just a warning...lots and lots of pictures - may be boring and a bit over the top..

Xavier had its first dance-a-thon. As you can see the kids had a great time. The dance-a-thon was/is the only fundraiser for our school and as of yesterday earned 12k... not bad!!! I had my doubts but it was a huge success!!! Mckenzie came home saying that she wanted to convince the board that they should implement a dance-a-thon every week or at least every other week. The school danced for 6 straight hours. The lower grades (each of my kids classes) danced in 1/2 hour intervals. I had a hard time getting a good picture of Reese because he was really moving fast (need to figure out moving shots on my camera) This was a workout...the teachers got enough exercise for a long time (btw... love, love, love the teachers!!!)- they worked and danced hard. This school is so amazing and we are so happy to be apart of it.

The college had an Easter egg hunt. The kids were divided in groups. Mckenzie was too old so she helped with Meili. Meili, Davis and Lili collected eggs at the same place and Reese had to go to another location.... I feel bad I did not get a picture of him.... They also had arts and craft tables set up. It was a beautiful day and so nice to get out. My little girls did not think the bunny was that amusing. I so appreciated Tracey's extra hands and the invite to the party!!! Love the picture of she and I and the Easter bunny. Thank heavens for good friends!!!

This picture should be with the dance -a-thon pictures but I can't figure our how to get it there. Davis glued his picture while he waited for his turn to dance.

We made a pinata in cub scouts this week and it needed another layer so we did this for Family Home Evening. We enjoyed getting our hands all goopy. Scott thought he was funny and took about 30 pictures of me .... just to be painful.
Lili's foster family sent these drinks with her when they gave her to us. I bought a few extra while we were in China. Davis and Meili wanted to try one so I let them - they did not like them but Lili was soooo happy to have them. She enjoyed every drop and loved holding and playing with the bottles. Lora told me I needed to post a picture of her chubby feet... so here it is ( and I can't figure out how to get the Easter picture with the others... )

Looks yummy, huh. What kind of a mom am I to let this happen....and right before dinner. They enjoyed themselves and I thought it looked kind of fun.

... very important... notice Meili is in big girl panties :) she decided this week she was done with diapers... YEAH!!!

Have a great week!!!

Peace xoxox

Way to go Mckenzie!!! She did festival and received a superior rating!!! Way to go!!! Hard work pays off.

My mom and Leslie (and Mia and Parker) came to visit on Saturday. Leslie took Mckenzie swimming while my mom and I stayed home with the thousands or what seemed like thousands of kids. (I tried getting a picture of Leslie but she would not let me so I told her I'd post this... she looks cute no matter what she is doing)

Isn't my mom's hair cute! It is so fun to see her without her wig. She has one more treatment in two weeks (YEAH) and then she will be finished with her year and a half of treatments. Hopefully the chemotherapy and bio-meds took care of the cancer. Everyone get in and get your yearly mammograms (I need to get in and get mine - anyone want to go?)... easier to do it now than go through yucky treatments.

We were so lucky to have my nephew, Austin, here for the weekend. This is heaven for my kids. He is such a nice and sweet boy! The boys played for hours outside... by the size of the holes in my garden it looks like they were digging our holes to China.

The boys had their first wrestling match... ie... cock fight...on Saturday. They love to wrestle when they win and hate to wrestle when they loose. It makes me so nervous that I've decided that this is Scott's sport and he can take them and I'm not going to go anymore. I don't like watching kids choke my kid ... if I continue to go I may end up on the news because I run out on the mat trying to stop the kid from hurting mine.

Mom- if you aren't in the mood stop here...

