacups!

Good ol' Dumbo... it's always a hit with these girls!

✍Art Class Anyone?

I had my niece over the other weekend when my sister was out of town and look what these 2 little rascals did.... they decided to do some art on each others faces! They were playing outside for a while and it was a little too quiet. I went out there to tell them to get in the car because we were headed to Peter Piper and we had to shower and scrub them like crazy. Can you tell who had more fun on who's face? When Ava took off her clothes there was Sophies signature all over her back! Needless to say I was not happy due to them having pictures the next morning for their dance recital! A couple days ago we were in the back yard and saw Sophies signature all over our stucco wall. I wonder who did that? Gotta love 4 year olds!!!

Pouting because I threatened that they weren't going to Peter Piper!

Happy because they saw the camera out! 

Do you like Ava's whiskers and the guy in between the eyes?

♥Elsie's 2 months!

Crazy how fast babies grow! It makes me so sad. My sister took some pictures of Elsie last sunday and they turned out pretty cute! She had her 2 month appointment the following day so I wanted to document for my own records what she looked like at her 2 month mark! She weighed 12 lb 2oz and was 24" long and 15 1/2" head circumference. I was playing with her this morning and she has figured out that she has hands. She stares at them and is trying to figure it all out! She is such a sweet baby. She talks and talks and talks, I LOVE this age! She loves her sisters and they love her. I think Emmie is still a little bugged by her. Em laughs every time Elsie cries! And Ava of course, can't get enough of her! She is sleeping through the night for the most part and is still in my bed. I can't help it! I love cuddling with her. She is such a SWEETHEART!♥

Elsie 2 months ( her nickname is Elle)

Elsie and Ava (Em had the flu and was sleeping)☹

Such a serious look!

Tay Tay (mother hen) and Elsie!

Every time we come over, Tay takes over. She wants a baby sooo bad. As soon as she starts crying Tay is quick to give her back! Teenagers are so FUNNY!

Bye Bye Kindergarten and Preschool!

I can't believe my baby girl is a 1st grader. Where does time go? I remember the first day I sent her off to preschool, it seemed like yesterday. I was scared to death! She went when she turned 3 and she was just a baby. Well, I still feel like she is my baby and I have 2 younger ones! I was just talking to her preschool teacher Jean today, and we were talking about how big she is and how we can't believe she is in 1st grade. Kinda making me SAD! We didn't start off on a very good foot with Higley this year but I feel like we ended on a good one. She actually officially started school in February. Maybe that why it feels like time has FLOWN by!!! Her teacher, Stephanie did a really cute luau today! They dressed the kids up with leis etc. They had a cute little party with the classroom and we played games. She goes out of her way for these kids and does such a great job.  I have such a special place in my heart for these kids! They have such strong spirits and every time I am around them I walk away feeling so grateful to have one of Heavenly Fathers special children in my home. What an honor! They are all so special and they are all SOOO different. Sometimes I feel people don't give them a chance. It is so easy to get to know them and their personalities but yet people are scared and don't know how to approach them. I was guilty of it myself before I had Emmie. These kids have such cute personalities and really do know whats going on around them. I am so happy that Emmie loves school! I thought it would be impossible to change schools from last year. She had the most amazing preschool teacher (Mrs. Jean)! Mrs. Stephanie and my mom have done such a good job with Emmie this year and we are so pleased! Our prayers have been answered! Emmie is integrated with the typical kids for part of the day and those kindergartners love her so much! Thanks for such a fun year,we can't wait to see you guys next year!

Emmie and Dad!

The 3 musketeers!

My chunky monkey! She is getting so big!

Mom and Em bug

Grandma and Emmie

 We were playing musical chairs. The kids LOVED it!

Mrs. Stephanie and Emmie (Em was getting so tired!)

We missed Avas preschool graduation. I feel like such a crappy mom! We went to California for 2 weeks and tried to make it back for her program. Needless to say, I fell down the stairs and hurt my back really bad! I couldn't walk for a day. Long story and I will save for another post! But, we went by Mrs. Beckys today and gave her Avas gifts that she was so excited to give to her. She was such an amazing teacher and Ava LOVED her so much! She talked about her everyday and was so excited to see her at church every Sunday!  I had to get a picture of her with her preschool teacher! I can't believe she is going to be in kindergarten. So scary! I am going to be so lonely!

You wouldn't know by looking at this picture how much Ava LOVED her! We couldn't get her to smile! STINKER!

