Lauren has a blog!!!!

Please visit my blog at http://lalasblogspot.blogspot.com/. Thank You-Lauren

AR AWARDS!

I am trying to post some of the highlights from the past 2 months. Ashley and Lauren both got their AR awards this year. Lauren received her award in December. She was one of the first few 2nd graders to get their awards. Go Lala Lu!!!! Ashley was having a hard time learning to read. Ashley's teacher wasn't sure if she was going to get her Ar award. When Ashley heard that, she decided that she was going to her award. Ashley had to read a book a day and take a quiz on it every school day for the next 5 weeks. She needed to get a 100% on every quiz beside 2 to get the award. She did it and became incredible reader!!! Ashley read each book 2 -3 times to Ryan every night.Ryan would quiz her on the books until she knew the book forwards and backwards. Thank you DADDY!!! We are proud of you girls!!!

Preston trying new foods!

Preston is Five Months!

To Busy To Blog!

I have been trying to post for a while and I always get about this far and someone needs me. This is my third time in the last week trying to post. May has been pretty busy and with the end of the school year approaching doesn't help. Hopefully, if I just try to post one thing a day I might get back on track. Okay, maybe twice week. BIG NEWS: My sister-in-law Wendy will be induced tonight at midnight. We are so excited for them. We can't wait to meet sweet Marisa! Good luck tonight, Wendy! You will be in our prays.

Ashley lost her 1st Tooth!

Ashley has finally lost her first tooth. She is 7 years old and in the first grade. She was at gymnastics when her leo got caught on her tooth and it popped right out. Ryan took an x-ray on her mouth. He saw that her adult teeth are huge and her jaw bones have not grown yet to accommodate the new teeth. In other words it might be awhile before she loses another tooth.
We are very happy for you Ashley!!

Funny words from Emma!!

Emma always has something funny to say. I am going to try to post them so I won't forget-

1. Emma said " MOM, DO YOU KNOW WHY I FOLLOW THE PROPHET?-BECAUSE HE IS A GENIUS!"

2. Emma said this to Preston.

"DON'T WORRY PRESTON. IT'S NOT A GIANT. IT'S JUST DADDY!"

3. During Family Home Evening I showed a picture of President Monson.

Emma said-
"HE IS THAT FUNNY PROPHET WHO'S WIFE TOLD HIM NOT TO TOUCH THE MICROWAVE!"

Who said little children don't listen to conference?

The First Lemonade Stand of the Season!

What do girls do when it's warm outside? They have a lemonade stand. My girls and 4 other neighborhood girls set up the first lemonade stand of the season. They made a whooping $8.00 in less then an hour. Thanks to our neighborhoods who understands how important lemonades stands are to kids!!!

I love to see the Temple!

Here are some pictures of the girl at Temple Square on the day of Jordan & Crystal's wedding.

Crystal & Jordan's Wedding

Crystal & Jordan were married on April 12, 2008 in the Salt Lake Temple. Jordan is the first grandchild in the Hillam family to get married. The whole day was wonderful from the sealing to the reception. It was great to visit with family - especially those who we haven't seen in awhile!

Preston is 4 months!!!

Our sweet easy going little boy, Preston is 4 months. He weighs 16 lbs & 25.75 inches. He is in the 75th % for boys. The other day he rolled over 3 times but now he won't even try. He can sit up for about 45 seconds then he tumbles over. He smiles all the time. Even when he is upset, if you smile at him, he will always smile back. We just love him so much!!!

Laurie Lovebug

Laurie singing a cute song to the kids. You can tell want a terrific Mom and kindergarten teacher she is. Congratulation on #3. We love you Laurie!!!!

Spring Break Part 1- The Andersons

I took all my kids to Utah for their spring break. We first went to my Laurie and Adam's home. We had a great time! Here are the pics:

Hanging around in our PJ's!



Castle Park!


Jump on it- a very fun place!

Spring Break Part 2- The Cordons

Next we went to Bonnie and Derek's. We had a wonderful time seeing them. We were even lucky enough to see Nolan! That evening we went to Heather's Ballet "The Goose Girl". She had two solos as a horse and several other group dances. She did an excellent job!! Emma was also very entertaining. Here is what she thought about it in her own words- "I can't see with all these people in front of me" and "I can't sleep because the music is giving me a headache". She was full of it that evening.

Spring Break Part 3- The Blockers

We spent the last two days of our trip at Rob and Raelene's house. We went rollerskating, climbing in "Pirate Cove" and jumping in the bounce house. The kids had a great time playing with each other. I wish I took more pictures!

