Christmas 2011 in California!

  It's had been an entire year since we had been back to California. I know, hard to believe! We were able to go for almost 2 weeks. We tried to fit everything and everybody in but we still fell short. I have to say that I loved every minute of being in California. As much as I love living in Idaho, my home will always be California. There are a TON of PICTURES

Here are some of the highlights

We spent Christmas Eve with my family and here we are at our traditional Christmas Eve dinner. Grandma & Ellie.

Christmas Day was spent with Bill's Family. The kids had to be woken up to open presents or else we were going to be late for church. haha

We made it to the beach! It was in the high 70's low 80's the entire time we were in California. I just love these pictures that were taken right as the sun was  going down.

 

Jared and Bill walking along the beach looking for shells and crabs. What a great pictures of Daddy and Son.

Jared found a couple of hermit crabs but this was his BIG  find of the day!

 WE MADE IT TO DISNEYLAND!!!

This was the kids Christmas present this year!

Ellie trying to navigate around Disneyland. Which  ride to go on first???

Rachel, Auntie Mame, and Jared

Bill's parents Ron and Julie...getting ready for the Matterhorn!

Auntie Mame, Bill,  Jared, & Rachel on the Matterhorn.

The kids walking along with Auntie Mame

Standing in line...we did a lot of that. It was one of the busiest days of the year, but we made the most of it!

Thunder Mountain Railroad

Daddy, Ellie, and Mommy!

Tea Cups!

Amy, Julie, and Ron-Thanks for a great day at Disneyland!!

Bill and I  got to go to the San Diego Temple. My parents work in the temple on Thursday nights, so we tagged along. We got to meet a lot of the people they work with.  It was a great and much needed night out to the temple. Thanks Colin for watching the kids!

And we went to the beach again! This is David, Sonja and Gratton (his first time at the beach)

Grandma Mayfield with all her grand kids!

What a fun night. S mores, hot dogs, sand, and Grandma time!!

Eating some smores...I think she had about 4.

Grandma and Jared

Gratton, I think you have a little something on your face. I hope you  liked your fist adventure at the beach!

There were so many things we got to do that I didn't get a picture of or write about.

Bill Graduates!

Bill graduated December 16, 2011. It was one of the happiest moments of our marriage. For most of you, I don't have to explain what a long and challenging road this had been. He's had a lot of obstacles to overcome, especially with his health. I'm so grateful for the decision we made to come up to BYU-I. We are so blessed that Bill's Crohn's disease has been in remission for the past four years.

Bill also passed all of his testing to become a Paramedic. I think that was harder than getting his Bachelor's degree. He loves being a paramedic and his goal is to get on with a fire department. 

 Congrats!

 The kids were pretty happy to celebrate with their daddy!

Bill's family came up from California to his graduation. We loved having them up here. It meant a lot to Bill to have them there sharing this moment with him.

Jared's Baptism

What a special day for a special kid. Jared has such a big spirit trapped in such a little body. We talked a lot about what it meant to be baptized. As Latter Day Saints we believe that at age 8 you become accountable for your actions. I told Jared that just because he turned 8 didn't mean he had to be baptized, that he had to pray and find out for himself if he felt it was the right. He came to me and told me he wanted to be baptized. He was pretty excited as he prepared, about a week before his baptism he had an interview with our Bishop. That's when he got nervous, he was so scared about what types of questions the Bishop would ask him. I told him he would ask questions about baptism and if he knew the church was true...Jared's expression changed and you could see the relief on his face, he said, "OH! Okay" (I guess those were the easy questions. haha)

Jared was baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost
on June 4, by his dad.

Jared's baptism was on the Stake level, I think there was 5 kids all together. Our family didn't prepare talks, musical numbers, or say any of the prayers. It didn't feel as personal but as Jared entered the waters of baptism and made those covenants with our Father in Heaven, I felt the spirit so strong. It's not about the production, it's about the ordinance. I am so grateful for the restoration of the gospel upon the earth, I am so grateful for a husband that is worthy to hold the priesthood and perform sacred ordinances, and I am grateful for a son who is so willing to follow the example of our Savior.

Jared's Auntie Mame & his Grandma Denos

Grandpa Mayfield, Kyle, Alysa, Jonny, Sonja, Colin, Grandma Mayfield, Daddy, Mommy, Ellie, Chelsea, Rachel, Gratton, & Jared!

My parents and all 4 of their grand kids.

Jared & his sisters.

