Our vacation very late!

Well we planned this vacation about two months back.   We decided to go to Phoenix Az for a DoTerra conference.   Then mom wanted kids to see legoland which was only 5 hours from there.   I won't post many pictures. But a few here!

I'd decided to cancel after Shayde girls passing.   Just felt like the wrong time to go.  But mom and Bryan insisted on it.  So off we went.  Phoenix reminded me of some happy memories with Kali and shayde.  So I'm grateful for that!

So we went on a VERY limited budget! Brought food from home and drove.our rooms were hugely discounted due to season. Time and conference.

We left Wednesday morning at 8 am.  As we checked in got kids settled into bed.  We went to find our bag.... It was missing!!!   Bryan had forgotten our clothing bag at home lol!  So next day I registered and we ran to Walmart bought a few outfits each and a swimsuit.

Then spent afternoon with my friend Jen.   She made kids lunch her husband sent over dinner.   They were too sweet!   Then my other fried Jd(Jen) came spent the evening and night with us.   The next day I went to conference.  Bryan took kids to see the temple.   The conference was amazing!  Can't wait for Octobers conference!!!

We had to eat in hotel that morning I was in a rush can we say ouch!!  When the waitress and I were talking about my clothes she felt so bad her manager gave us a free breakfast for adults and kids for next day!  That night Jen sent omelets for dinner.  They were yummy!!

In the morning we packed up room and I took the twins to the restaurant.  That was fun and loved it was free!  We enjoyed everything and let the kids fill up on everything!  Pictures will come latter lol need to find them on the camera!

Next California!   We drove all day and were finally at hotel two.  We settled in watched movies and went to sleep.   After a late start we packed the car and headed for the main adventure legoland!!  The kids were screaming with excitement as we headed into the park and the hotel!  Well we loaded the stroller grabbed a few things (not the right ones). And headed to check in.  I was given our passes and kids got there own VIP badges and we went to the park!   (Our room wouldn't be ready tell 4.   Can I tell you it was HOT!   

We spent most the day just going from ride to ride but not really getting anywhere finally at four thirty we headed back to the hotel....  But we had one little problem.  While in the park dad forgot the sunscreen. By the time I talked him into buying some at 2pm.  I was FRIED!!!  

We got our keys and headed up to the newly opened 3rd floor mummy room!  By the way if you ever stay there beware of the elevator!!  You go into this brightly covered like 70s themed elevator lightly playing normal music.  Doors close then BAM!!!  Down comes a disco ball and blaring music!  I About have. Heart attack. The kids start dancing!!  Lol!

Our room was wonderful!  A treasure chest with toys Legos for kids and mini figures there own mummy bunk beds and thee own TV.  While we waited for them to get our luggage I headed to the tub!  I felt hot sticky and burned! 

Let me explain this door. It's a rolling door that shuts OVER the hole in the wall.  So while I was in the tub in comes topher with his "gotta pee".  Excuse.   Then a nock at the door that's our luggage.  So Bryan shut the door with us in there.  I had barely gotten in when topher came in.  Once the men left topher tries to get out and he can't it's stuck.   Literally Bryan's pushing with all his strength!!  So he asks me to pull so I get out dry off and start trying to help.  Well clutz me as I'm pulling it I slip hit my arm and hand on the metal pull handle and land on the other.   Ouch!!  So bryan sits on the floor and kicks the door as hard as he can to open it!  

So while I try to recover he takes kids out to eat.  I call up front desk. The send up maintains ace and first aid.  Also gave us free dinner. (That saved. LOT).  Then they wrap up my arm ice it and said to have the nurse look at it tomorrow.  So we get kids to sleep and I try to sleep on. Hurt hand and sunburned neck and back... Lol!  

Morning, well go get breakfast and head into our last day IN the park.  This time prepared we think.  As we are in the lobby management stops me has the nurse come wrap it and then gives me a pass to get into all the rides first.  But with as bad as I was feeling and sunburn.  We payed the 30$ for motorized buggy with a top!  It held all we needed and made walking fast with Bryan pushing the twins and me going fast!  We had a much funner time!  But by 430 we let the kids play in the splash park and then head to the room before the rush.  I LOVED how anything we bought was delivered to our room!  

When we got back bryan took kids to the pool and I went for a shower hoping to get relief from the burn!   Well they had said the door was fixed... But after my fast shower I got out dressed and went to open the door and nope it wouldn't open again!  I go to grab my phone and whoops left it on the bed. Panic sets in! So 45 min of freaking out and falling on a my arm again and screaming for help....  I got it open.  I grab a bag of ice and in my pjs head to the pool!  I was NOT going in there alone again!

