Disneyland, Here We Come!

When we decided to take this trip, the McCarty's weren't going to be going to Disneyland until Monday, and we were planning on leaving on Sunday afternoon. Well, their plans changed, and we ended up going to Disneyland on Friday. (I was so excited, it was my first visit to anything Disney.) Kate was excited to be going to Cinderella's house.

The girls in front of Cinderella's castle.

(Kate informed us that it was, in fact, Cinderella's castle. Why should it be any one elses?)

Another try at a family picture.

Kate trying to pull the sword out of the stone. She and Aspen got to meet Merlin too!

Andie riding the horses.

Kate, ever the poser.

The flying elephants.

Again, Kate, the poser.

One of the only smiles we got from Andie on film.

Sitting on Pirate Treasure. Kate was sad that it was all super glued together, and we couldn't take any for ourselves.

Kate got to meet Pocohontas. Andie was scared.

Kate got to meet Minnie Mouse, and Andie was scared.

Kate got to meet Belle.

Andie was scared, and didn't want to leave my side.

Another stab at a family picture.

Since we only had one day at Disneyland, we tried to pack as much into the day as we could. We went on Peter Pan's Flight, Snow White Adventure, Pinnochio's Daring Journey, the Carousel, Storybook Land, the Flying Elephants, the spinning Tea Cups, the train around the park, Buzz Lightyear (where the girls got to shoot laser beams at the evil Zurg), Star Tours, Thunder Mountain (Kate's favorite), the Matterhorn, Finding Nemo (Andie's favorite), Pirates of the Caribbean (Kate was scared and covered her eyes the whole time), and the Tomorrow Land Rockets.

We also did a storytime with Sleeping Beauty. The girls got to see (but not talk to) Mickey Mouse, Mulan, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella. We also went to the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House. We watched the fireworks near the castle, too. I think the the kids had a pretty fun day, Andie missed her nap, but was still pretty happy for the most part. We didn't head home until about 11:30. The kids fell asleep before we even left the parking lot!

I think this face says it all!

We're Back!

We made it back from a last minute weekend trip to California. We decided to meet our friends the McCarty's in Oceanside, CA for a fun filled weekend of fun in the sun. Although, the sun didn't quite agree with our plans. We left on Wednesday afternoon, made it to Las Vegas, spent the night there with family, and headed out early Thursday morning.

As we pulled into the parking lot in Oceanside, Kate informed us that this was the best day of her life, and this was going to be the best vacation ever! we brought in our luggage, and then headed straight to the beach! The girls were excited to see their friends Aspen and Brindley, but they were most excited to just be out of the car.

Even though the sun was hiding behind clouds, and it was a tad windy, it didn't stop Kate from running straight into the water.

Andie was a bit more hesitant, and enjoyed digging in the sand.

Kate and Andie playing in the sand.

Sharla and I enjoyed sitting on the warm sand and watching the girls play together. But the boys would have none of that!

They went boogie boarding! They said the water was pretty warm, but it was really cold when they got out.

Kate and Aspen dancing in the surf.

No trip to the beach is complete without a dance in the surf!

Andie happily pointed out the "Scoo Bus" in the background about a hundred times. She also had fun pointing out any birds, airplanes, or helicopters she saw. But beware! Any bird that got close enough, was chased down by Miss Andie.

Andie loved sitting on the warm sand.

Kate on the best day of her life.

Andie and Brindley playing in the sand. They were so dirty by the end of our day at the beach. But, they had fun.

Out attempt at a family picture.

After playing all day at the beach, the girls were exhausted and fell right to sleep when we got in the car. We headed back to the condo we were staying in and enjoyed a nice dinner of grilled steaks, potatoes, corn on the cob, cantelope, and honeydew melon. Yummy! Topped off with a soak in the hot tub. What more could a girl ask for?!?

Am I a Bad Mommy?

Because I think this is hilarious!

I've been tagged...Thanks Linds!

