Rieta Family Pictures May 2014

We took advantage of a Groupon deal at JC Penney Portrait Studios to take our first official family pictures as a family of four!  It was great timing because we were able to get Ashilene’s 5 year old pics and Jershon’s 1 month old pics at the same time!

 

I love my family SO much!

Ashilene’s Frozen 5th Birthday Party

I’ve never been good at planning parties.  I think this may be why my sweet daughter has never had a Friend Birthday Party until she turned 5 this year.  I think I’ve always been too intimidated by the cool birthday parties that other friends and family members have thrown to even attempt throwing one myself.  However, I didn’t want to allow my own weaknesses and insecurities to keep my precious daughter from ever having her very own Friend Birthday Party.  Knowing that Ashilene’s 5th birthday would be happening less than a month after her new brother was born, I tried really hard to plan ahead for this party as best as I could before Baby Jershon arrived.  I helped Ashilene come up with a small group of friends to invite because I knew I wouldn’t be up for anything HUGE with a brand new baby.  I definitely wanted her to be able to invite all her friends from Joy School since they’ll all be graduating next month and moving on to different kindergarten classes in the fall.  I also let her invite her three friends from Primary that she’s had play dates with.  I had originally thought that Ashilene would want a Little Mermaid party.  Ariel had been Ashilene’s favorite princess for as long as I could remember, but then not long ago, she jumped on the FROZEN bandwagon and has been in love with everything Elsa.  Thankfully there were millions of FROZEN party ideas online, so I jotted down some that I thought I might be able to pull off in my planner.  I was able to order some FROZEN invitations, plates, napkins, party favors and a couple decorations before going into labor, but once Jershon came home, it was really hard for me to find time to put much more party prep into place.

I have been completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, kindness, generosity and service that our family has received.  Someday I hope to post about the amazing Baby Shower that my visiting teachers threw for me.  After Jershon was born, we had so many friends and family members help us out with food, cleaning, watching Ashilene, etc. that it’s been impossible for me to keep up with all the thank you notes.  I can’t even begin to express in words how much everyone’s thoughtfulness and charity has meant to me.  One sister, in particular, has been a LIFESAVER for me.  Laurel Child is our amazing Ward Choir Director and Primary Chorister.  Ashilene LOVES her and can often be found imitating her in our home, especially when it’s her turn to lead the music for Family Home Evening.  Soon after Jershon was born, my visiting teachers got meals lined up for our family, but Laurel contacted me to let me know that she wanted to stock our family up with lunch/breakfast items to have on hand – and stock us up she did (along with other sweet sisters in our ward).  It’s safe to say that our family has not gone hungry.;)   She also came and picked Ashilene up for me one afternoon and let her play with her kids all afternoon and into the evening.  I am SO grateful for my many friends that have rescued Ashilene with fun play dates.  Ashilene has had a rather hard time sharing Mommy and Daddy’s attention after being the only child for almost 5 years.  These play dates have helped her (and Mommy out SO much)!  Then a couple weeks ago, Laurel called to tell me how she’d just thrown an Olaf party for her son’s 4th birthday and she’d spent so much time putting up all the decorations that she almost hated to take them all down so soon and she knew that I was planning on throwing a FROZEN birthday party for Ashilene, so she selflessly offered to keep up their FROZEN decorations and let us have Ashilene’s party at her house.  Laurel truly saved my sanity and made it possible for Ashilene to have a FAR better Friend Birthday Party than I EVER could’ve pulled together.  Her decorations were amazing and she helped me SO much in sharing many of her food and activity ideas too.  The party turned out so beautifully and I truly owe it all to Laurel and my other friends and family members that helped out so much!

Auntie Nessa had a special birthday surprise for Ashilene.  She came over before the party started and gave her the royal treatment getting her all glammed up as Queen Elsa.  She even made Ashilene an awesome Elsa cape to go along with the Elsa Tiara and Jewelry Set that Jershon gave Ashilene for her birthday.  Ashilene truly felt like a Queen and couldn’t keep a huge smile off her face.:)

Laurel had the front door decorated so nicely that we tried to get pictures of Ashilene with each of her friends at the front door as they arrived.  I just love Ashilene’s smile in these pictures – not forced at all as she is SO genuinely HAPPY.:)

Ashilene & Kaylana

Cadence, Ashilene, Kaylana & Vilet

Ashilene & Lynae

Daniel & Ashilene

Avi, Leanne, Leah, Hank, Kaylana, Ashilene, Vilet, Sola, Merilee, Gretchen, Ellie, Jeanne, Daniel, Melanie & Jen

We had fun FROZEN themed food for our friends to eat as they arrived including – Sweet Snow (Kettle Corn), Olaf Noses (Baby Carrots), Olaf Buttons (Raisins), Olaf Arms (Pretzel Sticks), Melted Snowman (Mini Water Bottle), Snow Dip (Ranch or Creamy Fruit Dip)

 

We also had fixings for our friends to make their own little snowman pizzas on English muffins, but most of them were more interested in playing or holding Jershon than eating.;)

After the kids got around to eating, they each got to decorate their own snowflake with pretty sequins.

Cadence won the Pin the Carrot on Olaf Game.

It was so cute to see how excited each child was to have Ashilene open her present from them.  Ashilene had so much fun opening her presents and would often excitedly say, “Oh my gosh!  Oh my gosh!  Oh my gosh!” when she realized what cool gift she’d received.  She has had so much fun playing with all her new gifts including bubbles, art supplies, tea set, Little Mermaid Playdo Set, Princess Elsa Toddler doll, etc.