I find the kids and bry tell him what happened.  He asks the lifeguard to call a manager.  Two min latter the main manager is out by the pool with us.  I tell him what happens and I'm already know by all as "the girl who got locked in the bathroom" by the staff.  He goes pale as I tell him.   Says that hell take care of everything.  Dinner and charges are on him.  He also brings up the maintenance and he got locked in there! So we got free dinner and he gave us another night in the room free!  So they did get it so we could not get locked in again. Also all food in the hotel was free!  So the next day we talked to the manager and he gave us tickets to the aquarium.   The kids loved it!!  After I needed to buy a few things in the park.  the eldest talked the manager into tickets back into the park and the same walk right onto the rides pass lol!  We had so much fun!

It was sad to leave after 3 days there. We still hadn't seen the ocean but we Had to get back for Bryan to start his new job the next day.  So I slept he drove.  It was an amazing vaca pictures will come latter. Sorry it was so long.  Oh the wrist ended up being broken. They sent us a free vacation to come back lol

House of mice!

So since we moved here it's been great.  I kept waiting to hear or see bugs.  Nothing.  We have a huge field behind us. So knowing mice I waited to hear them or find droppings in the kitchen.   Nothing.
Then after New Years desty and my mom said they kept hearing mice in the walls..... So I waited and finally heard them.   So I kept meaning to buy de on when I went and kept forgetting it got to the point I heard them every time I'm in the living room so we went to walmart were about to leave and I was like wait no I have to get the stuff for the mice!   So Bryan checks out with topher and I run and try to find it.   Found a worker who takes me to the cleaning isle no less lol and shows me all the "human" traps.  I look at her and laugh.  I said uhm no I don't think so.  She goes on and on about how human is better.  So I told her my az story with josh.

We had just bought a house in Arizona.  It was our first Christmas and was getting really cold.  So we were watching a movie and it was dark We see a mouse dash across the floor!   I'm like omg did u see that!   Then three more follow it!  So Josh runs to the store and gets the humane mice traps.  You know those sticky ones that they stick to.  So we put four down and go to sleep.  2 AM we heard the weirdest noise in the world.  This loud screeching like many animals getting hurt.  We go out to investigate and we find the first sticky Three mice biting and attacking each other suck to it!   You can imagine with the other three looks like the same.   So the humane thing to do Josh found a Way to put them in a sack tie it up and threw it away.  So this whole time  you here all these mice screeching biting and attacking each other.   Once the garbage what happened they starve.  And it was garbage day so I'm sure they got smashed into the compressor.   Exactly what about the sticky traps makes that humane different than just using the poison?   Either way they starve or get smashed its the same thing.  So Once i tell her this she immediately points to the poiso have me two boxes on sale.

We come home and my amazing husband puts it out and all of a sudden In two days silence! Until Today I sit down and hear as it starts in the same place I hear them screechy not screeching but scratching and running around again.  I guess trying to put up more poison.   So humane has two different ways to look at it.   Mice well the kind of make more then you can even catch before you know it!

Also topher had an hard time at church today but you can read that hear.

http://www.gofundme.com/6kvvu8

Also keep it going!

A friend suggested we do an auction fundraiser.  So we are thinking of ways to do it.   If anyone has quay ideas let me know!


Thanks!
Randi!

Ps boys got haircuts pics to come!

Please pass this along and help us if you can!

First thank you all who see this!  We are trying to raise money for a lawyer.  To fight to get these girls back.   Then to get our biological kids back.  This money will help 5 children come home where they belong!  God bless you and yours.  May you feel his spirit every day!

http://www.gofundme.com/6kvvu

Thanks!

Bryan, randi and little topher (for he is effected the worst by this!)

2013 and Christmas part 2

We decided in august we'd had enough of our tint apartment!

We were way to squished!  2 bunk beds one room.  Uh nope!

So we found an amazing house in Saratoga springs!

Oh I forgot. While on vacation Bryan got a job.  But the church office in riverton kept bugging him!  So when we got home he started his new job and hated it!  So we took the job with the church and are greatful we did!

And Fourth of July fun!

Mikah was in a dress mood during pics also she got her clothes dirty!

Then Kali's birthday!

