Denver for the first time!

Typically we travel to places where we have family frequently.  However, with flights always being full and schedules conflicting, we have never actually flown to Denver to spend time with my brother Ryan and MaryAnn's family (we drove through on our mini-van buying road trip).  We have 3 kids all the same ages and gender, so it is super fun times together.  When we planned to get together over conference weekend I thought we would have no problem since there are 10 flights a day from DFW-DEN.  But when it got right down to it, flights filled up and I was super disappointed.  I had packed and cleaned until I realized it wasn't going to happen and I took the rest of the day off.  At dinner time I checked again and there were 6 seats available.  Typically since we need 5 seats, we wouldn't even bother going to the airport because it isn't likely, but our hearts were set on going, so we made a run for it.  At the last minute they had only 3 seats so we decided to split up boys and girls and tried to quickly divide what I would need and I ran on the plane with the girls.   As I was getting buckled and situated I started panicking about picking up the rental car, not having jackets, wondering if I had the phone charger I needed etc, etc.  Right then, Dave and Jackson walked on and got seats right next to us.  12 passengers missed the connection!  I was so happy we were headed to Denver.  The flight was great.  Mariah fell asleep and then Hallie fell asleep at the end.  

It was snowing when we touched down and it was cold in shorts and flip flops.  

We stayed up late talking and talking.  We love discussing finances and life with them.  Unfortunately, the kids were up early and the day started with lots of energy.  

MaryAnn and I went to work out and then took Jackson to eat lunch at Dayton's school.  

We went shopping at costco where Dave brought pants.  Apparently, I was suppose to pack them... He also bought a 'go pro' camera for good measure.   and I bought things to stock the conference store with.  

Dave and I went to the temple while MaryAnn graciously offered to watch the kids.  Unfortunately, on the way there, I realized my recommend was expired, which means no entry.   I was sad, but it was a good reminder that frequently, the most important things are left out in my life.  I want to put God first and it takes more effort than I've been giving it.    I still enjoyed the peace just in the foyer and the grounds.  It truly is a place of rest and worship. 

We took the kids to Daytons soccer practice, but we were all freezing cold, so we sat in the car.  Then we all went out to eat at Sweet Tomatos which is our kids favorite place since they get to pick what and how much they eat.  

Saturday, we listened to conference (if the radio decided it wanted to work) and dyed easter eggs.  the boys and kids rode a long path with bikes, scooters and trikes.  I picked flowers with Mariah.  It was a gorgeous day outside.  

We continued with conference and the kids loved earning bucks and buying goodies at the store.  

We had another egg hunt with friends of Ryan and MaryAnns at the park.  The kids also had an egg joust.   

Due to the flight loads, we had to take off EARLY on Easter morning.  (If I had known I could've left the entire suitcase that was filled with easter baskets and goodies).  Everything took longer than usual and we ran full force to our flight and barely made it on.  (BTW:  don't pack sidewalk chalk... TSA thinks it is dynamite).  Mariah took a nap and Hallie watched a movie from her own seat TV (awesome new planes!) We were back in our house an hour before conference even started.  We ate breakfast, unpacked and started listening again.  the kids were great.  

 the talks were wonderful and inspiring as always.  The theme was definitely FAMILY, which is exactly what I needed.  I am engaged in vitally important work and love God's reminder to do it to the best of my ability.  

We did a little easter basket with swim wear/gear in it.  The kids tried it out in our bathtub.  Early bedtimes for everyone helped us to catch up on the weekend of fun.

We are thankful that through the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ our family can resurrected, purified and be sealed together forever.  I am thankful to a Heavenly Father that loved us enough to make a plan to get us back to Him.  The knowledge of a Savior is important to me.

Christmas 2014

We knew this year would be especially magical for our family this year with a 6,4 and nearly 2 year old, everyone can participate and enjoy and have a great time.  We did a lot of prep and planning to get the perfect things for our kids and for each other.  I let go of trying to get ALL the Christmas activities in and hopefully had time to enjoy the ones we did do more because I was a little less stressed than last year.

 On Christmas Eve, Dave worked from home which gave us a little more time to spend together.  We tried to invite a couple family's over for a dinner, but it didn't work out, so knowing we would be spending the meal with our little family, made me less motivated to cook a big meal that our kids wouldn't like.  So instead we had KFC and mashed potatoes and we all found something to like.  It turned out that it was a perfect Christmas Eve to just spend with our family and relax and enjoy being with our kids and giving them 100% of our attention and love.  Looking back, it was perfect, but at the time I was really missing my big family get-togethers.  We did the nativity, sang Christmas songs, opened Jammies and had white hot chocolate.

