MAUI WOWEE

What can I say? Maui was magical. Daniel and I had such a great time and decided we are definitely going back for our 10 year anniversary. We left the kids in extremely good hands, and drove up to Phoenix last Wednesday night. Daniel had to put in some long hours to get things squared away before we left, so we got in around 1 in the morning, and had to be at the airport at 4:30, so we didnt get much sleep. But like that was gonna interferer with our fun. We stayed at a really nice resort in Wailea. That whole area was breathtaking. The beach was the most perfect beach ever. The sunsets were out of this world beautiful. We spent the first day driving around, taking in the sights and sounds and scents- who knew paradise has such an incredible smell. We zonked pretty hard that night, but woke up to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. It was HEAVEN! We went on a snorkel cruise to Molokini crater. That was awesome! And we got to swim with the sea turtles too. Saturday we spent the day on the road to Hana. We found the best waterfalls, and got to jump from a couple of them. We completely wore ourselves out exploring and hiking and swimming and jumping that day, so we were glad to have a day of rest on Sunday. Monday we got up at 2:45 to go watch the sunrise from the Haleakala volcano. It was FREEZING! Daniel and I thought we were gonna die, but it was well worth it! Glorious is the best way to describe it. We then got to bike down it for 28 beautiful miles of breathtaking views. That night we went to the Luau at the Grand Wailea- it was awesome! And the sunset that night was the most colorful one I have seen. The music and dancing and feasting were fabulous and after it was done, we explored that resort for a while. Its got to be one of the coolest resorts ever. Seriously- if you ever go to Maui- totally go check out that resort- its incredible! Tuesday we went exploring in Makena and found a really cool beach covered by lava rocks. Not the best beach to swim at, but it was really cool to explore it. We then packed up, but then headed out to Lahaina and explored and shopped over there. We then sadly said our goodbyes to our island paradise, and caught the red eye back to the mainland. The trip was as perfect as it could have been. We met some really awesome people, saw some really incredible sights, ate wonderful food-(macadamia nut and toasted coconut waffles with freshly whipped cream- to die for!), had lots of adventures, got to chillax, but most wonderful of all was the simple fact I got to spend 6 entire days with just my Daniel. We laughed at how many times people asked if we were on our honeymoon- we werent overly lovey dovey and kept our PDA to a minimum, or so we thought, but still any restaurant we went to, any adventure, and even while shopping- that was asked even more so then "where you from?" Anyway it was a dream come true, and we cant wait to go back.

8 is GREAT!

Kylie and Toast started school today. Kylie put on a confident face; being a 2nd grader, she knows her way around the school, and will quickly get into the routine. Toast was also excited and ready to go, that is until we actually got to school. He is with his buddies whom he did preschool with last year, which I thought would make him more at ease, but unfortunately he was scared silly. And when Toast gets scared or nervous, he just shuts down. As his mom I know how to deal with it most of the time, but I fear even though his teacher seems as sweet and wonderful as can be, my Toast might just be a hard one for her to crack. Time will tell.
Besides being the first day back to school, today is our 8 year anniversary. WOOHOO! Daniel took me out to celebrate Saturday night. We watched the sunset before heading to the Fun Factory where we raced go-carts, and played a round of mini golf. We then went to dinner at Olive Garden- can't go wrong there.
So the day we got married, Daniel had written me the sweetest love note, and every year on our anniversary, he has continued to do so. This morning was no exception. One of the many things that I love about my Daniel is that he is a romantic. His love notes are the best! He doesnt worry about being sappy, cuz he knows I LOVE it, and seriously when one is just so much in love- being sappy just adds to the fun, does it not? I love thinking back to our wedding day, and love looking back at all the adventures we have had since then, and am so grateful that I am married to my Daniel. He has made our love story as blissful as can be since the beginning, and I have no doubts he will continue to do so forever.
Besides our great date on Saturday, and the wonderful love note today, Daniel is giving me a SUPER EXTREMELY EXCITING gift, which I will write about later- but lets just say ALOHA-HA and let the count down begin!!!

