Disneyland

Here is Sophie having fun in Disneyland by her beloved merry-go-round.
The kids enjoying Bug's Land in California Adventure Park.
This is at the end of our Trick or Treating party.  Sophie has crashed!
Aren't they cute?
Here we are getting ready to go home at the end of the Trick or Treat Party!

We decided that we needed a vacation so we packed up the car and the kids and headed to Disneyland over Halloween.  We survived the drive by stopping in St. George to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Anderson.  The first night we got to Disneyland we went to a Trick or Treat Party in California Adventure Park.  The kids had fun riding the rides and getting lots of candy.  One of the nights in Disneyland we headed into Toon Town and it was completely deserted. We got to enjoy Minnie and Mickey's houses without the crowds of people.  Last year we went to Disneyland in July.    We didn't have the best experience.  It was hot and very crowded.  This year was much better, no lines and great weather = happy kids and happy parents.  Connor and I spent 9 hours one day at Disneyland and California Park.  Connor loves amusement park rides.  We did Tower of Terror and this year he was able to ride California Screamin'! He loved both rides.  Jake loved the rides too.  Sophie loved the carousel and tried to ride it as many times as she could.  She isn't a fan of 'scary' rides.  I forced her on them anyway telling her they were 'fun' scary rides.  I don't think I scarred her too much.  She enjoyed Disneyland too.  Shawn was patient with me dragging the kids all day throughout the park.  One day we decided to have ice cream cones for lunch.  Shawn was the only one not keen on the idea but I reminded him we were in Disneyland so that is what we did and the kids were a terrible mess but they were happy.  Each day the kids wanted to leave Disneyland and go swim at the hotel pool.  I think next year we will save some money and spend time in a hotel close to home so the kids can swim in the pool and eat breakfast at the hotel and get cereal out of the really cool cereal dispensing machines!

Happy Homemaker!

I have been home cooking today because I joined a freezer meal group in my ward and I put on my cute apron that I got recently.  I bought it from a local company called 'Flirty Aprons'.  I know most people could sew these cute aprons, but not me.  Anyway, I decided that every time I put on this apron I feel like Martha Stewart and I tend to cook better and my house gets cleaner!  So I thought I would share a photo of how cute this apron is.  I converted my friend Jamie to these aprons.  Our husbands don't get it but we don't care.  These aprons are just plain cute!  If you would like to buy or sew me another cute apron then I would not turn down the gift!  Ha ha!  Doesn't every happy homemaker need something cute to help her get through the endless piles of laundry, dirty dishes, muddy floors, dust, bedmaking, ironing, etc.?

Disclaimer:  This apron has been known to make you whistle while you work or even break out singing a happy working song!  

Pumpkin Land

Connor, Sophie and cousin Andy.  Jake is standing to the left of the pumpkins.  Doesn't Connor look pleased to be there?
Andy Stevenson, Hailee Larsen, Sage, Sophie,  Connor in the back (again thrilled to be in a photo) and Jake reading the sign.

Jake looks so sweet.  Don't let that look fool you!
  Connor really did have a good day.  I am afraid for the teenage  years!

We didn't do much over UEA because we are heading out on vacation next week.  We did take time to head to a not so local pumpkin patch so the kids and cousins could spend the day together and play and enjoy some fall festivities.  

Life cut short and the blessings of struggles

This morning after I sent the kids off to school I got dressed for the gym and went in for a cycling class.  About half way through the class a rush of overwhelming sadness took over me as I thought about my Uncle Kent who's life was cut short last week as he was riding his bike in Arizona. My uncle was a triathlete, marathoner and an avid bike rider.  He was doing what he loved when a drunk driver hit him, took off and left him on the side of the road to die.  Meanwhile his wife was left wondering where he was.  When he was found he had no I.D. on him so he was listed as 'John Doe' until his family put the pieces together and were able to identify him.  We are still waiting for the release of his body so the family can start the healing process.  I have not been in close touch with my uncle or his children since my childhood.  Our cousins were our greatest playmates.  We grew up with countless sleep overs at each other's homes, at Grandparents, and vacations together.  I have so many fond memories of Jenni, Julie, Laura, Uncle Kent, and Aunt Madilee.  I feel the loss as I try to find understanding in this and can only try to understand and grasp a bit of what they might be going through.  So my prayers and thoughts go out to Julie, her kids and Jason, to Jenni and her girls, to Laura and to Cheri, my uncle's wife.

