Fall Fun!

I took the kids up the canyon with a few friends to see the changing leaves. Hailey had a melt down when she got hungry because I didn't bring enough snacks!

Sillyness!

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to get a good picture of your kids on Halloween in their costumes? I took them to Gardner Village in their costumes to get a few snap shots in ahead of time. They had sooo much fun running around playing all dressed up.

Hailey loved yelling ARGH! Because she's a pirate princess!

Fast Clone Trooper on Heely's and Pirate Sweetness

LEGOLAND

This shows the remainder of our San Diego trip. After spending a few days at Lisa & Davids (Mike's sisters) we spent a few days at his mom's house. Hailey decided to jump in Nana's pool fully clothed. The worst part was that it was the horses's drinking spot.. ewww....


Alonso, Ced, Lottie, & Julie (Julie is Mike's sister)

Joedin, Lisa, Belle, David (Lisa is Mike's sister)

Brayden riding Nana's horse. He was really nervous to ride but was glad he did.

Hailey loved her ride...

Alonso's soccer game.

David's Lotus. He took me for a spin... better than Disneyland:)

What an adrenaline Rush!

Alonso & Brayden put together his new Legos.

Alonso & Lottie

LEGO LAND

Everything is made out of Legos

Legoland was Amazing! For those of you who haven’t been to Legoland it’s an amusement park that’s geared for kids. They have a section where there are towns and cities built out of Legos; Las Vegas, NY, New Orleans, etc… Brayden loves building with Legos and we spent a lot of time just looking at how they made everything. Then we rode rides and Brayden loved every ride he went on. He even went on a roller coaster! There were a few rides Hailey couldn’t go on but they had lego building stations set up so she could still have fun while we waited.

About half way through the day it started to rain so we put on our swim suits and went on the water rides and played in the water park. Then when the kids were cold, we changed and rode more rides.

Gearing up for super speed Bionicle Arms that rotate you upside down. I laughed the whole time.. as I was passing out.. ha ha..

They even had a workshop area where there were machines to show how Legos are made; molding, packaging etc..

Pirate Band made out of Legos...

NYC made out of Legos... do you sense a theme here?

The force is strong with these ones...

(also made out of Legos)

Disney Land

We finally took the kids to Disney Land… and what it trip it was! The kids saw the commercials on TV and have begged to go. We’ve told them for a long time that we would take them and since Brayden was off track, it was an ideal time (plus Mike had to go to TJ for work which meant the rest of us could bum off of his trip).

The day started off good. Brayden really enjoyed the Star Wars ride and Buzz Light Year ride. Then he got scared at one of the 3-D movies. I loved Space Mountain that was all decked out for Halloween.

Then things went down hill. Brayden wanted to ride the Indiana Jones ride so we went and got fast passes. I was told to wait in another line but then they didn’t come join me in line but instead went to the back of the line.. so we got separated. Then Pirates was closed. Then Brayden and I went to ride IJ and it broke so we had to wait long enough for Brayden to think about it too much. As he was getting on the ride he panicked and started crying. I buckled him in and we started moving so I thought we would make it.. but the ride pauses before it goes and the employees kicked us off because Brayden could be a hazard to himself and the other passengers if he was flailing around. Ugh.. we were soooo close. Brayden was very thankful I let him off the ride.. not that I had a choice..

We then took some time wandering around the pirate island. I think this was the most relaxing part of DL. Followed by a few of the traditional DL rides; carousel, dumbo, tea cups, Mr. Toads Wild Ride, It’s a small world… Those rides the kids really enjoyed. Clearly, one day at DL is not enough. I think I’ve been dreaming about going to Disney Land my whole life and had it built up to a really magical thing. The parade was disappointing, I didn’t see all the characters walking around that I thought I would, everything was overpriced, and the food was worse than I thought it could be. Now I know what to expect… You need at least 2 days per theme park. If there is a next time, I’ll plan better!

I did get a few cute pics and the kids can say they've been to Disney Land. I think that we'll all enjoy it more when we're older (me included)!

Beach Dayzzz!

Hailey diggin' the mud!

