Castles and Coasters

For spring break we took the kiddos to Castles and Coasters.  D and I had never been so we didn't know what to expect especially over spring break! 

We had so much fun and the kiddos loved it.  We rode the bumper boats, log ride, indy cars, two roller coasters, one that went upside down TWICE, a tower of terror 100% BH's idea, and more.

Little E could ride most of them with me.  I thought she would be terrified, but she completely surprised me, she loved them ALL.  Especially the fast roller coaster and the big drop on the log ride.

Miss H didn't get to ride anything, but didn't seem to mind, she loved sittin' in her stroller being wheeled around the park.

BH begged me to get on the tower of terror and when we were about to go up he said he didn't want to do it anymore.  Yeah right...were goin' now!  So we did, we both just about had a heart attack and didn't do it again.  At the end he said it was fun, but once is enough!  I had to beg him to go on the roller coaster that did two loops.  Finally after some convincing he went...and went again and again and again!  He loved it!  The only problem was that he wouldn't go alone and D wouldn't go at all.  So...that left me to go over and over again and my head and tummy aren't as young as they use to be...

Mr. BD loved all the rides he could go on and was sad he wasn't tall enough to go on more.  The pirate ship was his favorite.

Keeks...oh my little Keeks.  She went on what she wanted and was not about to go on what she didn't want to.  I even told her that if she came on the tower of terror I would take her to get her nails done (fingers and toes).  Nope she wasn't havin' any of that.  Maybe next time!

I would do it again in a heart beat, the kids had so much fun and for a reasonable price!

Some of the favorite moments

A perfect ending to a perfect day

TEN MONTHS

Such a sweet little girl at 10 months

she pulls up to standing on EVERYTHING, she likes the corners the best
she holds her bottle by herself
she says nigh nigh (night night)
she's working on the top two teeth, I'm sure they'll poke through in the next week
she still trys to suck her thumb every once in a while
she has enough hair to put in a ponytail
she give great kisses when ever asked
she prefers her Daddy, such a daddy's girl
she's learned to crawl with attitude, wiggling her shoulders and booty side to side

Give a Day. Get a Day.

Dustin really wants to take the kiddos to Disneyland this year.  Little E has never been but seems to know everything about it.  I guess that's what happens when you have older siblings.  So when I heard about Give a Day. Get a Day, I thought what a perfect opportunity to have the kiddos earn their ticket by serving.  The idea is that if you give a day of service you get a free ticket to Disneyland.  We decided on Treasures 4 Teachers.  You get a shoe size box and fill it with fun school supplies and a personalized note for a teacher.  The kids loved shopping for the supplies, they love doing it at the begining of the year  for themselves also!  I have to admit so do I.  The age limit is 6 so Little E didn't get to make one of her own, but she helped Mama. 

We brought it all home put the boxes together and wrapped them up like a gift.  It was just a small service but a lot of fun for our family.

My sisters family did it also and we went together to drop off the gifts.  I could not believe what I saw when we walked in.  A huge warehouse stacked wall to wall, ceiling to floor with wrapped boxes for teachers!  WOW!  What a huge gift for those teachers and such a small act of service for our family.

About four days later we got our ticket vouchers

THANKS DISNEY!

Can I bring my campout?

Campout.  That's what Little E calls her sleeping bag.  I love it.  She was so excited to go camping with everybody.  We all were.  It's so nice to get out and forget about all your worries.  There's something to be said about nature and how it makes you feel, that you could live in a tent with no running water, no electricity and cook your food by the campfire, because you are out there with your family and what else do you need, really?

I'm a very busy person, I often can't sit still.  My D has complained about this our entire marriage, cause he knows how to relax and has a hard time getting me to.  So, to get me to go camping takes a lot.  But I have to admit, I LOVE IT!  I love that I can spend all the time in the world with my kiddos, playin' in the dirt.  Why isn't life like that?  Why can't it be?  Because I'm a clean freak, a project doer, have a busy calling in church, and so much more?

Well I vow to make a change, to sit down with Miss H and Little E to read stories more, let the dishes sit in the sink.  Play playdoh and not worry about the mess we are making on the floor, it can be swept up!  Take my kiddos to the park more, it's beautiful outside, why are we not out there?  Stop everything and listen to my kids when they are talking, then I might not have to say, "I'm sorry what did you say, I wasn't listening".

This is my time to enjoy them, they will be gone before I know it, I need to cherish every moment.  D said to me just yesterday, "We need to make memories with them now, in a couple years they will be gone, and it'll just be us."  He's right I look at my babies and see how much they've grown and I don't know when that happened.

So, from now on, we slow down! 

I want to make our home a campout.

And Little E, of course you can bring your campout and we'll read lots of stories!

D's Day

It started with breakfast in bed with the kiddos.  It's a family tradition and they love it!

Dustin's gift was tickets to the Suns game that night.  I got him seats on row 5 section 102 center court.  D loves basketball and has always dreamed of courtside tickets.  Since they are outrageously priced I thought row 5 would do.  Our tickets came with a parking pass in a garage directly across from the arena or stadium, whatever it's called, and food at the Toyota Club.  Oh, I almost forgot there was an open bar as well.  They almost laughed in our faces when we ordered water.  It was so much fun, and I'm pretty sure he was surprised, I'm such a cheapskate usually, but 35 is a big year and he deserves to be spoiled.  He always spoils me and then says, I don't need anything when he's the one out there working his booty off so we can all have what we need and what we want.

We love you D.  Hope #35 was fun, I sure enjoyed spending the evening with you.  Thanks for all you do for us.  I know I don't say it enough but I really am grateful to have you.  I knew I was lucky to marry you, but I didn't know how lucky I really was.  As the years go by and our family grows I am more and more amazed at the man I married.

I love you and I LOVE being married to you!

I love this Man

He is the greatest father I know

Knows how to deal with the boys

especially when they won't smile for family pictures

Those little girls have him wrapped around their fingers

And me?

Well I just melt in his arms

We all Love you Honey!

Happy Birthday!