Cardenas Family

Clara Sophia

2010-08-13T09:08:00.000-07:00

Ok, I feel a bit exposed in this post...

In the beginning I had hope, that everything was for a reason and that I would be able to live my life in the way that I should, the way that I could and would. It was so hard for me to think of bringing another child into this world without knowing how I was going to provide for you, and my other two children, and myself. But I had hope. Hope for what the future could bring, of how bright it could be, of how peaceful it could be. I knew how it could be but was still having trouble seeing it. But that is how most things are in life, first faith, then blessings are sure to come. Soon my hope turned to faith, however small it may have been. And just when I felt so emotionally drained, weak, achy, in pain from being pregnant, and at my whit's end with it all, I knew without a doubt that this was all supposed to happen. I think I had to get to my lowest point before I could grow... It is kind of weird, I can't really explain it very well, but it was like a light finally turned on and I was able to see what little things that I was stumbling on in the dark. It was so clear... Just the same way that D.J. and Annie were supposed to come to me, so were you. I named you Clara, which means "brilliantly clear." It is so brilliantly clear why I have you, why I have my D.J. and Annie, why everything has happened the way it has. Clara, I love you with all my heart. I love everything about you, you are so smiley and such a good baby!!! I feel like you have always been here, and I honestly feel a little sheepish for not understanding the whole picture until a month before I brought you into the world. I know that I will be able to support my little family. I have been blessed so much. I have gotten into nursing school, something that has been on my goal list for literally years. It is a good profession and I am sooo excited for it. But it means more to me than just a career, it is a means to an end. It means that I CAN do this! I can provide for you, and it will all be ok! I love my family and I love my life. I wouldn't change any part of it for anything in this world.

Anticipation....

2010-03-17T17:27:00.000-07:00

Dear D.J.,
I am so glad that you are my son. You are so bright and full of life! I love the look in your eyes that you get sometimes when you tell something that makes you happy. It is like your whole countenance lights up and you just can't contain yourself. I named you David, after your father but also after David from the bible. I named you that to remind you that you are a wonderful person who has a lot going for them. Also so that you will always remember that at any point in your life, you will have things that will be hard for you to overcome and get through but it all depends on how you choose to act and respond that will determine what kind of outcome you will have. We always have the choice. I love you so much and I feel so honored to be your mommy. The first few years of your life I was lucky to be able to be with you 100% of the time, you were my little buddy. You were my entire life and it made me so happy to do everything with you. Thank you for coming into my life and making me realize more about life and what it is all about.

Dear Annie,
When I became pregnant with you, I was sure that I just wasn't ready for another child. Now I can't even imagine my life without you. You are so sweet and so loving that it melts my heart on a daily basis. You just have a way with getting everyone to do exactly what you want and then wrapping them around your little finger. And you do it in a way that makes everyone just absolutly love you!!! You are continually growing up way too fast. I only wish that I could be with you more. I named you Annabelle for Anna, the mother of Samuel the child prophet in the bible. She wanted a child for many years. She prayed and promised the Lord that if she had a child, that child would be dedicated to the Lord. It was only then that she was blessed because of her great faith. She was an amazing woman with an even greater faith and because of that, she was blessed along with many many others. The "Belle" part of your name means beautiful, which you most certainly are. Annabelle, I love you. Your middle name is Frances, after your great grandmother. She past away when I was only 5 years old, but I was very close to her and I look forward to seeing her again some day.

Thank you to my wonderful children who have come into my life and opened my eyes to unshakable, perfect love. I don't know what I ever did to deserve you or why, but I would do it over 1,000 times. Everyday I am amazed at how vibrant and full you have made my life. My entire way of thinking has changed because of you. I would do anything for you. You have brought meaning into my life and filled it with pure joy. My life is hard, being a mom is hard. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is what is best for you even if you don't want it. I am not a perfect mom and I always make mistakes. Sometimes I lose my cool and overreact, but I am trying to improve just like we all have changes to make. As hard as everything has been, I wouldn't trade a single second of it for anything. Thank you for showing me what life is really about. Thank you for filling my soul and making me a better person. Thank you for showing me every day how to love unconditionally. Thank you for making me a mother. There is nothing that could ever make me happier than the sweet sound uttered by my babies calling "mommy."

Annabelle turned three!!!