So we went from a tiny 3 bedroom apartment on the 3rd floor to a 6 bedroom 3 floor house with a amazing backyard!   I keep feeling out of place but love it more each day!  Besides unpacking will never get done!

So we did that in September.  Here's some of Bryan's awesome packing skills

We were supposed to move Friday and spend the weekend unpacking because it was conference weekend.   Nope. Thursday I had tooth surgery that I had to be put to sleep for.  The infection went from my top gum to my bottom down my neck and own my arm.  So I lost 1/2 the use of my right arm sucked!

So we started Friday ended Monday morning 4am....

We had no men but one Friday show up Saturday our audio father of the word brought his van and huge van.  But we didn't want him lovfting much.  The lady's finished packing.  I called my ex brother in law and he did as much as he could.  Only way we got it done!

Now that it is we've had a blast kids have there own downstairs playroom.  Bryan has an office well 2 he took over the cold storage room.   We do have an unfinished bathroom that would make life heaven if it were done but oh well!

We set up Christmas topher was excited!  

So our faketreebroke so we got. Real tree!

Went and saw Santa

Sorry dunno how to flip that!

Then Christmas Eve!

Christmas Day was chaos!  I loved it!!

We hadda naming Christmas with a lot of help and a lot of secret santa's!   Thank you all for your help! I'm not posting what all happnd because it's precious and private to our family!.  Merry Christmas!

Here are a few pics of fun!

Tophers first choir with preschool to a retirement home!

Looking forward to what adventures wait in 2014!

Happy new year!

2013 and Christmas! Part 1

XWell this year was hard good and crazy!  We started the year with custody of my 2 nieces!  That was wow. I dunno how we did it!  

Topher is his same self but after having sisters his favorite thing is dress up and favorite shows my lil pony and favorite twilight! Lol no this doesn't bother me because he is all boy!

These pics were from February 2012.

April came with a bang my birthday and tophers rolled into one!   Then I started selling doterra!  Love the product.  Bryan was job hunting we were working ok foster licensing when I got a txt on April 22nd that would change my life yet again.   My 16 year old niece who was such an amazing soul and had a rare blood disease was on the operating table.  They said to rush down.  So I rushed thru the interview and rushed to primary childrens.    My husband Bryan gave her a blessing one that was the hardest he's ever given.  He held this young life in his hands.   The Lord told him to let her go..  So he did.  10 min latter they did another brain scan and she had no brain waves.  She was gone.  A young healthy beautiful vivacious life gone.   I sat in the waiting room tell 10 am but had to get the car back to mom and sleep for an hour.  When we woke I called no answer was on my checked fb and she had died around 10:23am. Her body fought for hours after we took off life support.  This left us all a mess and in shock what to do.    Her funeral was breathtaking.  They had to turn away people. They couldn't fit that many in the whole funeral room!  People lines the walls and sat on the floor.  

After we. Decided not to go on our vacation we had planned.  (All expenses paid). Our bishop said take it.   So first we went to az for my doterra conference.  FYI. Make sure your husband remembers your bags,  him amd I hasno clothes!

Bed hogs!

Then onto legoland!

The the horrible door that gave us an extra day. Free trip back do all our meals payed for!  

I got locked I. Twice!  We were in the new mummy room!

Then we went home after 3 days and 3/4? Nights.  And playing in the pool!

Then our summer!

We had a blast!  Oh we got a dog to help the girls they loved him!  We named him max.  

Topher and max. Got the nickname Calvin and hobs they loved escaping the apartment and having adventures!

Dad even fell in love!

Now part two

Kali's baptism day.

So Saturday arrived and my baby girl my precious little preemie girl got baptised!  She walked in and i wrapped her and her brother in a huge hug!  Also got pictures!   Here is Kali pre baptism all ready for her dunk in the watter.  I must tell you she was afraid her dad wouldn't do it right and she'd have to go under 20 times lol. 



Us before it started.

 Kaleb wouldn't let go of my hand he was loving the attention!  He clung to me the whole time.  It was nice to snuggle up with my little guy who i hadn't seen in a few weeks.  And they were all good for pictures i was amazed!

 Kali did SO well during her baptism there were 4 children getting baptised so we had to go in the chapel to start.  Then go off ward by ward.  Her ward was last.  There were two children from her ward.  One boy one girl. She went second and i was able to sit in the front row with Rachel's sister to see her up and close as she went under.  I'd never felt prouder of her.

 Tried getting pics with Kaleb he was 2 excited to stand still!

