The Capell Clan

First birthday part two

2011-12-08T12:03:00.001-08:00

On Hailey's actual birthday, I made her a cake and we had a party with our family. She DID NOT like her cake...or at least how the frosting felt...pretty much she just poked at it for a while until she finally just pushed it away from her! Hahahahaaa

See, even when Jeff was feeding it to her...she wanted nothing to do with it!

Jeff picked out her wrapping paper...girls are so fun!! And for the present...her very own first kitchen!! It came in a gazillion pieces that Jeff spent the whole next morning putting together, but it's PERFECT for her and we LOVE IT!! So worth the 5 bucks I paid for it, 75% off at Walgreens...I was a little nervous...

Hailey's FIRST BIRTHDAY...part one!

2011-12-01T19:12:00.001-08:00

Thankful times...

2011-12-01T19:08:00.001-08:00

November Fun

2011-12-01T19:00:00.001-08:00

Here's one of the two pumpkins Jeff and the boys did. We cut up and cooked Justin's pumpkin right after this picture and made pumpkin waffles for dinner, and pumpkin spice muffins for breakfast...they were delicious!

Jordan's was a bat, but we didn't get any pictures, how sad. And here's little missy...fully getting in to ALL my cupboards, this one and the spices are her favorites. Today she found my pots and pans...and so it begins!!

Just one day this month the kids all playing outside in the backyard.

And I made Jeff pull over in the orchards so we could take some pictures of all the beautiful leaves!! I LOVE the fall colors and especially all the falling leaves. It was right after a fun day at Funworks, so the kids were pretty spent, but I still think it was worth it!

And Hailey is officially riding forward facing!! I love how little she is in this big car seat compared Jordan!

And Mister Jordan showing off his turkey hat at his Thanksgiving feast at school.

Jordan's Preschool Halloween

2011-11-30T14:22:00.001-08:00

Jordan and Audrey

Trick or Treating at the rec dept and Police Station!

Mark and Kali's B-day

2011-11-30T14:05:00.001-08:00

Halloween

2011-11-30T12:45:00.001-08:00

Happy Halloween 2011 Jeff was a WT Farmer and I was his cow...then we have an astronaut, army guy and monkey!!!

Trick or treating I decided to be a cat and Justin changed his costume to a bat.

Justin's field trip

2011-11-30T12:35:00.001-08:00

Justin went on his first class field trip and I got to be one of the 3 moms that got to go. We rode a bus to the pumpkin seed company and the kids each got to pick out their very own perfect pumpkin.

Justin turns SIX!

2011-11-30T11:55:00.001-08:00

Justin is six now. Wow, seriously six seems so old! We're so glad Justin is in our family. He is SUCH a great big brother to Hailey, she LOVES it when he comes near her because he talks so sweet to her and is really great with her. He loves to lead Jordan into all kinds of mischief and his favorite thing right now is hopping the fence...he still loves horses and is asking for a REAL horse from Santa...again. He and Jordan spend hours playing horse/dog and owner. He's reading and is one of the top readers in his Kind. class. He has his daddy's knack for math.

His daddy brought him home a special treat from Sees Candy and he felt so special!

His birthday party was a Pirate Party this year complete with a treasure hunt where they found their hats, eye patches, toys and treasure.

He requested a snake cake again this year and was very specific with the colors.

Since we like to celebrate all month long, we celebrated with his cousins later that week.

And then Grandma and Grandpa Capell and the Stacy cousins came also! He definitely was feeling special!

Del Osso Farms

2011-11-30T11:36:00.001-08:00

One, if not the only perk to Jeff working most Saturdays is that he has Mondays off. It makes for pretty much no crowds at the place we like to go to as a family. We tried out a new place here called Del Osso Farms...and it was so worth it! We got to do a train ride, hay ride, race trikes on the race track and the ever favorite, PETTING ZOO! Great family fun!

After we started Justin's birthday celebrations at Red Robin. He made sure they sang to him!

Randoms from early October

2011-11-30T11:33:00.001-08:00

Hailey loves to b-line to the computer whenever she can. There is something about the big blue light that she just loves!

And the boys all dressed up for church on day.

Jordan does this funny embarrassed slouch thing with a cute little laugh, and I sorta caught it on camera.

Family Pictures

2011-11-01T11:45:00.000-07:00

Homemade Pillows

2011-11-01T10:33:00.000-07:00

So the boys have been begging me to sew something with them, and after putting them off for a few months we decided to make some pillows (since that's about as fancy as I can get with a sewing machine! HA!) So I had some leftover Muslin that I cut into rectangles, got out some non-washable markers I had hiding ;-) and let them decorate their rectangles first. Kept em busy for a good amt. of time one day since they had to decorate both rectangles and they wanted to do a great job. Like two weeks later after putting it off and putting it off, we finally assembled our pillows. I busted out the sewing machine and some stuffing and we made our pillows!

Jordan captured me hard at work ;-)

And they really love them!! I was shocked at how in to this they got and it turned out to make me want to try more things like this with the boys!

AND it's apple season, again. already. We still had a few jars of applesauce and pie filling from last year...but we needed more and Jeff's parents have an awesome tree so we picked about a 100 lbs of apples and went to work! I'm so sick of canning, but we now have quite a stock of canned tomatoes and green beans from gardening, pears I got for 29 cents a pound, and of course apples. It feels great!

