Disneyland

Disneyland was great as usual.  We had so much fun just spending time together.  The lines weren't too bad and we were able to do everything we wanted many times over.  After years of not going on a vacation it was very fun for Mike and I to take "big" kids on vacation.  It was great to be able to go and do whatever with no concern for a time schedule.  We commented several times how weird it was to not have a stroller with us.  I really enjoyed the time on the rides and the time in line.  It was a great chance to just be a family.
The pictures are endless but here are just a few.



As always Thunder Mountain was definitely a favorite!



A little excited while waiting for the tram.  After two days in the car they were ready to start the vacation!




We were in the right place at the right time and there was no waiting to get their picture with Buzz!





This one is for Jadyn and Kaylie





One of my favorites from the trip.




Killing time in the princess line.  The only line Sam was willing to wait in.  I could make a photo album of him and his princesses.




Mollie talked for weeks about having a turkey leg!




Destined to be a king!




Even the cold and rain on the last night didn't dampen our spirits.



California Adventure

AWESOME!  FUN!  AMAZING!  FABULOUS!  I could go on with a list of words to describe California Adventure.  We just had a great time being together and the Water Show was amazing.  We saw it twice and loved it both times.  Sam was on a mission to ride the rollercoaster as many times as possible.  The nonexistent lines made this pretty doable.  I rode twice, Mike a few times, Mollie and Megan quite a few, and Sam some crazy number.  We also loved the new Toy Story mania ride.  Megan wants to plan a return trip to visit the Cars land that they are creating.  We also watched the live Alladin show as well, it was definitely a highlight.  We laughed a lot!

Sea World



The excitement!




The warning!




The aftermath!  They were drenched.  I couldn't help but laugh and laugh.  I offered them ponchos.



Universal Studios

We were a late getting to Universal Studios because of a flat tire and then terrible traffic.  After a slow start we had a great day.  I wish we could have had a little more time.  Our morning put us behind two hours so we didn't get to see everything but I loved it.  Very fun day!

Happy Holidays!

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas Holiday. We loved seeing and hearing from many of you and missed those that we were not able to spend time with. Happy New Year from our family to yours! Here are few highlights from our Christmas Holiday.

As always, decorating gingerbread houses with the cousins is a fun evening. I made the houses for the first time this year. What a sticky mess. I have to thank Mike's Mom, Lucy, for all of the many years that she has made the houses for everyone to enjoy, THANK YOU.

While I stood in line waiting for our Santa pictures the kids ventured with Mike over to the Toy Store, Sam was being a good sport about going along but it looked like he had a little fun!

Sam, Megan, and Mollie on their annual carousel ride at Westlake

Our favorite Gingerbread house at the Sheraton. It was a fabulous display and tribute to those that serve in the armed forces.

Waiting for Santa

Sitting with Santa
Having my picture with Santa, does this Santa look familiar??

Hanging out Christmas Eve at Grandma's and Papa's house

Some in my family questioned why Santa would give an "Air Horn" to a 15 year old boy.

Megan can't wait to go to school on Monday with her new sweatshirt.

Mollie taking time out to give her new Dolphin a squeeze, this pillow pet is her new favorite pillow in her room.

And finally, the highlight, I love this picture of sure joy and happiness. The kids were very shocked, surprised, and overjoyed when they learned that we are heading to Disneyland in February!

Family Prayer

We have family prayer pretty much every night. Some nights run great and all goes smoothly and everyone is off to bed and some nights don't go quite as well and of course there are the occassional nights here and there when someone starts chuckling during the prayer. I have to admit that this week it was me who was laughing. Sometimes kids say the craziest things even when they get older.

Several days ago we tye dyed t-shirts. The girls thought is would be fun to wear the shirts for Santa pictures and Sam was talked into the plan. We have never tye dyed shirts before so it was a quick but entertaining few minutes because none of us really new what we were doing. We wrapped the shirts in saran wrap and left them to sit overnight. As we knelt down to prayer that night Sam said "please bless the shirts to do whatever it is they need to do."

Two days later as Mollie was praying she said "please bless that our Christmas budget will increase so that I can have everything I want."

Finally, Mollie has a good friend named Chandler who just had surgery. Sam quite frequently teases Mollie about her friends who happen to be boys. Well in the prayer Mollie said "please bless Chandler that he will recover quickly" just then we all hear Sam very quietly say "ooooooooooooooooooooooh Mollie." Megan and I started laughing and couldn't stop. Mollie quickly ended the prayer. Once we quit laughing we proceeded to get Sam in trouble for teasing his sister, especially during a prayer. His comment was "what, I did it with the utmost respect and reverance.

I love coming together for family prayer!

Another Year

I have a love hate relationship with the month of september.

I hate seeing summer come to and end but love getting back into a routine.

I hate the endless amounts of homework but love hearing the kids talk about some great thing they learned or see their excitement when they grasp a new concept.

I hate shopping for endless amounts of new clothes and supplies but love cleaning out the dressars and cupboards to get ready for the new items that actually fit and don't have holes etc.

I love the morning routine when it runs smoothly but absolutely hate waking up (I have never been a morning person).

I love watching Megan swim, Mollie play soccer, and Sam play football. I hate worrying that they will be safe and I definitely hate the wet, muddy, and stinky laundry that goes with fall sports.

I hate filling out the forms and papers that have to be signed and returned to the school. I love that I get to work on my penmanship skills (yeah right)

I love listening to sixth graders practice their band instruments, I hate listening to sixth graders practice their band instruments.

I could go on and on about many more things that I love about my kids and about being a mom but I must admit that it is a little sad to see them growing up. After eleven years I no longer have a child in elementary school. It is kind of weird. One last thing, although I don't always love working I do love the fact that I have a job that is flexible enough to let me be a mom whenever needed.

Here are some pictures from the first day of school. Megan is a Junior, Sam a Sophomore, and Mollie started middle school, 6th grade.