Here we go he was able to be good for a minute and let go of my hand!  It's been a long time since he was that cuddly and cute!

As you can tell he wanted to watch mommy not the camera.  Kali's dress was handmade by Rachel's (Josh's wife) mom.  It was beautiful but a BIT on the bit side.  Hopefully she gets enough use out of it before she grows to big!

I was blessed to have my sister Tomi come to the baptism with us!  It was such an amazing moment when i turned and saw her come in the chapel!  We didnt' think anyone would be there because for one it was in West Point.  For another my mom was really ill and Tomi had a sick child at home.  But she took time out of her busy schedule to be there for us.  It made me cry and be appreciative for the family i have!

Me and Kali.  amazed no Kaleb i was!  I can't believe it's been 8 short years since i held that tiny 4lb baby in my arms and brought her home.  Scared to death of how to take care of her!  Lucky my mil was there to help.  She would start the night time and bring her in at 4 for us to take over.  She spent two weeks helping me learn how to take care of a baby (let alone a preemie).  Also getting her shots for RSV which she ended up getting at 1!   After we'd moved back to Utah.  This little girl is a miracle by all accounts.  As i thanked the bishop i remembered then Dr asking me 3 times to abort her so I would live.  I laughed at him.  And here is the miracle because i had faith god would get me thru.  He has a plan for my family and children and I'm thankful i listened to the holy spirit!

At the end they left but Kaleb forgot his apple so i stopped by his house gave him his apple and drove home.  It was sad ending the day so early.  BUT i am so grateful for the time i had with my babies!  I didn't get alot of time with Kali she was by her dad in the front.  But i got extra special time with Kaleb and the three others.   Hope you all have a great October!

Thomas family

An overdue post

So much has happened since i last posted.  I wanted to do a bunch of small blogs with the Kj's Christmas and then ours with topher.  But my computer went kaput and doesn't like me.  Sadly it has ALL of my pictures and new craft idea's on it :(.  Alas this is life.  So i'm "borrowing" my mom's.  But i do have some fun pictures.

Kali Jo started second grade can you believe it???? I CAN"T wasn't she just born at 32 weeks and in nicu? And i thought that was the hardest time of my life (or one of lol).  Now she's a reading attitude going little almost 8 year old!  September 27th she will be 8 years old.  In October she'll be baptized.  Wow where has time gone?  I think of her daily wishing i could do her hair for school (and let it grow!)  watch her ride her bike.  Just the little things.

Kaleb turns 6 in December!  he started kindergarten!!!!  I can't believe my baby's in school!  Wasn't he just an infant in my arms also?  With little Kali handing me diapers?  Walking the halls at night with his Colic as josh worked late.  I remember it all so clear but it seems like yesterday and a lifetime ago.  One in a dream. He's loving school but is sad he can't ride the bus home.

Then there's topher boy.  He's turned into a typical two year old terror!  He thinks spitting doing "raspberry's" at everyone is funny.  Well at mommy, daddy and grandma.  He also has a fascination with getting into everything!  We had to actually baby proof the house when he is two!  He talks as good as a 4 year old when he wants to.  He repeats EVERYTHING you say. (some u don't want him to haha).  But oh the potty training!  I've potty trained many nieces nephues and my own kids.  But this one has me stumped!  I"m ready to buy a book!  But that costs money lol so wont be happening.  he poops in there good when daddy has him do it.  But i can barely get him to sit there and pee!  He ASKS for his diaper and cries when we put underwear on him!!!!   He's finally grown out of his 18-24 month clothes.  Meaning he needs 2t and 3t.  That's the scary part! we don't' have much.  A few friends have gives us stuff but it's mostly 4t 5t.  So anyone out there reading this have any donated clothes they wanna pass down we are appreciative!

Bryan is still job hunting this fills like a never ending process.  My craft stuff isn't' selling as well as i'd like either.  wondering what i can do to have it sell well.  Besides having a bigger inventory for holiday's but that'll wait for awhile.  I have so many ideas but they cost money darn it!   My money tree just hasn't been growing well these days haha!

Bryan and i are doing great!  We love it up here in West jordan!  The neighbors are great the complex is perfect!  The ward is absolutely amazing!  With bryan and i's health issues it's been great to have there help.  Topher LOVES nursery!  He told me that he has to see his "buddy" he's always dancing out the door as we are getting ready.  To find out his "buddy' is the old grandpa in there!  I asked him why don't you play with the other kids?  HE said "Uh mom they just don't remember and it's boring being with babies."  HAHA
He's also been asking allot about wanting a baby brother or sister like Aiden lol THANKS JESSIKA!  And to top that one off Kali and Kaleb are asking now also.  There step mom is having twins and Kali's convinced i need to give her a baby sister now. Oh brother.  It wasn't for lack of trying for a year.  BUT with daddy no job they don't get why i'm "waiting"  kids will be kids lol.

