Most of my favorite blog sites are witty and funny, and I would love this blog to be just that. However, I am not witty nor funny, so I am counting on all of you to make witty and funny comments to keep this blog somewhat interesting. We'll see how it goes.
Since there is waaaay too much "stuff" to catch up on, I am just going to start from here. Who has time for the guilty comments that run through my head like "I just realized that I haven't taken any pictures of my family for the last two years!" Yeah, that's us. I am counting on all my sisters-in-law and mom to document my family for me. You know who you are...you camera toting, picture taking freaks! Anyway...on to the good stuff.
LIFE IN REVIEW...at least the last few weeks
(brace yourselves - it's a long one!)
We have basically played the last few weeks (actually, the whole summer.) We went to California with my family and had a great time. On the way there we stopped in St. George for a few days. The pool was fun. I have mixed feelings about Erik getting his workout by throwing our children into the air. LOL! What happened to his "injured" shoulder that I have been hearing about all year...? And what about the poor, innocent children...?
Maddie...she thinks things through. Notice she is holding her nose even before she hits the water!
Parker "air-running"
Christian "lovin' life"
Erik is tired after launching the little ones...and the one that is as tall as I am and wears a men's size 8 shoe at the age of 11
The kiddles are tired too...they like to chill in the hot tub
After chillin' in St. George for a few days we finally made it to Southern California. We stopped at Brady & Nicki's house in Riverside for Sunday dinner. It was so fun to see them. They fed us great food and their new house is so cute. We are glad that we now have a "real" excuse to visit Cali a little more often. And yes...for you camera freaks, we forgot to take pictures. Oops!
On to Disneyland! Yeah! We love disneyland. We spent one day with our own little family and two days with my parents, Brady, Nicki, the twins (Talmage & Ella), Chad, Bethany, and Sophia. We had a "magical" time...
The obligatory family pose in front of the Disneyland Castle
"I can't wait for the fresh, sweet scent of Disneyland" Maddie exclaims as we drive into the parking lot
After a few hours without sufficient Churros or Cotton Candy...Maddie begins to melt
All is well again...after a Churro, cotton candy, and popcorn
I included this photo because I just realized that if I am left partway out of the frame I actually don't look too bad. LOL
...and this shot isn't too bad either! Hubba Hubba!
My little cutie with Mater. By the way...we actually have a real life "Mater" that lives in my friend's driveway. Every time we drive by and see the old truck they are restoring Christian says "look Mom, it's Mater!"
Erik, Parker, Chad, Maddie, and my Dad on Grizzly Rapids
Yeah, I'm tough
Our little family on Space Mountain
Grandma Jeanne with Sophia (she is so dang cute!)
Bethany, Sophia, & Chad on Dumbo
Grandma Jeanne with Ella, and Nicki with Talmage
The twins: Ella & T-ray.
They may have had enough of the Magic Kingdom by this point in the day.
Ella, Maddie, & Christian
Cute Kids
One of the highlights of Disneyland was the Star Wars Jedi Training. The kids were "chosen" to be taught in the ways of the force. All three of them were given a light saber and a jedi-robe and then learned some moves just in case... Little did we know that they would need those moves so soon...(que dark star wars music.) Out of nowhere our kids were all of a sudden in a death match with Darth Vader and Darth Maul. Of course...our kids won in the end. It was fun.
Christian, Maddie, and Parker excited to have been chosen
The evil Darth Vader...dum, dum, dum, dum,da, dum, dum, da, dum
Sandwiched in between Disneyland days, we headed off to the Beach. It was awesome...although it really wasn't that sunny of a day. The kids loved playing in the sand, collecting sea shells, and chasing waves.
Christian being a "typical" little brother and throwing sand at Maddie. If you look closely you can see Maddie's funny expression.
It looks like Maddie can hold her own when it comes to throwing sand!
Parker finding "mollusks" growing on this shell. Cool.
HOT!
Parker and Maddie with Grandpa Dick
What an AWESOME Dad. Aren't I lucky to have such a great guy that loves me and our kids!
Grandma Jeanne & Grandpa Dick
My Dad has had many health problems this past year, the most recent being West Nile Virus. He is virtually always in pain. He was such a trooper during our whole vacation, even though it was hard on him. And of course, my Mom is amazing too...always taking great care of my Dad. I love you both.
California was AWESOME! It was a great vacation and we truly did get to relax and have a ton of fun.
...now onto our next adventure...
CABIN FEAVER!!!
Thanks to Cam & Shaunee we were invited to a great cabin near Park City for the weekend. It was great to spend time with most of Erik's family. Here are some highlights:
Maddie, Erik, Christian, and Britt on Shane's 4-wheeler.
The kids love the "roller coaster" trail.
Yah, that's my man!
Is there anything sweeter than this???
...or this?
Syd, Parker, Krissy, Maddie, Paige, Christian
The absolutely beautiful scenery. WOW!
Uncle Shane with Emma and Maddie
Mike Stubbs followed along in this little car. We were all amazed at the terrain he was going on. Who needs a 4-wheeler when you have a Suzuki X-90? Way to go Mike!
It was such a fun weekend. We laughed and played so hard. I have to say that when we returned home Sunday morning we were VERY tired. I had a hard time keeping my eyes open during sacrament meeting.
Anyway, I am tired of writing this post, and I am sure that you are tired of reading it, so I am signing off for now.
