Trunk-or-Treat

We enjoyed a beautiful night with good friends and fun activities last night at the Ward party. Brinley and Owen were dresses as train engineers and Justin and I were Conductors. I look forward to Halloween each year for the family theme. Yes, it may be cheesy to some, but I love it!!! As a matter of fact I already have the next two years of costume ideas in my head. Justin made some chili and I was in charge of making snow cones, which I really enjoyed. I was just bummed that the watermelon syrup ran out first, it’s my favorite by far. Brinley scored big with the candy she collected, and spending the whole night with her dressed-up buddies. Other than a little mix up with candy and the fact that I was exhausted (more than I have been since my basketball days) from my long run that morning. The night seemed like a success, and we all slept well last night.

Choo,Choo all aboard!!!

Justin is such a sport and likes to dress up with us !!! Thanks for being my twin Just.
Grumpy after a long night!!

Fall Break

We were blessed again with more family time, with Justin's Fall Break. We had so much fun here are some of the highlights...

We took Justin's 81 year old Grandma to lunch at Buca di Beppo and quick trip to the mall. It was great, and we were able to help her blow out her candles and eat her cupcake. We all adore Grandma Shirley. She is a spunky, supportive, wonderful, inspiration to me, I have always just called her Grandma because she has made me feel so comfortable in the family and I feel like she is just as much a grandma to me and now the kids. Every week she makes time to come be with the kids and Brinley looks forward to it (not to mention the treats she always brings with her. My kids are so blessed to have SO MUCH family surrounding them.

Grandma Shirley amazed at Owens eating abilities!

We had our semi-annual sleepover in our living room, which consisted of McDonald's (its Monopoly time so we find ourselves there more often than I would like:), Sword and the Stone, PJ's and lots of pillows. I actually sleep pretty well other than Brinleys wonderful aim at my stomach all through out the night.

The next day we woke-up to shopping in Anthem with Grandma and Grandpa Sage. The weather was absolutely PERFECT that day. We were up there for about 4 hours and loved every minute of the perfect weather, but Justin would have probably preferred me not to shop as much. I did get great deals and now the kids are set for winter.

Brinleys friend Tennille had a dress-up B-day party and Brinley was so excited to dress up as a princess. This year for Halloween we are not going girly so she is quite distraught, but I only get so long to force my family to dress in themes. I am going to try for a few more years I have 4 more themes I want to get through and I need a few more kids to fit the roles:)

Owen ended up going as a Baseball Player he had an outfit and hat just lying around, can you believe that, ha ha.

Sweetie and her Sweets

This happened a few weeks back but I wanted to remember this when Brinley may not be quite as unselfish (you know a reminder of how good she can be.)


One day while Grandma and Grandpa were over helping with the toy closet Grandma bought one of Brinley’s favorite candies “Sour Patch Kids.” Because Brinley had been eating junk all day her I told her that when daddy got home she could have a couple with him. So, all through the day we debated on just how many a couple were. I finally told her she could only have three and that was that.

Daddy finally came home and once again she tried her bargaining methods out on him. With no success and sort-a exhausted from all the debating she succeeded. Daddy then proceeded to hand her the three pieces of candy. I then witnessed the sweetest act; Owen our little beggar walked up to Brinley signing “please” to her and Brinley without hesitation then handed over one of her precious candies. I whispered to Justin to just hand her another piece of candy. With no clue that I was watching she melted my heart once again, she took that piece of candy bit it in half and gave the other half to her brother. How thankful I am for such a sweet, caring, aware oldest child (from what we see now at least.) Owen is lucky to have her.

Playtime is On

The term play closet may sound like a strange concept to many people especially when they hear bits and pieces of a conversation with my kids. An example “Mom can I go play in the closet.” Yes, it sounds a bit bizarre however I have found that the smaller the space the better for children. Brinley could hangout with Grandpa under a table with a blanket over it everlastingly.

We have had a vision of a fun filled, organized, colorful, educational, ext. you know a dream closet since we moved in. With the help of my parents, my grandpa’s company, my uncle Doug and Justin here is our attempt (its nice to know people.) THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!!

BEFORE

AFTER
BEFORE

AFTER


BEFORE

AFTER

LOVEN IT!!!

Brin and Owen are in heaven. I love that it’s so easy to clean and find toys. Justin loves to crawl into the “tunnel” and read to the kids.

We still have a few finishing touches I will post later.

DISNEY

This post is a work in progress I just don’t have the time to sit here and blog about it all right now so I will do it a little at a time. But here are the pictures I know my family wants to see.

Where to start? We had a fantastic time at Disney World. There were only a few breakdowns from the kids but not bad considering we were dragging them around from sun up to sundown for 6 days. This is going to be a long one for journaling so skip to the pictures and enjoy if all the reading isn’t for you:)

BONUS IT WAS DECORATED FOR HALLOWEEN!!!

