more pictures of the wedding trip...

Don't you hate uploading pictures to blogger?  I  happen to despise it.  This post as long as the previous are just random pictures.  By the time I get all the pictures uploaded I never feel like posting captions.  I'll do my best!

a few more open house decor....

The Diaz Family put on an awesome FIESTA.  You can tell from the pictures that it was a night to remember!

 My sister-in-law kept bugging my brother to dance with her but he wouldn't budge.  He said if they (the Marachi Band) plays "La Bumba" then he, including all the guys at his table, would jump up and dance.  Anne, my SIL, went over and requested that they play "La Bumba."  Soon after everyone was in a congo line dancing. Fun.

  Funny Story: Seryn was just about asleep on my mom's chest until the DJ turned on the music, turned off the lights, and blasted a serious dance song (I'm so upset I can't even remember the song right now). Seryn shot right up!  She loves to move to music and this time was no exception.  She went crazy!  She was flapping her arms, kicking her legs, and laughing at everyone who was dancing.  The song hit everyone the right way because literally EVERYONE jumped up simultaneously (see above picture) and started busting moves on the dance floor (and up til this point only a few members from Christian's family were out on the dance floor as the Marachi Band was playing their playlist). This was easily one of the most memorable moments of the whole trip.  I took Seryn from my mom and had to take her on the dance floor.  She was the happiest I had ever seen her!

Macey, the next day at the temple after becoming a Diaz. 

Macey

Bridal Shower,  Bridals, and Open House....and other randomness that got caught in between.

my one and only nephew....Kasen Mikah

Payten's Baseball Game.  Look at the green grass. Oh, how I miss that!

Easters!

Macey's Bridals: She looks so good and so happy!

Here are a few pictures of the Open House decor. The name for our theme (that my mom and I came up with) was "Rustic Shimmer." Naming it made us feel better about our decor decisions as we were putting together the Rainbow color scheme... with polka dots... then glitter....yarn lanterns.... then some rustic crates.....? I know who knew all the random would turn out.  It all went together very well though and turned out so cute!

Centerpieces were all different colors.  I LOVED the rainbow color scheme.

Newest Member of Stakkeland Klan: Christian

Peanut Butter, Caramel, White Chocolate-Dipped Pretzels=TOOOO good

Rollercoaster Ride

The last 17 days took me on a ride of emotions that I thoroughly enjoyed (when I wasn't having complete meltdowns). It was a NON-stop party.  Sailor, Seryn, and I lost hours and hours of sleep and by day 14 we all were feeling it and my patience was on empty.  I love my family and had SOOO much fun with them.  My younger siblings had a week off for spring break so we got to  spend quality time together.  Traveling makes mealtimes for toddlers not very convenient.  Seryn got to enjoy lots of new foods- many not so healthy: Arby's curly fries, graham crackers and more graham crackers, lots of bread, frosted cookies, and the like. Sailor got to play with her favorite person on the earth: Aunt Tierney.  Tierney was the BIGGEST help I have not had in forever.  She is the ultimate babysitter and I think it's fair to say Macey's wedding day would not have happened if she hadn't been there to help me so I could help my mom, so she could get Macey's day just right. 3 ENORMOUS OORAHs for Tierney! Sailor also learned to speak better because of this trip; she speaks longer and more correct sentences.  I'm pretty sure it's because she had 10 people to talk to instead of just myself all day long. I learned that I possess very little patience, especially when I and my kids don't have naps. I learned I would NOT be a good single parent.  Another 3 ENORMOUS OORAHs for husbands! Oh, how much I missed Chase and his helpful hand.

 This 17-day ride also taught me that I MUST pray sometimes, because I literally can't do things on my own.  I had a couple emotional meltdowns...one of those was right in the middle of Macey's beautiful reception. My kids were both hysterically bawling-in front of everyone.  Crying for nothing really, except for the attention and care from their mom who happen to be neglecting them all day- this being the other lesson I learned: kids need and want the love from their mommies.  My Sailor became needy and whiny many times over the course of the 17-days, and when I finally took a moment to sit down with her, 9 times out of 10 all she wanted was me to sit and watch a show with her, or roll her up "like a taco" (wrap her in a blanket) and hold her. Seryn was the same.  Whiny and fussy until her mom took the effort to step away from wedding planning and comfort her. She would crawl after me until I would hold her.  This opened my eyes to how special and important a mother's job is.  Children need their parents and nothing is more important than to love, care, and nurture them. My newest goal is to be more aware of becoming more active as a mother and less active in the other areas of my life.  There are so many distractions that keep me from being the best mom that I can be.  I want my children to grow up remembering that I spent time with them and keeping busy in their lives, and not just my own.  I love and adore my kids so I need to show them that!  And I must publicly apologize to those who had to watch my lowest moments...when I wanted to run away and scream.  I know I wasn't a pretty sight! :)

The 17-day trip was filled with campfires and smore making, wedding planning, cooking and baking, swimming, card playing, traditional mexican fiesta with music and dancing, marriage of my little sister, bow making, painting, 4-wheeler riding, eating out, and spending lots of time with my mom- she's so special to me!

Pictures to come...

Sisters

For the last week I've been able to spend time with my family and like always we are having a party.  The last couple nights we haven't gotten to bed until after midnight.  My family consists of my older brother who is married with one sweet boy, I, married with two girls, a sister who is getting married in less than 10 days, another sister who is a senior in high school, and then 3 younger siblings who are always so fun with their nieces and nephews (they are FULL-time babysitters when we come into town -this I am grateful for).  We are sooooo ridiculous when we get together. For instance, one person will randomly hum or start singing a tune and within seconds EVERYONE is taking a part in the song whether it's making a beating sound with their hands, singing background parts, or chiming in with the soloist.  Sometimes it's as if we have rehearsed- I know what you are thinking, we are that good. :) I love that we can have conversations, serious or not, and laugh or joke about anything. We are all so different but find so much in common.  I wanted to take a couple of my sisters out for a quick 'photoshoot' so these are a few pictures from that.

ps i miss my husband.