The DeMaria Family

A Loma Linda Visit

2012-01-25T00:11:00.000-08:00

I really should be in bed but I am so excited about this post. Anthony had a doctor appointment today with a plastic surgeon at Loma Linda. He has a little dermoid cyst above his right eyebrow and his opthamologist really wants it taken care of. We went in today for a consult.

I checked in and they sent me to another office to update my insurance. The lady that helped us was so friendly. She helped me over to her office, chatted, played with the kids, helped me back to plastic surgery. While we were talking I found out she used to work for Dr Jacobsen, my infertility doctor. She still does his insurance stuff for him. Anyway, she came back over and asked if she could take a picture. For some reason I don't like people taking pictures of my kids but since she worked for Jacobsen I let her. I snapped a picture at the same time.

Michael, Jakob, Jaileigh, Anthony and Annie

After a long 20 minute wait we were finally showed back to a room. Michael and Jakob were playing memory in the window sill and Anthony was playing on the ipad.

You can kind of see the cyst in this picture. He does have to have the cyst removed. It has actually made a dent in the bone so the doctor advised us to remove it. Surgery is scheduled in February. It will be a quick outpatient surgery but because of his health history {being a 28 week multiple in the NICU for 2 months} the surgery will be done at Loma Linda Childrens Hospital.

Michael and Jake

Jaileigh

Annie

After the doctor appointment we went upstairs to see Dr Jacobsen and Dr Corselli in the infertility clinic. They haven't seen the quads since they were little and they were shocked to see baby Annie! Dr. Corselli and I had another conversation about how I got 4 non-identical babies from a 2 embryo transfer. She has a couple of good ideas of what may have happened.

Dr Corselli and the gang.

We drove over to the Childrens Hospital next. I thought I would take a picture of how we travel these days. Annie is in the stroller and I have Jake push her (with my help). He is my runner so giving him an assignment keeps him in place. The other three hold hands and we all walk together.

We were going to visit the MFM (my high risk OB office) but it was lunch time and the kids were pretty tired so we went straight to the NICU. We were so lucky to see our primaries! So many of them were working. I talk to the kids about the girls who took care of them when they were born so they recognized the nurses names.

Lindy was Anthony's special nurse. He gave her the biggest hug when he saw her.

Jakob ran over to Jessica when he saw her. Those two have a special bond!

Sharon rotated with all the babies but I think Jaileigh was her favorite. She loved to dress her up! Tabitha was Michael's. I remember having to beg her to primary for me.

Annie, Mommy, Tabitha/Jaileigh, Lindy/Michael, Anthony, Jake/Jess, Sharon

It was so fun to make the rounds today! I loved it. It brought back so many memories. I'm glad those days are in the past but what good memories I have too!

Smile For Grandpa!

2012-01-24T23:27:00.000-08:00

Grandpa Pops gave each of the kids a Book of Mormon for Christmas. They were so excited to go to church so they could bring their book.

This is what my picture looked like until . . .

I told them to smile for Grandpa.

I even got Jake to smile in this one.

I thought this one was cute too.

Hugs, Hugs, and More Hugs

2012-01-24T23:19:00.000-08:00

Even though last week was a short week, holiday on Monday, it was such an exhausting week that seemed to last forever. I think I had appointments for something or other every day except Friday. I was so excited for Friday because it was the end to a long week, and we got to play with our friends and relax. The new game for the evening was, hugs!

Jaileigh tackeling poor Andrew

After a long napless day, full of fun and friends, the crew fell asleep in ten minutes flat.

If you look closely at this picture you may see something pretty silly, other than the fact that there are 5 little bodies in it.

Annie is wearing her bike helmet. That stubborn little girl would NOT let me take it off!

I did finally get it off her and she was in a deeper sleep.

My Baby Doesn't Want Diapers

2012-01-24T23:09:00.000-08:00

Ever since Annie was 12 months old she has been trying to potty train. This was about the time I trained the other 4 munchkins and she really thinks that she is one of them.

Remember this picture?

A couple of months ago she finally figured out how to go potty on the potty chair. Now, she refuses to wear diapers. If I try to put them on she throws the biggest screaming tantrum.

She does really good if I am with her. I do have to remind her to go potty. We have many accident free days. I am even brave enough to run errands with her in her underwear. But she does still have her bad days too. It's a battle I fight in my head everyday. She wants so badly to be potty trained so do I fight her and make her wear a diaper on her bad days, or do I just go with the flow and keep working on it.

At night I have to put a diaper on her after she goes to sleep because she does NOT want to wear one. ARGH! When I trained the quads I trained them day and night so there were NO more diapers for them. She knows this and wants to be like them. She is still soooooo young and doesn't have the bladder control to go all night.

So for now, we are just mostly potty trained. A work in progress.

This Is How We Do Costco

2012-01-24T22:48:00.000-08:00

When I go to Costco, this is how I do it.

I get two carts and I put two in one and three in the other. Sometimes I'll let one walk. This is a pain because they all want to walk so we have to take turns. I push one cart and pull the other one. I put all the groceries on the bottom of one of the carts, if possible. When I'm there I am running through the store before the kids start melting down. This in a way is good because there usually isn't time for me to browse their fabulous book section. At check out I pile all the kids in one cart and bring it with me and send the other one through for the food. After we check out and load the groceries in the car we have to go back to eat. This is the kids favorite part. They love sitting outside and eating.

