The Fabulous Five

I'm a sucker!!!! I had a coupon for a free portrait package and I told myself I wasn't going to buy anything extra. But the photographer asked to take some of Aubrey, first time I said no but then she said "Oh it will be fun can I try?" I said yes, because she is so stinkin' cute and I wanted to see how it turned out with one of her million dollar smiles. Look how cute, the pictures were a surprise for Adolfo, (he didn't have a picture with all 5 at work.) The kids were great but by the time we were done I needed 3 Tylenol and a large Diet Coke.

CoX Farms "Oh So Fun"

We went to Cox Farms to celebrate Ry's Birthday and we had so much fun...

5 Fun-Filled Long Hours....

Getting lost in the corn maze....

Relaxing on Dad's shoulders

Kyle on one of the many big slides

Ryan coming off of the rope swing

Cinderella...Oops...Lauren

At Cox Farm's you can feed the Goats and pet them,

Derek loved to pet the Goats...

Little Miss Aubrey just hanging out while the kids were having fun

Cox Farms has all you can eat apples and all you can drink apple cider...

With the Corn Maze, Big Slides, Hay Ride, Goats & Entertainment

it will be a tradition we keep up every year...

Fall Decorating

I know it has been a long time since I've posted and I haven't stuck to my one post a week of the house. But school started and life has been busy. But look how cute....Thanks to a club in Utah...my house is decorated oh so cute.

Lauren's First Day of School

Our little girl made it through the first day of school and came home with SMILES....When I asked her how school was she said "It was Great! We went to recess, sang some songs, rested so her brain can grow bigger, talked about the weather and even went to the computer lab." (The boys didn't think that was fair that she already went to the computer lab.) Lauren made some friends but their was one little girl she liked but couldn't remember her name only that it was a Spanish name.

Coming off of the bus, its a little blurry because the kids are so fast. Lauren said her bus driver Maria is very nice she even said "Hi Lauren."

The Bus Stop....There are probably 10+ kids at our bus stop and everyone is very friendly. Counting me there are three moms with the name Jen.

Well after we saw the kids off... Derek, Aubrey and I came home and cleaned up the breakfast rush, did some dishes, bath time for Derek and Aubrey, and then we went to the Old Town Manassas' Farmers Market. It is right by the train station and they have this old train that the kids can play on. Aubrey was asleep for most of the time so it was just me and D. We had so much fun checking out all of the vendors and then for our treat we picked out an apple it was the BEST tasting apple. Aubrey started crying because Derek stuck his finger in her mouth, he told me she likes his fingers. So we will have to take more pictures next Thursday, we can't wait to go back!

The First Day of School (for the boys)

This year we are Bus Riders, I asked the boys what did they think of the bus and they said it is so LOUD, and that they went over two railroad tracks and they almost fell off their seats. I can only imagine what their eyes looked like.

Kyle standing outside his classroom, I asked him if he liked his teacher and he said

"Not Really, she yells a lot, but not at me."

Ryan, standing outside his classroom...
He said his teacher is very nice, she gave him no homework but only let them have
"Like 4 minutes of Recess," (I think that is on a 1st Graders watch.)


See how sad:( If you saw me I might be smiling, J/K!

The Bus Stop....At the end of the day, and we are still smiling!

Wow, where did summer go? Well we started a new school this year and I think we were all a little nervous, but we survived. Adolfo carried on the tradition of taking the morning off to see them off on their first day. We dropped the boys off and gave kisses and because we were so SAD we had to CELEBRATE the start of school with Panera, (the boys saw the bag from Panera after school and boy did I get in trouble.) So when they came home I asked them how their day was and this was the first thing that they said.

Ryan- "It's the best day ever!!"

Kyle- "Mom, will you make my lunch everyday-'cuz school lunch is GROSS!"

Lauren's 1st day is tomorrow so I will have more to tell later.......

End of the Summer Bash!!!!

Toni (my sister-in-law) started the tradition of a Pizza Pool Party to close out the summer. Here are a few pictures of our Pool Party. Britt (my niece) was so kind to come with us and help me out, Thanks Britt!

The Lazy Days of Summer, the boys soaking it up!

Mermaid Lauren

Yum! Want some?

What can I say, future Super Model!

Derek and the Turtles

I was randomly looking at pictures and videos on my computer and came across this video. This was taken last year in the fall at our old house in Centreville. Derek loved to feed the turtles and if you stuck your finger far enough in the tank the turtles would nip at them. Derek was always scared of getting nipped but so was I. We bought the 4 turtles from Hilton Head Island, SC two years ago and the kids loved to feed them. But mean old Mom and Dad were tired of taking care of them so the turtles HAD to stay with the old house. Sorry turtles we miss you but know you are happy with your new family. Enjoy the video, and check out Derek's curls!

Aubrey Marie, aka Lil' Miss

Lately, the kids love to take pictures with my camera and Aubrey has been their main model with lots of smiles for them. I will try to get pictures of her smiling but when the camera comes up it is a straight face for me. So here are some that the kids have caught. Can you tell she is well loved?

