Newport journal, days 6-7

After 2 long & exciting days at Disneyland, we were all ready for some r & r (except Sam, who was still thrilled by his light up Disneyland bracelet!)

This looks like a good place to relax!

We just walked around Laguna & Newport in the morning, taking in the beautiful scenery & ocean air.

Then....we hit the pool!

These boys are really mermen, who have to be dragged out of the water kicking & screaming!

Our final day was spent in the sand...literally!

Trying to catch some waves :)

I actually got in a swimsuit, sat on the beach, dug in the sand & fought off some pretty big waves...it's just not photographed (phewwww!) I did take the opportunity to walk around the cute shops with my Mom whenever possible though!

Beautiful day

Goodbye California.... until next year!

Newport journal, days 4-5

As sometimes happens when opinionated people are together for an extended period of time in a small space, a few "arguments" (that resembled the photo above) broke out. Hissssss!

Luckily, just in time, we went to the Happiest Place on Earth! Disneyland did live up to its claim & we all had a fantastico time. It's unbelievable how whining ceases, attitudes change & opinions weaken once you walk through the magical gate... Poof!

This is Sam & Mack's first time in Disneyland. Before we left, Sam told me Wheeler Farm is the best place ever. We have sheltered them a little! Their eyes were as big as silver dollars as they walked down main street Disneyland :)

We are so grateful that my parents took us for the trip of a lifetime. They love their only grand kids soooooo much!


How come every time whoever is behind the camera says, "say cheese"... Sam & Mack hear "make a scary & goofy face!"?

I sat this one out.

I'm not a fan of walking around in public with a wet bum.

I would do anything to get in that kids' head! Mr. Curious!

This was my favorite ride!

I am a big fan of the free fall. Adrenaline junkie.

Thunder Mountain Railroad was another favorite of every body's. I believe we went on it 3 times. We were SO lucky that the longest wait we ever had in 2 days of Disneyland was about 20 minutes. We were basically running from one to ride to another non-stop!

Daddy & Mack having a blast!

I get slightly nauseated just looking at this ride. The boys thought it was great though!

California Adventure was awesome! It was the first visit for all of us.

See what happens when you eat your veggies?!

My 3 buggies :) The Bug's Life movie made my top 10 list too.

"Who are these large chipmunks we're standing by?"

Just stand there & smile, Mom loves Chip & Dale! Who knew they were still around? Maybe they're making a comeback, with their show in Las Vegas and all!? Doh!

A few of my friends, who are regular Disneyland goers, gave us the advice to stop & enjoy lunch. Don't eat on the go, or the kids will fizzle out early. It was great advice, but it was adults that needed a re-charge!

Once again, Sam & Mack heard the voices in their heads telling them to make goofy faces. Luckily they are cute!

I heart Mickey.

I heart these guys even more!

We all missed our Bella girl & thought of her everytime we saw little girls walking around in princess dresses. She will have a blast next year, when she's a bit older. Luckily, she was in her own version of Disneyland being at Grandma & Grandpa Ayers' house for a week. She got super spoiled & totally loved!

Arrggghh!

California Adventure at night is amazing!

We loved the World of Color water show. It was one thing that I knew I wanted to see for sure, but the fast passes were gone by the time we got there. So, I scrambled & bought a totally over-priced picnic dinner for our family that included a pass to get good seats. It was worth it! What a great way to finish up one fabulous trip to Disneyland.

We all agree, Disneyland ROCKS!

Newport journal, days 2-3

These were taken right in front of the Beachcomber restaurant in Crystal Cove. It was one of my favorite nights; eating great food & enjoying the beach at night.

It got a bit nippy after the sun went down, but the restaurant handed out blankets & had big heaters. Then, they handed out frozen chocolate dipped bananas after the meal! :) Yum!


Day 3 took us to Legoland! It wasn't on the agenda, but the weather was too cold that day for the pool or beach. We were debating between the California Science Museum or Legoland. There was a unanimous & enthusiastic vote by all the boys (& men) for Legoland)! I figured, why not give a few more dollars to the Lego company? Once you hit the thousands, what's $200 more?!



We started out the day driving Lego cars & the boys were the only kids I watched who didn't follow the road rules very well! I was astonished how most kids stayed on the right side, stopped at the red lights & steered clear of the other drivers. As you can see, Mack immediately switched to the left lane & tried to gun it past his brother! Go figure...

