A typical night....

A typical night at our house lately. The end is the best part. She is so bugged with Elle....

Last day of School

Can I just say how fast this school year went.... Oh my... I am at a loss for words at how sad I was at the end of this year. It reminded me of how I felt a couple years ago when Emmie graduated from FBC and moved onto a public school. IT was SCARY! Emmie is in a great program and I couldn't have asked for a better situation for her at this time in her life.

Ava... thats another story. She just graduated from Kindergarten and I didn't think I would be sad for her to go to 1st grade. WRONG! She was in a half day program with the best teacher ever. So sweet and sensitive, perfect for Ava. Her teacher put on the sweetest little program and lets just say the tears were flowing as I was watching my little girl sing the cutest songs ever and receive her little metal and certificate. You would have thought she was my last child graduating from Kindergarten but I was so emotional that morning thinking about how I will NEVER walk her up to her teacher again. She is going to be a big 1st grader and I am not sure how I feel about that. At least I have the summer for it to sink in. Here are some pictures of the girls last day of school....

Emmie getting on the bus. As you can tell, she just LOVES the bus. She didn't have an end of the year party but I had to snap a few on the way to school. Next year she will be a 2nd grader! Time is passing before my eyes.

Miss Emmie with Miss Theresa. Such a sweet bus driver. Some days I am running late (surprise, I know) and Miss Theresa will sit and wait in front of my house for me. I hope we get her again next year! She just adores Em bug and always makes her the cutest things.

Miss Ava singing one of the many songs that day. It was the sweetest thing.

Getting her metal and certificate

We sure are going to miss Mrs. Flanagan. As we were eating breakfast that morning Ava started to cry. I looked over and I asked what was wrong and she said she was going to miss Mrs. Flanagan. She said that she doesn't want to go to 1st grade, and wants to stay in Mrs. Flanagans class again next year. It was very sincere and sweet. We will see her in 3 yrs when Elsie enters Kindergarten!

Dad came to support his little princess and brought her some flowers

This is a picture I will cherish forever of Navie and Ava. Navie is my cousin Lees daughter. My sister and I were BFF/cousins with Lee and her brother Wil. We did everything together and were in the same classes etc. It is so fun to have our kids be the same!

Another one of Avas friends that she talks a lot about!

Although I will miss having Ava home with me every morning being my little buddy and having her play with Elle, I will not miss driving her to and from school for only 2 ½ hours. I'm not going to know what to do with myself and Elsie all day!!!!!!! I am sure I will figure out something! ☺

My baby turned 1 ....

a few months ago and I am so sad. She is growing up before my eyes. My sister came by today with her camera and got some cute shots of my little princess. We were having fun in photoshop with these photos. Elle has such a sweet personality and we are having so much fun with her. She absolutely ADORES her sisters as they do her. We had her bday party a couple months ago and I will be posting those soon.....

just love her beautiful eyes.

My all time favorite...

i could just squeeze her!

Happy Easter

Finally! Life has been a bit crazy and I know that I have more than neglected my blog.I don't want to be sorry one day when I didn't document all the little things my kids did or said. So, I am repenting and going to try again. I am sure people don't even come to my blog anymore, but I am documenting for my own blog book. Let's just say, I have ALOT of catching up to do! Anyways... Happy Easter!

 Let just say that taking a picture of my family is NOT the easiest. I always feel so sorry for the photographer and warn them that they should book an extra hour! This is the best one I got. Oh well....

We had such a great Easter this year. It is truly one my favorite holidays. I love to reflect on our Savior and the gift that he has given me. I KNOW that he lives and he LOVES me. I am eternally grateful for him in my life and for his constant companionship. 

My girls are at such fun ages and are really starting to enjoy each holiday. We had a great morning at church and then came home for lunch. Jasons family joined us and then we were off to my sisters house for dinner. My kids love getting together with their cousins and playing. We are so fortunate to have so much family around but missed some of my family that are still living in Laguna. Can't wait to have them back! Here are a few photos from the day.....

Ava and Elle. I love my girlies!

Miss Em bug. I got a little smile out of her! She wasn't having the best day but the Easter bunny brought her some fun stuff!!! She is such a sweetheart and brightens my day!

