San Diego Zoo

This excursion was definitely one of perseverance. The weather was quite frigid and Jake was a bit puky and poopy most the day. In the end, four hours is all we really needed anyway. We got to the zoo just in time for the Sea Lion show. It was pretty entertaining, and the warmest part of the day!




We were able to see a few of the animals by touring around before the clouds rolled in, the wind picked up, and the rain started.


We froze while we ate lunch and then made a plan to take the bus around the zoo while we sat on the lower level protected from the rain. Turns out you can see 70% of the park by the 1/2 hour bus ride. Who knew! After that, we were done! Too cold and windy to even take the aerial tram ride.

Legoland

Before spring break we had a family meeting to decide where the kids wanted to go while in Southern California. We are fortunate to have Uncle Jared and Aunt Janet live in Newport Beach and let us stay with them when we go, so we figure as long as they are there and hospitable enough to accommodate our family, we might as well explore the lower half of the sunshine state. We have been to Disneyland twice in the last nine months, and thought we should try something new. The kids voted Legoland and the San Diego Zoo.

Turns out Legoland was the favorite, even above the memory of Disneyland!!! The theme park is geared for a younger crowd, is smaller (less walking), and not very busy for the time we went. It was Drew's first time on a roller coaster and he LOVED it! "Faster, Faster, Varooom!" He rode this airplane ride at least 10 times.


How lucky were we that the kids friends from school were in Legoland the same day. We met up and rode the rides together.


Drew was barely old enough to drive the go carts. Seriously, there wasn't a ride there he didn't love. Everything about the place was heaven for him. At one point he had got up close and personal to the lego display of Las Vegas. He wanted to walk on the "street" and inspect the buildings. It took a bit of convincing to have him come on the proper side of the barrier. (I didn't want to walk into the display and have both of us in violation!)


Slide races. Drew won with an extra push from the slide worker. :) Do you think Brandon's too big for the sack?


This was probably the "scariest" ride at Legoland. It reminded me of Muholland Madness at Disneyland and the Mouse Trap at Lagoon. Those crazy hairpin turns are not for me. The downhill action is a bit more fun!


Audrey begged to go on the "Claw." We don't know the real name of the ride, that's just what we nicknamed it. The ride has three levels and depending on height, you qualify for a certain level. Corbin was level one...very mild. Audrey was level two...tooooo much fun! I can't wait to go back and try level three on my own. Brandon has such a pansy stomach, he doesn't do well on this type of ride. We got flipped sideways, backwards, face down - I think every which way except for completely upside down while spinning.


Here's the whole fam at the end of the day. We were all worn out! Had we had our brains with us, we would have upgraded our tickets to a 2-day pass for only $15 more per ticket. The kids would have gone back every day if they could.

Spring Break MADNESS!

Before we moved to Grand Junction, we travelled more than we do now. Granted, we had one less child, but still, moving four hours farther away from what we were accustomed to doing has only added time in the car. There are actually a lot of fun outdoorsy things around here, but until our kids are a little older or we get a camp trailer, we either go without children or we don't go. After living in Colorado for a few months, Audrey asked, "How come we don't go places anymore?" Hmmmm, she noticed?

So, I must have been mad to think we could drive 26 hours with four small children over the western United States and call it a vacation. But we did. And we survived. And we had fun.

The kids had their spring break last week and we opted for Southern California with a pit stop in American Fork/Pleasant Grove/Orem Utah. My sister Raelene was moving and she has so kindly housed our year-supply food storage in her unfinished basement for the past 20 months. Knowing that we would be renting in Grand Junction and the only available space was the crawl space, we wanted to wait until we had somewhere more permanent. Well, our housing situation has not changed, but theirs did. So we went to temporarily relocate the food until we can bring it to Colorado.

We were also fortunate to attend the blessing of Daren and Amanda's fourth child. Lauren Williams. It was nice to see family and friends, if only for a short while. The kids of course spent some time with their friends Grace and Halle and had fun swimming in the hotel pool.


Pictures were the least of their focus. (Grace, this is the best you gave me. Your head was under the water the rest of the time.)


The remainder of the week was spend in "cold" Newport Beach and San Diego. We have a bazillion pictures so following posts will be coming shortly. Legoland, Sand Diego Zoo, Surprise Disneyland trip, and the beach!

Miss these days?

