Disneyland!!!

Disneyland!!!

So, I am backtracking a bit...but still going!  That good ol' Santa Claus gave us a trip to Disneyland this year.  We left on New Year's Day and prepared for three very busy days at the happiest place on earth.  Keith and I were both very skeptical about taking four munchkins to Disneyland and actually having a good time, but I think we would both agree it was our best trip/vacation to date!  We had a BLAST!  The kids had a blast!  I basically walked around teary-eyed the whole time.  I felt so blessed!  We spent three days at Disneyland/California Adventure.  It was EXTREMELY busy, but we purchased an app called RIDEMAX that saved us.  It would plan our day for us, which kept us from having to decide what to do and gave us minimum wait times.  We would generally get to the parks early when they opened and then go home for an afternoon nap and return and stay until it closed (aka midnight).  It was crazy, but wonderful.  It just felt wrong to be riding on a bus with kids after midnight.  :)  Our kids were TROOPERS!  It is probably not that surprising that we all got the flu when we came home.  Awesome. 

And now, I will let the pictures do the talking.

Leo really enjoyed his overpriced Mickey ice cream.  And I didn't get the memo that you are supposed to wear Disney gear while there.  I broke all sorts of Disney rules.

We stayed at a hotel that had a bus system that took us there and back.  We LOVED doing it this way and not having to deal with parking.  This is some of my men the first morning (I want to say around 6:00 am).  They were excited!

Really really excited!

We all LOVED the teacups.  Leo would have loved it if this was the only ride we went on.  He asks me weekly if we can go back and ride the teacups.  And Mack is a little hidden, but I could hardly believe all the rides that a baby can go on there.  So cool!

Meeting the big guy!  Fun fun!  I think Keith and I would say our favorite part about this trip was the parade also.  We loved it.

Riding the boat to Mark Twain's island.  

I think cotton candy is VILE.  Griffin LOVES it.

Too much partying perhaps?!?

We did a lot of ride-swapping.  Griffin always chose to go with me and Benson always chose Keith.  I don't think we could convince them to go on these scary rides again.  Splash Mountain is my fav.

Isn't that quite the sight?  Four boys (plus one rad dad) on one stroller.  How could you not look at that and feel extremely blessed?

My favorite picture from the trip.  Griffin having a meltdown on a baby ride.  Don't worry, he calmed down....eventually.

They loved riding the bus and not wearing a seatbelt or having to sit by their parents.

In line to ride one of the CARS rides.  Man, CARSLAND was cool.

My little twinners.  They were such good boys.  Mack was such an angel on this trip.  And check out the sweet light sabers we hauled around.  

I think we went on Autopia the most.  The boys loved it, especially Benson.

What a fun trip!  We want to go back!  The weather was amazing the whole time (think 80's) but would get chilly at night. I am so grateful that Keith works so hard so that we can go on trips like this!

I don't want to give up.

I haven't posted on here in eternity.  I still read blogs and check blogs, but can't seem to update my own.  I love reading past posts and watching my family grow that way.  I must go on!!  I don't care if I am the only one who reads it.  I may even prefer it that way.  Hopefully someday my kids (or their wives) may want to read this.

I find myself surrounded by boys daily, hourly, nightly.  It is all of my hopes and dreams!  I feel like I am raising Benson and Griffin all over again, but with more patience and an understanding that they will grow up too fast.  I do my best to enjoy them.  And although some days begin with me like Mary Poppins and end with Cruella Devile-I am trying.

Benson is 7 and in 1st grade.  He is so old.  He makes me so proud.  He reads and writes  like a champ.  He is a gem, that boy.  He worships his dad and can be found right by his side whenever he is around.

Griffin just turned 6.  He LOVES kindergarten.  He sings primary songs all day.  He loves for me to drive him to school, so he can play on the playground.  He adores Mack.  He never leaves the house without a hug and a kiss.

Leo is crazy town.  He is SO cute and has me wrapped around his finger.  I snuggle him during his nap every day.  I just can't tell him no.  He says hello to every stranger on the street.  He is my little ray of sunshine.  He loves to play anything that has a ball.