Elsie had fun tearing into her basket! I didn't take a picture of the baskets but got it all on video. As you can tell... I was having problems with my camera.

We went over to my moms and colored eggs the night before. Ava had such a fun time. This year has by far been the most fun with this girl. I let her do it all and she really did do a great job! She helped Emmie and Elsie do theirs too. She is such a great sister, not sure what I would do without her.

My 3 little princesses. By this point, my girls were a mess. Atleast I got a picture even though it's not the best! 

My sister brought out her camera late afternoon as we discovered Elles LOVE for this little toy in their backyard. She kept making this face and the kids put her on this thing probably 50 times. She was loving every minute of it!!! We were cracking up. She has such a cute personality. Doesn't this make you want to squeeze her?

Thanks Trace! I stole these from your blog.

What is something your mom always says to you?

I saw this on my sister in law Audras blog and I thought, "hmmm.... this could be funny." It has been saved in a draft for quite some time now! I wrote this exactly in her words....

1. What is something mom always says to you?
     Ava: go get your dance clothes on

2. What makes mom happy?
     Ava: when I take care of my sisters  (how sad is this?)

3. What makes mom sad?
     Ava:When I don't take care of my sisters ( I think I want to cry... maybe I rely on her a little too much?)

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
     Ava: When we take pictures you do funny things when you dance

5. What was your mom like as a child?
     Ava: You liked playing with your friends

6. How old is your mom?
     Ava: 32 (got that one right!)

7. How tall is your mom?
    Ava: I don't know mom

8. What is Mom's favorite thing to do?
     Ava: clean up! (nice)


9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
     Ava: go shopping and eat lunch (I wish!)

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
      Ava: You'll be on the the biggest loser (I applied for the biggest loser and she has been followed around by our camera so she knew that if I got picked we would be on TV. Funny! And no... I didn't get picked!)

11. What is your mom really good at?
      Ava: riding a bike (we have been doing this alot since the weather has been so nice!)

12. What is your mom not very good at?
      Ava: cleaning her bed (nice!)

13. What does your mom do for a job?
      Ava: she takes care of Emmie and Elsie (k... sad. what about Ava? Maybe we need some counseling?!?!?)

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
      Ava: salad (I was on a diet at this point. Many of you that know me realize these things don't last long! LOL!)

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
      Ava: you let me play and not go to dance (do I get the mother of the year award?)

16. If your mom were a cartoon character what would she be?
      Ava: a mom

17. What do you and your mom do together?
      Ava: we play house

18. How are you and your mom the same?
      Ava: we have blonde hair and the same eyes and mouth

19. How are you and your mom different?
      Ava: you have a baby and I don't

20. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
     Ava: nordstrom (nice one!)

21. How do you know your mom loves you?
     Ava: cause you smile

22. What does your mom like most about your dad?
     Ava: you like his muscles (not really, but this answer sure did make him smile!!!!)

Happy 7th Birthday Em bug!

7 years ago this morning my life changed forever. I was so excited to become a mother for the first time and hold my first daughter in my arms, finally. My Heavenly Father had a different plan for me on January 10, 2002. It took a while for me to accept his plan that he had for me but needless to say I eventually accepted this journey and my life has been amazing ever since. I am indeed grateful for a special little girl that blesses my life on a daily basis. Yes, I have stares and questions and looks that I may have to deal with but she is EVERY bit worth it! She has such a sweet spirit about her that I wouldn't trade for the world. She never talks back, she always is there to listen to me when I need to talk about problems. She still sleeps right by my side every night and is the BEST little cuddler. She has the sweetest personality and has the cutest little laugh. She ADORES both of her sisters and loves to watch them. Her favorite thing to do is watch Strawberry Shortcake. We are going on the 4th birthday as Strawberry as our theme. Every year I think she is going to grow out of it but she doesn't. I think that will be one of the saddest days for us. I can't even begin to imagine my life without my little Em bug and I am so grateful for her. She teaches us on a daily basis more than I could ever dream of teaching her. I feel Em has accepted her plan here and knows she is here to teach us. We love her more than anything and are grateful for the spirit she brings into our home. I am so grateful that she chose me as her mother to take this journey with her and that my Heavenly Father entrusted me with her here on this earth. Happy 7th Birthday Em! I love you!

