Mystery Shopping at D-Land

Yesterday I had a Mystery Shop at Disneyland. Chris was out of town so We took Grammy with us. We didn't go until after school so we didn't have much time for a rides but the kids were excited to go to Goofy's Kitchen, so they didn't care. The weather was freezing, it felt like December. Hard to believe it's almost May. Luckily we didn't have any rain, just some mist. It was forecast to rain but it held off until we were on our way home. One of my shops was at a sweet shop in downtown Disney called "Marcelline's Confectionery". There was a lot of tempting stuff in the store but I decided to let the kids get those huge lollipops they are always begging for. Bad Idea! They were all sticky and dirty the whole time. Luckily Grammy was there to keep wiping their sticky hands and faces.

We caught a few rides. First we went to Captain EO, our 3rd time since its been back and then we went to Small World. Here is Carter on the boat with his famous "Dream Boat" smile.

The kids and I went on Dumbo and then we went on the Carousel. Maddie was very excited to have Libby ride the Carousel with her for her very first ride. Maddie even picked the very special Julie Andrews horse. Ever since Maddie's first visit to Disneyland I have loved taking pictures of the kids on the Carousel. Its such a great photo-op. Libby did not disappoint, she was enthralled with all the lights and music and loved going up and down.




We did not make it on the Tea Cups but the kids love getting in the "photo-op" one outside the ride. Sawyer is always just being his crazy self.

We have been to Goofy's Kitchen 4 times now and it never gets old. The kids just love being able to see the fun characters and they love the buffet. We usually go for breakfast which I think is AMAZING (not quite worth the 35 bucks for each adult though) this time it was Dinner. I liked the food but I would have rather had the breakfast food. (Love the Omelet bar) I would NEVER go to Goofy's kitchen on my own dime it's just way too expensive and I can't see paying so much for food. Just for our little group 2 adults and 2 kids (Libby and Sawyer were free) it was over 100 dollars! This is why I like to do Mystery Shopping at Disneyland, my kids get to enjoy things they never would have.

Since you can't bring the stroller into the restaurant and I didn't have her carrier and she's too little for a carseat, I found a nice little spot on the ground for Libby to lay while we ate. My kids thought I was awful. It was totally in a corner where no one would walk and she was on a blanket.

The kids were excited to have Minnie there. They wanted Libby to see her so we held her up to her and she was so excited. Her eyes lit up and she just couldn't stop staring at her. It was the cutest thing. Even cuter was the fact that Minnie stayed at our table for 10 minutes. I don't think we've ever had that much interaction at once with a Disney Character. It was nice and we felt spoiled!

We had a great time and even though it's a little chaotic with 4 kids, I always go back! I think it will get easier as Libby gets older. Thanks Mom for coming with us!

Three Months Old

Libby turned 3 months old yesterday! I can't believe how fast time has flown. It seems like yesterday I was pregnant and on a cleaning frenzy. I can honestly say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 3 months and really savored every moment with little Libby. With my first baby, Maddie, I was so excited and anxious to see her grow I was always looking forward to the next milestone. With Carter and Sawyer I tried to enjoy each age fully since I had learned how fast it goes. With Libby knowing that she is (99.9%) likely our last I am really trying to live in the moment. Don't get me wrong there have been crazy hectic moments in the past 3 months but there have also been many lazy mornings laying in bed nursing and cuddling. Having big kids and a baby has really been fun. I love the stages all my kids are in right now, I wish I could freeze time. Maddie and Carter are in school learning and growing. They also can understand difficult concepts and I enjoy having meaningful conversations about life with them. Sawyer is my little home-buddy. He enjoys having the house (and the wii) to himself when the kids leave for school. He takes good care of his little sister and surprises me with hugs and kisses throughout my day. Libby is just that perfect age where she smiles and coos and just looks adorable. When I wake up in the morning I can't wait to get her dressed in something cute! She responds to those around her and lights up with joy when she sees one of her siblings or Chris and I. Life is good but I'm also ready for changes ahead as my kids grow.

Libby is cooing and smiling all the time. I think she is my smiliest baby. She loves to suck her fist. When I was taking these pictures I literally had to hold her fist to keep it out of her mouth. She still sleeps like an angel. She goes down at 9 and gets up at 6 or 7 sometimes later! We feel so lucky to have her in our home!

Carter's Birthday Celebration

We celebrated Carter's Birthday over two days. The night before his birthday we went to Lucille's Barbeque with Grammy and Grampy and Chris and Amanda. We had a delicious dinner and I made a really easy Strawberry Angel Food cake for him.

He was so excited to open presents from everyone. He got an ipod from Grampy, (it was left unclaimed in his classroom for a year so he decided to give it to Carter) He got some cute clothes and a Lego set from Grammy and Grampy. Aunt Amanda made him an adorable sock monkey (she's quite the crafty one).