Little miss Hailey is pulling up on everything now and can stand for a couple seconds on her own. She's just recently started cruising on the couches and is so much fun!

And here's the boys, love these guys!

Just down the street...

2011-10-15T23:04:00.000-07:00

Jeff"s Birthday! 31 baby!

2011-10-15T15:49:00.000-07:00

End of September

2011-10-15T15:45:00.000-07:00

The boys harvested some of our green onions for the first time...AWESOME!

Little Miss Hailey is now pulling up and getting into everything. She does this hilarious growl when she tries to talk to us and it is so hard not to laugh at her. She's also successfully climbed up one of our stairs...and fallen down it. She was so sad for like 10 seconds and then once she got some love, was RIGHT back over to that dang stair!

Sooo, Sept. was still my birthday month, so on the way to our last Giants game we stopped at PF Changs for dinner and of course the Great Wall of Chocolate...mmmmmmmm

My dress MY grandma made for me

2011-10-15T15:16:00.000-07:00

Here is a dress that was mine when I was Hailey's age. My Grandma Hobbs, Zola Belle, made this for me and my mom saved it all these years! Now Hailey gets to wear it and I think it's SO cute! And the ice pack on Jeff's head is from his little "mishap" at church basketball...10 stitches later....

Forget Me Not

2011-09-27T20:27:00.001-07:00

Every year, we have a General Relief Society Meeting for the sisters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints...and anyone else who would like to watch. :) This year, President Uchtdorf, a member of the First Presidency of the church, gave such a wonderful and applicable talk that I had to share it on here for those who did not get to see it. It hit home in so many ways for me, and I feel it could do the same for anyone else...man or woman. :) Please watch. It is wonderful.

http://lds.org/general-conference/watch/2011/10?lang=eng&vid=1180453706001&cid=7

(Thanks Heidi, I feel the same way!)

Twenty-ten

2011-09-20T14:41:00.000-07:00

It's my big year...finally 30! It feels older. To make my birthday super special we've been celebrating all month long!! Of course you should milk it for all it's worth right?? Well, to start my b-day month right, I woke up on Sept. 1 to a note from Jeff saying that since it's my special 30th b-day, he'd be writing a note to me everyday with a reason he loves me. Then I have to find it. I cannot tell you HOW AWESOME THIS HAS BEEN!! I feel so loved. This beats any present Jeff could have gotten me and is the most memorable thing he has ever done for me. I love it!! I got so lucky the day I met Jeff. Oh yeah, and he got me a new phone! Woot Woot! :0)

So for my first celebration, we went Labor Day weekend to Apple Hill to celebrate with my family.

Justin drove Zach's quad for the first time, and even gave Jordan a ride!

Then off to High Hill Ranch for caramel apples and to enjoy the beautiful day!

Grandma bought the kids a pony ride...this is heaven for my boys...

And outside the Fudge Factory they have this new great little play area. It was perfect for keeping the kiddies occupied while we devoured our caramel apples!!!

And our other new fav. spot, Apple Ridge...they have a petting zoo where you can feed the animals. My boys could have spent the entire day just here. Too bad it was a hot day and Hailey was pretty done.

We had a delicious BBQ for dinner, fresh Salmon caught from dad's fishing trip. Mmmm! Homemade ice cream and lemon meringe pie. My mom knows how to make me feel special!! The biggest surprise was the huge bow tied around the piano I grew up playing...my parents decided to give it to me for my special b-day!! I love it!!


This dress was made by Jeff's mom when she was in Jr. High!! She had 5 boys, and has kept it this whole time and now Hailey fits it and it's so cute on her!

I love birthdays in our family, because they're more like birthday months...and tons of restaurants give free meals during your special month like Chevys!

Friday night we celebrated with G& G Capell...

And then Jeff and my mom threw me a "surprise" 30th b-day with some of our friends here in Riverbank. I married a great man!

Jessica Stacey, Karen Garcia-Young and Me

Alyssa Hearon, Sharon Cornelious, Me and Kathy Richey

Alex Garcia-Young, Brian Stacey, Kirk Hearon, Jeff, Sean Richey

Mom and dad came to bring the piano and mom did all the food for the party. The cake. was. amazing. Thanks so much for helping Jeff mom!!!

Kim McCain, me, Sarah Griffin

I LOVE MY FRIENDS!!!

First Days of School...well, sorta

2011-09-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

Here's my Jordan...so grown up, he was SO ready for preschool to start this year! He started about a month after Justin and was SO excited for HIS school! He goes to the city preschool three days a week from 9-12 and it's been great. Plus, for the price of $45/month, we could not be happier!!!

So, I'm a bad mom...I didn't take Justin's picture on his first day of Kindergarten. Boo, but he won't be without a picture, so here's Justin after school one day this month. Notice his "big boy" back pack...he's done with the characters I guess. His teacher is Mrs. Gomes and she is an older teacher, who is great and we're really happy with her. I volunteer on Fridays and I've been really happy with what I see. After the first couple of days of school, Jeff was talking with Justin in bed one night about his day and asked him how he likes kindergarten. Justin replied, "Not good, we don't even have homework. Kindergarten is such a rip off!" hahahaaaa...well, he's got homework now, and he loves it, so I guess we're getting our moneys worth now!!!

