In my defense...

So, I know I haven't been the best at keeping up on the blog lately. I do have some AMAZING pictures from our trip to Hawaii that I will get around to posting sometime in the near future... However, Blogger doesn't seem to like the fact that we are "borrowing" our neighbors internet and takes forever to upload the pictures. To the point that the computer "times out". I did try to upload pictures with Picassa and that only worked for about a day and then the pics disappeared on me. Anyway, so until we decide to not be so cheap and actually get our own internet connection, you'll just have to wait for my awesome pictures...

Memorial Day Weekend

For Memorial Day this year, we were lucky enough to be in Utah. Grandpa Oz and his sisters, Pat and Lois, were making the rounds at all the family graves in Salt Lake and we joined them for the last stop at Grandma Susie's grave.

Grandpa and Emma trimmed the grass and made sure the headstone was beautiful.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day.

From left to right: Matt, Lois, Phil, Malia, Pat, Kim, Lucas, Michael, Me and Emma

Graduation PARTY!

For the post graduation party, we decided to head over to the beach in Ventura. Along the way, we found a little merman...

The kids had a blast playing in the sand...


Lucas found some swings and was in heaven!


While Emma played and played and played.


It was a little chilly so Malia was a little bundle of gray.


We LOVE being only an hour and a half from the beach!!

Graduation!!

On May 22, we became the proud parents of a Preschool graduate!!

I thought it was so cute that they went all out and had the kids in caps and gowns (plus it makes for an easy Halloween costume this year). The kids all had to wait until their names were called to come down the aisle. They were all carrying flowers and a poem with their handprint on it to give to their parents who were waiting for them at the front of the chapel.

Isn't she so cute?? Emma did so good in Preschool! It really helped her blossom and grow in ways I never would have been able to get her to do if she had stayed at home. If I had a dollar for everytime I heard the phrase, "Well, Mrs Sarah (her teacher) says...." I would be a rich woman right now! We are hoping that having that whole experience will help alleviate some of her Kindergarten fears and make the transition a whole lot easier.

Family Pics

Over a month ago we got word that my Grandpa Hulse had fallen and was going to have to be moved into a nursing home. He has been sick for quite a few years and has been having a tough time for a while now. To help bolster his spirits, my mom suggested that we get all the grandkids together so we could take some pictures to hang up in his room. One of Damon and Clarissa's friends was awesome enough to volunteer to take pictures of our group.

Of course, I am a little biased and I think that my kids are the most adorable!!

The kids did really good!

Damon and Clarissa with their crazy girls.


Kaela did her own hair and I think she did a great job!!

Joel and Kim with their rug rats.


Boys will be boys...

Emma Claire

Lucas Phillip

Malia Ann

Me and my "bothers"

Don't we all look so grown up and responsible? HA!! HA!!

Malia's Blessing

Since Michael's Dad is an accountant, and January is a VERY busy time for him, we decided to wait to bless Malia until he could be there. That meant we had to wait until the end of April when tax season was over. It worked out perfectly for my Dad too and he was able to make the trip out as well. Little did we know just how busy that weekend would turn out to be. We actually ended up moving while everyone was here. I did have visions of going to the beach that weekend to play in the sand with everyone but instead we ended up moving box upon box from one house to the next. I am VERY grateful that everyone was so willing to pitch in and help with little or no complaints.

Anyway, Malia was a doll in her dress!

I LOVE this picture of her little toes. At first, she was not happy to be posing for her pictures but after a few minutes she warmed up and was a happy little girl.

I still have trouble believing that I am a mother to three beautiful little kids. I am overwhelmed at times with the responsibility of raising these little angels to become normal and functioning adults in a crazy society. I love watching each of them learn and grow in their own little way. Each of them is so different and yet so very much the same. As much as I get frustrated sometimes with them, I really have been blessed to be able to be a mother and a friend to my little cutie pies!

Wildflowers!!

For Easter this year, we headed up the mountain to the Antelope Valley Califonia Poppy Reserve. The flowers were out in full force and I was in heaven!

I tried to get some pictures of the kids but it was too cold to even try seriously.

It was so cold and windy that we ended up having a picnic in the car. Lucas enjoyed it no matter where it was!!