I LOVE this time of year!

This is definitely my favorite time of year. I love the cold, and that everyone wears jackets and flip-flops. I love baking with my kids...taking treats to neighbors and just the excitement my kids get when they bake and take all the goodies around! This year in the month of December we have read a couple of books. The first one was 'A Christmas Bell for Anya' by Chris and Evie Stewart. Such a sweet story of how to remember the Savior this time of year..

We started reading 'The Christmas Jars'...we are in the middle of that one right now. But, our all time favorite this year is......'A Christmas Dress for Ellen'! Retold by our Prophet...Thomas S. Monson
What a great story of hope, faith, love and service! We cried! It was so sweet! We loved, loved, loved it!
Its such a great time of year, just the feeling of love and happiness and appreciation. An exert from this book tells it all......

"If there is one common denominator, perhaps it is this: Christmas is love. Christmas is the time when the bonds of family love transcend distance and inconvenience. It is a time when love of neighbor rises above petty day-to-day irritations, and doors swing open to give and receive expressions of appreciation and affection. If to our Christmas gift list is added the gift of service-not only to friends and family, but also to those who badly need help-then our giving can be complete. "

Merry Christmas to all.....

Happy Birthday Ryan!

(Special guest blogger...sister)

It has been too long since my sister has posted a blog. And to be honest, I don't even know what to discuss! I will say this, however. Last week was Ryan's birthday! He is beautiful and everyone's favorite for sure. He absolutely adores his mama and does not like to share her with anyone! Since he turned one, we have had dinner at Mango's and then gone to see the temple lights. This year was no different (except his birthday was on Sunday so there was no Mango's). We had dinner and opened his presents. When I (Jaime) got to the house, he was all about the bike his parents had bought him. He was so excited about it. And then he opened MY gift. A Wall-E that transforms into a cube! I didn't think he would love it so much but he most definitely did. He took it with us to see the lights and he even managed to transform it silently while we were in the room with the Christus statue. At one point in that room he looked up at me and asked, "Jaime, why isn't Jesus speaking"? It was hard not to laugh. He is awesome! Unfortunately, my gift was trumped by Joshy suzuki's gift a few days later! Something called Bakugans...I'll never forgive him for trumping me. (Just kidding) My sister and her family look forward to this Friday when their niece Brittany is sealed for time and all eternity to Scott. I will make sure she updates a lot sooner in the future! I know I missed a lot of events! Hope everyone has a safe holiday!

Catch-up Post

Wow! It has been too long since I have posted. It looks like Robert likes posting....hehe. Life is crazy isn't it? But, the craziness is so good! It seems like since school started, our life has gone full speed ahead...but in a good way.

We have had Halloween
The next day (Nov 1st) the kids were swimming....
That same day, I put up the tree...well, I put it up and my good friend Susan who owns Poppy's Home Decor decorated it! Thanks Susan! (I had to put it up, we are going to be so busy)
The following Saturday we split up. Brandon and I went with the youth to Phoenix to paint a man's home who has been down on his luck, sorta speak...and has health problems. We had about 45 youth, it was amazing.
Robert took Cameron, Michael and Ryan to the Temple where all the primary children in the stake met. All the primary children had donated money for new trees at the Temple with their own money. They were able to go to the Temple and take part in digging the hole and planting the tree. Robert and the boys said it was an awesome day at the Temple. I love that the boys LOVE to go to the Temple. I know they will have that desire forever.
There is so much more...there will have to be a Part II! There is a lot going on but its great that our family is engaged in all GOOD THINGS! I love it! Its a great time of year to be engaged in good things!

GO UTES!

Special guest blogger: Rob

So we were at Dodger Stadium a couple of weeks ago. This complete stranger comes up to Kelee and me all freaked out telling us he thinks Ryan looks exactly like the kid in the movie The Shining. I've seen that movie many times, but I never made the connection between Danny and Ryan. Take a look at the picture. What do you think? There are definitely some similarities, although I think it may just be the long hair. Ryno is clearly more adorable, but appears to lack any psychic abilities -- at least so far.

