Good bye 2011-2012 school year...

We are so ready for summer here at the Pia home. So ready. Beyond ready! I've never felt this way before. I'm usually excited for summer, but for some reason... I'm DESPERATE for summer this year!!! Desperate and exhausted! All 4 kids have had an extraordinary amount of homework and crazy schedules. I can't remember a more grueling school year. I can't help but think that it's not going to get any easier. The older the kids get, the busier we all get. What's up with that?

So goodbye to another school year and HELLO to summer. Thursday is the last day of school for the Pias because we're heading to HAWAII! Yippee!!!

I thought I better snap a few pictures to remember the last week of school. 

Bryn finished her first year of French. It's been a great year for her. She's improved immensely. I'm so glad we decided to have her participate in the French immersion program. It's been wonderful. She'll be fluent by 6th grade!

Gotta love first grader TEETH!!! Hee hee!

One of Bryn's classic faces. She's the queen of funny faces. We're constantly laughing at her!

Berkley's had a fantastic academic year. She's a lil' smarty pants. She sailed right thru 7th grade. She was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society last month and we're so proud of her. She's still dancing like a maniac and loving her friends to DEATH!!!!


This picture is so funny because she HATES her braces and won't smile with teeth showing. I got her laughing and she quickly covered her mouth. Funny girl!

Mr. Mason had a great school year as well. He had SO MUCH FREAKING HOMEWORK!!! I swear he was learning stuff the 6th graders learn. Man alive! He also played a bunch of basketball and now he's onto tennis for the summer. Mason hit a growth spurt this year and is growing like a weed!!!

It's hard to believe that Chan Chan will be a Senior next year. He's really matured the past 6 months. Really mellowed out! Phew! He's hoping to gain a bunch of weight over the summer. He's a lean, mean, fighting machine with a strong emphasis on the LEAN.  He had a great Lacrosse season and is one tough kid! Can't wait to see what he's capable of next year. LOOK OUT!!!

Well, goodbye 2011-2012 school year. I can't say I'm gonna miss you! Mahalo!!!!

Spring Break 2012

Spring Break was soooooooo much fun this year. I wish we could do it all over again. 


We stay at Las Palmas Green Valley every year, but this year was the best. Our condo was on the first level of the first building which puts us right smack in front of the pool and recreation area. The kids were in HEAVEN!!!!  I'll let the pictures do the explaining....




Bryn's first friend sleep-over. She was so cute and giggly. 

 The boy's taking a break watching TV.

My lil bro Jer and his son Asher came with us. It was so fun to hang out with them and catch up on life.

These four girls were inseparable. They had the time of their lives riding around on their scooters with oodles of independence. 

My parents stayed with us as well. It's never a full fledged family vacation without them. It's always more fun when Crampa and Grandma Karen come!!!!!!

Seriously, lil Asher is the cutest 3 year old EVER!!!!! He kept us entertained for days. The girls fell in love with him (and vice versa) and wanted to spend every waking moment with him. 

Now that Berks and Taylor are teenagers, they love to lay out and look pretty. I think they were in HEAVEN with all the boys around. 

We hurried to the pool every morning to set up our towels and chairs. The place was packed and it took a little planning on our part. Brian and Lori rearranging the furniture  a bit. 

We had a great time chit chatting with neighbors and friends. I'm pretty sure half our neighborhood was sitting at the pool. Ha Ha!

Do you think these two look like brother and sister? We sure do. They are such good buddies and had a great time splashing in the pool and playing with Asher. 

Bryn thinks this is the funniest picture of Ash. She belly laughs every time she sees it. 

Brian took the older girls to the pet store one afternoon. They each picked a puppy. How cute is that? Berkley's puppy is a little fluff ball. 

I spent the majority of the trip covered up. My skin just isn't what it used to be... Darn it!

Joe was able to fully relax on this trip. It was AWESOME!!!!! We exercised in the morning, played tennis for a few hours and sat at the pool every afternoon. Can you see why I wanna go back so badly? It was dreamy. 

Ash and Jer are so cute. I think they're coming over next weekend to play again. The girls talk about Ash non-stop and miss him so much. Romney has a surprise for him when he comes again.... 

The kids got together and played night soccer with the Dads and Jeremy. The Dads were the Goalies. The kids had a blast!!!!

I think Asher had a lil crush on Romney. He followed her EVERYWHERE and she loved it (I think)... He called her THE GIRL. 

Ooooh.... I can see the competitiveness in Berks face. She's ready for some soccer action.

Saturday morning was lots of fun. Las Palmas puts on an Easter Extravaganza. The kids get to decorate eggs, lots of crafts, snow cones & cotton candy and bounce houses. The kids were set.

 Lots of glitter and sparkles for Bryn.

 More friends and fun...

Joe's training for a half Ironman right now and got a lot of swimming done throughout the week. I took this picture right after he took his goggles off. Hee hee!

More decorating. Of course Asher squeezed right between the girls. He's no dummy!

 Jer sitting back, relaxing and enjoying the show. 

Easter morning was great. The Easter Bunny found us again this year. Phew! 

I set my camera's timer and dove into this family picture. It took a few tries before I actually made it into the frame. Ha ha! Good times. We had a little Easter lesson on the Savior and it was just what we needed to end our trip right. 

See you next year St. George!!!

Birthday girl...

H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y  B R Y N N E R Z 

My baby is 7 today and growing up WAY TOO FAST! I'm madly in love with this girl. She's spunky, determined, loving, she loves to cuddle, artistic, smart as a whip, friendly and most importantly... HAPPY!


I hope she has a great day today. She gets to dance at the Cottonwood Drill Show tonight along with Berkley. Lucky girls. 


Bryn requested Crepes for her Birthday breakfast. The whole family was happy about that choice!

Bryn LOVES wearing glasses to school. I think she looks studious in her black framed 3D glasses with the lenses popped out... don't you? She cracks me up!

Love you lil' Brynnerz!

Happy Birthday Berks

It's official. Berkley hit her teens. She is 13 today. It's hard to believe my sweet baby girl is growing up before my eyes. 


I remember the day I had her. She was born 3 weeks early. The doctors stopped my labor numerous times during pregnancy. Once we hit the safe mark, they didn't stop her from coming. I decided to have Berkley totally natural. No drugs. I can't say I would do it again, but I'm glad I got to experience it with her. She was my tiniest baby. 6 lbs. 4 oz. and 18 1/2" long. We named her Alexandria in the hospital, but had to change it a few weeks later because Alexandria did not suit her AT ALL! 


Berkley's been a wonderful daughter, sister and friend. She is responsible, focused, driven, smart, ambitious, and pushes herself to be the best she can be. She's been telling us for quite some time that she wants to go to BYU and dance for the Cougarettes. I know she's only in 7th grade, but I have no doubt she will accomplish this dream. 

Berks requested Woofle eggs, hash-browns and OJ for her Birthday breakfast.

I never imagined motherhood being this rewarding. I am so grateful to have this girl as my daughter. She's a keeper! Happy Birthday Berklestein! Love you truly!

Here's a (really badly taped) glimpse of Berkley's first solo. She took first place in her division. She rocked it! 

xoxo

another year?

Another year has come and gone for Mr. Pia and me. Today is our 14th wedding anniversary. Joe is planning something fun for us tonight. Can't wait! He's such a romantic. 

Love this friend of mine more each year!

xoxo