CALIFORNIA!

We had the opportunity to go to California at the end of February. Jay's grandmother had passed away so we drove over for the services.. It was a nice time to spend with extended family and to remember his Nana and what she meant to him.

We had planned to go visit Nana over Spring Break and had told the boys we'd be going to Disneyland, since it's so close to Huntington Beach. We drove over on Thursday to attend the services Friday morning. We decided to take advantage of the weekend and have some fun with the boys. We didn't bring Conner on this trip for two reasons. First, 2 year olds don't really get the somber and reflective mood of a funeral service and we weren't sure how he'd manage. Secondly, with two big boys and two parents we made even numbers and were able to really enjoy all of the "big" rides with them.

Here are some pics of our trip in no particular order....

One of the big things you do when you're out of town and living in a hotel for 4 days..EAT!

Minnie's Character Breakfast - 21 dollars for adults, 11 for kids. Yummy buffet, everything you can imagine and we saw Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Captain Hook, Chip and Dale, Minnie, and Max from the Goofy Movie. Totally worth the money for the kids enjoyment.

Corn dogs on the Beach

Ruby's Diner on the Pier at Huntington Beach...yes my husband intentionally ruins decent pics by making himself cross eyed.

Dinner with family. Friday night .25 cent cheeseburger sliders=yummy.

Jays' mom, sisters and their husbands. Downtown Disney.

Moral of that story, if you're doing a weight loss challenge at work and you've lost 4.3 pounds in 3 weeks, be prepared to gain 2 back in one weekend!

Our boys looking handsome before the funeral. So grown up!

On to the Disney pics! Both boys first time. Lots of excitement which is so fun to see. They were great troopers, weren't scared of anything and hung in there all day!

Tigger attacked him from behind.

A rare whole family shot. (minus Conner...this is the part I wish he was there for)

Keaton's favorite character pic.

Hayden's favorite character pic.

Dad and the boys on the boat.

Me and the boys at the parade.

We took a ton more pics but I'll spare you seeing our beautiful faces over and over and over again. Disneyland was crazy busy because it was a Saturday but we got to ride all the big ones. Keaton's favorite was Space Mountain because it was fast. Hayden's was Splash Mountain. Before he knew what it was he volunteered to be first. The kid was SOAKED! Soggy pants the rest of the afternoon.

The day we left we spent an hour or two at the beach just enjoying the weather. We didn't get near that water but it was a nice day with the fam.

Despite the unfortunate reason for the trip, it was a nice family vacation for us. Our thoughts are with all of Jay's extended family. Wishing them peace at this time of loss.

Halloween

The finished product on Halloween night. Mario, a scary pumpkin, and an Angry Bird.

Here was the process.

For some reason we were not prepared for Halloween this year. We felt tight with our funds and the kids were feeling undecided about what they wanted to be. In the end, our costumes cost a total of about 8 bucks for all 3. All I purchased was a hat for the little pirate and cowboy and 2 bucks worth of striped fabric. The pirate pants were old dress pants that we had from little vest/suit type outfits that from our wedding. Keaton had for sure outgrown his and Conner's were pretty close, so i cut them off :) And once again the end result.

AUGUST

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY!

Ok so here's the long story about this. Trying to be creative with where to have a party. Did you know Michael's craft stores host parties. I called and they said as long as I spent over 50 bucks in supplies the party was free.

Went to book my party. Oh wait that was just a July special now it's August so it's 50 bucks to rent the room for 3 hours and they give you a party host and they do some basic decorations and you can use some of their supplies. You can bring in food, have pizza delivered whatever. Ok cool, we are going to do a pirate theme and make treasure boxes.

Send out invites. Party is from 11-1....11 we do a craft, 12 we do pizza, presents and cupcakes. A week later they call and say oops, they double booked the room can they change out time. Give me the option of 9-11 or 2-whenever. Ok well that ruins the pizza idea. But we went with 2:00 and I had to let everyone know of the change.

We get there, a party is in the room, I ask and they say they have us set up in the back...but what they really meant is I have you set up in the staff lounge. I was very very angry! But it wasn't our nice hostesses fault and it was too late to change. So we had the party and it was a little cramped but the kids never knew.

They had made the big banners, they let the kids keep the pirate hats which I had not purchased, they painted each kids name on the table after they came in and I talked to the manager and they refunded my 50 bucks ( I mean if you have to reschedule me, do it for a time that is actually available?!?!?) A few workers came in and out to put things in their lockers and heat up lunches but it was a good time. I would still recommend it!

July...I think

When you blog six months behind, you have to just hope you have any memory at all. Here is a quick July run down.

Hayden spent most of July at his moms. Keaton, Conner and I enjoyed picnics and plane watching.



Went to the visitors center at the Mesa Temple. My husband ruined every picture and my kids could not stay out of the water no matter how many times we told them.

Had our cousins over and made Fourth of July cookies.

Date Night...we highly recommend Lucille's at Tempe Market Place. Kinda pricey but super yummy. Followed by some friendly competition at Dave & Busters

See you next month!

June: The good....the bad...and the dentist.

Having all boys means we don't do "pretty" around our house much.  Often they are dirty and stinky.  So when you get them all dressed up, teeth brushed, hair combed and smiles on their face, I gotta take a picture.  We were a few minutes late to church this week and had to wait to go in.  But don't they look so sweet.

 Just a few short hours later....with a shiner on his eye.  Conner was down for a nap and the big boys were having "quiet time" in their room.   They were playing with a ball, they both dove for it at the same time and this is the damage that happens when Hayden's cheek bone collided with Keaton's hard head.  Poor kid.  We had a few minutes of tears but he took it like  a champ.

 Also in June we went to the dentist, they didn't have a time that they could get all three boys in so we started with these too.  This was Keaton's second time going but a first for Conner.

Every one got a clean bill of health.  Keaton got his first x-rays and they were all good. 

 Conner was fascinated with all the tools and did pretty well for a little guy.

 And of course best of all, they got tokens and prizes at the end.

SAY CHEESE!

Preschool Party time!

Keaton went to preschool at Great Start Preschool in Gilbert for the 2nd half of the year.  The teachers were very loving and constant and he did great there.   At the end of the year they had a "graduation field trip" to Amazing Jakes.  Luckily I was feeling a little sick that day so I got to join him. 

The kids were so excited the could hardly wait to go in.

 This was my group of kids....they had lots of fun together and they were all so stinkin cute!

 And who doesn't love to have pizza and soda when you're 4 years old!

 Thanks to Mrs. Shirley and Mrs. Carrie for taking care of my boy.

7 & 2

Hayden and Conner both have birthdays the first week of May, which makes a birthday party for the brothers lots of fun.  We had a barbecue at the park.  Hayden requested spiderman cupcakes so I did my best to fulfill that request.  I think they came out cute.

Conner got really shy as we all sang happy birthday to him.

But was ready when it came time to blow out his candle. 

At 7 years old, Hayden is an old pro at the candle thing. 

 There were presents......

 And more presents.....

And what park birthday is complete without water balloons and bubbles.

Thanks to our family and friends who came to celebrate with us.  The boys are very lucky.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CONNER AND HAYDEN