{Anniversary & Oupa}

Oupa came to visit us again! Well the grandkids : ). We had such a lovely time while he was here. The kids love their Oupa. 

It was Jon and I's anniversary so Jon's dad was so kind and took us out for our Anniversary. We went to a fun exciting place that everyone would enjoy. And Oupa had to spoil us with everything including a huge Raw Seafood Tower.

 We had to try a few things on the menu, calamari, pizza, fruita de mar linguine so yummy!

I love this picture of Oupa...you can tell he is in heaven over all this seafood, especially the huge oysters.

Here's Jon trying his first one. Oupa taught us out to eat them cause we had no clue all the secrets. We put a splash of lemon with some hot sauce them you slide them in your mouth and only chew one or two times then swallow.

Here's JOn's reaction

 I love this one!!! ha ha

I look like a complete dork in this photo {like I always do} but I was really excited to try my first one. I  love seafood and muscles, clams and shrimp. So here we go.....

Jon needed a better after shot. I loved it! Surprisingly very filling too.

You would think we would of dressed up a bit but oh well we are still a cute couple after 12 years of marriage! 4 kids under the age of 9, a crazy residency that has strengthened our marriage and appreciation for one another we feel the most mature yet {well at least were not feeling less : )} Reminds me of Elder Packers General Conference Talk this last April about not wanted to turn back time because we would loose the knowledge we gained and that knowledge is worth so much. I'm only in my thirties not as old as Elder Packer but I can already see the difference in knowledge, maturity in personality and in the Gospel from all ages like 8, 18, 24, 30 and now at the age of 34. I pray for myself to have a long healthy life one like Packers so see the world change and to see and help my children and their grandchildren to grow up in this world. I hope that I will have many days serving others besides my immediate family as well. My understanding of the Plan of Salvation allows me to have the attitude of Faith rather then Fear. Knowing what my life intells and how long it will be for I don't know. the only thing I do know is how to live my life TODAY, never living with procrastinating thinking their is a future day I could make a difference or be better.
 TODAY I have a lovely husband, four kids who I hold dearly and you couldn't mention my name without saying their names. It is them is the reason why I can hold any success in this life and I hope and prayer as our family lives our TODAYS we will be together forever in the eternities TOMORROW. How happy I am to be married to such a gentle, loving, respectful, caring, sensitive, humble man. Jon is dedicated to me and to my children. Every day I feel it's his secret mission to make me laugh historically some days he gets me laughing like crazy others days I hold it in but I'm laughing completely inside holding it all together making him think he's not amusing, but deep down inside I know he knows he got me. I just have to draw the line somewhere cause when he's got you laughing he wont stop. Seriously he wont stop. I think he would love to be a comedian as a part-time gig! But maybe he already is cause his favorite fans our his kids and me! I love you Jon thank you for taking care of me.

{It was a Zoo of a Party}

Mason turned two in the middle of April. He loves animals so it was only again appropriate and get our annual pass to 5 zoos in the New York Area. This kid cannot get enough of animals. So for his Birthday we headed to the Bronx zoo to adventure for Mason for the first time that he can remember.

HE LOVED IT!

I felt like a rockstar of a mom this day. I drove to the Bronx by myself with four kids and took them to the zoo. Jon was in Manhattan for a Surgery Conference so I was solo. He did later join us for dinner. But my kids so well behaved and listened and it was so much fun and easy. I love days like this one.

Mason like his mom loved giraffes.

 In NY you always have to do the Carousal {lucky for us it's free with our membership}

Eating our packed lunch next to this guy!

Mason loved his day at the Zoo and I can't wait to go lots and lots more!

After the zoo we headed home and had a pizza party. He loves pizza and cheers with a BIG 

"YAAH"

I found these cheap at Michaels. They were a big hit!

Jon's eyes look good on this giraffe : )

So cute! I love it!

 Above you can see Mason with his fist up in the air. Let me tell he's saying "YAY" like he always does. So adorable.

 Blowing out his cupcakes.

{Joyful Noises}

 This years we joined Malvernes Bible Church Joyful Noises. I wasn't quit sure what I was getting myself into by joining but the price was only 25.00 and they would have practice twice a week for 3 months. Nothing in NY is this cheap. The chorister did a really good job and she really knew what she was doing but towards the end she was supper stressed and was a little to loud and strict for me. I kept telling my friend Kathleen,  "okay if I were looking for a church and I came here, I'm pretty positive I would say forget this church." This was a kids choir and it didn't seem like they were kid friendly especially to my two little ones. Kathleen always brought her ipad for the kids and they were entertained for and hour and half during practice. I could of left and came back cause we lived super close but it was so late and join always had mutual to go too and on top of that I loved watching and I loved talking with my friend Kathleen.

The girls sang so good. Neither one of them thought that there were going to be that many people there. It seriously was packed and it didn't help that my friend kathleen bought over 50 tickets to this thing : ) She has a big family.

I am a horrible mom. i should of done Addison's hair simple and non-destructivable. but everyone would come up to her before the show and say her hair was so cute she started feeling a little self-conscience about it and started to pull it down, then through the whole show she was trying to pull it back up then down again. It was so sad. I seriously cried for her cause I could see her crying and feeling really embarrassed. And who knows maybe I just didn't pin it up well enough.

I was still so proud of Addison for finishing the show and doing her part. She sang beautifully.

Kathleens boy, Billy had a HUGE PART he danced so many times. He made me cry so hard cause he seriously stole the show. Watching him every practice he hardly ever got into it, but this night he amazed everyone. He LOVED the spotlight!

 Alix got a solo part too and she did such a great job. I couldn't of been more proud.

AFter the show I could tell Addison wanted it over. I know she wanted to cry in my arms. I quickly fixed her hair and Billy's Aunt came up to her and gave her a bucket full of yummy and fun stuff. IT MAD HER DAY. All her stress was gone by a simple act of kindness. Then Billy gave her a rose and she was even more happy, then the chorister gave her a pin and bookmark and a picture and she was extremely happy. The biggest lesson I learned this day. Was this.... where as a mother I could see from a far that my daughter was having one of her worst days ever completely turned around and nearly forgotten about when a simple act of kindness was presented to her. I loved Billy's Aunt {who let me remind you we only met twice} so think of my kids were so thoughtful. They come from a good Catholic family oh how I wish I could convert them all what more of amazing people they will be but for some reason I feel they will be turn out all right.

Here's Billy giving Alix his flower. Everyone loved it.

 Part of Billy's family and some friends too. Billy Aunt it in the plaid and she lost her husband to 911. He was in the second tower. She raised two beautiful daughters on her own. She is so strong and amazing.

 I love these three!

 We bought a ticket for Alix's Piano teacher cause she's so great to us. {Ms Forte}