I loved the awesome Frozen Snowball Cake that Laurel made with Donut Holes, Powdered Sugar and Powdered Mini Donuts!

There was just enough time at the end for Laurel to help the kids make adorable Sven cookies out of Nutter Butters, frosting, chocolate chips and pretzels.

I am SO grateful to everyone who made this such a Magical day for my little Queen Elsa!

Valentines Day 2014

Ashilene could hardly wait for Valentines Day this year.  She loves making and receiving Valentines and candy!  She had a wonderful time celebrating with her Joy School friends – Hank, Sola, Ellie & Vilet.

After her Joy School Valentines Party, we got to have lunch and visit with Great Grandma Ardie.

The day after Valentines Day, Auntie Christi and Jaylee brought us some divine homemade Oreo Raspberry Cheesecake.  Super Yummy!!!!!

Happy 39th Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Today was my parent’s 39th wedding anniversary.  How grateful I am to each of them for staying strong in the gospel through all the ups and downs of these past 39 years.  Knowing that we are sealed together as an eternal family because they have remained true to the covenants they made to each other and to God in the Oakland Temple 39 years ago today means more to me than I can adequately express in words.

Yesterday was my nephew, Jonah’s, 5th birthday and today we got to go up to Sacramento for his fun Lego themed birthday party.  While Ashilene enjoyed the awesome party, Rojohn and I were able to do sealings for some family names in the Sacramento temple.  I was overwhelmed by the Spirit as we participated in these sealings.  I couldn’t help thinking about how excited Rojohn and I are for our precious son to join our family next month and it made me think of how the parents of the sons we were sealing to them must be feeling to FINALLY be together as a family again.  I just love the Spirit I feel in the temple and the strength I receive from serving there.

Tomorrow is my sister, GayLynn’s birthday.  This is probably the last prego picture we’ll be able to take together as her due date is March 7th!!!!  It has been so fun experiencing pregnancy with her again my second time around.  Jonah and Ashilene are about 2 1/2 months apart.  Our new sons, Jake and Jershon, should be less than 2 months apart.  It will be so fun to watch them grow up together.:)

I’m bummed that I didn’t get any pictures of us visiting with our Carlisle cousins – Shawn, Katie, Emmalin, Amanda & Landon.  It is always fun catching up with them and watching our children play together.  I did manage to get some cute silly pictures of Ashilene with her cousins, Jonah & Brooke, before we headed back for the Bay Area . . .

 

Fun with Grandma Lynda

I have such fond memories growing up and having special days with my Great Grandma Elsie.  I remember she’d let me spend the night at her house and I’d get to play with her little toy kitchen and her jewelry.  In the morning she’d make us “mush” for breakfast and then we’d go out on our adventure.  We’d ride the bus to the “dime store” where I’d get to pick out a present.  The one I remember best is the hula hoop she let me get from the “dime store.”  Then we’d often go out for lunch at a Chinese restaurant.  I loved my Great Grandma Elsie SO much and treasured these special times with her.

My mom grew up having special days with her Grandma Elise too and now she works really hard to make special time for her grandchildren.  Ashilene really misses getting to go visit Grandma Lynda at her house, now that she lives far away in Utah.  I’m just so grateful that even though my mom is able to do most of her work through telecommuting, she still has to come into the office out here in California once a month.  She is really good about squeezing in some family time during these monthly business trips.

Ashilene was absolutely thrilled when Grandma Lynda came over to visit last Sunday evening and brought her toy “radio.”  It’s actually the Fisher Price record player that I remember growing up with, but Ashilene always refers to it as “Grandma’s radio.”  She loves that toy and gets so excited whenever Grandma brings it!

Ashilene also had a great time playing Candyland and Dr Seuss Memory with Mommy and Grandma.

Before Grandma could leave, Ashilene insisted on serving her some special tea from the Ariel tea set she got for Christmas.  Grandma kindly obliged.;)

Ashilene was SO happy when Grandma left work a little early on Tuesday and took her to see the new Disney movie Frozen.  When Mommy got off work, she joined them for dinner at Fresh Choice.  I love my mom SO much and it warms my heart to see how much my precious daughter loves her Grandma Lynda.:)

Ashilene’s 1st Primary Sacrament Meeting Presentation

Ashilene had a lot of people come out to support her in her very first Primary Sacrament Meeting Presentation – Mommy, Daddy, Great Grandpa Ken, Great Grandma Ardie, Grandma Lynda, Lolo, Lola, Uncle Ryan, Auntie GayLynn, Uncle Rigo, Auntie Riesel, Uncle TJ, Auntie Vanessa, Auntie Christi and her cousins, Kainoa, Makeo, Ysella, Kaylana, Jonah, Brooke and Jaylee.  Ashilene was happy to sing at the piano in our home at the gathering we held after church, BUT during the actual Primary Program, I was horrified to watch my daughter sitting inappropriately on her chair, covering her ears, REFUSING to sing or get up to say her part (which she did have memorized) and glaring at anyone that tried to encourage her to participate.  I couldn’t believe my daughter was behaving like that up there!!!!!!  Aiy yai yai.

We did have a lovely time eating yummy crock pot Au Jus Beef Sandwiches and visiting with everyone that was able to come over to our home after church.

Later that evening we went over to the Ribeiras home in Castro Valley to celebrate Uncle Ryan’s birthday.  We just love getting together with family and Ashilene treasures every opportunity she has to play with cousins.:)