9 months and Crawling

2011-09-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

Here's our little mobile girlie. She never really did the whole "rocking" that some babies do before they crawl. She just pretty much would sit up, walk her hands out and reach for whatever she wants, grab it and then gets back to sitting.

Of course Jordan couldn't let me leave him out....

And here she is getting stuck under the stool...

Bathtub Friend

2011-09-20T11:05:00.000-07:00

Hailey's been really fun lately. 8 months and up to me is when life gets FUN, she's 9 1/2 months now, crawling, waving bye bye, giving kisses, clapping and saying "mama" and "dada"--"Dada" being the "official" first word, although it really was ALMOST a tie, mama came like hours later..grrrrr... Anyways, bath time is super fun for Hailey right now and she has even made a new friend! Check it out!

Grandma Stacy's B-day

2011-09-20T10:49:00.000-07:00

For my mom's birthday this year, we had her come stay with us for the weekend since my dad was going to be on his big fishing trip...I'm SO GLAD SHE CAME!! Jeff worked on Saturday, but that night was all fun for me and my mom. We ate dinner at Red Robin and then did some shopping, followed up by Cold Stone, and I took her to see The Help to end the night. I love my mom, she really is my best friend aside from Jeff and I'm so lucky she's in my life. Happy B-Day mom!!! LOVE YOU!

Monterey 2011

2011-09-20T10:44:00.000-07:00

We usually take a trip to the beach every year, and we have really come to love Monterey...there's so much to do here, it seems it's never a long enough stay. This year we stayed at the Marriott and it was FABULOUS! We got there in the afternoon, hit up the pool/hot tub, got some dinner and had fun in the hotel. Next day after Dennys, we played at Denis the Menace Park and the boys went on a bike ride with Jeff while I checked out of the hotel and gave Hailey a little nap. Once we met up we decided to do the 17 mile drive which was SO. WORTH. IT. I was peeved that they make you PAY to drive through, but I get it now and think it's so worth it. The beaches are A-mazing...the sand...the views...it's all so breathtaking. We got a little anxious and stopped off at the first beach we saw and thought it was perfect. Then we saw what all the other beaches along the way looked like and we know for next time to hold out. But we had a great time non-the-less!!

Summer Days and Giant's Games

2011-09-20T10:20:00.000-07:00


Loving the summer days with the boys! We set up the little pool in the front yard and the boys had a fun time being boys...and eating watermelon!

And then there's the annual family Giants game! This was Hailey's first Giants Game and she got a LOT of attention from fellow fans...

The boys lovin' the Coke Bottle Slide!

MMMMmmmmm....

2011-09-01T15:03:00.001-07:00

Okay!! I finally did it! I ground my own wheat and cooked it into bread!! It's really really yummy too!! YAY!! I use the Honey Wheat recipe from Allrecipes. Delicious!

Snowbird/Utah 2011

2011-08-26T10:19:00.000-07:00

This year was a quick Utah trip...too quick if you ask Jeff and I. Our first stop was the Capell Reunion in Arimo, ID. It was great to see Great G&G Capell and the boys loved playing on the tractors and feeding the horses. Grandpa Capell turned 90 this year so it was also a b-day party for him. Then off to Snowbird. We go to watch fireworks all the way from Idaho to Utah...being that it was the 24th of July it was a big deal and everyone was shooting off their very own aerials (now legal) and it was great. We stayed upstairs in 719 and it was especially fun to have Eric, Jenny and Walker here this year.

One, if not my favorite parts of Snowbird, BINGO!!! Three winners from our fam this year!
Jeff hiked the tram with his dad, brother and cousins...

We hit up Wingers and Training Table...

Walked around Temple Square

And then to the Church History Museum. It was AWESOME!! Upstairs they had all these exhibits for the kids, it was like a mini free children's museum. They loved it!

Coloring the First Vision

Fishing off Nephi's boat

We went for a family walk to see the fish pond and to play on the playground.

On our way we saw a MOOSE and her BABY!!

Over to the Snowbird Center

Riding the Chickadee to the top of the Alpine Slide. This year we walked down though.

And this year, we got to stay the night with the Osmonds earlier in the week and then they came to BBQ and swim with us later in the week! All our babies are within 4 months of each other and Hailey and Jacob are the closest being less than a month apart!

S'MORES!!

Justin and Jordan showing the kids the awesome arcade room

The Sat. that we left we met Jeff and Britt for some Cafe Rio and hung out for a bit.

On our way home we stopped in West Valley at Hollywood Connection and rode rides, played arcade games and some mini golf. We might have just wore these kids out b/c the ride home was def. memorable.

Little did we know that in just one short hour Jordan would be throwing up in his seat...three times...and then two hours later I would be making Jeff pull over every 1/2 hour to do the same thing...Jeff could only drive for so long before we had to get a hotel. No luck the first city we tried, then finally we got a smoking room in a nasty hotel...I could seriously care less. We made it Sunday morning safe and sound and VERY worn out!! What a night!

BiG FuN at the CA State Fair!