The rules of the game: Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
10 years ago I was 17 and finishing my sophomore year in High School. I worked at McDonald's, attended early morning Seminary, was a cheerleader, in Drama Club, a part of Batesville Singers (the show choir), and was concerned about how I was going to get a tan that summer. Man, that seems like such a lifetime ago now!

2. What was on my to-do list for today?
Wash, dry, fold, and put away both girls laundry. Sweep and mop my kitchen floor (again), run to Albertsons to pick up more cereal, unload the dishwasher, reload the dishwasher, feed the kiddos lunch, clean up after lunch, put Andie down for a nap, figure out what to make for dinner, read stories with Kate, make dinner, enjoy dinner with the family, clean up after dinner, go on a walk with the girls and Rob, get the girls in bed, and fall asleep in an exhausted heap!

3. What would I do if I suddenly became a billionaire?
Not worry about owning 2 houses, waiting for one of them to sell. Buy my parents a house, and pay for their health insurance so they could move out here and be close to their grandkids. Dress my kids in the cutest clothes imaginable. Hire a maseusse to give me daily massages.

4. 3 Bad habits
Wasting time by sleeping in, not being patient enough with my kids, and biting my nails.

5. Places I have lived
Spanish Fork, Indianapolis, Sullivan, Batesville, Bloomington, Provo, Orem, and now Provo again.

6. Places I have worked...
Babysitter, McDonald's, Children's Dental Care, As Seen on TV, Luv 'N Stuff (a kiosk in the mall), Convergys, and Plum Flower Lane.

7. 3 Things people don't know about me.
I hate grocery shopping and doing laundry.
I love to eat frozen cookie dough.
I don't like chocolate ice cream, but I like vanilla ice cream topped with Hershey's chocolate syrup.

In now tag Matt & Krachel, Kylee, and Emily.

It's Official!!!

Our house is on the market!

And we had our first showing this morning.

Now I just have to keep it clean and looking good so people can come see it!

I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast this morning. My dad said I "cheated." But, hey, you do what you gotta do! They were delicious, and they made the house smell heavenly! I had to be here to let the "Potential Buyers" and their realtor in, and the first thing the potential buyer said was, "Ohhhh, it smells WONDERFUL!" Glad to know my hard work paid off, and the house smelled good.

So, if anyone knows of someone looking for a nice house in the Provo area in a good neighborhood...pass ours along! (There's not a sign in the yard yet, but I am assured it is in the works.)

Living Room

Big kitchen, great for entertaining! (Looks down into Living Room.)

Master Bedroom. Master Bath has a huge corner tub and a walk in closet.

Guest Bathroom

Bedroom #2

Bedroom #3

Basement Family Room w/ full Home Theater capabilities.

Pre-wired for 7.1 surround sound and projector.

Laundry Room with cabinets and hanging rod.

Guest Bathroom (basement)

Bedroom #4

P.S. And, proof that my house isn't always a disaster!

Looks Can Be Deceiving

NEWS FLASH: She only LOOKS sweet and innocent!

Today my oldest daughter, who I thought was sleeping, climbed out through a basement window and wandered around the neighborhood.

How do I know she did this, you ask?

She took my camera, and documented her escape!

The fence and rocks outside the window she climbed out.

A shot of her bare feet on the driveway. (Just for you CJane!)

A tulip in the flowerbed at the end of the driveway.

Our mailbox with our house in the background.

Neighbor's house across the street.

At least she was still safely on our side of the street.

Neighbor of the neighbor across the street.

She was still safe on our side of the street.

The sidewalk.

A shot down our street.

And my favorite of the day...a picture of her shadow.

I love the dainty pinkie finger in the air!

The Bright Side: At least I know she didn't wander too far from home.

And, tomorrow when she says she wants to take a nap in the basement, I think I'll be a little more skeptical!

My Clever Kid

This was a dialog Kate and Rob had early this evening as Rob was doing something in the basement:

Kate: Dad, is the basement a place?

Rob: What do you mean?

Kate: Is the basement a place?

Rob: Yeah, why?

Kate: Mom said these juice boxes are for when we go places.

The juice box was already opened, and we surely had a good laugh. So if any of you are wondering, the basement is definately a place!