15 minutes to go and counting!

Today the kids went back to school. We had a fun summer but YES it felt to short. I felt like summer vacation just started and now it's finished. I swear just yesterday Emmie was a kindergartner along with all the rest of them. The kids were really excited to go back although if you asked Kiersten or Hallie they would say they weren't. We had been waking up early all summer so getting up was no big deal. Nolan and Emmie were so excited they couldn't sleep last night. At 11pm they were making tents! At midnight they got dressed in school clothes! At 12:30 I insisted they fall asleep! Finally 1pm it got silent. Nolan woke up and was ready to go at 5am, then when 7:30am came he was asleep on the family room floor. Emmie only had one little melt down about the skirt she didn't want to wear (that she picked out). Overall it went Swell! It's just that last 15 minutes before they head out the door. My heart always starts pumping to fast! After trying so hard to use a nice mommy voice all morning I can just blow at any moment! I just can't let them go out the door without their lunches in backpacks, water bottles with ice water, all papers signed and in backpacks and especially a healthy breakfast. So that last 15 minutes is craziness for our family! I would say we did all right for the 1st day. We always have tomorrow :0)

Kiersten is our big 6th grader! Last week at Meet the Teacher night we walked in her classroom to meet her teacher. Emmie walked right up to Kiersten's teacher and said,"Kiersten says you are the meanest teacher!" Kiersten turned bright red and almost started to cry. We were all speechless even the teacher was. We got out of that room as quick as we could. Kiersten and I went back to her classroom and apologized to her teacher. She hugged Kiersten and said she wasn't the mean teacher. So we were all good after that. I guess Kids Say The Darnedest Things!

Hallie is in 4th grade. According to Kiersten, Hallie got the best teacher ever. She is so excited! I know she will have a good year.

Nolan is in 2nd grade. He still gets a little nervous when he has to separate from me. I can tell when he looks at me. He has come a long way since kindergarten. Jack really wanted to go to school with Nolan. All of my kids had 2 years of preschool but I just can't spend money to send my 3 year old to school when I can teach him letters, numbers and shapes. Heck I can teach him to READ! FOR FREE! I could change my mind about this (if I want to) LOL!

Sweet Princess Emmie is in 1st grade. She just took off to find her own class. So independent. She was so excited to walk her cousin Presley to kindergarten. She loves school. I'll miss you guys! But I'll see ya out front at 3PM!

Sea Port Village

We were so happy to spend time with Nana, Papa Frank, Taylor and the Mahler family at the beach! We beached a few days together and spent a day at Sea Port Village. We love going there! Although we didn't get over to Coranado Island to ride the bikes, we still had fun!

This is kind of a funny picture. Funny because I know I was threatening the kids with their lives to hold hands while we walked through the parking lot at Sea Port Village! LOL

Nolan climbing! Look closely and you can see Jack trying to follow his big bro to the top. Nolan is his best friend. Actually Jack decides who his best friend is and it's always a different person! Usually me or Kiersten!

We love our cousins!

July 10, 2009 Mom's Birthday!

This was a good day! I got to celebrate my birthday at the beach with my favorite people! Before we left for the beach I decided I wanted to have a photographer take family pictures of us while we were at the beach. Well I planned the best I could to have everything ready before we left for the beach, which wasn't easy considering we were camping. The clothes had to be kept in a safe place away from dirt, sand or anything yucky. I didn't quite get all the clothes together for the girls but their was still hope. I had the first week before Russ flew in to find a few more outfits. This was huge important to me.

The last time we took a family picture was 3 years ago and all I can say about that was "It was a nightmare". We have no family picture of that day. So I really wanted to make this work. I worried and changed my mind about doing the pics for the whole trip. Finally the night before came and somehow it all came together. Russ woke us up and the kids got ready happily. Things always get a little out of control when we have to get ready for anything. So I was relieved when all 7 of us were ready and happy. They all knew how important it was to me and since it was my birthday I got extra good behavior from them. I would have to say July 10th was a success. I felt super happy that day! I am greatful for my children and a super cool husband. I love you guys!

SeaWorld Fun Card!

I got this crazy idea to take the kids to Seaworld by myself this year! It turned out to be a blast! We bought the Fun Card so we could have unlimited admission. We took Grandma Terri and our cousin Sam with us. The second time Russ was there so we brought Grandma Alberti and one night we came back just to ride the rides. We saw Shamu, rode the rides, got really wet, ate lots of yummy expensive food and watched the kids enjoy it all! They loved it! We plan on coming back in October.