End of summer

I cant believe its been close to a month since I blogged. Sheesh, I am feeling like a slacker.
The kids finished up with swim lessons yesterday. James is now my fearless fish. He loves to jump off the diving board and swim to the side of the pool, only to do it over and over and over again. Toast and Kylie both have much more confidence in the water and have learned new strokes and new tricks. And we all have swim suit lines like we have never had before.
Ben has taken a liking to the broom lately. Its his favorite toy and loves to drag it around the house. He has added a few words to his vocabulary, but refuses to say them when i prompt him. My favorite is Popsicle. He has become addicted to those this summer and will stand in front of the freezer trying to get my attention until I cave and give him one. And the only reason I cave every time is cuz his face lights up like the Luxor pillar every time I do. How can I resist?
James has started telling me secrets. He loves to come up to me and whisper "I tell you seecwet...me wubs you!" Then he runs off laughing. That kid knows how to melt my heart. He has taken a liking to the computer cuz his older brother showed him some elmo games, and he wants to play them ALL the time. I enjoy watching him though, cuz the games are perfectly at his level, and after each task, Elmo breaks out into a song and James will jump up and start dancing and singing along. Its good entertainment.
Toast is getting pretty excited to start Kindergarten. He has been zooming through his library books this summer, so he is definitely ready to go in the reading department. I just hope he will not have a power struggle with his teacher.
I gotta say, I am really gonna miss my Kylie next week when she is at school for most of the day. She has been my right arm these past 2 months. And I know her little brothers are gonna miss her too. She has the sweetest relationship with James and Ben.
Last weekend we had the great pleasure of having some of our dear friends from Mesa come for a visit. We made a day trip to San Diego on Saturday and played on the beach for a while. The kids had a blast, and Ben really enjoyed the sand, as displayed in one of the previous pictures. James had fun building castles with me, and Ty liked boogie boarding with his Dad. We had a great time visiting with the Simmons family and look forward to when they can visit again.
I do think its kind of sad that our summer is coming to an end, but that the temps arent gonna go down for another 2 months. I have really enjoyed my kids and our summer routine. I have loved the tender moments between them, and have enjoyed how excited the oldest 3 get with simple things like craft day, or baking day. I have loved the games, the carefree hours filled with reading, creating and destroying, the talks, the zillion hugs and kisses, and especially the laughs. It seems like time has just zoomed by. But we have some good things lined up in the next 2 months, so here's to looking forward!!!

Liar Liar pants on fire!

So we just got back in town and Yuma decided to celebrate with 119 temps! Seriously WHY THE HECK DO WE LIVE HERE?

What a great vacation we had. We traveled up the weekend before my family's reunion to celebrate our anniversary a month early. My mom watched the kiddies for 2 nights for us, and we are forever grateful. The kids had so much fun with their grandparents and Daniel and I had so much fun being a couple again. We went to our favorite hotel in park city- which is called just that- Hotel Park City. We went to the Olympic Park and did the zip line a couple times. That was seriously exhilarating! And we did the alpine slide there as well. We also rented a couple of bikes and went biking ALL over the place. I could barely walk the next day. I havent been on a bike in like 15 years. But it was so much fun. We also went swimming and shopping and worked out together in the mornings- something we have wanted to do but havent been able to pull off as we have all the kiddies. We made up for all of the burnt calories by eating out at some really tasty establishments. That weekend was HEAVEN! We got to see some awesome fireworks from the hotel, we stayed up late and slept in. We got to read and just enjoy each others company. In case you didnt know, I really love my Daniel! And oh how we love my mom for letting us have that break!

The next week we had a few days before the reunion, and we were planning on visiting Daniels parents, but they were out of town visiting other relatives, unfortunately. So we decided to go to Moab and see the arches. totally cool, but it was almost as hot as back home. Almost but not quite.

So we got back and got ready for the blessed annual reunion. I love my family. There is never a dull moment when all 42 of us get together. We went up to Cherry Hills and had a blast. We camped out and then went to the water park the next day. Great were the sunburns.

Friday one of my cousins got married, so we went to the reception and got to visit with aunts, uncles, and cousins whom we havent seen in a while.
Saturday my niece Lucy was baptized. What a joyful day it was. We also had the talent show that night. Great were the talents and even greater are the memories.