This post has been a long time coming...months, probably even years. So why today? Why now? Because some well-intentioned soul told me again the phrase I have heard repeated over and over. "You are going to miss these days and wish you could have them back." Well, I don't know if it was fear or overwhelment because I started crying. (She has seven children and the youngest is 9.) Really??? This is as good as it gets? I REFUSE TO BELIEVE IT!

I just returned from taking the two little boys out for a walk. It is a beautiful spring day and after a long cooped-up winter with too much T.V., one would think "Dreamy!" Right? WRONG! Jake screamed the entire time, and Drew cried off and on because I buckled him in after he ran off and dumped rocks in some random lady's fountain. According to Drew, "I'm working." Fortunately the owner came outside and scolded him and only then did he run away. To my repeated beckoning calls and threats? No response. Need I mention I was with a friend whose dog was a bit spastic which only added to the chaos? I would have given up long before and came home had I not had a walking partner and needed the adult conversation.

Anyway, back to the "post." I am sure I do not fully comprehend what I'm really going to miss, otherwise I would not want to kick the person telling me that. Everyone has their stages that they love. I do not think babies and small toddlers are my favorite. And yet, I've been here for almost 9 years and I'm not done! Short, I know, compared to some. But that's almost 1/3 of my life. I look forward to future stages. In fact, I think I've relaxed as much as I have because Audrey is finally reaching some of those stages and I can see some light in this dark tunnel. Finally at age four, I contemplate cute and tolerable, but seven seems to be magic. (Although at 8 1/2 I can see we are starting to come off that wave and entering another "limit testing" era, but still, she's completely potty trained, sleeps through the night, and becoming more of a help when she wants.)

Perhaps my issue is I haven't left this stage since I started BECAUSE I KEEP HAVING BABIES so I haven't had time to "miss" anything. But then again, I LOVED my college days, single, less worries, fun, and 100% fit, but that doesn't mean I want to go back. There were still hard times and hard work that went into that lifestyle just like now.

I am trying to enjoy this stage as best to my ability so I won't EVER want to come back. (Not so much to spite what others say, but because I don't want to wish I had enjoyed them more while they lasted.) Just recently I told Brandon I could not do what he does and he could not do what I do. No way, no how. This is tough work. And some day it will be worth it. But I cannot forsee "missing" sleepless nights, CONSTANT messes, crying, whining, and screaming children because they think that is their best form of communication. I do not believe I will miss potty training, fighting, pure exhaustion from constantly caring for little dependents who want to do things on their own but still need help. Feeding them, bathing them, dressing them, SEVEN TIMES A DAY!

Perhaps I will miss knowing where my children are at all times (not that I even do now.) MaybeI will miss developing language skills such as, "Mom, I want to lap you" (Sit on my lap.) Or even , "Mom, you are going to drop me?" (Referring to dropping the boys off at a friends house.) And my favorite, "I need some toyet napkin." (Toilet paper) I will miss happy giggles and laughs. I will miss watching their little personalities develop. Kindness between the siblings. Funny faces of pure emotion. Goofy silly things that kids do. So that's why I take pictures! So I can remember the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The past few months I have started collecting some of my favorites of Drew. Considering we've just wrapped up his third year of life, he's at the perfect age I'm describing. If pictures of my others were easily accessible, I would include those as well. Maybe someday.

Drew has such a cute, loveable, laughable personality. Who wouldn't melt over a face like this? Bruises and all. :) He uses it often to finagle his way out of trouble.


Being mean to Jake and screaming back in his face.


"Sorry Jakers, I kiss him better."


While shaking his innocent head from side to side, "I color on paper mom, not my faaaccce!" Hmmm, he seems to know right from wrong yet still chooses to get his mom's attention by breaking the rules!


Drew cracks me up with his face and head gear. Whether it's goggles, safety glasses, face masks, or hats, he's definitely an accessorized little boy.



If Drew's hungry, he helps himself. The cheerios, the watermelon, the berry shake. Aaaah, independence has a price.



Here's a typical tantrum face. If he doesn't get what he wants, watch out drama.


Helping mom in the kitchen takes patience and kindness on my part. :) He has to do everything himself. Did I mention all of the kids could cook their own eggs at age two. "I DO IT!" Although, Drew has a good attitude about helping and I don't want to squash that desire. :)



Drew's creative side while making cookies. The mess speaks for itself.


And Drew's loving side. He adores his siblings. He looks up to Corbin, Audrey will help him if he needs something, and he gets excited and wants to hold Jake every time he wakes from a nap.