I went with Lisa and her family to the beach. On Davids birthday we went to San Onofres so he could surf. He's realllly good! It was fun watching him.. when I could figure out which dot he was! The next day we went to Oceanside Pier. Apparently, its not summer anymore so all the food stands were closed.. but the kids had fun on the playground, making sand castles, finding shells, swimming, boogie boarding, splashing, covering each other in the sand, etc.. It was amazing that they could play for hours and not get bored. Too bad the beach isn't in my backyard!

Waiting for a wave!

Brayden is catching sea weed!

Belle and our Sand Castle!

On our way to Oceanside!

Brayden's turn with the camera!

Awesome!

Happy Happy Birthday David!

San Onofros! The boys are ready to go!

Lisa's soaking up the sun!

Joedin taught Brayden how to Boogie Board! At first Brayden tried to use the Boogie Board as a surf board in the shallow area, then Joedin pulled him around on it in the waves till Brayden figured out how to catch one... Now he can do it on his own.. Way to go Brayden!

Hailey was soooo excited she was jumping up and down. She really loved the water. She ran into it and out of it with the waves. No Fear! She only got plowed over by the waves the 2nd day because she went in further and further..

State Fair

I finally went to the state fair!!! I've never been before and my friend told me that opening day was $2 day. I pulled Brayden out of school early (even though he came home early the day before because he crashed into another kid at recess and had a fat lip and was bleeding in his mouth). If kids have 5 or more unexcused absences per year the State takes the parents to court! But taking them out of school early doesn't count! :)

So I went with a few friends and their kids to the fair park and we had a great time. We saw fowls, sheep, pigs, goats, a shark show, Lego building and of course the cows were my fav!

Me n Hailey!

Cotton Candy Mustaches!

They had a great kids harvesting play area. The kids got to plant seeds, and pick pretend veggies, and milk a fake cow, and collect eggs, and then sell them at a market. Then take their play money and buy a real treat at the end. It was very well done!

My friend Jen with 2 sheep kissing her. I wanted a pic of me like this but I just got a sheep who licked my ear! The picture turned out blurry because I was jumping away.. ewww..

Sexy Cow!

Brayden really wanted me to take him on one of the carnival rides, which I agreed to. I paid $12 for the 3 of us to ride a two minute ride.. really? Hailey then wanted to pick one so I told her, "How about cotton candy and a funnel cake?" She was happy with the lemonade!

Dysfunctional Family Fun!

The kids had so much fun at Cecret Lake lake a few weeks ago that they wanted to go back. We bought nets and returned on probably the busiest day of the year (Labor Day). As soon as we got to Cecret Lake Brayden had to pee so Mike took him off into the woods. I was getting our things out and Hailey said, "Look, there's one. He's sooo cute!" I grabbed a net and scooped in the water but found a rock. Then I saw the salamander swimming away and scooped him up." By the time the guys got back Hailey was holding her lil' alligator in a baggie of water. She was so proud!

Brayden caught his own Salamander. He was really happy to get one! We ended up with 4 of them. After we were done we let them go to let everyone else enjoy them as we did.

Summer Randomness

We went hiking on Saturday to Cecret Lake. Why its spelled with a C is a secret... you'll have to go to the lake to find out:) The Lake is at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Its not a very far hike but the kids resisted the distance. Once we got to the lake we couldn't pull them away. There were 2 full size moose hanging out in the shade. Hailey loved finding rocks and wild flowers to throw in the water. They both really enjoyed looking for salamanders in the lake. They were everywhere! Some were bearded and some weren't. There were kids with nets around the lake catching them. Hailey took a baggie from her sandwich and filled it with water and kept saying, "I don't got an alligator." She really wanted one for herself. The kids kept pointing them out in the water and wanted me to grab them. None of us came prepared to get wet, but I leaned over a few times and tried to grab them to make the kids happy, always missing. In the last 5 minutes at the lake I saw a salamander trying to wedge itself inbeteen a rock and knew it was my chance to grab it. Apparently the water was deeper than I thought. I had the slimy little thing with one hand and Mark was grabbing my other arm holding me from falling in. I really could have had it but then I probably would have gone completely in. Instead just both feet, one leg, and half my butt were soaked! We'll have to go back with nets before it gets cold.

Hanging out with Grandma & Grandpa on my birthday! We played Jokers & Pegs and got take out from Cafe Rio. It was super fun!

Brayden's 1st day of school!