The End Of Julian

2012-01-24T21:50:00.000-08:00

Here are the last of the pictures, finally, from our Julian camping trip. It was supposed to rain on Sunday but it held off until the evening. It poured that night and the wind was so loud! We got up Monday morning, packed up and left. It was way too cold and wet to stay. I was a little sad because we didn't get to visit the little town of Julian. I guess we will have to go back one of these days.

The kids got a treat after their naps if they ate their lunch. Michael didn't eat his lunch so he was really sad.

Annie eating my ice cream. She took it over and shared with everyone.

Anthony and Jaileigh

It was so sad!

Jaileigh enjoying her ring pop.

Annie was in heaven.

Michael finally ate and got his ring pop too.

Anthony grinning from ear to ear.

Playing in the dirt again. Michael loved the dirt, just like Annie!

Michael

Jaileigh

Anthony

Michael going for a ride down the hill.

All done with the hat!

No More Shots!!!!!!

2012-01-24T17:22:00.001-08:00

Michael doesn't have to have anymore allergy shots!!! Whooo hoooooo!!

This is his most recent allergy testing done by our NEW doctor! No allergies!!!

1/19/2012

Annie and I Went On A Date

2012-01-24T17:22:00.000-08:00

Annie sometimes is on a different nap schedule than the other babies. On days that she naps twice she goes down around 10:30 or 11 then again around 4 or 4:30. On one nap days, everyone goes down for naps at 1:00 after lunch. Two nap days are nice, Annie and I usually get to spend a lot more one on one time together. She does a great job of self entertaining when the other kids are awake but if she is the only one up she wants to be by my side at all times. Sometimes she goes in the kids room and tries to wake them up. She loves being surrounded by her siblings.

While we were camping she somehow got on her 2 nap schedule. While the kids were having their nap, she and I went a did a load of laundry and played at the park. It was really fun to just play with her. She was so happy and just grinned and giggled the whole time.

This play toy age requirements were 5-12. The steps were just a little wider spaced, it had a climbing wall and a climbing rope ladder but that was really all the differences I noticed.

Annie going up the stairs all alone. She is so independent!

Come on mom!

She also goes down the slides all alone.

Video of 2011 at OneTrueMedia.com

2012-01-23T15:12:00.001-08:00

Enjoy our year in review.

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Babies Don't Keep

2012-01-22T23:31:00.000-08:00

I am going to stir a few waters here and go against a widely spread posting that did not settle too easily with me. It was called Don't Carpe Diem. I have attached the link if you would like to read it. The author gets offended when people tell her to enjoy every minute with her children because in the blink of an eye they will be grown. She is offended by this for some reason. I am sure the article was written, tongue in cheek, but I was still disturbed. The fact that I am an optimist may have caused this to not settle well.

Having quadruplets and then another right away makes me want to savor each moment even more. All of my babies won't be babies, all at once, if that makes sense. They aren't spread out so that I get the extra years or months in between each to savor the moments. So, I try to savor every single moment, good and bad. I try to make every second count and I try to remember and document as much as possible {which is why I have such a crazy obnoxious blog}. Also, why I let my kids crawl in bed with me whenever they want, stay at home with them, kiss them, hug them, overprotect them, smother them. Maybe why I am more patient than I should be when disciplining.

Please don't think that my life is all roses and peaches. Life is what we make of it though. You can choose how to respond to certain situations, a smile or a scream. When your child is throwing the eggs on the floor or the garbage down the toilet, you have a choice. They WILL all be far and distant memories one of these days, so just smile and help them clean it up {after taking a picture}.

My aunt had a discussion about this very subject on her facebook and I was so relieved to find that I was not the only one who did NOT like the carpe diem article. From this discussion I found this link to someones blog called Babies Don't Keep. I found this to be a much better post! Loved it! So thank you Jenny and Under the Bamboo Tree for making me not feel so alone.

I really did not want to sound preachy but I did need to vent. I apologize if I offended any of you, that was not my intention at all. I was merely stating that there are always two sides to every story and this was my side. Now after a few weeks of stewing about this I think I can sleep well.

Oh and . . . . CARPE DIEM!

Julian Once Again

2012-01-17T23:09:00.000-08:00

Continuing on with our Julian vacation.

The resort was very family friendly. They had a kids clubhouse with all kinds of activities to do, a giant jumper, this little playhouse Annie is in, and a great park. They kids had a blast here.

An old antique wagon.

Jaileigh, Jake, Annie, Michael and Anthony

Anthony swinging.

Jake

Jaileigh

Michael

Annie going down the slide.

Jake walking the line.

Michael pushing Annie. Poor Annie's face got so red in the cold air.

Walking home up the hill.

Anthony, Jake, Jaileigh, and Michael {hidden by Jake}, Daddy

Annie was very tired.

Picnic time.

Anthony, Jake, Michael and Jaileigh

MLK Holiday In Julian, CA

2012-01-16T18:50:00.000-08:00

For months now we have been getting propaganda in the mail to attend a RV resort time-share presentation. In return we were to get 20 nights free camping and a notebook computer. We finally decided to try it. We had to stay at their resort for 3 nights and attend the presentation on the 2nd day {for free}. This was the perfect weekend to do it. After Mike got home from work, we loaded the RV and headed out.

By the time we got there it was dark, I still let the kids out to help daddy set up. The drive took us a little over two hours so they needed to stretch their legs. It was freezing about 40 degrees and a little windy. They didn't even care.

The next morning having a little chat over milk.

Michael, Annie, Jaileigh, Anthony

and here's the Jakester!

As soon as I would let them they went outside to play. We brought all of their bikes and scooters. Annie doesn't have a bike so she uses this little toy that Anthony is riding. It turned out to be the fought over toy this trip. There was a little hill behind the RV that they would ride it down.