Something New To Do In VA

The National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico, Virginia.....The architectural profile of the National Museum evokes the WWII flag raising on Iwo Jima. The gleaming steel central mast stands 210 feet tall and serves as the museum's focal point. The cool thing is you will be driving on 95 and all of a sudden it just pops out of the trees, and at night it is amazing with the lights.

We went this past Saturday and it was so much fun, we only made it half way through and we will go back and finish it within the next couple of weeks. They also have an awesome playground, (one of the best I've seen in VA.) We had a fabulous time and the kids can't wait to go back. -An explanation to the middle picture, there was a sign that said Jenny so we HAD to take a picture ;)

Yum! Ice Cream

We were just playing around and Aubrey wanted to have a lick of Ice cream. She said "I'm Ready!"

Second Room: The Girls Room

I finally finished Lauren's & Aubrey's room, Krissie helped me with Aubrey's letters but it wasn't till yesterday that they were finished, I can finally cross that one off of my list. Kyle & Ryan want me to post their room but I told them that they had to clean it first, we will see if that works to get them to clean it.

Football VS. Spongebob

Today Adolfo was watching Football on the T.V. and Derek said "Dad I don't like Football!" Adolfo said "Derek I love Football, please, watch it with me." Derek said "No Dad, I don't like Football I like Spongebob." So there you have it, on Thanksgiving we will watch Spongebob re-runs instead of Lions vs. Dallas!!!!

First Steps, After Surgery

Hurray for D!!!! This past Saturday we went to see Adolfo at work and Derek took his first steps since his Surgery (March 29), he has had Physical Therapy 2x's a week for the past month and it has helped him so much. He still prefers to walk with a little help, but before we know it I will be posting a new video of him running away from me.

First Room: Living Room

This is the only room in the house that has drapes and carpet. The rest of the house is either wood, tile or cement. So this is the fancy room of the house, on one of the empty walls I would like to get a nice picture of Christ, my favorites are some of Greg Olson's. Then in the empty corner either a curio cabinet or a grandfather clock. But some of this is wishful thinking.

Home Sweet Home

We finally made it! After lots of hard work we were able to purchase our own HOME in Virginia. We have been looking on and off for a year now and there were a couple of houses that we liked. In February we found this place and it was a Short Sale which our realtor discouraged us from setting our hearts on it because they hardly ever go to closing. Well, we came by and walked through it but while we were there 5 other couples came by with their Realtors and on the kitchen counter there were at least 20 business cards of people that have already came by and looked at it. We loved it, unfortunately at the time I let my heart set on it. We placed and offer, and it was considered but the owners decided on a cash offer instead of ours. I was so upset and I had never let myself fall so hard on a place but it just felt right. Adolfo said if Heavenly Father wants us here then it will happen. Well we moved on and started looking at other houses but nothing ever seemed "Just Right." On April 20th (Lauren's birthday) our realtor called out of the blue and said the house was back on and the owners would accept our offer for less than what we offered but we had to close in 3 1/2 weeks. It had been so long and we had looked at so many others I couldn't even remember the address. We lived, breathed and signed paperwork for those 3+ weeks. On May 15th we signed the papers and became HOME OWNERS. It still seems like a dream, we got a steal of a deal and we are so thankful for our new home. So I have had a few requests of what our new place looks like, so I will try and post a picture once a week of a new room, here is what it looks like when you drive up to the place, and so far I haven't killed the front yard, the back yard is another story however.

Goodbye Aunt Kris

The poor girl arrived to a house of boxes and tape, May 22. Within the first week of being in Virginia, her job titles were: Professional Mover, Janitor, Nanny, dishwasher and Jen's personal slave. That was just the first week! The summer flew by, with Dr. appointments and Physical Therapy, a brand new BABY, camps, library trips going to the pool, Costco runs and pedicures. We can't believe that she is gone, the house feels empty. We don't know what we would have done without you Kris. The kids all wanted to list their favorite things to do with Krissie. Kyle said, "Ummm, watching NCIS with Aunt Kris." Ryan said, "Have Fun and go to the pool." Lauren said, "Krissie reading to me every night before I go to bed." Derek said, "Playing with Aunt Krissie and watching Spongebob." Aubrey said, "Aunt Krissie changing my diapers and holding me." Jen said, "We had lots of fun eating at Panera, Pottbelly, Sweet Water, Five Guys and the rest of the best that Virginia has to offer while watching Bridezilla's." Adolfo said thanks for all of your help and the great babysitting you did so I could take my wife out on hot dates. Your the BEST Kris, we miss you and love you!!!!

Just a Test

Alright, I have to admit Krissie sat right next to me for the last posting so this is a test to see if I can manage this after she leaves.......Plug your ears for the annoying beeping sound. (Krissie didn't get my joke-the test that comes on TV for the emergency broadcasting....;)

New Family on the Blog

Hello Family, Friends and Neighbors..... We wanted to say Hello! I'm hoping I can update this once a week with family news. Hopefully I will be able to figure this out, we will see. Stay tuned for future updates, I have lots of pics that I would like to share with you all. Love you and miss you tons, Adolfo, Jen, Kyle, Ryan, Lauren, Derek and Aubrey.