Kamron's Graduation

Wow! We made it! After two years of school, Kamron graduated with an MBA in Finance from SDSU. It certainly was a day to remember that's for sure. Kamron worked so hard. He went to school at night while working full time during the day. At times, it felt like an unbelievable sacrifice for him to be gone so much, and I'll admit that I had a few pitty parties myself. We made it though, and like most things, we are stronger now as a family because of it. We know for sure the Lord helped us through it all. We are certainly in His debt for the strength and endurance we were blessed with every day.

Our time with "Daddy Home" is so priceless! Both Kamron and I feel that the lessons learned go well beyond what he learned at school. One of the biggest things I learned is that you can do almost anything with two kids! They only hold you back as much as you let them. (I don't know about three though :) I also learned what an amazingly hard working husband I have. Such an example to me of what hard work can do.

I think that through all of this the kids learned that everything is more fun with Daddy! I agree! It's amazing how the kids are so aware of what's going on though. There would be weeks where Kamron wouldn't see the kids from Sunday night to Thursday night. This being because he would leave before they woke up and come home well after they were in bed. (Don't even think I was mean for not letting them stay up and wait for him. I needed my sanity somehow, and that was through getting them in bed by the stroke of 8pm and enjoying some peace for a few hours.) After a while, I think they caught on....that is, to their never seeing Kamron. After a while, if there were ever two consecutive days where they wouldn't see Kamron, you could bet that on the third day, BOTH kids would be up and all over Kamron by 6:00am. Then of course sobbing when he left. It was really funny though how they did that....and both at the same time! Amazing!

We are all so proud of Kamron! Of course, we'll see what the future holds. Somehow it doesn't feel like we are completely done yet. We'll see what Kamron has up is sleeve next. This was sure a huge step though, and the kids and I feel so blessed to have him be the Dad around here. We love you Kamron!

Fun at Grandma and Grandpa's (Both sets!!)

Before we moved, we spend one month with my family and one month with Kamron's family. It was nice to have that time with them before we moved. I think it was especially meaningful to the kids. Justin and Jake really got to know them well, and had so much fun every day! We sure miss them.

Kid Obsession

WE LOVE OUR BOYS!!! WE THINK THEY ARE SO CUTE!!!! People ask me all the time if I'm disappointed that I am having another boy instead of a girl. I am always so happy to say NO! Kamron and I are absolutely in love with our boys and I know that this new little baby will just be the perfect addition to our family. Their little personalities are so sweet, and Kamron and I are always either amazed or cracking up at what comes out of their mouths. We both feel like at this point, we don't know what we would even do with a girl...so the boys work for us. These are some pictures from Disneyland that I took in May. The day before we found out we were moving, we bought year passes to Disneyland. I tried so hard to make them worth it since we were only living in San Diego for three months after that. I went every few weeks, and really enjoyed my time with Justin and Jake. Of course they loved every minute of it. As I was growing and growing with this pregnancy, our trips became a lot slower. Kamron came when he could get off work, but most of the time it was just mom and the boys (and thankfully Uncle Carl came with us so Justin could go on the "fast rides") It was so much fun for us!

Shanna's Suprise Party

Kamron seriously ROCKS! He planned and executed a surprise birthday party for me while in the middle of a very stressful last semester of school, working really far away, and moving. He earned SERIOUS brownie points that night. It was SO fun to see everyone. I was especially touched by my sister and her husband driving down from Irvine, and our friends who drove from Chula Vista to be there. Kamron's parents were nice enough to let Kamron have it at their house. It was so much fun! Well done Kamron, you totally got me!

Farewell Nemo Fish

I know it's weird to devote an entire posting to a fish, but you don't just flush goldfish from Walmart that are alive for 3+ years!!!! Nemo was given to us from our niece Ashley. We got him before Jake was even born if that puts it in prospective. I don't know many goldfish that last that long, especially when your caretakers are toddlers. We almost lost Nemo Fish several times when we went on vacation, or when he was mauled by different visitors. :) When we were in the middle of moving, sadly, Nemo passed away. We were fully intending on bringing him, but I think deep down inside, he wanted to stay in San Diego. So rest in peace Nemo Fish! You had a seriously shockingly long life!

Snow??

In early February, San Diego was pounded with a ton of snow! It was even visible from our neighborhood which was a first for us. We dug around in our closets for "snow clothes" and were amazed that we actually came up with a few outfits for the kids to wear. They may not have been the most stylish out there, but Kamron and I were pretty amazed that we even had the stuff to put the kids in. It was an awesome day. Ironically, we found out a few days later that Kamron got the job that has taken us to Colorado and that this would soon be a"winter reality." It's funny how that works.

Riches Family Cruise

In early January, Kamron and I went on a cruise with his family to the Mexican Riviera. It was AWESOME! It was a gift from Kamron's parents, and we had a blast with everyone there. We saw some really beautiful coastline, and enjoyed some seriously delicious food. It was so nice to have some time with just the two of us as well. My parents were nice enough to take some time off and watch the boys for us. It really helped Kamron and I recharge our batteries for the last semester of school. When we came home, we were both ready to take on the next few months. Thanks Mark and Marie! It was great!

Meredith and Mike's Wedding

On January 26, 2008 Meredith and Mike were married! It was the most beautiful day I'd ever seen. They were sealed in the Newport Beach Temple, and then had a georgious ring ceremony and reception at the Dove Canyon Country Club close by. It was such a fun day, and especially meaningful to me. Justin and Jake were in little tuxedos, and in my biast opinion, were just the cutest things I'd ever seen! :) Meredith was stunning, and Mike was beaming. It was a really special day for everyone.

I know what you're thinking......FINALLY!!!!!

WOW! I don't even know where to begin! I know that many of my friends and family have given up on looking at this because nothing has been updated since.....I'm embarrassed to admit....November! We are in the calm before the storm here, so I feel like I've got a little bit of down time to update our family blog. Let me explain.....

We found out in October that we are having another baby! YAY! I'm sure many of you can understand that this also means a few months of really disgusting morning sickness. Our family only had the basic necessities during that time. The blog was put on the back burner. To make a really long story short, we found out in Feb that we would be starting a new adventure in Colorado! After renting our house out and spending two months living with both families and Kamron's finishing grad school, we are now here in Colorado, and beginning this new chapter for the Riches family. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the newest addition to our family...thus we are now in the "calm before the storm!" He's due to arrive July 11. YAYYYYY!