May '15

Warning: May is a little long! I think it was our fullest month this year so far! I'm sure I'm missing so much more, too! Oh how rich life is here in the Higgins' Home!

 

Oh how I love Bible Study Fellowship! We ended another great year the first week of May. So long till September! I've been in BSF since Isaac was 10 months and this was my first time repeating a study. I think it's safe to say I learned more this year in "The Life of Moses" than I did the first time around! The top pictures is of all the leadership and the bottom picture is about half the ladies in my small group!

 

Parker finished out a great season with this cool trophy at a minor league game!

 

 

 

San Diego with the Elliotts!

Best educational Sea World trip EVER!

 

We pet sharks and met penguins...

... Beluga whales were the highlight though! 

We rubbed their gummy-bear like bodies...

... and even got to feed and do tricks with them!

We continued the excitement with Emma turning eight, swimming at the pool, and Joe's Crab Shack! James and Shaun each ate 4,100 calorie meals!!!

Then we ventured to LEGOLAND! And for the record, this fire family beat the Elliott's cop family when put to a challenge!

Mother and Me Tea at Parker's school!

Parker wears glasses for style... I'd say it's working for him! He's one cool dude!

 

Isaac and Blake doing what they do best... Being crazy! They are two peas in a pod.

 

Shaun worked Mother's Day so that left me with boys and selfies!

We spent the afternoon with Nana and Ammah celebrating Mama's Day!

 

I made the boys go with me to see Cinderella. Of course they would only go if we invited our neighbor, Tiffany. Guess it justified seeing a girl movie!

 

My four girlfriends and I had been planning a guys night out for our men! We sent them on a scavenger hunt to find each other (in the pouring rain) and then gave them clues to get to dinner. Once at dinner they had three more clues to get them to their main event. Which was Extreme Midget Wrestling. To answer your questions: Yes, there is a such thing and no we didn't pay for it. We were given free tickets! Let's just say it was the experience of a life time that only needs to be experienced one time!!! LOL

Once we kicked out our men we met up at Tori's house... With all 16 (and counting) of our kids!

 

Isaac and I went on a school field trip and got to pan for gold. It was hard work!

For Memorial weekend we headed to Vegas to see the Huffmans and celebrate Charlie's 5th birthday! I have tons more pictures, but Nichole let me help decorate and I think I'm going to reuse it all for Blake's 4th birthday! Guess you have to check back in August!

These six kiddos are the best of buds! And I love that their mama and I are too!

With only weeks of school left, I got an email from Isaac's teacher that told me I needed to be at the next school's assembly! My mom happened to be in town so she tagged along. To Isaac's complete surprise he got a math award! Woohoo, smart little man! So proud of you!

(bottom left picture: really we all know it's the moms that deserve the awards)! 

 

This helped to boost this little guys confidence!

While my parents were here we visited UCR's Botanical Garden's!

 

 

Now for June!

Hold on to your hats! It gets pretty crazy....

 

April '15

We took off to Arizona at the beginning of April for Spring Break. The boys played with cousins and friends and the girls had a baby shower for little Grace. Who is actually entering the world today at some point! I'm sure that'll be the next post!

Uncle Aaron sent Golden State Warrior shirts at Christmas so we finally got all the boys together to wear them. We spent time with Ryker and William, too!

 

On April 11th we lost Weezer.

He was 8 years old and probably had cancer. He's always been such a big, furry kitty that is afraid of EVERYTHING!!! So, when he came out and let the boys love on him we knew something was wrong. Isaac and I took it the hardest. Weezer was my first baby boy and Isaac is our animal lover. Our poor Cloi kitty is so lonely without him. She's become our dog... Always wanting a lap and coming when she's called! 

 

Gilman's Historical Museum and Ranch

When we got home we had a Native American field trip planned. It was amazing! The kids got to do so much. Here they are grinding seeds into flour.

They got to carve their own petroglyphs.

And even learned to hunt rabbits just the way they did hundreds of years ago. Weapons are always a hit with the boys!

 

We lost Papa Sr. on April 4th. We were still in Arizona but Shaun was able to do a turn around trip to see him in his last hours. While his body was weak and tired, his mind was still as sharp as ever.