Ballet Recital

Rachel had her summer ballet recital. She was so beautiful and I am so proud of her. She is a lot like me as a child. I was super shy and timid. So I give her so much credit to get out there and perform in front of family, friends, and LOTS of strangers. She had fund having her hair done up and LOVED the fact that she got to wear make up. She was one lucky girl to have her Grandma & Grandpa Mayfield there, her Uncle Colin, and Aunt Chelsea who all drove to be here for her recital. Bill picked up Grandma Denos and Aunt Amy from the airport and missed most of the recital but made it just in time for Rachel's performance. Uncle David & Kyle, Aunt Sonja & Alysa were all there also. I love having family my family around!

The end of her recital, her teachers gave her a pink carnation. Rachel is celebrating with Grandma & Grandpa Mayfield.

Should have gone with Take Out...

I made Jared some homemade Chinese food for his birthday. He wanted sweet and sour chicken, orange chicken, lo mein, egg rolls, and wontons. I should have just gone with take out because I could have avoided this....
Yep, that's my arm. I was frying the chicken and the tongs slipped out of my hands and splashed the hot oil up clear up by the crease of my elbow. It only hurt for the first 24 hours, it was fine after that. It was fun hearing people's comments like " I've never noticed your birthmark before" or "What the heck did you do?"

I love doing things for my kids, it is just a casualty of being a mom. It's not my first injury on the job and I'm sure it won't be my last. =)

Jared turns 8!

Jared has been looking forward to this birthday for a while. It's a big milestone. He gets to be baptized and he gets to start scouts. The actual day of his birthday Bill had to work at the fire station, he managed to talk the guys at the station into taking treats to Jared at school. Most of the guys got in their full turnouts. Jared was pretty excited to have his dad, the fire fighter, show up in his class.

I always let the kids choose their birthday dinner. Jared wanted Chinese food. I made it from scratch. It took almost 3 hours! Family came over, we had some cake and ice cream. Jared opened some presents. The following weekend he had his friend birthday party.

Jared was pretty excited for his cake.

Jared loves Pokemon right now. I don't understand it but I made him a Pokemon cake. My brother David helped me and made the Pikachu.

Jared in his new scout uniform. As you can see, I haven't sewn on any badges yet. haha
Jared has already earned his bobcat award. Go Jared!

One of the guys came through for us at the fire station. He owns the rock climbing wall at the local gymnastics center here in town. He gave us a great discount. (Although he completely forgot the date and had to scramble last minute to get someone.) Jared got to invite his friends for some rock climbing. Jared had a great time! I even learned how to belay.

A picture of Jared making it all the way to the top!

Having some cake and opening presents!

I made Pokemon cupcakes for his party. I have to say, they were MUCH easier and less time consuming than his cake.

I hope Jared had a happy 8th birthday!

Welcome to the Jungle

Jared's 2nd grade class put on a play a couple of weeks ago, Welcome to the Jungle. It was one of my favorites so far. The kids were adorable, they knew their lines, the songs were fun, and it was just entertaining.

Rockies in Rexburg

Jared started playing little league baseball a few weeks ago. He plays on the Colorado Rockies. It has been a really fun season. Baseball in Rexburg isn't quite what you would imagine. We have had wind, rain, and even a little snow. Jared is really getting the hang of the game. He is getting better at hitting and better at fielding. Jared told me he wants to be a professional baseball player. I think a lot of little boys have that dream.

Jared got to play 1st base. I took this picture with my phone.

Jared up to bat.

More pictures to come...

Hoodies are a health hazard.

Now that the weather is starting to warm up, I have to begrudgingly give up my hoodies and I am not liking what I am finding underneath. It's been a long Winter and I have found comfort in hiding behind my hoodies. Really, if you look at my pictures over the past few months, I am most likely wearing a hoody.
Over the past 8 months I have gained almost 15 pounds. That right...shocking! I am not going to lie, when I am stressed I turn to food, when I am sad I turn to food, when I am lonely I turn to food. It's that instant gratification. For those few short moments chocolate, cookies, ice cream made me feel better. The only problem, the consequences are worse than those few moments of indulgence. But it was easy to ignore...just throw on a hoody. It hides everything.
Well, I am tossing the hoodies to the side, no more hiding. I want to feel good about myself and the way I look. This week has been a good week. I am cutting out the treats and not eating after 7. I have been trying to squeeze in working out between school, moving, and babysitting. Hasn't been as successful as I wanted but it is a start.
This week I have already lost 3 pounds. I know it is going to be a long road. So, what are some of your secrets out there for weight loss or lifestyle change? What tricks have worked for you? What are some of your favorite way to workout?
Wish me luck!