So a few months ago I posted a hideous picture of myself with a new haircut. The morning I went to get my haircut Daniel was all worried that I was going to really get it chopped off-like the picture. I have had my hair cut short once in my life and that once was the most horrid haircut I have ever had. Seriously- I look soooooooo UGLY with short hair. really REALLY ugly. So I would never ever in a zillion years cut my hair short like that. Daniel knows this. OR at least I thought he did.

Anyway the day I got it cut he was texting me to send him a picture. So I sent him that picture and he honestly believed I really cut it. He was scared to come home that night, but when he did and saw that my hair was my normal length he was so relieved. It cracked me up cuz its a horrible picture and for sure he could tell it was fake- but alas he fell for my bluff.

We got to scheming later that night and thought it might be fun to see if my mom would fall for the same bluff. So I blogged it. My mom called me the next night wanting to know if it was some kind of joke. I lied through my teeth. She asked me again. I lied yet again and again. The guilt was killing me but I needed her to believe me. She asked to talk to Daniel. He lied to her. Interestingly enough he was being so sarcastic with my mom I thought for SURE she would know he was lying, but she trusted my darling Daniel who would never lie to his mother in law.
Anyway a few weeks ago Daniel posted a picture of me and the boys on his facebook page when we went to San Diego. Of course my sister in law Lala picked up on the long hair and called us on our fib. Daniel thought of a lie-(what a tangled web we were weaving) and thankfully she didnt go to my mom with her new found doubts.

So we drove up to my moms. Since its an ALL day drive, we didnt get there until dark. I put my hideous wig on, we knocked on her door, she gave all the kiddies hugs and warm welcomes, and then it was my turn. She was shocked but pulled off her own lie of telling me it was "cute." But as we embraced she felt my hair, and instantly knew it was fake and pulled off my wig. I had tears from laughing at her expressions and her little, "Oh its so cute" comment when it was the most horrid looking fake hair ever.

My sister came over a few days later-(after our little getaway) and we pulled the same prank on her. She commented how it almost looked like a wig and she even felt it, but she believed it was real until everyone was getting ready to go home and she saw a few hairs that werent the same length and offered to trim them for me. She still didnt catch on for a minute, but then it dawned on her and again- her expression was just like my moms. I havent had a gut wrenching laugh like that for a while.

The cost of the wig, $15; the cost of lying to my family, an eternity in heck; my mom and sisters reactions, priceless. Its gonna be a long time before anyone believes a word I say, but it was a pretty good heist if I do say so myself.

Summer lovin

Last week Kylie came home in tears on her last day of school. My mind rushed through a zillion different worries as to why, but I had to laugh when she was able to tell me through her sobs. "I, sob, am, sob, going, sob, to, sob, miss, sob, my, sob, teacher, sob, so, sob, much, sob!" I was worried she had gotten hurt, or left something behind or that someone said something mean- but she was just worried that she was never going to see her teacher again. She is such a tender heart.
We started our first day of summer break with a bang. Well actually the barfs. Kylie and James woke up in the night puking. Lots of fun. And of course it had to do the rounds with everyone else. Thankfully it was a quick bug and this week everyone has been just fine and having lots of fun.
The kids started swim lessons again. Their teacher reminds me of my little brother John. The kids have lots of fun with him, unless he tries to make them swim in the deep end. Kylie keeps telling him, "I'm gonna die if you make me swim over there." Love the drama!
Ty has just taken off with his reading lately, and thats been such fun. I love how excited he gets when he finishes a book. He is really looking forward to Kindergarten in a few short weeks. I am just hoping he wont have a power struggle with his teacher though. ;)
Jamesy has been a chatter box as of late, which cracks me up cuz he says the funniest things. My favorite is his new reply to knock knock jokes. Kylie and Ty love hearing James talk and for the past few months they do knock knock jokes with him. But I think he got sick of it cuz the other day when one of them started with the "knock, knock?" James got a scowl on his face and said, "I'm NOT HERE!" My other favorite thing is that he sporadically yells out, "WHAT THE HECK!" I guess I need to watch my expressions a little more closely cuz it sounds so bad coming out of his little mouth in the middle of sacrament meeting.
Bennie-boy has taken a little longer than the other kids to get feeling better, so he has just been my snuggle bug all week long. He is usually pretty snugly anyway, but even more so when he isnt feeling good. He is loving having Kylie home during the day, and when he isnt snuggling me, he snuggles with her.
Anyway the kids are loving summer vacation. We have been doing different activities to keep them busy each day. Besides their chores, workbooks, reading, and swim lessons, we have designated each day with a different activity-ie: Monday is music day, Tuesdays is library day, Wednesday is baking day, Thursday is craft day, and Fridays is Rain-o-lean day. So far so good. We are looking forward to the coming weeks, most especially the BR Hall Fam Reunion!

