Beach 2011

I've had these pictures waiting to be 'published' for weeks...but I forgot about them, better late then never! We had such a nice relaxing time at the beach (well, everyone else did...I don't really like the beach because the sand is EVERYWHERE and it gives me anxiety....obviously I have issues). Deano has always LOVED the ocean, just like his daddy!Brielle is definitely more like her mommy (I'm scared of the ocean, which is another reason I don't love the beach)--she does not really like the ocean but she LOVES the sand!
Bobpa & NolanDeano & Brielle love their little baby Noli!

Disneyland 2011

We went to Disneyland last week with some of our favorite friends and family! One of our favorite Disneyland meals is Goofy's Kitchen...because then we don't have to stand in line to see the characters in the park! Pluto was so much fun...as you can see he is eating Deano!

This is only 13 of the 18 people in our PARTY! We planned this trip with our buddies Brittany & Mackay Asay and Rich and Star Losee. Rich has been like an older brother to me all of my life (his name was even one of my first words) and Britt is like the extra little sister Nat and I never had. My kids LOVE all of their kids and could not have had more fun all week! My parents, Nat, Ty, Baby Noli and Boni (Mom of Britt & Rich) are missing.

Brielle could not look cuter in either of these pictures but Snow White cracks me up!

Deano rode every roller coaster except Indiana Jones and California Screamin' (b/c he was not tall enough for either of them). After Tower of Terror & Space Mountain he said "That was awesome, can we do it again?" He also LOVED spending time with his Uncle Tyler!Cash, Gracie & Deano. We always tell Grace and Deano that they are going to be married (which is hilarious because they are two of the hardest headed kids I've ever met), one day Grace was telling Deano "I marry you, deano" and he told her "no" so I asked him why and he said "It's embarrassing mom!" It was such a crack up!Bobpa, bobpa, Bobpa...do we think Aunt Nat likes Brielle carrying Noli around on her shoulders? When we first set the kids up to take the picture below, my dad took Noli and tried to sit him by himself in the middle of the honey pots...as if a 5 month old should sit 5 feet off the ground by himself...luckily Nat intervened! It's a wonder we survived our childhood!Golden L., Deano, Starli L., Brielle, Noli, Grace A., Kastle L. and Cash A.Cotton Candy! My kids started begging for Cotton candy the minute we got to Disneyland...eventually Nana took pity on them and bought some (I can't stand Cotton candy...it's SO messy and it is not even good)! Gracie & Brielle devoured it and then spent several days asking for more!It's a Small World

with lots of people! Have you ever been to Disneyland in a group of 18 and tried to stay together (and not kill each other)...not exactly easy, but we did it!

Once again Nana took pity on Bri & Deano and bought them ANOTHER stuffed Mickey & Minnie! I think we probably have at least 30 (including 3 that are 3 ft. tall)...they loved sharing with Baby Noli!

I've asked both kids what their favorite part of the trip was and both have said it was being with their buddies...I'm so glad they got to make these memories!

This is the ONLY picture of Chris & I together the whole week...and we are wearing these ridiculous 3D glasses!

Nana and her boys at the Rain Forest Cafe - downtown Disney

My beautiful little Brielle--she was also SO brave! She went on every single ride at Disneyland and California Adventure--even her first upside down roller coaster!

I love this picture of Dean. He LOVES Star Wars and when all the bigger boys were picking our a Lego set for their "1 toy" at Disneyland, Deano decided he wanted this star wars lego set (for ages 7 & up), he could not wait to get it put together! Chris almost died when he saw how many teeny tiny little pieces it had when HE had to put it together...and now they are all over our playroom. These two are growing up way too fast!

Happy Easter 2011

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday...as you can see by Deano's face! His favorite part was probably the Easter egg hunt at Nana and Bobpa's house!

Brielle was adorable today in her little dress that my mom bought in Paris for her last fall (before she fell and broke her pelvis)...thanks Nana!

Love these pictures of my 3 favorite people!Ready to walk to church! I love watching them walk around with their little scripture bags! My favorite part of the day was the family quiet time we had tonight before bed. We talked about Jesus crucifixion and Resurrection, and they told us what they learned about it in Primary today. It is so exciting to see their little minds working. I am so grateful for the Savior and His help to raise these precious little kiddo's! Easter morning was full of candy, candy and more candy! This picture was at about 8am!I had to throw this last picture in of Bri & Dean decorating eggs because I don't want to forget this story: after decorating eggs Brielle started to eat one, so of course Dean followed her. After spending at least 5 minutes peeling the egg and making a giant mess, he slumped his shoulders and said, "mom, they aren't chocolate?" My mom has had giant chocolate eggs all month at her house and he LOVES them...apparently now he thinks all eggs should be chocolate!

Spring Break 2011

Brielle had spring break this week and we had a nice little "staycation." I tried to mix in a couple of fun activities (so it did not seem like we spent all week working in the office)Nana made the kids a picnic lunch a couple of times...they LOVED it! The BYU Dino museum is always lots of fun...especially because it is made up of two rooms, takes 30 minutes to visit and it is free! Another free favorite is the BYU Bean Museum!

Today the kids helped me make lots of strawberry freezer jam...because Chris & Brielle eat it SO fast (sometimes they go through a jar in a day or two and I can't steal anymore from my parents house or they will get suspicious :).

Brielle was doing all kinds of different poses for the camera...gotta love her!

Moses

This morning Deano gave me this picture and told me "mommy, dis is moses"...my favorite part are the eyebrows (his people always have eyebrows..what in the world does this say about him?). Later he explained to me that Moses' mommy "putted" him in a river and the alligator's almost got him...I'm not sure the bible says anything about alligator's but that is what happens on the movie "The Prince of Egypt." :) atleast he is learning something!