The plane ride there always seems to take so long months and months of anticipation built up but for a change I was completely organized, each bag had exactly what it needed to keep the kids entertained and us on track. Getting there and getting checked in seemed like a breeze (thankfully). That first night we stopped at the Magic Kingdom for Brinley first request the Dumbo and the infamous Teacup ride and some frozen lemonade. Then we were off to a BBQ and dancing with Mickey and friends. Brinley must have been exhausted because she fell asleep while eating a rib and for the next 30 mins laid on mommas lap even through the dancing, singing, and rope tricks. Owen on the other hand was a live wire, eating 3 whole pieces of watermelon and a whole plate of food. We left a little early so we could get Brinley to bed.

This day started out to be Brinley’s and the terrible horrible no good very bad day. She woke up about 4:30 in the morning screaming that her ear hurt. Brinley is prone to ear infections so immediately I knew that was the issue. Thankfully we had travelers insurance and so after a visit from a traveling pediatrician (that was a story all in its own) and a round of antibiotics she was ready to go at 11:00am. Thank goodness for insurance that dr. visit could have cost us a mere $400.00 and medicine. She was fine for the rest of the day no more throwing up.

Justin and I were a little apprehensive with Owen not knowing if he would freak out at the site of a big blue monster-looking thing. Owen blew us always running up to Stitch screaming in joy. He loved all the characters and every time we tried to tell him say bye bye, he looked at us to tell us bye bye and when we took him away he cried. Needless to say he adored the characters.

We ate at the Coral Reef, which ended up being one of our favorite restaurants on the trip (glad we didn’t skip that.) We sat right next to the aquarium and watched the sharks, fish, turtles, and stingrays swim past us the entire meal. Our darn camera is no good so the pictures just don’t give it justice.

Next on some rides and then to the World Show Case, this has always been my favorite maybe because of my love of food, or of culture I can’t be sure. It didn’t disappoint in a few short hours I felt as if I had toured several different countries and experienced their culture. We ate in Japan and then watched the spectacular firework display. Then off to more rides and snacks until closing time at 12pm. Yes, Justin and I stayed up until 12 more like 1pm once we got to bed. I honestly can’t remember the last time I did that. Even New Years only gets me until about 10:30.

The next day went a bit smoother. We spent the day at Hollywood Studios.

Lunch at the Sci-Fi Theater, Brinley saw this poster and was terrified thinking that a giant octopus would be joining us for lunch.Brinley was relived to find out that the octopus was not going to be hanging out with us. Eating in a car was fun though.

Playing at Honey I Shrunk the Kids park. Man did we get sweaty here; Justin and I took turns going through ant tunnels and in and out of spider webs. Brinley and Owen thought that this was the greatest place.

More pictures of Owen loving on the characters. He didn't care who it was if it was large and fuzzy it was his friend.

We ate dinner at Momma Melrose, or at least we tried. Justin held sleeping Brin and I held sleeping Owen the entire meal.

Justin’s favorite ride ended up being the Rocken Roller Coaster so we spent a few hours on that side of the Studio the kids enjoyed running around and playing with each other.

These outfits were handcrafted by my talented mother, Brinley enjoyed all the complements she got that day. Mom also designed and made her bag, that ended up being such a lifesaver keeping treats and toys to keep the kids busy all the time. Thanks momma!!! Glad my kids are first I am sure if they were the 5th or 6th they wouldn't get quite the goodies they do now.

The third day was Magic Kingdom day that meant eating in Cinderella’s Castle. The most look forward to day of the trip. I often heard “mom how many more mins until I eat at Cinderella’s?” She got to meet Bell, Jasmine, Snow White, Aurora, and Cinderella herself.

SMALL WORLD!!!

This drink was called a Dole Whip and it was amazing, pineapple juice topped with pineapple ice cream YUMMY!!!

Another fun character.

Off to eat more at Chef Mickeys, and more characters.

Monday was Animal Kingdom day we started eating Breakfast with Donald and Friends. Yes, we ate everything hence the 5 pounds we all gained.

Owen and daddy became very close, Owen didn't like it if daddy was out of site. He would yell and I mean yell out "DADDA" until he could see him again.

On the Safari!

Oh yes, face painting. This was one of Brins highlights. She wanted me to call Gracie and Elle (some of her friends) and tell them to come to the hotel so that she could show them her pretty face. After much conversation about why they couldnt just catch a plane and get here she asked if we could just catch one and go to their house.

Once again off to O'hana for some Hawaiian food. This was one of my favorite places we ate at. The kids had lots of fun activites and Brinley enjoyed the interaction.

We stopped at the Arcade in the Hotel and played for a little while before hitting the bed.

The final day went back to Hollywood Studio so daddy could ride "Tower of Terror" and "The Rocken Roller Coster" while momma took the kids to Playhouse Disney for the last hurah!!

It was awesome to see Brinley so excited dancing and singing with all the characters.

We had an amazing time and are grateful for a healthy and happy family & for the opportunity to go. We tried to soak it all in knowing that trips like this don't come around all the time.

I love my family!!!