I've taught Ryan to do the "Danny isn't here Mrs. Torrance" thing with his finger, which I find hilarious and entertaining.

Bummer that the Dodgers lost to the Phillies and got knocked out of the post season.

Gotta Love Disneyland!

For fall break we decided to head to California. The kids love going to Disneyland, what kid doesn't? We usually come over at Christmas time, but we have a busy December this year. We are glad we did. Yesterday, we got off the Big Thunder Mtn train ride to find 2 Disneyland employees handing out 'Dream Passes', which are badges that hang around your neck that give you fast pass privileges for the day. It was pretty nice at times to have that. These guys love Indiana Jones...they can't get enough of it!
Ryan was also picked to participate in the 'Jedi Training Academy'! I thought he was going to cry when Darth Vader came out and stood right next to him! He did great though! It was so fun to watch him! So, we had a pretty fun day!Today, we are taking a break from Disneyland. Robert is flying in today and we are headed to LA for a Dodgers Playoff Game. All the boys absolutely love going to a game at Dodger Stadium. Part of us hopes they do not lose and most of us doesn't care....we are just excited to go! GO DODGERS!

Not Just Another Day......

My sister Jaime is 9 years younger than me. She is so funny, because she always wants a big birthday bash when its her birthday. Who can blame her, right? My response to her every year is..."Sister, the older you get, its just another day." Well, this year I was wrong. I turned the big 3-9 last week. I was not too excited about it. I knew I was going to have a really busy day of piano lessons and pack meetings, etc. But, the night before the YW in our ward along with the YW leaders I serve with heart attacked/streamered our house! (pics below courtesy of Mendy who told me they were blog worthy) On my actual birthday I was inundated with phone calls and text messages from friends and family and friends I haven't gotten the chance to catch up with for a long while. It was really fun! Then again, who can forget you when your birthday falls on a day where there was the worst terrorist attack in history of this country. Right? Our YW Presidency had a fabulous lunch together. Katy, Mendy, Caryn and I have served together now about a year and a half. We have become the best of friends and I am grateful for our friendship.
Robert and the boys also made this day special with small acts of kindness throughout the day and evening and flowers and gifts. The boys really get excited about our birthdays too! I am so grateful for them, they always make me feel special. Since then I think I have been to lunch about everyday and probably gained 3 pounds with all the treats given. So, yeah, this year, it was definitely not just another day...It was a fun day! Thanks to all who made this one so special!

I finally finished it!!

Well, I bought this book on the day it came out. It seems like I never have time to read, but I finally just finished it over the holiday weekend up at the cabin. I have to say I did not really like Jacob too much before, and I kinda like him now. At times, I would think.....yeah, right. But, I liked how in the book that it was clear that the family is most important. I loved that part of the book. It was good. I really liked it.

Happy Birthday Cameron!

Wow! It has been awhile since I have blogged. We went the cabin, Robert took the boys camping and then school started! From there, it feels like a blur. Saturday was Cameron's 9th birthday! He is such a sweetheart. He has always been a cuddler, a layed back kid, just pretty mellow. He loves to cook and loves to draw and he LOVES LEGOS! My favorite thing about Cameron is that he is our "Love you...." every time we part kid.
He is our only boy who talks about his birthday everyday for 3 months before it actually is his birthday. He plans it all out...what kind of party he's going to have, who he is going to invite, what we are going to have for his birthday dinner and the list goes on.

Here is a picture of Cameron at 6am on his birthday building his new LEGO set he got. You have to understand, Cameron is our night owl and loves to sleep in. The morning of his birthday, Robert found him downstairs at 4am holding his wrapped present on his lap waiting anxiously to open it. Robert told him to wait until I woke up, but after watching him hold that present for 2 hours, Robert told him just to go ahead and open it.


