Sunday, November 30, 2014

Quick November recap

Welp, apparently I did little to document November on my real camera, so these memories are all via my iPhone.  While the pictures definitely lack in quality, I'm glad I can catch the little things.

Took these hooligans with me to VOTE.
Hayden's still wondering when we're going on the BOAT. haha
Annnnnnnd, Hayden took the scissors to her hair.  Thankfully I caught her before she did enough damage.
Thankfully this was underneath so it's not super visible.  I think Brooklyn was about the same age when she
 cut her own hair...  It's one of those rites of passages that all mom's have to go through, I guess~
Time Out for Women --- I look forward to this event every year!  It's a good excuse for a girls weekend.  This year, I went with Shelbi Owen.  They moved into the ward earlier this year and we have become fast friends!  Her husband serves as Matt's 2nd counselor.  They have 4 boys, who are nearly the same ages as our kids and she's pregnant with baby #5!  We did some home decor shopping and grabbed dinner at Cafe Rio before heading to downtown Phoenix for the event.  After the Friday night portion, we stopped by Cheesecake Factory to get dessert, then checked into our hotel, changed into jammies then stayed up chatting until 1:30am!! 
We waited in this ENDLESS line for ice cream during the Saturday session.
After TOFW was over, we hustled back home for dinner at the Stake President's home with all the bishoprics and their wives.  I love these three guys {especially the one in the middle!} and that they don't just serve well together, but they are great friends.

Good thing Brooklyn's bed is queen size, to fit all the nightly visitors she gets!
(Preston & Hayden)
Don't be jealous that I worked out with Ariel this morning....
Watched cousin Emily in her play, Alice in Wonderland!
Phoenix temple dedication 11.16.14
Such a privilege for these sweet kiddos to experience two temple dedications in the same year!
Darn it!  It's that time of year!
Gavin had his 3rd grade music performance ~ short but sweet tribute to the USA
Could've seen that coming.  She kept freaking out that she was "barking."  Darn croup!
Gavin's first basketball game today!
Life is more fun when you're on the same team as a friend! (Joshua Thornes)
Here are our Thankful Turkeys from Singing Time.
I taught the kids "I Am Glad For Many Things" then had them write one thing they were thankful for. 
Spencer's baptism day!  Look at those handsome cousins! #futuremissionaries
32* calls for heavy coats and Eskimo hats.  Can't imagine how we'd ever survive actual snow!
Some days you just think your kiddos are extra cute~~
Dance in the Desert tonight!  Love watching her up on stage~
Annual turkey trot at the school!  Got a couple miles in with my big kids.
Isn't their principal darling all dressed up???
We did it!  THEY did it!!!  Blake and Gavin ran their first 5K!  So proud of them!
Wouldn't be Thanksgiving dinner without olives on the fingers!
We did Black Friday, which really should just be called crazy Thanksgiving day shopping.  Because it's CRAY-ZAY!!
Not a fan that all the sales start Thanksgiving day now, BUT some deals just can't be passed up.
Made a good dent in our Christmas shopping!

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Disneyland {day 3}

Last day!!!  My family went home so we were on our own.  Each morning, we made sure to be in the park as soon as it opened.  It was such a pleasant experience!  Never waited more than 30 minutes in line for anything.  Although the park closed early a couple nights, we were still able to get our fill and it was such a perfect time to go to Disneyland.  

I still get giddy each time we walk down Main Street!
Hayden was all dressed in her Belle dress.  She sure played the princess part well!
Matt found his souvenir!
O.M.Gosh.  Could she be any cuter??!!?
We finally got to see Belle!!!
This was, BY FAR, the best moment for Hayden.  She LOVES Belle!  I love how engaging the characters are with the kids.  They do such a good job of making them each feel so special!
The best we could do in the blinding sun~
Everybody loves snacktime!
Fawn~
Tinkerbell~
This was my favorite character encounter- EVER!!  This Merida was 100% spot on.  Her accent, her sassiness, everything.  And then this little exchange between her and Brooklyn.... she whispered something in Brooklyn's ear and then they both busted up laughing!!  It was adorable!
BTW, Hayden calls her "Mer-der-a" LOL
The kids know Mommy doesn't *do* the teacups.  I was going to have Hayden sit out with me but she threw a fit, so she went too!

Matt and I took turns "sitting out" of rides and taking Hayden to things that she could do.  She wanted to see Rapunzel real bad so we watched this little stage play while Daddy and the big kids did more rides.

So, Elsa & Anna.  I don't think ANYone at Disney could have anticipated the sheer obsession that little girls have with all things Frozen.  I heard that people had waited literally HOURS in line, just to see these two celebrities.  Since I have a few Frozen lovers, I did my research on what we needed to do to meet Anna & Elsa.  Disney is smart.  We went first thing to the spot where I stood in line, they scanned all our tickets and gave us tickets to come back with a return time window.  They only allow one group in at a time, you get your time to talk with them and take pictures. 
Waiting for Anna & Elsa
It was so funny, Preston kept telling Elsa that he liked to play video games and she was like, "I don't know what those are!"  And Anna was asked if it snowed where we lived and when the kids told her we lived in Arizona, she was like, "Oooooooh, you probably don't even know what snow is!"  haha

Of course we have to try to pull the sword out of the stone! ;)
Hayden gets her Mickey (or Minnie) ears ♥︎
Halloween time!
We walked over to California Adventure to finish off our day and Pluto was standing all alone, so he motioned us over and had a little play time with Hayden.
Kisses on the nose
Knuckles!

After a few last rides, we got Mickey Mouse ice creams.

We did some souvenir shopping throughout the day and finished up a few purchases on our way out.  Hayden was SUCH a trooper but crashed hard.  Ahhhhhhh, so tired but so happy!

We found the nearest Little Caesars and grabbed a couple Hot 'n Ready's to eat back at the hotel.  After showers, everyone crowded on the bed to watch Mr. Peabody & Sherman. 
 Except Hayden.  She never even opened her eyes until the next morning.

And then there was Matt.  He was busy doing a victory dance when the San Francisco Giants won the World Series!

Even though trips like this are exhausting and costly, I absolutely would not trade the memories made for anything in the world!!!  I love spending time with my {not so little} family!  Until next time....