Pumpkin Patch

On Saturday, Mamo and Bampo treated their 5 little granddaughters and their parents to a sun filled day at the pumpkin patch! It was so much fun to see the girls all playing together, to hear the giggling and the continous laughter. Of course the day was filled with smiles and memories, even complete with a few tears. None the less, a great time was had by everyone. We tried numerous times to get some great pictures of the kids; do you know just how hard that really is?? Our kids were exhausted and took naps on the way home. When we stopped along the way for dinner, we realized we head left home without one VERY important thing...sunscreen. Who would have thought...Ella is on meds that make her very sensitive to the sun, her face showed us just how sensitive that medicine is and that you truly must follow docotrs orders!! We felt like terrible parents. She is better now though. So without further ado...enjoy the picture post (this is for you Karen!!)

BodyPump

I have to steal the stage for myself a moment. I am taking my fitness and health goals to the next level. Since the middle of June, I have found a new passion for exercise and becoming more healthy. I have lost almost 30 pounds and would still like to lose about 10-15 more. I was approached by the owners and managers at the gym I belong to about becoming a Group Fitness Instructor. I was very excited at first, and then the more I thought about it, I thought I was not ready for something like this because I was not where I needed to be yet. Well, after some long midnight conversations with Tony and a lot of prayer, I decided to do it. My first certification is in Les Mills Body Pump. If you are not familiar with BodyPump check out this website: http://www.lesmills.com/ It is the original barbell fitness class. It rocks! I had my intial training this past weekend. It kicked my butt in more ways than one. I doubted myself at numerous times throughout the weekend, shed LOTS of tears and sweat and also survived and am on my way to becoming a world class fitness instructor. My journey is just beginning and I hope and pray that you will keep me in your prayers and your thoughts over the next 6 months as I dive more into the final stages of the certification process. Check out the others who are doing this also!! 4 other gals from my gym and the owner went through this training! One other gal and I were the only ones who were new to group fitness instucting.

Melody Round Up Parade

The two big girls were asked to be in the Homecoming Parade for Hastings College. They were princess'. And I am hear to tell ya, they loved it. Olivia loved it so much she did not want to take her dress off ALL day. Yes, she even took her nap in it, went to the mall in it, ate dinner! There were about 8 little princesses and they had a good time walking and throwing candy. Ella got to watch the parade and clap for all the bands!

Birthday Splash Bash

Since the girls birthdays are all so close, we have always chose to do a "group" birhtday party, not sure how much longer we can do that. Addison wanted a few friends invited this year and I wasn't quite up to a party with just kids, so we invited families, and we had about 40 people for the Splash Bash. I am quite certain all the kids had a great time in the pool, on the Slip-n-Slide and throwing water balloons!! Everything seemed to go without a hitch and none of my kids were sick for this one!!

I had gotten some ideas for the birthday party from a magazine and had an idea of just what I wanted for the cake. So not to ruin it and be disappointed, I left the cake making up to the professionals, and was really happy with how it turned out! Check it out...

We were so delighted to have Leo and Madeline joining us for the party this year. Living so far away, we just never know when we are going to see each other again. Jenny got brave and boarded a plane east with just herself and the 2 kids. I am sure she was armed with lots of snacks, movies and toys to keep them quiet and content. From what I hear, she was relatively surprised at how well they did!! Kevin even got to drive down and surprise us for the long weekend!! Jenny and the kids stayed for the next week and the kids played so well, and Jenny was quite the trooper; having 2 days by herself with all 5 kids. The visits ALWAYS go so fast, and we are always sad to see them come to an end. The girls and I are trying to plan a trip west for Halloween. Hopefully the snow holds off and we can make it. Grammy has not ever been able to spend a Halloween with the girls, so it will be fun for her to see them.

I was a terrible host while they were here and did not take any pictures. So if you want to indulge yourself in a laugh, head over to http://www.kjwelshfamily.blogspot.com/ and check out Leo as Hannah Montana!! I am sure Jenny was thankful for no big sisters for Leo; as she got a glimpse of what it looks like to have 3 girls...pink, pink, fufu, fluff and lots more pink, oh and crazy dress-ups!!

Addison's Flip Flop Party

In my last ditch effort to not make something hard for Addison's birthday, we settled on a Flip Flop ckae. And it turned out rather cute! Addison loved it! We had gymnastics that evening, but ate that yummy cake as soon as we got home!!

I decided to surprise Addison with a special day for her on her 5th birthday.
We spent the afternoon getting manicures and pedicures! I think she is hooked as she has asked me numerous times when we can go back and get another one. If they gave me a discount since her feet can't even touch the water without sitting up and therefore not enjoying the massage chair, we would go more often. It was more expensive than I was planning, but we had tons of fun none the less!