Emmie was finally 42" tall. She was so excited to ride the big rides. She loved the roller coaster. She got a little scared but she wanted to do it again.

Jack got to wait....Maybe next year he'll be tall enough!

This was an ice wall. He kept putting his cheek on it for me. So funny:)


Sam and Nolan. They are good buddies!

Russ and Grandma are up top looking down on us in the handicap seats. We are at the Sea Lion Live Show. The walrus got out over the glass behind us at the show before us. It was all pretty exciting.


Granma Terri anf Jack were buddies too!

Grandparents are so special in a very Special Way!

We are so grateful for our grandparents. I remember late night trips to Jack in the Box with Granny and my Grandpa always in the back yard working on his boats. My grandparents always had candy bars on the table and pringles in the pantry. I loved that! Our children are so blessed to have so many special grandparents and great grandparents. I hope they will learn all they can and enjoy these moments they have with them. When we got home from California we found out Grandma Gay is very sick and we are all so sad. Nolan decided he was going to pray she would get all better because they had all been praying for Grandpa Frank lungs to be okay and it worked. My children have so much faith in prayer. I learn so much from them. They know when they pray Heavenly Fathers is listening to them. That makes me happy because I know he listens to me too.


When we visit California that means we get to visit Great Grandma Alberti. We call her "Grandma at the beach." We have a tradition of eating Sunday brunch at The Wellington. We all look forward to it. It is a huge spread from prime rib to ice cream. It's the best eating we do the whole time we are at the beach. Well maybe not as good as Juanitas! We enjoy every minute with Grandma. She is an amazing lady with so many talents. She does so much with her life even at 93. She is the Homecoming Queen of The Wellington. Everybody loves her there! All of the kids know how much she loves them too!




Sunday Brunch is the Best! Hallie really looks forward to this part.

Chocolate covered strawberries for breakfast! Yummy!


We took Grandma to Sea World. It is her favorite place in California (second to the beach). The kids loved having her with them.





Joe's Crab Shack!
They asked if we wanted to get up and dance and of course Emmie did! She is so sure of herself and loves to boogie. I love that about her. We all had huge smiles on our faces watching her dance around the restaurant!



Wahoos Fish Tacos! Pretty tasty!

Summer Break is almost gone!

We just got back from camping on the the beach a few days ago. The whole family looks forward to this bi-annual trip to Carlsbad State Beach. It has been a tradition for Russ and his family for many years. Since I have been an Alberti we have gone almost every year. We missed going our first year of marriage when we lived in Utah. Then we missed the year Emmie was born. It was too close for a pregnant mommy that has early babies. Then we missed another year when Jack was born. Jack and Mom were stuck in the hospital that year. Overall it has been our favorite place to vacation. We have made many memories at the beach that we will surely remember.

Emmie's Kindergarten Graduation!

Emmie had the best kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Holland! She just loved Emmie. Emmie and her friend Summer were the smallest kids in the school. All of the big kids at school loved Emmie because she is so cute and little. I would say she is a super popular little girl at CTA. At the beginning of the school year the kids would swarm her to see her and once she started to cry:( Kiersten and Hallie would always be there for her. It was cool having 4 kids together at the same school. They all look out for each other. Last year Kiersten had recess with Nolan and she played with him everyday at lunch recess. She had a fun school year and made lots of friends. I spent lots of time worrying about whether or not to put her in kindergarten because she turned 5 just a few days before school started. After talking with some of the kindergarten teachers and Mrs. Nance the principal and considering I was a July birthday and I always did fine in school. We did it! She learned so much and loved school! She thought the world of her teacher and cryed at her graduation because she didn't want to leave kindergarten. It was so cute and sad.

Last Day of School

We made it through another year at CTA Freedom. I absolutely love the school! My kids have learned a ton. They all had great teachers that all of the kids loved. They spent many hours doing homework (like 1-1 1/2 hours every night), reading lots of books, memorizing phonograms, doing math flashcards, studying spelling words and all the many hours spent at school each day. Kiersten excelled in 5th grade getting all A's and a few B's. Hallie improved so much in 3rd grade. She can complete her homework all on her own and even got 100% on a few spelling tests. Nolan is a super smart 1st grader. All of his school work is easy for him. Well maybe not his math facts. Emmie did amazing in kindergarten. She was one of the youngest in her class so it started out rough but by the end of the year she was doing great. She is even READING! Finally the year has come to an end. They are ready for summer break and so am I.