OH i did forget to tell your our interesting bed story.  SO out of the BLUE topher started SCREAMING when we put him in his crib awake or asleep he'd sob hysterically.  Then he'd try to jump out head first.  So after watching him twice "climb" out we decided it was time to take it down.  We even tried putting it into a toddler day bed NOPE still screaming and pounding on the door!  So after many sleepless nights and him ending up in our bed (With a non to happy daddy)  We tried the bed on the floor same thing.  SO the next day i went out and was able to find a bunk bed set and a bed for a steal!  So for the first few nights he cried wanting back i bed with us.  Then he'd sleep 1/2 way thru the night then cry and come back in bed with us.  Well about a month and a half ago we decided enough's enough!  So Bryan started a new bedtime routine which consists of them reading scriptures together while he lays in bed.  Then bryan leaves when he's close to asleep or is.  And he sleeps without crying to get out.  BUT every morning we find him with his pillow and sheet against the door! i mean what the heck!  What child sleeps in front of his door.  I Must tell you that when someone locks him out he likes to lay down and look under the door.  YES my child is a peeping tom LOL.  well that's all for now.  Some big changes may be on the way so keep a look out :)

Kaleb's birthday LOTS of pictures lots of family there!

December 16th 2011
Kaleb's birthday was by far bigger then kali's.  Not meaning to i had just planned it better.  So many people came to make the day even more special!  All that was missing was my sister Kelli and her 1 niece and nephue and my family would have been completely here!  It was amazing to spend time with everyone!  Kaleb had no idea how to react to so many people.  My aunt Tracy came and he had never met her so he was very shy.  There are alot of pics!  I'm trying to tone them down and only pick out the best.  But there are some really good ones!  So take the time and see.

Kaleb's party theme of course was "cars" I made his cake also and he was thrilled!

My house before they completely destroyed it!
They loved the balloons.

Kaleb found his old toys not sure
if the new ones were as exciting.

Kaleb finally opening gifts
all the kids around him

 

 Kaleb loved his truck!

Kaleb opening his gift from daddy

Kaleb Loves his present
from daddy bryan!

My first cars cake
Made myself for him
to blow out the candle :)
I"m getting pretty good at this!

My second cars cake to make sure
we had enough

Kali girl did NOT like someone else
being the center of attention.
First child syndrome?

 he was so excited about all the "cars" decorations
He loved it!
Not that you can tell hha

Time to blow out the candles!
Happy birthday 2 you kaleb!

 Family picture :) Tomi and her kids kelli's kids
and most my kids.

Grandma and her grandbabies!
From left to right
Rayne, Destiny, Mikah, Kaleb, Kali Shayde holding topher

Tomi playing with topher trying to distract him
He wanted all the toys!

Aunt tomi getting hugs from kaleb
and all the kido's everywhere!

He just loved his new car!

Kaleb finding new things 2 do

Rayne and kaleb
playing together
i think Rayne is bored poor boy!

The boys were all into everything!

This birthday was filled with more joy and laughter then my house had ever seen!  Next year we will make kali and topher's just as special!  And god bless adalia's also
Merry Christmas and happy birthday my 5 year old boy!

Temple square

December 12th a lil late also

Now as we live SO close to temple square how can we not go show topher the many lights and how peaceful it felt in there.  We went on a fairly warm night.  Also it's so convenient to go down the block to trax and stop right in front of the temple! hope back on and we are home.  No hard parking at all. 

Topher and i sitting at the tras

waiting on the train

topher all bundled up and excited for the train

Daddy taking a picture of us at the lights he LOVED them!

He kept saying oh oh oh oooooooooo

 Christopher looking at daddy like do we have to not move 

it's cold!

 We were able to get someone to 

take a family picture :)

 Train ride home

He just loves looking outside

but he was sleepy

 See mom i like my tongue!

We saw more pretty lights outside

all the houses decorated

in bright colors flying bye

 haha mommy can you see them!

It was a very special outing for us.  I had not been back to temple square lights since i was a child with my father.  It was great bringing topher and staring a new tradition.

What a great way to start the holiday!