2011-08-05T10:12:00.000-07:00

One of favorite summer traditions is going to the CA State Fair. I don't think I've ever missed a year...seriously, ever. My mom is really in to it and we usually would go for her birthday. Since the past couple of years they have done it in July instead, we went for Jeremy's birthday! I was sad Jeff had to work (although I don't think he was too upset ;0)) The weather wasn't too hot and it was a fun day. We were SO happy that Grandma and Grandpa Stacy were there and of course, the favorite uncle, Uncle Jeremy was always up for fun! I think Jeremy bought Jordan three Icees...mmmmmmm

First stop is usually the Smokey the Bear Fire Safety shpeel...the kids really like it. Kari and I sent Mark with the kids while we took the babies to find the ear piercing guy...

Thanks for the snow cones G&G!!!

We went on kids' day so $1 rides...SO worth it!!

Hangin' at the horse races...minus the horses and racing...

This furry chicken was posing for some pics and the kids were loving it!

What a good uncle!

Maybe my favorite part of the day. Relaxing and talking in some shade...

I took this one for Jeff, love you honey!

Inside the BIG BUG exhibit

Hailey's new ears!

2011-08-05T09:52:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite things is little baby girls with their ears pierced!!! I got mine done when I was 5 at the CA State Fair. I was there (and I think a heavily influencing voice) when Kali got her ears pierced, also at the State Fair, when she was about 9 months old. SO proud of Kari. I was there when Madelyn (also at the State Fair) got her ears pierced...maybe 3 or 4 months old?? I was living vicariously through my nieces. They looked so beautiful with their sparkles... :0) FINALLY I had Hailey, it was finally my daughter's ears that would be pierced and sparkling!! It took some convincing Jeff, but after his OK, we were good to go... CA State Fair HERE WE COME!! Just like Mommy Hailey!!! Even better, Hailey would get to do it with her cousin Lilly!! First stop after we got there, to find the ear piercing guy...where could he be....WHERE. WAS. HE???? GRRRRRR...the guy was nowhere to be found. Kari and I concluded he died, because he's been there EVERY YEAR for the past 30...what the heck happened THIS year that he couldn't be here for me??? Must be dead. Disappointed but not defeated, we settled on the mall and here are our results!!!

She has no clue...

BEFORE

AFTER!!

Literally a min. after it was over...see, not too traumatic!!

The two brave girls! I think Hailey was trying to grab Lilly and my mom was quickly pulling her away to save sweet Lilly!

a first for me.

2011-08-04T14:14:00.000-07:00

So I don't forget the great moments...

I swear I feel like I'm constantly saying the same things over and over to my kids, praying with all my might that someday they'll "get it" and soak in all that Jeff and I are constantly throwing their way.
We just got back from Utah on Sunday afternoon. We missed church due to the large amounts of vomit spewing from Jordan and I all throughout Utah and Nevada. Luckily on Monday my girlfriend let me know that our Bishop had issued a challenge to the ward to read the Book of Mormon every day as a family for the month of August...starting with 3 Nephi 8:1. I was excited for the challenge and the unity I knew would be felt as we ventured to do this with our ward. After a busy week at Snowbird, traveling, playing, late nights, etc. it was SO nice to be home with our family Monday night. As we opened The Book of Mormon and began reading, an overwhelming Spirit of the Lord filled our home and each of our hearts. I could tell Jeff was feeling what I was, but I was unsure if the boys had keyed in on it. They were unusually attentive and decided to get their bean bags out and sit on both sides of daddy. It was one of those rare happy moments. I read the 8th chapter of 3rd Nephi. It's the part where the resurrected Savior comes to visit America. It's probably one of, if not, the most vital part of the Book of Mormon. As we discussed what we learned, and how we felt, I kept hoping that the boys would feel the Spirit that I was feeling. Jeff and I decided (since it was already late) that we would watch The Testaments for family night Tuesday night since that is exactly what we were reading about.
Tuesday night by the end of the movie, the Spirit was again strong and Jeff and I were telling the boys how we feel the Spirit and that the Spirit testifies of truths that we were learning about. That night Justin said the closing prayer for Family night and in his prayer, he thanked Heavenly Father that we had each felt the Spirit. It was a very heartfelt prayer, unrushed and super sincere. I was touched and had a nice happy mommy moment, we both hugged Justin and expressed how happy we were with his wonderful thoughtful prayer. But my REAL moment came later that night as Justin knelt with me to say his personal prayers. He said, "Thank thee that we could watch this movie and see Jesus, see you in it. Thank thee that I could feel the Spirit, and Mommy could feel the Spirit, and Daddy and Jordan could feel the Spirit..." Then when he was done, he told me that after he said his prayer for family night that his heart felt strong. Like it was so strong. And that after he said his personal prayer his heart feels even stronger, like it's beating so strong. It was so amazing to be a mother, and help Justin to know that what he was feeling was the Spirit. He was glowing...it was a good day.

Edible finger paints

2011-07-21T20:23:00.000-07:00

We've done this before, and it's always a hit...when I can't think of something better than TV, I bust out the vanilla pudding and food coloring and let them go at it. Plus, then you've got snack time out of the way too!! (I think I got lunch covered today as well with how much these boys ate!)

Mix up the pudding...

I do realize that licking the beater pictures are only cute with little kids, but I had to show you Justin's shiner from Tag your it...

Spoon it into your individual egg carton...

Paint your picture!! WAIT, eat some more pudding...

THEN paint your picture!!

