One More Celebration

Which ended up being New Years Eve I think. But who cares. I had one more Birthday celebration in me yet. I really was SO stinking spoiled this year. But anyway, I got to get together with one of my favorite friends Beth. We've had two babies together....literally. I met her when she was just barely pregnant with Tyler and I was just barely pregnant with Leah. They ended up being born 3 days apart. Then when I got pregnant with Brandon, she was pregnant with Audrey. They ended up less than 3 weeks apart, which actually felt like a really long time. Anyway, I went down and picked her up and we headed out to a cute little lunch place(known for their pregnancy inducing salad) for soup and salad. We didn't have the pregnancy salad, but I have. And it was good. But it didn't put me into labor.

Then we were debating about whether or not to go shopping. But then we found out that NEW MOON was STILL playing at Universal Citywalk, which is like less than 10 minutes from her house. So we jumped on it. She'd already seen it and I was gonna be in big trouble for going without my other friends, but I knew this was really my last chance to see it in the theater before it left for good. It was such a fun day. We chatted and laughed and really just had a good time. I'm all for big groups and getting together with lots of friends, but honestly, sometimes it's nice to just be one on one. So thanks for the fun day Beth and thanks for humoring me and seeing the movie again.

Unfortunately, this is the only picture I got.

(That's because Rachel wasn't with me and she's the master picture taker.)

The Day After

I did a whole lot of celebrating for my birthday this year. One would have thought it was my 30th or something big like that. But no, I just have fabulous friends and family. So the day after Disneyland, I got together with some of my ward friends up here for some yummy CPK and Cupcakes (Starbucks style).

I would like to say we were deep into thought here deciding what we wanted for dinner, but that would be lie.

Serious discussion going on here I guess. They look TICKED off! ha.... They weren't. Just a funny shot.

And I don't know what my facial expression is responding to in this picture, but it was another funny one. Rachel just snaps pictures constantly. She could make a flip book.

Getting a birthday treat....that they charged me for. Crazy huh? But my kind, kind friends paid for it. Which I'm still not happy about, but finally agreed to....as if I had a choice.

Group shot. Apparently the server did not care about getting a good shot. It's all blurry at the top right. Oh well, you can still get the idea. GREAT friends I have!

So then we headed out to The Cupcake Tree bakery. I do not go because I want to. I must. I have to support my friend. It's her shop (are you buying any of this? I didn't think so.) Okay, I LOVE cupcakes. They are delicious. But the shop was closed. Boo!!! I guess it was my own fault. But in the window I could still see my friend, finishing up for the night, probably wanting to go home and relax after a long day. But instead, she gets ME....knocking on her door at almost 9 at night. I offered to pay for them. I just really really wanted some. I'm so stinking spoiled huh? What a brat. She was SUPER kind and gave us all a free cupcake. TOO TOO nice. Now I shall have to continue to support her (darnit)! So we took the cupcakes to Starbucks, cuz they were still opened. We got some hot cocoa and settled down for some more laughs.

Yes, I was making this face on purpose. No one else bothered to mention that when they posted this picture on their blog.

I'm pretty sure Michalle was doing this on purpose too.

Here's a nice one of her though....so she'll still love me.

Then a few of us ended up back at my house for some toe nail painting and movie watching. But mostly we just continued to chat while the TV was on in the background. It was SUCH SUCH SUCH a fun night! Thanks so much gals. I love you all! And I had the best Birthday ever!

My Birthday and Disneyland

I seriously think I was as excited, if not more, than the kids, to spend my birthday at Disneyland. We went to a hotel, a mile from Disneyland, the night before thinking it would allow us to get more sleep and get to the park bright and early. Well, unfortunately, the getting to the park early worked out well, but the getting more sleep part, not so much. The hotel was SO loud. They had blaring music outside the room. The fireworks at Disney went off at 9:30. I was SO glad it didn't wake up the kids. And the people next to us had probably 15 people in their room and the walls were as thin as paper. I could seriously hear everything they were saying and doing. I was NOT happy. I somehow managed to fall asleep close to 11 though, but was then awoken again by our neighbors who must have had an early flight because they were up getting ready at 4 AM! I slept probably one more hour before Brandon woke up. We put him in bed with us. He was a MAJOR bed hog. I ended up getting maybe 30 more minutes of sleep before getting up at 6 to get ready and be gone by 7. Well, I was tired, but I did it. I wasn't gonna let lack of sleep deter me from my day.

We got to the park, after having to park OFF lot (and be bused in), due to the LARGE number of people expected that day. Bought our tickets and decided if we were gonna really enjoy the day, we should just get season passes so we wouldn't feel rushed, or sad that the park was so full and we didn't get to do that much. It was costly, but I think this is a good year for us to have passes and I'm really excited to use them.

Anyway, here are some pictures from our day. I took A LOT! I didn't want to miss a thing. The park was completely packed. Employees were directing "traffic" and they were blocking walkways making them "entrance" and "exits" only, instead of two way traffic. It was crazy. But we got on a suprisingly good amount of rides and left quite content and EXHAUSTED! We even managed to stay long enough to see the Christmas parade. But definitely couldn't last for the fireworks. Maybe another day. Over all, it was a FANTASTIC birthday. I don't think I've ever been told "Happy Birthday" to SO many times. People were surprisingly patient with the crowds and all the employees were so pleasant. Seriously! It really must be "the happiest place on earth".

