Central CA Candids

Hayden and MikinahConal and CashCooper, Hayden and Brooklyn Pam, Bub, Cooper
Krystal and Wyatt Tay and Mikinah
Tay Kacey and the girlsHayden's new BFF, Tori
Coop, Mikinah and Cash

You getta line and I'll getta pole, baby

On Memorial Day, we had to go through my Grandpa's belongings, which were taken (the day prior) to my Uncle's friends house. The Pellegrini's invited us to bring the kids out and enjoy their ranch and catfish pond. So after we spent time going through, what he considered his treasures, we enjoyed a nice picnic and partook in a bit of downhome country fun! The kids got to fish in their pond, which is stocked with really large catfish! It was so nice spending the day with our extended family. I know my Grandpa would've loved to be there. That was absolutely his kind of day!Cooper, Jordyn, Devyn, Conal, Nick and Papa watching Hayden take the pole

They think they can help her

Hayden's still not sure about doing this by herself, so Daddy gives her an extra hand

And the control freak can't just sit there and watch! I have to go and get my hands into it and show them how it should be done!

And that's exactly what we did. Showed them how it's done! And I realized that I still hate nature, but will sacrifice from time to time to show the boys up! :)

Hayden caught the trophy catfish, and Uncle Bub got the honors of de-hooking that sucka and holding it up for a picture! (See...their Daddy still has a bit of city-boy left in him!)

WAY TO GO HAYDEN!!

Lazy Sunday @ the Paulus'

Marlene and Bill had us all over for a barbecue on Sunday, May 24th. The kids had so much fun swimming together. This is the first time we've met Brooklyn and Braxton, and the first time Melinda and Melissa met Tay and Cash. Bill and Marlene have been like our second parents for my entire life. Even though we live far away, they are still such a big part of our lives. We see them a couple times a year when they come out here. I'm ever so greatful to them for the friendship and love they provide to my parents.

It was a nice and relaxing day! Eddie grilled out while the girls sat around and caught up. We realized we have a whole slew of kids! My how times have changed!

Goofy Grandma's

Carson, Brooklyn, Dustyn, Brennan, Hayden, Cooper, Taylor and Cash

A Five Night Sleepover!

Upon the passing of my Grandpa, we loaded up and trekked through a 10 hour drive to central California with kids in tow. We went to attend my grandpa's funeral, but while we were there, the doors of our very hospitable friends and family were opened to our family. And when I say "our family" that means 8 of us! Conal, the kids and I, and Pam, Bub and their boys...I know, no surprise! My sister and I sure don't seperate easily!

Anyhow, thanks to Lisa and Dale for allowing ALL of us to crash their house for FIVE nights!
They spent an entire day before we got there constructing a fort in their living room. This is where as few as 4 kids slept and as many as 6 on any given night. I don't think we have any pictures of the garage where the guys spent endless hours playing darts and drinking many, many cases of beer. Seems as though the biggest expense of our trip went to gas and beer. Yes, that's a Conal and Bub 'vacation'!

Cooper, Taylor, Hayden and Mikinah

Hayden, Jackson, Mikinah, Cooper, Taylor and Cash

My own Intervention on ME!

I'm conducting an intervention on myself! I figured this is no secret, so if I type it 'out loud' maybe it will take care of my problem.
"Baby fever, GO AWAY! Baby fever, GO AWAY! Baby fever, GO AWAY! Baby fever, GO AWAY! Baby fever, GO AWAY! Baby fever, GO AWAY! Baby fever, GO AWAY! Baby fever, GO AWAY!"


These two were very cute Bec (and very BIG), but you really, really, REALLY don't want to do it again! Psst...Remember you birth BIG babies and puke all day, every day for 9 months, EVERY time!!

What do YOU think?

DO YOU THINK

LOOKS LIKE ??

Neither do we. Butdoes!

It's really cute, she LOVES Taylor Swift!

The end of an era. Our first of many.

Hayden couldn't find her Daddy (who came late and was sitting in the back), so she wasn't very participatory at the school program on the 22nd. She's a hit or miss at these things.

At the Christmas program she was into it like no other. The loudest one up there and groovin' to the beat.

This one, she was just sad. Between songs, when it was just her class...Ms. Monica pointed her Daddy out and positioned her on the side he was on. That made her a bit happier, but still, she was never whole heartedly into it.

Needless to say, she had fun when the program was over and they showed the video montage. She's a favorite at St. Tim's and so she was in a lot of pictures! She LOVED that!

This day was the end of an era for us, for her. She still had a week of school left, but that was the day my grandpa died, so she missed her last week of school as we headed out the following day.

I was emotional anyway, but the thought of leaving the comfort of her school and staff really got to me. They've become extended family to us. Monica has really been a great sense of support and encouragement to me, and I'm truly going to miss her.

I have Tay enrolled there this Fall, but will not be sending her. She will continue in her PPS program for at least this year, so she can receive her services. I hope that she will be able to attend pre-K in another year.

