Texas Style

We took an awesome vacation to Texas to visit Traces brother and family this summer.

We had such a fun time and my kids have decided they want to move to Texas, I guess I should say everyone, but Alexa. The boys thought the boat and the lake were great and when you can drive a four wheeler all alone, then its even better. We ate real Texas barbeque,( seriously sooo good) stayed up way to late, went to the famous water park "Slidderbon", and what would Texas be without a trip to the Alamo ( it took about 25 minutes to tour). We had lunch with Traces long time friend that he had not seen since he was twelve and since Trace used to live there we got a tour of his old stomping grounds. A HUGE thank you to Garrick and Nicci who took care of us for the week. Seriously, they were so kind always making sure we were having a good time.

I will say this, as my kids get older they are not around as much anymore, always at friends houses, babysitting, school, and sporting events. This vacation was GREAT no one could say I don't want to go and do that because its "Family Vacation" and you do it. As my kids get older I must admit I miss them and I suppose this is only the beginning of this, but I see the great importance of going on a family vacation and everyone being together weather you like it or not, but I must say my kids still think that Trace and I are "ok" to hang out with and I am truly grateful for that!

USS MIDWAY

We took a road trip to San Diego to visit the retired air craft carrier USS Midway. It was incredible! We got to tour the entire ship and our kids loved it. We saw where the men and women of the navy slept, ate, and worked. Our kids quickly discovered that you don't want to be the lowest man on the totem pole in the Navy. You get the worst sleeping quarters, with about 5 bunks in one room( really you can't even call it a room) and you get a small locker. It was truly humbling, even our kids could not believe the living conditions of most of the men. It was a great reminder to all of us the great sacrifice that is made by those serving our country. All I can say is the Power Family was reminded of the sacrifice that is made by so many who serve our country and we are truly grateful!!!

4th of July

We had a great 4th of July. We spent the morning at Grams and Grandads house swimming with cousins and laying by the pool. Then we headed to the beach with our friends and had a BBQ and watched the fireworks.

It's Summer

Yeah for summer!!!

School is out and I must say this is my favorite time of year, especially living in San Clemente. No more homework, making lunches, and running around like a crazy person in the morning getting kids out the door to school.  Alexa was a girls camp the first week and she had a blast. The boys and I spent time playing at the park, swimming and having a lemonade stand.  We have only been out a week, but I must say I love having my kids at home... That is the great thing about summer, I love having them home, but come September I can't wait for  them to go back. 

My Boys

Dane, Nathan, and Zeke at the fathers and sons camp out.

Chance in the big hole he dug with his friends at the camp out.

Chance came in 2nd place at the pine wood derby. Trace worked on his car so hard, chance helped sand, and his car was very fast.

I Love New York

I went to NY for the first time with three awesome friends. We had such a great time, that we are planning a trip to Chicago next year. We ate, walked, saw all the sights, stayed up until 4 in the morning, shopped, and laughed. My wonderful husband stayed home and watched the kids so I could go and to top it all off he gave no spending limits. I ate some of the best food I have ever eaten in my life, seriously I have dreams about it. We also got to go on the floor of the NY Stock Exchange ( this is very hard to do since 9/11) for the opening bell. We were only gone for four days, but it was one of the best trips ever. Big kiss to my husband who watched and took care of the kids all by himself while I was gone!!!



Bubbys in Brooklyn. We were told by the locals, it was
one of the best breakfasts around and they were right.

We met the crew of the Sourcer Stone filming in NY.

On the floor of the NYSE at opening bell.

Easter

The kids before church on Easter Sunday.

Beautiful Blakey

Best of friends!

Dane learns to tie his shoes!!!

So I am working on scouting with Chance, when Dane says "Mom I want to learn to tie my shoe."
"ok" He sat down and within 20 minutes knew how. He was so excited he asked me to put it on our blog. Dane is six, but with 3 other kids I guess we forgot to show him how.. Congrats Dane!!!

Alexa's 12th Birthday

Alexa blowing out her candles.

Alexa with her friends at her party

On our way to the temple.

Alexa's friends decorate her room.

Grams takes Alexa shopping for her B-day!

Alexa turned 12 on April 16. Her friends surprised her and heart attacked her room and decorated her locker at school. In the afternoon we took her to the temple to do Baptisms. It was really awesome.

I can not believe she is twelve. It seems like yesterday we brought her home from the hospital to our one bedroom apt. Trace was in grad school and we had very little money, but we were so happy. That little girl brought a whole new outlook on life to her parents. She still brings us so much joy. Alexa is a great soccer player, an excellent student, and people just love to be around her. I always wanted a daughter ( maybe because I am so close to my sisters) and she is just a pleasure to be around. Happy Birthday Alexa!!! I love you!!!

And there goes March.......

Blakes first playdate with her friend Lila. They mostly just looked at each other and Blake was blown away that Lila could crawl.

