Disneyland

Last weekend we had an awesome trip to SoCal.  Cody, myself and the boys went along with Cody's parents and his sister to meet up with Cody's Aunt Nancy, Uncle Tom and cousins Peter and Karna.  Karna was graduating from Otis, which is a school for the arts.  She majored in digital 3D modeling.  Basically, to the best of my knowledge, that means someone gives her a sketching for say a video game and she turns that sketch into the 3D image you see on games.  Pretty cool. So, we went to celebrate with all of them.  We also got to meet Karna's boyfriend Jordan, who was very nice and we applaud him for giving up a weekend to hang out with the crazy family!!  While we were there we all made a trip to Disneyland and the beach (more to come on that later).  The boys were so great and went beyond my expectations.  Especially since both had colds and weren't feeling 100%.  I couldn't have asked for a better trip.  We all had fun and can't wait to do it again.  We are so blessed with a family that loves our boys very much and is willing to jump in and help out.  Thanks to everyone who helped and loved on the boys!!

 

The shuttle ride from the hotel to Disneyland

Jacob and Grandpa

Aidan sitting between Farmor and Dada.

Making our grand entrance!

The boys, Cody, me, Aunt Jamie and Farmor

My boys

Waiting in line to see Mickey . . .we all know how that went!

Playing silly scales

Character watching - I think it was Goofy

In Toon Town outside the Roger Rabbit ride

Riding the carousel

The boys had fun on the Dumbo ride!

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is Daddy's favorite!

Jacob waiting very patiently in line for Peter Pan.  Both boys did great standing in line.  I was very impressed and very thankful.  Aidan was sleeping during this ride - so was hanging out with Gramps and Farmor.

Uncle Tom waiting patiently also!

Aidan having a blast with Aunt Nancy

Karna also is having a good time!

The crew:

(T-B/L-R)

Gramps, Uncle Tom, Jordan, Peter, Aunt Jamie

Cody, Ang, Jacob, Karna, Farmor Aunt Nancy

Aidan

"The Youngins"

Peter, Jordan, Cody, Ang, Jamie

Karna Jacob and Aidan

Autopia Time!

Silly faces with Aunt Nancy!

At least the adults are having a great time!

Aidan rode with me . . .poor guys just didn't feel great.

Gramps and Jacob

Mama and Aidan

The quintessential picture by the Mickey at the front gate before we said goodbye to Disneyland . . .

The Happiest Place on Earth . . .?

And no, this is not indicative of the kind of time we had.  We had an awesome time and the boys did SO great!!  There will be more to come . . .

Hopefulness . . .

I am not very good about including a very important member of our family.  In all honesty, when the boys came along, our time became even more stretched and one member has had to pay the price.  Our first "son", Gus, our 170 pound bull mastiff.  He is a massively awesome dog - he does very well with the boys.  Doesn't mind the boys in his face or tugging on different parts of his body.  We've been trying to be better again about giving him the attention he deserves.  Here is what he looks like during meals - hopeful for one of the boys to drop something delicious. . . . surprising, very surprisingly, not much fell today!

Mother's Day

I had a very nice Mother's Day again this year. After coming back from Munds Park, we took naps, refreshed ourselves and then met up with the entire family (both sides) for dinner at Peter Piper Pizza. It was a great idea my mom had - no one had to cook or clean up, the boys (both big and small) were entertained and it wasn't too expensive. Cody and the boys purchased a new rose bush to add to my now rose garden and stuck some fun little coupons for me in it, like breakfast in bed, a whole day for myself and a coupon to go and get a massage!! The boys colored the coupons in different colors. Very creative and very cute. I am so lucky to have such a thoughtful and awesome husband!! Below is a picture of the first bloom on my Mother's Day rose bush. I hope all of you had wonderful Mother's Days as well.

Munds Park

This past weekend we went up to Flagstaff with Cody's family to celebrate Grandpa's graduation.  We know call him "Dr. Randy Thomas"!!!  He earned his doctorate in psychology.  A big yeah and congrats for him!!  We are very proud of him.  Unfortunately, the boys and I did not make it to the actual graduation - it was right at nap time.  SO, I don't have any pictures of the graduate.  (Plus I realized I only have pictures of the boys and no one else - I dropped the ball on that one!)  Anyway, we had a wonderful time with the Thomas family - Grandpa, Farmor, Aunt Jamie and Uncle T - at the cabin.  And next weekend we are all going to California for Cody's cousins graduation AND Disneyland!!

Playing on the deck

And yes, these are Daddy's old Little People - remember the big house boat, the airport and airplanes?

It didn't take long for them to find dirt to play in!

Distracted by bubbles!!

More bubbles

Off to explore!

Having fun on the swing

And back to exploring

Not sure what's going on here . . . 

What a fun trail!

Walking on the railroad ties

and, oh, what did we find?

a poor unsuspecting ant!

I see all, know all, hear all . . . or so I thought.

Sooo, our youngest has become a bit of a climber.  And I mean climber!  This kid can climb up on something within seconds.  I turn my back for a second and before I know it, he's up on something.  It's also not a good sign when Jacob comes running in saying "NayNay up high!"  I have only gotten a few pictures - I have to think quickly, child safety or picture for the blog.  Here are a few of his favorite spots:

The bathroom sink

The kitchen table

The bathtub

On top of my laptop - which I didn't take a picture, but I did take a picture of the pretty picture he drew on my laptop while sitting on it.

I have also found him on the patio table and standing on our end table.  Ugh!  I will say the kid has great balance!  Needless to say, we've got our hands full.

Big Congrats are due . . .

Last Thursday and Saturday were big days for a couple of our great friends.  On those days, two new little ones were welcomed into the world!  

On Thursday, April 24th at 3:13am, Kennedy Grace King joined her very happy parents, Matt and Kristin King and big brother Axel.  She was born at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago.  Kennedy weighed 7lbs 2oz and was 19 inches long. The family is doing great!

THEN, on Saturday, April 26th at 12:59am, Caleb Ryan Hurst joined his very happy parents Ben and Melissa Hurst and big brother Luke in Scottsdale, AZ.  He weighed 7lbs 10oz and was 20.5 inches long.  Their family is also doing great.

Kind of a funny back story - Ben and Melissa's oldest, Luke, was born on August 26th, 2005 and Matt and Kristin's oldest, Axel, was born on Sept 11, 2005.  Now there second babies were born within a couple days of each other.  We just found that interesting. And no, the don't know each other. 

Anyway,

we just wanted to extend more big congratulations to both families!  We are so excited for you all!

Matt and Kennedy

Kristen, Kennedy, Matt and Axel

Luke and Caleb

Caleb