Things I Love (Continued, Post 2)

This is a continuation of the post, Things I Love (see below).

#11 Bronco Football
Yes, we look forward to Fall for the
pumpkin pie, falling leaves, cool days, and Bronco Football!!

#12 Good Food
In-n-Out Burger is our very favorite hamburger joint. 
On our trip to Disneyland we drove far and wide, risked dangerous freeways and dangerous drivers (one was in our car) all in the hopes of sinking our teeth into an animal cheese burger . . . mmmmm!!

#13 Roller Coasters
This was taken at Disneyland on Thunder Railroad.  This crew was fearless!!  They thrived on the thrill of zooming around a track with their hands in the air . . . holding on is for wimps!!

#14 Puppies
Can you resist puppies?  Not me.  Is there anything better than a little boy taking a siesta with his puppy?

#15 Playing Pretend
When you pretend you can be anything you want!  Anything can happen! So, why do little boys always want to be the bad guys and cut your leg off? 

#16 Playgrounds
Playgrounds are wonderful for multiple reasons.  The kids love them and you can get them to do anything (i.e. house work, feed the animals, not fight, etc, etc.) to get to go!  Also, do you see a grown-up in that photo?  Nope, the kids just go play.

#17 Super Heroes
I love the freedom kids feel to do anything and be anything. 
Maybe this one should be titled Innocence.
(This is Sebi in his super hero outfit flying through the air.)

#18 Healthy, Strong Bodies
I am so grateful for the blessings of strong, healthy bodies.  We love to watch our kids play sports and enjoy playing a game every once in a while ourselves! 

#19 Funny Things Kids Say
Belisia just couldn't wait to go see Pip & Darryl (or Chip and Dale).  We all had a good belly laugh over that one!

#20 Cheese
I love all types and flavors of cheese, but I have to say this is my favorite kind! 
Say Cheese!

Things I Love

I was recently given a book, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp, from my sister-in-law, Nicole.  I am only a few chapters in and have already felt a huge impact.  Her writing style is nothing  less than beautiful, so much so that I had to read it aloud.  I would recommend this book to everyone!  Voskamp challenges her readers to make a list (actually a list of 1000, but not sure if I'll do all 1000 on my blog) of their blessings/things they love, so here goes!  

#1 VACATIONS
Over spring break we went to Disneyland with
Diana, her girls and my mom . . . and had a blast!!




#2 Brown Eyes
Can you resist those eyes?  I can't!
I like the other colors too but somehow these girls can work magic with those things!



#3  Birthday Parties
We are so blessed to have a huge family so every birthday boy/girl can't help but feel so loved!!

#4  Colors
There are many blessings in this photo but the one I am thinking of is colors.  I am thankful that God gave us so many colors to enjoy . . . even if you put a lot of them on your face.  :-)

#5 Music
Ok, Band Hero on the wii might be a stretch when talking about music, but we are pretty proud of the music we make! 



#6 Friends
Every girl needs a group of friends like this!!!  Quite a few are missing from this picture, but each one is AWESOME and irreplaceable! 



#7 Forgiveness
This is a big one!  Can u imagine a life without forgiveness!  I am so thankful that I have been forgiven and that I can forgive with God's help!  All things can be forgiven and, as this photo shows, it sure feels good to let all the junk go!

#8  Little Sisters
What blessings little sisters are!  They never stop looking up to you.
Your reflection in their eyes is always a much better you!
Who wouldn't love that?



#9 Pull-Ups
I know this doesn't seem like a big deal, but I am really thankful for pull-ups!  We are a family of small bladders, a house with 5 beds and only one washing machine . . . need i say more?




#10  Quiet Time
We all need time to ourselves. 
We all need time with God to refocus and reflect on our blessings.   



SWF Looking for Mr. Frosty

The kids and I dug deep and used all our
strength to build this frosty lady. 
As we were struggling to position the second snowball,
Sebastian took one look at us
and said, "Do you want me to help you?" 
You know, like you poor weak girls.  Let me do it!
Anyway, with Seb's help we were able to get'r built.

School is Cancelled! Hurray!!

School was cancelled, so Matt & I made a big breakfast and
enjoyed the beautiful, winter scene outside. 
Thank you, Lord, for snow days!! 