The kids wanted to sleep in the den in the tent downstairs, so we put them to bed and they fell asleep surprisingly fast.  We spent the first 2 hours packing for a trip to Utah.  It was going to have a layover and make Christmas morning a bit rushed, but I didn't want to feel lonely the entire break, so it was going to be worth it.  Then we spent and hour or 2 cleaning and finally Santa stopped by to drop off the most perfect gifts for the kids.  I was so excited!  However, Dave also heard a loud noise in the kitchen while he was cleaning and I was worrying about the foundation being cracked.  I couldn't sleep and had dreams of our house falling into a sink hole.  When we woke up, we discovered that the flight was completely oversold and  booked all day.  Part of me was excited to have a true Christmas day of slowly unwrapping and playing and relaxing and eating.  I was very disappointed to not be going home and wished that we could at least make it in the next few days, but it looked VERY full.

Santa's gifts were set up down stairs with stockings full of goodies too.  It was absolutely perfect except that Mariah wanted all of Hallie's things (and her own things too).   Jackson got a hot wheels race track and loved every second of watching his new cars race the track (he asked for a single loop and got a double loop so he was thrilled).  Hallie asked for a purple my little pony and was so shocked that Santa knew the EXACT one that she wanted and gave it to her (along with a pink pony that walks and another stuffed pony... enough to share with all).  Mariah got a new baby doll with the baby paraphernalia (but she really wanted the pony.)

 We made German pancakes and headed upstairs to eat them... on their new little table and chairs.  this was one of my favorite gifts and one I think they will like the most, but there was no reaction to getting this present.  After eating, the opening of the presents began.  Since we had no where to be, we took it slow and enjoyed the present as long as we wanted before moving on.  All clothes got tried on and toys were opened from their packages.  I was so happy about Dave's Christmas.  I got him running shoes, cologne (The same one I gave him 8 years ago for our wedding) and a Pebble Steel watch (gives him notifications from his phone and other apps).   Jackson got a few games and puzzles, a sweater, legos, a tablet,  backpack, .  Hallie got frozen dress ups, hair sylist doll, boots, winter accesories, tablet, and headphones.  Mariah got a rolling backpack, dress up shoes, dress.   Dave gave me a massage gift certificate, a sweater, a lunch tote and a running arm band.

It was a wonderful time to watch our kids happiness and excitement.  One of my best Christmas' ever.  I was just wishing we could have family for the rest of the winter break.  I checked flights and everything just looked worse and worse, so I went downstairs and threw some frozen food on a cookie sheet and turned on the oven.  a few minutes later Dave called me upstairs to say a flight ( I had JUST checked)  had 35 seats open up...but we had to leave the house in 10 minutes or less.  Knowing the rest of the week looked bad, I said lets do it!! and we threw off our pjs, loaded the car and kids (turned off the oven and threw lunch back in the freezer) the biggest stress was that it was 1:00 and we hadn't eaten lunch and didn't have time to get it.  But we left anyway (with breakfast dishes undone and the house a Christmas Chaotic mess.)  I forgot my coat and phone charger and a few of the kids toys, but besides that considering the quick getaway we were pretty well covered.    We called ahead so the shuttle was quick and we got to the airport with enough time to get a lunch.  The flight was horrible!!  Mariah cried for 90% of it because she didn't want to be in buckled in her seat and we didn't bring the carseat.  I sat in the bathroom with her for 45 mins!  It was horrible, but worth it because I knew I wanted to be with family.  The lady next to me wasn't really in the Christmas spirit I guess.

I spent the entire day on the 26th cuddling a feverish and sick little Mariah.  I was so thankful that I was with family who could care for my other kids so I could give 100% to Mariah and not feel bad for sitting around all day and watching TV, playing Wii or just talking.

BYU vs. Gonzaga with my lovely sisters and other family.  The Cougs gave a good exciting game, but in the end it wasn't enough.


  It was a Christmas miracle to have snow on the morning of Christmas.  The kids got to build a fort and play for a long time in it.

But it was worth it for Christmas dinner and time with family!  It was so great to have Melinda and Marcie there!

