Coach's Choice

Christian's school had an awards banquet last night for all the sports teams. Christian played on a Basketball team this year that had about 20 players which the coach divided into 2 different teams. Both teams were 5th and 6th grade combination teams but they always practiced together. He got one of 5 trophies given out for his team. His coach mentioned that Christian is not very vocal and got the award because he was one of the leaders of the 5th graders. I am grateful for his calm, quiet ways and hope that he can continue to be a leader for his peers as he goes through these next several years of middle school.
Picture courtesy of Amanda - THANKS

State of California Heptathalon Winner!

(Picture taken by Alexa McDowell - thanks Alexa)

My niece Sarah won the Heptathalon for the State of California. It includes 10 different events, including javelin, long jump, running races, hurdles etc. This is her second year in a row that she has won the whole thing! She is really amazing... I would be intimidated before I even started just by the look of some of the other girls.

Piano Recital

Christian and Meliah at their recital. They both did an amazing job on their pieces and their duet together. It's nice to have musical kids! It brings so much fun to our home.




The last part of Christian and Meliah's duet! I think this is the 1st time they did it without fighting. Meliah always said that Christian went too fast!

GATE project

Christian's friend, Calvin, posed for me! Christian wouldn't... ha ha!


The other day I was able to go and help out for Christian's Gate class. They have been learning about weaving and so the teacher had all of them dye a few pieces of their own fabric. Lizzy pretty much always gets to go on all the school outings and when I go to help because the teachers know she's not a problem and she just fits right in. Lizzy got to dye her own fabric too and loved it. Here are some pictures of our trip to help at his school.

May excitement!

Lizzy's play date with Jordyn. They played Polly pockets the entire time. Very cute!


Christian's team is undefeated! Last night they tied with the Astros. Christian played shortstop and pitcher and did a fantastic job. He also got two great hits!

Christian had scouts right before his game, they were learning about the color wheel mixing colors and doing an outdoor watercolor that they will be framing. I'm so grateful for the hard work that those scout leaders have put in. He should receive his arrow of light award when he turns 11.

This week Meliah finished her division. She was so excited to complete it! She got a reward and a certificate for finishing her timed tests for third grade. She has really been struggling with the last division test and has been working really hard to be ready for it each day. She finally finished it in the allotted time and seriously, I don't think I've ever seen her happier than when she got her balloon!

Birthdays

Meliah and MaKenna always plan something together for their birthdays because their birthday's are only one day apart. They had a sleepover together and a big Warren Family party. Kate turned 3 too, so soon they will need to include her in their planning. About a month ago I heard them talking about how they wanted to have a polka dot party together. We played some Minute to Win it games and it was a great success! Even the adults got very into it.

The Birthday girls sorting polka dots (m&m's)
Great game Lindsay!

Randy was the champion of keeping 3 polka dots in the air for a minute! ;)

The 3 birthday girls!



Lizzy and I made this cake!
It was so much easier with her help... yeah right! ha ha!

The bubble blowing contest! The adults did it too, but I fear that if I post that picture I might have my brother mad at me.

Some of the older cousins who actually wore polka dots to the party. You are a blast!

Taylor and Sierra after the polka dot fight! I forgot who won!
On Friday night the girls had a sleepover! Christian and Aaron went on a father son outing and all of us girls stayed home and did girlie things. The favorite Minute to Win it game for the girls was the Junk in the Trunk. We laughed so hard together!
On Sunday, we went to Chico and celebrated May birthdays with Aaron's side of the family. Meliah shares the month of May with her Uncle Alex. I forgot my camera that day, so I stole this from Kerri's blog (thanks Kerri). I love, love, love this picture!

Mother's Day

I sure do love my mom!

My mom with Lizzy about 4 years ago

Mom took all her grandchildren to Disneyland or Disney World this summer!

My mom is one of the most amazing people I know. You know my mother by her fruits!

