Mother's Day

I have a tender spot in my heart for Mother's Day. It hasn't always been that way. For 25 years Mother's Day was a normal day I spent celebrating my mom. Today marks 6 years where I celebrate Mother's Day as a motherless mother. I don't pretend it's not sad, or that I don't have moments during this day where I wish I could call her, send her a card, or post a picture of the most resent picture of us on Facebook. I wish I could declare how much I love spending time with her, and love to see her being a grandma to my girls.

I love this picture. It reminds me that because of the temple and the priesthood power we have here on earth, I can see my mom again, and we can be a family forever.

I sat in church today and listened to an older mother in RS declare that she hated Mother's Day and has always asked her kids not to get her anything. Mother's Day was a joke where kids pretended to be good or love their mother's on just one day of the year. My soul ached. My soul ached because my mother isn't here on earth and I would give anything to share this one special day with her by giving her gifts and showing her how much I love her with hugs, kisses and words of love. It mostly ached for this mother's children. Mother's Day isn't just for moms you know! It's a chance for our children to show us they love us in ways they don't all the other days of the year. Its a chance for us to teach our kids that motherhood is AMAZING and such a special blessing that one day each year is dedicated to them. And for me, its a chance to teach my girls that motherhood is a sacred calling that one day they will hold.

Mother's Day is special to me, a sacred day in which we honor ALL mothers both here on earth and those who have completed the work they had here to do.

Mother's Day is not just for me, but for my children.

I hope they know how much I love them and how proud I am to be their mother. I am who I am because of Elley, Molly, and Addison. I will let them spoil me ALL day long. I will love the homemade cards, the pictures, the way Elley set the table all special for me, the kisses, the hugs, the foot rubs, the snuggles, EVERYTHING!!!

To my children: I will love and cherish every Mother's Day that I am blessed to share with you.

Family Vacation (part one) Grandpa and Nana's House

About a month ago, we had the chance to go on an amazing family vacation. We got to spend 8 days in sunny California. Not only did we get to spend some time at Disneyland but we also got to spend some time at Grandpa and Nana Hudson's house. We don't very often get to visit their house because it's so expensive to fly there. My sister and brother in law we so nice letting us have a few buddy passes so that we could fly.

The girls knew we were going to Disneyland/California they just didn't know exactly what day. We left on a Wednesday night and Elley had school Thursday and Friday. She thought she was going for the rest of the week before her spring break started. We had been packing all day but I kept telling the girls I was just getting ready for when we did leave in a few days. I also told them we were going bowling at a place by the airport later that night.It was cute, they had no idea that we were actually flying out that night. When we pulled up to the airport Elley and Molly were saying things like, "bowling at the airport?" "I didn't know there was bowling at the airport!" I could tell they were really confused. Finally I told them we were leaving right then for California and still they were in a little shock and confusion. After we got inside and after a few minutes, it sunk in and they were so excited!!!

I was excited about taking our girls on the airplane and what they would think of it. A very dear friend of mine made the girls goody bags for on the airplane. These goody bags were a lifesaver!!! They had all sorts of treats in them which I kept shoving down Addison's throat. I knew she might get a little restless but she was a monster. I forgot just how little space you have when flying. Luckily, we sat by some very understanding people and the flight attendants were very accommodating. The picture below just about sums up the entire 2 flights it took to get there. I do love that girl and all her craziness!! 

Also, Elley was mildly sick a few days before we left. Low grade fever and stuffy nose. Well, during our travels it turned for the worst, turning into a full fledged ear infection. She fell asleep in my lap during the second flight but woke up screaming as we were descending and landed. I felt so bad for her, there was nothing I could do. She already had had all the ibuprofen she could take. Grandpa met us at the airport with some Tylenol and saved the day! We ended up taking her to the walk-in doctor the next day and sure enough, a big fat ear infection!

Another funny story, my dad doesn't have a car big enough to fit all of us so he borrowed a Highlander that has the option of the 3rd row. Once you get that 3rd row up though, theres really now room for luggage. And we had a lot of luggage. 2 car seats, 2 suitcases, 1 duffel bag, and 1 double stroller. It was amazing we fit everything in. The 2 girls in the back ended up sitting cross legged with suitcases under them and the stroller was across our laps.

We made it safely to Grandpa and Nana's and the next 4 days were filled with cookies, delicious food, golf cart rides, and lots of swimming.

The girls really have the best Grandparents on both sides of our families! Making cookies with Grandpa is one of our most favorite things to do. He is famous for peanut butter cookies. I'm so glad my girls that the experience to spend some time with him at his house.

Late nights and early mornings really started to catch up with these girls. All 3 of them fell asleep in the car after we made a trip to the outlet malls and we were on our way to lunch. Funny story about these cute little sweaters they are wearing. We packed for SUNNY California. That morning as we left, I asked Adam if I should grab coats for everyone. He didn't seem to think we needed them and I thought it would warm to too, I mean come on....we were in southern California. Wrong, it was cold and we were in shorts, T-shirts, and sandals. We got all sorts of looks from fellow shoppers dressed in long pants and parkas. We quickly found a Crater's and at least got them sweaters. 

Grandpa's golf cart was a huge hit. The girls loved to take ride to the desert and loved it even more when we let them drive. And by drive, I mean sit on our laps and steer. Fun memories on that golf cart!!!

Also, endless hours in Grandpa and Nana's pool. It's nice because even when it was a little cold outside and the wind was blowing, their pool is inside. And no, Addison isn't nude and yes, she is a girl....we just couldn't find her swim suit top. Lucky for her...and us, she's still little.

