Glittery, Glitzy Girly Party!

The popular Isaac gets to be the only boy to sit in on the Glittery Glitzy Girly Party.
For Caitlins's birthday she asked for a karaoke machine so she could rock out with her friends.


Kinsey working hard at the glittery and glitzy manicure.
Kinsey, Savannah, and my sister, Nichole were all so kind to help put the party on for Caitlin. I could have never done it without them. Thanks you guys!
Nichole was locked away working hard on the glittery, glitzy, girly hairdos


Savannah helping the girls stick the phone on the girls ear. (pin the tale on the donkey)

Glittery, Glitzy Girly Party!

We were so lucky to have Sanvannah and Kinsey to help out with the girls, they even taught them a few line dances.

Sweet Samantha was one of the last girls to get her hair done. She never even complained, what a great sport she is!

Some of Caitlin's friends having a good time posing their make-up, manicure, and beautiful hairstyle.

Make a wish!

Caitlin's 9th Birthday!

Chris has a hidden talent that has been emerging the last few years. He is an amazing cook! (that is when he is around) It's kind of been our tradition the last few years that Chris will make a cake from scratch. Caitlins request was a Carmel Brownie Cheesecake.

Dad's cheesecake was a big hit!

Presents and more....

Reminiscing a quick peek at Caitlin

I can't believe how our little Caitlin is growing up so quickly. It doesn't seem too long ago that we were bringing her home from the hospital. Few weeks old

One year old

Four years old

6 years old

8 years old

Little Nephew Issac

The kids and I had alot of fun getting to know baby Isaac. We probably over stimulated the little guy at times, but over all I think he enjoyed the attention.

My friend's dog Hunter is a puppy. It was funny to see the puppy, Isaac and Elisa all fight over the silly stick.

This is Issac's first time hanging out in the rain. There was no stopping him once he had a taste of the rain

Our First Real Get Away and Cruise

Chris and I have been married almost 12 years in December. From the first date I instantly fell in love with Chris. He was funny, kind, smart, handsome and an awsome return missionary. The summer after my first year at the Univerity I started dating Chris seriously. By the end of the summer Chris had proposed to me. In December we were married and we went on a fabulous honeymoon to Cancun. Chris graduated from the University six months latter and went on to Medical School. Life took a fast and hard pace at that point. With my health problems, medical school and residency, life was unbearable at times. Somewhere in all of lifes trials, Chris and I have been able to pull through with our five amazing children. So, not only is it exciting to go on a cruise but, it is our first real vacation getaway without children since our honeymoon.

September 22, 2008

It was hard for me to get excited days before, there was so much to do. It took me all night and morning to finish packing and get things ready for my wonderful sister who would be watching our 5 children. Once we got to Cape Canaveral I was able to relax. I was overcome with excitment like a little kid on Christmas morning. I think Chris must of been a little embarrased. I was like twenty steps ahead of him all through preboarding and security. I finally slowed down long enough for him to catch up and take our picture together. After this point there was nothing stopping us from boarding the ship. Here we go!!!

Bye Bye Cape Canaveral

Nassau, Bohamas

Paraceling at Nassau Island

Some how we talked the von Hacks into parceling or maybe, it was the other way around. Either way, Chris and I had parceled in Cancun on our honeymoon and had a great time. Shaun didn't want to go first and being the experienced couple I offered us to go first. While Chris and I are gearing up, and I started to get nervous. I realized our lives are in these strangers hands, we hadn't even watched these men parcel a trip. Not wanting to be the wimp, I nervously went.
Can you believe how high?

We were in the air for a long 10-15 minutes. I am surprised at how nervous I got considering I have parceled before. Maybe it’s the fact that it’s not just me and that I have 5 children.


Just hanging out!


It was fun having our good friends, Shaun and Richard to hang out with.

I couldn't ask for better company then my wonderful husband and dearest friend.

