Santa . . .

Lex finally had a Saturday off. I can't remember the last time he was able to be home on a Saturday. We asked the girls what they wanted to do . . . Desea said, " I want to go see Santa!" I was so excited! Usually kids are scared of Santa, but not my girl. We went to Grossmont Center to see Santa. We waited in line for about ten minutes, and the whole time Desea was talking about seeing, talking, and being with Santa. Finally it was the girls turn to sit on Santa's lap and take a picture. Well, apparently waiting in line and seeing Santa was enough because Desea waved to Santa and said bye bye. Hence no picture for this posting! We stood in line for 10 minutes and that was enough. I guess when she said "I want to SEE Santa!" that is really what she meant:)

Thanksgiving . . .

We went to Gordon's Well for Thanksgiving! My Dad is a hard core desert rat. Every year he spends certain weekends and holidays at the desert no matter what. This year Lex came up with the idea that we should join him. It turned out to be a little family getaway, minus Brad and Ashley. My parents took Desea with them on Wednesday, which gave me a little bit of a break, thanks Mom & Dad. Lex, Jazzy, and I went up Thanksgiving morning. We grubbed on some good food while we were there and enjoyed watching the little ones play morning, day, and night. They loved it so much that we stayed an extra night. Desea loved our house (the tent) that we slept in. Our girls couldn't get enough of the sand and Papa's dune buggy. They both cried when it was time to leave. It doesn't get much better than good food, great company, and making memories.

Papa and Nama with the kids

Jazzy loved just sitting on the desert toys

Desea tried on all the helmets and other desert accessories.

What do you think?

We have a name for our baby girl. I'm am so excited that I found one this early. This is my least favorite part of having a baby. Lex and I pray for months and ponder and pray some more. However, Lex left it all up to me this time. The only problem is ... Lex HATES the name I picked out! I am SET on the name and refuse to change it. I have prayed about it and actually changed one of the middle names because I didn't feel it was right for her to have the one I orginally chose. I think that it is beautiful and he thinks that it sounds OLD and doesn't FLOW!

Ciela 'Elele Hope Olayan

Pronunciation: See-ella (Ciela) Uh-lay-lay ('Elele)

In Spanish, Cielo means HEAVEN. Because I changed the "O" to an "A" it no longer means heaven, but it does in my mind. 'Elele means MESSENGER in Hawaiian. So my translation of her name means heaven(ly) messenger of hope. I LOVE it! Lex didn't help me find it and hasn't come up with something else, so this is it as far as I am concerned. Just curious as to what you think :)

Veteran's Day

Both of my parents had work off for Veteran's Day. The fam decided to head up to Julian for lunch, pie, goodies, and quality time.

Our little HAM!

Crazy face!

Jazzy and Nama

Reef and Taije
STUDS!

Mommy keeping Jazzy from running into the street

My Dad doing what he does best ... Papa! The kids LOVE him!

More Halloween ...

We started the weekend off celebrating Josh's 28th Birthday! It was fun to dress up and hang out with friends and family.

Ballerina, Tinkerbell, Daddy, and Ladybug

Trick or Treating in the Collins' neighborhood

Jazzy was happy running on the sidewalk and knocking on the doors, she didn't care much about the candy.

Desea was feeling under the weather, but she still had it in her to grab hand fulls of candy!

Late as usual ...

Another one of our FHE Halloween Festivities included pumpkin carving and caramel apples. The girls loved it!

Desea didn't mind getting her hands slimy from the pumpkin seeds

Jazzy, on the other hand, couldn't stand the feeling :)

Our finished product

Our apples half way done

The finished product covered in caramel, white chocolate, and butterfinger or heath bar.
YUMMY!

FHE

For FHE this week, a bunch of us went to the pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins to carve next week. The girls loved finding their own pumpkins, feeding the goats, and going on the rides. It was a great family outing!

The three little pigs

Jazzy, Reef, and Desea
(Desea wouldn't smile in any of these pics because her mouth was full of cookies that her Auntie Ashley bought her)

Our Jazzy Fe

Our Desea

Papa and the girls

Feeding the goats

The Shelter Is VACANT ...

