OUR VERY OWN PADAWAN

One of Tarrin's favorite parts of Disneyland was the Jedi Training Academy. We went once and Tarrin was picked to be in the training. He absolutely loved it and we had to go back. The next day we brought his costume(Anakin Skywalker)and sure enough he was picked again. He got to fight Darth Mal and he even got to use his light saber skills on Darth Vadar. It was really fun to watch. It is so neat to see your child just absolutely love what he is doing. He received a certificate. Whether your child is into Star Wars or not they would really enjoy this. It was so neat to see the huge smile on his face as he got so into it. I was never much of a Star Wars fan but when you see how much your kids like it, it grows on you. Our house now has Star Wars things instead of just Dinosaur stuff. This was one of the highlights of our trip seeing Tarrin so happy. We are so proud of our little Padowan.

SNOW WHITE

The kids and I went and picked out some pumpkins to either paint or carve tomorrow. I thought it would be fun to dress Maisey in her costume and take some pictures. It's Maisey's first Halloween and my first Halloween with a girl. When I saw the Snow White costume I thought she would look so cute in it. I love the fall but I am not looking forward to cooler weather and I am not a Winter fan. Maybe I can convince Kevin to move to a warmer place:)

YEAR OF WONDERS

Before I forget I wanted to write about this book. I loved it and Kevin read it after me and really liked it. Geraldine Brooks is a great storyteller and and I couldn't put it down. It's about the plaque that hit a small town in England. It is on my top five list for favorite books I've read. If you get a chance read it and tell me what you think.

DISNEYLAND

Disneyland was so much fun! We added another day so we were there for four days. You think that would be way too much time but we loved every minute and were sad to leave. The first couple of days we were there, we would do Disneyland until it closed at eight and then would go to dinner with my brother and sister and still have time to go back to the hotel and swim. It was nice having my sister and her family join us and it was great to see my brother and his family who decided to leave Utah for sunny California. I have no idea why? Thanks to my brother for letting us crash at their house for a couple of days. Getting a babysitter for all of the kids so the adults could go out to dinner and showing us the beautiful Sequoia National Park. The kids loved Disneyland! Trey was so excited to see all of the characters. When we were at the Character Breakfast, Dale the chipmunk came over to see us and Trey ran and jumped in his arms and gave him a big hug. When he saw Tigger he told him "Hey, I saw you on t.v." Tarrin's favorite part was the Jedi Training Academy but I will have to do a whole separate post on that. He loved it and we have so many pictures and video's it might take me a minute to go through it all. Wyatt loved Star Tours and Buzz the most and Trey liked Finding Nemo and Pirates of the Caribbean. The new Toy Story ride was really fun and I really liked the Haunted Mansion decorated like the nightmare before Christmas. Overall it was a blast and I can't wait to go back. I think will go back when Maisey is about three of four. I think when there's no bottles to be fed and diapers to be changed it will be a little more relaxing. Maisey was such a good little girl. She liked all the lights and loved the characters. It was a really good trip.

THE SEQUOIAS

Were back from our week long vacation to California. Before my post all about Disneyland, Tarrrin's birthday, and staying at my brothers house I have to post about The Sequoias.(The first pictures on my camera that I went through) They were breathtaking. It was like walking around a magical forest! The Sequoias are huge! I mean huge!

When we first got there, There was a bunch of people off the side of the road. I thought they were looking at one of the tree's. It was a bear! The picture isn't that great but you can tell it's a black bear.

My brother packed a lunch for us. So here we are eating at Sequoia National Park.

Here's the kids looking at the tree's. Tarrin was amazed at how big they were.

I want to call this a pine cone but there wasn't any pine tree's there. This thing fell down from either a redwood or a Sequoia and about hit my sister-in-law in the head. I thought a gun had been shot it sounded so loud. It was as long as Maisey.

We had such a good time and it was so beautiful! It is definitely on my list for favorite National Parks. Check out my photo blog. Kev and I had a good time taking pictures.

"DAD, YOUR A COOKIE HEAD"

When I got up this morning Trey was already in his room being punished for stepping on his sister(She now is mobile and can get into all of his stuff)When he informs me that his dad is a Dummy head and a cookie head. Where did he hear this, I have no idea. I admit maybe my kids don't always say the nicest things but I haven't heard this one before. I guess it's better than saying something worse. You can keep your kids sheltered up until they go to school. I remember Tarrin coming home from kindergarten and flipping the bird and he had no idea what he was doing. Some kids at the bus stop had told him to do it, so he did, having no idea that it was wrong. We had to tell him that it wasn't right and we don't do those things. I guess it's all part of growing up and learning right from wrong. So be happy while their young cause once they start school there is no turning back.

MY DAD'S NEW BABY

When we went to my parent's house on Sunday, My dad had something to show us in the garage. He had bought a corvette. He is pretty happy about his new car. He has always wanted one but with raising nine children a two seater vehicle just wouldn't cut it. We are happy that he is happy. I hope he is careful and doesn't drive too fast!