Jyllian turns four-years-old

Four-year-olds are my favorite. They don't have as many major meltdowns as younger kids, but they are still sweet and say the funniest things. But most of all they don't talk back to you (as some kids who are "more mature" tend to do). Jyllian is our youngest, and I think she is definetly spoiled by her siblings and her parents. When Jyllian was born, Dominique would pray every night for almost two years thanking Heavenly Father for Jyllian. He still says it sometimes when we say family prayers. We took Jyllian to Chuckie Cheese for her birthday. We of course didn't have the camera, but we had a great time. We went as a family, and when we got there she wanted a big party with friends. I was just not up for a big party, and besides, she just doesn't have very many little girlfriends. I told her we would have a big party when she turned five. I think December babies just get ripped off for their birthday. There are ward, work, family, and friend parties during the month of December. It's very difficult to schedule an event around so many things going on. The day before her birthday, I had a ward Christmas party. Since, I am the ward activites chairperson, I was in charge. I was very busy that whole week. My house, my children, and poor Jyllian were put on the back burner. Jyllian did not know what type of cake she wanted, so I was just going to make a simple round cake. The day before her birthday she told me she wanted a unicorn cake. Well I have made her a Dora cake, a Cinderella cake, and a Barbie cake; however, I just didn't have the time to go looking for Unicorn cakes. So she decided a star cake would be fine. Well, I attempted to make a star cake. It was really a pathetic attempt, but we all ate the cake and Jyllian loved it (especially the frosting).

You are probably wondering what all of the ranch dressing is doing next to her on the table. Well, it was for the ward pary the next day. I did purchase too much dressing, but I took two of them back after the party. Note to self, people really don't like that much green salad at ward parties.

Universal Studios December 2009

On Decemeber 5th, we woke up early and headed down to Universal Studios. In August, Universal was running a promotion. If you purchased a two day pass as a Florida resident, you would get a season pass good through Dec. 31st. This was our only day we could actually go as a whole family before the end of the year. It was a cold, windy, and rainy morning, but I said we were going rain or shine. I was prepared though. We had raincoats, blankets, and jackets. The sun did eventually come through the clouds in the early afternoon. The first week of December is a great week to go to any Orlando amusement park. The lines aren't very long, and there aren't many people at the parks. We cruised through most of the rides in Universal and later headed over to Islands of Adventure.

Donovan took a lot of pictures because the last time we went to Universal we forgot to get our camera out of the van. It is not just a hop, skip, and jump to your car. This is picture is taken in front of Universal Studios. Jyllian of course would not get in the picture. But we did get a few pictures of her throughout the day. Here she is, but we she didn't know we took her picture.

The boys love their picture taken not!

Jasmine really wanted to bring a friend with her. She always complains that she doesn't have anyone to ride with. Aren't her parents good enough? So we brought our next door neighbor Morgan. The girls had a good time.

This picture is taken in front of the jaws ride at Universal.

I don't know why we continue to take a stroller inside the amusement parks. Jyllian just runs all over. I guess we need a place to store all of the stuff we take inside the park.

Jasmine and Morgan...busted by the Simpsons ride.

Bart Simpson with the kids.

This is the newest ride at Universal. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is the name of the ride. This was the only ride that had a wait, and it was a loooooooooong wait. Donovan and Dreyton waited in this line for two and half hours (and got the front row for the ride) while I took the other kids over to Islands of Adventure. Whoever designed this ride did not make it a very efficient ride. Each car only holds twelve people at a time, and there are only two cars. I don't know why they would put so much money into this ride without making it so more people could ride it at a time. I wonder what the line will be like in the summer. As you can see in the picture below...the first drop is a big one.

Jasmine and Morgan being silly.

I know it's a great picture of me. Please keep in mind the weather here in Florida doesn't do my hair any favors. Natural curly hair and humidty just don't mix. It had been raining and it was the end of the day.

I realized we hadn't taken any pictures with Donovan, so he decided to do something crazy for the picture. I'm glad everyone had a good time.

It was Donovan's first time at Universal, and it was a great day to go. He hates crowds.

Thanksgiving 2009

This year Anne and Wayne (my in-laws) came to Florida for Thanksgiving. We were truly grateful to be able to spend Thanksgiving with family. We have been very fortunate to spend Thanksgiving each year with people we love and care about (the Melby's while we were in St. Louis). I worry that we will be alone, but each year it always works out. Anne and I went to see New Moon together. I guess it was an ok movie, but it was a little cheesy. Anne and I were also able to do some after Thanksgiving shopping. I think I wore Anne out. Thank you Wayne for watching the kids so we could shop, and thank you Donovan for working, so I would have money to spend.

Whenever Wayne and Anne come to town, I'm sure they fear my to-do-list. Grandma Lott made my four children Christmas pillowcases and Wayne did his fair share of car repairs and other odd jobs. Thanks for everything. We love you and really enjoyed your company.
Grandma even played Conquest of the Empire. Dominique loves to play this game, but it takes 4-5+ hours to complete. Thanks for being a good sport Anne.