Alexa and her friend created a website for a contest called "History Day". They won the first round and went to the district to be interviewed to see if they qualified to go to Sacramento to represent our state. They did not move on, but I am so proud of her!` After the day of interviewing we got to go and look at all the projects.. I was so impressed with these girls.. They did this all by themselves and the 7th grade teachers were asking them if they could teach a class on creating websites..

Alexa and her friend Vanessa, dressed up crazy for "crazy dress up day".

Chance and principal Mr. Young. Chance won an award at school for always being on task.

Chance, Dane, and Nathans clubhouse. The boys spent most of the time in March building Clubhouses in the back yard..

They are quite proud of the american flag displayed on their clubhouse.. Way to be patriotic boys!

I Am Getting Old

Alexa was calling a friend the other day. She said "mom something is wrong with the phone."
I told her to hang up and try again. Once again she said "the phone is making a funny noise." I took the phone from her and realized she was getting a busy tone. I said " Alexa the phone is just busy." She said " whats busy." I started to laugh and realized my daugter had no idea what it meant when a phone was busy and she was only use to a world filled with call waiting. Oh I am getting old....

Sammy I love ya!

This was so cute that I had to put it on my blog. When my sister came and stayed with me, her daughter Sam was such a help with Blake. When we were getting out of the car one day, she had been so helpful I said"Sam why don't you come live with Aunt Leslie you are so helpful." She replied " Aunt Leslie I clean too." I seriously laughed so hard. A few days later I was cooking in the kitchen she came in and said " I cook too." Sam I'll adopt you any time!

It's Already March!

This month has been crazy. Both the boys started baseball, Chance had blue and gold dinner, Alexa had New Begginings( which I was in charge of), my sister came and stayed a week, and Dane had a performance at school. I am sure I am missing the other hundreds of things we did.
All I can say is Trace and I are so busy. Busy making sure we give our kids opportunities, busy making sure our kids make good choices, busy driving kids to activities, busy making sure they pull the weeds (cause every kid has to pull weeds), busy making sure they get homework done, busy teaching our children about the gospel, busy making sure they know we love them! This all leads to parents who are exhausted but would not have it any other way!

Alexa and Blake at new beginnings.

We are so luck to have Grams and Grandad close by. They get to share in all of our kids wonderful accomplishments. We love them!

Alexa was introduced at new beginnings for young women. I can not believe she is twelve. Time goes by so fast.

Ashlee and her family came to visit for the week and we all went to Disneyland. I loved having my sister stay with me. Sisters are awesome and I love mine both so much!

Chance's Blue and Gold dinner for cub scouts. We made a flag cake or should I say Alexa, Dane and I made a flag cake. Where was Chance? Playing baseball with his dad.

Dane at his Presidents Celebration at school. He was George Washington. Dane hates to sing, so most of the time was spent just smiling on stage.

Chance

Chance can either be the source of great frustration or sometimes my greatest joy. On Sunday he bore his testimony(he does this every fast Suday, as soon as he starts to go up there you can see Alexa burry herself in the seat) he said he knows of alot of churches, but he knows The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is true cause he can feel it. I must say I was very proud of him. Tonight he was working on a family tree project for school. He was filling out about my parents and where they were born. He came to Grams and Grandad Power and wanted to know where there birth place was. I was not sure so I told him we could call them. He then proceeded to tell me that he knew where Grandad's birth place was, it was a barn. I said Chance they mean the state he was born in. He then proceeded to argue with me, mom Grandad was born in a barn! So we called and talked to grandad and he assured Chance, he was born in a hospital in Colorado, but he did live in a barn for awhile.

New Built In

The reason I put this on our blog is because after it was done, Trace was at work and wanted to see it. I am so technology challenged that I did not know how to put it in an email, but I now know how to blog it!

Our Cute Baby Blake

Blake started rolling over last week. I was so excited but then quickly remembered that crawling and walking will come next, now I am just scared. We all love her so much, but I must admitt I feel like I have taken seven big steps backwards. Dane is 6, so at one point I was sleeping through the night, had all kids in school, and had some free time for myself. Now when Blake is asleep I am trying to get laundry done, figure out what I am going to cook for dinner, and a million other things before everyone gets home from school. Then comes the endless homeworkand running my kids to scouts, basketball, achevievment days, soccer, and baseball. I must say we have eaten more fast food this year than ever before. After all of that I look at this little face and can't image our family without her. She brings joy to our family that is indescribable. She is almost 5 months and my kids still can't get enought of her. Blakey we love you!

Our Week In Review

Alexa with her soccer team. She really loves playing

and has developed into a great player. I enjoy watching Alexa and it is fun to see her find something she loves to do so much.

Chance is playing basketball this month and he loves it. Dane loves to put on Chances old uniform and wear it to his games.

Monday there was not school, so Alexa invited some friends over and had a little party. Alexa is at such a fun age. It is fun to be around her and her friends. She entered middle school this year and it is great to see her turning into such a great young women. The other day we walked into a restaurnt where there were quited a few boys from her school, it was funny to see for the first time how akward this was for all of them. I realized she is now entering a world where boys are in the mix! I am so scared......