It was worth the wait!

As you know we don't go to Disneyland as often as I would like (I am not sure that's even possible really... but anyway.) We waited our designated 2 years and this year. da da da ta da!!! It was finally time!

You know what I love the most about Disney? You can dance down main street and no one will think you are weird. Wearing weird hats and costumes is expected and laughing is a must! Seriously how could you not love this place?

I am not sure if the ages were perfect. The time of year was what did it. Or maybe the fact that we hadn't been to Disney for a couple of years, whatever it was, this year was perfect.

This little monkey was the perfect age. Not too old to think things are "lame" and old enough to ride everything. It helps that she is a complete die hard and nothing was too scary, too fast, or too anything for her.


In fact her favorite ride was the Tower of Terror. I SooooOOOOOooo HATE that ride. Good thing Daddy will ride it with her!

We did the character breakfast again this year but this year was a bit of a bust. The characters were kind of lame and there weren't as many as in years past. Oh well, the food was good and at least we got to see some of the characters. Plus, as you can see the kids loved it and... it was free with the hotel stay, and I love that!

It was close to my birthday when we went this year so not only did I get a cool button that said Happy Birthday... the park was also decorated for Halloween which is my total favorite time of year. So that was an extra perk.

The only bad thing! California Screamin was down and so was Pirates of the Caribbean. Two of my favorite rides.... Seriously! Why did it have to be those two!

This poor little guy played hard. I think there was only one night that he wasn't asleep before his dinner actually made it to the table.

Another cool thing we did this year was buy pins ahead of time for the kids to trade (WAY too expensive to buy in the park) All the workers have to trade with the kids for whatever they want. While we were waiting for the parade the kids went up and down main street trading their pins. As you can see someone is more than a little proud of herself!

(Yes I know my little Avery is missing... she would not come sit by us for "ANOTHER" picture!)

It was such an awesome trip. I can't wait to go back. In fact.... it was so much fun that even Michael is already planning the next trip. I'll turn him into a Disney die hard like myself one of these days.

We've come full Circle!

My very first blog ever was on Haley's first day of school. Well guess what! Today was Avery's first day of school. I know I am lame and never keep up on this blog but I am really gonna try this time. Honest.... no I mean it. Like TOTALLY gonna do it!

Yeah, I don't believe me either. I do really like looking back at previous post. They make me laugh so I will do my best but I still probably won't get many posts in this year. "Sigh" I guess a few are better than none.

On to the fun stuff! Avery's 1st Day of school!

For 2 days she has been bouncing.... literally bouncing up and down. Every time I saw her today she would say "you know.... today is a VERY big day for me". Yep, I know honey, me too! My last little one is going off to school.

You would think there would be tears.... NO WAY! With how naughty this little one has been this summer I was not really all that sad. She is so ready for her BIG day. Here are a few pics of the big day!

Getting on the bus!

(Did those steps get bigger or is it just me?)

She would NOT let me take her to school in the car. She had to ride the bus! As she says "I have been waiting 5 years for this mom, and I am not going to miss it!" Okay... so can I follow you over to the school in my car and make sure you get to class okay? Ummm.... no.

Check out that face! She was so mad that I came to the school. She obviously thought I was gonna stay home. Yeah like that's gonna happen!

Congrats! Baby girl. Welcome to the Big Leagues.

Is it over yet?

So I was having a pretty good day today. I got my house all cleaned and even baked some fabulous peanut butter cookies with chocolate dove centers! I was looking forward to a nice relaxing evening with the kids while the hubby is off fulfilling his calling for scouts. (cue the ominous music) dun, dun, dun.... The phone rings. This is how the phone call goes.

Him: Honey ?

Me: Yes....

Him: Our activity fell through

Me: "that's too bad" (I really am thrilled but would never say so) are you coming home?

Him: Well, yeah but can we come back to the house and have our activity there?

Me : Are you really asking me? (Anyone that knows my hubby can tell you, he doesn't ASK for things often. He is more of a do it and ask forgiveness later kind of a guy.)

Him: Ummmm no.... we are almost there I just thought I would give you a heads up.

2 hours later all 15 of them are still here, yelling their heads off in the basement. I have since made a pizza run. Cleaned up after the plague of locust ate all 6 pizzas and 4 bags of crazy bread, in under 2 minute, and hide my delicious hersey's kiss cookies that have magically dwindled from 4 doz to about 8.

