Slacker

That's me! I can't believe how long it's been since I posted! I'm just going to do a little catching up.

Thanksgiving was great... I did the Run to feed the Hungry for my 5th time this year! It was a great experience as it always is, although the weather was in the 30's!!! I bundled the kids as best I could and they had a great time cheering on all of the runners.
We had Thanksgiving dinner with the Faulconers/ Bjurstroms, and it was a great feast for all!

The month of December was a little crazy. Brian had surgery just a week before Christmas on a torn quad muscle, so the whole month before was spent trying to make sure I was ready for Christmas. I'm happy to say I was sufficiently prepared and the surgery went well. Recovery has been slow, but Brian started back to work last week and is adjusting fairly well. It's going to be a long time before he's back to normal, but I think he's happy with the progress he's made.

Christmas was fun, with the kids all getting their most coveted toys and things, and even some that they didn't expect! MaryEllen was especially thrilled with the Panda pillow pet that Aunt Francesca got for her! (She has a weird obsession with panda bears right now... whatever makes her happy!) The boys got so many batman/ space/ car/truck/ little people toys that they've been fully occupied for the last month, which makes mommy very happy! So now everything is pretty much back to normal with MaryEllen back in school and Brian back to his old schedule. I am happy to be in a new year, working toward accomplishing new goals! Happy New Year!!!!!


About to start the run on Thanksgiving morning. SO COLD!!!!


Mailing Letters to Santa at at Macy's (Emmett had one too, but refused to pose next to the mailbox with it.)



Our visit with Santa (once again, Emmett was there, but was being disagreeable.)

I'll have more pictures when I sync my phone... which I almost never do!!! I need to soon though, and I'll try to post then.

A little Halloween

I don't know why... but I didn't take very many Halloween pictures this year. I have NO EXCUSE, because even if I forget my camera I can use my iPhone. Hopefully my posterity will excuse my laziness. We didn't do too much trick or treating, due to the Sabbath day, but we had a fun ward trunk r' treat on Saturday. We went to my parents house for dinner on Sunday and I let (or forced, in Emmett's case) the kids put on their costumes for the evening. It was very low key, and I actually loved it!


I carved these 3 pumpkins plus a spider, but for some reason that one didn't get a picture taken.


Brian carved this based off of one we saw at Disneyland.


Our trunk for the Trunk r' treat. (There's the spider!)


I could not get these kids to pose for a picture!!!! We went super cheap on costumes this year... I borrowed the Batgirl costume from one of ME's friends, and got the Batman and Robin costumes at a thrift store for $1.50 each! (They're both way too small, but for that price who cares!) I had to make them capes and boot covers, but overall I probably only spent $8 on all the costumes!



Messy dessert at Grandma's house.

As promised... a month later

The rest of the Disneyland Pics. Someday I'll get around to Halloween, but I can't promise anything right now. SO BUSY!

Weird backlit picture of me, but I was so excited about the return of Captain EO!





This was the most brilliant actress I have ever seen! I was convinced that she was the real live wicked queen. She was so mean and had a constant look of disgust on her face.


Hook was a real flirt.


the strange looking queen of hearts. I wish they had figured out how to make her not look like a man in drag.

Our romantic getaway...

TO DISNEYLAND!!!!!

Brian and I had the opportunity last weekend to go to a conference at Disneyland and we just couldn't pass it up! We had such a great time... it was our first time being away from the kids and it was so relaxing and wonderful! (Don't get me wrong, our kids are AWESOME, but everyone needs a break now and then.)

Neither of us had ever been there at Halloween and we had so much fun admiring all of the decorations, and we especially enjoyed the scarier Halloween version of Space Mountain and the "Nightmare before Christmas- ified" Haunted Mansion. It was also fun meeting the villains, and just doing the other normal Disneyland stuff. We had also never been to California Adventure, so we enjoyed experiencing that for the first time together. One of the best parts of the trip was seeing "The Wonderful World of Color", which is a night time show done at Paradise pier where jets of water are shot hundreds of feet in the air and then colors and images are projected onto them. It was truly magical!!!


First stop of the day... It's a Small World



Can I conquer this enormous corn dog? I did, and it was awesome.

Haunted Mansion





My prince charming and me.









If He can't pull it out, no one can!

So that was day 1! I was going to just upload all the pics, but Blogger won't let me do anymore for some reason. Something to look forward to next time!

Siblings

Some pictures of the kids hanging out together this summer.

Starting over. AGAIN.

Potty training Henry. Take 5. (or maybe 6? I don't know, I've lost count.)




Since using a chart almost worked last time, I thought I'd apply the same principal, but make it a little more fun and exciting. First he'll have to traverse the Lone Potty Wilderness. then he'll pass through Underoo Forest on his way to the Land of Flushing Waters.

Hopefully he'll be potty trained by the time he arrives at the giant Woody doll, which will be his prize. Last time we got through the whole chart and he was no where NEAR ready to ditch the diapers. I'm talking an accident EVERY TIME we tried underwear, and usually within the first 10 minutes of putting them on. Everybody cross your fingers!!!

Back to school!

MaryEllen went back to school and is THRILLED to be a first grader! As she says, "First graders are number 1!!!!!! Get it? Because of the 1?" She is doing great in her 1st / 2nd grade split class, and is one of only 6 1st graders. We absolutely love her teacher, and are so excited for what is sure to be a great year!


We made these little mini apple cupcakes for her teacher on the first day. There's nothing wrong with kissing a little butt at the start of the year!


One of MaryEllen's best friends Haley, is in her class. I knew this seating arrangement wouldn't last long. Mrs. Andrews moved them before the end of the day.


First grader desk!!!