Vegas Baby!

Our first full on trip... well a quick trip. We're on our way to San Diego to go through the temple with my sister Andrea and her hubby Todd. On Saturday they'll be sealed for time and all eternity!

We decided to break up the trip with a night in Vegas, about the half way point. We found an awesome deal at the Excalibur and so here we are! As we pulled up all of my Mota munchkins were oooing and awing at the lit up castle. Upon entering our room they were overcome with such excitement that they ran straight to the beds and started jumping... you see my kiddos know the only time they're allowed to jump on a bed is in a hotel.

They love the view of the castle spires from our window and just can't get enough.

My munchkins saw the tram/train as we were pulling up so I told them we'd ride it - and we did. To be a child again and find such pleasure in the little things.

We walked around for a little while and then headed to In-N-Out Burger - grandpa's absolute fav place of all time. The one in Orem doesn't really compare to those in Cali and Vegas. I have no idea why.

My little ones did amazingly well for having sat in a car for 6 hours and I'm so very grateful we decided to stop. 6 more hours tomorrow... 6 looong hours tomorrow, but so worth it to be there for my little sis "Master Andrea" and her hubby "King Todd"

I Didn't Do It Mommy!

My poor Shaylee bug tried closing our bedroom door this morning. To her great surprise it fell over. She just stood there, in the doorway, as look of fear engulfed her sweet face and I reached for the camera on the bedside table. Her little bottom lip popped out, then tears formed and flooded her cheeks. I held my arms out and she ran to me. I held her close, rocking her, as she cried the words, "Mommy I didn't do it. Mommy I didn't do it." in between sobs.

I wiped her tears and lifted her head to look into her blue terror filled eyes. I assured her she didn't do it and mommy wasn't mad at all. She hugged me tight and whispered, "thanks you mommy".

A moment passed and she asked who did do it. Parker and Hunter had been rough housing a few days prior and pulled the hinges from the door. Grandpa hadn't fixed it because he is wanting them to help.

Shaylee had an instant smile. "Sos mines Hunter and Parter did it?" she asked. I reassured her they did. Then she looked me straight in the eye and asked, "Did you tells them no, no don't doos that?"

There isn't a single job out there that's as hard, heartbreaking, or stressful as parenthood. But I wouldn't give it up for the world. Nothing is as enjoyable, self-fulfilling, full of love and humorous as the job of a mommy!

It's Great To Be Eight!

Hunter was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today! He's been looking forward to it all year and it was almost unbearable for him when he found out we delayed it a month due to being with his dad on his birthday.

Towards the end of December I took my Hunter baby out to pick a new tie and of course he had to have one in his fav color... pink! I love that my little man isn't afraid to be who he is and tell the entire world.

My sister, Andrea, took his eight year pictures (I borrowed the one above before it could be edited...shhhh) and put together his invite for me. It was hard giving in not making them by hand this time, but I think they turned out amazing. The only job I had in it all was to deliver them.

Hunter, his grandpa and I met at the church early so any last minute things could be taken care of, they could change into white clothing and I could get a picture or two of them together on my little man's special day.

We all met in the chapel for a wonderful program in which my sister Andrea (right), her friend Tamran(left) and Tamran's friend (not shown) sang "Be Still, My Soul". I had no idea my sis could sing like she did. After the program Hunter and all of the people who came to support him gathered in the baptismal font room. The little ones sat up front right next to the font so they could see. Hunter had asked my Uncle Randy and Grandpa Tom to be his witnesses so one stood on either side. Hunter's foot popped up on the first try so my dad lightly stepped on his feet and tried again... the second time was a successful immersion!

Hunter and my dad left the font to change. The rest of our group gathered in another room and sang primary songs while waiting. I passed around a journal for all to sign so my son could remember his special day and those he shared it with. Hunter came walking in the room with a ginormous smile and sat down right by me. I put my arm around him and squeezed him tight telling him I was so proud of his choice.

Bishop Paulos gave a few remarks. Then Hunter went up to the front, sat on a chair, and the priesthood holders who were there circled around him placing their hands upon his head. My dad gave him his confirmation blessing giving him the gift of the holy ghost and making him an official member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Afterwards we all gathered in our "new" home for a light brunch. My sister and I had made 192 mini muffins, 30 cinnamon rolls, and 4 egg and hash brown casseroles (recipe courtesy of my friend Jamie). we also had fruit, chocolate milk, milk and juice. The kids seemed to love the little muffins. Hunter completely filled a plate and ate them all. Tanner filled his plate telling all he was having a muffin party! He sat next to the bar on the floor to eat them with his bestest friend.

All in all it was a wonderful day spent with my kiddos, family and friends. And I am one mommy who couldn't be prouder of the choices her kiddos are making.

Shaylee's Rapunzel Party

I believe a party begins with the excitement of receiving an invite. So... I scoured the internet for ideas, pieced together the ones I liked, added a touch of my own creativity and came up with an invitation fit for my little princess.