Here we go! Off for our fun day at Disneyland. It was a chilly morning.

First ride of the day....Dumbo. Had to get it in before the lines got too crazy. It paid off. We only waited about 10 minutes to get on.

Fairytale boat tour. The girls LOVED seeing all the Princess castles.

Ah....I'm being eaten....

HELP.....
ME......

Whew...I survived.

In line for "It's a Small World".

The kids LOVED this ride. It was so pretty with all the Christmas Decorations. Light and bright and very "happy".

Seriously been dreaming about this Mickey Ice Cream. SO delicious. Even at $4.00 each.

Yup...we got to ride on Princess Tiana's Riverboat. VERY FUN!

My favorite ride. The Haunted Mansion....Tim Burton Style. I loved it. We got Fast Passes for it and literally walked right on. It was awesome!

This is what Ashlyn thought of it. Oops. I'm so mean to make her go.

Snuggling during the Parade. Actually I was holding them up on a fencepost. I thought my back was gonna break. I don't know how I managed to take a picture of it, but I did. Good times!

On the bus ride back to the car. Tired, but happy. It was a great day! Even with Brandon and Leah going at it in the double stroller fighting and crying all the way out of the park. All we could do was laugh. They were exhausted and totally overstimulated. They both crashed in the car.

Christmas Day

Yes, I managed to go the whole day and never get a picture of myself. Great....hopefully my kids will remember that I was actually around on Christmas Day. I was just the one BEHIND the camera. Gotta get that husband of mine to take more pictures I guess. So I don't have to either (1) not get pictures of me or (2) have to take a picture of myself with my kids (wait for Disney pictures. I swear that's about the only time I made it into the shot).

But back to Christmas. We had a GREAT day! I heard the kids (well, Leah) stirring just before 7. I quickly got up because I had told them not to come out of their rooms. I know, I'm so mean. But I didn't want them to see the stuff downstairs without us. Anyway, the kids quickly woke up after I went in their rooms. Paul came and stayed up with the kids while I got the fire started and the camera rolling. Everyone came down. It was very exciting. After opening stockings and Santa gifts, Jim played "Santa" and handed out all the rest of the gifts under the tree. Then we took turns. Leah was surprisingly good at this, despite her itching desire to rip into all her gifts without a second breath. After opening presents, me and my Aunt headed in to make the traditional grits and eggs with bacon and juice. I also threw in some pigs in a blanket thinking the kids would devour them. But they didn't. We had a LOT of leftover. Then Paul gave me the greatest gift of all and told me to go take a nap. I slept for almost 2 hours I think. Can't remember the last time that happened. Then we spent the afternoon at the movies seeing "Princess and the Frog". I know lots of people do this on Christmas Day, but I just can't get into it. It all the sudden didn't feel like Christmas. But just another ordinary day. I don't think I'll be doing that next year. The kids had fun though. Poor Paul spent half the time out in the hall with Brandon. He's still just too young to sit through a whole movie. But too old to fall asleep in it.

Overall, it was a fun day. It was so nice to be at our own home and not have to worry about traveling and trucking presents here and there and everywhere. I love that our kids are getting older too. It's so fun to see the excitement in their eyes and to know that this is the BEST day of the year for them. I truly remember that feeling. That's what keeps Christmas and the idea of "Santa" exciting to me. There really is a spirit of love and giving in the air. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year. And now that all the decorations are down and the Christmas movies and music are packed away, I can't help but feel a little sad. Oh well. I suppose if Christmas were more than once a year, it wouldn't be near as special.

Brandon was really into Christmas this year. He had a great time opening all his gifts and showing them off to Uncle Jim. Look at all those balls. That isn't even all of them

Leah got her "jewelry" box that she's been asking for ever since Ashlyn got one for her birthday this past August. It's now full of all sorts of little "treasures".

Ashlyn got her locket. Now to fill it with pictures of her best friends.

Leah LOVES to dress up and was so excited to get some new princess shoes.

Ugg boots. Is that how you spell it? She wears them almost everyday. They're already getting scuffed up. Should have gotten brown ones.

Matching nail kits and dryers from my sister. They were SO excited. And I'm SO excited to not have to sit there and blow on their nails until they are dry anymore.

The kids got Paul a lego set. They were eagerly watching him open it.

Ashlyn got a cd player and cd from Grammy and PopPop. She loves having her own music to listen to. Just not too loud she says. Ah...I love this girl.

Rhonda and Jim. Yes, my Aunt always looks good. It's sickening. Jim hates how many pictures our family takes. He's learning to grin and bear it. Can you tell?

The aftermath. Brandon was chilling with Jim on the couch. It was so cute. I had to sneak and take a picture.

Ah....the red velvet cake. Should have gotten a picture of it BEFORE we started devouring it. It lasted for days and was still delicious. I can't wait to make it again....next Christmas! It's pretty darn rich. But oh so yummy.