CC2 Christmas party

This year we decided to go to CC2's ward Christmas party and I'm glad I did. I don't get to see many of my friends from this ward plus my in laws go here. My father in law played Christmas music at the party and my mother in law was helping with the food. My kids ran around like crazy and baby Jake turned Santa's chimney into a fort, that was oh so fun to keep getting him out of. The entertainment was really fun and the food was great. Jake wasn't able to be there due to work so I was on my own again. Trying to take kids to fun things is defiantly an adventure, we never know how it's going to go.

Temple lights

Every year I say I'm going to take the kids to the temple to see the lights and something ALWAYS come up. Jake was suppose to go for mutual but had to work so I went with the the Evans family. The kids ran every where and there is so much to climb on. The temple looked really pretty and the kids had fun hanging out with each other. the visitor center was AMAZING, it was all remodeled and tons of hands on things were available for the kids. I was able to check out the beautiful nativity sets that were on display. Trips without Jake are always hectic but I had my backup support (the Evans) to help me, so grateful that they are in our lives. We all left with 5 out of 8 kids crying, we had tears from Talia not getting he hot coco back, Kenna missed out on the donuts, Jessica missed out on the donuts. Hunter joined in for fun and of course, Kaelyn ran into a poll. Laurel was behind me saying "Good times Fran," even though it was a lot going on she is right about memories we have made as a family that we are able to laugh at later. Oh and Jake bought a gun and I'm going to probably shoot him with it!

Finally

After all these years, my hard working husband has finally bought the truck he has always wanted. I have to say that these are photos taken when he just got home from a 24 hour shift, he is tired as can be but I made him drive it around the block and take a few photos. My favorite part about these photos is baby Jake licking the window and breaking it in. hahahaha Jake has now looking into trailers to go with the bad boy truck, hahahaha husband of mine, oh husband of mine!

Fran's photography....Nailed it!

Yup, I'm okay with never being a photograph. I took the kids to take some pictures and lets just say between Kaelyn looking everywhere but the camera and baby Jake being the worst client ever these photos have got me laughing. Seriously, this is my life, not perfect not in order and constantly changing. I wouldn't have it any other way! I don't think anyones life is perfect but at times we have to take a step back and enjoy what we have and not be jealous of others. Baby Jake, one day you will sit still and be the perfect doll....ha, yeah right! Crazy boy.

Let the holiday festivities begin

Uncle Brandon and Aunt Christa sent the kids some gifts the other day, the kids were so excited. Jessica got her snow globe and ran around to show everyone and especially tell them they can't touch it. Jake has been working alot so I had to go in the rafters and get the Christmas stuff down with my little helpers, kind of a hard task when they don't know how to climb down by themselves. And of course our elf Fred came and his presence was very much needed.

Going home :(

I'm not going to lie, I didn't want to come home and neither did the kids. In the morning we had brunch with the family and then headed to the airport. It was hard, when my cousin Franca hugged me I started to cry, then when my cousin Lorenzo came to the hotel his hug was hard as well. I think to him we are the closest thing to his father and it's hard. I met a lot of great people and was part of a wonderful event. I was able to make great memories with so many and show my kids so much.
When we were on the run way and started for take off I balled, even writing this is hard, I miss Chicago and the people there. I didn't want to come home! My father always talks about family but I don't feel that in California I have much of it lately. My definition of family is different from others.
Oh well, I do have to say that the plane ride was perfect, the kids were great. Baby Jake slept, the girls colored or listened to music. I played the list of todo's when I get home in my head. Jake and I were snickering at each other because my mom and dad sat in-front of us and due to the kids being so great, it made us proud parents.
When we arrived Joe was there to pick us up, he is always great to see and when we got home our house was TP'ed and decorated with lights. It was a nice welcome home for sure.

Wedding part 7

Ater the wedding the bridal party hoped on the party bus back to the hotel for a few more pictures and then off to the reception. The reception was help at Poretta's and was an amazing place, they did such a great job. The DJ, decor, food, and people were just perfect. Baby Jake enjoyed every bite that came his way, my cousin made sure that they had kid food aka Chicken nuggets for the kids so they wouldn't be picky. Before everyone came in the hall the bridal party got to go at the appetizers and oh man were they good, 6 large tables good. I was impressed with how well the kids sat threw dinner and not being crazy with Jake. I had to sit at the head tables with the bridal party and was not much help to him.
When it was time to have all the people invited come in the wedding coordinator said the line was out the door, 420 people showed up out of 500 invitations sent. The toasts were very touching, the grooms speech made me cry, he hit everything on the nail about my aunt being the mother and father to her children and what a great job she did. The video that was shown was hilarious, some pictures of me as a kid with her should of never been seen but I let that pass, I was a Talia look alike in them.Everyone seemed to have a great time, my aunt got out on the dance floor and shook it like a salt shaker, my cousins did the Jersey fist pump and Talia and I did princess turns, it all it was great.
One of my favorite things from the wedding was how nice my Chicago family was to my kids, they kept going up to the kids and teasing them and hugging them, I tried several times not to cry. I left the party around 1am and most of the people were still there and going strong,