San Juan Capistrano

We took a Saturday morning to go visit the San Juan Capistrano Mission for Sydney so she could research her school mission project. We are familiar with this mission because we lived down the street from it for 4 years when we lived in San Juan. It was so fun to go back and visit, revisit our memories there and wander around the charming downtown area and train depot. We dearly miss living there. And the architecture of the mission is amazing.

My favorite shot of the day. Nick actually suggested blowing this pic up and having it in our house, which I was proud of.

My other favorite shot of the day. All the kids look so great. Love their smiles.

Syd's friend accompanied us on our trip as well.

Sophie's Quips

Here are the latest from Sassy Sophie. I need to document them before I forget them.

Quip #1:

I'm blowing my hair dry on a weekday.

Sophie: Mom, we going to church?

Me: No, it's not Sunday.

Sophie: But you do that to you hair on church day.

Lesson: I guess I need to do my hair more often so Sophie doesn't think I only get dressed and do my hair on Sunday's.

Quip #2:

I was talking to Nick on the phone and called him 'honey'

Sophie: Who 'honey'?

Me: It's daddy.

Sophie: You mean Nick.

Me: No daddy.

Sophie:No, his name Nick. Not daddy, and NOT honey.

Quip#3:

Sophie: Where Nick?

Me: Who's Nick?

Sophie: Um Nick, my dad.

Me: His name is daddy.

Sophie: No.....him name Nick. Your name Rachel.

She cracks me up everyday. From her asking me if I'm sexy (how she even learned that word, I'll never get) or to her telling everyone how awesome they are or how cute they look. She makes my day lively and unpredictable. I sure love my Sassy Sophie.

I got crafty....

I've made baby blankets, burp cloths etc, before. For other people as gifts. I've never indulged myself in my own craftiness. So I decided to make myself some baby treats. Nick and I traveled to L.A. to the fabric district and I got me some, super soft, furry fabrics in darling little girl colors and then I traveled to Joanns to get some other fun fabrics. The result? 2 adorable and furry blankets in browns and pinks. (no pics of the blankets) And 6 adorable burp cloths that I can't wait to use. And here they are in all their glory. I also made some fabric flowers that I attached to hair clips and am gearing up to make a gaggle of baby bows and nylon headbands. To say I'm feeling crafty might be an understatement.

My Boyfriend is 7!!!!

I can't believe my little man is 7. Where does time go? My love affair with this guy started the minute I saw his gorgeous face. I was so nervous to have a boy considering I only had one brother and grew up with a gaggle of girls. And everyone told me how I would never want to let him go, and they were so right. I feel sorry for the girl who wins his heart and inherits me, cause I'm not letting go.

My 7 favorite things about Nico

*he loves is sisters, he is fierce in defending them

* he is wonderful with little kids, he has a gift of love that way. I can't wait to see him with the new baby.

* He's goofy. He'll make a funny face, sing a silly song, do a funny dance. He's all about the silliness.

* Ever since he was little he has been a master at entertaining himself. He will play for hours. His imagination is staggering.

* He is SO beautiful. I've been told since the day he was born. And he is the spitting image of his father, which makes it even better. It's like looking at his dad, and I love looking at his dad.

* He is SMART. He can already figure our multiplication problems in his head. We always thought he would be chatty and problematic in school and his teachers adore him like crazy. Straight A's and a doll in class.

* He lights up a room with his spirit. He's always in a good mood.

I am so sad my little man is growing up so fast. I love him to pieces.

Proof we camped at the beach.

These are the only pictures taken while we camped at Doheny over Spring Break. I am remorseful that there aren't more. However I did not have a very fun time and my mood wasn't one of taking lots of festive pictures. It is very hard to camp, even in an motorhome, and be 7 1/2 months pregnant. A trip that is usually relaxing for me became harder because my household responsibilities don't end. I still have to cook meals, bath children, clean the motorhome, clean outside the motorhome. I haven't minded these things in years past because I wasn't pregnant, however this year it was very hard to keep up and not get discouraged and depressed about it. I am ashamed to admit that one day I didn't even leave the motorhome because I was so overwhelmed. Nick got very frustrated with me, I don't blame him, I would have gotten frustrated with me.

The kids had fun and that's all that matters. Next year I won't be pregnant and I know I will have a much happier, relaxing time. Even with a 9 month old in tow.

Easter 2010

(not the best pic of Syd and Nico, but I love Sophie in it)

( a little sad that we chopped off all those locks, pics to come soon of the changes)

We had a lovely Easter. We woke up and the kids hunted for their Easter baskets with the clues left for them. Watched General Conference, which challenged me considering Sophie was all over the place. Fixed our traditional Conference brunch between sessions and then readied ourselves and headed out to Palm Springs to Nick's brother's house for a family Easter gathering and dinner. The kids had a wonderful time with their cousins and the egg hunt they participated in. It was a great day spent with family. And the next day we headed to the beach for our annual weeklong camping trip. That update coming soon.

Daddy/Daughter Date Night

(sophie insisted on popping into the photos with her apple)

(daddy and syd before they left)

(sydney and her friend Shay)

On Friday night Nick took Sydney on a date to her first daddy/daughter dance at school. We had originally told her that Nick was busy that night and they couldn't go. She was bummed but understood. Then Thursday night we figured out he could take her. So Friday I ran over to the school and purchased their tickets and we surprised her with the news that they WERE going. She was so happy. We curled her hair, picked out a cute dress and got her looking dazzling. They had a great time. They danced away the night, ate some delish dinner and spent the night with some soccer dads and girls that were there. Sydney came home with a giant smile on her face. I am so glad they had this time together. I know they share a bond over soccer but is was so nice to see them have this special time together.