Dreyton's sprained ankle

Dreyton hurt his ankle the very last week of football practice. Another player fell on his ankle in a tackling drill. Luckily, we had crutches due to a injury Jasmine had received earlier in the year. He hurt his foot on a Monday evening, but we learned that if you don't need to go to the E.R., just wait until morning to get into the Dr. It is much cheaper and also faster than sitting in a waiting room for hours. He did have his ankle X-rayed by the orthopedist, but it was not broken...just very swollen and sore. He used this walking boot for a week and then used one crutch for another week.

He was not able to play in the finals, but we took him to the game to support his team. His team took second in the region. They played their last game against Hawthorne and lost, but the team played hard.

I think Dreyton liked the attention he received from his injury. Dreyton is just excited to be heading back healthy to another season of football next year. In the meantime, basketball should keep him moving.

Science Projects

Dominique and Dreyton had to present a science project for the Science Fair in November. Dominique chose to measure the speed of light in jello. He placed 2nd in physics and will be going to Regionals in February. Dreyton's project examined how different colors absorbed light and heat for increasing the temperature of water. His teacher took pictures for him, but I don't have copies to download to the blog. Both boys did a great job and did the majority of the work on their own. We had to make five different jellos all with a different consistency of water.

The laser pointer was used to measure the speed of light.

I never did like science myself, but my boys really like their teacher Mr. Riley.

Jyllianism of the day

Jyllian: "Daddy, what are ghosts made of?"
Foolish father: "Ghosts are spirits."
Jyllian: "I think they are made of clouds."

A Day With Flat Stanley

Jasmine's friend Anne (from St. Louis) sent her Flat Stanley. Flat Stanley is a book character (see http://www.flatstanley.com), and Flat Stanley had to go everywhere Jasmine did. We had to take pictures and send them back to Anne. On November 14, Jasmine played a soccer game at 9:00am. After the game we took a picture with her friend Mackenzie and Flat Stanley. Flat Stanley was also able to attend Dreyton's football game. Dreyton was not wanting to stand next to his sister. Big brothers are just so darn loveable, aren't they?

Jasmine wanted Flat Stanley to have a picture taken with Daisy the dog.

Last but not least, these four girls were playing at our home that same day, and we had to get a picture with them and Flat Stanley. From left to right (Grace, Elesse, Jasmine, and Cheyenne)

Halloween 2009

I was finally able to take a picture of Jyllian before we went trick-or treating. She was actually posing for her picture. I had nothing to do with my boys Halloween costumes. They went to KMART with their dad, and they returned with some interesting masks. I think Donovan was helping them get ready for their annual scare fest. The boys love to scare the trick-or-treaters as they come to the door. Each year they come up with a new plan to frighten people (not the little kids). Dreyton is dressed up as the Jigsaw puppet from the movie Saw. No, he has not seen the movie, but he saw plenty of commercials for the movie. Dominique was dressed as an evil scarecrow. Jasmine was a vampiress and Jyllian Mariposa.

Dominique was not feeling well on Halloween, so he just sat on the front porch and handed out candy. Donovan and I took the girls around the neighborhood, and they had a great time trick-or-treating. Jyllian kept running from house to house. I thought she was going to wear out, but she never did. When we got home she said she had a great time.

Joy School Halloween Party

Jyllian loves to go to Joy School twice a week. She asks me everyday if it is time to go to pre-school. On October 29, Ms. Angela had a little party for the children. The kids made a few crafts and an edible snack. Jyllian really enjoyed the chocolate pudding. The kids played a little before the costume parade. It was a very hot and humid day.

The children had a costume parade, but Jyllian was a little shy. She wouldn't come out of the house to show her costume.

She didn't want me to take her picture, but I was able to take a picture very quickly. She was Mariposa in case you were wondering.

A Jyllianism

I know I'm behind on blogging, but I guess I could add a few quotes from my children.

Jyllian dislikes her vegetables as most young children do, but we make her eat a few bites. This week we were eating dinner as a family and I told Jyllian she had to eat three bites of her broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots. I think it's called the California blend. It's actually very funny to watch her eat her vegetables, because she gags on them. She has even learned at a very young age to feed the dog her food even though we have told her it will make the dog sick. She's such a stinker with her food and she's very picky. Well, she told us that the vegetables weren't making her bigger and bigger. She said, "only my feet are getting bigger." We all looked at each other and started laughing.

Dominique continues to say that there is nothing to do in Florida. I'm confused by this statement, but he's been mad at us since we moved here.

Dreyton was listening in on my conversation and he wanted me to give him more information. I told him it wasn't his business. He said, "curiosity killed the cat and I'm dying." (funny boy)

Everyday Jasmine walks in the front door from school and tells me how bad she hates riding the bus. Does any child ever enjoy riding the bus?

What have we been doing with our Saturdays?

