Utah- Idaho

Have you ever planned something way in advance but when it comes down to it you wonder, what the heck was I thinking. So 3 days after we got home from our California vacation Shaun's mom, the kids and I drove up to Utah/ Idaho to visit Leann's sister and her daughters and their kids. Don't get me wrong, it was a FUN trip and I'm so glad we went. But being 7 months preggo at the time and no husband to help made things a little more work. I won't even document the little problems we had on the way up. Lets get right to the fun part. We left at 4:00am and had a long drive to Salt Lake City where we met up with Wendy, Cari and Rita and their families. The kids got to swim that night that evening and the next day we went to Lagoon. I was surprised, I had never been and thought it would be a cheesy place. It wasn't as magical as Disneyland but they had SO many ride for even toddlers to go on. I can't wait to go back.

Ryker (with a map in hand of course), Tanner, Brekka and Millie. This was Rykers favorite ride. it is like the dumbo ride but is with sea creatures and you can get squirted with water. I got shot right in the face by an expected dolphin. It was pretty funny to Ryker.

Good ol' bumper cars. Ryker was dying to go on this for some reason.

I tried to get a picture of all of us. Missy and Riley are way in the front.

Yes Amelia is trying to steal my jumbo corn dog. I guess their was plenty to share. It was GOOD!!!

Us on a little train ride. This was cool because it took you on a ride to see animals, and you got really close to tigers, a white tiger, Lions and so many other animals. Way better than the Zoo.

Who remembers and loves Dippin Dots....I do, I do! Well I couldn't resist but I think Amelia liked it just as much as I do. She had to hold it and I was lucky if she gave me a spoonful in between her several bites.

Some of their ride looked whimpy, but they went pretty face. On this ride was also a baby being held my their 2 year old sibling. I was freaking out watching them, but they are not as strict with the ride requirements as most theme parks would be.

Brea and Ryker, he called this "Small World" since it is a boat ride.

Me and my crazys in the hotel room that night.

Millie, Ryker, Tanner, Brea, Brekka, Lexi and Brody, then Cari adn Missy were holding their babies Riley and Jace.

So we stayed in Salt Lake for 2 days, then drove to a family reunion lunch in Idaho, then drove to Rexberg where Wendy and Cari live. Our first night their we went to dinner and Craig-os (I think that was the name of it) We were like a zoo coming in. Between us girls their were 9.5 kids. Amelia being the craziest, I hope Wendy and Cari invite us back up to visit.

We stayed in Rexberg for a few days. It is so pretty their. The last day we went to Wendys to check out her bead shop. AWESOME! She turned her garage into this little bead store and people come to make whatever they want with her thousands of beads.

Ummm I really feel like a terrible mom because Shaun and I don't like animals and will never have a cat or dog. But when they brought out Brekkas little kitty-cat, I have never seen Amelia smile and be this excited before. This is her first time holding a cat and she didn't want to let it go.

Missy, Leah, Wendy and Cari, in the bead shop!! Thank you girls for everything. We had so much fun and my kids just love yours. =)

On the drive home I turned Amelia into am ipod junkie. She kept want to listen to the same songs over and over again, Popcorn popping, Happy Family, I am a Child of God, It's a Small world, A Pirates Life for Me.....so she sat and sang along. Cutest thing ever. It really was a fun trip but next time daddy needs to come =)

Let Freedom Ring -July 4th 2010

We got home from our fun fun Cali trip July 3rd and so, Sunday the next day was July 4th. What a great day, the founding fathers were inspired and turned to our Heavenly Father to create this wonderful country we live in. "In God we Trust", and don't ever let the world tell you different. Poor Ryker, this is as close to patriotic wear that he had. He won't wear ties so a navy blue vest had to do.

Then later that night we went over to the Martineaus for a yummy BBQ and spending time with family.

I just have to document the fact that this little girls is always on the go. She is so busy and happy. But watch out because she loves to tease.

Doug set the camera up and set the timer to take like 20 pictures, he didn't tell us so after the first one went off we all moved and realized it was still snapping pictures. My sister Sarah and her hubby joined us since the rest of my family are all in Colorado.

