California LOVE

We had been talking about going to California for a long time and sadly didn't make it before Brent was deployed. But I am glad that we got to distract Errin for a few days.

We arrived at 4 in the morning, definitely recommend night travel, and slept until 8 (soooo nice, usually the kids wake up around 6). We took a morning walk to a yummy doughnut shop. Errin's mom was there also.

Then we all got lathered up to go to the beach. It is only about a mile away from Errin's house so we decided to walk. Gwen spent most of the time in the stroller, she wasn't a huge fan of sand.

Jone's had a great time running around being a boy.

Max wouldn't sit still for a picture.

Here is my oldest child playing in the sand.

Briant loved playing with Jones and Jones loved that Briant would play with him.

I pretty much sat around with Gwen just enjoying the fabulous weather.

Can't leave the beach without burying someone!

or some one's

Later that evening Errin took her mom to the airport and my mom, Shauna, and her kids came to visit for a day.

The next day was Sunday. Thanks to Errin's iphone and a lot of snacks the cousins did really well during sacrament meeting.

Errin taught the relief society lesson and it was emotional and wonderful.

The cuties in their Sunday best.
After church I did Shauna's hair while the kids played. We had a yummy lunch of pasta, meatballs, bread, salad, fruit and homemade lemonade. I highly recommend the butternut squash pasta sauce from Costco. I could have had it plain it was so good! Sadly my mom, Shauna and kids had to be on their way to stop in Mesa before her move to Texas.

Sunday evening Errin and the boys made cupcakes.

The next day was DISNEY LAND! Toy Story was the first ride we went on and we were all so excited we were jumping up and down. (It really is a happy place).

Max and I got soaked on this one!

Goofy was one of only two characters we stopped to take a picture with, we had a lot of rides to ride in only one day.

A much needed nap.

On Pirates of the Caribbean (sp?). It felt good to sit for a long ride.

Waiting in line for Indiana Jones.

Jared took all the kids on It's a Small World while Errin and I did Space Mountain. I am surprised none of the kids ended up in the water.

So flattering huh? I love taking pictures of pictures.

We spotted the Mad Hatter.

Briant's good friend Gray was there with his family. They got to go on Space Mountain together. It's fun to see people there that you know.

The fireworks were amazing! It was the perfect end to the perfect day. MANY thanks to Errin for taking the little ones so many time so we could take the boys on the bigger rides. Really it was a huge sacrifice for her and it wouldn't have been as fun without her there.

We are the white trash family that dresses, brushes teeth and distributes medicine in the parking lot at Disney Land so that after the hour ride home we can put the kids straight to bed.
They didn't make it ten minutes in the car before ending up like this. Max is under the blanket.

The next morning Gwen found her way to the cupcakes, apparently the wrapper tastes just as good!

On to the beach again.

Gwen was a little more adventurous this time.

Errin blowing bubbles. I loved Jones' hat.

Surfing in California with a small board is not quite as easy as surfing in Hawaii with a huge board. Maybe next time!

I love this sight.

So precious.

These two little grumps had had enough sun, they were ready to go.

I know I look good.

Could be at the beach all day!

Jared and Jones relaxing before our drive home.
Thanks Errin and Jones.
What a wonderful vacation it was indeed!

And yes Mom and Shauna, we did get to Mexico before realizing we went the wrong way home.

Good Friday

I know this is long overdue, but that's how I work. On Good Friday we continued the tradition of going to the cemetery to visit my Grandma's and Alice's grave. Gwen wanted to play with all the toys left on graves and was not excited to sit still for a picture. I always get such a peaceful feeling at the cemetery, never sad, just peaceful. p.s. I look like a giant in my shadow.

After the cemetery we headed over to a park for breakfast and an Easter egg hunt.
Yes we had cupcakes for breakfast! I was glad that Errin and Jones could join us again this year!

Max's Random Comments

Max has said some interesting things lately....

Everyone that knows me knows that I am obsessed with trying to get Gwen to stop twirling her hair, she is creating bare patches. The other day in the car she was twirling and I was trying to get her to stop and Max said in all seriousness, "Mom, it's ok we can just take her to Bosley!" Gotta love commercials!

When we were at my parent's house for my Dad's birthday, Gwen, Rachel and I went to Target to pick some things up and I left Max with my Mom. My Mom was preparing a big dinner and Max was playing Wii. He put down his controller and said, "Grandma you've been working really hard, what can I do to help?" Sooo sweet!

And not so sweet...
Another car conversation... "Mom won't it be cool when you die I can have all your money!"
Um first of all I have no idea what money he is talking about and second I will be sleeping with one eye open!

Family Fun Day

I am sad that I forgot to take pictures of Family Fun Day (Briant's school carnival) until we got into the parking lot. They were pretty proud of their loot....we are happy to add three more goldfish named Squeekers, Franklin and Milky to our family! Gwen is very lady like!

Spring Break

I had so much fun with the kids for spring break. I decided to not work that week so I could spend more time with them. We started off with going to the Sim's for some YUMMY home made brick oven pizza! Briant and Max loved making them! My favorite was dessert. Instead of pizza toppings we added a little butter, sugar, cinnamon and bananas!

I had to bribe Briant with a soda to smile for the picture.

I don't know why people don't take him serious.

Gwen stuck to eating mini pepperonis.

The next day was when Jared had to speak in Stake Conference. He did really well and even allowed my parents and his parents to attend.

On Monday we met with a bunch of people from the ward at the park for a little play day.

Tuesday was my dad's birthday so we went out there for dinner. I dropped Briant off at his cousins house to spend the night. (Thanks Jenny and Neil, he loved it!)

Wednesday we went to the Train Park. This was Gwen's first time and she was in love. She was completely still on the train ride just taking in all in. When it stopped she arched her back and screamed throwing the biggest fit I have ever seen. We got the same reaction from her when the carousel stopped. When I told Jared what happened he made sure to tell me that we will be buying her both a train and a carousel, and whatever else she wants! This is the same guy that never wanted a daughter....maybe because he knew she would have him wrapped!

Thursday we went roller skating at the gym. I love going there because it is only $2 to skate (including skate rentals) and we are usually the only ones there. Briant is getting pretty good, Max falls a lot....

....and Gwen gives dirty looks and likes to eat!

sorry for the bad photography

Friday we went to see this flick.
It was funny...I laughed a lot.

We ended the week in Prescott where Jared and his cousin Pete participated in a bike/run race.

They both had a really good time and did well for being beginners ; )
It was freezing so during the race I took the kids to eat and to the dollar store. Look at these lovely treasures we found there.

It was a happy spring break!

Cootie Land

Jared was lucky enough to speak in Stake Conference a couple of weeks ago. He needed some new Sunday clothes so we went to Chandler and let the kids play at cootie land for a little bit. Briant was at a birthday party so only the two youngest were with us.

No I didn't take the picture with Max's eyes shut on accident...he was pretending to go down the slide sleeping...with a little cheek showing!

Basketball

Both boys just finished their basketball seasons. Jared would love to coach both teams however Max is still too young to play in the RAMMS league so Jared signed him up at the gym he works out at. The problem is the gym he works out at is at a baptist church and they will not allow Mormons to coach! I think Max volunteered to say the prayer every week and finally the last week the coach gave in and let him pray! Don't we pray to the same God?

Briant's team went on to win the Championship! It was exciting to watch him improve throughout the season.