And here's a cute little picture of my family after church. We sure enjoyed getting to know some of the ward members.

This last picture of Addison is of her cute little messy face. She played and played and played. She loved being outside, no shoes, and lots of new places to explore.

We sure had fun at Grandpa and Nana's house! We can't wait until we can go back and visit!!! We love them and miss them soooooo much!

Big Butts and Familes

I have a few stories I need to document before I move on to the daunting task of blogging about Disneyland. Disneyland might be 3-4 blog posts long. It'll be worth it though, to get all our pictures put together and our memories documented.

First, my girls have said a few funny things this last week that made me giggle. They are getting so big and are saying the funniest things. It s fun to see their personality emerge as they get older and experience new things.

While eating dinner last week, Molly was standing up on the chair sticking her butt up on the back of the chair.

Molly: "Elley, look at my butt. It's sitting on top of the chair and it looks so big."

Elley: "That's funny Molly." (giggle, giggle)

Molly: "Elley, what if mom had a big butt?"

Elley: "She does Molly!"


This morning in the car driving Elley to school we drove past a pasture of cows. The girls were talking to each other about the cows and who was the mommy, the daddy, the sisters, and the brothers. I asked them how they knew they were families. They told me it was because there was one mommy cow, one daddy cow, one sister cow, and one brother cow.

I responded by saying that we didn't have any brothers in our family, and asked if we were still a family.

Molly: "Mom, we do have a brother, he is in Heaven."

Me: "Oh really, what's his name?"

Molly: "The Lord."

Me: "You're right Molly, he is our older brother."

Molly: "And He did something for us, He died for us."

My January Baby Turns SIX!!

What a special girl we have. That's right, Elley Joyce is one of the sweetest little girls I know, and we are so lucky to have her in our family. She is thoughtful, helpful, kind, and has the ability to make friends in any situation. And, SHE'S SIX!!! 

She loves school, which is no surprise to me. She's almost done with her skills book, which she needs to be to get a special treat on our upcoming family vacation. She'll do it, she's very motivated. Her favorite things right now are, Barbies, coloring, crafts....especially painting, reading, and "babysitting" her little sister. She loves to be in charge! She loves to talk and will talk your ear off if you'll let her. She also like to play house and primary. And, I would have to say her favorite movie right now is Matilida.

I wasn't going to do a birthday party this year, so I told her she could take a few friends out to frozen yogurt. A few turned into 6, and 6 turned into a birthday party. It was still pretty low key. The frozen yogurt place had a little room we could use for free. We had a little lunch and of course....frozen yogurt. Now that I think about it....she didn't even have a cake. Poor girl!! :) 

2 of her friends...McKenize, which is her BEST friend, and Ashley

The party crew!!!

Opening presents. She got some jewelry, Barbies, puzzles, a bath set, and a hulu hoop.

She also got a new Razor scooter from us.

This picture cracks me up! "mom, stop taking so many pictures and let me eat my yogurt!"

I'm eating now!!

Meet Flake

When we got home from Leavenworth the weather here was very wintery. It snowed a few times, the temp dropped, and it stayed cold and snowy for about 3 weeks. We really had some cold temperatures...single digits and low teens. I kind of liked the snowy and cold weather but now I'm ready for it to start warming up.

One of the snowy days turned into a day off school. That doesn't happen very often here, so it was exciting to have a snow day.

This is Flake, our snowman. The snow was really cold and dry so we had a hard time getting it to stick together. We ended up packing a bucket, kind of like building a sand castle. Can't you tell? It's tall and skinny.

Christmas in Leavenworth

After we had our Christmas morning and yummy Christmas breakfast at Nate and Shelli's, we headed to the airport to pick up Aunt Maggie, Uncle Fernando, and baby Liam. We made the long drive from the Sea Tac airport to Leavenworth. I was on edge the whole time because of the snow on the passes. Slowly, but surely we made it just in time for Christmas dinner.

Here are a few picture from our week at Grandpa and Grandma's

Emily, Mara, Molly, Sophie, Elley, and Alexis

This is Addison protesting the picture above. She didn't want to sit on the couch with all the girls.

Uncle Frenando and Aunt Maggie with the girls. They need to move here so we can love them all the time!!!

This was the highlight of the trip....baby Liam. The girls loved on him as much as they could!!

Grandma put together a tea party for all the girls one night. She got out her special china, she made us "tea" and we had tea cookies. That Grandma really knows how to win over her granddaughters!!!

Making cookies with Grandma

Heres a group shot of one of our visits down to the town of Leavenworth

My little winter baby

Adam and Andrew 

another group shot waiting for lunch

Mommy and Molly

We got the girls a snowboard before we left and they were anxious to try it out. I was surprised that they weren't scared and always wanted to try again after a fall. Cute little girls, I just love them!!!

Sledding with sister!!!

Like I said, Liam was a hit and Elley couldn't keep her hands off. 

We had a wonderful time as we always do. We are so thankful for our families and the chance to spend special holidays with them!!!

Christmas Morning Chaos 2012

Christmas morning had little Miss Emily up at 4 or 5am....I can't remember exactly. All I know is that anything before 7am is all the same. 

The girls came down to see that Santa had come. We also had some Christmas crackers which is an English tradition. The Christmas crackers would explain the pink crown on Uncle Nate's head.

Elley asked for a pink Soccer ball

Molly asked for a Lalaloopsy

And Addison got a new baby doll set with a car seat and a stroller.

That's it for Christmas morning pictures. Sometimes I'd rather just sit back and not worry about taking pictures. I'll probably regret it later but for now, I enjoyed sitting back and watching my family enjoy Christmas.