Mack is my little mamas boy.  He has been walking since  November/December and loves to climb and  play with his brothers.  He loves to be held and snuggled by his mom.  He loves to be tickled by dad.  He has a mouth full of teeth and  brown eyes that melt.  Oh, I love that baby.

Keith is still my favorite.  My marriage to him is my greatest blessing.  He can always make me laugh.  I was recently called to be the primary president and his support and love for me has been so wonderful.  I will never know what I did to deserve him.

Here is the latest set of our family pictures, taken in August.  Already, everyone has changes so much.  Such is the life with small children.  It is a good life.

To my Dad

I find myself unable to sleep tonight.  This pretty much never happens.  As a mother of four active boys, I find most nights I am lucky to brush my teeth before flopping down in the bed each night.  I keep thinking about my Dad.  My Dad who turns 55 in a few days.  It seems pretty unbelievable that my Dad will soon qualify for the senior citizen discount.  This is a man who is more active than I am.  He can ski down a mountain faster than most (although, I wouldn't really know because skiing terrifies me).  He goes river rafting.  At midnight.  For fun.  Who does that?

My Dad's Dad (my grandpa) died at age 56.  I can't even type it without tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat.  The thought of my little munchkins growing up without their beloved Grandpa is, well, devastating.  They worship their grandpa.  I can't even describe the twinkle in their eyes that comes when Grandpa is near or being talked about.  And, the truth is, I still need my Dad too.  I thought perhaps I would make a list as to why.

1.  My Dad is the definition of fun.  Keith and I are often teased at how much we love to travel.  We go out of town and come back in time to wash underwear and dash out the door again.  I believe my passion for fun came from good ole Dad.  We were always going on trips.  Some of my greatest memories come from freezing trips to the Oregon Coast or making elk calls in Yellowstone National Park.  Even camping trips were fun (except for the one where he tied me to my sister Wendy because we couldn't get along, or the time I puked in Wendy's hair.  Really, I can't believe Wendy still talks to me come to think of it).

2.  My Dad loves family.  We also did things together as a family.  We often went to Cafe Ole for family night (I'm pretty sure kids ate free on that night too, haha).  I remember hauling off with a million mints from the mint basket feeling like I'd won the lottery.  Once my Dad even took me hunting.  We didn't see anything the entire day and I forgot my shoes and had to wear his the whole time.  Also, I was too girly to go to the bathroom outside, so I held it all day long.  And my Dad just laughed.  And told me to be quiet when my (technically his) shoes made too much noise.  I remember eating at really nice restaurants when my mom would go out of town or when we got good grades and ordering a 'Shirley Temple'.

3.  My Dad loves my mom.  I am so grateful I have always known that my parents love each other.  They always put each other first.  I guess I probably thought it was gross how they used to snuggle or kiss growing up, but now I am so thankful.  I have never once wondered if they loved each other.  It was always so obvious and still is.  They never speak badly of one another either.  As an adult, I realize just how rare it is to have a true and loving relationship.  I'm pretty lucky to have one too.

4.  My Dad taught me how to gain a testimony of truth.  When our family finished reading the Book of Mormon, he challenged us all to pray to know of its truthfulness.  After a few days of having no success, I came to my parents for help.  As they tried to assure me that my answer would come, the answer came with great power and peace.  I will always be grateful for that experience that changed my life.  I am, never around my Dad when he doesn't share his faith and testimony with me.

5.  My Dad is mine.  If I ever begin to miss my Dad, all I have to do is look in the mirror!  I am his younger girl twin.  I have always thought it was so fun to look just like him.  I happen to have a little guy at home who kinda looks like him too.  I am so grateful for all of the things he has taught me and given me.  I am learning that parenting is not easy and realize more each day that I got pretty dang lucky in the parent department.

Dad, thanks for everything.  Thanks for always making me feel welcome.  Thanks for always telling me how proud you are of me and that you think I am doing a good job as a mom.  Thanks for hiding money in my car or my mixer when you come or I come to visit.  Thanks for buying donuts every morning we are around.  Thanks for wrestling my boys or stealing them from their beds to rock them to sleep.  Thank you for raising me.

Here's to hoping that we get to celebrate a lot more birthdays with you.

We love you.

