A little Chezney oddity

Chezney's getting into chocolate.

Me: "Chezney, please stop."

Chez: "Okay mommy."

......

I look at Mike. "That was weird"

Mike: "Yea... she did that earlier too... weird."

Disneyland- 11th Anniversary

Mike and I planned months ago to go to Disneyland for our 11th anniversary this year, and that just happened to be this past weekend. So we loaded up the kids, took them to my mom, the dog to my in-laws, and headed to sunny California! The first day had a number of things go wrong and many expectations burst, but after we readjusted our expectations, the trip went really pretty well. It was a lot of fun. We went on a lot of rides, got a few character pictures (Pluto gave Mike a pretty hard time pretending to fight him for me and then proposed! HA!), and even got to do a few things we've always wanted to do but couldn't with kids... like have lunch at the Blue Bayou (too expensive with 6!)! We found a cozy spot in a deserted part of Disneyland to watch the fireworks all by ourselves and have dinner on the riverfront (literally BY OURSELVES!). Those two things were probably my highlights. We also got to experience Disneyland at Christmas time, which is a whole new thing. Who said there isn't snow in California!? At Disneyland, everything is possible! (they actually make it snow on you during the lighting of the castle). Of the many lessons we learned on this trip, another valuable one: We need a new pocket camera!

Above: In front of one of the many elaborate christmas trees in DL!

Below: a quick ride on the Tom Sawyers Steamboat.

Pluto proposing =)

Our own little corner of Disneyland... which really was remarkable because of

how crowded it was when we were there! Just a little blessing!

Lunch at the Blue Bayou (the restaurant inside Pirates of the Caribbean)

Bath-time

Chezney decided that her precious Dora was in need of a good scrubbing so I caught her giving Dora a bath... and she was in the bath, too, of course. Then we practiced spelling her name on the wall with crayon soap. Such a great tool... it doesn't wash off the walls as easily as one would think, but it's still worth the scrubbing... and the occasionally dyed bathroom wall.

Christmas Traditions

Last year, we started a new tradition and the kids are so excited to see them coming out again this year. I made advent boxes last year and filled them with little sweet treats. Each night, we open one and then read a scripture and "thought for the day" from a free print out I got from a site called the Jesse Tree. The kids love it, it's easy to understand, and it works us through the biblical lineage of Jesus up until his birth starting with Adam.

Last year, the dog got ahold of some of the boxes, so along with making a few new ones this year, I added a little more vintage "bling" to my boxes and I like them even more this year. Such a fun tradition!

Oh Christmas Tree....

Today we went to get our Christmas tree at Shelton's Tree Farm in Cashmere. This is our second annual trip and- I have to say- even though it was much easier to get our tree with so little snow (at times I was walking on grass trails!) it was just a whole different experience last year in 2 feet of snow, and the trees caked in white! Maybe next year...

And the day of activity wouldn't be complete without a picture of Cohen sleeping....

Barney

Chezney is laying in my bed watching Barney and Friends on Netflix. She loves Barney. She has a stuffed Barney that she found at Goodwill and I just couldn't say no. I mean... seeing the thrill and love in a little girls eyes for $1.50? No question ;)

Just now, she called me saying "Mom! My Barney is going to turn into real!" Then I remembered that the show Barney and Friends begins with them playing with a stuffed Barney- just like hers- and then it comes to life and they play with it. She is so excited LOL Hopefully she knows the truth deep down and isn't too devastated when her Barney doesn't become a 5 foot tall singing and dancing dinosaur! =)

Tell her...

Cohen just came up to me and told me an entire 5 minute conversation he wanted me to have with Jazmine... the DOG. Apparently, there's a few things she needs to know that irk the little guy.

Another Thanksgiving Post

Although I already have posted about my thanksgiving weekend TWICE, here is a more fun way to watch it =) Enjoy!

Winter Festival

While we were at the cabin for thanksgiving, we found out that this was also the weekend for the Winter Festival. This was definitely a small town festival but it made it kind of fun in it's own way. They had an old empty building full of homemade products by vendors, arts and crafts for kids, and santa even showed up! He also just happened to bring his reigndeer so we went down the street to check on prancer and vixen while we were there. Cohen even got to feed one raisins!

Thanksgiving at the Cabin

This is the second time we have spent Thanksgiving at "the cabin" with Mikes mom, Dennis and family. It was lots of fun and we really enjoy our time with his family. Five days and four nights of cousin play, food, video games, coffee, playing in snow, food, watching christmas movies, football, food, board games, card games, and sleep. Oh, and did I mention food?

My nephew, Austin, watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on papas laptop.

The boys doing our first deep fried turkey. (the girls had another one cooking in the kitchen!)

Brandon and Ethan playing video games... they both have an equal love for those games...

50th Surprise

Three days ago we celebrated Dennis' 50th Birthday with a big surprise party at The Cashmere Riverside Center. It took months of lying and planning and scheming to make it work but Cheri did a great job and it all pulled together nicely.

Another surprise?: She rented the "cabin" (it's way too big to actually be a cabin!) for Thanksgiving and a bit more! We leave today and we'll be there for 5 days. Looking forward to relaxing with family and enjoying my kids away from normal day to day stuff!

It's almost here....

Thanksgiving Feasts

Birthday-day

We celebrated the actual day of Danissa's birthday at home with just our family. It was fun having a small birthday and getting Danissa all to ourselves =)

Commercial Much?

Ethan: "Danissa... did you know that your body knows you're pregnant before you do?"

Someone's been watching toooo many First Response commercials!

Birthday Bowling