Here's what Hailey did while the boys were busy painting away...

She's a really good self-entertainer, I feel so blessed. She's a really good girl.

Tag Your It.

2011-07-21T19:59:00.000-07:00

We were playing "Tag your it" as Jordan likes to call it, and I was "it"...well, let's just say about 20 min. in to our game, Justin's eye met the island in our kitchen...not. good.

It almost split, but we got lucky, no ER trips this week ;0)

Harvest Family Night

2011-07-21T19:52:00.000-07:00

For our family home evening, we had a fun time harvesting our very first pumpkin! It was so fun to watch it grow (and we even have more growing!!) It was especially rewarding b/c last year we THOUGHT we were growing pumpkins only to have it end in disappointment...we were not growing pumpkins but some freaky weird something not edible. So this was a fun time for us and as you can see, we are very proud of our first pumpkin!

Camping with the Riddles

2011-07-21T19:40:00.000-07:00

For I think three years now we've been talking about going camping with our good friends from Sacramento, the Riddles. We finally did it! Although the campground was not our ideal setting, there was a fire pit and no internet so it was great family time together! Thanks Craig and Rachel!

Yeah, it was pretty stinkin' hot...check out Justin's sweat line...SICK!

A little Bocce Ball

And it was just too hot to stay at the campground all day, so we drove to Salida for some pool time. We cooked our foil dinners on the BBQ!

7 new posts

2011-07-08T08:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I still don't have my pictures, but I have the last 2 months worth that have been on my camera finally blogged and safe on the internet! So there are quite a few new posts in case your interested in seeing our gazillion pictures and what we've been up to so far this summer. ;0)

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-07T13:41:00.000-07:00

The Stacy Family got this great house in Tahoe for the 4th of July and IT. WAS. SO. GREAT! So great to see Jeff, Britt and Paislee, So great to hang out all together in one house, So great to have all the cousins playing together, Great food, Yummy ice cream, hot tubbing, Wii dancing, bike rides, running the trails with Mark, Kari and my Jeff, family walks...really looooooong walks, long talks, shootin pool, and canoeing and playing at Pope Beach! A huge thank you to Grandma and Grandpa Stacy for getting us this place, it was so so much fun. One of my highlights was staying up late talking with Jeremy, Mark, Jeff and Kari. I can't remember the last time all four of us were together just hanging out with no interruptions!! SO NICE! We got a great family picture too!

The men "chill-axin"

So this was outside church on Sunday morning...since we spent most of the meeting in the foyer with our little JT and Hailey, Jeff's key got picked up and pocketed by Mark...and they drove away...

My matching boys after church

After our great Sunday dinner provided by us, we took some pictures.

Then decided to go for a walk!

Grandma took off on Zach's bike because he didn't want to ride it anymore. haha!

Back at the house...

Madelyn loved playing with sweet Paislee.

Lilly getting some Uncle Jeremy time :)

Frosting sugar cookies with Grandma.

We love Uncle Jeremy!

The Life of the Party! We love you Grandma and Grandpa!

Just Dance Wii!! So fun!

On the 4th we headed to Pope Beach for the morning/afternoon, then home for naps and a BBQ, then back to the beach for fireworks...just a different beach. ;0)

Hailey had her first watermelon,

...and first licorice!

Then on Tuesday after we checked out we decided to skip traffic and head up to Fallen Leaf Lake.

We hiked up to the top of the waterfall to put our feet in,

FEAR. THE. BEARD.

After we hiked to the top of the waterfall, we came back down and saw these kids!!!

Took a few more shots, and headed to the playplace at McDonalds to wear the kids out for a peaceful drive home!

Finally an answer!

2011-07-07T13:17:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have known us for a while, you'll know that Justin has complained of his ankles hurting pretty much since he could talk. After three + years, we finally have an answer. About 2 months ago he was diagnosed with jeuvinal psoriatic arthritis. He's on some oral meds for treatment and it should go into remission! So yay! The doctor that we see is at the Medera Children's Hospital 2 hours south from here, near Fresno. So this last trip down, we decided to make it a family trip and visit the Fresno Temple and have a picnic there.

Hailey had a blowout in the car, and without a change of clothes handy, you wind up with a naked baby with a bow! On the way out we drove by this sweet water park and decided to hit it up.

It was a fun day and we really wore the kids out...mission accomplished!

Father's Day

2011-07-07T13:09:00.001-07:00

I know everyone thinks that their spouse is amazing, and I'm no different. I really think the world of Jeff in so many ways...especially as a father. He's such a great dad, our kids are really so lucky! Something the boys LOVE is when he reads with them (he reads all the words) and I don't know many parents who will do that!!! Happy Father's Day Jeff, you're an amazing husband and father!! LOVE YOU!!! XOXOXOXOXO

Kinder Camp

2011-07-07T12:48:00.000-07:00

Justin's school district does a kinder camp program for the month of June to get kindergartners ready for school. He rode the bus for the first time and was SOOOOO excited!

The bus driver let Jordan check it out too...he was beaming!

At the end of Kinder Camp, they went on a field trip to Micke Grove Zoo...here's the pics from that...the zoo was actually pretty lame, so I figured since we drove all the way to Lodi I'd better make it worth the trip...so we went to the Fairytale Rides theme park!! THAT was SUPER FUN!