BYU Womens Conference

I went to Womens Conference at BYU. It was completely uplifting. I have been going since Hallie was a baby. Of course I've missed a few years but each time I go I learn exactly what I need to learn the most! I had a great time with all my lady friends!

I ran into my childhood best friend Shelly. That was neat! It was her first time at Womens Conference.

SHEROX 2 Hours 6 Minutes!

I was able to do another triathalon in Tempe. This one was fun because it was all girls. It was the SheRox Tri. A group of my girlfriends trained and did it! It was fun! It was my first lake swim, so I was nervous and excited. I did pretty well except for the run:( I walked way to much. I thought I would be under 2 hours but that wasn't the case. I was happy I finished though! I am training for the Lake Pleasant Tri on June 6th. I keep waking Russ up at 5:30am so he can run with me! I don't think he has been to happy about that. I should be ready though!

My Biggest Fans!

Ain't EMMIE Sweet!

My mom has been teaching dance forever! All my girls have taken dance from her and now it was Emmie's turn. She had the cutest numbers. Thanks Mom for all the many years of dance! My girls have always loved to DANCE just like their Mama! The older girls got to help all the little dancers with their costume changes. They loved that! My sista Tiffany got to help too! My sisters and I have been helping my Mom with her dance recitals for many many years!

I got to watch from the audience this time. Russ got Emmie a special surprise after the show! Emmie had so much fun and we were so proud of her. We love you Sweet Emmie!

ELVIS ROCKS!

Hallie loved her new room! Russ and I worked our tails off to finish before she got home from her weekend trip at Grandma and Grandpa Alberti's. We got a few Elvis albums from my Grannny and from the Alberti Grandparents. Grandma Terri painted a guitar hot pink (it turned out so cute)! Hallie's Nana found the funnest hot pink and black bedding! Thank you so much for all the fun contributions. Russ and I had so much fun doing the room. I even pulled an all nighter (which doesn't happen very often for me)! Happy 9th Birthday Hallie Mae! AKA LILO. Hallie fell in love with Lilo when she was 2 years old. The "Lilo" from Lilo and Stitch the movie because she loves Elvis. So Hallie has loved Elvis since she was 2 years old! It is so CUTE. She is getting something special from one of Grandma Nancy's friend that is visiting GRACELAND next week. She is so excited!

Big Weekend With Russ and Jack

When the kids walked home from school today Grandma and Grandpa were out front waiting for them. They all had huge smiles on their faces knowing they get to have a weekend sleepover with Grandma and Grandpa. They have so much fun over there. They stay in their jammies all day (which they love). Grandma has a huge bucket with all kinds of crafts for them. They spend hours being little Picasso's. The best part of it is Grandma gets out her Scotch tape and covers all of her kitchen cabinets with their art masterpieces. They also get super yummy breakfasts with 5 or more flavors of Knotts Berry Farm syrups to choose from. Not to mention the BEST ORANGE JULIUS' ever. The kids have amazing grandparents! I wish I were there!!

Russ and I have BIG plans to do a Extreme Makeover on Hallie's room. She will be so surprised when she gets home Sunday. We are doing her room up for her birthday. She will be 9! Better get moving, we only have a few days. I can't wait to see her cute little face when she sees the finished room.

Facebook

I have spent a few months or more on facebook. I have looked up old friends and old friends have found me. It has been fun for me and cool to see all the many accomplishments so many have made. Everybody on facebook seems pretty happy. Which is good... For me facebook has put back in my memory Jenny Bateman. This may seem a little far off for some but for me it has been real. My life has zoomed by the last 14 years for me. I have had it real good. I know I am on the right path and will stay here forever with my crew. Because of all of my memory jabs from facebook I have got myself wondering about stuff. Who was Jenny Bateman in elementary school. What was middle school all about? Oh and high school. That was total fun...oh and a bit of a train reck too! Then my life began when I turned 19 and found Russ. He pretty much saved me. Yah that's a little weird... No words can describe how lucky I have been to be married to him for the last 14 years. Now we have combined 5 kiddos to make a complete 7. Our lives are crazy busy! I am always trying to find the joy in it all. The JOY is my family.
to be cont.

October Beach Trip

We love the beach! We went with the Lewis Family and this year the Varney Family gave it a shot too! We had a great time and can't wait to do it again with great friends.

Our kids had been asking to stop at the sand dunes since they were born. We finally did! The higher up the hotter the sand gets! It was fun!

We checked out the Aquarium in La Jolla. They loved the sharks!

Russ and I had a blast watching Lisa snorkel! Funny Girl:)