They dumped all the toys out of the toy bucket and carried them up to the top of the hill.

Jake, Jaileigh, Annie

Michael running down the hill.

Annie with her baseball bat in the middle of the toy pile.

Jaileigh moving dirt with her shovel.

Michael

Anthony

Annie having issues with her hat.

Jaileigh

Anthony was mad at Jaileigh because she wasn't sharing so he told her he was going to ride her bike. It's funny how they fight.

Jake and Michael

Hey Pigpen!!!

This girl was ROLLING in the dirt. She loves it. I was a little worried the red dirt wouldn't come out of her pants but it did after 2 washes.

Jaileigh in the midst of a tantrum. She thinks every turn is her turn and she doesn't have to share. Oh little one, so much to learn!

Michael riding down the hill. Jaileigh rode down this hill on her boke and crashed into a bush. That was enough for everyone not to want to try it, everyone but Jake. He had to try it too. He almost ran into the back of the RV. I think he tried it on his bike and on his scooter.

That's it for now. I will try to get more up later tonight. Hope you enjoyed!

Brothers

2012-01-13T23:41:00.000-08:00

I love how Michael has his arm around Anthony.

This is when we got to Julian tonight.

Going For A Ride

2012-01-12T23:09:00.000-08:00

Michael is going for a ride.

Dinner Party

2012-01-11T23:01:00.000-08:00

Our friends invited us over for dinner. After dinner the kids were playing with puzzles and being silly. I wish I would have taken more pictures! We had so much fun. Thanks for inviting us and feeding us! It was delicious!

A Little Booster Picnic

2012-01-10T22:34:00.000-08:00

I have been trying for awhile now to get rid of the high chair/boosters but the kids won't let me. They love their chairs. Today I took them off the chairs they sit on and was cleaning them. Annie wanted one on the blanket and then they all did. We only have four so Michael was left out. He didn't mind though.

Annie, Jaileigh, Michael, Jake and Anthony

Nice Evenings On The Porch

2012-01-09T22:07:00.000-08:00

We have had fabulous weather here in Southern California, high 70s, low 80s. The kids have loved playing outside. I can't get them to come inside to eat dinner so we have been eating outside.

**HaPPy NeW yEAr!*

2012-01-08T15:48:00.000-08:00

New Year's Weekend we spent in the RV. This is when Michael asked Daddy the famous question, "Daddy, why do we have to live in an R.V.?"

If you look closely you can see that I have Annie and Jaileigh on my lap.

They were laughing so hard!

This is Michael's "What MOM?" look, he even has the hand motions down.

This girl has so much personality! She moved her chair over to the table and propped her feet up all by herself. I guess she appreciates relaxing during her meals.

Michael

Jake stole daddy's sandwich. My kids won't eat sandwiches unless they are mom or dads.

Anthony

One evening a bunch of geese were wandering around. The kids wanted to feed them so I gave them some bagels and let them loose. The geese were very polite and didn't come too close. The kids still talk about the "gooses".

These two look like they are up to no good!

Michael and Anthony

This picture is so funny. Both of their faces are priceless.

Annie and Jaileigh

Jaileigh chasing Michael with the water guns. They love the water guns even if they don't have water in them.

Jake chasing Michael.

Jaileigh and her crazy hair.

Annie and Michael were sitting on my legs in this picture. We were all going down the slide together.

Daddy and Annie having fun.

Anthony

Jake

Annie on the big girl swing.

They need more swings!

Jaileigh, Anthony, Annie

"Come in Mom"

Annie

Michael

Jaileigh and Jakey watching the people drive by.

Happy New Year to everyone!

Visiting Our Quad Friends

2012-01-07T22:25:00.000-08:00

While we were in Vegas we were able to visit our friends. Jet, Sky, Max, Aurelia, and their mommy, Dafna. It was so much fun to play with them and with all of their toys! Thank you so much for having us over. The kids had so much fun and want to play again.

Jake

Anthony

Michael

Jaileigh was a little nervous about the dog. By the end she loved it.

Aurelia driving the car.

Dafna was kind enough to feed us too! As if letting us invade her house wasn't enough.

Michael, Anthony and Jaileigh

The whole group- 9 kids eating peacefully and happily.

Aurelia, Jake and Jet

Jake loved this BBQer

Rush hour traffic jam!

Anthony

Jet

Annie

Jaileigh really did have a good time despite her sad faces.

Max wanted his car that Michael was driving.

Staying With Joe

2012-01-06T21:45:00.000-08:00

On our way home we were able to stay with Kathy and Joe. The kids love Kathy and Joe! They got to have Christmas again! Kathy and Joe gave them Christmas presents and spoiled them.

Annie "Queen of the Counter" in her new jammies from Kathy and Joe

Michael playing with his horses from Grandma and Grandpa Pops

Eating donuts with Joe.

Fetch!

2012-01-05T21:07:00.000-08:00

The kids are slowing overcoming their fear of dogs. The love my moms dog, Taylor. I think they may love it a little bit too much, the poor dog is a little out numbered.

Several times a day, Rori combs Jaileighs hair. These are her first braids ever!

Annie gets her hair combed and styled too.

Helping Rori get ready for work.

Anthony, Jaileigh, Jake

Riding Horses

2012-01-04T20:28:00.000-08:00

Grandpa has a friend with horses so he was able to take us over to let the kids see and ride them. Only Annie and Michael wanted to ride them but the other three folded under the peer pressure and did their time.

