Estrada Household Update!

Again, its been quite sometime since anything has been said on the blog. A lot has happened but at the same time, things seem to be quieting down a little bit.

I recently started my new job at Diversified Planning Financial as a Client Manager . Although I love it and it keeps me busy, my children could say it keeps me TOO busy. It definitely is a change but so far, it's been a good one.

Abel has recentley transfered his company into a branch of Academy Mortgage. He has been able to keep his employees and is working amazingly well with the new company. Other than than, Abel has been enjoying more time with the kids and has recently become famous for his " Estrada Smoothies." The kids will admit that they are "better than Jamba Juice"

We just celebrated Daniel's 19th birthday yesterday with family and friends. Its hard to believe we've known him since he was a little boy and finally got the chance to meet him as a whole family when he was just 17. Daniel is in his senior year at Waterford and is a member of Waterford's boys soccer team. Of course, soccer runs in his blood. At the end of the school year, Daniel will be looking forward to serving the lord through recieving a mission call. We can't wait to see what unfolds.

We now have a BYU cougar in our household! Emilee has been accepted to both the University of Utah and BYU. If you know Emilee, you know that she didn't have a hard time choosing which university she would go to. She will be attending BYU in starting in fall of 2010. Even though she is nervous, she is extremely exicted to experience life on her own in a university that she's always loved.

Laura finished her girls soccer season at Waterford with a state title! Waterfords girls soccer team played an awesome game at Rio Tinto winning the state title. They had an awesome season and Laura really enjoyed playing with the team. Laura is in her sophomore year at Waterford and is loving it.

Branden, who started out his high school experience at Jordan High, has finally seen the light and decided to transfer to Hillcrest High School. He loves it and is definitely doing well in his new school. He is also a part of Hillcrest's boy's soccer team this year and will be able to get some varsity playing time within the next couple of weeks.

Brittany is in the 7th grade this year at Albion Middle. She is doing extremely well and loves the school and her increasing group of friends. She has auditioned for the school play, become interested in dance and of course loves playing volleyball. She is quite the bundle of energy, ideas, and enthusiasm.

Amanda is in 5th grade and is still loving Silver Mesa. She's quite the guy magnet. I can't tell you how many times we have little 5th grade boys appearing on our doorstep waiting for her. Valentines day was quite the holiday for Amanda ;)

Dallen is in 4th grade and is just as rambunctious as ever. He's all over all the different sports and loves hanging out with his friends. He's doing well in school and can't wait for summer, of course!

Madison, also in 4th grade, just loves being with friends and family and is as sweet as can be. She loves playing with her sisters and being as creative as possible with all her arts and crafts.

Overall, our family is doing well and is looking forward to the summer months. Its been quite the year and we can't wait to see what the future holds in store!

One crazy life!

Yet again, its been months since anyone has posted anything on this blog.... what a bunch of slackers! ;) This past summer has been so busy, hardly any of us have had time to sit down and breathe. June started out with sending Josue off on his mission to Comayaguela, Honduras. He spent his first couple weeks serving in Guatemala and has since been transfered to his mission in Comayaguela. Despite the slight scare of the military coupe in Honduras, Josue is doing well and loves his mission.Also, Daniel and Laura left to go back to Guatemala just before the school year got out. They went back in hopes of applying for a student visa to allow them to come back and study again in Waterford. They are living with their Uncle Carlos and his family until they return on August 30th! We can't wait to have them come home.

I started off my summer with a short escape to Florida with a Friend. It was my ten minute breather to relax on the beach.. alone, before our busy summer took off. Here's a quick snap shot of the sunrise on Danila Beach I took on my phone.

Emilee was also elected as Senior Class President at the end of the school year and is looking forward to a very busy schedule this next year. The joke around our house is "great, see you after graduation!" She was able to attend a Leadership Conference down in Dixie that she absolutley loved. One of her highlights of this summer has been passing her AP Biology test!

Along with her busy school year, Emilee can't wait to start her senior season of HHS volleyball. Tryouts are next week and she can't wait to rule the court this year!

The first week of July our family spent time up in Seattle for Branden's soccer tournament with this team, The Blue Knights. Their first game was a rough one and resulted in a loss of 2-5. However they made amazing comebacks with games of 8-0 and 6-0. It was fun to spend time with Branden and his team over the 4th. We also traveled a little bit up into Canada and all around Washington.

One of my highlights of this trip was being able to go Whale Watching with Emilee! Emilee and I both share a common love for Ocras (killer whales). We were so excited to finally see our favorite animals in the wild! We ended up seeing a total of 5 Orcas. It was so much fun to run around the boat from side to side with Em trying to see them everytime they broke the surface.

The next week in July, Brittany and Emilee were able to go to girls camp together. It was Brittany's first year and possibly Emilee's last. They had a blast with all the other girls! Right after girls camp our family took off to our first trip to Lake Powell. It was such a fun trip! We spent most of the time tubing, wakeboarding, playing in the water and of course, card games on the house boat. We even went cliff jumping as we venutred further up some canyons! On our way home from Powell many of us exclaimed that we'd never again go to another lake. The rest just can't compare to Powell!

Since Powell we have somewhat been able to relax more. We spent another weekend up in Park City for another soccer tournament. The Blue Knights won each game by a large margin. Their game winning scores consisted of 7-1, 8-1, 5-1 and 2-1. However they lost in the finals to a team they had previously beaten 5-1. All in all, it was a fun tournament and the team played hard.

Now we are just starting to settle down and start gearing up for the school year. Can you believe it?! Already getting started on school stuff! Abel is excited to leave on a Choice Humanitarian Trip to Guatemala this Friday. He will be taking around 150 people to different areas throughout Guatemala. He will be returning on August 30th with Daniel and Laura! They got their student visas and we'll be able to start school again at Waterford after Laborday Weekend.

Just for an update as to where everyone will be for the next school year:
Emilee: Senior at Hillcrest High
Daniel: Senior at Waterford
Laura: Sophomore at Waterford
Branden: Sophomore at Jordan High
Brittany: 7th Grade at Albion Middle
Amanda: 5th grade at Silver Mesa Elementary
Madison and Dallen: 4th grade at Silver Mesa Elementary

As for me, I'm having fun just being a busy mom. I apologize for the post being all over the place but thats how our summer has been.. "all over the place."
-Karin

Alot To Say

Well, since my mom hasn't been unable to update anything on this blog, It is now up to me to keep things going! (just kidding). Alot has happened in the past couple months. Here is a little update..


-Josue, Daniel and Laura Rabanales are here and still doing great! They will be living with our family. We are delighted to have them and wouldn't have it any other way.

-We are currently working on obtaining student visas for Daniel and Laura so that they will be able to attend Waterford by the beginning of next year, if not earlier.
-Dallen has been out of the hospital for about a week and a half and his doing much better. Thanks to everyone who helped and visted while he was in the hospital!
-Branden made the Jordan High School soccer team and is excited to play on JV and possibly even some Varsity time.
-Brittany is excited and working hard on her lead part in her upcoming play at Silver Mesa Elementary.
-I (emilee) am just excited to get through these next couple of months. I just want to get ACT and AP testing over with!
-Everyone is just having fun and loving being in such a fun household. With 9 kids who knows what the next day will bring.

My guatemalan family is coming

We found out today that our three kids got their visas. they will be here on Saturday the 13 of december. It still feels like a dream!!!