Brown Reunion 2011

We drove to Zion National Park and we were so fortunate to borrow this from our neighbor to tow behind us. We had an amazing camping experience because of it.

We also stopped at a Rock and Mineral Shop along the way. I have a special place in my heart for rocks and minerals because of my 6th grade teacher Mrs Archer. She had a huge massive collection and would let us earn our own with good behavior and improvements on our work.
We stayed at the Ponderosa and it was amazing. So much to do and the food was good. The pool is amazing. Their is a miniature gold course that is actually REALLY rad. The boys right off the bat were getting muddy and anxious to get on the quads.
Grandpa and Heather attract the kids like a pied piper with promises of quad rides and candy.
Aunt Nikki having a girlie party with chick music and nail polish. She introduced me to the most amazing thing. Quick Dry Nail Polish. Duh... of course this is a must for fidgety little kids.
Ben and Sam hanging out with the girls

The beloved Cho cho

Sitting around chatting
Rock collection. So proud :)
Eliza on the little quad. It is so small and cute.
Form of transportation due to everything being sooooo far apart from each other. Nancy and Heather
The girls making a salon out of some chairs and reflective windows.
Cousins at play

Fiesty LULU

This picture says it all

Many people can't believe that this precious little baby with the BIG puppy dog eyes and her bobbing pig tails could have a feisty side.

Most of the problems between Ruby and Lulu are started by Ruby- teasing her some how, but they are always finished by Lulu. Keep in mind it doesn't take too much to bring Ruby to tears, a sideways look can bring on the water works. Several Lulu domination sightings

1. Ruby in the play house crying and trying to get out with Lulu on the outside leaning against the door.

2. Ruby crying on the trampoline with Lulu pinning her down.

3. Questioning Lulu about why Ruby is crying... Lulu's response, "I KICKED her, like this.... I KICKED her" as she karate kicks the air.

Oh boy. Here is a movie of Lulu at dinner prayer. Whenever we try to help her she yells at us as you can see...

TEAM DAVY

I am on Team Davy... Are you?

Davy Jean is a pretty miraculous baby. From the day my sister-in-law, Ruth took that AFP screening and heard word that their precious baby girl would most likely have health problems and the severity is UNKNOWN. Through more testing including genetic testing the doctors were able to determine that this baby had a super rare chromosome deletion on the first strand, no idea what this means, and I wasn't alone, even the doctors had no documented cases of this type of genetic disorder. So needless to say there were MANY doctors in the delivery room about a year ago when she was born. Her first birthday was an emotional one for all of us, that have been praying, and crying, and praying more, and helping out.

Baby Davy spent most of her life at the hospital or doctors and Ruth spent most of her time at either the doctors or on the phone with the insurance company. Davy has had several surgeries and takes life saving medication on a daily basis- which does not come cheap. Ruth and Scott have the most amazing outlook on life and their family. Ruth has only told me several stories of people coming out of the woodwork to bless their lives. She told me the biggest lesson and hardest lesson she has learned from all this.... Not how to give a shot to her baby every day, or how to find loop holes in the "system", or how to answer people with inappropriate question... Rather, how to accept help. She is the one usually giving the service and cleaning your house or watching your kids while you are in the hospital.
I am hardly doing this heartwarming story justice for the most amazing and inspirational blog check out my sister-in-law @ www.ruthschultz.blogspot.com
So about 6 months ago my father in law told them that we were going to have a benefit for Davy to raise some dough to help cover their crazy cost of medical care and to raise money for research for others like sweet Davy. He told her she can come if she wants, but this is happening. At first this was hard to swallow, but she knows this is in Davy's best interest and to be honest everyones! Who doesn't get something out of giving and what a great cause. So for more details on how to give, go to TEAMDAVY.org.Hurry because the cut off to buy a ticket to the benefit is Monday. And believe me my husband's family KNOWS how to throw a party. There will be amazing food, great entertainment including Brooke White from American Idol and a fun band The Neighbors, many must have silent auction items. If you can't be there any donation amount will help. To donate go to teamdavy.org

Thanks for reading this and if you plan to attend I will see you there!

Hill Family Photos & Big Bear

My mom arranged for us to get our family photos taken. We had an awesome photographer, at an awesome location, and the weather was great too. These pictures are just some candids from the day.

My dad and Ruby

Nick and Lulu

Berkeley, the Tiny, and Cody

Schultz Clan

My brother from my mother's mother- Mike

Gee Gay and Papa with the grandkiddies

Jess, Nick, & Taylor

The Hill Kids

Berkeley and Tiny- deep in thought

These next photos were taken in Big Bear. We had a great time having a marshmallow shooter war.

Just the Boys and dad's Chevy Nomad (a little out of order, but whatever)

Hill Family Reunion in MV

It is the end of April and the beginning of May and we are squeezing in a Family Reunion. There was a small window of opportunity for all of us to get together before Berkeley and Cody have baby #2, and Cody starts his next semester at BYU. Before Nick starts his new job, and before Jessica starts her next course with University of Phoenix, but right after Jess and Nick move to Kentucky.

We had a Jam packed schedule for everyone. A couple of those days included the San Diego Zoo, Beach BBQ, swimming at my parents heated pool, family photo shoot, BBQ in Brea at my house, Weekend get away to Big Bear, Disneyland, Zoomars petting zoo, and lots and lots of BANG. Okay we had a BANG Tournament that kept us awake till 4am at times.

These pics are from the Brea BBQ

Love the kid table

Here we are eating while it is still light out

Ben on the grill- the corn was amazing

Cousins Playing in MV

Obstacle course designed and built by my dad and Nick

The Kids had a blast

that medal thing sprays out water

Taylor taking the course very seriously, did not cut corners, unlike Alison who seemed to Lap him.

The Kids were pooped, and so was Princess Papa

We love to tease while his defenses are down.

*More Pictures from our reunion in the next post.

Easter Time

We spent Easter morning at my parents house in MV and it was so awesome to have Berkeley and Cody here with their little Claudius. We did an Easter egg hunt which was a huge success for Ruby considering her contenders. Then we went to our ward and celebrated Easter at Church if you get a chance check out this little talk by Jefferey R Holland. It is so AWESOME.

This is going to be a fun next couple of weeks. Jessica and Nick just got into town today. It has been one and a half years since we have all been together. And Nick's first family reunion. Hope we don't scare him off!

Joy School Week 2

I am doing Joy School in place of preschool and I am pretty excited about it. There is a whole curriculum that maps out what games to play and songs to sing and when snack time is and rest time. It is my first week teaching and it went super well. The concepts taught this week were rules and decisions and how the decisions we make are connected to the way we feel. Just basic stuff that oddly enough have never thought to teach Ruby on my own. We have 7 kids in joy school and Lulu got to join in with us and another mom (Elizabeth) helped me out, thankfully. Eight little kids on your own can be overwhelming.

Snack time after we did an obedience test (Follow the leader)

Puppet show (The favorite)

Rest time. They lay down quietly and listen to a song about how "feelings are connected to the choices we make"

They we get the sillies out and dance... check out my sweet teacher vest.

Ruby, Addison, Clara, Franco, Clyde, Joshua, Aubrey, and Lulu's Back

Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Egg Hunt