These are a couple of pics from his birthday party. He has such sweet boys as friends. I am glad he has chosen these boys to hang out with. Hope you had a great birthday Cam! We love ya lots!!!

Congrats to Brittany!

Our neice Brittany just got engaged! We are so excited about her upcoming wedding! Our little Brittany is engaged to Scott Olsen. Someone we have never met...but know he must be incredible for Brittany to want to marry him! Brittany is such a special girl.. I think everyone in the Moon family has her up on the highest pedestal! She is beautiful, talented and intelligent...soooo sweet and strong in the gospel. She is the total package for any deserving young man.

The night I came home from Girls Camp, Brittany and her funnest ever siblings, along with my incredible Sister-In-Law Debbie flew in town from San Diego. We spent the next couple of days talking about the wedding and we also went Wedding Dress Shopping! It was so fun! I love how my sweet sister-in-law includes me in the wedding planning and shopping.....she knows I have to live this dream through my nieces!

Brooke, Debbie, Brittany and Bailey excited to go in!

This is the wedding dress Brittany bought and flew home with! So beautiful!
So much fun...thanks girls!!

Girls Camp!

Girls Camp this year was a blast! That's because we have such AWESOME girls and leaders that make it so much fun! Here is our Camp Director getting serious about the water fight when the 4th years come into camp.
Here's all our girls (except the 4th years) on hike day. That was the best!
These are all the leaders that went this year. They are incredibly fun! We stayed up til the wee hours of the morning (sometimes later than our girls) laughing histerically. I don't remember the last time I laughed so hard! It was such a great time our girls are so great and so much fun!

Meet Indiana!

Ryan, is totally obsessed with Indiana Jones! He watches the movies every chance I give him and is constantly cracking the whip and singing the theme song. He's got the hat (an old one Robert used in the last Pioneer Trek), the sound effects whip and some kind of satchel (made up from a nerf gun bullet holder). And when he's got the hat on, he is "Indy". Before the sound effects whip he used one of Michael's belts. Now the belt is strapped around the bottom of the stairs and he stands on the 2nd step and swings down around to the bottom! He is so darn cute! We love this kid like crazy!!

Too much fun!!

Good Times at the Beach!

We come to the beach just about every summer with my entire family. It is so much fun and relaxing. We stay at this incredible house right on the beach. It is really nice to look out at the ocean and hear it every moment of the day. I love the beach because there are really no boundaries for the kids. They just run around on the beach, digging for sand crabs or building sand castles, jumping waves and boogie boarding. I just relax and enjoy watching them have so much fun!

Robert's sister and her family that live in California always come and join us at the beach! They are so much fun to be around. We love spending time with all of our family. Here the kids have been doing some serious sand crab hunting and are checking out the millions of crabs they have collected.

Michael and my neice Taylor

Here Brandon has come in from a serious day of boogie boarding. This year was the first year he brought a friend with him to the beach. It has been great having 'Big Mike' with us. It has changed Brandon's world having a buddy his age to hang with.

Cameron and Michael with my niece Bailey
This is my favorite thing to watch.

Ryan and my neice Brinley, they are too cute!

Happy Father's Day!

I love Mother's Day and Father's Day. Our boys really get into it the week leading up to the actual day. They talk about it a lot....what their gonna do for us, what they're gonna cook for us or make us. Then, when the actual day comes, they really are helpful in the morning and want to serve us....after that forget it! They are cute, they love cooking breakfast for Dad and love giving homemade gifts. Cameron has been taking an art and cooking class this summer and made Dad a coaster and pencil holder out of clay. Michael gave Robert a painting, something from his art class too.



Robert is the best Dad! The boys love doing anything with him. They have attended sooooo many baseball games I can't even count! They once attended an entire series at Dodger stadium when we were in California on vacation. They love, love, love going there with their Dad! They will do anything with him. Whether its swimming, or playing baseball or washing his car with him, or even fixing something, they love being with their Dad!