Grandpa and Michael

Anthony and Jake

Daddy and Jaileigh behind the fence still.

Anthony, Jake and Grandma

Grandpa, Annie and Michael

Annie was not afraid at all.

Anthony would ride if I got on with him.

Jake

We were getting ready to go and Jaileigh decided she wanted to ride too.

apple or sucker, apple or sucker?

2012-01-03T16:02:00.000-08:00

Apple or Sucker? The only candy the kids got in their stockings was a sucker. hahahahaha!

Sucker wins!

Reading to Michael

I can't remember what they were watching but it must have been good for me{or Rori} to take a picture.

Church On Christmas

2012-01-02T15:38:00.000-08:00

We went to church on Christmas for only an hour. Usually church is 3 hours and thank goodness it wasn't on this day. When we got home we hurried and tried to get a family picture before the kids ran off. Everyone else that went to church with us (Andy, Tia, Grandma, Grandpa) disappeared so we only have our family's picture.

Michael, Jaileigh. Annie, Anthony, Jake

Little Miss Annie

Dapper Anthony with Annie

Sisters! This picture makes me laugh. When I look at us I see two different looking people but we were asked several times if we were twins. Rori was very offended seeing as she is so much younger than I. I, of course had to be flattered!

Rori being a goof with Jaileigh.

Andy styling with Grandma's new shower cap that Michael picked out. I let the kids pick out gifts for Grandma and Grampa. When Grandma visits our house she always wears a shower cap when she showers. Michael found this one at the store and had to get it for her. I was surprised that he put two and two together and remembered. We hope she loves it as much as Michael and Andy do.

Andy even let Jaileigh try it on.

Helping Anthony with his jacket.

I think when I was in college my dad built this bridge in the backyard.

Anthony and Michael

Daddy walking Jaileigh, Jake and Annie to the swings.

Jake

Jaileigh and her daddy.

Mike is in a Christmas coma, Andy has a ricebag on his head and Grandpa is puzzled by something.

Another perfect Christmas spend with what is most important, FAMILY!

Christmas Again!

2012-01-01T23:16:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas again! The kids were so excited that Christmas came again. I forgot to bring our stockings so I had Rori run to the dollar store and grab the kids new ones. They were so excited!

Annie with her stocking.

Checking out the stocking with Grandpa.(Annie and Jake)

Grandma and Grandpa with Jake and Jaileigh

Rori so excited about her stocking stuffers!

Annie got a new pink chair and new shoes from Aunty Rori.

Michael in the cookies.

Helping Jake put his puzzle together.

Anthony trying to help Jake put the puzzle together. Jake really didn't want the help though.

Rori got a Kindle Fire and was pretty excited.

Jake put the whole alphabet train puzzle together all by himself. He was so excited!

Breakfast we had breakfast casserole and waffles.

Grandpa and Dad relzing with the kids and presents.

Grandma and Grandpa gave the boys each a set of horses. Michael has claimed ALL of them as his.

Playing with Major's dinosaur magnets. They were a hit with these 3.

Legend, Annie and Jaileigh

Baby Legend.

What is that look for?

There's my sweet boy~Michael

Anthony and Daddy playing with presents.

Snow In Pine Valley

2011-12-31T19:46:00.000-08:00

While we were at Grandma and Grandpa's we went up to Pine Valley to play in the snow. One of our family friends' has a cabin up there and invited to invade. This was the kids second time in the snow. The first time they were too little to like it or to remember it. This time the boys seemed to like it and Jaileigh didn't want anything to do with it.

You can see from the look on Jaileigh's face how impressed she was with the snow.

Andy, my brother, pulling the kids on the sled.

Grandpa Pops and Legend

Anthony looks like he is cold.

Aunt Tia and Michael

Aunt Rori and an unimpressed Jaileigh

Lisia (Tia's niece) and Baby Legend

A rare picture of the whole family.

Anthony and Michael on the sled.

Michael

Jake

All my kids look a little shell shocked. They really did enjoy the snow.

Michael, Annie and Anthony being pulled by mom.

Daddy pulling Jake.

Annie falling off.

There's a smile!

We went inside to warm up, dry off and to drink some hot chocolate.

Rori being climbed on by Annie and Jaileigh

Michael liked the marshmallows.

Grandpa with Anthony and Major

Grandma and Jaileigh

This is the only picture I got of Tammy and Tim. Thank you so much for letting us hang out! We had so much fun!

Cleaning Out My Phone

2011-12-30T16:26:00.000-08:00

It is time to clean out my phone pictures again. I don't have very many this time.

I love this picture for so many reason. 1. Jaileigh's hair! 2. Anthony wearing Jaileigh's dress 3. My floor is actually clean 4. My kids eating french toast casserole happily

My sweet happy baby!

Jake and Anthony helping with the yard work. They took the sprinkler apart. Somehow I was able to put it back together and it even works.

Anthony sporting a new bow that I made his sisters.

Annie with her hippo pillow and her too big undies (I have them knotted on the side).

Jake and the Ducks

2011-12-29T16:20:00.000-08:00

Jake and I got to spend some one on one time awhile ago. The Friday before Thanksgiving I was out running errands with the kids and they all fell asleep except Jake. I was driving by a pond that was full of ducks and geese and decided to stop. I just happened to have some bread in the car so we fed them.

They saw us coming.

Jake going over to meet them with his chunk of bread.

I ended up holding Jake while we both threw bread. These ducks were feisty, they kept biting my pant legs.

