Disneyland

We have been wanting to go back to Disneyland since our last trip in 2008 so we finally bit the bullet and went again the first week in June.  This time we drove and also used it as an excuse to hang in Vegas for a few days with the Francis Fam.  It was a great vacation!

Hours and Hours in the car.  Overall the kids did really well.

The first night in Cali we went to Midieval Times.  It was so much fun as usual.  Our Knight's horse got a little out of control and broke the protective glass in front of us which was pretty crazy.

First Day at Disneyland

I started to get nervous that Macy was going to ruin the trip because she was super grouchy at first.  We took her on "It's a Small World" and she learned that the lines and crowds were worth the wait for the rides.  (suckers also helped)

One of our favorites, the Jungle Boat Ride.

Train ride

 Another ride

 Getting ready for the firework show. (end of the day...can you tell?)

 If you look really close you can see Tinkerbell flying through the sky.  The fireworks were awesome!

 The only character we took the time to take a picture with.  The kids really didn't care too much about the characters which really surprised me.

 On the new Little Mermaid ride.  Macy was in such awe she had her hand over her mouth the whole time.  It was pretty cute.

 Macy played and played with her princess dolls.  They came in handy while we were waiting for the kids to get off big rides and long line waits.

 Waiting to watch the parade.  She loved the parade.

 Heading to Vegas.  The temp got up to 105 but by the time I got my camera it was down to 99.  This was taken while driving through Death Valley, how appropriate!

 Downtown Vegas.  It was crazy busy but we had to show the kids all the lights at night.

 The Francis' took us to the Coke factory where we did Coke around the world.  You taste different flavors of Coke that are actually drunk in different areas of the world.  Some of those flavors are nasty!  Macy was in a great mood and had a lot of fun tasting the drinks and making funny faces afterward.

 Of course we had to go to the M&M factory.

 Getting all the cousins to hold still for a picture is nearly impossible.  They are such good buddies that I was happy to have them together for a few days.  I don't think we saw Zack or Haylee the whole time, they buddied together and did their own thing.

Aunt Kliss taught Macy how to get some sun.  She loved sitting there with her magazine.  Kliss and I also got to get away and go to the Cirque du Soleel show Ka while Scott and Matt went to the Cake concert.  It
was way too much fun to get away and see such an amazing show!
The trip was way too much fun.  It went too fast and we can't wait for the Francis family to be in Rexburg next week. 

Branding Cows

Every year our family gets together to help brand the cows before we bring them up to the forest.  The kids and I aren't much help but we like to come along to hang out and watch.  Some day we may be useful. 

My Dad taking a break to say hi to Macy (can also see Aunt Gail, Tannis, Brandon and Uncle Kent)

Little brother Logan and Scott had the job of getting the calves pushed up to the shoot.  Not easy but somebody has to do it.  :0)

My little brother Brandon marking ears and helping run the shoot. (Also my Dad and Uncle Kent)

The kids looking at the calves.

Macy loved hanging out with the cows.  She basically sat there and giggled and mooed and played.  She has cowgirl in her blood.  I am glad she loved it so much.

Mothers Day

Mother's Day this year was really great.  The older my kids are the easier things are and the more I appreciate them.  The kids were so thoughtful this year it was a lot of fun.  Brigham brought this adorable flower home for me from preschool.  It is made from tissue paper and I love it!  He also stopped me a few days before Mother's Day and made me sit down and rest for a few minutes so he could rub my feet for his gift to me.  I was so tickled that he thought of this on his own and actually got it done.  Ashtyn and Haylee made homemade gifts for me and wrapped them up all cute and Scott brought home chocolate covered strawberries from Florences and a box of chocolates.  Yum Yum.  I felt very loved and I am super grateful to be a mother.

Gymnastics

Haylee is our little monkey from a young age she has always tried to do tricks on the monkey bars or swing set and is always rolling around the living room. In August 2010 we enrolled her in gymnastics. She loves it! They recently held their Olympics and it was fun to see all of the things she has learned.

Her floor routine

The vault

Balance Beam

Our little champ

They all got a medal and thought that was pretty great.  We are proud of you Haylee!

Easter 2011

(this years prize table)

Easter is always a big celebration time with our family.  We have a tradition where we have a big Easter egg hunt with several prizes to win.  The Francis family drove from Vegas to spend the week with us and to have this egg hunt.  It was sooo much fun to have them around.  

(Ashtyn and Branson)

All the kids got to hunt for their eggs outside.  We are lucky enough to be outside every few years.  Usually the weather is no good so we end up hiding eggs inside.

(Haylee)

Macy had a lot of fun finding her eggs.  She caught right on and enjoyed walking around looking for them.

Brigham

Our family getting ready to find out what prizes our eggs held.

Part of the family waiting for the reveal to start.  It usually takes us a few hours to get through it all.

Dying eggs with all the cousins.  Macy got into this too.  She thinks eggs are apples for some reason but other than that coloring the eggs went well.

Brigham getting creative.

The kids helping Macy see what was in her basket.  She really likes Curios George these days and watches Curios George 2 at least once a day.

Too much candy!!!

All the fun aside.  I am grateful for the Savior and his sacrifice for us.  We are truly lucky to know what we know and to be blessed with the gospel.

Haylee Gets Baptized

Saturday was a special day for Haylee.  She choose to get baptized.   We had a total of five from our ward that got baptized so there were a lot of neighbors and friends there.  It was a very nice day. 

 

After the baptism all the family came over to our house for some lunch.  Thanks to everyone who came and supported Haylee on her special day.  :)

{Haylee Turns 8}

Miss Haylee is finally 8.  She can hardly wait to grow up and having to wait ten days after Ashtyn's birthday is like torture for her.  We are excited to see her grow even if it has to be after her sis.  Her birthday fell on a Sunday this year (she so didn't think that was fair) so we compromised and celebrated two days in a row.   On Saturday we took her to the movie Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2. then we took her to the dollar store and out to eat.  It was a fun family day.  :)

 (Brigham is there too, he just refused to be photographed)

 Spinning her new hula hoop.

 A TON of new squinkies.  Yes, they are all over my house. 

 She picked her cake and candles, the 8 was just for keepsakes she said.

 Opening gifts on Sunday with Grandparents.

Cool new jacket complete with her name from Grandma and Grandpa.  Happy Birthday Haylee!!!

A few facts about Haylee:

• She is a girly girl!  Loves, makeup, fingernails, nail polish, dresses and dressing up.
• She goes the extra mile to try to look nice.  You alway know when Haylee is pleased with a particular look she has put together. 
• She loves gymnastics and goes to gym each week. 
• She can be feisty and likes to run the show.  She will tell it like it is which I admire about her because I am soooo the opposite of her.  I wish I had a little of that in me sometimes.
• She does really well in school and loves to read.  Dr. Suess books are her favorite as well as Junie B. Jones
• She loves white chocolate
• Favorite color is pink
• Loves to hang out with friends
• Is very loving with little kids and will take them aside and play with them