We celebrated his life on April 25th with friends and family! Shaun was able to lead worship with his older brother and cousin. The slide show was a tear jerker and it was nice being able to love on Nana.

March '15

March desperately called for a beach trip. By putting school on hold we were able to recharge and smile again!

Mr. Blake loves having his picture taken! He sets up his own poses and then asks for the camera!

Isaac lost his 6th tooth!

Some friends of ours are moving so we got to watch their youngest (of five), Imogen, for the day. She was out of the way of boxes and chaos and we enjoyed some pink in our house! The trio has been asking for a little sister ever since! 

Isaac is officially too cool for us! Whatever, dude!

Parker had his first season of machine pitch and did amazing. He can whack that ball better than any five year old I know!

Go Phillies!

This kid is a true athlete and will succeed in any sport he chooses!

february '15

February

 

The shortest month of the year

 

So short I can hardly remember a single thing we did

 

Thankful for a phone that takes on the spot pictures so I can have proof I didn't spend the month in a coma

 

So, this month's post is dedicated to my faithful iphone!

 

 

We took the boys exploring and when we got just far enough out, it started to rain. They all still agreed it was, "the best hike EVER!"

Then (the day we moved in) and now!

I liked how my bathroom looked in the fiveish years we've been here, but, sadly, I can't find a picture of it! It was very Asian inspired from my trip to Malaysia so many years ago. However, I love the newest look. A lighter paint color and shower curtain, wainscoting, and new décor! Brighter and cheerier! Thanks Shaun and dad for the new look!

Shaun worked Valentines and I got to take all the boys to the dentist.

Parker is a rough and tough boy so when he was little, little he always had a fat lip. I never thought to check the teeth because I was overwhelmed by the hugeness of the lips. Well, his tooth kinda died and turned brown from all the hits. In January a nerve came alive and became very red and sensitive and needed to be dealt with. Laughing gas did the trick while the dentist preformed her magic. Hundreds of dollars later, Parker is pain free and his tooth has been filled in!  

Nichole and the kids came to town to visit. It happened to be Nichole's birthday so we threw her a "surprise" party! She was upstairs while we were downstairs being "very quiet." Six kids blowing up balloons and decorating... Not anywhere near quiet!

January '15

My type A personality won't let me start blogging again in the middle of the year without mentioning the beginning of the year. I left off in December and even though it's now June 1st (GOOD date), I have to document January through May.

 

I have to fill I the gaps so here's to hoping I can blog a month per night (or every other night) this week!

The boys first trip to Universal Studios was a success! Besides the fun rides and crazy characters, it was neat to be able to go behind the scenes and see how movies are made.  

 

And when we're not out of town, you can usually find us at a park or out front playing with the neighbors! These little monkeys are always swinging from one thing to the next! 

We adventured to Dumont Dunes for the first time! Don't tell Shaun but I liked it more than Glamis! Blake and Nevaeh are always a cute sight!

Shaun "drew" lots of hearts in the sand for me with the rail! He loves me!

Blake's only speed is fast! On a bike, quad, or rail! Just go FAST! All the cousins loved riding together!

Nothing but sand!

Rides with daddy can be a little messy. Poor Isaac suffered all the affects of a crazy turn! Thankful for goggles, complete head masks, and full ear coverage! 

The Laird cousins also stopped by for a few days on their way to Disneyland.

Tracey and I (and lots of others) celebrated Miss Candice's big 3-0! So glad I have such special friends!

Aaaaaand poor Mikey I (on the left with Parker and Leo) didn't' make it. We think he was blind because we had to hand feed him since the beginning. Thankfully we were able to swap him for Mikey II (on the right with Parker and Leo). The new Mikey is thriving. He's quite aggressive and will stand on top of the food to eat so Leo can't have any! Tortoises have silly little personalities! Who knew!?

 

I am loving my one-on-one time with this little man while his big brothers are in school! Here he is getting a free Chick-Fil-a breakfast just for being so cute! Or maybe they were having a promotion! ;) Blake is so sweet and is always trying to make us laugh! Can't imagine not having this big eyed, curly haired cutie!