2010-02-14T21:29:00.001-08:00

I really can't believe that my baby girl has turned three. Three always sounds so old, like just a little kid, which I reluctantly have to say that she now is. I am so lucky to have had the privledge of being her mommy and watching her grow and change from a sweet and innocent baby, to a walking and talking toddler, to a three-year-old little girl. She is growing up so fast, I just wish she would slow down sometimes. It really does feel like yesterday I was taking her home from the hospital. My, how I love this little girl.

Sleeping Angel. Annabelle 3 weeks old, in her blessing dress.
1st Birthday
2nd Birthday
Notice the difference in ammount of hair she has at 1 year and 2 years.

3rd Birthday
We actually got very few pictures of her smiling. We have never had a big party for her but we decided it was time. Something that we didn't know about Annie, she is not much of a party girl. She spent most of her party pouting and throwing fits, which she rarely does.
She did this a lot...... Even though her dad tried desperately to comfort her.

Happy Birthday Annie!!! The past three years with you have been bliss. You are irresistible to fall in love with, even when you are frowning.

A New Post is coming...

2010-02-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

Shocking, I know. But don't hold your breathe for too long... I am just desperately searching my house high and low for my camera cords so I can post some pictures. :)

Something to do when you're bored.

2009-06-05T13:51:00.000-07:00

Here are the rules:Bold the things you’ve done and post on your blog!

Started your own blog
Slept under the stars
Played in a band
Visited Hawaii
Watched a meteor shower
Given more than you can afford to charity
Been to Disneyland
Climbed a mountain
Held a praying mantis
Sang a solo
Bungee jumped
Visited Paris
Watched a lightning storm at sea
Taught yourself an art from scratch
Adopted a child
Had food poisoning
Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
Grown your own vegetables
Seen the Mona Lisa in France
Slept on an overnight train
Had a pillow fight
Hitch hiked
Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
Built a snow fort
Held a lamb
Gone skinny dipping
Run a Marathon
Ridden in a gondola in Venice
Seen a total eclipse
Watched a sunrise or sunset
Hit a home run
Been on a cruise
Seen Niagara Falls in person
Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
Seen an Amish community
Taught yourself a new language
Had enough money to be truly satisfied
Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
Gone rock climbing
Seen Michelangelo’s David
Sang karaoke
Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
Visited Africa
Walked on a beach by moonlight
Been transported in an ambulance
Had your portrait painted
Gone deep sea fishing
Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
Kissed in the rain
Played in the mud
Gone to a drive-in theater
Been in a movie
Visited the Great Wall of China
Started a business
Taken a martial arts class
Visited Russia
Served at a soup kitchen
Sold Girl Scout Cookies
Gone whale watching
Got flowers for no reason
Donated blood, platelets or plasma
Gone sky diving
Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
Bounced a check
Flown in a helicopter
Saved a favorite childhood toy
Visited the Lincoln Memorial
Eaten Caviar
Pieced a quilt
Stood in Times Square
Toured the Everglades
Been fired from a job
Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
Broken a bone
Been a passenger on a motorcycle
Seen the Grand Canyon in person
Published a book
Visited the Redwoods
Bought a brand new car
Walked in Jerusalem
Had your picture in the newspaper
Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
Visited the White House
Killed and prepared an animal for eating
Had chickenpox
Saved someone’s life
Sat on a jury
Met someone famous
Joined a book club
Got a tattoo
Had a baby
Seen the Alamo in person
Swam in the Great Salt Lake
Been involved in a law suit
Owned a cell phone
Been stung by a bee

Now, go forth and prove your life is more exciting than mine...

A Nearly Perfect Day

2009-06-02T13:55:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys, this post is a doozey!

Most of you know that David and I have come to the realization that we cannot stay married. We really are just better at being friends than lovers. We have tried to make things work so many times but now we know and are both finally able to face the reality of it all. When we separated last time, we both still had hurt feelings and were still holding on to things that should just be let go. This time we are both on the same page about things and really feel it is best for both of us to be happy and just be who we are. We both love our children dearly and we know that we will always maintain a good friendship with each other for our precious angels. I do not regret marrying him and staying with him for nearly seven years. I have learned so much about myself, about him, about our children, about life that I might never would have had the chance to had I not stayed with him. The way that we choose to act, to learn, shapes who we are. We cannot control everything (one of many things I learned) but we can control what our experiences make us into. This whole experience has only made me stronger, and for that I am grateful.