Jake and I

He cried when we left. :(

Dish Duty

2011-12-28T15:59:00.000-08:00

Before leaving on vacation the kids were helping with the dishes.

Jake, Annie, Jaileigh, Anthony

Mike's Work Party=Date Night

2011-12-27T15:18:00.000-08:00

Mike and I got to go on a real date. Megha and Karen came down to babysit. Both of them had to drive over on hour to get here (I won't tell where they came from for their privacy). We were so excited! We left all 5 hoodlums. Usually Annie has to come with us but we actually left her. Karen and Megha were great to update me during the evening with pictures and texts. Despite me being a tad bit nervous to leave them we had a lot of fun and I didn't even worry the whole time. The kids had more fun than we did. I still hear stories about what they did with Karen and Megha! Some of the things I've heard about were hide and seek, piggy back rides, putting on make-up, popcorn making, new shirts, trying on all jewelry, and reading stories.

Jake and Anthony

Annie was all grins.

Michael

Jakob putting make-up on Anthony.

Jaileigh must be offering her advise now.

Big grins from Jaileigh.

Modeling their bowl hats and their new elephant shirts that Megha brought back from India.

Jaileigh, Jake, Annie and Anthony

Crashed. (Jaileigh was faking it)

Jake, Jaileigh and Michael on Megha's lap.

Annie

Anthony

Thanks girls for a wonderful evening!!!!

Pics At Grandma and Gramps House

2011-12-26T15:15:00.000-08:00

Visiting Grandpa and Grandma is always fun, especially when Rori is there. She loves to play dress up with my babes. She comes their hair so cute, puts "make-up" on, paints their nails, and takes lots of pictures.

Jaileigh and Annie squished in the high chair.

Water tastes so much better when it's in a Styrofoam cup with a straw.

Jake with Annie trying to steal it.

Jaileigh with one of her cute hair-do's and an outfit she picked out herself. (Rori was appalled).

Annie all dressed up.

Notice the wonderful bruise in the middle of her forehead.

"Don't worry, I'm just looking."

"Just stretching, I would never touch Grandma's tree!"

Special thanks to Aunty Rori for making this blog entry possible! Love you!

Staying In Vegas

2011-12-24T17:06:00.000-08:00

On our way to my parents house we slept over in Las Vegas. We left Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 and arrived in Vegas around 6:30. Uncle Joe got us a room at the JW Marriott again. It is so fun to stay there. The kids love it and call it "Joes Place". They got up at 6:00 and took a nice long bath in the huge tub! I left my camera in the car and we valeted so I just took a few pictures with my phone.

Everyone getting their hair combed and teeth brushed.

Daddy on the bed with the kids.

Jake resting for a minute. Highly unusual! This kid is usually going 90 miles a minute!

Playing With Cars In The Closet

2011-12-23T14:17:00.000-08:00

I found Annie playing cars in Grandma's toy closet. I could hear her going Brrrrrmmmm brrrrrmmmmm over and over.

Two Cuties!

2011-12-22T14:38:00.000-08:00

So funny story, for Christmas I got a new camera. This will be my 5th new camera, mind you, and I still don't have a new camera! I think I am destined to live with my old one for the rest of my life! Anyway I used it once to take these few pictures and then it didn't work anymore so we returned it. Blah!

Anthony

Anndalyn Grace!

Merry Christmas!!!

2011-12-21T22:39:00.000-08:00

Sunday the kids woke up to a visit from Santa. They were so excited. Each of them got their own scooter.

I think their favorite part of the day was opening their stockings. They took forever and had to look at each little thing over and over.

Michael

Jaileigh

Annie

Annie and Jaileigh opening presents

Jake

Anthony

The only things that the kids asked for was a camera and a baby. They never changed their answers, that is all they wanted. So, that is what they got. You can see how excited they were with their cameras.

Jake and his baby. Future blackmail picture, right?

Annie with her camera and her sucker. I think she was a little overwhelmed.

Annie stole Jaileigh's new nail polish. You can see Jaileigh is not happy about it.

Anthony

Playing her princess game.

Jake making an ice cream sunday.

Michael playing with the princess game too.

Anthony and Mickey Mouse.

Playing "memory". This game was fun to watch. Jake wins, Jaileigh wants to win, and Michael cries because he wants a turn or he isn't winning, Anthony plays while doing 5 other things.

Annie in her new pink hot pants and her scooter.

Merry Early Christmas everyone!

12/19/11

The 1st Christmas Eve

2011-12-20T22:37:00.000-08:00

We got back from camping on Saturday, which was our Christmas Eve. We are planning to go to my parents for Christmas and so Santa said he would come to our house early so he didn't miss us. The kids were so fun this year. They loved our elf, Kookaburra. He even went with us on our camping trip. Christmas Eve we made chocolate chip cookies for Santa, put on our new jammies, read our Christmas story, and watched a few Christmas movies.

Jaileigh passing out Santa's snacks

Anthony and Annie are eating the reindeer carrots.

Michael, Anthony, Annie, Jaileigh

I love how Jaileigh is being the little mother in all these pictures.

Annie was done with pictures.

Michael was being such a goofball.

Anthony joined him.

Winter Camping

2011-12-19T22:10:00.000-08:00

We were supposed to go to Park City this week but decided to not go. We were just there in June and we really couldn't afford to take another trip. We decided to stay at home and have fun. We are still going to my parents for Christmas.

This weekend we went camping. We left Thursday evening. It was raining and windy. The kids were so excited! They have been asking for a couple of weeks to go camping.

Jake playing in the cupboard.