As I was talking to my neighbor about this horrible accident she commented about the year that we have been through.  It has been the hardest year of my life.  With the loss of Shawn's job, a horrible bombshell about my family and family secrets, the loss of a beloved pet, and my uncle's death -to say the least it has not been an easy year.  But I realize that in this year I have found that I am stronger than I have ever known and that there is so much support and love in good neighbors, friends and family.  I have learned the strength, compassion and love of siblings can teach and help heal broken hearts and start the mending.  So to all those that have helped through  support either in a listening ear, prayers, taking kids off our hands, or any other way, Thank you so much.

And thanks to My Heavenly Father that gives us these struggles so that we can grow and learn about our own potential and remind us that there are wonderful people all around us to lift us when we can't do it ourselves.

First day of school photos

 Connor and Jake's first day of school.
              Connor's first day of 4th grade.
   Jake's first day of 1st grade.
             Sophie's first day of preschool.
I thought I would share the photos of the cute kids on their first day of school.  I know I am a little slow but enjoy them anyway.

I'm a Glass 1/2 empty gal!

Sophie playing soccer!
Connor and Jake enjoying Sophie's soccer game
All the kids and Shawn playing together
Jake taking a break at his game.

I used to think that I was a glass 1/2 full kind of person until I paid attention to my thoughts and all the complaints that seem to come out of my mouth.  With this being admitted I decided to change my focus and share with you that I do see the great things in life too.  I seem to always complain about my kids even though life without them would be very very very boring (and quiet!).  

This past week has been pretty hectic trying to prepare for a wedding (Shawn's sister got married, although with all the clothes shopping/hunting I was doing it felt almost like mine) and then Jake's 7th birthday the next day-not to forget soccer practices, dance class, scouts, canning, homework, preschool, soccer games, piano lessons, etc., etc., etc.  

Saturday morning we got up and Sophie actually decided to go to her 8:30 AM soccer game w/o too much of a fight.  Either Shawn or I have to run down the field with her holding tight to her hand.  It would be my habit to complain and moan about my child being the one crying and walking off the field or insisting on holding her hand if I were being the 1/2 empty kind of girl.  But I decided to see the joy in my child loving me and Shawn so much she wanted to share every second of her soccer game with us!

A few hours later we got to go to Jake's soccer game.  He really likes to play and does really well.  Luckily with him we can sit on the side lines and enjoy.   Did I mention that every season soccer starts Jake screams and cries at us for signing him up even though after the first game every Saturday morning Shawn and I wake up to Jake coming in our room completely decked out in his soccer gear ready to play?  I won't complain about the frustration of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and his soccer struggle.  Did I mention that while sitting at Sophie's game last Saturday Jake said to me-'I wish I was playing right now, mom.'?  I will look at this in a positive light-my kid loves soccer and there is great satisfaction in sitting on the side lines watching Jake (once he has come to the conclusion that he really does love the game) have a really good time!

I will just be glad that my children have a wide range of emotions and are not afraid to explore them even if they give me stress and grief-at least they aren't robots-right?

I may have mentioned that I was so happy that my kids went to school a couple of weeks ago and now I miss them.  Even though right now all 3 are screaming my name right now.  Sophie is telling me the neighbor girl peed her pants on our floor.  Connor and Jake are driving each other crazy as they empty the dishwasher.  I am going to be glad that my kids have healthy lungs and vocal boxes!

I have attached some pictures so enjoy how adorably cute and lovable my sweetest angels are!

School Days!

The boys started their second week of school today.  About a month ago feelings of anxiety kept overwhelming me every time I drove by the school (which of course is everyday-or looked out my back kitchen window).  The funny thing is I was at the same time excited for school to start.  I finally came to the realization that the anxiety was coming from the realization that Connor was going to 4th grade, which in my opinion, is a big deal-soon he will be going to Junior High.  Not to mention that Jake was going to 1st grade (I think that is where the excitement came in).  The night before school started I was outside talking to a neighbor when Connor and Jake came running out calling each other 'poop head' and 'fart' something or other.  I sent them in to brush their teeth.  I followed about 2 minutes later to find Jake on the kitchen floor covering his face and crying.  Connor had dragged him across the floor for some reason.  Monday morning (the 1st day of school) Jake came out and after something I said he lost it and pitched one of his famous fits.  We headed off to school and as I was walking home after dropping off the kids at their classrooms  I could not shed a tear.  Not even a droplet!  I was soo happy that my kids were now the teacher's problem!  It has been a week of school and I am still happy they are in school even when it is too quiet and way too clean in the house.  Maybe things will change in a week or two-who's to say.