May 11th, 2014

• I caught Bodee and Emers playing the iPad this week. My favorite part of this picture is that both of their tummies are sticking out. They look like little old men with their guts hanging out:)

• On Saturday was the annual Riverview 5k. I couldn't run this year since I'm on the executive board I had to help run it. Brynn had a soccer game right after the 5k Fun Run so her and Bodee ran that and then Todd took her over to her soccer game.

• Addy actually ran the 5k by herself! She ran along side friends but neither Todd nor I were there to help her along. I was so proud of her for pushing herself to finish! So sad I didn't get a picture of her finishing!
• Sunday was Mother's Day! I woke up to breakfast in bed, some adorable posters, and lots of pictures and cards. I seriously have the sweetest kiddos ever! Todd even got me beautiful flowers and a knife set. (I've been wanting one forever!) 
• I am so grateful to be a mother to three amazing children. Sometimes I can't believe Heavenly Father trusts me to raise these kids but I do know being a mother is the most important job I can have so I will continue to do my best and raise my children in righteousness. Todd and kids really made my day!

• A huge highlight of the week is that Aunt Sarah and Uncle Gary came to visit! Sarah's dear friend got married so we were lucky enough to spend time with them between wedding events! Friday we went out to dinner at Cafe Rio and then had a rockin' dance party back at our house. Saturday was the wedding but Sari and Gary were nice enough to cheer Brynn on at her soccer game. On Sunday we have lunch after church, hung out for the day and then went to watch Mr. Sherman and Peabody.
• My favorite quote of the weekend was when Bodee told Gary "You have to share your drink" and proceeded to take Gary's drink from him and helped himself. At least he's learned to use the sharing concept when it's convenient for him:)

• This monster was at the movie theater and the kids thought it was so cool...or gross.

May 4th, 2014

• At the end of March I decided we needed to take Bodee to Disneyland to experience all the magic it holds for a three-year old. After a little research I found the last week of April was known as a 'low crowd' week. That meant there were good deals on tickets and hotels:) 
• Todd had invited his mom to join us soon after the trip was planned but we didn't think she was going but 48 hours before we suppose to leave she got things all figured out with work and decided to join us. It was great having Grandma along to see our kids experience all the magic and fun.
• We kept the whole trip a surprise from the kids. We just told them we were going to St. George. Todd and I thought it would be fun to surprise them but honestly I just didn't want to hear Bodee ask when we were going to Disneyland 100 times a day, everyday!
• On Friday, April 25th we sat the kids down after school. We told them we had a surprise for them and gave them each a present and told them the clue is inside the present. Inside each present was a Disneyland t-shirt. Addy figured it out first but Bodee's reaction was a bit of a let down...he said "but I want to go to St. George!" He didn't quite get how awesome this trip was going to be! The girls were so excited and told each other "I can't believe we're going to Disneyland!". We picked up Cathy and drove to St. George Friday night at stayed over there. 
• Big chair at the gas station in Beaver.

• Saturday we headed to Las Vegas. We had to stop at the newly opened Carlo's Bakery located in The Venetian hotel. Our kids love The Cake Boss show and were SO excited to go the the bakery. The line at the bakery was HUGE but it was so worth the wait. Yummy, yummy treats: chocolate covered strawberries, carrot cake, cannolis, and lobster tails.

• We were planning on staying in Las Vegas Saturday night but decided to just drive on to California and get to our hotel a day early so we would be ready to play at Disneyland the next day. The drive to California was great. Lots of movies for the kids and lots of singing for the adults. We listened to a lot of oldies and after eight years of marriage Todd learned I really do know all the words to pretty much every single oldie. Some of my favorite quotes from the trip to Cali.
• Todd: What did I just run over?
• Cathy: Probably Lady Dog
• Todd: Choking in the drivers seat
• Cathy: If you're going to die put it in park.
• Cathy made a request that Todd sing "Boot Scootin Boogie and Bubba Hyde at her funeral.
• Cathy kept telling Todd how much she loved his singing
• Todd: (talking about his mom) She's my biggest fan. I'm not talking about her size, I'm talking about her heart. 
• Cathy: So rude! That's okay. I'm use to hardships...and nails
• Todd to Jen: My mom is really good for my ego
• Sunday we woke up, got ready and headed over for our first day at Disneyland. Bodee was so excited to walk over he put on Brynn's ears she got when she visited when she was two!! 

•  Certain rides were closing the next day so we made sure we hit Pirates of the Caribbean. On the way we stopped on the Jungle Cruise.

• Todd and Cathy at Pirates.