Anthony playing in the cupboard.

Sweet Jaileigh

Michael reading a story.

It rained all night and when we woke up the next morning it wasn't raining but there were so many cool puddles to play in.

Michael treading carefully.

Jaileigh and Michael

Anthony letting Annie have some fun in the puddles too.

Jaileigh

Michael

Jake stomping away in the water.

Jake and Jaileigh

The kids fought over who got to push Annie in her stroller. Anthony won this time.

Until she escaped.

Then he didn't have anyone to push!

These two are so cute together. They were holding hands all on their own.

Visiting Santa!

Jaileigh, Jake, Annie, Anthony, Michael

Annie ended up falling in the biggest puddle face first so our walk ended and we headed home.

What a happy group!

Eating smores- everytime we light the firepit I am so nervous someone is going to get burned or poke each other with their roasters. The kids have so much fun roasting their marshmellows. None of them even eat them. They just like to play with fire I guess.

Annie

Anthony

Annie looking in the mirror at herself. She was being so cute.

The 2nd Day

I wanted to get a picture of all the kids on this old tree stump but only 2 1/2 would cooperate. Michael and Annie gave me smiles and Jaileigh wouldn't. Michael and Jake wouldn't even get on it for me.

Jaileigh jumping to daddy.

Annie, Jaileigh and Michael checking the ducks out.

Anthony was tired of walking I guess.

Annie riding the horse.

Anthony said he was riding Dumbo.

Jaileigh

Michael

Jaileigh

Anthony

Michael

Annie

Anthony

Jake running back from the lake.

Big cheesy grin!

Dec 15, 16, 17

Ice Cream In Winter For Breakfast

2011-12-18T16:08:00.000-08:00

The kids decided they wanted dessert after breakfast. I decided it wasn't a battle I wanted to fight.

Annie is double fisting the ice cream.

Santa's Little Helpers

2011-12-17T15:53:00.000-08:00

Kookaburra brought the kids Santa Helper aprons and hats.

Anthony

Annie "No more pictures!"

"I said NO MORE!"

Jake and Annie

Jaileigh

Michael didn't want to wear his outfit.

I made yummy pancakes for breakfast.

Anthony

Jake

Jaileigh wanted eggs.

Michael wanted to play with his animals.

Annie just likes to eat.

I made eggs too! Now everyone is happy!

Anthony wanted a pickle after breakfast.

Crazy breakfast morning!

Playing With Snowmen

2011-12-16T15:07:00.000-08:00

Playing with my snowman decorations.

Jake, Jaileigh, Annie

Showing daddy all the snowmen.

The girls

Jake wanted all the blankets tied around his head. I asked him if he was pretending to be Joseph and he said "No, Grandma!" ha ha~

Michael and his dump truck of animals.

Christmas Traditions and Activities

2011-12-15T07:22:00.000-08:00

Now that our kids are old enough to understand {a little} about Christmas we are trying to start some family traditions. This list is compiled of old traditions and some new that we hope to start.

Things we have done or are going to do this Christmas season.

Attend the Black Friday sales
Decorate the tree
Decorate the house
Set up the Nativity scenes and talk about them
Make cookies
Look at the neighborhood Chrismas lights (several times)
Hang the lights outside on the house
Fingerpaint Christmas trees and other fun toddler activities
Watch Frosty and Rudolph, Polar Express, Mickeys Christmas
Make Christmas ornaments for the tree
Read about the story of Jesus birth
Go to Church Christmas Party
Visit Santa (3X so far)
Wear new Christmas jammies
Make a cake for Jesus birthday
Visit the temple to see the lights and the nativity
Visit Victoria Gardens Christmas Tree and Santa
Visit Creche display at church
Have Kookaburra visit (our Christmas Elf)
Red and Green Meals
Pick out a Christmas Tree
Write A Letter to Santa
Wrap Presents
Go Christmas Shopping
Make yummy Nutella hot chocolate
Read Christmas books
Listen to Christmas music everyday!
Make popcorn balls
Deliver Christmas treats to the neighbors
Go sledding or tubing
Send Christmas cards to family and friends
North Pole Breakfast
Make a stocking for the missionaries
Open one Christmas gift on Christmas Eve

Do you have any fun traditions? We would love to hear about them. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Christmas Card

2011-12-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

Thought I would share our Christmas card with you. The back of it has our family picture on it but I can't figure out how to get it on here.

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Christmas Decorations

2011-12-13T15:36:00.000-08:00

Silly Kookaburra was hanging from the light today!

Annie is always the first to find Kookaburra every morning. She loves him and gets so excited when she finds his new hiding place. It really surpises me everytime she finds him before the other kids.

Checking out the Christmas village and one of the nativity scenes.

Anthony, Michael, Jake, Jaileigh, Annie.

I kept saying "Don't touch" but Annie could not help herself. Those sheep and cows were too tempting.

Annie loves the nativity.

Boys And Their Church Clothes

2011-12-12T16:41:00.000-08:00

After church I could not get Jake and Anthony to take off their church clothes. I can't remember how I got them to take them off either. I tricked them somehow but not before they played in them and ate in them.

Jake

Anthony

Can you see how proud he is?

Anthony

Jaileigh and Anthony. Jaileigh wanted to wear her tights and her shoes.

Annie was picking her toes. She didn;t make it to church because she was napping. Daddy "had" to stay home with her. {The Bears just happened to be on during church. I really don't think it was that great of a game and he should have just gone to church.}

Sunday's are really hard because church is in the middle of naptime. Michael came home from church and crashed on the couch.