It was a hard weekend, emotionally. The coroners office decided on Friday, Ryan's cause of death. I'm not going to say here what we found out... I'm sure it will be in the paper soon enough (it may all be fabricated if they continue to sensationalize) and we have not seen the report in writing. At first (9 weeks ago) the detectives speculated (or predetermined) what happened and this turned out to be totally wrong. I am so proud of Ryan and the man that he was. He worked hard and died on top. It is really hard... this should not have happened to him and he should still be alive. But, it did and we are learning to live with it and trying hard not to let anger take over... (look at the pictures... we are all smiling and enjoying life - except for Davis and that is just how he takes his picture) At first I did not know how I'd make it through one day and now I have made it through 9 weeks. I still miss him terribly and would love to call him to chat or get his advice (or better yet, go see him) but I will have to wait. I've been buoyed up by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ...not sure how I would have made it through without the knowledge of being with our loved ones again. Pretty weird how something like this changes your prospective on death - doesn't seem so scary anymore.

Thanks for all of your prayers and support!

Peace xoxo

Reese stayed home from school sick (doesn't he look sick :) ) I got out the blocks for the girls and they enjoyed building together (with the help from Reese). The picture of the 3 cracks me up because Meili and Reese were on their knees posing for the picture and Lili came waddling up to kneel for it as well.... she is so little. (Kristin - I just noticed my vacuum is in the picture with Davis and I never answered you - I love it and think it is worth every penny - especially since I had gift certificates for 1/2 of it- great for animal hair-really though would definitely buy again)

Lili loves putting on these ear warmers. It is funniest when she puts them over her eyes and tries to walk around (good, cheap entertainment)


This afternoon I started spring cleaning. The girls were downstairs in the basement playing in the toy room while I was on the main level cleaning the armoire. I should have known they were up to something when they were not fighting.... way too quiet. They got into Mckenzie's fingernail polish and painted toes, legs, fingers, arms, Lili's face, clothes, bathroom sink, bathroom counter, rug, wall, floor. Luckily, fingernail polish remover took most off... I was able to clean all but the clothes and rug... yeah!!! This is why I am not able to accomplish anything during the day. Enjoy the moment... I keep reminding myself :)

Peace. xoxo.

Oh, the influence of good friends!!!

First... do you love my black eye??? Cute huh!!! The little girls were crying in bed last night so I climbed in bed with them. Just as I got in the bed Meili sat up and smacked my eye with her head - never had a black eye and hope to never have another one. Poor Meili is traumatized by the whole thing.

Second... wow the influence of good friends!!! Davis has wanted to have long hair because his idol, Cole, had longish hair. Saturday, Cole cut off all of his hair so Davis and Reese immediately wanted their hair cut like his...yeah!!! Thanks Aunt Pinch - all 3 look cute! And, thanks Cole for being such an amazing example to my boys! Isn't Cole cute with his short hair!!!

Also, last week Lisa took a cute picture of her 3 kids ready for church early - she inspired me and we did it this week (also no yelling...wow!!!)! I think I should get bonus points for going to church with my shiner. Actually, I realized that if my baby can walk around and be happy with birthmarks on her face then certainly I can walk around and be happy with a black eye :) vain, vain, vain.... I was going to stay home. Glad I did not.

Take care! Peace xoxox

Skiing with dad

Scott took Mckenzie, Reese and Davis skiing last night. Davis enjoyed his first time skiing and all had a wonderful time. The boys woke up sharing stories. Davis loved skiing - he did not like his 2nd run but the 3rd one he loved because they turned left and not right when they got off the lift. He was amazed that there was not seat belt on the chair and said that he never looked down because he hates heights. Mckenzie and Reese stayed together but not with Scottand Davis the whole night. They enjoyed a couple runs on Yahoo before dark. Aparently there was a fight over the hot dog - Davis only got 2 bites and Reese most :)

Scott dropped me, Meili and Lili off with my mom and we spent the evening with my parents. They took us to a yummy Chinese restaraunt - the owner was excited to know that the girls were from 'old' China. She was from Fuijan province which is right next to Lili's and close to Meili's. Meili threw up at my parent's house. I can't figure out what is going on with her - she is fine at times and then is not be at others... she has not seemed completely 'on' since I have been home.

My kids all promised yesterday to help in the house - so hopefully they will follow through and we will enjoy a day of cleaning.

Hope you are well.

Peace.