Halloween!

Sam and I had a very eventful Halloween.


This is us at our Halloween ward party. Sam went as Charlie Brown and I went as Lucy. I think Sam looks like Charlie Brown. Hank wanted to go as the Marx Brothers but he had to work, so we are putting that costume idea on hold. I think Sam would have been a cute Harpo...oh well.


A close-up of the cutest Charlie Brown around.


On Thursday we went to Disneyland. They had it all dressed up for Halloween. They also changed space Mountain to Ghost Mountain...it was spooky!


California Adventure was all Halloweened up as well.


This is us waiting for the celebration Parade to start...which ended up breaking down, creating a lot of awkward moments for the dancers...Sam's face says it all.


I think we are going to start a new tradition. Hank brought hot chocolate packets with us and we drank hot chocolate while waiting for the fireworks. It was such a memorable moment. Sam ate a spoon. They had the coolest Halloween fireworks show as well!


Sam and I joined my parents and sister for the Spanish Branch's ward party. My dad is the high council member over that branch. This is a picture of my parents in line for the costume contest. Before the party Sam got a hold of a leftover birthday balloon at our house. He was pretty fussy until he started playing with the balloon so we brought it with us. That balloon was like a comfort toy or something because he held onto it the whole night.


My mom was being silly and dancing all around with Sam to show him off no doubt. Good thing Sam had his balloon to keep him safe.


Basically my family were the only ones dancing,. They are so fun and silly.


Hours after the party ends and Sam still needs his balloon.


Since poor, sweet, hardworking Hank missed out on both Halloween parties we had to make Halloween day really fun. This the whole family carving pumpkins.


Sam made use of the pumpkin guts. He loves Halloween!


Hank went into work that night so Sam and I went Trick or Treating at the mall. It was so busy! Which is perfect for a wide-eyed baby. He enjoyed eating the wrappers of candy while I enjoyed eating real candy. We were both satisfied. What a fun Halloween!

My boy is getting so big!

Sam is 6 months old! We went to the doctor today and he is 18.4 lbs and 28 inches long. He is so happy and pleasant all the time. He recently learned to sit up all by himself. I discovered his new development when I was at the park with my sister. We went to watch the ducks. Well one by ones all these ducks approached us (hoping for food no doubt) and before we knew it we were surrounded by ducks. It was really silly. I had Sam in my lap and noticed that he wasn't using my body for support. I quickly stood up and there was my little guy just sitting around like no one's business. I think the duck's secretly know what was about to be revealed and wanted to circled in to see the action. I must say it was pretty exciting and I think they got a good show.


He's a natural!


This only shows a fraction of the swarming ducks.

These are cute videos

The best time in Washington!

Hank and I went up to Washington to visit my sister Sarah and her family. I realized I don't have any pictures of my brother-in-law Mike in this post, but trust me...he's really great too. Anyway, we had the BEST time! We did and saw so much and I can't believe how beautiful Washington is! The bestest best part was, of course, spending time with my sister's family. They are so wonderful and I just wished they lived closer because now I am missing them too much. These pictures are all out of order and random, but I think you will enjoy them anyhow.


The Ballard locks






I told Avery to make a serious face in this picture and that is what she came up with.


Birthday party for my two nieces! Their birthdays are 5 days apart. This is Elliott enjoying her cake...how cute!






Look how beautiful it is! So peaceful!


That right...that's me...got up my first time!


Hank was also a pro


We're on a ferry. Very nice, very fun.


Pike's market. This is the famous fish throwing market. I enjoyed trying all the jams and dips here.


How cute!


We had such a good time, I feel sad that it is over, but happy it happened. It will just have to be a yearly thing, I guess.

My baby is getting so big!

Sam is getting so big and we are loving it around here! Please allow me to indulge...


I found a Jonny Jump up on Craig's list and got it right away. He's still a little small for it but seems to like it.


He spends more time gnawing on the jump up then actually jumping. It makes for a cute face and picture.


Look how cute he is!!!!!!!! He is so smiley and friendly, he just loves to be played with.


I put him in a shopping cart to see if he would fit and he kinda did. He lasted in there for maybe five minutes before he started slumping over. He makes me laugh because he usually never complains when I try new things, he just goes with it even if it is obviously not working.


Rice cereal has begun! Again he eats and eats without fussing. He doesn't seem to enjoy it, but he doesn't seem not to enjoy it either.


Look at my big boy in his chair! I am so proud!



I finally got a video of him rolling over!! Everyday is so exciting!

Random update, but an update!

So I haven't updated in a while because it has been so so fun and busy around here. Like I said in my last post Hank's sister Leah has been down with her Husband and two kids. Hank and I have been spending all the time we possibly can with them. It is sad because they left last week and we miss them so much :( We have had family visits from every side and angle since they arrived, so it's strange to have everything back to normal now. Hank and I have been having fun though and that is why I need to update!


