More of The Birthday Boy

The night before Jake's Birthday, we celebrated with a night out to Chili's. Jake opened his presents and shared the sliders with me. Then, it was off to home for his requested "Pizza" cake. Jake had informed me a couple of days before his birthday that his best friend's mom ALWAYS made him whatever cake he wanted for his birthday. Jake asked for a pizza cake and this is what I came up with:

Good thing he loved it! I can't believe there are ten candles on my little guy's cake.

My cheesy kiddos

The next day, it was off to Disneyland. What better way to celebrate your tenth birthday than with a day at the happiest place on earth! Because Jake already had a pass, Disneyland gave him a $69 gift card! He thought he'd died and gone to heaven; nope Jake, just Disneyland.

Happy Boy at The Happiest Place

The oldest cheeseballs!

Rachel wasn't too happy to be the "front girl" on Splash Mountain-she got pretty wet!

Sammy knows what's coming!

I had to include this "pose" of Sammy's. What a weirdo.

I love Payton's face!

All the kiddos!

My crazy kids! I don't thing any of them are lacking personality.

OF COURSE...no day with Rachel would be complete without a celebrity sighting. These two are on this year's American Idol. The guy is Kai, we haven't "met" the girl yet.

They were both really nice and happy to pose for a picture with us:

My daughter has a fear of roller coasters. This mean mommy made her go on Tower of Terror. As you can see, she was super excited!

The man we owe our fun day to!

The cutest part of the day was when Jake surprised his buddy Maddie with a new pin for her pin-collecting lanyard with some of his money. Jake also started his own pin collection.

Tired and Happy...

***Those of you who managed to read to the end are now blessed with a medical update. The news is NO NEWS. While I'm glad no tumors were found during my scopes, we are now back to square one. This week I get to redo labs (we just got the last bill and it was $2500!!!). I am super excited to collect my pee in a big orange jug and "give" lots more blood. Yippee!

Jakey Bear is 10!

I can't believe it's already been ten wonderful years since we welcomed this amazing spirit into our family. From birth, Jake has been kind, thoughtful, sweet, and SO cuddly. Due to pregnancy complications (high blood pressure), I was on bed rest for the last part of my pregnancy with Jake and had non-stress tests and level 3 ultrasounds twice a week for the last couple months. Not to be outdone by his older siblings, Jake arrived as soon as was safe! He was due on February 15th, but was born nice and early on January 28th. I had been having contractions for a few weeks and was more than ready to get this little guy here. I had seen Dr. Winter a few days before, and he told me he would meet me in his office in the evening (he was on call) and if I was a 5 he would admit me (I was already almost a 4). By sheer force of will, I made SURE I was at a 5 and we headed over to the hospital. I had even had my hair done earlier that day so I would look good for labor (just kidding...I just knew I wouldn't be able to get my hair done anytime soon with three kids four and under!) Labor started pretty uneventfully after Dr. Winter broke my water and my body started "moving". I went from a 5 to a 7 in an hour and then I stalled at a 7 for THREE LONG HOURS. Having attempted to have both Hailey and Spencer without drugs (I got to a 9 with Spencer), I was determined that this would be it...I was going to do it this time! A "whiff" of pitocin got me going again and I started to progress pretty quickly. I couldn't believe it when the nurses told me I was ready to push! I had done it! I had stayed in control...without any drugs! Wow...I was amazing. Then I realized I had to push this little guy out and the pain REALLY hit and I started swearing up a storm. I also lost all "motherly" instinct and yelled at Dr. Winter to "GET IT OUT!!!" A couple of pushes later and out sweet little bundle of pure love arrived in my arms. Being the "boy" that he is he proceeded to nurse for an HOUR! Seriously, my milk came in the next day! I was so excited to have another boy in our house. Having grown up in a houseful of girls, I was really liking the "boy" thing. Jake was the perfect addition to our home, and Heavenly Father sure knew what he was doing by sending him 3rd. Three kids four and under was quite a crazy, stressful time for me (and here I was only 26)-but Jake was such a sweet baby. He only cried if he was hungry or tired. The rest of the time he would lay in his crib I had set up downstairs and just watch the chaos of our home. Jake has always been my "buddy". When I was pregnant with Sammy (he was two) I was again put on bedrest (for preterm labor this time) and Jake would spend the mornings laying in bed and watching "Clifford the Big Red Dog" while he sucked his thumb and rubbed my belly. Even though he's a "big guy" now, he still gives me lots of hugs and rubs my back in church. Jake definitely has a stubborn streak-which is currently manifesting itself with his refusal to wear anything but shorts. Yes, we live in California, but come ON! Jake loves to learn and especially to read. He is good at so many things. Jake has always had a lot of friends and is good at getting along with lots of people. Matt and I are so proud to raise such a wonderful son. Looking back on his sweet little face in all these pictures, I can't believe that Jake is already 10. Time really does go way too fast.

Game Night with Papa Paul

Last Sunday we were so lucky to have Papa Paul drive down from Laguna Beach after church to spend some time with us! Paul is the most amazing grandpa to my kids. He will read to them for hours, play games, take them to Sea World and The Wild Animal Park-you name it! He will even stay with the kiddos while Matt and I get away once in awhile. Sweet Papa Paul has been a "single" grandpa for 14 years now and even though he would love a companion (anybody know any hot grandmas?), he fills the grandparent post pretty well by himself. Paul is one of the most loving, caring, and generous people I know. He is genuinely concerned about each and every one of his children, their spouses, and his MANY grandchildren. He loves to play, have fun, laugh, dance, and try new things. We are all so lucky to have him in our lives. WE LOVE YOU PAPA!!!

Beach in January

A day off of school and January weather warm enough for the beach? What could be better?

***Don't feel sorry for Hailey-she was at Disneyland. Me...I was behind the camera!***

Update: The worst part of last week was the "cleaning" part of the colonoscopy and endoscopy. The gallon of crud you have to drink is unbelievably nasty. The procedure: no big deal. The dr. took 6 biopsies and now we're just waiting for results. Feeling fine.