"The Shelter" is the nickname for our home. It doesn't seem to fit right at the moment because it is just the four of us living in it now. (Well, we do have Aimee, but she doesn't really count because she is always on the go.) Ever since Lex and I have been married, we have had someone and more living with us. The numbers have been as low as 5 and most recently 15. Lex and I always said that we would have an open door policy for anyone who was in need. It has been a blessing to serve our friends and family. I miss the loud background noise that filled our house for the last 3 months. It is almost eerie how quiet it is around here. Now what to do with all the time that I have now :)

Happy Birthday Kiarra!

It has been one year since my sister, Ashley, had her baby. She was born at 23 weeks only weighing 1lb. 3 oz. and was 11 inches long. Kiarra is the most beautiful baby girl I have ever held. I am so grateful for the knowledge of the gospel and the plan of salvation. I strive even harder to be better so that one day I can see her again. I know that FAMILIES ARE FOREVER! Hence, the title of our blog. Every time I see those three words I think of Kiarra and remember the desire I have to live more righteously. Thank you, Ashley and Brad for being a true example of strength and love. I continue to admire the both of you!

Sleepy Head

It was Jazzy's nap time and I couldn't find her anywhere. Thankfully I didn't have to look far. She was fast asleep in our office chair next to the computer.

Nicole's Bachelorette Party

A bunch of us got together to celebrate one of Nicole's last nights of being single. Aimee rented a karaoke room for Nicole's Bachelorette Party. We ate appetizers, drank soda, had fun with some props, played a game and sang for hours. It was a blast!

The bride with her bridesmaids

Talitha, Brook, Stephanie, Nicole, Diane, Meagan, Aimee
Jaime and Me

Me, Aimee, and Talitha

Nicole and Aimee rockin' out with some props

Me and Girlfriend (one of my nicknames for her)

Nicole, Aimee, and Talitha

Brook being cute

Meagan struttin' her stuff

Stevie and Jaime singing "just a small town girl . . ."

Me and Stevie showing off our red lips for the game we played

Here are again with some masks


Thanks Aimee for a fun girls night out!

TOFW

I got to go on another girls trip! I went to Boise, Idaho for Time Out For Women. I highly recommend going for a good spiritual high. The best part of the whole trip was being with my Olayan sisters and our niece.

We started out our weekend by going to the Boise Temple. It was one of the most spiritual experiences I have ever had. How grateful I am to be able to go to the House of the Lord and get answers to my prayers and direction for me and my family.

Chelsea, Desiree, Dacia, Melody, and Me

We fit in a photo shoot before TOFW started.

Melody, Erika, Chelsea, Mashaide, Shendileen, Dacia
Janel, Sadie, and Desiree

Thanks Shaz!

Here we all are with our note books that my sister Dacia made for each of us ... she ROCKS!

Friday night at the conference

Saturday on our Lunch break. We ate at my sister's restaurant, IOU Sushi . . . yummy yummy to my popping out tummy!

Here we are at the end of the conference. Our eyes might look a little red and puffy, well they are:)

This was one of the best getaways ever! We got to go to the temple, do a photo shoot, TOFW (cry), eat, stay up late, TOFW (cry), eat, TOFW (cry), sister bonding time (share testimonies, "I know", girl talk, cry, laugh, and cry some more), eat, enjoy some ice cream, and stay up late. I am so thankful for this opportunity that I had to draw nearer to my Savior and grow closer to my sisters. They inspire me to be better so one day we will be together FOREVER!


P.S. Thanks Lovey for allowing me to have this experience . . . I LOVE YOU!

San Francisco

My cousins, some friends, and I went on a GIRLS TRIP to San Francisco for a weekend. It was a much needed break and my first trip without the hubby or kids since I have been married. We had a blast doing what girls do best . . . shop, eat delicious food, and talk! It was a blast!

This is me exhausted from being pregnant and walking all day long.

All of our names (except one) were drawn for the WICKED lottery. We got our tickets for $25! It was a great way to start our weekend.

On the tour of the city

Me and Stevie

Jolene, Jeannie, and Me

You can't go to SF without enjoying Ghirardelli ice cream.

Julianne, Stevie, Jeannie, and Me getting our massages

My Mom, Tracy, Stevie, Candi, and Me posing after eating at the best italian restaurant

What would a girls weekend be without giving each other glitter pedicures