-Lisa

We never thought a child could love his grandpa as much as Benson.  Until Griffin came along.

This is a typical sight when Grandpa is around.  Just add a few more kids now.

Is it not scary how much we look alike?

This may be my favorite picture, ever.

LOVE

Time

As a mom, there are days that feel like they will never end.  The clock ticks so slowly and I feel like I walk from one colossal mess to another, followed by multiple toddler injuries, to lots of dirty diapers, to dishes that won't clean themselves and a large pile of superhero underwear that needs to be folded.  

And yet, I look at my almost seven year old and have no idea how that happened.  Where has the time gone?  Those days that seem to last forever, didn't.  They are gone.  My little boys are turning into little men before my eyes.  And I must say, I love watching them grow up.  I love sending my little Benson on the bus each morning and finding little notes he has written.  He is reading!  I have a child who reads.  What?  

Last night we went for a little family bike ride.  Bike rides are my absolute favorite.  Last summer I often put two big kids into my bike trailer and one little baby/toddler into a bike seat and my pregnant self pulled them around the neighborhood.  Soon, Benson was peddling along with me.  Last night I pulled that baby who made me that pregnant girl last summer and a toddler in my bike trailer.  In front of me was a huge blond boy and behind me was a brown headed five year old, followed by a dad with an empty bike seat.  I now have two kids who can semi-competently ride their bikes around.  Seriously?

I constantly tell people that I think most people imagine themselves having tiny little babies and little toddlers, but we don't think beyond that.  At least I didn't.  But that doesn't slow down or stop the time.  Even though I have been changing diapers for almost seven years, it has gone by soooo fast.  Too fast. And sometimes not fast enough.  

Even though there are days that never end, the fact is, they do.  Let's hope I can remember that.  I am grateful for a beautiful spring evening bike ride that reminded me.  

It's been way too long!

It has definitely been way too long since I have posted anything here in the old journal,  blog.  I am still drowning in this world of four boys and trying to enjoy it a little too.  My life feels consumed with a smiley, starting to roll Baby Mack, a completely insane, get into to my mascara, climb on everything toddler Leo, laugh at everything he says and does Griffin, and marvel at my old man Benson.  Not to mention swoon every time my knight in shining armor Keith walks in the door every day.  Here is the quickest of the quick update on us all.

Keith
-Losing weight while eating nothing but protein each week, going to bootcamp with me two days a week, playing basketball whenever he can
-Busy busy busy at work
-Just took me and Mack on a quick trip to Vegas for work, only to turn around and take the older boys on a camping trip to Arches with his family
-Calls me daily to tell me that I am the "best wife ever" after he listens to Dr. Laura in the car
-Has helped me run the "bed and breakfast" we call home after having visitors for two straight weeks

Me
-Losing weight while eating everything in sight, going to bootcamp twice a week and nursing a baby (hooray!)
-Keeping my sanity by drinking diet coke and consuming large amounts of Easter candy
-Running my dishwasher/washing machine/dryer all day and night to keep up with the visitors and my own boy children
-Having fun buying summer clothes for the little men in my life (and some for me too)
-Kissing Baby Mack any time I can-and getting so excited to plant my garden!
-Oh yeah, and I got braces

Benson
-Enjoyed his very first Spring Break (only 38 days left of school)
-Loves riding his bike/scooter/4 wheeler any chance he can
-Can officially carry Mack around-they both think this is the coolest thing ever
-Lost another tooth-that makes five!
-Had a blast camping with Dad in their new tent and camp chairs they got for Easter

Griffin
-Riding a two-wheeler like a boss!
-All registered for kindergarten!  What?
-Would play video games every waking moment if I let him.
-Eats and eats and eats and eats
-Got to take the back off of his booster because he finally hit 40 lbs!

Leo
-Gets into everything.  Wants to do everything his brothers can!
-Finally starting to get an appetite.Still loves to have milk and snuggle mom
-Loves riding in the car because we have a movie player in there
-So cute and so naughty all at once
-Talks non-stop and says the funniest things

Mack
-First starting rolling over this last weekend
-Laughs so loud and cries even louder
-Loves to be held, mom is definitely his favorite person
-Thinks it is super fun to wake up at 5 am
-Grabbing his toes, sucking his fingers, found his tongue, cutest little man ever (also Griffin's twin)

As a family we have:
-Been to Boise twice, Yay my brother got married!
-Went on a week long trip to California
-Had visitors for two weeks, we love cousins!
-Camped at Arches (Keith, Benson, Griffin)
-Went to Vegas (Keith, Lisa, Mack)
-Visited Logan (Heaven on earth)!