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After Dinner Chris took Carter to buy a new bike. He wanted Carter to pick it out. It is a big bike and doesn't come with training wheels so Daddy's got some work to do! Sorry no pictures of the bike, I'll be sure to post when he rides it.

The next day (on his birthday) I made cupcakes and took them to his classroom to share with his friends. His teacher, Ms. Maloney had all the kids sing Happy Birthday and she put a crown on his head. (Doesn't every kid in Kindergarten get a crown on their birthday? I remember mine was made with glitter!)


(I was in such a rush I didn't have time to put make-up on.)
That evening Grandma Faye and Jake went with us to dinner at Chick-fil-a and then to one of Carter's favorite places, Dave and Busters.
It was pretty noisy and crowded but we found a place to open gifts and eat cupcakes.


Carter had lots of fun being with his cousin Jake! He was excited to get a Lego set from Jake and a Lego set from Sawyer! He got a Target gift card from Grandma and a Laker Blanket from Maddie.
Several months ago Carter saw this Laker fabric at Jo-Anns and has been asking for a Laker blanket for his birthday.

The kids had lots of fun playing video games and winning tickets. This is Carter playing "Deal or No Deal" where you can win lots of tickets.





The highlight of the night was when the kids played a spinning game to win tickets and Jake one 500 tickets then Maddie won 1,000 and then Carter spun and won 500! It was all within a few minutes of each other. The kids were so excited it was like they had won big in Vegas!

Here's Maddie and her thousand tickets!

At the end of the night (9:30 pm on a school night!) The kids turned all their tickets in and got lots of fun prizes. Mommy and Daddy were pooped and they all fell asleep very quickly!

Carter is 6!

Yesterday my little Carter turned 6! He is truly growing up before our eyes. This past year he has really changed the most. He's gone from an adorable chubby cheeked blond baby face to a handsome, sweet, intelligent young boy. This past year has been a big year for Carter. He went from being a preschooler to a Kindergartner. He adjusted to Kindergarten very well. He was so excited to go to Maddie's big school and learn new things and make new friends. We think he's become quite the popular kid at school. When I took him to a birthday party the little boy's brother said, "So this is the Famous Carter". He loves to play sports and has really enjoyed Soccer this past year and now he is enjoying baseball. He also is quite the video gamer and would play for hours if we didn't stop him. (Not something I'm very proud of.) Lately he has taken a liking to Legos and loves to build things and use his imagination. He is also a very good reader and has amazed all of us with his ability to read anything so fluently. He just finished "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" in a matter of a couple days. I am so proud of all that he has done and look forward to many years of watching him grow. Although it is bittersweet, I am looking forward to see him grow into a fine young man. I love my Carter and I love watching him play with his little brother. When they are not fighting and just playing so cute together (which is most of the time) it just makes my heart melt. He is so sweet to our new little Libby as well. He greets her every time he comes home from school. Carter also loves and admires his big Sister Maddie so much. I am so grateful to have Carter in our family!

Easter 2010

We had a wonderful Easter yesterday. Aside from the gloomy, cool weather, it was a great day. This was the first year we had it at our home. We usually have it at my parents home but I really wanted to have it here. It was tight but we all fit and had a great time. This year was a little different because it was General Conference so we didn't do the whole "Easter Church outfit thing". It made it much less expensive. The kids got up in the morning and were so excited to have strings tied to their beds and find their baskets. Even Libby got in on the action. Maddie helped her find her basket which consisted of a bathing suit, a board book and Baby Mozart DVD which she loves! Sawyer got Toy Story 1 and 2 on DVD and some Legos, Carter got Legos, a Bacugan holder, and Maddie got a Tinkerbell DVD, Selena Gomez Barbie, and a new shirt. Then of course they all got lots of Candy (except Libby :)

I couldn't resist trying Libby's new swimming suit on. I just can't wait for swimming weather!

It was wonderful to hear inspiring words from our Prophet and the apostles. Maddie watched part of conference and tried to fill out her little booklet she got in primary. I caught this adorable moment while she watched.

Once Conference was over, it was time for our Easter celebration with my family. We had a big crowd. My parents, Wes and Kristy and their children Brady and Coleman, Chris and Amanda and her Grandmother and Brother who were in town. Here is a picture of my pretty table. We put a banquet table in the living room and had the kids sit at the kitchen table. I finally got to use my China after 10 years! I may have used it once before. I placed a little egg on each person's place with their name on it.

Here's some pics of our delicious spread. The flowers are from a tree outside and the lemons are from my neighbor's yard.



After we ate it was off to do our Easter Egg hunt. The weather warmed up a tad and the kids enjoyed running around outside. There were plenty of eggs to be found!






I couldn't resist these bunny ears in the dollar section at Target. They made for a great photo op!


My Brother Wes and his wife Kristy with their adorable boys, Coleman and Brady.

What a handsome couple my brother Chris and his wife Amanda are.