What have we been doing with our Saturdays? Well, since the second weekend in September we have been attending soccer and football games. It has been tricky jumping from game to game. There have been a few weeks where the games were scheduled at the same time. When this has happened, I end up taking Jasmine to her game, and Donovan takes Dreyton to his. We have also met some very nice people that have helped our children with rides. Jasmine started her second soccer season. She really enjoys playing soccer, but she doesn't enjoy the shin guards and bulky socks. She's always had issues with clothing, but at least she puts them on.

Jasmine plays a few positions. The coach is pretty good at giving each of the kids different opportunities. Here she is playing full back.

At end of each game the parents and coaches form a tunnel, and both teams run through the tunnels. Jasmine's team is still undefeated.
Dreyton started his second season of football. He is enjoying football much better this season. Last year he was continually learning the game. He has a much better understanding of the game this year. Although Dreyton's team has only won one game, he's still having a good time. I think Donovan is enjoying Dreyton watching the Gator games with him too.

Here is Dreyton in his practice uniform. He practices three times a week.

We always enjoy the concessions at the football games. I especially enjoy the boiled peanuts. I didn't even know what a boiled peanut was until I moved to Florida. Jyllian is enjoying a frozen slushie.

We take lots of activities to the football games for the girls, because they can become very bored. The Cleveland's lived in our neighborhood, until last week. The girls really enjoy running around the fields and under the stadium stairs.

Jasmine climbing the stadium stairs.

Dominique enjoying a sucker at the football game.

Where has my money been going lately?

Dreyton has been reminding me that I have not posted pictures of him in braces on our blog. Well, the orthodonist is getting A LOT of money from us each month, so I guess we better show what we are getting in debt over. We are still hoping that Dreyton becomes an orthodontist so that he can buy us that lake front property with the lakehouse and boat someday. Dreyton had braces put on one week before school started. Each time we visit, the orthodontist changes the colors of his rubberbands. Right now he is showing off his Halloween colors (Can you see the orange and black?). I didn't have the option to change the color of my rubberbands, but at least my teeth straightened up (well, most of the way).

Epcot - Labor Day Weekend

My parents, my sister (Annette), and her family came to Orlando for a family vacation over Labor Day weekend. We joined them for a couple of days of fun. Our first day was at Epcot in Disney World, and we spent our second day at Islands of Adventure in Universal Studios. I didn't take any pictures the second day because I left my camera in the car (all too common a theme for our family). The hike back to the car from the Universal parking lot just wasn't worth the walk. It is a horrilbe walk to get into that park.

Here we are on our last day at Disney for a long while. Our passes have offically expired. :( We had a fun couple of years going to Disney. We do need to see other parts of Florida while we are here (however long that will be??). I love Disney and have since I was a kid. I wish the season passes weren't so much money. Donovan actually got to come with us on this adventure. He's usually working so I can play.


Here we are waiting for the rest of the group to ride Soarin. That's a really great ride. I'm holding my little nephew Cade. My sister (Annette) has the blonde hair, blue eyed children and I have the brown hair, brown eyed children.

Jyllian and Brielle had so much fun together. They are one month apart, but Brielle is much taller. I guess Jyllian got my shorty genes.

Jasmine and Ashlyn were patiently waiting for their lunch. Who knows what Jyllian is doing? It sure doesn't look like she has any idea either!

Jasmine really enjoyed having Ashlyn ride all of the rides with her. She usually has to ride with her mom or dad (yuck).

Dreyton is enjoying Disney's technology. Sometimes it's hard to get my kids to leave the buildings at Epcot with computers and games. There is just so much to do and enjoy there.

Dominique is sending e-mails to his friends. He took a picture of himself and then altered it.

Me, my sister Annette, her baby Cade, and my mom.

A group shot with all the kids from left to right: Dreyton, Tyler, Brielle, Dominique, Jyllian, Jasmine, Ashlyn. Oh and don't forget excited Grandma in the background. I guess Grandpa forgot to look.

I wanted a picture taken with my kids and the grandparents. I didn't realize my dad was closing his eyes, but it's the only one I took.

We did get a little wet. Yes, we had another Florida rain storm (they happen almost every day in late summer with a heavy downpour but only last 15-30 min), and I forgot to bring raincoats. I'm usually really good about the raincoats. Donovan and Mike (my brother-in-law) are trying to keep the strollers dry.

At the end of the day, we headed towards the World Showcase at Epcot. It is usually not a very kid friendly part of Disney, but they started a Kim Possible Scavenger hunt. The kids got cell phones that provided them with clues. We were all running around the World Showcase trying to find the clues. It is actually a great idea, and the kids all wanted to go back again.

While we are all waiting for the firework show to begin, the kids played in the water fountain.

The girls were able to make some masks in France. Annette and I also found a wonderful pastry shop in France. We bought a dessert and ate it by ourselves (I sure hope Donovan doesn't read this post!). It was the best pastry. Yummy!!

Jyllian showing off her mask.