Well if you survived my weird punctuation/grammar skills-here are some pics (thank you instagram)

=

I think french fries + ice cream = disgusting.  Leo digs it though.

After we registered him for kindergarten, he passed out on my bed.  

Benson dressed up like he is 100 years old for 100 days of school.  We shaved his head like he was balding.  And let him keep it that way for a few days.  I laughed every time I looked at him.

A nice picture that Benson took of me.

Me and my braces with my man and his beard at the beach.

This baby is the cutest.

This picture almost makes me want to try and have a baby girl.  Almost.

Benson thinks he is pretty cool for being so big.

Griffin LOVES his little clone Mack.

Leo really enjoyed Easter and egg hunting.  The whole time we looked for eggs he said "I like the Easter Bunny."

Griffin loves the beach.  He also loves not sitting still in Primary, resulting in one of us coming to sit with him each week. He tells us he can't help it because it is "soooooooooooo boring."

It was so awesome to watch my little bro get married to a great girl.  Also, he became a dad and we got a new cousin!  

Here's to hoping I start drowning a little less and blogging a little more!

Merry Christmas 37 days later

Here is my long overdue post on Christmas.  We had plans for some family to come and visit, but they got sick and we have a newborn-so we ended up celebrating our favorite holiday with just our family at home.  It was spectacular.  The boys are so fun and love Christmas, so we had a ball.  We had a great Christmas Eve program with Adam and Elana's family that focused on the Savior.  It was wonderful.  Then we put the monkeys to bed.  Then I got busy helping Santa and Keith got to work on my present (he painted our room yellow for my Christmas gift).

All of the boys loved Santa this year, except for a little 2 year old who shall remain nameless.

Mack had the most adorable Santa Claus outfit that I may or may not have let him wear to church.

The older boys sleeping together on Christmas Eve.  They really wanted Mack to join them.

But I wouldn't allow it.

Soon after the littles were sleeping, Santa delivered this beauty.  Funny side note:  today I got  one of those sweet sheets of paper at the pediatrician's office that lets you know how to take care of your child.  One of the papers said, "don't let your children ride on an atv."  How about drive one?  Or be pulled behind one?  Hahahaha.

My tree really struggled this year.  We will be getting a new one next year for sure.

Santa really enjoyed those treats.  Mrs. Claus did too.

We always get cereal with our stockings.  Also books.  And McDonalds gift cards.  And oranges/apples.  And toothbrushes.  And lots of other good stuff.  Keith and I also fill each other's stockings.  It's a fun little tradition.

Benson and Griffin got new bedding and a sick wall sticker of the BYU stadium.  That's what you get when Santa owns a  sign business.

The kids got a roller coaster too.  We are all about safety around here.

And here they are getting started on Christmas morning.  They all slept until 7:30 or so.  Side note: Feed Griffin breakfast next year before opening gifts.

Unwrapping the roller coaster which has provided us with lots of entertainment.

That's a lot of kids.  Sitting in my newly painted room.

Opening cool presents from Grandma.

Leo's favorite present.

Holy mess batman.

We had a very snowy Christmas eve and Christmas day.  It was so fun.

Those boys have a fun dad.  Sweet Grinch pants Keith.

Griffin was and still is pretty terrified of the 4 wheeler.

I got a tri-pod for my iPhone for Christmas.  Here we are testing it out.

The feet of Mack's Christmas jammies.

Leo sleeping at lunch.  In his high chair.  Too much playing I guess.

Having way too much fun in the snow!

We had a great Christmas and feel so blessed.  I am certain my kids would have been happy to  get anything from Santa and are so sweet and grateful for their presents.  We have had lots of fun with their toys since then.  Keith and I even rode the little 4 wheeler for date night once.  Haha.

We hope you had a Merry Christmas too!