Anyway.... The good day started last Wednesday when I got to surprise D.J. by taking the day off work and going to the zoo with D.J.'s class. He was so happy that I got to take him to school even, the whole way there he had a grin from ear to ear. Then I followed his school bus to the Hogle Zoo and got to be chaperon for him,his good buddy, Jose, and Annie of course. D.J. had so much fun showing off his little sister to all of his classmates. He is so sweet to her. We had just a little more than 2 hours to see all the animals. It was so cute just to watch D.J. and Jose hold hands "so they wouldn't get lost." We had a very speedy look at the animals but it was a blast. Then the boys got back on the bus and went back to school while Annie and I stayed for a few more hours. It was nice to be able to spend one on one time with her. Her favorite was the fox, lemurs, and pretty birds. It was so fun taking her to the zoo for the first time and seeing her watch all the different animals in amazement and wonder. Then David came and spent an hour or two with us. Then it was time to pick D.J. up and he again was so happy to see me pick him up. I really wish I could always be there for him, there is something that just fills your soul when you see your child light up when they see you, the perfect love. I am POSITIVE there is no better feeling. On the way home, D.J. just had sooo much to say (even more than normal). He said how much fun it was that I got to see him and all his friends. To be honest, I had a really good time too. When we got home, David came over and I made dinner and then we went to the park down the street. The kids went in their Power Wheels Jeep (yes I know, my kids are spoiled) and David and I went on Razor scooters. I really felt like taking a nap because of all the running about at the zoo, but once I went out I was happy I did. On the way there, the sun was shinning on my face, the wind softly blowing my hair. My kids were giggling a couple of yards ahead of me. At that moment, with my children giggling, my "almost" ex-husband tail-gating them, I just caught a glimpse of complete contentment. It took me by surprise, honestly. I just know that everything will be OK and that everything happens for a reason. I am so incredibly grateful for my children, I don't know what I would do without them. They are EVERYTHING for me. I don't know what I did to deserve them, but I feel so blessed to be their mother. Everything they are, everything they will be, everything they make me, I am so lucky.

Black Butt

2009-03-19T12:16:00.000-07:00

So about a week ago D.J. was sitting infront of the sliding glass door fully clothed, letting the sun beat on him. "He asked "The sun will make me dark, right?" "Yes it will, but you have to show the sun your skin," I replied. I went about my business, doing laundry, picking up toys, etc. Then I came back downstairs and burst into hysterical laughter as I saw D.J. He was laying face down infront of the window with his pants pulled down past his butt! Keep in mind, all other parts of his body were completely covered. "What on earth are you doing D.J.?" "Trying to get my butt black, mom!" He said it so matter-of-factly, like 'duh--what else would I be doing.'

Just to give you a little background on his obsession with his butt;
When he was about 3 years old, he realized that he was a little darker than mommy. He was pretty upset and actually cried saying that he wanted to be white like mommy and not dark like daddy. I told him that his color is beautiful and that God made him that way because he wanted him to be cute. He still was upset about it for several months. Then one day he noticed that his hiney was really white. He said, "Wow, Mom!!! My butt is soooo white! I like it!" Then he was ok about it. A year or so later, he noticed that his cousins (who are half black) were nice and dark. Since then he has always wanted to get his butt dark like them... I guess he finally found a way!

2009-01-09T07:30:00.000-08:00

Ok, I am not sure where Annie learned this, but she apparently invented her own little dance which she sings her name to! It takes a minute before I can get her to do it. It is soooo funny!

Lets try this again...

2008-11-15T16:43:00.000-08:00

Ready, Set, Action!!! Take 4! Is that what we are up to? This is the last "take" in the Cardenas Family, lets hope. So many things have to be different. We have a long road ahead of us, but we are both willing to make the plunge again, whatever it takes, to make this work.

These pictures were takes at temple square during conference. Doesn't D.J. look like his daddy? Since the time D.J. was three, he has been asking us if he can go inside the temple so he can see Jesus. He thinks he lives there, which he is right, just in a different sense. There is nothing as beautiful as the innocence of children.

This is Annie chasing D.J. by one of the pools at the Temple grounds.

Not quite sure what Annie was doing, but it sure is cute!

Happy Halloween!

2008-11-06T07:33:00.000-08:00

Halloween was great this year! I went to work late so I could go to D.J.'s Halloween school parade at school in the morning. This is Annie waiting so patiently but getting a little ichy. Care bears aren't so cuddly from the inside...