2nd place Volcanoes

2011-07-07T11:41:00.000-07:00

So Jeff coached Justin's Sr. T-ball coach pitch baseball team the Volcanoes. They had their first Sr. T-ball tournament and our team beat two teams to make it to the championship game!! We lost by just one run :0( but it was super fun and all the kids got medals and ribbons. I thought it was really nice.

Justin played catcher!
Hailey was a good little cheerleader!

SAFE!!

And then here's the pics from Closing Day Ceremonies where they got their trophies.

After they got their trophies they got a free hot dog, chips and soda and went in the bounce house. Hailey, Jeff and I hung out in the pavilion while the boys jumped.

7 Years!!!!

2011-07-07T10:51:00.000-07:00

Jeff was in charge of our Anniversary this year and as much as I love surprises, I also have a hard time not knowing what to plan for. Once again though, Jeff did not disappoint and he planned a weekend in the crazy city of San Francisco!! We took Hailey since it was two nights and that's a little long for her to go without mamma. She was an angel the whole time and really loved all the two-on-one attention she got. On our way to Fisherman's Warf, Lombard Street!
Then to Ghirardelli Square...

We walked to the beach and hung out here for a bit...

Then out to see the different boats on the piers.

It was really chilly so we HAD to buy Hailey this adorable hat!!! SO. CUTE.
Could not pass up the clam chowder in a bread bowl...twice actually!!

Alcatraz in the background...

We stayed at the Nob Hill Hotel on Hyde and it was a great location by Union Square and not too far from the warf. The city really stresses me out, I'm just a country girl I guess...so it's a good thing Jeff's really comfortable with driving, parking, and walking there. He calms me down and makes me feel so safe, I love it.

The ghetto elevator...this thing was ancient...
Kissing on the Trolley Car!
We got some fresh crab right off the platform...that was a new experience...

And then off to ice cream!! Hailey drove.

Here's the stop...Swensen's! Actually it would have been, if they'd have taken a card! Note to self, bring lots of cash to the city next time, NO ONE takes credit cards!!!! LOL They actually MADE our ice cream and then we couldn't pay them and had to just walk out!! HOW SAD!
It's okay though, b/c the Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake and Mango something that Jeff got was WAAAAAAAAAAAAY better than ice cream!!! MMMMMMMMMMMMM Cheesecake Factory!!
Thanks to Glade and Sherry for watching the boys, and to the love of my life for planning such an amazing 7th Anniversary!! Each year I'm with you I feel closer and closer to my Heavenly Father and I fall deeper and deeper in love with you. You are everything to me, my perfect fit. Thanks for choosing me!!!
P.S.
We put Jordan down for a nap before we left at G&G Capells...I guess this is how they found him when they went to check on him...don't even ask!!

Annual Family Ball Game

2011-07-07T10:25:00.000-07:00

For our family game this year we had to leave Hailey since it was a night game. (Jeff has already got another day game planned with tix for Hailey) Anyways, we had prime bleacher tickets and it was a great night together. The boys were really, really good. I mean, they ate McDonalds for the first three innings, we went up to the Coke bottle slide in the 5th, there's the 7th inning stretch and then Cotton Candy till the game ended...what more could a kid want?? And I'm pretty sure the drunk guys next to us were very entertaining for the boys as well. ;0)

Oh yeah, and as Jordan was cheering "GO Buster Posey!! GO Cody Ross!!" He lost his balance and landed on the front of his head...I swear with the thud that it made, I was ready for round 2 to the ER and was expecting blood...Luckily, no blood, just a huge egg on the top of his forehead! Poor guy!

My first Trauma

2011-07-07T10:15:00.000-07:00

Justin cracked his head open on our entry way tile...it was very, very traumatic for me...blood everywhere. Inside I was dying, I don't do well with this type of thing, but on the outside I was totally calm and controlled and as I was calming my HYSTERICAL child down, it was actually very calming for me!
I was upstairs feeding Hailey and putting her down for her nap when Jordan came in telling me that "something was really wrong with Justin's head"...as the door opened and Jordan walked in, I heard the screams and rushed out to find Justin at the top of our stairs with blood dripping everywhere. I just kept telling myself, "Head wounds bleed the most. Head wounds bleed the most." I got him stripped down and in my bath, calmed down and cleaned up so I could see what the damage was. I was really hoping to save a trip to the ER, but no such luck. It would not stop bleeding and he had two holes in his head. I slapped a maxi pad on there and wrapped it with medical tape...put Jordan down for his nap and off the to the ER we went. Jeff came down to join us (so nice that he works at the hospital)...two staples and 2 1/2 hours later, we were done and on our way home. I have a feeling we'll have a few more of these trips with my vertically unstable children! ;0)

JUNE????

2011-07-07T10:01:00.000-07:00

We haven't had typical weather and all the way into the first week in June and we were playing outside in jackets, beanies and gloves...
Today the boys wanted to pose in front of our amazing garden that they have planted with Jeff. They work on it everyday while I'm getting dinner ready. It's such a fun time for them together. This year they have planted pumpkin, butternut squash, corn, zucchini, tomatoes, crookneck, green beans, onions, watermelon, cucumber and flowers.