award ceremony

Kylie is almost done with the 1st grade. Tomorrow is her last day, and today her class put on a little play and then her teacher presented the kids with several different awards, 8 different achievements in all. Kylie got all but 2-(she didnt get perfect attendance, nor the timed math test completion award-(in those 2 groups only 2 kids got them.) Anyway I was proud of my girl. She has grown up a lot this past year. I love how she pushes herself and is so eager to learn. She is our little smarty pants. Woohoo to the moo!
Daniel wasnt able to come cuz he has a conference/class in Phoenix today, so I had the 3 boys to handle by myself. I figured since it was very low key I would manage just fine. I guess I forgot how crazy my crazies really are. Ben was up and down and up and down and screaming unless i could pop his binky in his mouth. James was exactly the same, minus the binky. and when he wasnt kicking off his shoes or trying to take Bens off, he was licking one of us. Tyler did really well, so I was proud of him. He sat quietly and stayed in his chair. He wont do that for church, so I was shocked that I wasnt having to threaten or bribe him into behaving. It wasnt a very long ordeal- (thank heavens)- but by the time we got back in the car, I was ready for a nap. I kinda wonder what life is like after the toddler/baby stages. Do people really get to go to these kind of things and not spend the whole time wrestling with a squirmy kid? I dont think I would know what to do with myself...

Recital

6 weeks ago Kylie started piano lessons. She has been so eager to learn and has been very consistent with practicing and has done really well in these few short weeks. 2 weeks ago her teacher, whom I absolutely adore, gave her the option of playing in the recital. On the drive home I asked Kylie is she wanted to participate. She said no. I told her it would be a good experience for her. She said no. I told her it would be fun. She said no. I then asked her why not. She replied, "I might get stage fright." That made me laugh. I decided not to push her on it, as she is such a timid little thing, but after her lesson the following week, I asked her again if she wanted to do it. She wasnt interested until I bribed her with her choice of treat following the recital. She thought about it for 5 seconds, then said, "OK. I'll do it." Behold the power of treats.
So last night was this blessed event. Kylie practiced and practiced to make sure her song was perfect. She had never been to a recital, and didnt know what to expect, so she was pretty nervous. We took our seats and looked at the program and Kylie was the first one up. Her eyes got really wide and she turned to me and whispered "what do I do?" I told her her teacher would get up and welcome everyone and then when it was time to start she would go up to the piano, tell everyone the name of her song, take her seat and play her song, just like she practiced. She looked at that grand piano with such intimidation that it kind of broke my heart for her, but I knew she could do it and be the better for overcoming her fears. She then whispered to me that she could not play THAT piano. I told her it was just like ours, only bigger, better and shinier, but the keys are just the same. She sat there for a few minutes just looking so worried.
Her teacher welcomed everyone, and then introduced Kylie, who got up, went to the piano, and played her song perfectly. When she sat back down next to me she still looked really nervous, so I gave her a little hug, whispered I was so proud of her, and that she did it! After a few more kids played their songs, Kylie seemed to relax and then started enjoying herself.
After the recital we walked back to the car and Kylie stated matter of factly, "that wasnt so bad, afterall." That made me laugh.
Now I had to deliver on my end of our deal. She chose DQ for her treat, and as we ate our blizzards, she told me it had been the best day of her life. That made me smile. Such a funny little thing she is.