D.J. strutting his stuff with his classmates.

Even I dressed up. These are the girls I work with from left to right; Amber, Me, Mollie, and Jessica. Jessica doesn't work with us anymore, but it was fun while it lasted.

Here is the Incredible Hulk (D.J.) with a Princess (Ciera, my parents foster daughter), and a Care Bear (Annie) . D.J. had the coolest costume. The eyes had lights on them and the giant gloves yelled, "You're making me angry! You won't like me when I am angry!"
Trick-or-Treating!

Grandma and Grandpa Almstrom's house.

Cheese! Examining the goods...

Blog Book?

2008-10-09T14:49:00.000-07:00

I just found this link while I was blog surfing. What an amazing thing! I thought I should put this all out there for all my fellow blogger buddies. :) http://www.blurb.com/create/book/blogbook On this website, they are able to turn your blog into an actual book!

Already???

2008-09-24T07:19:00.000-07:00

About a week ago D.J. said, "I just stayed in the bathroom at school because I didn't want to go back to class! I waited until recess!" This happened after only two weeks of kindergarten. Two weeks!!! I may have a long road ahead of me....

The big "D" craziness

2008-09-08T10:12:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I know I told everyone that I was on my way to divorce.... Well, David had signed the papers and gave them to me to take to my lawyer. I still have not yet been able give them to the lawyer! It has been over a month! What is wrong with me??? It is the weirdest thing, I just can't make myself. Does anyone think it is possible for David to change, or am I just being crazy??? Why do I feel crazy when I even maybe consider something with David? I don't know... WTF

Slacker

2008-09-03T17:34:00.000-07:00

I have been totally slacking on my blog! Here are some new posts and what we have been up to the past month. There are a few of them, so make sure to look at them all. Enjoy!

D.J.'s first day of School!!!!

2008-09-03T17:20:00.001-07:00

Just look at that guy! He is usually hard to wake up in the morning, but today he got right out of bed! He was so excited to wear his new clothes, bring his spiderman backpack, and eat his awesome lunch that I packed for him. I even gave him a haircut the night before (thank goodness). Here we are, just getting out of school for the fist day. He had so much fun! He said, "Mommy, you know why I like my teacher so much? Because she is SO cute and SO pretty. She is nice mommy! Hey you know what? There is someone in my class that has the same shoes as me! We are a team now because we have the same shoes......" He went on and on.

I don't care what anyone says; Spiderman IS the coolest!

D.J. : "Mom, I am just so sad."

Mommy: "Why?"

D.J. : "Because we are going home. I just want to stay here all day!"

And the Cutie Pie Award goes to....

2008-09-03T17:11:00.001-07:00

You got it!!! Annabelle! This is Annie getting ready to go. She crawled up in D.J.'s seat and wrapped the seat belt around herself. I thought that was pretty good for an 18 month old!

This was so sweet. She brought her baby into the bath with her and grabbed a wash cloth and washed her baby's hair and face. It was soooo cute!Pretty.....

Sunday Best

2008-09-03T16:32:00.000-07:00

I finally did it!!! Twice!!! Here are some pictures of my kids BOTH looking at the camera and BOTH smiling... at the same time! These pictures were taken a few sundays ago. D.J. usually cooperates, he likes to have his picture taken. He is the cheeser in the family. Annabelle has learned to say "cheese" now and I think it helps her to smile. Aren't they adorable? I swear, I could eat them... but I won't.
"Cheese!"
This is what "enough" looks like, in case you were all wondering.

Mirror Lake Camping!

2008-09-03T15:29:00.000-07:00

Pioneer Day weekend I went camping with my kids, my mom, Ciera, my sister Danielle, and her daughter Makenna. Usually every year my family goes somewhere for the fourth of July but I couldn't go this year. So I had to make it up to my outdoor kids (atleast they got something from me). We went up to Butterfly Lake camp ground close to Mirror Lake. We had a blast! We went hiking, kayaking, and ate gool ol' s'mores!

This is my hot little man, posing for the camera.

My mom had cut a watermellon on the picnic bench and Annie saw something that she just had to have! She just helped herself. She even had to stand on her tippie toes, but she finally reached!
"What are you looking at?"

This year is MINE!