We did come back in time for Hayden to make the Water Day on Friday. I was a volunteer, and had a lot of fun working the cotton candy booth. When the activities were over, Monica gave Hayden and I a hug and kiss and was as emotional as I was...again! (I'm a real mush right now).

It is so nice to be somewhere, where they truly care about the well-being of your children. It is so much more than a job to the staff at that school. I'm sure they've touched hundreds of lives just as they've touched ours.

Over the last year and a half we've really watched Hayden grow. I contribute it all to the patience, tolerance and kind souls of the teachers. They've handled her so delicately and I think the trust they built with her is so prevelant in her attitude.

We won't disappear forever. Hayden's going to do her Religious Ed. there, and she will be attending VBS this Summer.

IN LOVING MEMORY

Harold Emmersen Jr.

Harold, a resident of Reedley, Ca., was born on September 22, 1930, in Selma, Ca., and passed away on Friday, May 22, 2009, in Fresno, Ca. He was a retired Superintendent for Producers Cotton, and a decorated Korean War veteran.
Harold will be greatly missed by his family and numerous friends.
Harold was preceded in death by his father and mother, Harold Sr. and Katherine Emmersen; and his first wife, Lois Emmersen.
He is survived by his wife Florence; his brother, Don Emmersen; and his sister, Gladys Klein. He is also survived by his children, Nan Adams and her husband Tom of Sanger, Lori Winnett and her husband Bill of Chandler, Az., and Robert Emmersen of Gilbert, Az.; granddaughters, Rebecca Marquette, Kristen Harbert, Pamela Cox, Amanda Cline, Kari Griffith, and Krystal Plote, along with ten great-grandchildren.
A Funeral Service will be held at Wallin's Sanger Funeral Home, on Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., followed by interment at Sanger Cemetery.
Remembrances may be made to Sanger Veterans Park, c/o Sanger M & E Flowers, 1719 7th Street, Sanger, Ca., 93657. WALLIN'S Sanger Funeral Home 1524 9th Street Sanger, Ca. (559)875-6555

Cancer Sucks.

It's like a wildfire. A blazing inferno raging out of control, taking everything in it's path with rapid fury.

In just a few short months, 6, I think. It went from a sore throat, to esophogeal cancer, spreading to the lymph nodes, possibly in his intestine and wrapping itself around his feeding tube. With many more details, hurdles and obstacles standing in it's way. It's jumped the lines and branched off of branches.

From the very first day, his spirit has been amazing. He's a fighter. Determined that this is not going to get the best of him. If he stayed positive he "will overcome Cancer".

Chemo and radiation made him sick, very sick, and weak. But that wasn't going to get the best of him, either. He's more comfortable in a Care Facility, not ever wanting to go back home.

He's had infections, a few surgeries...unfortunately due to poor care given by the VA. He struggles to breath and doesn't feel well, often. He's tested positive for MRSA, although suffers no symptoms. Active bouts of nausea and dizziness and heart arhythmia also crowd his days.

He almost coded on Mother's Day and has been in the hospital next door, since. In and out of ICU is where he dwells.

There are days where he suffers so bad, that he takes his prescribed Morphine. There are days where he is not feeling much pain and forgoes it. Those days he's weak, he sleeps most of the time, and can hardly hold his head up. His positivity is fading...although I'm told you can catch a glimpse of it when he's had some meds. They mask his pain and discomfort, and I'm sure his fear, well.

My mom, sister and I flew in spontaneously a couple of weekends ago. Our flight was delayed a bit and we just knew he was counting the hours and watching the clock. And when we arrived and walked in to the courtyard, where he was sitting, his face lit up ever so brightly. Quick to show off his grand-daughters to any staff that walked by. Proud of his daughters, Nan and Lori and missing his son who "also moved to Arizona. Don't what it is about that Desert"! It was a fast trip, but we spent every hour that we could with him. With intentions of busting him out on Sunday, he had been looking forward to it, he could not bear the pain to venture out. He was frail and fragile and crying when we walked into his room that morning. I know he thought he was letting us down. But he wasn't. We know he could've if he would've. And we were only wanting to help him out of his four walls for a few hours.

When it was time to say our goodbyes the morning we were flying back home, I thought it would be hard. But it wasn't. Quite honestly, I didn't say goodbye. I gave him a kiss and a hug and told him to take care and I'd see him later. Because I will. And I have great peace in knowing that.

As my mom is on a plane tonight, in a frantic, scared and tender state of mind all I can think about his comfort. His fear. He's got to be scared. He is on life-support and in ICU. The details are a bit shakey, as his health fell to an all new low suddenly this afternoon, while spending time with my Uncle and my Grandpa's best buddies Ben and Nelda.

My heart breaks. I don't want him to be scared. He is coherent and knows what is going on, and that's so frightening to me. It sounds morbid, but I want him to rest peacefully. He's such an honorable man, such a strong soul and I don't want him to suffer. And he is. I want his pain to dissolve.

