Disneyland and such: Family Vacation '09

We just got back from a great trip, so much fun! We went to Disneyland for 3 days, Sea World, Laguna Beach, and took a day at the beginning to recover from the stomach flu! Yes...the flu hit me right as our plane was leaving IF...I spent the whole flight in the bathroom. It hit Andrew the last 20 min of the flight and Shawn (my brother) and his daughter right as we were landing! Kev and Brookie got it the next night. However, it went away fast and we were up and running the rest of the week. While we were in CA we got to spend time with my brother and sister's families which made it all the more fun! Kevin and I seemed to enjoy Disneyland and Sea World more this time, I think as our kids amazement grows so does ours!

The whole family at Bugs Life show, 3D. Brooke and Carson hated it, it was intense. :)

We waited in line for over an hour to meet the princesses but it was worth it. Andrew was a little hesitant at first but it didn't take him long to warm up to the pretty girls.

M-i-c-k-e-y M-o-u-s-e!

Kev, Brooke, my niece Ally and Andrew on Alice in Wonderland ride.
We loved riding the train around Disneyland, except when Carson was trying to jump off :)
The fam with Shamu- that was an amazing show, we loved it!
Kev and I with my sister Heather, my bro-in-law David (Todd), my brother Shawn and sis-in-law Leah at an awesome taco place near the beach.Kev, Carson and I at Laguna Beach....

My kids with my sister's kids, cousins are so much fun! Sad we didn't get all of the cousins in one picture!Time to start planning the next vacation!!! Who wants to come?

School, Pets and Summer!!!

Hey! Wow, this summer has flown by! It has been a great one! Andrew started Kindergarten last week....what an adventure (for me) he seems to be just fine. I love that he likes it, he even said his teacher is pretty. He is such a great kid! Carson is now walking and is as crazy and adorable as ever! Brooklyn is about to start preschool and is my little busy body princess. Today has been a day where I have reflected a lot on my beautiful blessings. Too many to count! However a Father in Heaven who watches over us, healthy and happy kids, an amazing husband, and wonderful family and friends who unconditionally love and support us......those are a few that top my list! Anyway, on to the pictures!

Andrew on the first day of school in his classroom.
New pets! So I was in favor for something a bit more exciting that the kids could play with. Dad won and now we have fish. However I kindof like them. They are Dalmation fish. Andrews is named Oreo, and we wanted Brookies to be Cookies 'n Cream but she calls it "Cookies, Ice Cream , Snow Cone fish."
Bath tub fun! We were at Grandma and Grandpa Boise's house (Kev's parents) and the kids decided to rev up the bubble bath by turning the jets on! It looked so fun I wanted to join them.
Good thing bubbles make this a censored picture!
Kids at the Melaleuca Picnic! Is is pretty much a full sized Carnival for the kids and a ton of fun!
My beautiful sister Heather, Brooklyn and her daughter Analiese. We look forward to their visit every summer! Heather had a princess tea party for the girls while we were camping, all the big boys were trying to get in on it too! They liked the little plates a cups :).
Brooke, Andrew and cousin Ally at Rigby lake, one of our favorite summer pass times.
Carson. Enough said.
Carson with the monkeys at the Zoo, not sure who was enjoying it more.
I hope everyone is doing well!

Summer Fun & Kev turns 30!!!

Although summer around here has gotten off to a slow start, we have enjoyed it! When we bought our house 41/2 years ago I remember watching all of the little neighbor kids play up and down the street, almost like one of those fantasy neighborhoods you dream about with the white picket fence. Anyway, I have loved that my kids are finally old enough to join in! However, Brooklyn is quite generous with giving away all of our Popsicles and treats so we are getting quite the little posse! Well, it has happened....Kevin hit the big 30! Funny actually, now any shortcomings or forgetfulness is blamed on his old age :). I threw a surprise party for him, it turned out great! The kids and I are so blessed to have him!

I had this cake made for Kev. It included most of his fav things: BSU, Dodgers, Pepsi, Golf and Melaleuca!

His employees had this cake for him on his birthday.... priceless!

So....for months Andrew has begged to have daddy and grandpa's haircut. I told him its the other way around...they would like to have his hair :). So for 2 days he got his wish (this is as short as I would go on top).
Nothing quite like a bare bum to welcome in summer!

My handsome little brother Mason...well, I should say "younger" brother, and Carson! We have loved having Mason go to Hillcrest and be so close by! He is a starter on the football team and is awesome, Go Knights!!!Cuties! Brooklyn with cousin Ally at the splash park, aren't cousins great!

Clowning around with friends! These guys have all been best buds since they were about 1! The Larsen twins, Ally, Brooklyn, Andrew and the Blanchard twins!

Happy summer to you all!!!

CELEBRATE!!!

What an exciting month April has been! We had Easter and then celebrated all three kids birthdays (twice)! I am almost coming down with "no more party" withdrawals. For Andrew and Brookies birthday party I made Superhero capes with masks for the kids. They all got to pick their own colors and customize them, lots of work but fun! Kevin set up a Superhero training camp for them which consisted of them shooting the Dinosaur that was eating a baby and throwing bombs at the bad guy (my beauty school mannequin). It was hilarious, he even showed up with his own cape. I love that guy! Anyway, we have had a ton of fun and we truly are lucky to have our 3 amazing babies (does a 5 year old still count as a baby?)!

Opening Superhero capes (I didn't get great picts).

Brookie opening presents....well, really everyone else opened her presents but she is still happy!

Kids opening a John Deer tractor.... we got it off Craigs list, what a hit! We can hardly get them off it! Andrew thinks Brookie is a CRAZY driver though, Kevin just said "she's a girl, they are all like that."


Birthday boy! We let Carson loose on his cake, it was so fun! I should be used to that by now but he is the only baby that has preformed for us! When Andrew turned one he kicked his cake and cried because there was frosting on his foot! :)
What a DELICIOUS baby!
This is just a fun picture, we were in Utah and took them to a Dino museum. Andrew loved it but the most exciting thing Brookie found was a "rolly-polly". She also wasn't convinced that this Dino wasn't going to come alive and eat her.
Well, we love you all!!!

It's about time....

Wow, it's been forever since I have updated! I have some random pictures, mainly Christmas and such. What a good year '08 was! We are excited for all that is to come in '09, so far we have been blessed. Our greatest blessing have come in the form of our family and friends. So to you....thank you, and we love you!

Truly adorable. Carson just after he learned to sit up.

This is my favorite, Carson's first swim suit experience in Yellowstone. He loved the water!

This was pretty early on a Saturday, as you can tell. I love this one, this is the family's favorite past time. However this is why we are getting a King bed. So I won't get kicked out all of the time!

Christmas eve Santa visits (sometimes a bit tipsy) Kev's grandparents house, lots of fun though!

Christmas eve we had a food gift exchange. All of the kids, Jayce (nephew), Ally (niece), Andrew and Brooke were fighting/obsessing over the huge barrel of cheese balls.

The kids chose to leave Santa a Pepsi to drink while he ate his cookie. Good thing Santa has a lot in common with Daddy!