2008-08-04T09:47:00.000-07:00

With everything I have been through the past years, I have claimed this year to myself. I am really not a selfish sort of person, but I feel I need to rekindle an old love.... the love of myself! I am going to do things for me! I need to cross some things off my bucket list so... some friends of mine from work and I have decided to run a half marathon! We will be running the Salt Lake City half marathon next April! I know that is kind of far away, but I am so out of shape after the babies and I know I will need the extra time. I am really excited for this!

Annie singing.

2008-08-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

Annie loves to sing and dance. She is concentrating so hard! Half way thru her song, she gets distracted by her pretty pink toenails. I love my baby girl!

Cutest pictures of the week

2008-07-21T14:03:00.000-07:00

Lets practice our good oral hygene, and brush all 8 of those pearly whites!

Later that same day, Annie managed to squeeze her fat little leggies into play shopping kart (where the dolls should go). I am really not quite sure how she got in there...

Watch out Anne Geddes! Do you think she could do a section of 5 year olds?

Here she is again, playing under the bathroom sink with her baby. She likes to unravel the toilet paper, rip if off, throw it in the toilet, and flush it. Kinda missing the whole point of the toilet paper.

Filed.

2008-07-15T14:10:00.000-07:00

So yesterday, we were slow at work so I left a bit early, which turned out to be perfect. Also what turned out perfect, was that David asked to see the kids (which doesn't happen that often). I went home, collected myself, and then went downtown to my lawyer's office to sign the papers before he sent them off to you know who. As excited as I normally am to have this all over with, I was actually dreading it. Not because I will be missing the person I am about to divorce, but the whole process of it all. But as I sat down, read through the complaint, I felt so relieved! Like this problem doesn't have to be mine anymore. I can finally let it all go. I did my part and everything I could do, I did. A mairrage can't be fixed by one person. The papers are being sent to David, which he will have the option to sign right away. The papers will then be filed on Wednesday or Thursday. After that, I went to Barnes and Noble and bought myself a good old fashion love story. I am not a big reader, especially of love stories, but I felt it was appropriate. I have heard of this book and have wanted to read it for a while and so.. I am going to take time for myself to read this one book; Love in the Time of Cholera. After the bookstore, I went home and CRASHED! There were no kids in the house, they wouldn't be home for hours, so I passed out like there was no tomorrow! Lately, I have not been able to sleep with all of this up in the air. I layed down, shut my eyes, fell asleep, and didn't stir once until the kids came home. I honestly don't know when the last time was that I slept like that. It was glorious. I am sure everyone was wondering why the bags under my eyes are so large. So if I have been a little off lately, all of this is why. I am not sure exactly what to do from here, but for now I am going to take it one day at a time. I feel like Dori from Nemo sometimes: Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming swimming swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim.

Happy belated Birthday!

2008-07-05T09:49:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, while the kids were visiting their dad, I bought this totally amazing Spider Man bike for D.J. as a belated birthday present. He has been eye-ing it for a while at the store. So I surprized him! He was so excited to get it. Just look at his face! The training wheels on his old bike have come off, so I had tried to show him how to ride without. Wow. We were unsuccessful, needless to say, and my lower back was killing me for days afterward.

So how does everyone like my ghetto looking back patio? What is all that stuff?

Here he is, getting ready to take it for a 10 o'clock stroll around the block.

Spider-man, Spider-man. Does whatever a Spiderman can....

Movies in the Park

2008-07-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I took my kids to see E.T. in the park! It was really fun. I have forgotten how good that movie was. There are movies throughout the summer. There is a schedule of all the movies and where they are located at http://millcreekoutdoors.org/millcreek-calendar.php

Be sure to bring blankets and pillows, the wind kind of got us when we went. Truly an awesome date night especcially with the kiddos!

Happy Birthday D.J.!!!!

2008-06-23T10:48:00.000-07:00

Wow! I can't believe it! I am a mother of a 5 year old! Yes, 5 YEARS OLD! It all goes by way too quickly. What happened to that fat little rolley polly baby I used to have? I can't believe that he will be entering kindergarten in the fall. It is so crazy. Now that he is "5" he tells me that he knows EVERYTHING and can do whatever he wants. "I don't have to do that, because I am 5 and can do what I want. I am big like my daddy." If you are so big, does that mean that Mommy doesn't have to wipe your bottom anymore?

