Cali Trip....Lots of Pictures!!!!!

I finally am getting my Cali pictures up. First few are Disneyland, we spend 3 days there, well not full days but randomly through out the day we would go. One of the nights Leann stayed at the "high tower" (hotel) as Ryker called it and Me, Shaun, Missy, Nolan and Doug went out for a fun night without kids.

Yes Shauns mom made us dress in green for a family picture. It is going to be for her Christmas card.

We meet up with Shauns 2 cousins and their families. They live in Idaho and we had so much fun. I really wish they lived here because they are major crafters like me!!

Shaun and I on the new Toy Story ride. No those are not our cheap sunglasses, the ride is in 3-D.

The Amelia ride. Since she could go on anything, we found a ride that goes 2 mph and lasted like 2 mins.  She thought it was fun.

So on our kiddless adventure it was like 10:00 pm and we went on Splash Mt. I'm the fool who sat in the front and had never seen someone get so wet from this ride. I was soaked, dripping wet. Needless to say I was a cold and bitter the rest of the night. Yes even at Disneyland you can be bitter!!!!

Come on Muscle Men, make me a Queen!!

I forgot how hard it is to drive these suckers. My foot and leg was dying.

BEACH TRIP!!!

It was really windy and Amelia didn't care for that to much (she is like her mama) 

Some of the cousins diggin' in the pit.

My little sand crab!!!

LegoLand

So I don't know about Legoland. It is a place you will probably only go once. You will go once and realize you should have just gone to Sea World that is 30 mins away.  Most the rides you have to be 42 inches so about 6 yrs old then after the age of 8 I don't think the kids will think it is to cool. Ok it is not that bad, it had some fun play areas which Ryker loved, but to pay $50 bucks for a play area, not worth it!!! 

We waited in line for over an hour because it is their cool new ride!! LAME!!! I seriously couldn't believe we waited that long!!!! For Space Mt. yes, not for a dumb kiddie ride!!!!

So their is lots of neat things built out of Legos.  I love the Do Not Climb sign right on front. What is my child doing of course.... climbing!!

Oh such daring boys going out on a jungle safari. Beware of the animals made of Legos!!!

This was Ryker favorite. A car they could drive around. He was not a very good driver but had fun none the less.

A story about grease and the Girl

I just had to help Shaun shoot a wedding. First off, I don't know how he does it. Standing on my feet for more than 3 hours and hauling all the equipment around kills me. I only have to be there for 3 hours, he is there for 8 or more. Anyways so it was finally time for me to leave and it was way on the west side so I knew I needed to get something to eat for the LONG drive home (good thing I made a little mixed CD for me to listen to) but since I didn't know the area I thought I would just stop at the first place I saw!! The big red box caught my eye so I pulled in and right away I started to crave 2 Jack Tacos mmmmm. So I order 2 tacos and to add a little more grease I also got french fries. So I get my food and I start to eat the greasiest fries ever, if I squeezed them the greased would have dripped out into a huge puddle. Did that stop me.... No so I continue to eat and then I start on the tacos. The first bit, wonderful. Second bit, delicious. Third bit, my stomach is saying "ok that is enough". So why is it my taste buds crave the tacos and my stomach wants nothing to do with them. Bottom line is, I need a little something called will-power because my taste buds always win and I feel like crap the rest of the night. This is a way dumb post but I'm waiting for Shaun to come home and that is all that is happening right now.  

Who wants to sign up with me.

So my Ryker NEEDS to stay busy. I found that out this summer. On days we wake up and have something to do, the rest of the day is not to bad!! But I was looking at the Town of Gilbert's Parks and Rec ad and saw this cute little class. Now you don't have to be a boy to like this, sports are good for girls as well but if anyone wants to do either class let me know. Ryker is 3 so he can go to either one, I don't care I just want him to have a friend. Oh and the class is held at the Library on Greefeild so not to far. Also if you live in Mesa, I can sign us up through my parents, so no worries their!!!  It is 10 classes. Or if any of you are signing  your children up for something else, I'll tag-along with you!!!

4th= Friends, Fun and Fireworks!!!

Happy 4th of July!! I love this holiday!! Shaun is home, BBQ, swimming, popsicle's, fireworks!!  Even though it is HOT in AZ it is fun to be outside.  I forgot to turn on the flash so the pictures are dark but they are still to cute.

