All Things Great and Small...

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Mama Tooth is Gone!

When Aliza was just a baby I noticed this huge tooth coming in. After it came in I wondered how another tooth would fit there. The dentist said the the two baby teeth fused into one mono tooth. Aliza called it her mama tooth ever since! Well at 8 years old it was not budging. But in the last week it has loosened up. Tonight we pulled it out. She is so happy to be missing her front teeth finally!

She wrote the tooth fairy to explain to her that her mama tooth is really TWO teeth and could she treat it as such. Plus it is an unique tooth you know!

I hope a generous tooth fairy will visit tonight!

Spring Break at Disneyland

Aliza and Hannah have two weeks off for spring break. The older two still have school this week. Heather and I headed down to disney for a day of magical fun. We knew we were in trouble when it took Heather an hour to get thru the parking garage line.

We went to California Adventure first. Toy story is our FAVORITE ride! We spent some time in bear country too and the tire swing...FUN!

Toy story is such an awesome, fun and interactive ride. You get to shoot at things like you are in an arcade! Love it!

On our last two trips to Disney we did not get to the bob sleds. Aliza was determined to ride this time. Watch our for those scary red eyes!

This was the scene in the car on the way home! All tuckered out!

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Brothers

One of Leonard's younger brothers called and asked if we lived close by a place called Castaic. Len said that is where I live! He is a truck driver and had a route that came through Castaic. We have not seen him in almost 10 years. So we picked him up, showed him the house, ate some dinner at Telly's and he was off again. I hope he can come back again and spend some more time with us. He also told the kids a few stories about Len growing up. They got such kick out of hearing stories about their dad when he was young!

Aliza's Birthday Party

Aliza took some of her friends out to celebrate her birthday. We ate at Johnny Rockets and went to see the movie Monsters vs. Aliens! We had a fun time. The little girls were just so fun! I love the laughter of 9 little giggly girls!

Flarp was a big hit!

Chelsie and her slinky smile!

What a great group of giggle girls!

Top: Taylor, Morgan, Aliza, Natalie and Faith

Bottom: Kaylee, Becca and Chelsie!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Uncle Ray

Uncle Ray as he is affectionately known in our home!

I know his eyes are close but he has a smile on his face! Ray and Leonard used to tell people all the time they were brothers separated BY birth. Everyone always looked confused at this statement. These two were "soul friends" if I have ever seen one! From the moment they met there has been a bond.

When Ray first came to our home as a Stake Missionary he had longer hair and a handlebar mustache. You could say he looked a little gruff. He also came with a HUGE testimony and love for the Gospel. His spirit spoke to Leonard's and that opened the door to Leonard's heart. It allowed him to be able to listen to the gospel and accept its truthfulness. I will forever be grateful to him for that transformation. Ray and Lynette welcomed us into their home with open arms. They showed us what it was to BE an LDS family. Our family is truly blessed to have such wonderful people guide us through our first few years of growing in the gospel together!

Laura, Ray, Hoskins Kids and Lynette

When Ray first arrived at church, Aliza wouldn't hug or talk to him. I guess it had been too long and she was too young to remember him. Back at Maria's house she slowly started to warm up. But once she did, she wanted all of his attention!

This is how the rest of the day went. Aliza sitting on his lap telling him all about her life. Another one of my children who has given their heart to our Uncle Ray. When we got home I came upstairs and found Aliza on the computer. She was typing Ray Easler into google. I was a little shocked...I didn't even know she knew what googling was about. I asked her what she was doing and she said she wanted to see Uncle Ray again...then she started to cry. She let out a huge sob and said I miss him so much already. I love him and don't want to have to wait years before I see him again. Every single one of my kids has loved Ray this much! Hmmm...must be a good man for kids to love you that much!

The Easler Ladies!

Ryan and Julia! Julia is so warm and sweet. She makes you feel so welcome and loved! Julia just had her first children's book published. Jenny the Dragon Slayer! It is an adorable book.

Aralie and Laura. Her smile is contagious...she is always happy and smiling! You can't help but smile when she is around!

Jordon and Lynette(she is named after her mom)
Lyndy is three years older than Jordon. We used to go to the Easler's for FHE every week. Lyndy would carry Jordon around like he was her baby doll. She was his little mama!

Laura and Lynette are the youngest two out of 6. They are only 15 months apart. They have grown up to be such beautiful young ladies! I was so happy to hug and squeeze them!

Vicky and the girls. Vicky was always so self confident, even as a teen! She is such a Vibrant Woman! I adore her! She has a beautiful family and is a great Mom!

Aunt Cindy(Lynette Sister) Vicky, Julia, Maria, Laura and Lyndy
It was fantastic to see Cindy! She is so fun full of life, just like Lynette was! Maria is the only one I didn't get a picture of her family;0( She is pg with her 4th little one 2 boys then 2 girls. The girls will only be 13 months apart! She is such an awesome Mom. She reminds me so much of her Mother! It's so wonderful to see these sisters together and how much they love each other. They have such a big beautiful family with all their extended family...it is truly a blessing to see!

Amayah's Blessing

On Sunday we went out to Murrietta to see Vicky and Josh bless their beautiful daughter Amayah! It was so wonderful to be able to see Ray, Cindy and all the girls and their families! We miss living close to them and spending time with them. They are an important part of our lives and we consider them FAMILY!

The beautiful Velasquez Family
Amayah, Vicky, Josh and Jayden

Amayah and Leonard...can you see how happy he is to hold a baby again. Look at all that hair and she is only 11 weeks!

Hannah in heaven!

She loves to be talked to...she will just stare at your face for as long as you talk to her!
We are grateful to The Easler's and their extended family...they truly enrich our lives!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

8 is Great!

Aliza's birthday fell on the stake baptism date...Lucky!
She had such a special birthday, getting
baptized on her 8th birthday! During her baptism we give a little spotlight on each child being baptized. I want to share a little of what I said that day for Aliza.

At the beginning of the new year when we were talking of goals, Aliza said she wanted to read the Book of Mormon all by herself since she was to be baptized this year. She has dedicated all her required reading time for school accomplishing this goal. On the day of her baptism she was all the way to Heleman 8. That's 370 pages in 2 1/2 months!

Aliza has two favorite primary songs. My Heavenly Father Loves Me and When I am Baptized.
Jordon made a piano arrangement of the two and played it for everyone at Aliza's baptism.
It was a beautiful rendition!

Aliza is a story of contrast...
She is very graceful....but she is fierce on the soccer field
She loves to float around like a butterfly...but she is a maniac on a roller coaster.
She loves sweets...but she has the taste for spicy too!

Aliza loves to play two touch and hand ball at school. Jump on the trampoline and hula hoop at home. She is an awesome reader and loves to play the piano!