Here is a picture of the "Amazing Spiderman" cake that I made for D.J. I stayed up until 3 a.m. the night before to make it an extra special surprize for him when he woke up the next morning. He thought it was the coolest cake ever!

Murray Park

"I wish... I wish... I wish someone buys me hulk boxing gloves for my birthday!"

This is my sister, Danielle, sitting with Annie.

Oh, the concentration. Annabelle was picking the food up with her fingers, putting it on the fork, and then eating it! It was so cute!

Mom and Dad (or more commonly known as Grandma and Grandpa) with Ciera Bear.

D.J. with cousins Makenna and Mikaela.

Wow! Wishes really do come true!

A Brother's Love

2008-06-19T09:21:00.001-07:00

I never realized how beautiful this photo was until I saw it full screen on my computer. It captures exactly the love that D.J. has for his baby sister. He is the best big brother that I have ever seen. He loves her so much that if she ever starts to cry or gets hurt, then he will cry too and hug and kiss her until she is better. As a mother of two kids, I never thought it would be so amazing to see my two children bond.

Lovin' the Hot Weather!

2008-06-15T07:54:00.000-07:00

We went to the pool over the weekend. I had to go out to the one in Kearns because we used to live out there, and D.J. is convinced that that is "his" pool. It felt so good to just be in the sun, for a change. The weather was beautiful, the water was cool. We had a great time.

Here is Annie, just chillin' in the chair with her baby and sippy-cup. She is such a big girl.D.J. is starting to try to hold his breathe under water. He kind of hesitates for a minute before he puts his head under.
"Look what I can do, Mom!" I guess her little arms can hold her up. She thought she was so cool and kept doing it for ten minutes straight. What a work-out for the girl!I also took my parent's foster daughter, Ciera. Here she is, playing tag with D.J.

Girls Night Out!

2008-06-13T08:43:00.000-07:00

Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory was awesome!

They gave us enough food for three days.

Wow. Jen, I don't know if that will fit.

We were all really hungry, especially Tracey.

Debbie wasn't that hungry

Bowl, Amber, Bowl!

Amber, kicking my butt at boxing on the WII at Jen's house.

I am so proud of myself. I took the WII fitness challenge and
I am inthe physical shape of a 55 year old! Yeah!

Sunday Picnic

2008-06-03T08:43:00.000-07:00

Look at those cute kids!

Sunday we went to the park after church and had a picnic with Grandma and Grandpa Almstrom.

Maybe, just maybe, one of these days I will get a picture of both of my kids smiling at the same time. I can never get a picture of Annie because she can never hold still. Annabelle wants to be as big as her brother sometimes and do big kid stuff.

I don't think those little arms can hold her up.

Sweet Heart.I was trying to get D.J. to smile but he said that the sun was too bright.

Peek-a-boo!

Weekend at the Gateway

2008-05-21T16:00:00.000-07:00

Friday I took off work to spend the whole day with my kids. It seems that I hardly get a chance to do that anymore, so every moment I get to spend with them is priceless. D.J.'s last day of preschool was Friday and he had a party. It was carnival style, with face painting, BBQ, the works. He had so much fun and was happy that I could go to his school with him again. It was really hot out and my kids both got a tan, while I got a little pink. They have the PERFECT skin. They rarely ever burn and when they don't have a tan, they are the most beautiful color of olive. I wish my color was that beautiful.

After the party, I took D.J. and Annie to the gateway. This was the first year that D.J. really got in the fountains! He was always a little bit afraid of them. He even made two friends there that day. Annie kept looking at the fountains like they were magical. She really liked it until she got cought under one of the spouts of water, and I had to run in and rescue her. She won't go in them anymore but she still has fun watching her cool big brother play in them. It was so hard to get D.J. away from the fountains, that I had to take them on Saturday too! We had a blast! We had ice cream cones afterwards and then went to dinner later on that evening. And I finally, finally got Annabelle's fine hair in two little pint sized pig tales. She looks like such a big girl! My kids are the cutest little people in the whole world!

Annabella adores her big brother

Dj playing in the fountains

Cutie pie with the pig tales!

Children's Museum

Discovery Gateway

This is Annie, cought in act of stealing from the fridge.

Police officer,D.J. giving a "convict" a ride. Her crime: she stole an egg.

She is at it again! Where is officer D.J.? We need his help!

There is our hero! He got the food back, and is taking it to its rightful owner.

Thank you very much, officer!