Memorial Day at my house

2011-07-07T09:55:00.001-07:00

Since Jeff had to work on Memorial Day, we invited my family to come spend the weekend with us! Mark and Kari's fam. came Sunday night and G&G Stacy came Monday morning. We had a fun day playing in the sprinklers, BBQing, eating eating and eating...and the kids loved playing with their new tops from Grandpa and Grandma.

Coming up on my favorite age!

2011-06-30T21:11:00.001-07:00

Since my computer is broken and I lost all my pictures, here are some taken on Saturday at JCPennys. Hailey is now 7 months! WOWIE! 8 months is by far my favorite baby age and Hailey's personality is starting to come out. I swear she said "HIIIIIIIIIAHHH" to the boys today as she put up her hand when she came downstairs from her nap. They both heard it too! So just click on the link to see her latest portraits!

https://viewimages.jcpportraits.com/sharealbum/sharealbumlist?rndId=AwgACAZO&uId=BQQEBQI=

Biggest Loser Part Deux

2011-06-22T14:08:00.000-07:00

Well, my computer is gone, some nice guy from Jeff's work is "working on it" trying to de-virus it and find ALL MY PICTURES and DOCUMENTS that are mysteriously gone. So...I probably won't have any cute pics to post for a while...

HOWEVER, I do have some good news!!

8 weeks ago I started another biggest loser competition. Since my last competition, I've had two pregnancies and one baby and well, it was time to get back to my old self again! So honestly, just doing it to get some motivation, I began the journey. Turns out I actually was in the top 2 with a week to go so I pulled out all the stops this past week and actually won my second Biggest Loser Competition!! I lost 19 lbs and feel great, so happy and much healthier. Just in time for summer!!! Sorry no pics, but just look at this post, it's pretty close!

Food Storage Analyzer

2011-06-03T10:12:00.000-07:00

Well, I've decided to get back at my food storage. My ward had a combined 5th Sunday and they continue to talk about how we have been commanded to get our year supply. We have a pretty good rotating 3 month supply and that was my goal last year. Now on to my longer term supply. I used this tool on the Emergency Essentials web site to help me calculate what I already have, and then I made some goals to what I need for my family to get our year supply. The program was great because it actually shows you how many days of food you have stored for your family! Right now, not counting any food in my pantry or 3 month supply, we have 106.5 days of food for our family of 5. What is neat it that you can "put in an order" for next time to see what you need to get you to 365 days, or a year supply for your family! Also, I really liked that after you enter in what you have, you can click on the My Pantry tab and it will pull up a list of everything you have! You can easily adjust the number as you add to your supply and it's a great way to track what you have, and what you still need!! I'm going to our local cannery tomorrow to start canning a bunch more dry pack foods for our family!! Hopefully this can help some of you to get you started if you haven't already...or to keep you going!!!

Emergency Essentials Giveaway

2011-06-03T08:47:00.000-07:00

Family Temple Day

2011-05-26T10:53:00.000-07:00

Our primary presidency is amazing. I cannot even begin to tell you the amazing activities that they have put on for our kids. This weekend was no different, they planned a Ward Primary Family Temple Day and it was great. The only downside...my family was missing my better half...so it was just me and the kiddos. Jeff works 2 out of 3 Saturdays in order to get Sundays off, so often I'm solo on Saturday activities. Lucky for us though, Jeff's parents had a sealing that morning, so they rode there with us and helped me with the boys (who were not on their best behavior at all that day...) We did a tour on the top of the temple, a tour of the visitors center, a craft in the stk center and then they fed us all an amazing enchilada lunch! First class all the way in my books!

This is Megan, my little angel who helped me all day with Hailey and the boys. Her mom is the Primary Pres (and an amazing lady, she reminds me of my own mother in SO many ways) and she has really gone over and beyond to help me and my family.

And I got a picture of Hailey with her namesake (this is Hailey Stacey, one of Justin's fav. people)

Sacramento Zoo Trip

2011-05-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

A couple of girlfriends and I packed up our kids and headed to the Sacramento Zoo for the day. The boys LOVED it, since they are obsessed with animals, this was right up their alley. I forgot how young Jordan was last time we went to the zoo. This was a whole new excitement for him. I'm just sad Jeff had to work, he would have loved to have seen Jordan shake with excitement as the Tiger paced right in front of him...giggle his high pitched giggle as the monkeys swung from branch to branch...stomp his feet and swish his flexed arms with tight fists back and forth while he got to see the Kangaroos get up from laying in the sun and hop after each other in their "outback"...and then don't even get me started on how THRILLED they were to ride the train! I sure do love these boys. Justin is so mature lately. He still loves to tease (that will never end I'm positive) but he really is taking on the big brother roll like a champ. He brings Jordan with him exploring everything and is naturally such a little leader. It was fun to watch them together today as they got to see each new animal.

Whose kids are those???

Justin insisted on riding in the front of the train with Hailey and I while Jordan much preferred the back with the rest of our friends.