Happy 5th Birthday Addison

Happy 5th Birthday Addison!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Has it really been 5 years??? (More now that I have slacked on my posts). Addison, you came into this world very slowly, and once you got here you sped up and have not stopped since. I love watching you interact with both Olivia and Ella. You are such an incredible big sister, so mature and so caring. I have to often remind myself that you are only 5, and I need to treat you like a 5 year old. Today, you are 5. Today you gain more responsibilities. Today you have chores. Today you are mommy's big helper. Today you are more mature than a 5 year old. Today you are wise beyond your years. Today you have learned to ride your bike. Today you are potty trained (thank goodness). Today you love to do gymnastics. Today you tell me you want to do soccer. Today you tell me not to "freak out". Today you make me laugh with the crazy things you say. Today you are still scared of going underwater. Today you love to sleep with Olivia in your bed. Today you find ways to not eat your dinner. Today you got a special treat from mommy and got a spa pedicure. Today you drive mommy and daddy crazy. Today mommy and daddy drive you crazy. Today you make me smile. Today you make my heart overflow with love. Today you love to snuggle with mommy in the morning. Today you make my heart ache because I am at work and not with you. Today you are my peanut. But yesterday you were this...

Duck Derby

We spent last weekend at the Duck Derby at the local waterpark trying to win some prizes; and letting the girls play some games and jump on the inflatables. Once again, Liv would not go near the ducks to have her picture taken, but did enjoy waving to the ducks! Sorry to say, but we did not win any prizes, and left with some candy and some hungry children! We did make the front page of the newspaper on Sunday morning! The girls thought they were pretty neat stuff being in the paper!

The first week of school is about over and the girls have really enjoyed going so far. Addison is going 5 days and has been pretty tired lately. Can't imagine how she will be when she goes full days next year. Hard to believe that next year she will not be home to eat lunch with either!! Liv is going 2 times a week and can not get in the door fast enough!! She LOVES it!!. Both the girls started gymnastics back up tonight. Liv has really been looking forward to going. She was in the class for about 15 minutes and then all of a sudden just started crying and did not want to do "nastics" anymore. Not really sure what happened or exactly what her thought process was; we did finish the class through tears and with mom sitting in the gym with her. She told me on the way home that she is not brave because she was crying!! Breaks my heart!

Thoughts From a Preschool Mommy

Well, now I officially have my 2 big girls in school. Olivia was beyond excited to get to school this morning. She just could not wait and was beaming from ear to ear. She did not hesitate when I left, it was just, "okay bye mom"!! She is growing up to be pretty independent. Addison is going to the pre-kindegarden class and is loving it. We have noticed a little more tiredness lately. It felt kinda weird to be home with just Ella who was napping after we dropped them off. All summer the girls have come with me to exercise on Tuesday and Thursdays. They know we go every time and they look forward to it. Liv was a tad upset when I picked her up and she realized that I had already been to workout. She insists that we are going this afternoon now. Ella was not happy about her sisters not being with her when I dropped her off in the Kids room. Sounds like she was not happy for the majority of the time.

Hard to believe that I now have 2 kids in school. Wonder what it will be like when they are not home for lunch and quiet time with mom in the afternoon. Addison already talks about kindergarden. It is amazing what 2 years difference is like; when I ask Addison what she did at school now, she is very explicit and detailed, 2 years ago, it was a lot of "nothing" and "i don't know". Liv's response today was "music". Even Addison got in on the asking questions to her to find out what she did. I asked her if she met any new friends, and she replied, with her teachers name! It was very cute! And now she is conked out in her bed taking a nap!

I pray they continue to enjoy school this much and always look forward to going!

Olivia's Caterpillar Party

Happy Birthday to Me!!!


Playing with my Play-Doh Ice Cream gift from Addison.



Lots of helpers to help me open presents!




Mommy made me a purple caterpillar cake.

Happy 3rd Birthday Olivia!

Wow, time sure has flown since you were born! You came into this world with such a calm attitude and for the most part you have maintained that. You have grown into such a spunky little girl who has the MOST contagious laugh and giggle. You can always make me smile, even when I am trying so hard not to! You are going to keep me on my toes. You love to play with your sisters, sometimes a bit to hard. You have just recently started to want to sleep with Addison and you love to cheer for Ella. You are a wonderful big sister and a little sister! You will ALWAYS be my middle child, a bond that will connect us for forever. Ask your dad about middle kids some day when you are older. I love you so much and am so proud of all that you have become and am anxious to continue watching your grow and develop into a wonderful person. Happy 3rd Birthday Olivia Grace!

Random Summer Fun

Addison, can I please sleep in your bed?


If I could only get this box open mom would have a mess.



Mom, can we play 'canon ball'?

Leo, listen you got to do it like this...

Madeline, you are NEVER allowed to date boys unless it is daddy.

You think I look like a mermaid Londyn?

Hey guys, uh hello...I want to come out and play also!

Mom, I am so gorgeous!