Atlantis Hotel and the Captains Dinner

Atlantis Hotel

One of my favorite place to go is the beach. I love the sand, the warmth of the sun, and the wind that brushes ashore with the waves. It was nice to relax on the beach and enjoy each others company.

William and Erika
Chris and William have been buisness partners for over a year now. Chris and I were excited when we heard William and Erika were going to come.
The night of the Captains Dinner

Yuck!!

Chris bribed me to try escargot. He said if I would try he would take as many pictures as I wanted. I stretched that to as many pictures as I wanted to buy. I guess I don't have fancy taste buds, but I got my way in the picture department.

COCO Cay Island and Farewell night

Chris and I were excited to have a restful day at the beach and do some snorkling. It started out nice until we realized our drivers license, cruise ID cards and our cash were gone. They had fallen out of Chris's trunks during snorkeling. We went to sucurity to see if anything had been turned in and were sad to be turned away with nothing. The vonHacks and I said a prayer in hope our ID's could be found. We continued to look for an hour or so until I decided to check with security again. Happy to say our ID's were turned in but no cash. I am so grateful for the small blessings in life that our prayers were answered.


COCO Cay's little shopping center.
I was able to get the kids some cute souvenirs there at the shops.


Royal Caribbean
Soverighn of the Seas

Last Night on the cruise.

All the employee's sang a farewell song for their final Good-bye.

Nathan needs stitches again!

September 16th was one of those crazy days.

It started with an important primary presidency meeting that was schedualed at my house for 8:00 pm on the 16th. Only later to find my sisters flight had been cancelled from the 15th to the 16th arriving in Orlando the same time as the meeting. I thought it might be cutting it too close, but then I remembered Chris could help pick my sister and her baby after he got off work. Earlier that day I had Tinae the babysitter take my kids to swim practice while I fixed dinner and cleaned up the house.

Not long after Tinae and the kids left I get a call from the lifequard at the pool just letting me know my son fell and split his chin open. At this point I am feeling quilty and helpless that I am not there. The babysitter has my car and I don't have a way to rush over to the pool. I tell the babysitter to come on home. I call Chris who is working at a clinic an hour away to see where I should take Nathan. Chris tries to find a colleage who is working nearby. Unfortantly, after a few tries he has no success, Chris decides he will do it when he gets home later that night. Meanwhile, Nathans chin is bandaged up for the time being.

About three hours latter Chris gets off work and rushes to the airport to pick up my sister and nephew. I proceed forward with the scheduled presidency meeting. Soon there after Chris and my sister arrive home. The presidency meeting continues on about our important matters. During the meeting I look over to see Nathan laying on the kitchen table. Chris wastes no time he has his stiching kit all spread out and has begun numbing Nathan's chin. I casually go into the kitchen and stand by Nathan's side. Cute Hilary, our secratary in Primary notices the action going on and starts captureing the moments. During all this Nathan was a champ and never complained.


Cute Isaac is full of smiles after a long flight from Las Vegas.
Hey, shouldn't you be in bed by now!

Alex and Elisa's First Dentist Appointment

Believe it or not, Elisa was excited to go to the dentist for the first time. Alex on the other hand had reservations about the dentist. Alex is taking his fathers old strategies, have his little sister try it out first.

To make our dentist experience even better we were pleasantly surprised with Sister Hawkes the Bishops wife as our dental hygenist. Fortunatley Alex and Elisa love Sister Hawkes and they loved every moment.

Notice Alex observing every little move Sister Hawkes does. Waiting to see a sign of any discomfort from Elisa.

The virdict is in, Alex is going to give it a try.

Alex loved the attention and all of fun games Sister Hawkes played.

William and Alex's second week at our little preschool group. Eight of us moms take turns teaching and assisting the teacher. We have 8 little children, who are all 3 years old. I haven't had the honor of teaching, my turn is this coming week. I might be a little crazy to add another thing into my busy life but the payoff is great. Alex loves preschool and gets to hang out with his friends.