• Bodee was DYING to attend the Jedi training and fight Darth Vader. He couldn't stop talking about it so we headed over to the show. I was told previously that kids with Star Wars clothes were more likely to get picked so I brought a jedi costume for Bodee to wear and Star Wars shirts for the girls. Bodee got picked right away by the Jedi Master since he was all decked out. Brynn was also selected and was super excited. Addy wasn't sure if she wanted to go up so she kind of hung back during this show. The show is AWESOME! It was funny and entertaining to watch. Bodee got put right next the the Jedi Master and so he kept talking to Bodee and Bodee had no clue what he was saying. We were cracking up the time.
• The show starts with the Jedi Master coming out and choosing around 30 padawans to put on a robe and "train to be a jedi". Then he teaches the padawans some moves with the light saber on how to defeat either Darth Vader or Darth Maul. Then the evil dark side comes out. Some kids fight Darth Vader and some fight Darth Maul. Bodee was the first to fight Darth Vader and first couldn't get his light saber to pop out and then totally did his own thing when fighting Darth Vader. The video of  this is super cute. He was totally star struck and loved every minute of it. Brynn fought Darth Maul and had a great time.

• Other fun rides on Sunday was Star Tours (where Bodee met a Storm Trooper), Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear. We had never rode Star Tours before and we all LOVED it. Anything to feel like you're fighting the dark side:) Cathy was a trooper and rocked it on Space Mountain! Bodee crashed if you can't tell...he had been sick from strep and his body was still recovering.
• Also can I say I LOVE that our kids love roller coasters and crazy rides! They are so fun and brave...it makes these trips so much better!

• Since it was a weekend Disneyland was super busy so we left for a few hours to go swim and relax. We came back later that night since it was the only night while we were there that the fireworks and Fantasmic were playing. First we watched the parade and then I went and saved great seats for the fireworks (right up front center to the castle!) and the show was terrific. The kids were SO tired we didn't even stay for Fantasmic. Oh well, we tried:) We enjoyed what we did see.
• Bodee at the parade. So fun to see all the wows and cute reactions from the kiddos.

• Monday the weather started to get much hotter (80s) and we headed over the California Adventure Park. We actually only got to half of the park on Monday. We spent so much time in Cars Land the only other things we did were Tower of Terror, Bugs Life, and Soarin' Over California (which all the kids and Cathy loved).
• The line to get Fast Passes to Radiator Springs Racers was about 45 minutes but somehow someone turned their head and Todd snuck in the front of the line and got us awesome fast passes. I honestly couldn't believe he did that!!! Someone actually gave us their extra passes and we waited in line so the kids got to ride it three times that day. It really is SO fun! 

• The girls really wanted to go on Tower of Terror and originally Bodee told us he was too scared but last minute he drank a cup of courage and followed Todd and the girls. I hate drop rides so Cathy and I waited outside for the others.

• I love the photo bomb in this pic!

• Some pictures from Bugs Life. The girls had a water fight in the splash pad to cool off. Todd and I love this picture of Brynn cause it shows her totally goofy self:)

• Can't leave Disneyland without some Mickey Mouse Ice Cream bars!

• By 4pm the girls wanted to go swim so Todd took the girls back while Cathy and I took Bodee to the Disney Jr. Show before we headed back to the hotel. The show was adorable. It featured Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First, and Jake and the Neverland Pirates. All shows Bodee likes to watch in the mornings so he sang right along to all the songs. He really loved the show and it was cute to see him get all into it.
• After swimming and fun at the hotel we bought Cathy and the kids pizza for dinner so Todd and I headed back to the park to ride Soarin' one more time and have dinner at the pier. It was nothing fancy but it was nice to spend some alone time with my sweetheart.
• Tuesday we headed back to Disneyland. I became one of those people...I bought matching shirts for the family before we left for vacation so we could get a picture at Disneyland all decked out! We picked one up for Cathy on Main Street and got some cute family pictures!

• Disneyland was having problems when we first got there on Tuesday and it seemed like everything was shut down. Lucky for us we were right by Haunted Mansion when it reopened and only had to wait 5 minutes and then right next door Splash Mountain opened and only had to wait 15 minutes. (It was 90 degrees so the water felt great!) I sat in the back of the log with Bodee on Splash Mountain and he loved going down the waterfall. I really love this pictures...both the girls and Cathy screaming!

• While waiting for more rides to open up we walked through all the shops on Main Street and let the kids pick out a toy. Addy picked a Merida (Brave) bow and arrow, Brynn picked a baby Simba (Lion King), and Bodee picked a remote control Cars car. Bodee also got an autograph book (the girls already had them from a previous trip) so he was eager to get autographs.
• Goofy was the first character he met and was a bit nervous but after that he was so happy to meet everyone!

• After getting a family picture with Donald Duck he took Bodee by the hand and gave him a big hug and got a picture with just him. It was super cute and made Bodee's day. He was sure glad he picked out that cute hat for when he met Donald Duck!

• After a few hours Cathy was pretty tired and Todd had work to do so they took off and I stayed at Disneyland with the kids. We rode a few rides in Fantasyland and then headed back over to the Jedi show so Addy could get on stage. The first show Bodee was the only one called up again. So we ate lunch and waited around for the next show. Finally, both Addy and Brynn was selected!! We were so excited (especially because I was not about to watch the show for a 4th time:) This time all the kids fought Darth Vader. I actually got good pictures of the girls battling but I don't have them yet so I'll have to add them later.

