The Best Trip EVER

This week we took Maddox to Disneyland. And when I say "we", I mean myself, Mikey, my mom and dad, my sister her husband and son, my brother, and 12 of our friends from Arizona. (21 people in all!) We had been preparing Maddox for this trip for the last 3 months. It has been non-stop Disney movie watching, and soundtracks in the car. We all purchased Disney tshirts even!

Wednesday we traveled down to LA, with our car FULL of luggage, the stroller, pillows, snacks, and somehow US. That night we met the Norton's at the hotel and hung out in the lobby for a few hours. There's nothing like being with the Nortons. It is ALWAYS fun. Never ever a dull moment! I think the funniest was when Russ popped the button on his pants and had Jani fix it, in the lobby! That night we went to eat, and we all ate WAY too much, but it was SO fun to all be together! The next morning was all things Disney.

Logan and Maddox waiting for the Tram

The whole gang as we were getting to the gates.

As soon as we walked in, he couldn't stop looking around and pointing at all the fun things going on.

First thing we saw when we walked through the gates was GOOFY!

First ride of the day was the rockets. Maddox wasnt too sure of going on a ride, but he chose to go on this first one with my mom. After that he LOVED going on the rides. After EVERY ride he would say "more! again!" He had SO much fun!

Maddy giggled the entire time he drove the cars. He could hardly see over the hood, but that didnt stop him from LOVING this ride!

Standing in line for the Jungle Cruise

The Nicolls Group

The Norton Group

The entire group with Eeyore

Mikey and I in our cute Disney shirts

"The Baby Whisperer"- The entire group wanted to go on "Space Mountain", but since we had 4 little kids with us someone had to stay behind. Russ volunteered. We were only gone maybe 15 minutes, and when we returned all 4 little kiddies were asleep! What a champ Russ!

Maddox couldnt pass up an opportunity to play in a car. He LOVED toon-town. The kid went crazy!

One of our last stops was to meet Mickey. What a fun trip!

I'm Sorry, I Can't Help It!

In just about two weeks, we will be heading down south to visit my favorite place in the whole world. Today I realized that not only am I excited, and with each passing day as it gets closer and closer does my excitement build, but I have become obsessed. I guess it's because I havent been to my "happy place" in almost 5 years. It's where Mike and I spent a week on our honeymoon. Its where my parents and grandparents took me and my siblings at least once a year growing up, and its FINALLY time to share the fun with Maddox. I cant wait! And like I said, I've become obsessed. Everyday I check thier website to make sure I know the times of EVERYTHING (opening/closing/special fun things happening)! I took my mom and sister to their store to get Maddox a shirt to wear for the special occassion, and we left with a shirt for ALL of us to wear. We cant get much more obsessed than that. I keep making lists in my mind of the things I need to pack already (ya, the trip is still over 2 weeks away, who cares!), or make sure I bring. I find myself throughout the day jumping online to see if I can find a new website that will show me some fun facts, or fun things to do! Ive checked the forecast already. Its become rediculous. But seriously, when youre going to a place THIS fun, how can you not daydream and anticipate the fun, even if it is weeks away!

Wouldn't you want to spend a day with these fine folks?

Training for the Olympics

We have been watching a ton of Olympics over here. One night while watching, Maddox began jumping off the chair in super funny poses. Our cheering immediately turned

from speed skating to... well, whatever Maddox was doing.

Running

Im not sure, either wrestling, or the beginning of a swimming event.

Who knows what was going on in that kids mind.

This was always Maddy's final pose, then he would throw his hands in the air and say "Ta-Da!". Im guessing he was a gymnast here.

I'm a Little Behind

I realize I havent posted anything in a while. What a whirlwind this past month has been. Here a few pictures I snapped along the way...

About a month ago my parent's neighborhood was having thier street cleanup where you can put anything and everything out in the street and the city will come by and pick it up. I was driving to my parents house one night, while it was raining actually, and saw on the side of the road some bikes. Now I have never been one to pick up "trash" from the streets, but it was something I just couldnt resist. There was a tricycle just Maddy's size. I quickly threw it in my car and hurried along not paying much attention to it for a week or two. We took it to Mike's parents house where his dad was kind enough to pump the tires, and replace the training wheels that were a little bent. The bike has Dora stickers all over it, but to be honest I dont mind. Maddox doesnt know the different, and until he can ride a big boy bike, we can rip the stickers off and it will be just fine. Maddox was so excited to get his bike! I couldn't believe someone was throwing this away!

For Valentine's Day Mike and I went to Sakura Chaya for lunch on Saturday. On Sunday I made Heart shaped french toast. I had great plans of taking pictures at lunch, and of the cute little Valentine's I got for my husband and son, but of course the only one I took was of the french toast. Ill spare you the picture, its really not that interesting. Another fun thing that happened in the last month, is Maddox and I went with my mom to Marina to visit my sister, her hubby and son. We went just for the day, but we loved seeing my cutie little nephew (and sis and brother and law but lets be real, the real reason we went was for Logan). Maddox usually doesnt have much to do with Logan, but towards the end of the day all Maddy wanted to do was hold Logan, and wrestle him. Here are a few cute pictures of the little guys.