Shaylee's been all about Rapunzel this year. Always combing her beautiful blond curls, telling me how prettyful her hair is... just like Punzel. So when I asked what kind of party she wanted she didn't think, but for a second.

As always I made a cake... this time my sister, Andrea helped. She wanted to try out a new technique she'd seen - ruffling. She also added extensions to the dolls hair. It looked awesome. I finished up the rest.
The entire party was done in the kitchen. I brought in a TV and played Disney's Tangled. No one really watched it... until after the party was over.

Upon arrival each guest was seated at the table and were given pieces of sticky backed foam I'd pre-cut and a red party blower to make a Pascal. I found the instructions on Disney Family.com. I love that site.
Then I pulled out the markers and gave each one of Shaylee's friends a paper lantern. I found them at Zurcher's. They don't fly, but the kids had a lot of fun coloring them.A children's party just isn't a party without pin the...... on the..... So of course we just had to play Pin the Nose On Flynn Rider. My sister, Andrea, drew the wanted poster with a sharpie! She's amazing isn't she?!? Then Googled the different Flynn wanted poster noses and made each one.
{before the game - left...after the game-right}Once all of the noses were pinned the kiddos sat down to decorate sugar cookies in the shape of the sun with yellow butter cream frosting and sprinkles. I was surprised they actually put frosting on their cookies... I thought for sure the frosting would go straight into their mouths.
As Shaylee bug blew out the candle on her pascal cupcake she had the biggest smile on her face. And it grew as she was given gifts to open. Most of the kids only ate the frosting off their cupcakes, but ate all of their ice-cream.
When Shaylee's adorable little guests left they were each handed a thank you bag that included a watercolor paints, a pencil, note pad, stickers, pencil sharpener and ring.
After the party my little bug wanted to do it again. I assured her we would, but not until she turned 4! The only thing in this life worth anything is my family and my kiddos are number one... when they smile and laugh all is right in the world.

Tan Tan's Cake & Ice Cream With The Fam

Birthday's are a big deal in the Mota home, in case you haven't noticed. I usually do a family party on my kiddos birthdays, but we had to do Tanner's party on Sunday evening instead because he was with his dad over the weekend. I continued the Lego Star Wars theme from his friend party into this party as well.

My sister, Julie, decorated with balloons and Star Wars crepe paper. I made a Lego cake and set Lego Star Wars toys on it. I usually steer away from the toys so the entire cake is edible, but this cake called for them.

Grandma Susie made her famous fried chicken, potato wedges and chicken nuggets for dinner just for Tan Tan...and he actually ate!

Tanner got to hear our family sing our signature off key Happy Birthday song to him and he was all smiles waiting to blow out the candles. He was completely thrilled with his gifts, as you can see from the pictures. By the end of the night he was glowing with happiness...I'd do just about anything to see smiles like those on my kiddos face each and every day.

Tan Tan's Lego Star Wars Party

We celebrated Tanner's 5th birthday a little early this year due to the fact he was leaving early with his dad on Friday and wouldn't be back until Sunday morning.

Tanner wanted a Star Wars party and it had to be "Lego" Star Wars. I didn't have much prep time for this one, nor do I know much about Star Wars...this party took a lot of googling.

I made light saber invites to go along with the theme and we held it at the park. Tons of kids came...more than I'd planned for...but as the saying goes the more the merrier right? I pre-made light sabers from pool noodles and duct tape...the guests were in charge of decorating them with black electrical tape. When they were all finished decorating they took off to the play ground to fight. We also played a game where they had to use their light sabers to keep balloons in the air.

The kids were all given storm trooper masks to play pin the blast on the ship and we had a Darth Vader pinata. Tanner took one whack with the light saber bat and that's all it took! Candy was every where and picked up quickly. I have to laugh that despite the activities planned all they wanted to do was fight each other.

We ate pizza complements of Dr. Baker's moving gift. And had cupcakes surrounded by chocolate legos, topped with little chocolate storm troopers that I'd made. We ended the evening with Tanner opening his gifts and a great big thank you. The kiddos all left with gift bags of legos and lego storm trooper chocolates, Yoda rings, stickers and pencils.

Happy 5th Birthday my little Tan Man!

 I've had many requests for the pattern to these invitations so I've decided to add them here.  Feel free to email me I'd absolutely love to share and help in any way I can.  Unfortunately  I had to recreate a pattern by tracing what I had because the computer I had it on crashed... let me know if any of it need to be explained or if you need any help.

Because my computer that created these crashed I no longer have the set up or the font I used. I found the Starwars font on line for free by searching Google and these are the words I used.

Pull

Invited you are to

(Child's name)

(Child's age)

Birthday party!

Assemble we will

on Thursday

The 22^nd day of September

in the year

two-thousand eleven

(Thursday, September 22)

At 4:30

in the afternoon

the party will begin

and conclude it will

around 6:30
(4:30pm-6:30pm)

Take place the

celebration will in

Rock canyon Park

Look for balloons

at on of the pavilions

(address)

Served

Imperial Pizza

and Epic Cupcakes

Will Be

To the

Council Administrator

Reply

(Mom's name and number)