This year we decided to go to the Town of Gilbert's firework show. It was at Mesquite HS.  Poor Ryk has no cousins and everyone seems to hang out with their fam on all holidays, but luckily the Porters feel bad for us so they invited us to join them. We meet at the HS and Amanda brought a ton of goodies. I'm more of a dud and didn't bring as much, so thanks to them we had fun people to hang out with, fun thing to do and yummy treats to eat!!

I have no idea where they are all looking but that was the best shot I got =)

If anyone needs a balloon man for a party, Lee Porter is the man to call, he made flowers, swords, rockets (well not to Rykers liking) and a few other things.  

So I wasn't going to post this terrible picture of me but hey that is the real me and not much I can do about it. Before we came here we went swimming. So did the Porters but they look good!! =) Oh and if you are wondering where Amelia is during all this, we left her with Nana, since she goes to bed at 7:00pm. Yup she's a party pooper.

I tried to get Ryker's reaction to the fireworks and missed his big smile, but look at Eden in the back, she thought they were way cool. Then we have Delia who probably found some candy or something!!  Thanks again Porters!! If anyone else feels bad for us and would like to invite us along to fun events please feel free =)

Bring on the Tissue!!!

Yes I'm blogging at 1:00 in the morning, I'm getting things done before we leave on our trip and really wanted to post about the night I had so I can encourage some of you to go out and see 1856: The Musical!!! It is playing at the Mesa Arts Theater June 28-July 3rd. It is a wonderful play about the pioneers crossing the plains. It was such a great spiritual booster and everyone can use that right!!  I went with 2 friends from my ward and what made the play extra special is my close friends the Porters were apart of it. Eden this little cutie, plays Ester the youngest of one of the families. I'm so lucky to also be her Sunbeam teacher and loved watching her in perform, she was amazing.  Well Thank you Porters, Rogers and everyone else in the play, the spirit was so strong and I'm so grateful for our pioneer ancestors.

Candice, Eden, Amanda, Me, Wendy

Wendy, Candice, Me anxiously awaiting for the play to start!!

It wouldn't be a girls night without food right. So we stopped by Mangos just down the street for some yummy food before the play. Thanks you 2 for introducing me to this place. I must go back!!

Fun Activites

I'm leaving for Cali early Sunday morning and will be back Thursday.  I will then start posting a few fun craft projects to do with your kiddos. 

Beatin' the Heat

So for the past few summers I have done a preschool summer camp but wasn't as motivated this year. I have some way cute summer activities: under the sea, fourth of July, watermelons etc. So of course Ryker is not that interested yet in my projects but he does love to paint and cut.  

It is worth the 5 mins of cleaning when he will sit and cut for 30 or more mins. No joke.  Yes I thought I would just let him get use to cutting. A great tip for all your soon to be preschoolers. Cutting takes lots of practice, first let them cut whatever, so they get use to the opening and shutting and holding the paper. Then drawn a thick line and tell them to try and stay on the line. When they master that move on to wavy lines, curvy lines etc.  They will be cutting like pros in no time. (well it does take a few weeks) =)  

If anyone has bored kids I have LOTS of summer crafts.  If anyone is interested I'm willing to post some ideas.  Or you can just come on over =)

Udall Girls Gone Wild!!!

It is going to be my Grandma Ann's Birthday at the end of the month so my crazy Aunt Sharon put together a night for all the girls to come celebrate. We went to Mi Amigos for dinner, yummy and then we went to my Grandmas house for some games and dessert!!  I had so much fun being with my fam and feel so blessed to have a wonderful Grandma who is a great example to me!! Happy birthday Granny Annie!!!

So almost everyone was here, my Grandma of course, the 5 aunts, 8 married gals (so some married into this crazy family) and 6 hot single girls!!  We were missing 3 of the 23 girls, Natalie and Stephanie just had baby boys (congrats)!!!

What a good sport!! She looks really good in that hat!!

My twins!! I love these girls and on a sad note (ok Steph I'm starting to cry right now as I type this) Stephanie is leaving us all for 3 years while her hubby attends dental school in Buffalo, NY.   Travis I know you are reading this and I'm not THAT mad at you but of all the dental schools, they had to get the furthest one away.  It will be a great experience for them and the time will fly by right??? It better!!!