• After the Jedi shows we headed over to ToonTown so Bodee could get some more autographs and meet Micky Mouse. We saw Pluto as soon as we walked in. Then headed over to see Mickey at his house and Minnie was also in at her house. (The pictures turned out bad but once again I'll add the good ones when I get them.) We also saw Goofy again and played in his house and on Daisy Duck's ship. 

• At about 5:30 Todd finished up working at walked back over to Disneyland to walk us home. On the way out we let the kids build dual Darth Maul light sabers. They absolutely love them.

• Todd wanted to take us out to dinner at Ruby's Diner at the end of Huntington Beach Pier. The cute 50's diner was  fun and the food and shakes were pretty good.

• Top picture: Bodee being a goof. Bottom picture: Brynn being a goof.

• We stayed out really late on Tuesday night so we slept in on Wednesday morning. The kids went swimming when they woke up and I did a few loads of laundry at the hotel. We just took our time getting to the park because we knew we would stay late to watch "The World of Color" show. After eating lunch we headed back to California Adventure Park.
• Girls ready for the day

• This time we hit the rest of the park but first Bodee got his face painted since he was too short to ride Goofy's Sky School.

• Toy Story Ride

• Addy was the only kid tall enough for California Screamin' (the biggest roller coaster) much to Brynn's dismay so while we rode that Todd and Cathy took the other two back to Cars Land to ride the Mater ride which was closed down the other day. We met up with them right after our roller coaster.

• We then headed over to Ghirardelli's shop for banana splits. They were so good!

• The kids wanted to ride Tower of Terror again. Bodee asked me to ride with him. I told him I really don't like drop rides so I'd rather not. He was not having that! He told me "Don't be scared, Mom. I'm right here. I'm a big boy and I'm not scared. I'll stay with you." I couldn't resist him and his cuteness as he kept telling me not to worry. He held me hand and I rode the ride right next to him. I love this picture with Todd and I looking at each other and all the kids loving the ride!

• We watched the Pixar Parade which we had never seen before. So cute with Monster's University, Toy Story, Nemo, Cars, Bugs Life, stopped by The Wilderness Challenge with Russel from 'Up' and then found great seats (with an actual seat for Cathy) for 'World of Color'.

• Kids with all their glow stick glory (we brought from the Dollar Store) for the night show. Everyone loved the 'World of Color' and stayed awake for the whole thing. It really is amazing! The best was the Pirates of the Caribbean part with all the fire:) Totally worth staying up for!

• Thursday was our last day and we headed back to Disneyland. We had to check out of our hotel that morning and Todd had some work meetings for a few hours so the rest of us went back to play. Cathy was pretty tired from all the walking and the heat so as soon as we walked in she went to watch Captain EO with Micheal Jackson. I took the kids over to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and then on to Winnie the Pooh. 

• After eating a few beignets  (how did we not know about those prior to this trip!) , a ride on the Astro Orbitor and a walk through the castle we met back up with Grandma in Fantasyland. We rode Dumbo, Casey's Jr. Train, and Mr. Toad's again. Grandma then took Addy and Bodee back to Captain EO while Brynn and I road The Matterhorn. 

• Around 5pm Todd came back to pick us up and our time at Disneyland was over! So sad but we had a rockin' five days! We really loved just about every single minute of it. So many memories and magical moments were made. 
• We ate dinner at Buca de beppo and because I had gotten sick with a cold a couple of days prior I was actually ready to head home but we had already bought Sea World tickets and Todd and the kids really wanted to go so we headed down to San Diego. 
• We stayed at a hotel on the beach in Carlsbad Thursday night. Grandma and the kids at breakfast at the hotel.

• Friday morning we drove down to Sea World. It was another hot day but we really loved watching all the shows. A nice change of pace from walking non-stop the previous five days.

• Our first show was the Shamu, killer whale show: One World. It was AMAZING!!! We were just thrilled watching the beautiful whales jump, swim and splash the crowd.

• The next show we watched was Madagascar: Live. The kids liked it but it was nothing like I expected. Nothing very "Sea World" about it but lots of music and dancing.

• After that we went to the sea lion/otter show. So, so funny and cute! The sea lions danced and played and jumped for the audience.

• The last show we watched was the Blue Horizons: Dolphin show. Lots of theater/acrobatics. It was a story told with dance and music and it was really well done. It was great that each show was totally different and had it's own feel. It made it all really entertaining.

• Kids getting close to the dolphins

• Kids at the Shark Encounter

• Touching baby sharks.

• We headed straight home from San Diego and drove all night to arrive home at 7am. The ride home was LONG since it took forever to get out of California due to traffic. Poor Cathy had to hear us sing the ENTIRE was home and she didn't even fall asleep. Saturday and Sunday ended up being a couple of relaxing, catch up days.
• We all had THE best time on this trip. We loved having Cathy come along and really made some great memories together. I love and appreciate Todd so much for working so hard so we could take a family vacation. The kids were so pleasant to spend time with and behaved so well. We are such lucky parents to have three terrific kids like ours. Family really is what it's all about:)