Every Wonder Why

I know we all have our challenges. We each have trials and things happen throughout our life that can slow us down, or completely stop us in our tracks. Do you ever wonder why YOU go through THAT trial? I feel sometimes like there are definently certain trials that have come up through my life over and over and over again. And just when I think I have overcome the trial, and I can finally catch my breath, or clear my head, here it comes again. As silly as this sounds do you ever wish you could pick your trials? I find myself thinking every once in a while "oh no, not again. What am I suppose to learn this time around?" I guess I cant complain too much. Ive never lost a sibling or child or parent. Ive never been in a major auto accident. Ive never been diagnosed with an illness that couldnt be overcome one way or another. Im not divorced, or going through one. I have a roof over my head and food in the cupcoards. I guess for now I should count my blessings, and pray for strength to overcome all things. I know someday I will know why it was meant for me to be tried and tested in the ways I am, sometimes I just wish that day was today!

4 Generations

My grandmother has been begging for a 4 generation picture. We finally took one in Monterey at Logans blessing. For some reason we only took one shot, and when I saw how it turned out I couldnt help but laugh.

Seriously, where is my mom and grandma looking? Is it a bird? A plane? Who knows really. And Maddox, where do I even start with you kid?

Where Have I Been?

I get online consistantly. I even get on this website consistantly, each time vowing that next time Im online I'll update my blog. I find myself blog hopping, enjoying my time reading about lost friends or whatnot. This morning I realized that I havent updated my own blog since before Thanksgiving. Where have I been you ask? I'll tell you...

Ive been hanging out with these two cuties. I am now an aunt on both Mike's side, and my own. My sister in law Stasha had a cute little girl Bailey on October 10. My sister had a baby boy on November 9. When the babies are around its pretty much a game of "pass the baby", since everyone wants a piece of the sugar!

Thanksgiving this year was spent in Las Vegas. We felt that to really pay tribute to the biggest "stuff your face til you ache all over" day, was to travel to the meca of buffets. Actually, since we have family in California and Utah, it just worked out best for everyone to meet in the middle. We were only there a short time, but we crammed in as much as possible. Included in our trip was some time spent at Bass Pro Shop looking at all the fun outdoor toys. We even got our picture taken with Santa! We spent a little time at the buffet (out motto was eat 'til it hurts, then have desert), followed by a game of bowling. The day after Thanksgiving I spent with my mother in law shopping the sales. What a fun trip!

Mike and I FINALLY went on our Christmas Date! It was my year to plan. We started by getting a hair cut for Mike. This might not sound like anything special, but for the past few weeks he had been teasing me that he wanted to grow out his hair, and I knew I had to do something about it. I took him to Sport Clips, which is a salon just for men all decked out in sports stuff and got him "the works". He came out feeling like a new man. Next was off to Riverpark Golf where we went to hit some golf balls. We were running a little behind, so I let Mike do all the golfing, and I did all the picture taking. He loved it. My next suprise was to Amenities for side by side pedis. We loved it. Although Im a manicurist, I hardly ever give my feet the attention they need. This was Mikes first pedi, and since we had them done at the same time it was nice for us to both have a little down time and just relax. Im so glad Mikey isnt one of those "macho" guys who wouldnt be seen in a salon. This man LOVES being pampered! I love it! Our last stop was dinner at Tokyo Steakhouse. Im not going to say much about it though, because its really not worth talking about. We were pretty disappointed. Between the dirty grill, the "tricks" our chef messed up on, and our lack of service, we weren't impressed to say the least. Overall though it was just what Mike and I needed for a day of fun! I cant wait til next years Christmas date!

The last big event was Christmas! What a fun time! This was Maddys first year where he kinda understood what was going on. He didnt really catch on to the concept that Santa comes to bring gifts, but that might partly be my fault. Im having a hard time trying to teach Maddox the true meaning of Christmas, without over sensationalizing. This year while we looked at lights I would make sure to point out every Nativity we saw. I want to make sure Maddox knows that we celebrate this time of year because its Christs birth, not because Santa comes down the chimney. I would make sure to get really excited when we would see little baby Jesus, but I would also point out Santa too. I dunno, its kinda a wierd stage for me with him I guess. Maddox was so fun to watch open presents. He would get fixated on the first toy he opened and then not want to open the rest. Needless to say we still have presents under the tree that have yet to be opened. One of the highlights for Christmas this year was the game "Curses" my sister got as a gift. We couldnt stop laughing because the game is just TOO goofy. One night I laughed so hard I literally made myself sick. I was exhausted playing because it makes you laugh so hard! Definately a highlight for the year.

Of course there are all of the normal day to day things that have kept us busy. Between work, (I work from 6am to 9pm with NO breaks today, does that tell you how busy work has been lately?) my calling in relief society, Maddox, get together with friends in town, and last minute Christmas shopping, it has left me NO time for blogging... ok now we should be up to date... til next year!