Disneyland and Las Vegas

I finally talked my husband into letting us go on a trip to Disneyland. We gave it to the kids for Christmas so T-man was pretty interested in the logistics of just how Santa really pulled this off.

Tough one to explain, but we managed. We had such a great time. KK was big enough to ride on just about everything. She even got off Space Mountain with a big smile on her face. I wasn't sure if she would even like the roller coasters, she isn't quite 4, but she did. Surprisingly enough, when we got home, my husband mentioned that he had a good time. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor.

Unfortunately, we didn't have great weather and had to hang out under the monorail for about an hour one day, eating lunch and trying to pry our frozen fingers off of our capri-suns. At that point, Princess looked at us and said, "I hate Disneyland, I want to go home". We managed to convince her that it would get better, which it did.

We went and stayed with Dan and Amanda for a couple of days as well. The kids were so excited to see Amelia and to see where they lived. We tried to avoid the strip, but the kids wanted to hit the M&M chocolate factory to have a tour. I guess they got rid of it, and instead do a lame 3-D movie instead. Don't waste your time. We went to the Hoover Dam, and despite Brett's attempts to let the kids climb up on the edge to look over, we didn't lose any of them. KK did manage to puke all over herself though in the car. It made for a pleasant smell the rest of the way.

I will post a few more pictures in a few.

Crafter's Corner

We tried out this new place in Pleasant Grove this year for P's birthday. It turned out to be so fun and cute. The girls each got to paint their initial to their first name. It was amazing to see how creative the girls were. I was worried that some of them might turn out not so cute, but found that they all turned out awesome. They all knew exactly what they wanted and how they wanted to do it. It was a great place, with good help and inexpensive! It was so fun to see how much quieter and well mannered the girls were compared to a big group of boys. Not that the boys were all that bad, just much more rambunctious! Happy Birthday Sweet Girl.

Tanner's Baptism

I think having a child get baptized is one of those benchmarks that ages you. I have never felt so old. I can't believe I have a kid that has chosen to be baptized.

It was such a great day surrounded by family and close friends. T-man knew exactly who he wanted to talk, to pray, and even what songs he wanted. He is such a great kid and we are so grateful we can be his parents.

Oh, And One More

I did set a New Year Resolution this year. Who am I kidding?

I set it for Brett. I told him that he should write me a love note a day for a year. And I bet you are wondering how he is doing....

A little taste of just what kind of romantic Brett really is:

"Marriage is like doing push ups. There are a lot of ups and downs, but in the end you are much stronger. I love getting ripped with you. B"

New Year Resolution

My husband and I have the same discussion every year.

Brett: Do you want to set some goals for this year.

Me: Yep.

Brett: OK, what do you want to do.

Me: Oh, I don't know you figure it out.

This conversation goes on for about a week, the last week of the year. He has every intention of getting me to commit to something, and I have every intention of agreeing, trying, and even coming up with some of my own. And then before I know it, it is January 27th. He has set goals for us (and I may not even know what they are) and I am still trying to figure out what I slacked on from last year.

I hate Resolutions. I understand the need for goals and to work on things, but I guess in my mind, I hate that it has to surround the New Year and that is isn't something that is a continual process.

I should love them because maybe it would really get me to blog. Maybe.

And there you have it. The first resolution I failed at.

There is still time.....

Last month I opened up my journal to write in it. I try to write a yearly letter to each of my kids around the time of their birthday. I remember the year before I was always so tired and had the intention of doing the older 2's letter when KK had her birthday and I wrote hers, since I didn't get it done when they had their actual birthdays. You probably can imagine my surprise when I opened my journal and realized it had been over TWO years since I last wrote. TWO WHOLE years of incredible busy, brutally honest events that were captured no where. Maybe occasional excerpts here on my blog, but even this has slacked off. If I don't have it here, and I don't have it in my journal-it is nowhere. Guess I better get on it and start getting better at both.

I am setting a resolution for today: To start.

Nesting

Nesting: Often referred to as the period of time before a woman is about to go into labor in which she feels the need to organize her house and her life.
I have always thought of it as a womanly instinct. Until this week. My husband is on a roll. He has spent the last two days going through cupboards, drawers, and closets. I have never seen the likes of it before. Can't say that I mind it. It would just be nice if it lasted all year long.
Now let's just see if I can actually find things in the days to come.

Ready for the New Year

I am sitting here at work right now, 3 am on Christmas morning. Not a lot going on, which is a good thing. I hate tragedy on holidays, especially this one. I requested to work tonight. Strange, especially for me, I know. As much as I would rather not work, I need the hours. Work has been extremely slow to the point that I am working sometimes only once a week. It has been like this for a couple of months. Everyone keeps thinking it will pick up because of "respiratory season", but we have yet to see the effects of that. Maybe once everyone hangs around family for the holidays that will change.
I am sad I won't be there in the morning to see the looks on my kids faces. Brett is going to try to hold them off for as long as he can. He told them he would even make them breakfast in bed, sweet, I know.
It is amazing to think how quickly 2010 has gone by. I can hardly wait to slap this year goodbye as it goes out the door. 2010 has to have been one of my least favorite years, EVER.
Lots of things happened, challenged us and helped us to grow. Maybe one day I will look back and cherish this year. Not today.
One good thing did come of the year and that was getting Brett back with us. Couldn't have asked for anything better. One more year til we are done with school and maybe I will feel some normalecy in my life. And truly, I can't complain because I am blessed with a beautiful healthy family!

Here's to hoping for a better year!