We Survivied!

Today, Brandon returned home from Scout Camp! We were all very excited to see him! It actually wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Oh, we missed him alright, but I knew he was in good hands and I knew he was having fun! It was a huge step for me. I'm a bit of a freak when it comes to my kids. My father-in-law calls me a 'helicopter mom', hovering over my babies. Robert had gone up on Friday afternoon to hang out there with him. They had such a great time. All the boys in our ward/troop are so great. There were 13 of them. Robert was amazed how well the boys all got along with each other. We are so grateful to all the leaders who spent their time up there with the boys. Thanks to Bro Crockett, Cluff, and Oswald along with some awesome Dads too!

When Brandon came home Cameron and Michael had made him a Welcome Home sign out front. They bought him some presents at the dollar store too. They really wanted to celebrate! Ryan was the most excited! They have such a special bond. Today we overheard Ryan ask Brandon who his best friend was...Brandon said you are. My heart melted.....

One Day At a Time!

Well, we have made it 2 days without Brandon. Ryan keeps telling me that it is time to pick him up from Scout Camp. I have been fine so far. I think on Thursday I will be kinda freaking out. I am sure by the time Cameron and Michael go to Scout Camp, I will be excited for them to go! (Especially in 4 years when Cameron and Michael will both be going at the same time!)

Check out Ryan konked after a big swimming day! I am lovin' summer more and more!!

Scout Camp!

So, this morning I dropped Brandon off at 3:45am to leave for Scout Camp! He will be gone until Saturday night. This will be the longest time Brandon has ever been away from our family. He is very excited but the rest of us are thinking--how are we going to function without Brandon?! Brandon is Ryan's best friend. Brandon is so sweet with him and will do anything for him, whereas Cameron and Michael won't fall for it. Michael shocked us as he started bawling after family prayer last night. He and Brandon don't really get along all that great. I think Brandon will have a great time at Scout Camp and it will be good for the rest of our family. Except Ryan and I of course!
Here he is with some of the other boys in the Crockett's garage (which is so organized!)...

Summer Time!

This is our first summer with a pool! We have swam just about everyday. The kids love it! I am enjoying it because it is something I do with my kids for a couple of hours. Its not a quick trip to the library, its not sitting in a movie theatre for a couple of hours....its good outdoor fun with my kids. Monday night it was still nice enought to eat outside, so we did and then we swam for fhe. We played Marco Polo for over 2 hours- I kid you not! Who does that? We did and it was so much fun! Now, I'm not sure how I will feel at the end of the summer, but right now we are really enjoying it.

Not the Best Blogger

So, I'm not exactly the best blogger....it's been a few days since my blogging debut. I do want to record my Sunday experience. Sunday at church, it was fast Sunday and us Moons were fasting for my Mom a.k.a 'Momo' and Travis Williams our good friend who has the tumor on his brain stem. Well, the youth had just gotten back from the Pioneer Trek and a lot of the older youth bore their testimonies. Once again, I was so amazed by their spiritual strength! These youth are so remarkable! I bawled all day. Of course you all know what a baby I am. Then, after Sacrament meeting, the Bishop had the entire Ward Family come into the Chapel and kneel in a Family Prayer. There, he offered a pleading prayer for Travis. I have never felt like that at church before in my entire life. It was amazing.

Today, Travis got good news! They can magically operate on his "inoperable" tumor!

New Blogger!

I can't believe I am blogging! I am excited! I have wanted to do this for such a long time, just so I can have record of what our family does. It will also help us to take more photos of the boys. I have been really into the blog just this past week as our good friends Andrea and Travis are going through a difficult time- Travis has been diagnosed with a brain stem tumor. We read their blog and are so amazed at their strength and faith.

So, here goes my blogging debut! Wish me luck. I'll probably post again tomorrow, its late today and I want to record this incredible Sunday experience.