Birthday boy!

We celebrated Jashua's 8th birthday today at Pizza Hut! Good thing they weren't busy, because we were a rowdy group... but it was a ton of fun!! Here's some pics of how the evening went down... mainly of Jashua & his bro's Shabba & Fatim...

Seattle or bust!

So instead of sitting around moping about not being in Hawaii... I escaped up to Seattle and visited my good friend Jen! It was such a great, relaxing weekend!! We had opportunities to go to a Mariners game, and out with friends... but instead we chose to just hang out and catch up... which was PERFECT!! And we got quite a bit of shopping done, too!! In fact, I bought a new "Because I'm NOT in Hawaii" Coach purse!! LOVE IT!! :-) Anyway, we had a great time and I can't wait until summer break when I can head up there again to visit!!

Who really wants to go to Hawaii anyway?

So... in case you didn't know... my wonderful, Hawaiian vacation was cancelled at the last minute b/c my friend couldn't get out of a school commitment. Well, she could have... but then she would have failed her internship and we can't let that happen, now can we?! So, am I angry... no. Bummed... most definitely!!! I've been trying to think of all the positives from this little bump in the road and this is what I've come up with so far...

1. I had the chance to go up to Seattle and visit my friend Jen... which I've been wanting to do forever!
2. Instead of getting a head-start on my tan for the summer... I'll just be able to retain it longer by going to Hawaii later in the fall. So I'll still be tan when everyone else's tan has faded. For those that know me... you know it's all about the tan!
3. I will have more time off available for when my sister comes in June!! Yeah!!
4. Per my roomie... now we get to go grocery shopping and stock the kitchen with tons of food!!
5. No risk of being eaten by a shark next week.
6. Safe from getting skin cancer... for another few months anway.
7. Won't be tempted to buy 10 cheesy Hawaii t-shirts for $20 at the swap meet!

Um, yeah... that's all I've got for the moment. Let me know if you can think of anything else... I'm desperately in need of "positives"!! :-)

Easter Sunday!

Easter Sunday was so much fun!! It was a long day that started out at 6:45am and lasted until 2pm... but it was so fun to see all the kids dressed up in their Easter best!! I helped out in the early service and we had about 13 kids... I was a little out of my comfort zone, b/c I only knew one of the kids and I didn't want to step on the early service teacher's toes by taking over the classroom... but then 11:30 came and it was on!! We had 22 kids and it was a blast!! They tried to take my asst. teacher away for the overflow room... but I didn't want to give up any of my kids, so I had him come back into our classroom and we managed just fine!! They had a cool skit for us in the main room, then we came back for a quick snack, the lesson and some fun activities!! It was a great day!!! And altho I was close to having a nice Easter dinner at Taco Bell... my friends Ginean and Mark graciously invited me into their home to join them and their family for dinner... I am truly blessed!!! Thank you Jesus!!!! For everything... my family, friends, my life... and for your sacrifice... laying down your life & taking my punishment... thank you Father!!

And then there's my friend Shabba... our security guard! Haha!!

Cannon's version...

of how Mia's birthday went down! She was on the phone with her Gpa Rick in KS and was talking for atleast 5 minutes before I finally grabbed the camera!! Something about sleepin' in her bed, and the kitchen, and sun room, and downstairs and balloons in there, and in there... too stinkin' funny!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9nd6l-hlQo

Happy Birthday Princess Mia!!!

I can't believe she's 5 yrs. old!!! Oh my goodness!!! Saturday was her birthday marathon... I got there a little after 9am, with Starbucks in hand, to help the fam get ready for the storm of about 12 little 5 yr. olds that would be arriving around 11am!! Violet, staying true to form, had craft projects ready and waiting for when the little girls arrived! We started out by painting sun-catchers in the sun room, then moved to making bead bracelets in the dining room. After the crafts were complete, we munched on some sandwiches and then bday cake, of course, then moved on to the best part of the day... presents!! When all the presents were opened and pictures were taken, they were released into the basement to tear the play room up... and boy did they ever!!! Another successful bday party!!!!

Pre-party posing!! Cannon (2) and Mia (5)

Nana was in charge of the painting table...

Maunie and I held down the bead table...

How cute is she?!

Princess Mia & her cake!

Present time!!

Mia & her best friend Emma

Mia's friend Avi taking care of Cannon... it was adorable!

All the party princesses!!!

Emma stayed and played w/ Mia's new toys for awhile after all the other girls left...
a.k.a. when peace was restored!! We had a quick rest and then started the party up again shortly... this time with the family!! It was killing Mia to see more presents just sitting on the table, not opened yet!! Once every present was opened, we dyed some Easter eggs... grubbed on some pizza... watched Cannon's version of Dance Party USA. Remember... shake it, don't break it!

Maunie & Cannon

R.D. & Olivia

Erin & Olivia (cousins)

Cannon's first egg of 2007... and very proud of it!

Miss Quinn!!

Nana & Aunt Abby getting in on the fun, too!

Family affair

Dance Party!!

I headed home around 11pm b/c I had to be at church by 6:45am the next morning for Easter, but apparently the adults confiscated the Sponge Bob's Ants In Your Pants game... and from what I hear, played it until 3am!! Who knew a game for 5 yr. olds could be so fun!! LOL!! :-)