A day on "BELLA" Grandpa's sailboat

More pictures from our trip to California. We spent a day on my Dad's Sailboat named "Bella". It was the first time going out on the boat. We had lots of fun with Mom, Dad, Lindsey, Jordan and Ella. We can't wait to go again. Thank You Grandpa!!!

American Girl Place

Here are some pictures from our California trip. Grandma took her granddaughters to The American Girl Place in Los Angeles. Of course all the moms, Ryan and Preston tagged along. We had lunch in the American Girl Cafe. Lauren had her doll Kristen's hair done. Ashley pick out a cute outfit for her doll Samantha. Emma decided that she wants the new 2008 doll named Mia. Well this was probably one of the cutest things I have ever done with my girls. There will have to be a second visit. Thank you Grandma!!!!

Preston is 3 Months!

Poor Preston! I found a pink bow and I couldn't keep from putting it on his bald head. He looks so cute with it on but I am glad you are boy!!!

"California Dreamin"

Our long awaited trip to California has finally happen. We spent 10 days in So Cal playing and soaking up the sun. We had a blast. I wish I had some pictures to share with you all but we downloaded them onto my parents computer and somehow they are lost. So here is a recap of our vacation: Sailing, lunch at the American Girl Place (a must for anyone who has a girl, SO CUTE!) Shopping, Disneyland, California Adventure, Palm Springs, Swimming, Eating, Playing with Cousins, watching "Lost" and being with family!!! Needless to say, we had a great time and can't wait to come back (poor mom- just kidding)! I always wonder why we are not living in California after we come back from a visit but I am sure glad we have a great excuse to visit. This is the ONLY picture I have of our trip. The Kyle, Ashley, Lauren, Ella and Emma in the bathtub!

Jordan & Crystal!!

Our nephew Jordan and soon to be wife Crystal came to visit. We had a great time with them. Saturday night we went out to dinner to an Indian Restaurant. Ryan and I have a love of Indian food. When we were living in New Jersey we had incredible Indian restaurant everywhere. So we thought it would be fun to try one out here in Boise. We decided that you should only go to this restaurant if you're not hungry, not in a hurry or have a love for live/televised music. We laughed a lot that night. Sunday, we had a fabulous dinner at mom and Dad Hillam's house. The girls think the world of Crystal. She is beautiful, sharp and down to earth! Jordan is very lucky to be marrying her!

Preston is 2 months old!

Preston had his two month wellness visit. He weighed 12lbs. 11oz and 241/2 inches. He is 75% in weight and 90% for height. Our girls were always so small. I bet Preston will weigh more then Emma in no time. Preston is starting to smile and sleep better. Boy can he eat! He is always hungry. But, he is sure cute and I think we'll keep him!!!!

Preston and Emma are becoming good little friends. I caught Emma sharing her blue lollipop with Preston. Needless to say, Preston loved it.

HILLAM CLAN

5th Annual Daddy Daughter Valentine's Date

Here are some pictures of Ryan and the girls SPECIAL Valentine's daddy daughter date. In past years, Ryan would take the girls to a fancy restaurant and the girls would get all dressed up. This Valentine's, our city rec center had a daddy daughter evening full of dancing, face painting, cookie decorating and necklace making. Needless to say, they all had a wonderful time. The girls favorite part of the evening was dancing to "Butterfly Kisses" with their dad. Ashley said that she had tears in her eyes during the dance. They are diffidently girly girls!!

SNOW DAYS!!!

I thought I would post some pictures of the snow we have here. To many of you this wouldn't be a lot of snow but to us it's a TON!!! I guess Nampa has not had this much snow in decades. School has been cancel twice and even church was canceled two weeks ago. The next Sunday, I told Emma it was time for church and she said "Mom, we don't go to church anymore." I asked her why she thought that. Her reply "church is canceled". I guess she was very sad and confused about not going to church that Sunday. We (especially the girls) have enjoyed the snow but I can't wait for springtime!!!!

Lauren & Preston's Special Day!!!

February 2, 2008 was a special day for our family. Lauren was baptized and Preston was blessed. It was a wonderful evening! We are so proud of Lauren for making the decision to be baptized. Lauren was very excited. You couldn't wipe the smile off of her face. Lauren has been preparing for this day and she knew that being baptized and receiving the Holy Ghost was an important step in her life. She was just so cute about everything. We are great for all the family members that came. Lauren prayed the night before that the roads would be safe to travel so her cousins could come to her baptism. When she found out that they were coming she said "Heavenly Father answered my prayer!"
Ryan also blessed Preston. It is wonderful to have Preston in our family. We are grateful for this boy and look forward to him following the example of his sister!

Meet Baby Preston!

Oh, Boy! Oh, Boy!!!
Preston enter the world on Dec. 1o, 2007
Weighed: 8lb 4oz and 19.5 inches