Baseball Hats!

Sunday we had family over to celebrate the February birthdays.

Kyle & Jack on the 13th

Tyler on the 17th

Jamie on the 24th

It was so fun and is always great when we get together.

Tyler and Jamie got Kyle and Jack the cutest present.

A blow-up tee-ball set and matching baseball hats

from the Minnesota Twins.

Kyle's going to need some help on how to hold a bat!!

Jack thought this was the greatest a ball and a bat!!

The next morning as soon as they woke up

both of them kept saying,"hat, hat, hat".

They wore them through breakfast

and the WHOLE day!

In fact they have worn them everyday since Sunday--

Are they not the cutest "TWINS" ever!!!!

(I thought I'd try and let them eat cold cereal for the 1st time

Well it will be the LAST time. Each bowl ended up on the floor

milk and cereal were EVERYWHERE!!!!)

Valentine's Day on the 20th!

Between Disneyland, Idaho, Kyle and Jack's birthday,

Dan working in Quebec for a week-

We have had hardly any "TIME" to spend together.

So Saturday the 20th we celebrated

"Valentine's Day"

It was wonderful!

We went to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants-

"THE CHEF'S TABLE"

The food was sensational!

Our appetizer

Coconut Shrimp with a tart current sauce!

My yummy salad

Dan's tomato basil soup.

My delicious entré

Halibut crusted in macadamia nut

with a lemon butter sauce and basamati rice!

Dan's delicious shrimp scampi!

With their dessert menu

there were these funny quotes.

Here were some of my favorites!

And of course to end the meal--

I had the best German Chocolate Cake!

(The battery in my camera died, therefore no picture)

After dinner we went to the movies with

Kim and Curtis to see "Dear John".

Really not the best movie, but even still

it was a fabulous night!!!

I love you Dan!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Who's Special Day Is It???

About a year ago I began a new tradition.

"Your Special Day"

I have assigned "Special Day's" out, each day of the week.

Sunday - Mom

Monday - Cody

Tuesday - Steven

Wednesday - Luke

Thursday - Kyle

Friday - Jack

Saturday - Dad

On your "Special Day" you get to choose what

we have for breakfast. You get to say the prayer.

(if your children are like mine, they fight over who says the prayer)

You get to choose what games to play.

You get to choose what movie or TV show to watch.

You get to do whatever FIRST.

You also get to choose what I make for dinner.

It is also celebrated by this cute plate from Pampered Chef.

They eat on this plate for breakfast and dinner

on their "Special Day".

Not only does it make the child feel special---

But I'll tell you what there is a little less fighting at our home.

For instance:

Cody: I wanna watch "Batman"!

Luke: No! I wanna watch "Tom & Jerry"!

Arguing begins--

I enter the room

Mom: Who's special day is it?

Cody: Luke's

Mom: Well then you watch "Tom and Jerry" now

and when it's over you can watch "Batman".

They are also so good at understanding this concept.

When they realize it is the other persons "Special Day",

the fighting stops for a moment and the watching

of "Tom & Jerry" begins.

One things for sure.

With 5 boys there is fighting, that's a given.

But if there is a way to have just a little more

HARMONY in the home-- I'll try anything!

By celebrating each child's "Special Day" every week,

it seems to be working.

(For now anyway!)

DiSnEyLaNd!!!!!

8 month ago I gave my boys a challenge.

If you can finish the Book of Mormon-

I'll take you to Disneyland.

Well they finished.

And we went!

It was a wonderful vacation!

My dear friend Amy (Jones)McAbery and I began

planning this vacation about a year ago.

Here we all are.

They we so fun! I'm glad we were able

to share our 1st Disneyland Vacation with them.

The kids all got along so well and so did the hubby's!

Amy and me.

We have been friend since I was about 5!

We made it to Disneyland!!!

It truly is a magical place.

Here wer are riding the "Tea Cups"

The McAbery Family!

There really is nothing like a Happy Child!!

Mom and Steven

Cody defeating Zurg!

Happy Luke and Steven

One of our favorite rides--

Thunder Mountain RailRoad!

We had a character breakfast with Mickey and Minnie!

It was great and the kids LOVED

having the characters up close and personal.

Isn't Minnie so cute!!!

At the breakfast they had activities for the kids.

Cody is one AMAZING Hula-Hooper!!!

The family and all the kids with Mickey!

Steven was amazed!!! He loved being close to Mickey!

It rained on us one of the days.

But I'll tell you what!

Disneyland in the rain is GREAT!

No one is there and that means

NO LINES!!!

Us at the Tiki Room!

Cute boys and funny faces!!!

Racing while waiting for the parade!

Playing the drums at the parade!

Even though we were on vacation--

Cody still had homework to do.

Megan also wanted to do homework with Cody.

JEDI TRAINING!!

We were so lucky--

I mean the FORCE was with us!!

All 4 boys were chosen for the Jedi Training

to defeat Darth Vader!!

I really think this was their FAVORITE part of Disneyland.

Here's Cody getting ready to Fight Darth Vader!

Darth Vader and Darth Mal

The boys receiving their certificates!

Cody was still in character!

We really did have such a fun time together!

Making fun memories is what it's all about!

Cody did get a little freaked out on the "moving" Ferris Wheel.

There were stationary carts and moving carts

His face was so funny--he had NO idea we were going

to be moving inside!!! hahaha

Me and Dan!!!

The boys fell asleep each night once their heads

hit the pillows!!!

Saying goodbye to their friends

with a group hug!!!!

Ok McAbery Family:

Where are we going next?!!