HOORAY FOR DISNEYLAND

So, we finally did it! I`ve been saying for years I wanted to take the kids to Disneyland... I can`t even remember the last time I was there, I think I was 10 or so... I don`t know who was more excited, the kids or ME!

We decided this trip was for us big kids, so we left Eli with friends and family (thanks to all the Jen/Jenny/Jennifers...lol, thanks ladies!). So, we hit the road. Who knew the one weekend we decide to take a vacation it would decide to pour rain!



Go figure... So, needless to say, this is how I looked the entire first day, like a total DORK:



But, it turned out to be a good thing, in it`s own way.... there were really no lines! We rode everything, got soaked, ate everything, and met every character we could until we were so tired we couldn`t take it anymore...













Day two was a bit better.... it only rained in the morning and sprinkled throughout the day. Poor Ashton wasn`t feeling so swell (turned out he had strep throat, yikes!), but we all had a ton of fun. California Adventure has been rides (I think) and we rode every single one!













The kids were little stars that day. Both got called onstage for a show... got to sing and act a little, then later, they got to sing and dance with the local gold miner, man was he funny:











He sang a song, "I`m my own Grandpa"....

We rode California Screaming 10 times:











Lots of fun memories...











We thought we`d hit up the beach before we drove home... this is the entire beach experience, no joke! LOL, it was freezing!!! But, we liked feeding the birds:











Bye bye California.... until we meet again...

Eli Laughing in the Bathtub

Eli always loves bath time, but this bath was especially enjoyable! I turned off the water and he decided he wanted it on. So, he started pulling and after lots of effort, he turned it on! He was so proud of himself!! He would pull in on, clap and laugh hysterically! Yet again, reminding me how simple things can be enjoyable and not to take anything for granted. Eli lives in the now:

A Birthday Surprise

Ashton totally took me by surprise earlier this year when he decided to join the Orchestra and play the violin! He`s never really shown a lot of interest in sports, so I am happy that he has found his niche in music! For his 11th birthday he asked for an electric guitar. Since I think it`s important to provide kids with the opportunity, if it`s feasible, I bought Ashton his very first guitar:



His birthday was a couple of weeks ago, and he loves his guitar! He plays it every day. Now we have a drum set, acoustic and electric guitars, a violin and hopefully soon a piano!

During this already busy holiday season, it`s also my birthday (today! Happy Birthday to me)! So, last night Gio took me to Kona Grill for dinner (YUM!) and to see The Nutcracker! How adorable is my boyfriend? It was so sweet and unexpected. I adore you Gio, really! He also sent me flowers and took me shopping. I am a lucky girl.

Remebering to Enjoy the Simple Moments

Everywhere we go people comment on how happy Eli is. He truly is a happy baby! Gio`s parents had a church picnic last Sunday and they brought their dog Sammy. Eli loves animals, and Gio`s dad let Eli walk Sammy.... It was hilarious as between Eli`s new shoes and the dog`s fast pace, Eli kept falling, but he was laughing all the while:



Let Eli be a reminder, never stop enjoying the simple things in life! Eli seems to enjoy each new experience to it`s fullest! Kids are such a blessing and so pure and full of joy! We feel so blessed to be able to experience life in a new way again with Eli around. Can you remember when something as simple as walking a dog made you laugh out loud?

A Busy Weekend

Hot, dusky wind
The air smells like barbecue and sweet corn
People are everywhere
We stare, everyone wearing everything
People yell at you like they wouldn`t elsewhere
It`s like you`re in a movie from a time that no longer exists
More kids crying and confused, then laughing freely
It`s hot
The baby wants to get down and play
Pizza, popcorn, cold beer
Animals, "that`s good eatin right there..."
Screams
One girl puked
Cheap sunglasses, leather wallets, stuffed animals too big for your truck
Bob Marley music and shirts for sale
It`s a fun time, the state fair


So, if you can guess, we went to the Arizona State Fair yesterday. We had fun. The camera battery forgot to charge itself and we only had my phone. Basically we saw cows and rode a couple of rides. Eli wanted to run around, but hates wearing his new shoes. He doesn`t know how bad it feels to run on pavement with no shoes I guess. We decided it was best not to take him to Disneyland after all (told you so babe). So, anyways.... Halloween was fun and stuff, it just doesn`t seem quite right. It`s 200 degrees outside and it`s already November. Isn`t it supposed to be cold outside by now? I totally had fun, I guess the surprisingly hot weather is still throwing me off tilt. I mean, it just seems like spring, not fall. It`s just hard to believe it`s "the holiday season", probably my Utah roots... Nothing like the changing leaves and the first snowfall... 4 seasons in all their brilliance, just the way God intended.

Speaking of what God intended, check out our Halloween costumes, LOL...

Giovanni Singing

Giovanni has been singing at the Tempe Marketplace lately, which I think is so amazing! 100`s of people get to hear him each time he sings because it`s an outdoor stage:

He actually sang at the Grand Opening, which we have footage of. I`ll have to put that up on YouTube... but, lately they`ve been asking Gio and 602 Rising/Static to play there more often. I wish I had some better pictures, but you get the idea:

Always singing the infamous "Happy Birthday" song to someone:

He`s just so amazing!! I love you baby, keep doing the damn thang!

Eli`s First Birthday

My baby is so adorable! How sickening it is to heart this over and over, I`m sure, but I can`t help it! For Eli`s first birthday Gio thought it best to have a party (I think the family would have killed over if we didn`t). At first I was totally not into it... I`ve had at least 18 kid parties already, so I`m kind of over it already, but it is Gio`s first baby, so I get it... it`s just, I feel like the baby doesn`t care, so what are we really doing here? Sending out an invite for a present? Can`t we just skip the formalities and ask for a gift? "What does Eli want for his first birthday?" hrm, I dunno, a box of tissues, a pile of dirt, I know, money! Hahaha...

In spite of my initial lack of enthusiasm, party time came and I was finding myself feeling excited when the party finally started. I think the party girl deep inside never dies... the tired, overworked, mother of 3 just overtakes her sometimes...

Sweet baby Eli saved the day... with dozens of friends and family crammed in our house, Eli crawled around in a sort of baby hospitable way, smiling and clapping the whole while. There`s no question Eli definitely came from parents who love to socialize and entertain! He was a ham the whole day... No lack of food and sleep could stop him!



I have to say, the cupcake was the cutest thing I`ve ever seen...



The whole party sang and laughed as Eli put on his show.

So, happy birthday wonder baby, Mamma and Daddy love you...