I thought I'd make a list of things I love about my mom.
* She is honest in everything she does
* She never does anything half way (she always goes the extra mile)
* She has 8 children, 38 grandchildren and a few great grandchildren and
she remembers all of them and their special events and special days.
* She is very good at treating all of us as if we were the only one and her favorite
* She is addicted to geneology and gets so excited to share new things that she has
discovered about our ancestors (she is putting together a book she promised her
mother she would do).
* She is very knowledgeable about politics and gets very involved with the tea
parties and political events that can make a difference.
* She loves sports and has stayed very active herself (She still looks great).
* She memorizes scriptures and chapter headings to keep her mind young.
* She makes long lists of things to do in a day and she usually
finishes the majority of what she puts on it.
* She is a ham and loves to perform.
* She has a strong testimony of the Gospel and truly wears herself out in the service of the Lord!

This won't be her favorite picture but I had to put it in here because of the shirt she is wearing!


I'm also so grateful for Aaron's Mom. He is the man he is today because of her wonderful influence and soft, sweet, patient mother that she is. I respect her so much! She is always there for us and has been so supportive of everything we do.


Happy Mother's Day to 2 wonderful woman in our lives. The kids think they have the 2 of the best Grandmas in the world.

Bragspot - Meliah's birthday

Meliah has a Cinco de Mayo birthday. Her birth, 9 years ago, was actually a spiritual experience for me that I will never forget. I was so scared to have her because of my experience in giving birth to big-headed Christian. May 5Th was the due date, and we didn't know she was a girl yet. I went into labor at about 5 o'clock in the morning and knew that the contractions were real ones. I called my Mom and Dad (Who were on their mission in Florida) and told my mom how horribly scared I was to have the baby. She quoted a scripture in Alma that helped me to have more faith and rely on my Savior more. It referred to the pains and sufferings of our Savior and that he would take away our physical pains too. That was exactly what I needed to hear. I spend the next couple of hours on my knees, begging for the Savior to take away my pains. Aaron and I went to the hospital and I don't think I had any idea until that point how much the Savior loves us and is willing to take away suffering. It was a pleasant day, the nurse even was wearing my favorite color. It was a Saturday in the middle of the day and I was able to spend time with my sisters. We laughed and enjoy the day together, and then experienced the miracle of birth by Saturday afternoon.





Meliah's birthday has always been so fun for her. Normally her birthday is all about Mexican food, pinatas and sharing it with one of her favorite cousins, MaKenna, who was born a day and a year before her. She is and always has been a very positive, happy kid and we hope that her optimism will continue. She is always the first to say things like they are and to really express herself well. From the time she was tiny she has loved music and singing. She would stand on the brick hearth and say, "Ask me what I'm going to perform today!" At the age of 3 she loved to sing, "Twinkle, Twinkle, little star", "I am a child of God", and "She moves, she bangs, she flies like a butterfly and stings like a bee (not sure of the song title, but she learned it from William Hung that sang that on American Idol several years ago). She is taking piano lessons and loves it. She is always making up new song lyrics and tunes and playing and performing them on the piano for us. She really has an ear for the right notes and can even correct her mother when she sings the wrong note. She is our only child that sleep walks and talks. And she is our most talkative child... I guess she doesn't get enough done during the day! She always seems to be the life of the party, has a witty joke or thing to say, and the most exciting creative ways of playing. She has been so helpful with her sister Elizabeth even though sometimes it is hard for her to be patient, she has taught Lizzy so much and has been such a great example for her. She also is willing to help Christian out because Christian tends to be shy about doing things on his own. Often when I ask Christian to go to the store he wants his sister to go with him, probably because she will talk for him. She is the first to give hugs and love to someone that is hurting or in need of compassion. It's so amazing how kids in the same family can be so different from each other. She loves Math, Reading and has been learning to play tennis. She looks very much like Aaron's side of the family, but everyone always tells me that she looks like me. Recently Aaron challenged the kids to give a couple of pass along cards to their friends. She gave both of her cards to friends at school the very next day! She also often tells me of times that she has felt the spirit. I'm grateful that she is able to recognize the Spirit at such an early age, and that she is so willing to open up and share. She is such a blessing in our family. We are so pleased to be a part of this earthly experience with such a great little girl.