Happy Halloween

My boys weren't willing to get their costumes on and pose for pictures today. Guess that will have to wait until they are all dressed up tonight. But, I did get my little Paige to pose for me. Doesn't she look so cute in her costume? Can't wait for all the festivities tonight. The kids are so excited!


Here are the rest of the troops...


And, the rest of the troops in action...

Poor Baby

Brandon came down with something icky Saturday night. Paige came down with it two days later. (I guess Daddy gave her too many kisses over the weekend). They thought it might be the Swine Flu, but she tested negative.

I haven't had a sick baby for a while and I forgot how much snuggle time they need. I have loved snuggling my little girl, but I hate seeing her feeling bad. She's such a happy girl, that she still gives us those charming smiles in between her grumpiness. Hope you feel better soon baby. And hope it doesn't spread anymore. I LOVE the fall, but hate the cold and flu season!

California!

So our trip was such a blast, the weather was pretty close to perfect, and it was so fun to be able to surprise the kids. We told them we were going to Disneyland in November, so they were expecting to go there eventually. They were counting down the days. Our flight left at 8:00pm on the 7th of October. So I was able to get all the packing done while they were at school. I left my bag out and told them I was going on a small trip with my mom (cause she was going to take our car home after dropping us off at the airport). They were a little bummed that I was going somewhere and they were staying home.

We picked up my mom and drove to the airport. When we got there we said, "okay, everyone out of the car". They all said "What?" We said, "we are going to Disneyland right now!". They didn't believe us at first, and Nash thought it was a dirty trick to play on him. But, as soon as it sunk in they were all cheering, except for Nash. He looked a little nervous. I asked him what the matter was and he said, "I am going to miss a lot of assignments at school". What?! What eight year old would worry about school when they were going to Disneyland? Anyway, he was done worrying about school as soon as we got on the plane.

So we spent 3 days at Disney. It was so fun to go back and experience it again. Brandon and the kids had never been, so it was fun to show them things I remembered. And it was fun to see all the new things. I talked my kids in to going on all the rides they were tall enough for even though they were a little nervous at times. Coleman and Canyon were both pretty brave boys. They don't share Nash's enthusiasm for adventure parks.

Nash's highlights: The Jedi Training Academy (which was pretty awesome)! As you can see he was pretty into it.


He also loved spending his earned money (probably on the top of his list, ha, ha), the Indiana Jones ride, Jungle Cruise, Splash Mountain and the churros! Here is a picture of all the boys on Splash Mountain. You can really tell that Nash loved it.

Canyon's highlights: Splash Mountain (although it doesn't appear that way in the picture above), Jungle Cruise, and Pirates of the Caribean. Making his double light saber. I am not sure any of them liked the Haunted Mansion although they didn't cry on the ride. (I am not that mean).
Coleman's hightlights: Buzz-Lightyear ride, Jungle Cruise and the Nemo submarine, and being a complete dancing, jumping SPAZ from lack of sleep, but he was SO happy.

Paige's highlights: being entertained by all the comotion, riding in the stroller, taking naps, and snuggling with mom all night because she wasn't a good sleeper at the hotel (yeah, for mom!). And putting on her adorable Mickey Mouse hat.

We were able to see the Halloween firework show which was pretty cool. The boys were all half asleep and they were so tired, but once the show started they thought it was pretty awesome.

The boys made out with Light Sabers that they designed themselves, some lego guys and Mickey Mouse hats.

And you can't go to Disney without a picture of the castle. This was the only place I could get one without a million people around. I seriously just wanted to yell, "okay people, everyone just step back for 5 seconds while I get a picture of the castle, please!!". But, Brandon wouldn't let me.

We hit all of the big rides and most of the little ones. I really felt like 3 days was perfect. We had just enough time to do everything we wanted, and we didn't get too burned out. So then we had to leave Disneyland.


The next day we drove one hour South to Legoland. The kids LOVED this place, Brandon and I thought it was pretty fun (not as clean as Disney). They had a "Brick-or-Treat" trail which was pretty fun for them. They were able to ride some fun rides and build race cars and race them. Nash and Brandon especially enjoyed riding this Bionicle ride.


The last day we went to Huntington beach. I forget how much my kids love the beach. It was the coldest day of our trip (in the low 60's), but that didn't stop them from getting a little wet. Paige enjoyed watching the birds flying, watching her brothers playing in the sand,

hanging with her daddy,

and discovering the ocean with mommy,

She was such a great trooper on our trip (except for her 4-5 nightly feedings)! We thought about leaving her home, but I am so glad we took her with us.
The boys loved playing in the sand,


and being buried in the sand.


Brandon's highlights: Star Tours, the Jedi Show, Matterhorn, and Splash Mountain, and talking to random people in line.
My highlights: spending time with just US, laughing with Brandon, seeing the boys so smiley (with some grumpiness in-between), and getting several big random hugs from Coleman because he was so happy! I can't wait to go back again in a few years!

Shhhh....

...don't tell, it's a surprise! We are headed to this magical place tonight!

Family

I really enjoyed listening to General Conference today. Just feeling very grateful for my forever family. I am so lucky.

**Breaking News**

THEY FIT!!......My pants that is. Not my size 8 pants I bought at Deseret Industries a few months ago. But my cute brown, once baggy, size 6 pre-pregnancy pants! The pants that came only mid-thigh a few months ago. The pants I have tried on weekly for the past 4 months.

I tried them on in the morning like always, only thinking that they would have to be placed back on that big stack, high up in my closet. But, my usual 'UGH!' was replaced by a falsetto 'Hallelujahhhhhhhhhhhhh!' I could pull them all the way up and zip AND button them.

Unfortunately Brandon wasn't there to share in my excitement, but Coleman ran into my room to see what all the noise was about. I yelled, "they fit!". And Coleman said, "they fit...they aren't tiny anymore?" "NO, they aren't tiny anymore", I said. "YEAHHHHH", he yelled and gave me a big hug. That was followed by some singing and jumping up and down. Then my other boys came in the room. When I told them about my pants, they gave me a weird look, a half smile, and left. I guess with all the excitement they were hoping to find something more exciting. But, I was excited!

Yes, they fit, they finally fit! Okay, so maybe they were a little snug, and I wasn't certain I was going to be able to sit down in them without busting a seam or two, or popping off a button. But, as the day wore on they got looser, just like any other pants you wear. But, I sat down to eat lunch, I sat down for the 1-1/2 long movie in the movie theater, and I sat down for dinner. And they held up as loaded and unloaded the washer and dryer all day long. All was well.

Until the end of night, when I sat down on the floor to fold my heaping pile of laundry. I sat and heard a 'rip'. Oh no, I thought, there goes my button. I looked and sure enough my button was holding on to tiny threads. The rest had been torn. They had been holding on for dear life all day long. Hopefully I can fix the the pants. But, I don't care what anybody says, they still fit!