Savannah is 12!

Savannah turned 12 on October 24th. She is finally in Young Women's with her sister and mom. We celebrated with a big family lunch at The Old Spaghetti Factory on Saturday and then Monday we had a quiet celebration at home with just our immediate family. I asked her to pick any meal she wanted for her birthday dinner and she chose tamales and rice. Of course with her favorite pumpkin pie.

She was quite easy to shop for this year. The only thing she really wanted was an ipod touch. Which she got but I always have to throw in some extra little gifts as well. Chyna got her Just Dance 3 which is a family favorite to play together ( although I am the champion at it)
She also got a ring from mom and dad and some slippers from Gabriel, hair stuff from Gillian and a wool coat she has wanted.
Happy birthday Savannah!

Cheerleading

Gillian started cheering on her school's team this year. She has already performed at mulitple football games as well as a Sanger high game and a football carnival. She is loving it and it helps burn off all that crazy energy she has.

It is hard to get a picture of her when she is out on the field. She is in the center of the back in this one.

Gabriel's Birthday

For Gabriel's birthday this year he wanted to go to Disneyland. Well you know I am not a party person so a family trip to Disneyland is more my idea than planning a kids birthday party. Luckily my parents were able to go and my sisters family as well. Some of the family left early the morning of his birthday while we waited until the next morning. Here he is opening up his presents and some birthday donuts.


We had one big family meal altogether and here is his piece of Disneyland birthday cake. Gotta love Jack!


It was so fun hanging with the cousins. My kids love them so much. We can't wait for the next trip when Eric is home from his mission.
Yes I take all the pictures but need some proof I was there.
We found out Gabriel's favorite ride is Big Thunder Mountain. I am not sure how many times we rode that ride.
The first time we took him to get on Indiana Jones the lady said he was too short. So we hung out in the Tarzan treehouse while the others rode it. The next time we went to ride it the guy let him on.

Spending time with Grandpa.
Now everyone has to take turn riding teacups with Jason. They like that feeling of puking while on the ride. So we always have to ride it twice in a row so everyone gets a turn.

Gabriel loved riding with Lauren this trip. He was attached to her.
Funny since it was his birthday I told him he could pick anything out and he only wanted two things. These R2-D2 ears which he ended up getting with a gift card from the Selfridge's and a R2-D2 popcorn bucket. So easy to please at this age. And SO cute!
Sometimes I look at these beautiful kids and can't believe they are all mine. I don't know how time went by so quickly and how they got so old.

Again on Thunder Mountain...



The Disneyland turkey legs are so famous they even sell a t shirt for them.


Time to get wet.


Ph wait one more souvenir. Every boy needs a light saber.
We had such a wonderful time celebrating his 6th birthday. I am so blessed to have this little boy in my life. And so thankful for all the family that helped us celebrate.

First Day of School

The kids first day of school pictures. They are growing so fast I can't believe it. Of course Odie has to be in the pictures. Too bad they don't make little doggie uniforms.

Savannah being a little theatrical.

All the girls...
Now with the boys.

Playing Catch Up...

This summer was crazy busy. We really didn't head out on any far family vacations but we kept so busy here at home anyway. Here are a few of the highlights of the past summer.

Two of my favorite YW graduated high school this year. These girls are awesome and I miss them dearly in YW.
(Diane, Michelle, Valeria, and I at the Sanger graduation)

Girls camp came the first week in July which meant we were gone for the 4th of July this year. I missed celebrating with the whole family but at least I had Chyna and Savannah up there with me.

Savannah had an awesome time her first year at camp. She had a great cabin with some pretty awesome YCL's. She really shined up at camp and it made me feel so good to see her so happy.


These are all her cabin girls. Seems they were up to no good that night.

Gabriel celebrating the 4th at home.
Next came Gillian's 9th birthday. She opted for a cookie cake this year which was pretty delicious.


Her main gift...
We usually go out to dinner together to celebrate my birthday and hers. This year she picked Outback Steakhouse. Good choice!One thing we always try to do at least once in the summer is take the kids to the drive in. They are becoming extinct but luckily we have two that are pretty close to us here. Gillian and Gabriel goofing off before the movie.

Now this was one of the highlights of the summer. For some reason even though we live barely an hour away from Yosemite we have never taken the kids up there before. I know people travel states, even countries to come see Yosemite and we had never traveled the hour before. Well we finally made it this year on our "stay-cation". The kids were most impressed with the waterfalls and getting soaked on the way up to them.








And our other thing we love to do is camp at the beach. We did our trip to Morro Bay this summer and this time Odie got to come with. He loves the car trips.


Lastly our favorite summer treat is Yogurtland. Can't get enough of that place. We especially loved their Hello Kitty stuff they had this summer.