The Larzelier Snow Bunnies
We had a great time playing in the snow! 




Papa stopped by and provided the measuring tape to see just how much snow we have. 
The verdict was 11 inches!  As you can see, Papa was the target of a few snowballs.




This  little boy was a good sport.  Oh, those sisters!
He is going to be tough!



This is the Snow Angel Queen! (mama said so)



The girls toughed it out and played in the snow for quite some time. 

  

Cutie Pies



Snow Day

What is it about snow that makes a kid want to eat it? 

Sebi said the snow was landing on his nose and it "ticked" (tickled). 

Isana was demonstrating how easy it is to catch snowflakes on her tongue.  She is obviously very advanced!

Come on Isana.  Let's go warm up with some hot cocoa!

First Day of School

Wednesday, August 18th was the First Day of School!
Juliette & Belisia were soooo excited.  Wela stayed home with Isana & Sebastian so Matt & I could walk the girls to school.  They did so well that I was thinking umm....don't you need me to stay longer?  aren't you sad that I am leaving you here with these strange people?  wouldn't you rather be home with your mama??? Belisia, don't you realize you have to stay here ALL day now?  Oh well, they love school so I am very grateful for that! 

Samson and I were of the same mind.  He whined and cried as we walked away with the girls.  He was pathetic!  What a wimp!  I was WAY stronger than that, though.  When I watched them at recess and waited for them to come home I never once hung on the fence like that!! Shesh!

"Last Day of Summer"

Marc & Val have been so awesome this summer letting us crash their beautiful swimming pool. On the day before the first day of school (1st Day of School Eve), we had some last minute summer fun. Brianna & Ava, Diana & her girls, Erica & her crew, Annie Parker and her girls, and me & my crew spent some time holding desperately to the final few moments before the hustle & bustle of school.

Brianne & Ava
Today, August 17th, is Ava's 1st birthday!
Happy Birthday Ava!

Olivia is mad at someone, but it sure makes for a cute picture!

Sebastian & Mama

This is proof that Tia Dina tried to drown my child!!!

Isana, Michelle, Juliette, Belisia
These girls are serious swimmers!

Erica brought Gracie & Jaxon for some end of year swimming.
Today is Brad and Erica's 9th Wedding Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary!

Pretty cute pool babes! 
Emma & Jacy Parker

Amaia & Samson

Only one word can describe this photo: Bestest Buddies Ever!!
Amaia and Samson are like this (tall man and pointer fingers crossed)! The special bond they share is amazing. She is such an animal person. I've always felt she should be a vet . . . for dogs. Or cats?? Hmm, yeah I think the only other animal that she loves more than dogs is cats. I'll post a pic of her and some cats when I get a chance to sort through all of them. You know Snow White? Well, cats flock to her like animals do to Snow White. It's remarkable, really! I was thinking of nominating her for Channel 7's Heros for all the work she does with the strays in town. Anyway, sorry you all had to hear me bragging on my SIL. She's the BEST!! So proud of her!

written in Sarcasm Font

Cousins & Black/White

Olivia, Juliette, Isana

Ok, so I didn't read my camera manual. Sue Me!! I've had my Nikon for a little over a year now and only JUST discovered the black and white setting. These girls are pretty cute and all, but mostly they were in the near vicinity when I discover the b/w setting.


Olivia & Isana - Best Friends, Best Fighters!
When they aren't playing together, they are fighting together. Well, each other actually. Isana's other hand is not in the picture. Hmm. I'm sure she is not pinching Olivia. That sounds nothing like her!


Little Miss Sassy Pants Beleny

Our Little Angel Isana

See that gleam in her eye?

It's nothing but sweet innocence! Really! It is!

Fair 2010 - Mutton Bustin'

This mean lookin' crew was fixin' to mutton bust!
All them fair goers took one look at this gang went the other direction. Them's the roughest mutton handlers in the west! Just check out the pics below!


Are those the cutest wrangler butts ever?!?!

Belisia rode that sheep into the ground . . . literally! She should have had a re-ride because it trip just a couple yards out of the gate and rolled . . . Belisia with it.

Isana was one focused kid. On winning, that is. She slipped off pretty quick into the ride and cried like she broke her arm. When she finally calmed down, she told us she was sad because she didn't win. What can I say? She has her dad's competitive streak! ;-)