And yes, these kids are FEEDING the Giraffe...don't think it came without cost though. $3 per kid...what a rip off!! Seriously Sac Zoo, I already shelled out like 30 bucks just to get in...
Actually, I (naturally) told them no but that they could get really close to see the giraffes up close. They were OK with it, HOWEVER, lucky for them, my friend Kara talked me in to forking out the three bucks...and let me tell you, SO WORTH IT!! C'mon, check out Justin, he's BEAMING!!! Worth every penny (especially since Jordan got to come in during Justin's turn and feed a couple of branches, at no extra cost!) so TOTALLY worth it!! hahahaaa

Enjoying some fresh air

2011-05-18T15:24:00.001-07:00

We HAD to get out of the house the other day...with not enough energy to go to the park, no car, and Hailey needing to eat soon, we decided to do an art project in our front yard. The ever popular Elmers Glue sprinkled with glitter was our project of choice today and it was a hit. This kept my boys busy for close to an hour and Hailey hung out under the sun shade (BEST purchase of the season for sure!)

Mother's Day Brunch with Justin

2011-05-18T15:09:00.000-07:00

Justin's preschool always does a Mother's Day Brunch with fruit, muffins and milk and juice. It's really nice, they sing us a bunch of songs and it's a fun time for the both of us. Last year they did the same thing, and Justin found some gum (?) stuck in his pants pocket that he couldn't get over and I don't think he sang me even one song. This year, he had something in his nose...if I can get the video to play it will tell all, and this was just the beginning of the nose itch...I couldn't stop laughing.

Modesto Nuts Game

2011-05-18T15:01:00.001-07:00

Some perks for working at Memorial Hospital are free Nuts baseball tickets. Not only do we get tickets, but we get this exclusive BBQ with a Raffle and prizes, tri-tip sandwiches, hot dogs, etc. Seating up in the section right behind home plate and this year, the boys got to play at the Kiddie zone for free! (bounce house and inflatable slide) they loved it and couldn't believe that we made them leave before it was over...hahaha...it was a busy night! We celebrated Gma Capell's b-day and mother's day right after at their house and we were late as it was! Oh, and this was NOT a good night for poor Hailey...I think she cried from about 7 o'clock till 10 o'clock straight...poor girl was NOT loving the loud announcer. After that, there was no calming her down!

Race For the Cure 2011

2011-05-18T14:45:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite traditions between me and my mother is doing Race for the Cure. We've been doing it since Jeff and I moved to Cali and this was our 5th year (I think). We get to Cal Expo in Sac bright and early and run/walk our 5K...walked more than ran this year but that also means we talked more. Then we get all our freebies...and we all know how much I love free stuff ;0) We got lunch at one my favorite places The Olive Garden, and then off to shop shop shop!! I scored some super cute new shoes this year and got the boys some matching clearance ties at The Children's Place, Hailey a swimsuit, a swimsuit cover-up for me, and had just a GREAT TIME with my sweet dear mom. I really look forward to this each year and want to thank Jeff for getting up at the crack of dawn to drive me to Sac and spend the rest of the day with the boys. Oh, and Hailey was SO GREAT all day for us!

Little Missy 5 1/2 months

2011-05-18T14:30:00.000-07:00

Hailey is 5 1/2 months old, she's SUCH A GOOD BABY. Honestly, I pray daily thanking Heavenly Father for sending her to us. Jordan was a lot like Hailey, and then he turned one...but that's another story, so I'm sure she'll give us a run for our money someday...but for today, I'm just feeling lucky to have this sweet girl in our family!! We love you Hailey, here are a few updates:
You can roll over from tummy to back, you don't do it all the time though.
You can sit up by yourself but only for about 10 seconds and then you usually fall sideways or backwards.
You LOVE to grab everything...and as difficult as it is if you're sitting on my lap at dinner, it's great when you play with your toys and entertain yourself!! I LOVE that you play with toys now!
You're sleeping great, 12-13 solid hours at night, a good morning nap, and a good afternoon nap.
You make the girliest noises (this all so new to me!) your squeals and giggles are so cute, I just wanna eat you up!
You're getting super social and LOVE LOVE LOVE your big brothers and daddy!

Easter Sunday

2011-04-27T21:14:00.000-07:00

We had a great Easter morning as a family. The kids got their baskets, we had an egg hunt for the boys in the backyard, went to church, and then had dinner with Jeff's family.

On the way to church...I just couldn't resist!

And word for word, this is how I felt today also...taken directly from one of my best girlfriend's Angela's blog. "Today we've been able to mainly focus on the true meaning of Easter. We had a great day at church. It is so fulfilling to me to be in primary with kids 3 to 11 and see and hear them give answers to what it means to be resurrected, know what a picture of Christ praying in the garden of Gethsemane is, know what will happen to us when we or a loved one dies, raise their scriptures in the air as they proudly sing, "Scripture power! Keeps me safe from sin..." and join with us as adults, leaders and teachers in trying to do our best to renew our cups for the week by feeling of the Spirit and speaking and learning of Christ. And the fact that my children are in the mix means even more. Could there really be a better place to be? Especially on this day? I can't think of one. So I give my testimony that I know my Savior lives, he is no longer dead. And because of this I will live with my family again too. What a blessing!" Thank you Angela, it is EXACTLY how I felt today and feel every week.

And then one last picture of Hailey in her little 49ers cheerleading outfit!!! Thanks Gma Capell!

There is something about...

2011-04-27T20:43:00.000-07:00

naked and sleeping babies that I just love!

Jordan's 3 1/3 year stats

2011-04-27T20:39:00.000-07:00

Jordan weighs 42 lbs and is 38 1/4 inches tall!! And he peed in a cup like a little champ!