Did I forget to mention that Thursday was our 10th Anniversary?! Happy Anniversary to my sweet, handsome husband. We went to a Japanese restaurant called Sambi's. We got the Love Boat. It was really romantic. Especially the part when Matthew was crying. I'm just kidding. He was crying, but not the whole time. There was a piano player there. He sang Twinkle, Twinkle little star to Matthew. It worked. Matthew loved it! Then he sang Happy anniversary to us. It was really nice. We ate Lobster, Steak, shrimp, tempura. Mmmm. I mashed up a little bit of the carrots for Matthew. He loved that also. Maybe next year, when I'm not nusing a baby, we'll go on a cruise for our 11th Anniversary. We'll see.

Scandia
We went to a little Amusement park in Ontario on Thursday. It was called Scandia, the theme was Vikings. It was fun for the boys. They wanted to go on the same rides over and over and over. It reminded me of going to Knotts Berry Farm with my sister Kandy. We would just go on the same rides, because they were the best ones. Log Ride, Montezuma's Revenge, Boomerang, Soap Box Races. Those were just a few. Anyway, there was a park across the street. There was some kind of company picnic there. The amusement park opened the back gate so that the picnic people could have easy access to Scandia. Well, what they didn't intend was for the people from Scandia to invade their picnic. That's exactly what happened. I saw all these people holding little mini cartons of Ben and Jerry's Ice cream. I asked someone where they got it from. They said that Ben and Jerry's had arrived across the street and were giving out free Ice Cream! Cool! So, what do I do? I rip the boys away from their favorite Viking ship ride, and go across the street. I kind of felt a little white trash. I didn't know at the time that it was Ralph's annual Company picnic. All I knew was that there was free Ice cream, and I was going to get in on that action! It wasn't a very smart move on their part for opening the back gates. They were probably wondering why they only had hamburger patties, (but no hamburger buns), hot dog buns, (but no hot dogs) and mustard (but no ketchup)left. I felt like I lived back at my mom and dad's house. They should've just rented the amusement park out for the day. I mean really, It's Ralph's. They have the money!

My time as a Creative Memories Consultant has come to an end. I just couldn't make that $500 every three months. I wasn't about to be my own customer like so many of the other consultants do just so they won't deactivate as a consultant. I was very excited at first. I bought business cards, (good investment) CM Logo T-shirts, got a Creative Memories Credit card (which was my first mistake, I don't recomend that). I did have a "Get Together" in Irvine. I thought it would be fine to leave Matthew with my husband, and my brother. Matthew was 5 months old and would not take a bottle. Even when I tried to give it to him. He basically cried the whole time I was gone. Needless to say, after that experience, I never had another "Get Together." That's the second mistake of my business. I should've just invited people to my little house, and had a teenager watch the boys upstairs or something. I just didn't think that anyone would want to come here to scrapbook with a bunch of boys screaming and running around. Maybe in Jan. when my six months is up, I'll do better. We'll see. I'm still homeschooling, nursing, being a mother to three boys, a wife to my husband who works his tail off to keep food on the table, and a roof over our heads. I think that's enough for right now.

Ah, the sweet sounds of a sleeping baby, and two boys downstairs watching sponge bob square pants. There's nothin' like it kids. It's been hotter than H-E-double hockey sticks in this house for the past three days. So, things like laundry, dishes, cooking, and nursing are very hard to do without sweating. We did put the pool up. But then I forgot that the gardeners come on Mondays. So, I had to take it down. It was nice while it lasted. The boys did get to go in for a couple of hours. The baby loves the water!

I think I'm going to go to Cold Stone tonight. I've been craving it cause it's been so dang hot!

I hate cell phones!
Not all the time. Just when my husband and I are trying to enjoy a nice night out without our two older maniacs. Ok, so we go to the Olive Garden. (Loved the food) But while we were waiting to be seated, not one person was not on their cell phone. They were either on their phone or it was ringing. And do they answer the phone right away? No. They let it ring and ring and ring. So freakin' rude! Then after our nice dinner, with just good, quiet baby Matthew, we go to Barnes and Noble. Bob and I find two over sized cushy chairs just for us to sit next to each other in the nice quiet Book Store. So, we sit down. Me with the sleeping baby Matthew in his car seat, reading "The Devil Wears Prada," and Bob with his "A Scanner Darkly." I saw "The Devil wears Prada" by the way. Very good, I recomend it. Anyhow, we're reading. Not two minutes go by, and we hear like 10 different cell phones go off. I'm not even joking. People, at least put your phones on low or vibrate. Then every ten minutes after that, we hear the people working at Starbucks yell out, at the top of their lungs, "Frappachino!" Then at the other end of the book store, and it's a huge book store, some other fool yells out, at the top of their lungs, "Frappachino!" I guess we have to go to "Luke's Diner" to have silence, where there's "No Cell Phones" allowed!

Here's my husband, relaxing nicely in his dad's hammock.

