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!

So Not Miserable!!

We have been waiting for this day for months! Ever since the movie came out and I saw how much my kids like the story of Les Miserables I have wanted to take them to the musical. Finally, the day arrived. We may have been a little to eager to get there, arriving just an hour early.

Luckily, the Phoenix theater is right next to an art museum. So we walked around the sculpture gardens while we waited for show time. AJ found some round parts under that dude's skirt. It was....awkward. The things you find in "art".

The show was scheduled to begin at 7:30 but by 7:10 we couldn't handle any more exposing sculptures so we excitedly made our way down the hall of mirrors and into the theater. 

We spent the next 15 minutes pouring over the program and all the actors we were going to see perform. 

Shhh! Don't tell. I snapped this picture while inside. Apparently there are no pictures allowed but I wanted to remember these next moments with these four Les Mis aficionados. Plus, we were on the first 3 rows. That's a kodak moment. Then the lights flickered and the music began. Suddenly, we were swept away to France in the 1800s and loving every minute. 

If the Cesar's had to review the Phoenix Theater production of Les Miserables it would go something like this. (The following was all discussed by my children in the car on the way home after the show.) The favorite was Madame Thenardier. 

She was just enough crazy to keep you laughing the entire time she was on stage especially when she winked at Alexandria and Isabel who were seated in the front row. Jean Valjean sang beautifully but he seemed angry most of the time, a little out of character for Monsueir le Mayor. We were thankful we weren't seated front and center. Those people may have gotten sprayed...by Marius. It was an embarrassing spitting issue that was very noticeable from the front row. "Red, I feel my ssssoul (spit, spit, spit) on fire. Black, my world when ssssshe'ssss (spit, spit, spit) not there." You get the idea. It was enthralling to hear Stars sung by someone who can actually sing and not Russel Crowe. As a whole the production was magical! Inspiring us to love and forgive we cried with Eponine, cheered for Gavroche and hoped for Marius.  The parallels between Jean Valjean and Javert were somehow unveiled to me for the first time helping me to understand the mind of Victor Hugo just a little more. The intimate setting of the Phoenix theater allows the audience to feel like you are a part of the show and the songs envelope you in emotion.  We really liked the French flag sugar cookies during intermission too.  Definitely a must see! My four children may seem a little young to sit through a full show but it was so good that they are already asking if we can go back.

Happy Halloween!

Our Halloween starts a few days early.  We like celebrating our birthdays around holidays.  So Isabel, AJ, and DJ all get one big Halloween birthday party.  The best part of our Halloween party this year were Grandma and Grandpa. Or is that Edward and hippie chick?

Did you recognize them?  Neither did I when they walked in.  Here's a close up.

And I can't get the rest of these pics to go where I want them to go.  But for your viewing pleasure we have some of the yummies we enjoyed and a couple more awesome Halloween costumes.

My Boys' Date

I love my boys!

We had a date a couple of weeks ago.

Papi took the girls to father daughter.

And I got to hang out with these handsome fellows.

We went miniature golfing so they had to wear their golf hats.

Aren't they adorable?

DJ found a frog.  That was a highlight.

He wanted to keep it but I'm sure that little frog was much happier when he decided to let it go once we found it a friend.

And who can pass up a picture opportunity like this?

Not them.

Twin boys are the best.

I recommend it to everyone!

July 4th in Collage

It's one of our favorite holidays.

American waffle breakfast at Grandmas,

awesome USA music playing off of their deck,

AJ giving us a concert while singing "Proud to be an American",

swimming with cousins,

ending the day with big fireworks in the sky

what's not to love?

This year was extra cool, literally, 71 degrees here in the valley of the sun at 3:30 in the afternoon!!!

We were so cold after swimming in the rain we actually ate chili to warm up....

 on the Fourth of July!

It was amazing.

Hope your fourth was just as enjoyable! :)

Right Now

Noodle Forests

First grade field trips.

They're awesome!

The kids are excited.

The venues are creatively educational.

And the busses are screaming loud.

That's okay though, I live in the Cesar house.

This momma is used to loud.

Luckily, there were so many parent volunteers that I only had my boys to chaperone.

Huge relief!!!

One on two time. :)

After the noodle forest, the pizzeria, the car wash and car races, the climber, the sand art and the art room we decided to take the family back to the Children's Museum in Phoenix.

Friday, April 6 is free Target night.

Love Target!  Love free!!

And absolutely LOVE my boys!!!

:)

Two Months

I can't believe it's only been two months since we met Mikey.

It feels like it was such a long time ago.

I wanted to go see him today.

But we are four hours away from his grave.

It's okay though because we are creating beautiful memories together as a family.

And I know that is where Mikey would want us to be.

Plus, thanks to an endearing gift from a thoughtful friend Mikey has been here with us too.

He'll always be with us even if it's just in our hearts.

Today was the last day of our wintery Spring Break.  

Papi wanted to stay in the resort and explore the forests.  

Alexandria wanted to go back to the snow preferably to go skiing but sledding would work too.  

She talked her sister and her brothers into agreeing with her. 

So Papi was outnumbered.  

The kids won.

They played forever in the snow.  One of their favorite tricks was sinking unexpectedly into the snow.  It reminded them of the stories I've told them of when I was little, walking to school and losing my boots in the snow banks.  Watching them did bring back memories.

With almost every step Papi would sink right through the snow.
 I almost peed my pants laughing.  

He didn't think it was funny.

 DJ lost his boots in the snow a few too many times
They were so wet he couldn't even get them on.

Good thing it was a warm day. 

 I love little people all bundled up in snow gear.

It makes them look so cute and cuddly

even when they're coming at you with a stick and a snowball.

Do you see that look in DJ's eye?

And the stuff in DJ's hand?

I bet you're thinking, "oh no he didn't".

 But, yes he did!

Someone had to show that guy what having fun in the snow is all about.

 Alexandria was happy to have gotten her wish.

She deserved it.

She was awesome when we went skiing.
Things didn't really go her way but she didn't complain.
So I was happy to let her lead the way today.

It was the perfect ending for our wintery Spring Break.

Working Our Way Up

Yesterday we found a real hill.

Sunrise Ski Resort has a fun sledding spot.

It was a little trickier than their previous sled experience

because this was actually a hill.

Lots of tumbles down that mountain.

Although it wasn't all downhill . . .haha . . . from there.

They soon got the hang of it.

Since they had become professional sledders it was time to work our way up to the next snow sport. . .

SKIING!!!

Ski school is marvelous!

I even got a few runs down the mountain while Papi watched the kids in school.

Papi's not a real snow man. . .haha, I'm full of those tonight.

He's more of a tropical island kind of guy so no skis for him.

But have I ever mentioned how much I love snow and skiing?

I would have season passes for sure if we lived anywhere close to a ski resort.

We live four hours away and I'm already trying to figure out how to pull that off.

We all left wishing we could go again tomorrow.

Spring Break - Day 1

We found snow!!

Isabel was one the last time she played in the white fluffy stuff.

She doesn't remember it.

There were a few moments of "burr my hands" but she got over it

and had a blast.

Luckily, my snow novice children found a great place to go sledding.

It was their first adventure with a sled.

Funny it was just a little patch of snow in front of our cabin.

I loved seeing how much they were enjoying the small blob of mostly ice.

 Can you tell we had just arrived from 80 degree weather?

Flip flops.

Barefoot.

Hey, we were excited to see snow.

 Who cared about footwear at a 

moment like this?