Spring Break Part 2

We arrived in Miami on Luke's 7th birthday. Papa Kevin had the room all decorated with balloons, banners, and bday stuff. It was fun. We had a bday party and Luke got the original boomerangs passed down from Da-Da...yes, they really work, too! It was a great day!

We went to the beach, of course. Cameron really enjoyed it and I enjoyed watching him play and giggle!

This is one of my favorite pictures of my little guy...so happy!

There is a wood pecker and a black bird that continually fought for this tree...the black bird won since my mom saw little baby black birds weeks after we left. The wood pecker was sure a sight to see each day, though.

Spring Break 2011-Disney and IOA

We had a great spring break this year. We DROVE to Orlando to do Harry Potter World at Islands of Adventure (Luke's 7th bday wish) and then spent a day at Disney World (so Carys wouldn't feel too left out). After all of that excitement we spent a few days in Miami...we didn't even eat Cuban food! We ended our trip with a weekend (Easter) in the mountains with Uncle Mike, Aunt Courtney, the kids, and the Strongs. We had a blast! I will share some pics.

I must say that my idea of vacation has changed somewhat now that I have kids. Rob and I realized this as we ate at the T-REX cafe surrounded by roaring dinos and talking over fake meteor showers...it couldn't have been better. Family vacations are about the kids and family. Right now the kids are young and the trips must be fun. I really find myself longing to escape my daily routine and just get out to do fun trips with the kids. That is what vacation is about...too much cotton candy, late night swimming, cuddling in the afternoons, sunburns, license plate games in the car, silly songs and games, and lots of pictures! I feel like I am taking mental pics every time I head to Miami with my kids. I get to see them in my pre-adult life. I get to see them having some of the same conversations I had with my wonderful grandparents or playing the same games I played with my mom. I get to play with them at the same parks or swings. It is pretty amazing to relive your life as a mom through your kids eyes. I just love it. I feel so fortunate to have that opportunity.

Here are some pics from the first part of our trip...

Cameron basically cried if anyone but me or Rob held him...poor E-mom!

Luke couldn't keep his head up very well around the corners on Thunder Mountain...it was hilarious looking at the pics we got of him!

Carys is a bit of roller coaster lover...so far. It makes me proud!

Cameron's first merry-go-round ride.

Look at those lips!!!

E-mom and Luke of the pteranadon ride

The token shot of the kid sleeping in the stroller during a long day at a theme park.

We got soaked on the Jurassic Park ride...HUGE and surprising drop, but we all survived to tell the tale!

Harry Potter's world would not be complete if we didn't at least try "Butter Beer." It tastes like it sounds...buttery.

Cameron was on the loose outside of the restaurant--finally out of the stroller!

We are about to go inside Harry Potter World!

A whole new look!

Well, I am finally working on my house. The sad part is that I had to send Rob away for the weekend to get it finished! JUST KIDDING! It was very last minute that Rob headed to UT to ski for the weekend. It was also very last minute that I ended up redecorating my whole main level in 2 days! I began painting and moving around some furniture and then voila!, a whole new world!

We began by moving the kitchen table into what is supposed to be the dining room off the front living room. At first it seemed like I lost space, but now I realize that the space was really only being used for toys and storage (ie. mess). I moved all of the toys out of the main level (do not even think I am showing pics of the rest of my house right now). We made a little sitting room in the kitchen...which I LOVE. We will get a TV in there and now I can watch while I cook/bake. My kids can watch Saturday morning cartoons (if we ever have a leisurely Saturday morning again now that sports have taken over our lives). Plus, company can sit comfortably instead of standing around my island while I fuss in the kitchen. We put up new lighting, changed my hardware, and my friend graciously helped me make curtains. In fact, I owe the majority of this redo to her. She has a great eye for decorating and she is beginning a little business so I highly recommend her! The kitchen is a still a work in progress because I have to put 6 ft of wainscot (bead board) around the entire kitchen and redo my counter tops (paint or new laminate). I am also going to paint my stools red and extend my counter top on one end for more stools. I am so excited! I hope you like it.