WOW! That's all I have to say about this picture. I know it's not the best picture of Bob and I, but it makes me laugh.

My brother Philip, Joshua and Caleb at Philip's pool.

This was Matthew's first time in the pool.

Sorry it's been so long! Been busy with the kids, and my husband. Joshua has been going to Vision therapy every Wed. in Torrance. They had VBS this week. The boys are spending the night at the In-law's Friday. Caleb is going to a Grandma-Grandson Dance Friday night with Grandma Marlene. Joshua is going out to dinner with Grandpa Jerry. We went to Redondo beach yesterday with Grandma Rae. It's really beautiful there.

Matthew's Baptism and the Day of the Lord's Resurrection
Everything went wonderfully on Sunday. Matthew pooped right before he was going to get Baptized. So I had to run to the nursery to change him really quick. Then he wanted to eat right before the baptism. When we were standing up in front of the church, Matthew was just staring at the Pastor, and listening to every word he had to say. Matthew, Joshua, and Caleb were such good little boys. I was very proud of them. The Pastor's sermon was so good, I cried. I get very emotional on Easter. All of my brother's and sister's-in-law were there. Along with my parents, In-laws, my grandma, Bob's grandma, Bob's Aunt, and uncle. I missed Kandy and Kip though. I know they live far away, but still I missed them. It turned out well. We went to my moms and had lunch. The boys had an Easter egg hunt. It was a Blessed occasion indeed.

The baby is awake, downstairs with the other maniac (or I should say insomniac) that doesn't go to sleep until after 2am every morning, (my husband). The only reason I'm awake is because my two older sons decided that they weren't going to go to sleep until 12:30am. I tried to go to bed at 9pm. Now I can't go back to sleep. There's so many things on my mind.
Here's just a few things that are on my to do list:

- Wash, and iron all of our Easter/ Baptism clothes for this Sunday.
- Go buy the following things:
Present for a birthday party today
Easter candy, and baskets for my boys
Easter shoes for me
Pedicure for me, (I do my own feet)
More fake eggs, and fake grass

Ahh, what a week. Oh, Matthew's getting Baptized on Easter Sunday!

I miss my sister! I want her to come home. I'm going to have a petition if anyone wants to sign it. Then we'll send it to her to see how many people miss her and Kip. Maybe it will encourage them to look for jobs out here in So.CA Yes I am being pushy. I don't care anymore. The cat is out of the bag. We all miss you guys too much. It's enough already. We're done with the whole Ohio thing. Just come home now. Please?

I just wanted to tell everyone that I became a Creative Memories Consultant. I help people put their pictures into beautiful albums. Check out my website: www.mycmsite.com/karlenechapa You can buy product with your credit card off of my website. Or you can schedule a workshop with me.

Thank you uncle Tommy for helping mommy with us boys. You always make us laugh, and play with us. You're so good at making Matthew smile. We love visiting with you on your lunch break. Cassie, you are so good with kids, and you're so sweet to Tommy. We love you guys and appreciate you.  

Thank you aunt Sarah for helping mommy and daddy with us boys. You're so good with Baby Matthew, and he never cries when you hold him. You're a good aunt and sister. We love and appreciate you. 

Thank you aunt Kandy for helping mommy when you were visiting us. You are so good with kids, and they love you too. We miss you so much! We love you and appreciate you.  

Thank you uncle Philip for helping mommy and daddy with us boys. We love going to the park with you and visiting with you at your work. You're so good at getting Matthew to smile. You're a wonderful uncle and brother. We appreciate and love you! 

Thank you uncle Bryan and Aunt Kristin for helping mommy and daddy. We love hanging out with you guys and Duke. It's so fun to go places with you guys. Bryan is so good at holding Matthew and getting him to quiet down. Kristin is so good at getting Joshua to quiet down. Bryan you're a great uncle, and Brother, and we appreciate and love you. Kristin you're a wonderful Aunt and sister, and we love and appreciate you. 

Thank you Auntie Christine and Chris for helping mommy and daddy . You guys came over at the last minute to watch us. We love playing games outside with you, and doing art projects with you. Christine, you're a great Aunt, and sister. Chris, you're so sweet to Christine, and so good with kids. We love you guys, and appreciate you. 

Thank you Grandpa Jerry for helping mommy and daddy so much. We love it when you take us to the movies and when you tell us your stories from when you were little in Texas. Thank you for putting pictures up for mommy. You're a Great grandpa and dad. We appreciate and love you! 

Thank you daddy for keeping us busy for mommy. You are a wonderful dad and husband. We love you, and appreciate you 

Thank you Grandma Marlene for helping Mommy and Daddy by watching us and taking us places. You did a good job helping Matthew fall asleep at the restaurant. You're a wonderful Grandma, and Mom. We appreciate and love you!  

Thank you Grandpa Bruce for playing with us and making the baby smile. Thank you for being Mr. Fix it for Mommy. She appreciates you very much. You're a great Grandpa, and Dad. We love you! 