"Shining Moon Mania" reunited - wait I should be in the middle because I'm the bossy lead singer!! =)   

Finally Summer

She looks like a frog. She is going to kill me when she is older for taking these pictures.

I had to force a kicking and screaming boy to go down a fun water slide. Once we did it he wanted to do it again!! 

Look at that face.

WHEEEEEEEE

See not so bad after all.

Not that I'm complaining but for being June it hasn't been that hot so the pools have been to cold for me still. But today my cousin invited me over to her parents for a swim. They have a fun pool with a water slide.  But before we get to the swimming part let me say sorry to Shelley and my Aunt Sharon again for being a ding-bat. I get there at it is past Amelias eating time and I go to get the bottle and formula out and I left it at home so, no biggie I can run to the store really quick. Go to grab my wallet, can't find that either!!! Poor Shelley had to take me to the store and buy me formula while my aunt watched my kids!! I caused to much trouble so I'm sure they will not want us back anytime soon!!

Sista Friends

 I know some people would never go back to Highschool if they had the chance but I would!! Thanks to some amazing friends I had a blast.  So 5 of us still live here in Gilbert/ Mesa and 3 have ventured out of sunny Arizona. We of course have to get together when one comes to town and Megann came for a visit.  We all meet up at Alissa's house and with 11 children and 5 moms it was a zoo!

So I love this picture, Laniey screaming, Hunter covering his ears, Grace with a major sad face but brother being sweet to her. Oh so many fun personalities. 

Top:Libby, Ashlynn, Weston, Cameron, Brynly, Brennen, Grace, Lainey

Bottom: Amelia, Ryker, Hunter

Here are the hot mamas to blame for the craziness:

Leah, Natalie (holding Cameron), Lindsay, Alissa (Weston), Megan and her 2 cute girls Libby and Laniey.

We wish Morgan, Heather and Rhona could have been there as well. Morgan has a little boy and a PG with a girl and Heather has a little girl and PG with a boy so soon their will be 15 kids between all of us!!  We can't wait till our hubbies make us tons of money and we will have one big girls weekend in New York City!! =)  

Splash Pad

The other day I went to a "splash pad" in Chandler with a friend and her 2 girlies. When we first got their is was a little crowded but about an hour later everyone left for lunch or something so the kids had the place to themselves. It took Ryker a little while to get out their but they had a fun time. It was a little windy that day and of course I was wearing a skirt so I should say sorry to anyone I might have flashed.

Off they go!!

3 Little Monkeys

Amelia was a good girl, she is my little chunkster. Look at those cheeks, yes I kiss on them all day long and squeeze them a few times too. Oh and she is very confident even with her thunder thighs.

FHE

Monday night for FHE we talked about the first vision and Joseph Smith. We ended with Ryker doing this little project and I hung it on the fridge to remind him through the week. I just asked him:

mom: Ryker who is that?

Ryker: Joseph Smith

m: What is he doing?

r: saying a prayer

m: to who?

r: Jesus and..........

m: Heavenly Father

r: yeah

m: what is he asking them?

r:  thank you

m: what else?

r: which church is my turn

m: yeah, which church should I go to.

r:  the big church

It is so fun now that he is understanding more and can remember more things. I don't know where  he got the "big church" from, he must think we go to a big church =)  

Youngest Fire Fighter

We had a pretty low key Memorial Day. Shaun had the day off and spent the morning mowing the yard and editing videos, so by 2:00 in the afternoon it was time to have a little family fun. Ryker wanted to go swimming so we thought we would go swimming at his parents but both boys were to cold and only got in to their knees, what wimps =)  So since Pa (Doug, Shauns day) was on duty we thought we would take Ryker to see where he works. He has never been before. He was in heaven, lots of big fire trucks and fun stuff.

Captain Ryker Martineau at the wheel.

Ryker and Pa  in front of a huge fire truck!

All geared up and ready to save some lives.

This is an old fire truck they still use for parades and stuff.

Pa even took it out for a spin around the block. Ryker didn't like when Pa ran the bell, to loud.

USA Blocks

Ok here is the last set of blocks you can order. You can pay $16 dollars for the kit which includes: wood, vinyl, paper and embellishments. You will need to buy your own paint. Or I will make it for you for $20 dollars. I will need to have the money before I place the order which will be May 31st.