Disney & California Adventure

WARNING! RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF PHOTOS!

Tuesday we spent the entire day at Disney. It was a lot of fun! We got there right when it opened and stayed until about 20 minutes before they closed. I'll tell you what, that is a great way to wear out the kids! Our hotel is about 3 blocks from Disney so we walk to and from, then all the walking in the park - haha you should hear the kids on the way back to the hotel at night. The kids have been really funny to listen to - who likes which ride etc. Space mountain is a favorite.





Smith family traditional "walking to disney" photo :)

Making the merry go round look cool.
Giggling on the tea cups (Raegan wanted to ride by herself - she is behind us in the green shirt)
Going to shoot Zurg!
See food? hehe This is Haiden, he was stressing about riding the Tower of Terror and POUTING so I tackled him to get his picture taken :) (he never did ride it!)



Wednesday we headed over to California Adventure for some fun. There was only 1 long line, for California Soaring, they said it was 25 minutes but it was about an hour... Ugh! haha We took Raegan and Tre on California Screaming (Haiden refused to go so he sat out with Xander) Raegan was SOOOO excited to go, not so excited once it got going though :) We did manage to get her to try again and she loved it, she even talked her big brother into going on it!!
As you can see, Haiden looks SUPER excited to ride hahaha
My family trying to ram each other on the tuck and roll bumper cars - nice :)
Thanks for bearing with me and viewing all of my photos! haha

Newport Beach

We decided to take the kids on a vacation this year. We started in St. George, the weather did not cooperate with us at all. We were planning on going on some hikes and doing a few out door activities, unfortunately it rained and was around 40 degrees the days we were there.

Monday we headed to Sunny California. We asked the kids if they wanted to go to the beach and they did, so we got our shorts/swimming suits on and headed over to Newport Beach. I think all the Californians thought we were nuts! It was COLD! Around 58 degrees outside, which isn't bad but then you have the wind and the FREEZING cold water! haha It was still really fun, the kids had a blast running up and down the beach and chasing the waves. We even had an older couple stop to tell us how much fun they had watching us! Sorry to bore you with tons of pictures but this blog is my way of preserving memories :)



Xander had a blast chasing the "duckies" haha



Up next.....

DISNEYLAND!

Memories...

Darrin was flipping through some pictures of the kids today and came across these. This was November 2007. Can you believe how much has changed! WOW!
As you can see Raegan is quite puffy - that was from the evil steroids she was on at the time. Xander saw the picture tonight and so very nice and lovingly said "There's fatso Raegan". SIGH. I hope to one day teach my kids kindness!

HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY HAIDEN!

(picture from 2006)

I can't believe my little guy (haha who am I kidding, he is NOT little) is 11. It has gone by so fast. Seems like just a short time ago he was a squishy little baby. Well no more! Now he is into all things sports and yes, even girls. gasp. He is a good kid and I am proud of the boy he is growing up to be.

This year we decided to let Haiden have 4 friends over for a movie/wii sleep over night. Little did I know that sleep overs seem to be taboo. 2 of the friends were able to come and hang out till about 11:30 and then they went home, 2 were allowed to "sleep" over. I'm not sure how much sleep they actually had but haha that is the point right?

Since "movie night" was the theme I found a cake on line and tried to copy it.
For the food - I thought "ok, a group of 11 year old boys - lots of junk food" haha To my surprise they really didn't eat that much of it, which is not great for me because now I want to eat it!





All in all I think the boys had a good night. Texting girls and giggling about what boys find funny :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAIDEN!
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

Raegans Room

A little while ago we decided to re-do all the kids rooms. Raegan was first. I don't have any before pictures because I didn't think to take any - just know it was PURPLE with no real rhyme or reason, it had lots of stickers, markers etc on the walls. We still need the big white polka dots to add to the wall and finish painting her desk and dresser but this is how it looks now. I spent the ENTIRE day making the curtain - well not really a curtain - more like a roman shade, it is hanging a little crooked but that is a quick fix :) Oh - I made the bean bag chair too! Just call me Suzy homemaker hahaha!

The boys are now very excited to get started on their rooms, if only they'd decide on a color/theme instead of changing their minds every 4 seconds.

Nobody...

Did you know I have 5 children? I know most of you know I have Haiden, Tre`, Raegan and Xander but I have another child. His name is NOBODY. Nobody is a very naughty child. Always breaking the rules, taking food in the play room. Putting things where they don't belong, sneaking things that he shouldn't have. The list goes on and on. I continually ask my 4 angelic children "who did this?" and the response is always quadrupled "I didn't!", So.... One must conclude that NOBODY did it. I tell you what, if I get my hands on nobody, he is in for a spanking!

Giving Thanks.

Just want to post how grateful I am for my family and for my wonderful husband! He is such a wonderful man, friend, husband, father, example, and inspiration. I am very thankful for how hard he works to provide for his family. I am so lucky to have him as my husband.

I am thankful for my children. Some days they make me crazy but I am still so very thankful for them. We worked hard to get each of them here and I am lucky to have such fun kids. They all have different personalities that make our family what it is. I love how each of them can make me laugh. I love what good people they are growing up to be.

I'm very thankful for extended family on each side. It is so nice to have family close by to spend the holiday season with. I am grateful that we have good relationships with all of them and enjoy their company.

I'm thankful for our friends. Thanks for putting up with us and being there for us always.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!!