Since it was Sunday we couldn't go swimming but we had water guns to keep us cool.

Of course we ended the night with sparklers. Amelia LOVED them and wasn't afraid at all.

Ryker on the other hand was a little more nervous, but with only a few left we convinced him to hold one. He held as far from him as he could and would move. While we had to keep telling Amelia to stop running around and be careful not to catch her hair on fire.

Happy 4th!!

Preschool

Well I have had a change of heart an I'm sure this is to late but, if you or anyone you know is looking for a home-based preschool let me know. It will be for older 3 year olds to 5 years old. Classes will be Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 till 11:00. Tuition is $70 a month. Email me at leah5299@hotmail.com

I having been teaching preschool for 5 years now. We learn all the basics, do LOTS of cute and fun projects, singing, playing and it is a very structured environment.

Get your Early Ballot

The Primary's are going to be here before you know it. If you are registered to vote, as you all 18 and older should be.....click the link below and sign up to receive your early ballot in the mail. That way you don't have to go down to the polls. It take less than a minute to sign up. Happy voting!!

Early Ballot

End of June- California Vacation

We have been planning this trip for a while now. We had 8 straight days of family fun. The Martineau's rented a beachhouse for all of us so we were so excited to stay in California for a week. Shaun and I did the "Give a Day, Get a Day" with Disney and got free tickets. So our little family was going to head to Cali a day early so we can go use our tickets. We were going to leave Thursday afternoon, and get to the hotel around 10:00pm. I had packed the day before and it was a good thing I did because that night Amelia woke up with the barfs. Her and I were up all night, poor dollie. We were freaking out wondering if we were going to be able to go as we planned. Well thanks to a fathers blessing and one trooper little girl she was feeling better by that afternoon and we decided to still go. No one else got sick and she did great.

Here is Millie resting during the day, while I got everything together and packed the car up.

Friday morning we got up and headed to D-Land. Ryker LOVES maps and knows the park like the back of his hand.

The kids saw these hats and really wanted one. I told them if we bought them, they had to promise to wear them all day.....and they did =) Don't you love how they never look at the camera.

While Daddy and Ryk went on Star Tours, Millie and I sat and waited. If you give Amelia a wet wipe, she will clean everything. So I sat and rested my big belly, while Amelia cleaned the windows, her stroller, the ground etc...

Ryker's FAVORITE ride....Buzz Lightyear

Millie's FAVORITE ride....Tea Cups (she loves Small World equally as much)

That night Nana and Pa joined us at Disneyland then the next day we were able to go the beachhouse. Saturday Nolan, Missy and Riley joined us.

The beach was across the street. It was so much fun. I love the smell and breeze of the beach. Shaun and Ryker built sandcastles.

That afternoon it got a little windy so Millie who is skin and bones was chillie. We snuggled and watched the boys.

Tuesday was Sea World. Nana with Ryker and his trust map again.

Rykers FAVORITE thing.....the SHARKS.

Nolan, Mis, Riley Bear, Ryk, Millie, Shaun, Nana.....Feeding flamingos

The kids loved touching the HUGE sting rays

Ok, not to impressed with the Shamu show.....2 thumbs down....but Shamu is pretty cute.

Wednesday beach day again. Millie was happier, it wasn't as windy.

Pa, Nana and Millie

Yes I was the official "beached whale" the whole time

Thursday we went to the San Diego Zoo

The kids liked the sky buckets the best

Enjoying a little ice cream

Silly Millie and Mom

Last day at the beach

We had such a fun time. I can't believe we didn't take any pictures of us at night but once the munchkins were in bed, we played card games. I guess we really liked Scum because we played that the last 4 night till 1 or 2 in the morning.

Also as we were driving home, Nana and Pas car started to stall on them. Their was no way it was getting them home so they had it towed to the nearest auto shop and of course it wouldn't be open till Tuesday. So they had to leave it behind, they put some luggage in our van and hopped in with Nolan and Missy. They will have to go back and get there car =( But things could have been worse right?

Thank you Martineaus and Palmers for the fun trip. I was sad to leave but look forward to the next time we go!!!