Can I tell you I am so happy that I only have one little boy!

I just can't help myself.

I guess it is no secret that I LOVE Disneyland. Well, just in case any of ya didn't know...I DO! I made a promise last year, when I drug my husband by his fingernails, that I wouldn't make us go back again for 2 years. GULP! Guess where that leaves me this year???? Disneyland free.

While trying to figure out where our family trip might take us this year I keep running across deals for Disneyland. (I am not even looking for them.... REALLY! They just seem to find me) I personally it's just fate, or a sign or something, but not everyone I know feels that way.

But, anyway back to the story. When I asked everyone at dinner the other night where they wanted to go for a family trip this year I was surprised that the majority wanted to go to the beach. Well, maybe not the majority but definitely the loudest portion of the group. Since we live in Utah obviously the closest (and warmest) beaches around are where else, SUNNY CALIFORNIA! You tell me how I am supposed to plan a trip to Cali. and not include Disneyland. See... not possible is it? Here's the plan (if we really do end up going to the beaches of California) I am going to sign us all up for a day of volunteer work and get the free passes to Disneyland. That way we could still have a beach vacation with a little bit of Disneyland thrown in just for me : ) Whatcha think? Totally breaking my promise of no Disneyland for a 2 years or just kinda side steppin' it a little? Do you think the hubby will go for it?

New Year = New Me!

Well I think it's been long enough don't you? Apparently I was a little burnt out on the blogging situation. Really, it may just be that I have the attention span of a two year old! I flit around to things that interest me and then drop 'em when I'm bored. I guess it's a really good thing that my family is so darn crazy, and interesting I could never get bored with them : )

(see what I mean.... snow hat + swimming goggles and a pony)
Don't ask.... I don't know what she's doing!

So in a nutshell over the last 6 months these are a few of the big things that have happened around here....

School started.
School ended for one little 3 year old who decide "it just not for me" YEP.... me neither kid!
I turned 21 again.... Hooray!
Michael had a birthday.... he however is not 21
Dylan turned 6 - Happy birthday dude
Haley turned 8 -It's great to be 8 ....right bug!
Haley got baptized (A very cool experience)
Christmas and a house full of family for the holidays.
Mom slept for 2 weeks straight afterwards....

This has brought us to January, most peoples most dreaded month. Me. I love it! A new start, I have no birthdays or holidays I need to plan for. I am stuck inside with my beloved Kindle with nothing to do but read. Really what's not to like!

This year I have plenty of resolutions some I will mention.... most I will not (come on now! A girls gotta have her secrets.) One I can mention is my resolution to get more organized. I am well on my way to achieving this. I have almost an entire floor of my house currently sporting nicely organized closets. Cool huh! Anyone that knows me will know that I clean everything in my house ALL The time... except my closets and cupboards. They are a nightmare! But no longer I tell ya. It's a new year, a new decade even. So there ya have it. We're back, at least until I get bored and wander off on ya for a while. Now I'm off to fulfil another goal. It' time for the daily run.

Talk to ya soon

Hi-YA CowBOY

All of my kids have been blessed with larger than life personalities. My youngest however may have just a little somethin' extra! Today on our way out from Costco we spotted a Costco employee that was getting ready to head out and round up the carts. He was wearing his bright orange vest and a straw hat (I can only guess probably to keep out the sun). Before I even had a chance to notice him sitting on the side Avery yells out... " HI YA COW....BOY. with all the western drawl and inflection she can muster. When I start to laugh (as does everyone within ear shot) She turns to me and says "What mommy? He is a cowboy! See his hat?" It was the funniest thing! It totally brought a smile to his face, mine too.... but she does that everyday anyway!

Sum....Sum... Summer Time

I have now resigned myself to the fact that I completely suck at blogging during the summer. Accepting this fact and stating it out loud is quite therapeutic for me. I no longer feel like such a slacker when I put 1 maybe 2 pitiful little posts up per month. Having said this, here are a few of the things we've been up to lately.

Some much needed swimming lessons

Fireworks.... of course!

Lots and Lots of T-ball

And LAST but definitely not least.... My baby girl turned 3

(she was insistent that she have cupcakes and not a birthday cake!)

She had a swimming/Tinkerbell party complete with Tinkerbell swimming suit and dress up costume.

I love summer time!!!! Is there any wonder why? It just doesn't get any better than this.