Disneyland

Being in San Diego we took full adavantage and headed up the 5 to the "Happiest Place on Earth."  As a little girl I always thought about the day when I would be a mom taking my own kids to Disneyland.  We didn't have season passes growing up, but we always went at least once a year.  Those are very special memories to me.  It was finally time for my own little family to have those MAGICAL MEMORIES.

The morning of we didn't tell the kids where we were going.  The drive takes about 1 hr 45 min.  I was SHOCKED that during the entire drive they never asked where we were going.  I guess that says someting for how much we had been in the car lately.  As we approached Natali started reading the "Disney" banners that hung on the street.

Natali: Are we by Disneyland
Me: Yes
Natali: Ahhh, I want to go to Disneyland!
Me:  Where do you think we are going today?
Natali: Disneyland?
Me: YES!!
Natali: Today?
Me: Yep
Natali: Right Now?
Me: Yes
Natali;  OH MY GOSH...BUBBA...WE ARE GOING TO DISNEYLAND (insert screaming)

Spencer was instantly in heaven when we parked in the Buzz & Woody parking lot and rode the Toy Story  bus into the park.

 Getting ready to go through the gates.

They had the place all set up to celebrate Halloween.  I loved it!  

I think one of the highlights of the day was going on the Buzz Light Year Astro Blasters ride.  Spencers face was PRICELESS when he saw the giant talking Buzz.  

We rode it's a Small World, and after Natali declared.."That was my favorite!"

We took a spin on the carousel, ventured into Pixie Hollow, and even said "hi" to a princess!

We strolled through toon town and saw lots of our favorite Clubhouse characters.  I convinced Isaac & Natali that Big Thunder Mountain & Splash Mountain would be AWESOME.  And they rode them and they LOVED them!!! 

By the end of the day we were ALL very tired.  There were complaints of foot pain, hunger, and overall tiredness.  We capped off the evening by watching the Parade, sharing some Dole Pineapple Whips, waving to all our favorite characters.

(Cinderella & Belle)

Leaving was a little bitter sweet.  I didn't want to leave. I had been waiting for this experience for SO long. At the end though, minus the few tantrums and the MASSIVE FREAK OUT at the Storm Troppers, it was a perfect day.  As we left I looked back one more time to see the lights of Main Street and Sleeping Beauty's castle glowing.  Memories were made.

San Diego

We got the best excuse to head out to San Diego, a wedding! My youngest brother decided to finally tie the knot.  So we booked out tickets, packed our bags, and got ready for a San Diego adventure.  It's been over two years since we've been back, so a visit to family (and good mexican food) was LONG over due!

 Spencer found flying to be very, VERY, enjoyable!

 Grandma picked us up and whisked us off for lunch at El Indio's!

Grandma even baby sat the kids so that night I could sneak off to La Jolla and spend some time with Ben while at his Podiatry Confrence.  Thank you Grandma!!

Hugs for sale...

Today while driving in the car there was one of those people standing on the sidewalk shaking a large sign advertising an amazing once in a life time sale.  It read:

HUGE Sale

The mattress store

Natali excitedly exclaimed:  "OH LOOK...a hug sale!!!"

It was cute, really cute!  We got a good laugh out of it.

Little Ballerina

We have been waiting a long time for this! 

She loves EVERY second.

School Days

After celebrating, the big day came.  The OFFICIAL first day of school came BRIGHT & EARLY.  Natali was excited...we had whole wheat pancakes with berries.  Isaac had his first day of preschool the next day.

The big FIRST Grader

Our big PRESCHOOLER

 He couldn't be more ready to start preschool!

Brothers...sweet brothers!

Selfishly I am really looking forward to some one on one time with Spencer (aka Big Baby).

PRE-Back to School

I have to be honest...I have been dreading back to school.  Maybe it's because of the INSANELY early start time here in TX (she has to be there 7:45).  Maybe it's because I start feeling more like a shuttle bus between school, preschool, tumbling, ballet, etc.  Maybe it's because my kids kind of turn into little gremlins when they come home (all of the sudden talking back, sour attitudes, and melt downs are much more prevalent).  But maybe it's because I truly miss them.  This summer Natali and Isaac have really learned how to play together really well.  Even allowing Mr. Fudge to join in on their together time.  It's one of those things that melts your heart as a mom.

But despite all that, school was coming and it was time to get ready.  We had a back to school dinner.  Totally the most unhealthy thing I have ever feed my kids...donuts and their choice of sugary cold cereal (mother of the year award...yes please!).