Drew keeps everyone laughing and cursing at the same time. We would not be complete without any of our children! They are making us better people and teaching us what love is about.

Anyway, I left out some of the more graphic scenes, like diareah poop on the kitchen floor, crayon covered walls, permanent marker all over the rug, naked boy running away from me down the street, me, laying in the middle of the floor trying to take a nap while kids crawl over the top and interrupt every 30 seconds, requesting one thing or another. Mom, Mom, Mom, MOOOOOM! Of course I never do fall asleep, it's merely an attempt to rest my weary bones. :)

If you are a mom, you know what I'm talking about. I know I am in good company and this journey is not one I travel alone. I'm just restating my feelings, I have good days and bad, sort of a love/hate relationship with life, but I do not believe I will miss these days and wish them back. :) So although I cannot control what other people say, I can listen (maybe cry) and politely nod my head and think, "speak for yourself." Living through them once, twice, or (heaven help me) FIVE times - that's good enough for me. :)

Corbin's 6th Birthday

So, my tradition has been to throw a “bigger” party for the kids birthdays every four years. Initially I started Audrey with 4, 8, 12, and 16, but a couple others snuck in there with the boys. So, we celebrate in the following fashion: Three years old – Chuck E. Cheese. Five years old – Party. And then 8, 12, and 16.

Well, Corbin turned six this year and he was disappointed to be having a “family” party. I didn’t want him to think it was a dud, so I still bought the gear to decorate and make it special.


Plus, we had Aunt Janet and cousins Chris, Jess, and Hannah come over. He wanted a transformer theme. Way over the top for a "non" party year, but it's just too fun. :) For dinner he requested pancakes and bacon, his favorite. Dad's recipe of course with a "secret" ingredient. There are certain things I don't make, because Brandon can. :)

Corbin's so funny. When we got up and sang to him in the morning, he was embarrassed and hid around the corner. And when he complained about "just a family party", I was surprised that night when he left dinner to go watch T.V. You can tell he's not one that craves the spotlight, just wants to feel special. So, his emotions were a bit elevated during the song and blowing out the candles. The tears sprang up pretty quick when Drew beat him to it. (Corbin's trying to push Drew away as he watches his flames go out.)


Fortunately he recovered, made his wish, and blew out all the candles.


He had a blast opening presents like it was Christmas morning. (Some were for Drew since we didn't haul them to Chuck E. Cheese.)


Corbin we love you! You are the nurturer in our family, the kindest and sweetest (when you choose to be) and a daily reminder of how blessed we are to be parents. You have learned so much in school this year we are amazed! You are such a good friend and good help with your younger brothers. Thanks for being a part of our family!

Drew's 3rd Birthday

For months, Drew has been requesting Chuck E. Cheese for his birthday. In fact, a couple months ago, he woke up one morning and decided it was his birthday. “Birthday, Presents, Go to Chuck E. Cheese? PLEASE????” That was a long day. But, he did indeed reach 3 years old and we celebrated in grand mouse style. Drew was so excited. That is, until the mouse himself made an appearance. Drew rejected the birthday crown and any physical contact initiated by Chuck E. Cheese. Drew put the crown on himself.


When CEC got the message, he turned and walked away. Drew jumped up, chased him, and started pounding him from behind. ☺ I’m attributing his behavior to the lack of real food, cake, ice cream, and jacked-up stimulation that only CEC can create. Sadly the night came to an end and he’s been asking for his birthday and to go back to Chuck E. Cheese since.


This is Drew's favorite ride. It simulates a roller coaster or an airplane or I think a train ride. He loves the roller coaster and will put coins in turn after turn and stare at the screen. The best part is when the chair starts to shake and his cheeks jiggle up and down. It's hilarious.


Here's the party animals at the end of the night. Drew, Corbin, cousin Hannah, and Audrey. By this time I had taken Jake home to bed. That place will put any sane person right over the edge...and I'm not sane. We had to get out of there!

Birthday Mania

The tail end of February and the first part of March is birthday mania in our house. Between a week and a half, I have my birthday, then Drew, and finally Corbin. I am exhausted. I have so many posts I want to do, and yet they all take time that I refuse to give to the computer. These days my bed has a stronger magnetic pull. So, I putting in place holders and will fill in as the time allows.

And now that I look back, I never posted anything in honor of Brandon's birthday (January). Poor fella.


His cake was awesome, thank you very much, but we were lacking in candles.

Math took on a different set of values for the day. 3 5+1 = 36. Ooooh, the downslope to 40 begins.