The rest of the week is a blur of relaxation.  We went to the Shields family reunion, I met up with Tiffany Covington, Mostly we played games with Shane and Kim, Melinda and Marcie.  Carly came for a late night one night.  It was so fun to be all together.  I love relaxed family time.

When we got home, this is what our house looked like...

Upstairs

Downstairs

 Kitchen ... uggh!  Clean up was not pretty, but worth it!

We went home the day before New Years eve just to ensure we made it home.  It was great timing for the trip.
We went to a party at our neighbor's house for New Years.  It is fun to get to know our neighbors, but we are definitely the 'new comers' and despite our neighbors being friendly, they all have 10 years of experience and friendship together and we aren't as comfortable.  I'm hopeful the years continue to help us get closer with them.

California Family Gathering

When my oldest brother's family (from Colorado( let us know they were planning a Disneyland trip over fall break, everyone wanted to join.  Brother #3 lives in Cali doing medical school and #2 lives in Arizona.  And we get to fly free.  Of course, my parents in Utah didn't want to be left out, so they drove into town, too.
Friday morning we headed to the airport SO early.   It is so hard to get out of DFW and I really dislike the early morning flight and having to wake kids up at 4 am, but those are the sacrifices we have to make.  We were getting there in great time, until we got to the shuttle.  The shuttle took 45 mins to get us to the airport and we had only planned 15 mins.  We were so late, and with construction and taking wrong turns in the airport we were getting later and later.  Checking bags was tricky because we were only 25 mins before the flight.  Security was a bear, but we got to skip the line because we had kids and strollers.  We were going so fast.  I literally ran for 5 mins... sprinting with a stroller and backpack. Up and down elevators and escalators, etc.  I got to the gate and the agents said they had been waiting for us.  I was so relieved to make it, but then, since Dave was a ways behind me, they wouldn't give us the tickets.  The let a few other stand-bys on and then Dave showed up just as they were boarding.  We were SO upset.  We knew flights for the rest of the weekend were super full, so all our anticipation and excitement was going down the drain as we tried to make new plans.  At one point, Dave was ready to go home. The kids were getting antsy and hungry (the plan was to eat on the airplane).  It was so depressing to be that tired and sweaty (from running) and not headed to our destination.   The next flight to Phx was open, but from Phx we couldn't think of a way to cali (rental cars were $600!!) and flights were full, full, full we decided to try for phx anyway and as a back up plan flying into LAX after a 5 hour layover, Dave taking the train to Santa Ana to get our car and coming back 1 hr to pick us up.  NOT a very good plan and it would take literally ALL DAY to get to Cali.  But we wanted to be with my family enough to make it worth it.   By the time we landed in phx, the next flight to Santa Ana had opened up with 6 seats and we only needed 5 WHEW!  We were so glad to be headed to our destination, but sad that we were going to miss Sea World (Where we have a season pass).

Once we got our car (upgraded to a minivan!!), we tried to think of something to do. We headed to a local pumpkin patch.  It was hot, but the kids got to run and move.  Jackson got a bloody nose and there was blood all over him, his clothes, shoes face and even several pumpkins!  He looked like a mess!

When then drove in to LA to go to the science center there (Its FREE and perfect for little ones!).  Luckily we weren't too annoyed at the LA traffic because all our kids took naps on the drive.  The museum was great, we wished we had more time there.  When it closed we walked through the rose garden and played hide and seek as a family.  It was beautiful and so fun to have our kids free to run and play (as opposed to the restrictions in airports and airplanes)  We then headed to Dave's uncles house in Corona.  We stopped for some Islands Hamburger.  Seriously, how does anyone live here? the traffic is horrible!  And this, coming from someone who lives in Dallas area. 

The next morning we took slow (even though our kids were up at 5 am cali time).  I went running on the major hills of Corona... such a great workout!  We drove into Newport to meet my family at the beach.  It was the PERFECT day to be on the beach.  The weather was warm, water was clear, sand was soft, etc, etc.  Not to mention being with my brothers, nieces nephews and mom and dad.  Such a perfect and relaxing day.  The only stress was the huge crash of the ocean.  I wished the waves didn't get so giant, but eventually the kids stayed up above where the waves crashed and I was able to relax (until I went into the water and had a panic attack every big wave.  How can I LOVE the ocean so much and still be so terrified of it?

