The Time I Was Mad At Time

Time is rude, isn't it? There are those days as a mom that you just look at your kids and you can just tell that they grew up over night. I hate those days. It just reminds you that the little baby stage doesn't last long. Even though parts of you want  it to last forever. Yesterday was one of those days. As we were getting ready for church we put the same pants on him that we have been putting on him every sunday and yesterday they just fit him. No more rolling up the bottom at all. Let alone once or twice. The shirt he hasn't worn in a couple weeks now hits at just right spot on his hips and not too long. And the dreams I had of my baby staying a baby forever were dashed. I love watching him grow, I really do. I love watching that dimple on his right cheek get deeper. I love watching his smile progress as teeth slowly start to take their place. I love watching his self awareness increase. He knows now how certain things he does affect other people. Like when he finally learned to say Mommy "Ommy!" and he says it a million times in a row then laughs and laughs when I finally look back at him with a slightly frustrated"WHAT?" I am so excited to see how he will grow and learn. So excited to see how his relationship with his sisters will develop. But right now, I just want my baby. And as if Dale and I both noticing he was looking rather grown up wasn't enough, all the family we saw yesterday seemed to be thinking the same thing. Then as I was trying to be in denial about it all someone from church stopped by and made the same observation. The dreaded words "He is thinning out. Those cheeks aren't so chubby!" came out. I wanted to cry. But I don't have a choice. Time will keep moving incredibly fast and his legs will get longer and his cheeks will get less chubby. But if that makes his dimple deeper and if it helps that wonderful gap-toothed smile bigger and brighter I guess I will take it.

(dec. 2012)

 (on saturday)

The Trip We Took For Churros

Dale and I went on our first trip together, alone, for the first time in almost three years. At that point we were even excited for the 5 hours we were about to spend in the car, stiff legs, numb rear ends and all!

After we dropped off our 3 at my sisters house we realized we had forgotten our Disneyland tickets! I swear, only me. So after a quick stop home to grab them we were off! 

And even though the scenery on the drive isn't very pretty we did see Dales "dream car." He wants one of these vans so bad. One day Dale, one day.

Our first day of the trip was spent in Old town Pasadena. Let me tell you people, it is so beautiful there. I wish I was able to get more pictures but I kept forgetting to pull my camera out! I told Dale one day I will get our family pictures taken there. There are so many cool spots! We saw two couples getting their pictures done. One engagement shoot and one bridal shoot.

An awesome timer shot ;)

How are people ever photogenic. I need lessons if that's even possible. I always seem to stand at the least unflattering angles possible. Plus when its crazy windy outside your hair doesn't even stand a chance. And it was crazy windy there that weekend. It was a perfect 70 degrees outside but it felt so much colder. 

The stores in Old Town are out of control. This soda pop and candy shop was a thing of dreams. It was  tucked behind the main street, kind of hidden and I so glad we decided to walk off the main street to see what there was because there was so many fun places. 

This store was filled with vintage style candies and shelf after shelf of vintage sodas. Plus a whole section of Jones Sodas. Heaven I tell you. 

This wall was strictly root beer. Every brand you could think of.

We walked around for a few hours until it was time to check in at our hotel and then went back to our car. This is what we found....

I mean, come on. Who does this? I'm sure they thought it was hilarious. But Dale, who almost had to crawl in the back of the car because they parked so close, didn't think so.

Our second and third days were spent at DISNEYLAND!!!

We had So. Much. Fun.

I think we are just giant children because we both got so excited when we saw the characters we love, or a churro cart, or were really close to being in the front of a line for a ride, or a churro cart. 

Did I mention the churros?! Oh the churros. They are like a drug. And let me tell you I am having serious withdrawals. Someone tell me where I can get a churro in Arizona and i will give you a big sloppy wet kiss. But only if you want it. If not, a very emphatic thank you thank you thank you might suffice?

But guys, That Walt Disney. What a guy.

Merida. She was ADORABLE! Her accent was so cute and she Loved introducing us to her little brothers. She would make funny faces for pictures with the kids in front of us and threw beanbags shaped like her magic cakes at an archery target next to her, with the kids. 

Minnie was, of course, adorable. She tried to eat my churro and was very flattered that I was wearing a shirt with her face on it!