I introduced the new theme for the year.....HAPPINESS/BE HAPPY.

And we concluded the evening with a back to school FASHION SHOW.  Everyone loved it.

Spencer's going for the "pants are optional"look.   It works for him.

The last thing we did was back to school blessings.  It was a very sweet moment.  After Natali and Isaac, Spencer didn't even hesitate as he jumped off the couch and climbed up into the chair.  Pretty cute stuff!  I also asked for as well, it brought a lot of much needed comfort and peace.

So I guess...READY OR NOT...another school year...here we come!

Some Family Pic's...

Natali 6 years...

Isaac 4 years...

Spencer 2 years....

*Grandma & Grandpa's front porch

Singing in the Rain...

Nothing like playing in the rain. 

More Family Reunion...Giant Slide

It's tradition that for part of the family reunion we rent a GIANT inflatable WATER SLIDE.  It's something that the kids...and adults look forward to.  This year didn't disappoint.  I even got persuaded to go down the slide.  I was also given strict guidelines to keep my mouth shut...apparently Weber Water isn't "drinking" water.

 Spencer wasn't too sure about it all!

 And neither was Issac!

 Well...and it took Natali most of the afternoon before we persuaded her to FINALLY go down.  And guess what, she LOVED it!

We had breakfast at Granny Annies, we took family pictures, giant slide, and a 6ft long blimpes sub sandwich (plus all the treats and snacks you could imagine).  It was a day worth remembering!

Family Reunion

The weekend of the 24th we had a family reunion.  We started off with a dinner down on main street in Bountiful with just all the adults.  Sometimes you just need adult time.  We actually celebrated the 40th wedding anniversary of Mom & Dad Fluhman.  Mom handed out to each of us one of their original wedding napkins.  It was so cute!  We also were celebrating Dad's retirement from working for the Church for 45 years.  I think he needs some much deserved rest.

 How cute are they?!?!

Me, Spencer, & Hollie.  We can never get enough of those two! 

Anna & Em...sisters!  

Isaac's Party

Since we are in Utah we took advantage of having cousins around and had a little gathering for Isaac on his birthday.  He woke up to presents, balloons, and special birthday pancakes made by Grandma.

 Isaac specifically asked for a chocolate cake, with blue frosting, and a yellow 4.  

He was happy.

 He had a lot of "helping" hands opening presents, and we had a bit of birthday envy (and lots of birthday melt downs).

 We had fun playing, eating pizza, blowing out candles, and stuffing ourselves with chocolate cake. 

Spencer swiped Isaac's Cars t-shirt and decided to wear it himself.

And by the end of the day...I.WAS.EXHAUSTED!!!  At one point in the day a friend called to wish Isaac happy birthday on the phone.  I called, "Isaac come here." And he replied, "Mom, I think you mean BIRTHDAY BOY!"  (oh brother).  I think he let his birthday go to his head, I guess that's okay when you're a big 4 year old.  He gave me two thumbs up at the end of the day, I'd say it was a hit!

Park City

While out here in Utah my mom came up to Park City.  Every year my mom, grandma, and aunts come up and stay in a time share for a week.  I haven't been up there in a few years.  Living thousands of miles away tends to hinder things like that.  BUT, this year we were all in Utah at the same time.  We took full advantage and went up on Tuesday and Thrusday, spending as much time in the great outdoors as possible (plus shopping)!

On Tuesday we went down the park near main street and played for a few hours.  The kids made friends and loved being surrounded by the mountains.  We ate lunch and then headed out the new splash pad.

 It get a little over cast and chilly but the kids (really just Isaac) didn't let that stop him from getting soaked!

We shopped some of our favorite stores at the outlet and finsihed the day with a trip to McDonalds, the kids request.  It was great to just sit and talk with my mom while my kids were completely engaged in their happy meal toys.

THURSDAY, we came back and road the bus over to Silver Lake where took the kids on the chair lift up and over into Deer Valley.  At first I told my mom NO WAY was I taking Isaac and Spencer on a chair lift.  But in the end I did.  Isaac was terrified at first and then delcared, "Mom, this fun!  Don't let go of me, okay!"  Spencer just hung onto my for the most part like a little koala bear.

Then we were treated to some Cafe Rio and went back to the condo for swimming.  Again it was a little cold, but we swam until lips started turning blue.

Thanks Mom, Grandma, and Aunt Susan for your help with the kids and the great time!