His family loves him as much as he loves us. And he knows that, it's a comforting feeling. I believe in eternal life. I believe that Grandma is waiting for him. And when it's time, I cannot wait until they are reunited. Lord willing.

CMoP

We took a ditch day a couple of weeks ago and went to the Children's Museum of Phoenix. It's one of my favorite places to take the girls. I've been working there a lot lately, they're one of our clients. I was able to arrange admission for me and the girls to enjoy a day, on them!

It's in downtown Phoenix and is what I would consider pricey for a playdate. So, it's a rare and special treat and this day, it was FREE...what's better than that?!

There are three floors with classrooms that offer so much variety that you cannot get bored! I was particularly glad I didn't pay the $9 per person (including parents) admission on this particular day, as it was jam-packed with school groups. But, the girls still had a great time for the first couple of hours!

Teamwork! Making Ice Cream Cones

Making a delicious brick oven pizza for Mommy

In line at the checkout of the supermarket

A really cool scooter, motorcycle, bike...whatever! (we couldn't agree on the name!)

Squeegy-ing a colored pane outside

Relaxing in a carpeted cylinder!

Picking flowers and re-planting them

This place is a treat for the senses! Art rooms, and a fun noodle forest. Music areas and ride-ons, car ramps and games. I will take them back this Summer and even after being there a few times prior, I'm sure we'll find something completely different to do!!

A Pair of INCREDIBLE Daddy's

These two Daddy's are the BEST Daddy's known to kids! (Alright, my Daddy is pretty awesome too!!)

They are like two of the most fun, energetic, loving, affectionate, compassionate, girl-like giggling dudes I know! And these kids cannot get enough of them.

Cooper and Cash love Uncle Conal. In fact, Cash LOVES Uncle Conal beyond words. He will not stay at my house willingly if his mom is dropping him off for a bit with just me, but if Conal is around, it's a different story. He's Conal's shadow. It's really cute, and Conal loves it! I really think he loves those boys as much as I do, as if they're his own, too! Yesterday I was outside and Cash walked up to me and told me "Tonal's Silly". I said "What?" He said "Tonal's silly" and just ran off! Cash NEVER approaches me...and to just walk up to me out of the blue and say that, I was cracking up. And confused. What about me, aren't I silly too??!! :( Boo-hoo!

Conal wrestles with the boys and teases them like crazy. Calls them Princesses, Sissy's and makes fun of their "panties". It's really funny and they take it like champs and TOTALLY dish it back!

My girls LOVE Uncle Bubba. Taylor won't show her affection to him too much when he's around, however she talks about him non-stop. They kids admire that Uncle Bubba is a fireman and are always looking for him when fire trucks come our way. And Hayden has always had a special bond with Uncle Bubba. She used to sleep on his chest when she was a baby, and she loves to talk about that. Uncle Bubba has been the source of her show and tell many times. She's taken pictures of him and her on a horse, and taken her fire hat and shared that he's a fire fighter, too. She knows when Uncle Bubba is serious...she's a bit scared of him and doesn't want to let him down. It's really funny! He's tender and gentle with the girls, I think he's a bit scared of them too! haha

These kids keep the guys young and I think they kind of give them a free pass to act like kids, themselves. They are best friends, by far, and quiet honestly, I think they're having the time of their lives raising kids together!

My Mother's Day

I came home late from work on the Saturday night before Mother's Day to the sweetest arrangement. Homemade flowers in salad dressing bottles, from each of the girls! BEST GIFT EVER!!! They both could not resist giving me their gifts that they made in school, earlier in the week. It was really cute. Hayden made me a magnet and Tay grew me a sprout!On Sunday, we went over to Kelly's for breakfast and Conal and the kids took a refreshing dip in the pool! It was nice spending some time with the Mitchell's and the Krynski's as we don't see each other but a couple times a year. It was very casual and relaxing. We came home early enough to really veg out, which was the gift that I asked for! Taylor and I layed around in my bed for over 2 hours watching The Sound of Music. It was lovely! Dark, quiet and enjoyable, just snuggling with my baby!

I popped some meat into the crockpot when we got home from Kelly's, so all I had to do was make up some rice and pull the salad out of the bag..and whalla, dinner was made!

I had a great Mother's Day!

Redneck Swimmin' Pool

What do 4 kids whose parents have no pool in the backyard, Mommies could be content sitting in chairs under a sprinkler and a cottonwood tree and Daddy's happy as flies on poop playing horseshoes and drinking beer on a lazy Sunday do to keep cool? Swim in the horse trough, that's what they do!

We went out to Pam and Bub's yesterday to veg out and let the kids run wild. It's been so hot, averaging about 105 lately. We were going to let the kids run in the sprinklers all day, but when we got there Bub was just finishing hosing off the horses. And for a real special treat, Clark, he rinsed out the trough so the kids could go for a dip ;-)

THEY HAD A BLAST!! Thanks for sharing your pool with us Coxes, that was really nice!!