I have to admit, all the Lego displays were pretty impressive.

Noah was in 7th heaven!

Overall, it was a fun experience. The rides were geared toward younger kids, so I'm glad we hit it this year (not that the kids are getting really old or anything!)

Just another day in paradise.

Newport journal, days 1-2

So, we are on a week long vacay on the Newport Coast with my parents. The timing was perfect, as we left Salt Lake City in a major downpour. The weather at home has sucked this whole spring. We have had very few spring-like days & the dreariness was really getting old. We have been looking forward to this trip for a year, because Sam & Mack have really never been anywhere, but Idaho! We used to take Noah with us everywhere, but the twins are a bit overwhelming & we've never dared take them anywhere before now. We did leave our sweet Bella with Len's parents in St. George, not because she's hard & we didn't dare bring her, but because she's small enough to not be able to remember or enjoy much of what we had planned. Disneyland is on our agenda & sitting in the stroller for 8 hours a day didn't sound fun. She's having a blast with her Grandparents, Aunt, Uncle & cousins that never get to see her, but we miss her terribly.

It's a bit dark, but this was the view on my morning run, day 1. It was beautiful! The morning's are a little foggy, but it burns off my the afternoon & is gorgeous as ever! There are little bunnies hopping all along the running path. It's the cutest thing :)

The boys couldn't get enough of the beach, even though we went early & it was a little cold. It was hard to get them to stop playing long enough to get a picture (sam never did stop!). We didn't take enough pictures, but they played & played on Laguna Beach all day. We also walked around the cute town & ate at a restaraunt on the beach in Crystal Cove. It was amazing to eat dinner & watch the waves roll in a few feet away. The sunset was amazing too!


After all the Laguna fun, we swam even more at the hotel. I'm amazed that the boys haven't just collapsed from exhaustion! We all, that's right- even myself, got a much needed 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep last night. My body is in shock, but it feels GOOD!

Weeeee Wii

This is how Bella came up for breakfast this morning. I had to look twice to see what she was wearing on her feet...it was the Wii remote covers!

She's starting a new trend. Weeee Wii! Look for this on the Paris runway this Spring.

To get this look for yourself, click here! :)

Belated birthday wishes

Happy 9th birthday Noah!!!

All this boy has asked for since before Christmas, is a football birthday party with all his friends. For the past several years, we have combined Noah's party with Sam & Mack for logistical purposes. Big brother was trying to be sensitive when he tried to explain that 9 year olds don't have the same interests as 6 year olds! I said I understood, (but was secretly really bummed that the combined party thing was over). So, we purchased football parte' necessities in the Target dollar section during the Superbowl & I was obligated to make this happen.

I even purchased a San Francisco 49'ers t-shirt at Old Navy for .97 cents, since I actually knew one of their players. Wait... has Steve Young retired? Whatever! San Fransisco's pretty, so if I were a football fan, I'd definitely root for them. Not to diverge, but man, my butt looks ginormous in this photo- I can't believe I'm publishing it! Motivation baby!!!

Okay, back to the party... We got the idea from my neighbor to do a tail gate dinner. It was so fun!

It was complete with lots of disgusting processed food; like hot dogs, chili & cheese, chips, root beer & candy. The kids loved every bite!

Of course, we also had cake & ice cream. There was much debate about who liked the Packers & who didn't, but when it came down to it, everyone ate!

The nicest guy at Home Depot helped me make this football goal post. Hopefully it will last all summer for the kids to play in the yard! The party kids had a blast playing flag football & confused punter (blindfolded & dizzy)!

The gods were smiling down on us that day because the weather was beautiful & Len showed up to help :) Hallelujah!!! Now, 2 days later, there is a few inches of snow on the grass... and did I mention Len showed up? Pheww.

Don't they look like grown men all discussing the coolness of each gift, while sporting a can of root beer in their hands?!

Noah has such nice friends & we all had a blast :) I just can't believe how fast the past year has gone by. It seems like Noah getting baptized & turning 8 was just yesterday. He's getting so big & is still such a great example to his little siblings. Yes, he also can be the main provoker of all chaos at times, but generally Noah is a great kid. We love our big boy & feel so lucky.