Sorry for all the photos....

Just a baby! 15 months. This picture brings tears to my eyes. I remember how bad she was struggling to breath this day. (pre- trach)

3 years old. Laguna Beach! The happiest little girl!

4 years old. Utah

3 year old Birthday Party

2 years old with dad on halloween

Mom and Em Bug. 4 year old Birthday Party

5 years old. Easter Sunday

Ava and Em 5 years old

Grandma and Emmie. Celebrating her birthday at school yesterday

Her sweet teacher got her some fun stuff!

And also gave her a bite of some frosting that she wasn't sure about!

Em with her sweet sisters!

Happy 7th Birthday Emmie! I will post pictures after her party next weekend!

TURKEY TIME!!!!

Holidays are always interesting at our home. Jason and I each have 2 sets of parents, so we have the opportunity to have LOTS of dinners and parties! Jason feels at the age of 32 that he still has the need to go down to Picacho and visit his grandma and cousins. Not real sure how many more years this tradition is going to continue but  let's just say I wasn't the happiest camper Thursday morning!!!

Therefore, Emmie, Ava, Elsie and I enjoyed the morning cooking and getting ready for the day. We met dad at Grandma Cindys house around 1:00 for a great Thanksgiving feast. It was a little difficult for me because it was the first time I had been there since Jasons dad had passed. Jason takes the girls quite often but I realized that it had been a while for myself. We had a great time and enjoyed each others company. We went around the table and shared what we were most grateful for at this time. I often feel emotional when I ponder and talk about being a mother. I've been thinking this past week how fortunate I am to have the opportunity to teach and nurture my girls. I couldn't imagine life without them or life without out the amazing experience of motherhood. I am very grateful for it! As bothered as I was this day with my husband, I am also grateful for him and his ability to be such a great dad. He LOVES his girls and makes sure they are aware of how much he loves them! He has this amazing ability to work hard and provide for us during these tough construction times. I am married to a great man who honors his priesthood and fulfills his calling to the best of his ability. I guess it could be a lot worse. I will quite griping on his behalf! I am very grateful for him and our marriage.

Later in the afternoon we drove back to Gilbert and met my family at my parents house. It has been awhile since they have been in town on Thanksgiving so it was very enjoyable to be there. It makes me realize how much I miss them here. We had such a great dinner and laughed at the silliest things. Why is it when you get around your siblings you can look at each other and just laugh? We had a great time!!! Ava sure did enjoy herself. I think I might have seen her a couple times the entire night. There are 21 grandchildren and they have a ball together. We always miss the Simas'. They head to California every Thanksgiving! It was a beautiful day and I look forward to this day each year. It is so relaxing!

Grandma McCleve getting all the yummies ready for the "feast"


I had to get a picture of all these rolls Carrie spent hours on. She made 160 rolls and they were YUMMY! Nothing better than these things. My aunt made these every holiday and they remind me of my childhood. They are a lot of work and Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without them!!! Thanks Carrie!

Miss little Elle (or may I say big?)

Some of the peanut gallery enjoying the football game

Elsie and Claire. They are 2 months apart and my daughter towers over her! Claire is so cute, she feels like a baby doll when you carry her.

Happy dad and Elle


Lacey and my newest niece, Miley. She is so sweet and smells so fresh. Nothing better than a baby straight from heaven! 

Let's just say I didn't get many pictures of my little Em. She was upstairs watching the newest Strawberry Shortcake that just came out. Grandma Bella picked one up for her and couldn't wait till Christmas! She was in her heaven and I let her! I wanted to make sure she was happy since she doesn't get to enjoy devouring food like all of us on this holiday!

Grandma Bella came over!

These two were very busy. I only saw them a couple times. There is so much to do at Grandma and Grandpas house. So nice!!!

Grandpa McCleve with Elsie and Claire

Tim enjoying the game! He is the party animal in the family. Sometimes we can just look at each other and laugh! Once we start laughing we can't stop!!!! It's awful.

Grandma Debbie cleaning up. It's so much more fun to cook than to clean. Thanks for all the hard work Deb! You are so good at making everything so memorable!