Not before his sister whopped him in the face with her princess baseball bat.

Michael asking Jaileigh why she hit him with the baseball bat. Glad they can laugh about it now.

My Princess Got Her Ears Pierced

2011-12-11T10:40:00.001-08:00

Jaileigh has wanted her ears pierced for the longest time. She always asks when she can have them and her daddy encourages her too. Finally I gave in on Wednesday. I had to take our suburban in to have the tires rotated and balanced so the kids and I had some time to kill. We went to the Farmers Market and then in to the mall. You can tell from the pictures how excited she is about it. She is still carrying that bag around.

She had to have the pink earrings. I requested that two girls do the piercing at the same time so we had to wait until there was a 2nd girl to help. We went and ate lunch while we waited. When they did the piercing Jaileigh didn't make a peep or even a flinch. She was so brave! About 15 minutes after she said "Mommy, my ears hurt."

She is soooooo excited. She has been so good with them too. She lets me clean them 3X a day and she never touches them. Her brothers haven't touched either.

Kookaburra The Christmas Elf

2011-12-09T16:07:00.000-08:00

This year one of Santa's Elves is visiting us. The kids named him Kookaburra or Kooki. We sing the Kookaburra song all the time and I guess they really liked the name. It has been really fun name because we can sing about Kookaburra our elf to the tune of the song. Kookaburra brought Santa socks the other day. The kids thought that was so fun. The next day he didn't bring anything so they told him he was "fired" because he didn't bring them a treat. Needless to say Kookaburra brought doughnuts the next morning so that he would not be fired again.

Michael, Jaileigh, Anthony and Jake enjoying their treats.

Annie woke up a little later then the rest of the crew. She looked at me in disgust at her donut.

She found the box . . .

and helped herself. Smart girl!

Church Christmas Party

2011-12-08T15:39:00.000-08:00

Annie is happy 99% of the time.

Miss Jaileigh Bailey

Annie posing for me.

Our ward had our Christmas party on Friday night. Mike and I were running in two different directions trying to get things done so we could get there. We eventually just decided to meet there. I was at Target picking up a prescription and Mike was at the allergy doctor with Michael and Jaileigh. Mike went straight to church to get us seats and I ran home to change my shirt and fluff my hair up a little. The kids love to help me get ready. They climb on my counter and get into everything. Here is Jake with a mischievous look.

Annie was lounging and Anthony was playing with the curlers.

I think our kids were part of the entertainment. They were so silly.

Anthony

We have a set of 1 year old triplets in our ward. We sat at the table next to them. It was so wierd. It was almost like the triplets and my kids were attracted to each other. They sat on the floor and stared at each other forever. Then they started touching each other. It was really cute to watch.

The evening ended with a visit from Santa. My kids really love Santa despite what their faces say.

Playing With Friends

2011-12-07T10:03:00.000-08:00

We were able to play with the Fiori family this week. We went to their house one day and then on Saturday the daddy's babysat while Mandy and I went to Hobby Lobby. We took Annie with us so the boys just had to babysit 8 kids instead of 9. HAHAHAHAHa!

At the Fiori house.

Audrina, Aiden, Jaileigh and Jake

Annie eating an apple.

Audrina and Andrew like to smile for the camera.

The whole group eating lunch.

Playing dress up at our house. Jaileigh told me she was a Princess!

Andrew, Jaileigh, Aiden, Alison, Audrina and Michael

Jake was very tired!

Painting Christmas Trees

2011-12-06T15:25:00.000-08:00

We made paper plate Christmas trees last week. The kids are so funny when they paint. I always give them paint brushes and they always start painting with those. Eventually, usually within minutes, they ditch the brushes and just dig in with their hands. Michael chose not to paint today. I think he was watching Frosty the Snowman or playing with his animals.

Anthony always ends up with paint all over his arms and hands.

Jaileigh being very careful, she also ends up with paint all over.

I don't think that Annie even uses brushes or her paper plate. She just paints herself. If you look closely you can see that she has painted her hair and her tongue. Yuck! She is quite proud of her work.

Jake woke up from his nap so he got a late start on painting. He didn't miss a beat though and jumped right in.

I tried to tell Jaileigh that trees were green not pink. She insisted on a pink tree. Anthony added pink to his tree too.

Around The House

2011-12-05T09:53:00.000-08:00

Anthony with his Santa hat.

Annie playing peek-a-boo

Boo!

One morning, very early, these two got up and read together.

Jaileigh and Anthony

Sunday At Bill's Church

2011-12-04T09:40:00.000-08:00

The Thanksgiving Sunday Bill had to speak in church so we drove up to Rancho to listen to him. After church Gina cooked lunch for us. The kids were so happy to see them and to go to their house.

The kids always have to play horsey with Bill.

Jaileigh, Michael and Annie on the horse. Jake and Anthony in the background.

Jaileigh, Anthony and Jakob

Playing under the table.

Jake and Annie

Gina has a magic closet that has all kinds of fun things in it. She pulled out the bubbles.

Jaileigh picked out silly putty.

Thanks for having us over.

Decking The Halls

2011-12-03T09:13:00.000-08:00

This year we decided not to get a real tree because we were headed to Park City for a week and then St. George for another week. I didn't feel comfortable leaving a real tree that long without water so we opted for the fake tree this year. Mike and I hit the black Friday sales and came home with a little tree that was perfect for the kids. The kids helped decorate it with all my kid friendly decorations. It has since been knocked over two times. We just stand it back up, put the decorations back on and plug it back in. Next year I want a real tree again! I miss the smell, the tree scented candles just are the same.