Happy 5th Bday So Fo!

I just want to wish my sweet little niece Sophie, a Happy 5th Birthday! She is so sweet and makes us laugh all the time! She has been witty, just like her brother Cooper from day 1! Her and Ava have such a funny relationship. Ava just cherishes the ground that Sophie walks on. She is always willing to do WHATEVER Sophie asks! For instance..... a couple years ago when we were vacationing in Laguna, Sophie had gotten in trouble for being "NOT NICE" to Ava when we were on the beach. It was at the end of the beach day and had been a long day. So, all of us had gotten up to carry our beach chairs etc. back to the house and Sophie was still crying because of getting in trouble by her mom. She kept saying, " I can't carry my chair back."(they were very little kid chairs by the way) Ava, trying to PLEASE Sophie as she always does says,"It's ok Soph, I'll carry it for you." I look back and sure enough Ava carried the chair back! UNBELIEVABLE!!!! Ava didn't even realize that Sophie was initially in trouble for being rude to her! Ava just felt bad that she was in trouble and crying! They always keep us laughing! We are so grateful that Ava has Sophie in her life. They are 8 weeks apart and it was UNPLANNED! The last thing I wanted after everything I had been through with Emmie was a baby 18 months later! When my sister and I both found out we were having girls we were so excited! We know without a doubt that it was meant to be. Sophie is like a sister to Ava. We felt bad for Ava when we  were trying to get pregnant again because we wanted her to have a relationship with a typical sister as well!  It took us 4 1/2 yrs to have another baby, so we treat Sophie like she is the other typical sister. Our Heavenly Father blessed our sweet Ava with a cousin like you Sophie and we are so grateful! We love you and hope you have the BEST Princess Birthday ever! I can't believe you guys are 5! Time goes by so FAST! We Love You so much!

                                    Too Cute!

I love this picture! It shows their relationship so well. Ava learning "everything" from Sophie! Ava didn't know we are allowed to dispose our wastes in the OCEAN!!!

                          Soph and Ava 2 1/2

                        Ring around the Roseys!

                  Laguna Beach 2006 Pure LOVE

                             They are so funny together!

                           Always willing to help Aunt Tiff out! Mother HEN!!!!

                           "POSER"

                                     Sophie and Ava May 08'

Happy Mother's Day

I just want to wish all of our Mom's a Happy Mother's Day! I am out of town so I don't have any fun pictures to post but I couldn't let the day go by without letting all 4 of our mothers know how grateful we are to them.

My mom is here with us and I am truly blessed to have her be such a big part of my life. Having my 3rd child, life has gotten a little more complicated at our house and she has helped me tremendously get through this transition! I know I sound like such a baby but I am so grateful that she is able to spend everyday at school with Emmie. I can send her off every day on the bus and feel good about it. It's just as good as if I were there myself! My kids truly love her and are so happy she is a part of their life EVERY DAY! She would do anything for them and they know it! 

Jason and I have both been blessed with 2 moms each. Mothers day gets a little complicated but it's always fun! Debbie is in Israel right now and I hope she has a great Mother's Day there! She is with my 2 little sisters and my dad. I am sure they are having so much fun right now! She has been such a big part of my life and is always there when we need advice for anything! We are so grateful for her!

Jasons 2 moms, Eileen and Cindy have been such great examples to us as well. They have both been through so much in their lives and are always making the best of LIFE! We love our mothers and are so glad that we have so many women to look up to and to get advice from! Jason and I are so fortunate to have moms that get along so well with eachother and make life so much easier for us. Moms are so selfless!

I feel such a big responsibility when it comes to being a mom. I hope and pray that my children look up to me when they are older and know that I tried my best! I love my kids so much and are so grateful for the children that my Heavenly Father has given me. They are such choice spirits and I feel so blessed to be entrusted with them. I hope they know that I would do anything for them! Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there! I hope you have a great day! 

Ava & Sophie

Ava got invited to a photo shoot for a friends company called JeanKate. Her name is Katie and she makes hair clips for Nordstrom and children boutiques. She is re doing her website and needed some models so Shawni took pictures of about 8 girls and I thought she did such a great job! They all turned out so cute! Here are a few of my favorite shots! (Katies website hasn't been updated yet but check it out!

         Sophie (Ava's cousin/partner in crime!!!) Isn't this such a cool picture?

                       Some of the girls!
           Ava and Sophie being silly together. They are OBSESSED with eachother!