Imagine white bead board as my back splash and heading half way up my window.

Again, imagine 6 ft of bead board leaving only 3 ft of chocolate on the top!

My Boy Scout!

No, not Luke! Rob is the boy scout tonight! In case you forgot, (since it has been so long since I have posted) I have a 16 month old BOY!!! He is proving to be quite the little mischief maker. His new favorite pastime is to drop things in any body of water--the toilets, the dog's water bowl, the tub, and cups of liquid. Well, he has clogged up two of our bathrooms (of course the two that guests use) with who knows what. As it turns out, Rob had to take the toilet off to get the powder room up and running.

This is a picture of the project. Don't forget that Luke decided that it would be OK to use the clogged toilet (not pee) as long as he didn't flush. Well, let's just say he flushed and this job became a contender for a spot on the show "Dirty jobs." G-R-O-S-S!!!

Rob discovered that it was a toothbrush that he had put down the toilet. Some how it got lodged into an "S" shaped pipe. It was stuck in the middle of the curve and both of us tried to push it down or pull it out. It was impossible...or so it seemed.

Rob created a lasso. He even burned the end of the knot so it wouldn't come out. Then he used a wire hanger to help the line go around the end of the toothbrush. He tightened the lasso and it worked!!! He pulled it out!

So he is my hero (for fixing the toilet), your hero (so you don't have to venture into the abyss I call my room to use my bathroom), and my boy scout (for figuring out an awesome way to get that toothbrush out). I even let out a woot and a holla when it came out covered in poo and all!

boy vs girl

The difference between a boy and a girl...

Boy: He sneezes and a huge wad of snot hangs from his nose and he swiftly wipes it on his arm, hand, shirt, sweater, or anything that is NOT a tissue. Even when a parent "commands" him to get a tissue...he will pretend to go to the bathroom and still NOT use a tissue. G-R-O-S-S with a side of YUCK!

Girl: She sneezes and a huge wad of snot hangs from her nose and she whines, "Oh!!! Not again!" Then she freezes with her head cocked in the air so it doesn't fall or touch any part of her clothing or hands. She yells and waits for someone to bring her a tissue or she shuffle walks to the bathroom to clean up WITH a tissue! Just G-R-O-S-S without a side of yuck!

NYE fun

We had a fun time at an 80's NYE party this year. Rob had to admit he had fun dressing up...especially shaving his beard into a mustache. Many of you know Rob's secret love of the mustache and I quote, "Tom Selleck can rock a mean mustache, why can't I?" uh...perhaps Tom Selleck doesn't really rock the mustache at all, Rob, but it is more of a trademark. Anyway, we had a great time!

Christmas 2010

Well, Christmas has come and gone and it has been one of the best! The magic of the season really descended on our home this year. We planned some great activities to do as a family, we didn't over schedule ourselves, we shopped early, and my family (mom and Kevin) came to visit! It has been WAY too long since I have blogged, but I am just going to start where I am.

Highlights:

Tree Trimming


Polar Express Kid Night complete with an awesome hot chocolate bar!


Temple Lights with some friends-




Christmas shopping and crafts- (pics from Black Friday are not downloading from my phone)

Rudolph play and Christmas Concert by the Choral Arts at the Kennedy Center

and of course...

Baking!!! (Vanilla bean angel pillows, mint chocolate chip cookies, cranberry white chocolate macadamia nut bars, orange kissed brownies)

CHRISTMAS MORNING was the BEST! !



I just loved these pics of the kids running down the stairs!


We had a lovely breakfast as a family before we went downstairs to open wrapped gifts.


Cam needs a break from all of this commotion!


Mom Mom and Dad Dad joined us as we opened presents via Skype!

Coursey and Mom rocking out to Rock Band



This air hockey table may be for the little ones, but the adults can sure have quite the battle, too!


It has been so much fun to have family here for Christmas this year. The kids have had undivided attention and always have someone to play their new games with. I was able to get all of the fuss of Christmas over so I could really enjoy the actual day. My biggest present has been my mom helping out so much around the house...she organized my entire kitchen! Merry Christmas!!!