My Hero's

Superman & Buzzlight Year to the resuce!  These two little guys are my little sidekicks.  On Friday's we go to music makers and this week we got all dressed up for our "Halloween" music makers.

We had "superhero" dancing... 

We listened to "spooky" stories... 

We collected candy... 

We played with friends... 

And we ATE candy!  

Handsome Boy

My sweet handsome little man.

(his first tie)

San Diego Wild Animal Park & Shopping

It was our last Saturday in San Diego and we wanted to do something outside and fun.  We headed down the hill and took full advantage of my moms zoo membership.  

The first thing we did was go ride the tram (or the "train" because that made Spencer happy).  We got to see all the animals doing their normal thing....eating & laying around.  My favorite is still seeing the giraffes.  They are just plain cool!

We ate lunch overlooking the "African Savannah" and then walked around to more of the exhibits.

 (Not a bad shot by Natali...besides the fact that I think I look like a bug with my white glasses)

The Animal Park was kinda short lived.  The kids were clearly not appreciating the outing and I was getting more and more frustrated by ALL the WHINING.  I was on the verge a HUGE mommy meltdown.  Not even a diet coke was helping.  (yes it was THAT bad people)

So my genius mother decided we should go hit up the mall.  And you might be thinking, the mall, on a Saturday, with 3 kids.  Crazy I know...but it WORKED!  My mom took the kids over to the inside Mc Donalds, bribed them with ice cream and let them play a little while I browsed the racks in H&M.  It was bliss....PURE SHOPPING BLISS.  Kids played with grandma, I got alone time...I was rejuvenated.

Eventually Spencer zonked out and I took full advantage of hitting up a the vast majority of stores that we do not have here in Temple.   I loved it.  It was just the retail therapy that I needed.  

It was a great Saturday, zoo, shopping, being with my mom.  I was one happy momma by the end!

Rain

You may or may not know but we are in a SEVER drought.  Notice that lush green grass in our backyard! Oh, wait you can't see it....that's cause it's ALL D-E-A-D!  It's gross.  It feels like you are walking on hay. We haven't seen rain in what feels like FOREVER.  

This morning however we woke up to the blissful sounds of pitter patter against our windows.  The skies were over cast and gray, and it was windy outside.  It was nice.  It made me feel all cozy inside.  I never thought I'd get so sick and tired of having clear blue sunny skies.  I liked the change.  It made me want to bake all things pumpkin and fill my crock pot with homemade soup.    

The kids begged and pleaded to play out side in the rain.  There was NO WAY I was going to deny them of such a simple pleasure.  It was a happy moment.  They played long enough that Ben was able to make it back home from rounding at the hospital.  We ate pancakes and enjoyed some chocolate milk courtesy of daddy & the cafeteria.  

 The girl couldn't resist dancing in the rain!

 I hope there are a few more rainy days in our near future, please!!!

Mormon Battalion

I haven't been to the Mormon Battalion visitors center since they remodeled it.  I remember going as a kid.  It was...okay.  A big list of lots of names and a few artifacts on display, paired with some different LDS videos.  I have only heard GREAT things about the new and improved visitors center and I have to agree...it was WONDERFUL.  I took the kids down one morning and we had the whole thing all to ourselves.

First off it's centered in down in Old Town, which is just a fun place.  The atmosphere there is great, and so pretty with all the old historic buildings.  The visitors center is very hands on and my kids had a hay day talking the Sister Missionaries ear off.

 In front of the visitors center.

(I love the adobe tiled floor)

 Playing inside the covered wagon.

(Mom...you mean they had to sleep in here?)

 Natali all preped for the Mormon Battalion hike

 Panning for gold.  This was probably their favorite activity, especially Spencer.

 Each kid could keep two pieces of gold...they thought that was AWESOME.

 My cute little boys.

 Isaac pumping water from the well, and Natali getting ready to do the wash in the background.

After a full morning of learning about the battalion and becoming unofficial soldiers, we were starving.  Lucky for us there was an In & Out Burger near by (let's be honest...I know where pretty much every In & Out is in the San Diego area).  My mom even came and met us from work.  PERFECT!

I had to take a picture and send it to Ben...rub it in...he didn't see the humor :) 

The kids loved it!  

Mormon Battalion and In & Out with Grandma.  It was a great day!

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!