Oh What Do You Do In the Summertime?

Oh, what do you do in the summertime when all the world it HOT???

You buy a Pogo Pass that gives you entrance to fun stuff to do indoors!

We've visited Makutu's Island.

 Got our jump on at Extreme Air.

 Cheered for our Arena Football team, the Arizona Rattlers.

 Watched Dance Recitals, not included in the Pogo Pass but still an awesome performance from my girls that left me wishing we could put them on a competitive team.  

 Skateland where everyone, even Stella can skate for free.

 Girl's Camp for Alexandria.  I missed her so much that I had to take her out on a date just me and her once she got home.  Best idea ever!!

 Opened bank accounts for all the kids because they are starting to earn their own money.

 Took a trip to the IDEA art museum where we got to make cool glasses,

 and act like knights.

 And take more bike rack pictures but this time with big sis because she's not in school and can come to the gym now!

And since AJ no longer has summer band we can finally begin to sleep in.  YAY for summer!!

People Explosion

Can you believe how many people have exploded from our original family of 5 children? So much personality and beautiful little ones here with Grandma and Grandpa.

Uncontrollable

Mom wanted a picture of the seven of us.  But for some reason it became uncontrollable laughter when Mom couldn't stop laughing.  I love us!

From Where I Stand

We have 1:30 church this year and I love it!  We get to hang out all morning, eat waffles and relax together as a family.  Sure, it gives the kids time to create and make HUGE messes but from where I stand it couldn't be more perfect.

Phoenix Temple

 

We have been so blessed this year in Arizona to have two temples finished and dedicated.  My kids are thinking that this is an everyday thing.

 

Isabel was super excited for the dedication of the Phoenix Temple though.  She missed the Gilbert Temple because she wasn't an official member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints yet. But she got baptized and confirmed a member just in time to see the dedication of the Phoenix Temple.

 

I wish I could have bottled her energy as we shouted Hosanna. She was literally bouncing up and down with excitement.  Then she turned to me with a huge grin and a twinkle in her eyes and I tried to set that moment in stone.  It was one of those moments you never want to forget.  She was perfect, happy to be a member of Heavenly Father's church and delighting in the spirit of the dedication. Cutest thing ever!

Conference with my Kids

Look at us! We made it to Salt Lake with LDS Conference Tickets in hand.  I was probably more excited than they were to take them to conference in the Conference Center.  This little square mile of real estate is one of my most favorite places on Earth.  The spirit here is beautiful as are the buildings and the landscaping.  We have a pretty fun tradition having conference at home but seeing it in person was marvelous.  Only one complaint, they wanted to be closer.  One day guys, one day.

Mommy daughter night

As I was taking pictures off of my phone I realized I hadn't posted some of our fun times lately.  Papi took the boys for Father Sons Campout. The boys were super excited.  It was the first time he had been here to take them.  So while the cats are away the mice will play, except we aren't mice and the boys definitely aren't cats.  But we did all the girly stuff. 

 

Homemade masks for our faces using oats, strawberries and honey.

 

Painting our nails

Even little Stella got a pedicure.

I'm grateful for my girls and the fun time we have together.  Love you little ladies!

Mother's Day with Bang

It was the perfect Mother's Day morning.  My kids had made me a delicious breakfast in bed with scrambled eggs from our chickens, a cranberry, strawberry and banana smoothie and a multi grain piece of toast.  The kids had given me their presents they made in school and then they showed me my present that Papi got me the night before out on the patio, a brand new bike with a trailer for the baby.  Excellent!  We were figuring out where to ride to on that beautiful Sunday morning when I hear a BANG! CRASH! SHATTER! 

Yup, I was lucky enough to get two presents on Mother's Day.  A new bike and a new window?!?  Actually, it's been a few weeks and we still have designer zebra duct tape over that hole decorating our front window with no plans of fixing it in the near future.  DJ swore the rock bounced when he threw the rock at the ground trying to break it open, and instead broke open our window.  I'm not totally convinced. 

Then there's my mom who instead of me buying her a present on Mother's Day she buys me one, soft matching pajamas.  She's the best!  She makes up for my broken window.

I was so excited about my new bike that we rode over 3 miles on Sunday and on Monday I took Stella for a ride to go see Mikey so he could wish me a Happy Mother's Day too.