Michael loves the tree the most. He helped me decorate it the longest and he makes sure that it is turned on each morning.

Annie and Anthony helping daddy make pancakes while the rest decorate the tree.

Jaileigh like this decoration.

Anthony

Jake and Michael

The Meal!

2011-12-02T22:39:00.000-08:00

Grandpa carved the turkey. We bought two HUGE turkeys. We were going to fry one in our turkey fryer and bake the other in the oven. At the last second our turkey fryer conked out so we ended up just cooking one. It was plenty of meat. We cooked the 2nd one on Friday and I think we are still eating left over turkey!

Ready to eat.

Michael, Rori and Jaileigh

Annie

Everyone minus Jake who was still napping.

Rori don't spill your sippy cup!

Grandma and Aunty Rori

Grandpa Pops

Bill and Gina- what a sweet couple!

Michael had to have his tiger.

Michael entertaining Bill, Gina and Jaileigh

Jake woke up in time to eat with Grandma and Rori

The kids had to show off after dinner.

Playing with Taylor and Grandma

Story time with Bill and Grandma

Annie laid on the floor like this for about 5 minutes. I think she was stretching and digesting.

Mr Turkey head Anthony

A quiet contemplative moment for Jake

Reading stories.

This was such a nice Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for! We were so thankful that our family and friends could be with us! Thank you! Thank you!

Thanksgiving Morn'

2011-12-01T22:29:00.000-08:00

I think the kids were up before the sun on Thanksgiving Day. They had to make sure that Grandma, Grandpa, Rori and Taylor were still there.

Grandpa got right to work and fixed all of our broken things around the house. He and Annie sat outside and fixed our blender. She sat next to him the whole time he worked on it. It was so cute!

Grandpa and Annie

After breakfast we went for a walk.

Anthony, Grandpa, Jake

Michael was feeding the water hydrant leaves.

Jake and Jaileigh playing in the leaves.

Annie really liked her leaf.

Cheesy Anthony!

Grandma read and read and read books to the kiddos.

My Little Turkeys

2011-11-30T22:12:00.000-08:00

Grandma, Grandpa, Rori and the dog (Taylor) came on Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The kids were so excited! My kids love dogs until they get too close and then they are scared. They pray for Taylor everytime we say prayers as well as every relative and friend we have. I was very surprised when they wanted Grandma to bring her dog to our house. They talked about it all the time. It turned out the grandma's dogsitter couldn't watch her so Grandma got to bring her to our house. Oh boy! We had so much fun! Good thing our landlord doesn't allow pets, I have an excuse not to get a dog besides the one that I am just mean! My kids love Taylor!

Anthony, Jakob and Michael with Grandma, Rori and Taylor

Grandpa and Jake

Michael and Grandma

Annie LOVES her grandpa. She always has like him, ever since she was a tiny baby. The have a special bond that I am sure will last forever.

My baby turkey.

Grandma brought turkey hats.

Aunty Rori being silly!

Grandpa getting loved on.

Poor grandpa getting jumped on.

I had to move the "dresser" because the kids thought it was so fun to jump off of. It is now in the entry way and sporting a new shade of stain.

Annie

Sisters.

Good night hugs and kisses.

Resting with Grandpa

Jake and Jaileigh

She Did It Again!

2011-11-29T21:01:00.001-08:00

Another successful photo shoot!

We got our pictures from Allie (you can also friend her on facebook)! I am so excited. Everytime we get them I swear they are the best yet. She is such an excellent photographer. I love her! Here is a little sample of what she did. This post I will give you most of the family pictures. The next post(s) I will do the kids individual pictures. Enjoy!

Michael, Anthony, Jaileigh, Jake and Annie

I LOVE her face and the fact that Jake does too!

"Mom we are done!"

I hate to say this but feel that with all the crazies out there I must. All of these pictures are copyrighted so please DO NOT COPY or STEAL! I have not watermarked them because I am still a trusting soul. If you need a copy please let me know and I will personally email it to you. Thank you!!

Homemade Granola

2011-11-28T14:08:00.001-08:00

Caroline came to visit one day. The kids clearly took advantage of her and made her hang out in their pirate ship. Jaileigh, Caroline, Jake and Michael

A few times she and ALL the kids were in the pirate ship with the step ladder and a dump truck.

Michael trying to "fix" the dump truck.

Karen came to visit too. She is on Thanksgiving break so had a few days off of work. She got to read stories for hours. These two girls are so loved at our house! My kids absolutely go crazy when they come over.

Anthony, Karen and Jaileigh

Every once in awhile I get a wild hair and make some homemade granola. From the looks of things I might have to make it a little more often.

Jaileigh, Annie, Michael, Anthony and Jakob

Anthony is wearing Jaileigh's dress. The boys decided it's cool to wear dresses. I'm allowing it in the house for awhile but when we go out they have to wear their clothes. Silly boys! Despite all the various states of dress and undress in all of my pictures, I really do dress my children in nice, clean, matching clothes. Something happens during the day and they all end up looking like homeless kids.

Daddy loves it too!

Santa Baby, Here We Come

2011-11-27T13:27:00.000-08:00

On Mike's birthday we went to the Soup Plantation for dinner, with the kids, and then went to see Santa in the mall. The kids were so excited and just walked right up to him. They all asked for baby dolls in different colors (green, pink and blue) and cameras. I guess they know what they want. We didn't pay for the picture and Mike just snapped a few from a distance because you aren't supposed to take pictures. We will have to go back and get a good picture.