David and Joseph vacation

Every year, Jill and I try to get the boys together for a little trip. They are just the cutest of best cousins. 

This year the Markham crew joined us. 

We got fast passes and it was seriously the best day ever. 

We got on so many rides and the weather was perfect. 

Marcia and Doug even got to join us. 

I loved having time with my little man. He is just the best and is so fun to be around. He's easy going, kind, and smart. I sure am lucky to be his mom! 

I'm so sad that he's getting so big so fast. He's almost too heavy to hold him on my hip. 

But I will continue to carry him until I absolutely can't anymore. 

While we were there, I checked my phone and saw that one of my co workers was there also. It was fun to see Aidyl and her new baby girl. 

I'm grateful for all of the people I have met through my career. 

Racing the Markhams

I've never been much of a treats girls so I don't get the hype with fancy bakeries but this peach cake was pretty good. 

We had to make the most of time with the Makhams being in town so Joseph and I went and picked up David from school and we drove off the Sea World. 

David was sure happy to see Joseph. 

On our way there, we made a quick stop to In N Out for lunch. 

Silly boys. They are so much fun to watch. 

The boys had such a great time together at Sea World. 

They wanted to get wet so badly. I stayed a couple of rows behind. It was funny because wherever they sat, the Orca made sure to wet the crowd on the opposite end. 

It was such a fun time with these two. I hope they are always best cousins. 

Annie is such a thrill seeker. She was loving driving my car around the neighborhood. 

Play time at the park with our Markham cousins while they were in town. 

The kids had a "party" bath. They love when we put lights and they either get to listen to music or watch a show. 

David loves the scriptures so much. I hope he loves being a missionary when he's older. He'll often just pick up the scriptures and read them all on his own. 

Play time at the park. These two love to play together. Lilah is super bossy and tends to do her own thing, so these two stick together. 

We found a new ramp to skate on so we went and checked it out. 

We took Gus with us. Gus is 12 years old already. It's crazy to think that we've had him for almost 12 years ever since Priscilla couldn't watch him any more. 

We've been trying to do better at walking him since Butter is gone now. Gus is finally mellowing out and isn't quite as crazy as he used to. He will still make a mess with our trashcans if he's inside though. 

Marcia gave our family a challenge to read the scriptures every night and Mike has been having the kids read. 

I got on this kick of keeping my family safe. Sometimes I make sure to have enough anxiety for the whole family since they don't seem to think of anything. 

I was up late one night and ordered a fire extinguisher and window breaker for my car or just in case someone else needs help. Whenever there's an accident, I always stop to help. 

The motorcycle accidents are the most fun because they always have bones sticking out. 

My little buddy on our way to pick up brother. 

A pepper spray to add to my key chain. Like I said, I have enough anxiety to cover the rest of my family. 

Presents from my sweet students. Every once in a while I get a class that I get attached to. I love making a tiny impact in their careers and am excited for them to finally be done with school and start working. 

This was a pretty fantastic and memorable group. 

The last day of class potluck was delicious. 

They sent me home with some left overs and I got to enjoy the next day. 

Flowers from my students. 

David has been having big emotions lately and keeps choosing to be mean to his sisters or throw/ break things. I'm so happy when he's finally happy. We've been talking through emotions and coping skills for when you're mad. But he tends to forget all about them when he is mid tantrum. Lilah loves to pester him and push his buttons and it's hard to manage every one when they're all having big emotions. Even little Annie is starting to get into it. 

Annie is in the "I want to help" phase. Here she is "helping" me make bread. 

Lilah loves our neighbor, Carolina. She doesn't have friends in town because her school is so far away so it's nice to have our little neighbor friend over for her to play with. 

David has turned into an early bird. Usually Lilah wakes up at 6, David wakes up at 7, and Annie wakes up at 11 if there's no school. Haha, I love her. Usually the kids wake her up because they turn on all of the lights. 

Lilah loves taking selfies on my phone. 

The other day, David didn't have school so we got to have a one-on-one day together. 

I went to the gym while he played in the kids club, and then we went swimming. 

Then he requested sushi for lunch, which he ate none of. 

Then we went on a play date with our friend Freddy. 

I've been trying to spend more time with the kids. These kids are seriously living their best live and they don't even know how lucky they are. 

Lunch date with my David. He loved Indian food. That's one thing I love about David. He's always open to trying new things. 

These magnetic toys have kept my kids entertained for hours. 

We have been loving our membership to the YMCA. The kids like going swimming in the pool and splash pad the best. 

David is always volunteering to help. Lilah hates to help and is super lazy. I wish she would set a good example since she is the oldest but she is definitely my hardest kid. If I ask her to do something, she usually says her arms hurt. 

David had another day off at school so we  went and played at the YMCA. 

And then we tried Korean food. 

He liked the noodles. I thought they were tasty but I don't think I'd go back for more. 

Annie "helping" me in the kitchen. 

The neighbors left a couple of decorations behind when they moved out. This reindeer that Annie likes to ride is one of them. 

We got these reading books from the library and David has soared in reading in English and Spanish. Lilah does not enjoy reading so I'm really working with her to catch up so she's no so behind with reading. I feel that kids who are good readers tend to be more successful at school so I worry about Lilah. 

Like I said, these kids have the best life ever. 

Park time after In N Out.