Ride Cowboy Ride

We love when Uncle Adam and his family come to visit.  Adam had called me a few weeks before with a rockin idea to have a Bon Jovi party while he was here.  We planned the details and set the date.

It was "99 in the Shade" but we partied like it was a Bon Jovi concert. There was music, there were treats and even pizza pies.  It felt like we were "Livin' in Sin". The neighbor actually came over to complain that the music was too loud.  I think he was just jealous he wasn't invited. "Let it Rock" neighbor!

This cutie was "Born to be my Baby".

This is the life, "It's my Life" and I am so thankful for all of these people who I share it with.

To my awesome sisters, "I'll be There for You" always and forever!

"Stick to Your Guns" boys, don't fall off!

 

"Have a Nice Day"! We did!

Fire pit

 

There is no better place to sit around and tell stories than by a fire pit.  So many ghost stories have been told there this year with our little family that I think we're going to have to change the theme for next year. 

Then there's the s'mores....we love s'mores, regular s'mores, s'mores with mint cookies, s'mores with chocolate covered cookies, s'mores with no cookies.  I only wish that we had a few more cool days left in the season.  Soon AZ will be on fire and we will have to say bye to the fire pit for a few months.  But we will bring you back dear fire.  Too much fun is had around you to keep you in storage for long. 

Conference Weekend

Did you hear about the stupid criminal who kept boxes under the hood of his car?  He robbed our flip house, stole all of Papi's tools then couldn't leave because his car wouldn't start probably due to the boxes under the hood.  So he called a taxi and a tow truck instead.  The thing was we got there before the tow truck.  He left his wallet, ID, everything we need to know who he is and where he lives. If it hadn't have ruined our long anticipated conference weekend I would have been laughing at the dumb guy's losing efforts.  Let's be honest, I am still laughing.  Such a fool!  But now I'm wondering who is really the fool because it's been 3 days and the Mesa Police still haven't arrested him. 

Fortunately, we were able to watch conference as a family on Sunday.  We love conference weekend!  My kids even watched it while we were talking to the police on Saturday.  And they were home alone!  Everyone has their conference binders.  We eat candy, lots of candy.  We make food that we only have on conference morning.  It's such a relaxing two days at the Cesar home.  I'm already looking forward to October!

Gilbert temple tour

It's not very often in a lifetime that you get to wear these cute little booties and walk through a building as special as this one.

 

Isabel had it right when after using one of the bathrooms she commented, "Even the toilets flush reverently."

 

 

The architect is in our ward so he did a fireside on the construction of the temple.  He also talked about the agave plant and its symbolism throughout this beautiful structure.

 

 

How awesome is it that we live in a day when there are so many new temples being constructed?  I'm so glad our children got this experience.  I remember the first time I went through an undedicated temple.  I was so excited I made my mom buy me a journal so I could write about it. I've been busy looking for journals for my boys.  After their experience they asked me for one too.

The lines were long but it was so worth it.  I want my kids to know that amazing things can happen in this place.  It may not be easy to different from the rest of the world in order to be able to enter this holy temple but it will be so worth it.

 

Even on our temple trip DJ still had to throw in a shenanigan.  That was the temple tour ticket.  We had to turn that in.  DJ you crack me up!

Bad parenting skills but a blast

DJ left his lunch at home today. I had extra time so I thought it would be fun to go eat lunch with him and AJ and maybe take them ice cream. What am I teaching my kids? Leave lunch at home = ice cream and lunch with Mom? Not the best parenting technique but definitely a fun one. 

Since Papi isn't home everyone had to go to Alexandria's softball game. Luckily there is a park for the kids. Stella had a blast. We had a blast watching her enjoy the swings. Isabel's hair blasted off on the slide. 

April Fools!

Where has April disappeared to?

It's the end of the month and I have all of April still to post, starting with April 1, otherwise known as 

APRIL FOOLS!!

It was late. I was tired.

As I walked sleepily into my room I was met with a toilet papering job to beat all other jobs.

My kids thought it would be funny to toilet paper our room

and even left us with a nice little tp star on our bed.

My sleepiness immediately disappeared and I began to think of a comeback.

I got all of them. It was awesome.

Teach them to mess with this momma.

Although I'm pretty sure I'll be in for it next year.