Sam is getting so big. He will be 5 months on Thursday! He just had his overdue 4 month appointment. He is 16.5 pounds and 22.5 inches. He laughs and smiles all the time and he can roll over now. He is AMAZING!!


Dado and Grandma (Hank's grandparents on his Dad's side) came for a week. We were having pancakes at the beach when this picture was taken. I couldn't resist. Grandma was so cold.


Same is having some special time with his great-grand parents.


Henry junior with Henry the fifth.


Like I said we were so sad to see them go. This is Martin, Leah's husband and their son Oliver. Look how fun they are to have around!


To make ourselves cheer up after Leah and Martin left, we went to Disneyland again. Sam is enjoying some quality time with Bethany (my sister) and Summer (Hank's sister).


Disneyland has been a regular event this summer as well as going to the beach. This last time Hank made a throne for Sam.


Sam chilling in his throne.


I visited Hank at his work at Cheesecake Factory and discovered that Sam is big enough to fit into one of their high chairs. Look how proud he is!

so much family, so much chaos, so much fun!

So Hank's sister whose name is also Leah lives in England with her husband and two kids. Well they have arrived for a MONTH LONG VISIT! A few days after their arrival the entire Florence family clan came down to California. Hank has 5 other siblings, so between the spouses and grandkids it has been a crazy full week! My pictures are all unorganized so bare with me.


This is the whole family, spouses, grand kids and all.


Here is a picture of just the parents and siblings.


Sam was uncertain about having so many people around at first...


...but warmed up to the idea after meeting all his cousins.


One of our activities was the Ventura County Fair! This year I submitted some scrap booking pages and got honorable mention! I thought that was pretty cool.


Man these pictures are all over. We also went to Disneyland!!!!!!!! I am with my sister-in-law Heather and my niece Alicey (which is Alice in Portuguese...cute uh?)


This gets the picture of the year award. We were blowing bubbles outside and I think Sam thought we were playing pirates or something...hehe...


This is cool...we had a big birthday party for all the grand kids because it's so usual for them to be all together. It was a huge success.



Sam and I were very serious about the party.


So basically my sister-in-law Heather is the most talented person. She made all the boy cousins this outfit and all the girls a dress. She also made incredible gifts for the birthday party including hair bows and bath towels. She is so cool.


Sam is chillin at the pool with Auntie Leah. He loves Aunt Leah, she can made him laugh hysterically. I need to get a video of that one of these days.


Disneyland again. Leah's daughter Katya got picked to be in the Jedi training show. That made the show a hundred times more enjoyable. Katya was tiny tiny. I am so excited for when Sam is old enough.


This picture was taken right before we left the park. It was really late and we were really tired. Hank put Sam in the stuffed animals and told me he found a toy I would like. I know it is silly, but I can't tell you how funny we thought that was...it was really late.


So on Saturday we had even more family come over. Marty's (Hank's mom) side of the family came over with all their kids, kid's spouses and grand kids. This is a picture of Pa (Marty's dad) with his grandchildren. Sam fell asleep the minute after this picture was taken...poor little tike.


Heather making Sam laugh. Hank's family has really got a nack for that.

So a few of the family members have left but some have stayed, so the fun hasn't ended yet...more to come!

Looking back over the last 5 years

Hank and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary on July 31st. That's what our Disneyland extravaganza was all about. I love my husband so much and we've had a wonderful 5 years! I really do feel like the luckiest woman in the whole world.


Here we are on our wedding day July 31, 2004. I was 19 and he was 21. A lot of people were concerned because we were so young, but when it's right it's right.


A year later, after a year at BYU we moved back to California for the summer to work at a day camp. Hank's beard began...I made him shave it eventually. I wasn't yet used to Hank's changing hair styles.



We found outselves back in California in year two after spending 10 months in China teaching English. My hair short because of a crazy haircut I got in China.


I couldn't resist...look how skinny Hank is! He lost 30 pounds in China. He says he doesn't want to know why he was so skinny, he must have been sick or something.


Now we are back into the swing of things. Another year of school under our belt and we are visiting California (notice that's where I take all my pictures...I really love it here).


This is last year, we had our anniversary dinner at the bombay house in Provo. I was pregnant in this picture and didn't know it yet, little did I know what awaited me.


And that brings us up to date! I remember waiting to get married and thinking about what it would be like after we were married for 5 years. I thought that that was too far away and it would never happen. I was hoping to have a baby by then, to have traveled and to be done with school. I got all my wishes! But even if I didn't, I married the perfect man for me and life would be wonderful still. How have I been so blessed?