Thank you Grandma Rae for helping mommy so much since the baby has been born. She really appreciates you. You're a good Grandma and mom. We love you!  

Steak & Chicken dinner at Lucille's BBQ -
$65.00
One dozen long stemmed red roses delivered to my sweety's hotel room - $75.00
Sitting on the couch eating popcorn & See's Candies while watching a Fresh Episode of the Gilmore Girls all by myself on Valentine's Day - Priceless

I miss you Bob!  

Happy Valentine's Day to my sweetheart in Minnesota.
That's right kids. It's the second year in a row that I've been without my sweetheart on Valentine's day. It's not his fault. We went out last Friday instead. It was very romantic. We went to Lucille's BBQ for dinner. The In-law's watched the boy's overnight. We had the baby with us though. He's still unpredictable with the whole nursing thing. Of course, Matthew got hungry right when our food came. Oh, well. It was nice nonetheless. Today, on a whim, I wanted to do something sweet and romantic for Bob. Even though he wasn't in the same state as me. I sat at the computer and looked for Bob's hotel on Google. I called the Sheraton in Minneapolis, not knowing if I was even calling the right one or not. It was the right one. Thank God! I asked the receptionist if I could send flowers to someone staying at their hotel. She said yes, and she gave me some numbers of florists in the area. So I called the first one she gave me. I ordered one dozen red roses for my Bobby. They delivered the roses to the hotel, and the hotel put the roses in Bob's room. Wow, I didn't know they put them in the room for you. That was so cool! I've never done anything like that before. Bob was so surprised. He thought that the hotel was doing that for all the guests, because it was Valentine's Day. Then he thought, 'No, that can't be right. That's too much.' Then he saw that it was from me. Yay! I love you Bob! Happy Valentine's Day. I miss you! I can't wait to see you on Thursday night.

Your Scholastic Strength Is Developing Ideas

You can take a spark of inspiration and turn it into a full fledged concept. You are talented at brainstorming, visualizing, organizing, and independent thinking. You should major in: Natural sciences Computer science Creative writing Math Architecture Journalism

What Should You Major In?

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have high extroversion. You are outgoing and engaging, with both strangers and friends. You truly enjoy being with people and bring energy into any situation. Enthusiastic and fun, you're the first to say "let's go!" Conscientiousness: You have medium conscientiousness. You're generally good at balancing work and play. When you need to buckle down, you can usually get tasks done. But you've been known to goof off when you know you can get away with it. Agreeableness: You have high agreeableness. You are easy to get along with, and you value harmony highly. Helpful and generous, you are willing to compromise with almost anyone. You give people the benefit of the doubt and don't mind giving someone a second chance. Neuroticism: You have low neuroticism. You are very emotionally stable and mentally together. Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly. Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is medium. You are generally broad minded when it come to new things. But if something crosses a moral line, there's no way you'll approve of it. You are suspicious of anything too wacky, though you do still consider creativity a virtue.

The Five Factor Personality Test

My family went to BJ's for my sister's last day visiting us. She went back to Ohio the next day. Waaa.  

Matthew's first trip to Disneyland! He was only 1 month old here.  

We saw this while walking around the farmer's market in Hollywood for Christine birthday. We ate at the Cheesecake Factory. I thought Kip might enjoy this sign. Joshua said, 'I didn't know Uncle Kip owned his own toy shop.'  

Matthew is 10 weeks old today. He's 12lbs. 7oz. He loves his baby toys. Laying on his changing table is his favorite place to be, besides in mommy's arms. He's getting so big, so fast.  

Caleb wants a poker party for his 6th Birthday. I want to put this picture on the back of playing cards. 

Four jobs I’ve had:
Fabric Store
Extra for the Movies
Subway Sandwiches
Daycare Provider

Four movies I’d watch over and over:
Uncle Buck
Christmas Vacation
Chritmas Story
Napolean Dynomite

Four places I’ve lived:
Norwalk, CA
Orange, CA
Bellflower, CA
Artesia, CA

Four TV shows I love to watch:
LOST
Scrubs
The Office
Desperate Housewives

Four websites I visit daily:
My blog
My e-mail
Google
Miscellaneous sites, nothing specific

Four places I’ve been on vacation:
San Diego, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Sierra Nevada Mtns., CA
Youngstown, Ohio

Four foods I love:
Mexican
Italian
Chocolate Malt
Clucks and Fries from Red Robin

Four places I’d rather be:
Anywhere w/ my husband
Hawaii
Italy
Ireland

Four bloggers I am tagging:
Bob
Bryan
Kristin
Rae

Me with baby Matthew at Christmas time. 

Caleb's favorite food, hot dogs!  

Matthew smiling for aunt Kandy at the mall. Sweet baby! 

Philip and Sarah at Thanksgiving at Bruce and Rae's house.  

Kristin, Me, and Bryan waiting for Matthew to come.