My little Laney

I wanted to post about my sweet daughter. The past couple of mornings she has woken up about 6:00 all on her own. Wednesday morning she showered, dressed, ate breakfast, finished her spelling project, and made not only her lunch but Max's as well all before 7 a.m.!  I was so proud of her because most mornings, getting her up is a lot like getting me up!  I hate mornings.  So yesterday after she came home from school, she was talking to Max while I was on the computer and the conversation went like this:

Elena: Max did you get my note I left in your lunchbox?

Max: yeah but I couldn't read your writing. What does it say?

Elena: Try and read it and I will help you.

Max (reading): Max, I love you. Work rrrreee.......

Elena (helping): really 

Max: really hard at school so you can get good grades........ bee what does that say?

Elena: because 

Max:  because mommy will be really proud of you. Have a good day!  

After he finished the note, Max he gave her a big hug and said, "I love you too Laney!" 

I sat quietly listening to my beautiful grown up daughter with a smile on my face and so much love in my heart to have such a caring child!  Most days her and Max fight like cats and dogs locked in a kennel, but on days like this I think, "I am so blessed to have such great kids!" 

Tehachapi Park

After picking apples we headed to a park for a picnic lunch. It was a beautiful day and the kids ran and ran and ran!  All around the park were these trees with faces and animals carved into them. This was A's favorite one!  

Aidan told me that this one was funny cuz he's sleeping. I just liked the big nose. ;-)
This was one of my favorites because the branches at the top looked like a big mop of hair!  Of course you can't see it in the picture, but it was adorable. 
This stump was carved like a frog. Aidan and his friend Kaela hopping on top!  
I asked Aidan if he was getting tired and his response, with this same look, was nope!  :-) He crashed about 10 minutes from home. 

Knauss Apple Farm

Today for our ward playgroup we went up to a place called Tehachapi to pick apples at an orchard there. Aidan was in heaven the whole time we were there. The trees were all really little so the kids could pick their own apples. Aidan ate 2 apples just while we were picking them. They had them for $.75 a lb. It was such a steal! And they are really good apples. They have a bunch of different types. We might have to go back up since Max was pretty bummed he couldn't go. 

Aidan showing us how big the trees are!  

Aidan was fasinated as you can see. He picked half a bag and I finally had to tell him to stop. 

I helped him pick one that was up high. As soon as I picked it, it went into his mouth. 
Does this look like double trouble or what?  Aidan and Rocco showing us how strong their teeth are!  
This is the little store there. It was such a cute little place.  This reminds me when my Grandma Ella lived in Farmington and we used to pick all the fruit out of her trees and then can it. Such good memories! 
Here is Aidan weighing his catch. A whopping 5 lbs. of delicious apples for $3.75. You can't find that anywhere else around here. A good days work!  

Just for Fun.....

So I was blog stalking and came across this blog with an adorable bracelet giveaway. I am posting it so those who are interested can enter. I think it is super cute and think Laney would love it. Anyway, click here if you want to check it out!

Super Saturday

I know I haven't posted much the last week, but I have been working on our super saturday coming up in October. We are trying to get everything ready now because a month later we are having our huge Christmas enrichment. I have been blog stalking quite a bit trying to get craft ideas, and then Christmas program ideas. We have finally settled on our crafts for the super saturday, now it just means getting everything together; organizing the kits, planning the luncheon and making certain all the little details are taken care of. All of you out there that have been in enrichment, or in charge of planning things like this, I admire you! This is a whole new ball game for me. Needless to say I am learning a lot.

I've been TAGGED!

Thanks Kris for the tag! ;)

1. Where did you meet your husband? I met Lemuel at the reading/writing center at BYU-Hawaii. He saw my picture on the wall and signed up for a tutoring appointment with me! He followed me everywhere from then on out! ;)

2. How long did you date before you married? 8 months of dating and 3 months of engagement.

3. How long have you been married? Ten years! I still can't believe it has been that long.

4. What does he do that surprises you? Whenever I call him on the phone, he always answers with "hey goodlooking!" even when there are people around! It makes me smile everytime he does it! :-)

5. What is his favorite feature? of mine? Good question, I guess it would have to be my eyes and my cheekbones. Those are the ones he comments on often.

6. What is your favorite quality of his? His desire to follow Heavenly Father and his hardwork ethic

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Jessi, mi amor,

8. What is his favorite food? Korean food or Japanese food.

9. What is his favorite sport? Tennis all the way! Through and through! As most of you know.

10. When & where was your first kiss? It was on Hukilau beach, but I don't know the exact date

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? dinner and movies. We love to go to the movies

12. Do you have any children? sure do, 3 amazing kids

13. Does he have any hidden talents? he is a great artist. He can draw almost anything.

14. How old is he? 35

15. Who said I love you first? he did!

16. What is his favorite music? 80's rock

17. What do you admire most about him? how hard he works to provide a good life for his family and his

18. What is his favorite color? blue

19. Will he read this? Probably not.

20. Who do you tag? Stephanie, Amy, Jenn, Rachel and Kimi!

Aidan's Ramblings

Sunday night about 9:30 Lemuel and I were watching a movie. The kids were in bed asleep, or so we thought, when Aidan came into our room.

Aidan: Mommy, my stomach hurts (with a real sad scrunched up face)

Me: Does your tummy hurt?

Aidan: yeah, I need a fruit snack.

Me and Lemuel: (laughing hysterically) right you do! Go back to bed.

Aidan: his head tips down as he walks very sadly off.

Washin Teeth!

My little Aidan has just recently started brushing his teeth on his own. Yesterday I caught him dancing and singing to "washin my teeth, wash wash washin my teeth" a little song he came up with. Of course when I ran to get the camera, he wouldn't sing the song but I still caught a cute little video of him "washin his teeth."

Happy Birthday to Me! Labor Day 2008

So they say it's my birthday. Somehow I still can't believe that I am 31 this year! I think I should still be 23 or 24, but the grey hairs and wrinkles are telling me otherwise. I told Lemuel the only thing I want for my birthday is to go to the beach for the day. So on Monday we headed to Carpinteria Beach, which is just north of Ventura. The day was absolutely beautiful and a perfect beach day. The water wasn't as cold as I thought it would be. And to add to a great day, we saw a couple of dolphins. The kids were amazed and excited. Everyone but Aidan came back a little sunburned, but that is mostly because he took a 2 hour nap under the unbrella. No one wanted the day to end! It was a great way to celebrate my birthday!