Splash mountain, in February, at 6pm, on a very, very windy day with Dale in the very front seat? Not our smartest idea. We had to go back to our hotel to change. Every step we took felt like we were rubbing ice on our legs. And it also left us with no jackets to wear. It was great... 

BUZZ. Speaks for itself!

Dale. Hates. The. Teacups. I forced him on this ride because a person has to do it once in their life and I never had before. He wasn't thrilled. Clearly, but he stuck it out. Helped me turn the wheel to make it go as fast as that little blue teacup could go and I think he actually had a little fun. ;)

We Tried to snag a picture with Chip & Dale (and Dale) but didn't see Dale until our last night there and  he escaped for the night just as we got to him! 

 

Dale in front of the "ferris wheel of death." Fun to look at. My least favorite experience ever. I would have rather gotten soaked on splash mountain again, twice, at night, in the freezing wind, if I could erase the memory of riding in one of the swinging metal death traps gondolas on that stupid ferris wheel. Stupid, stupid ferris wheel. Dale thought it was hilarious that of all the rides I went on, that the ferris wheel of all things, gave me that much anxiety.  I didn't think it was so funny. Never again folks.

Now onto happier things.

Cars Land. 

It was so so fun! 

And Cars land at night? Amazing.

And because we didn't want to stand in the crazy long line of children to get a pic with Lightning I had to sneak in one while we walked by and someone elses kids were getting ready to have their pictures taken. Creeper.

But I had to get one for Bug and Mak to see! 

We finished off our first night with the amazing fireworks show at Disneyland. (no fireworks show will ever compare) And our second night ended with watching the World of Colors water show at California adventure. It was the perfect way to end our weekend!

Hey Dale. When we forget how horrible our feet hurt after walking for three days straight ( and don't forget about letting our bank account recover from buying all those churros) can we do this again??? Please?? And maybe take our kids so we can see how much fun THEY would have too?!

personality

This child has so much of it. Its just a little ridiculous. She is sarcastic. She is a big smart aleck she is more impatient than me she is stubborn and relentless and she loves with every bone in her body. 

Don't let that super sweet face fool you. She. Is. A. Pill. 

She sings all the time and changes words to the songs. I wish I could remember all the songs she has been singing lately.

Just the other day she was singing Jingle Bells and ringing a bell right in front of Rudgers door while he was trying to take a nap so I told her to sing somewhere else. She glared at me with a glare that I felt like if I looked straight at I would burn in flames, walked by me and sang "NO jingle bells, NO jingle bells, NO jingle all the way!"

Sometimes she scares me.

Just now as I was typing this she is at the table with the chutes and ladders game set out playing with the cardboard pieces and singing to them. " YOU BETTER WATCH OUT! YOU BETTER NOT CRY YOU BETTER NOT POUT I'M TELLING YOU WHY. HE SEES YOU WHEN YOU'RE SLEEPING HE KNOWS WHEN YOU'RE AWAKE OR SOMETHIN LIKE THAT SO WATCH OUT!"

I just hope I can keep remembering to write down the things she says because I swear she is on one every day.

Family 2012!

I mean, Can you even stand it? 

These people are the best.

Its one of THOSE Mommy posts

She is potty training people. 

The most stubborn Strong-willed almost 3yr old child. on. the. planet. Has decided that wearing panties and peeing in "da-tolet" is pretty cool. 

Its pretty cool guys. Just ask Makenna.

They have to be princess panties though. Hello Kitty panties are for the birds.

Did I mention stubborn strong-willed?

On Being A Bully

Riley Came up tome a couple days ago after having a hard couple days listening and obeying her parents. I was at the end of my very very short-tempered rope and had raised my voice a few(thousand) times. She said to me..

"Mom, so you know that Heavenly Father said to be nice to people and that we need to not be bullies. So next time when I or Mak is bad you just need to smile and laugh and be happy at us and not be a bully so you don't make Heavenly Father sad."

I kind of couldn't believe it and had to keep back the laughter as I responded...

"Yes Bug, I know I shouldn't be mean. But you know that Heavenly Father also said that you need to listen obey and be nice to your mommies and daddies. So when you don't do those things it makes him sad too."

This is what she said. "Oh....."

Nice try Bug.

Seriously?

Seriously? You're six now?

Six, people.

Unreal

Rudger Dale

So basically he is our extremely happy, crazy handsome, goofy, little Dale Clone with the best hair ever.