Mariah didn't stop all day, buckets, sand, digging.  She was in her own world, with freedom to do what she wanted and she LOVED it.

Most of the boys got buried at some point.

Daddy and Jackson braving a wave.  Hallie got taken out by a wave earlier and that kept her away most of the day.  She still talks about the wave that knocked her down.

We spend Sunday going to church with Shane.  It seemed like mostly a student ward, so I actually felt old!  There were so many kids.  I forgot what a super big ward was.
We drove by the redlands temple.

We had a BBQ at Shane's apartment complex.  It was right by the pool so I was super anxious about one of the kids falling in. but eventually was able to relax and have fun.  The kids watched a movie in the 'theater' they had and we got to talk and have fun with siblings.  Since we never spent the night together, we never got kid-free time which is always more fun with my siblings, but the cousins had a  great time together.
 Monday we went to Disneyland.  It was our first trip with our kids and we wanted to make the most of it.  We got a bunch of food in the morning so we didn't have to worry about meals or leaving the park later.  Then we headed to the park early.  We arrive around 8:10 but with parking and shuttle and standing in line to get in, we didn't get in until 9 am (it opened at 9).  I raced to stand in line to get an Elsa and Anna showing.  Luckily, MaryAnn got to me right before we requested tickets, so her girls could go too.  Ryan and MaryAnn's family and our family stuck together all day and worked the system.  We would get a different fast pass on each of our passes, then one adult would ride with the boys and then the other adult and the boys and 3 year old girls would go again with a stroller pass.  It was awesome to not wait in line much (Esp. because Mariah is a total wanderer and hard to control in a line. )  Jackson and Dayton loved the big rides and the girls loved seeing the characters.  We felt bad we could never hook up with my other  brothers or my parents, but it worked out great that we both have kids the exact same ages.
Dave took the kids on the tea cups... I hate that ride!

I stood in line to get tickets to stand in line again to see Elsa and Anna, but the girls loved it and I think even the boys were pleased.  Mariah was having nothing of it and clung to me.  But Bree couldn't get enough of touching and talking to them.

How would it be to be the most popular princesses at Disneyland?

Space mountain... look at those boys faces!

On the submarine.  Mariah liked looking out the window and seeing the fish in the water.

The jungle tree house.

Jackson said his favorite was Splash mountain, which he rode several times (The ride broke earlier, so later there was absolutely no wait at all!  We rode 3-4 times in a row)

We watched a Beauty and the Beast play that was a perfect stop for our aching muscles.  Then we finally met up with my family and watched the parade together and ate all the snacks we could handle.

Seriously, my family is exploding!  My parents have 13 grandkids under 6! (only 11 were here!)  No wonder we couldn't all stay together!

I was shocked at how well everyone was doing with no naps and no breaks, but finally around 8:30 pm, both girls passed out.  Mariah woke up an hour later and I went alone with her on Dumbo and Buzz Lightyear.  I feel like she didn't get catered to because we were going on the bigger rides, so I tried to make up for it, but I think she was just zoned out.  We stayed until they kicked us out of the park and rode Buzz Lightyear several more times.  at 11:15 pm (this is 1:15 our time) we stopped at the shops and got souvenirs for everyone.  The girls woke up and were ornery.  Jackson had quite a hard time picking somethings, but once he decided, he curled up in the stroller and crashed (2 am our time).  Mariah got a Minnie Mouse baby with a blanket, Hallie got an Elsa barbie doll, and Jackson got a take-apart Olaf.  We also got a family ornament and a magnet for our collection.  Including souveniers, parking, tickets and food, we paid around $90 for the day trip (Thanks to the rewards from our disney credit card).

Still going strong at 11 pm!

On the way out of town, we had time to stop at the newport beach temple for a photo.  

Our ride home was so smooth.  The kids were so good, the layover easy.  On our long leg, we had gotten all middle seats.  Despite trying to switch around, we ended up with Jackson sitting alone between two men (and Dave in front and me behind him).  He was SO good.  He played quietly on his leap pad and then with the magazines and talked nicely with one man.  Mariah slept and slept and slept.  For 3 straight hours!  I was afraid she wouldn't go to sleep that night (she woke up at 7:30 pm our time)but she did.  I guess we really wore her our!  I wished every flight could be that way.  We are so glad we made it to the family get together.  I hope we do it again soon!  (oh how about Thanksgiving and Christmas?)