February

We are 90% unpacked! Can I get a HELL YEAH! We have been working our butts off trying to make this house a home and have it be as organized as possible, hence the lack of posts. So, in order to catch up.... here are a million posts, shoved into one:)

Yes, Valentine's Day was like 3 weeks ago, but I have pictures that I haven't shared. For those that know me, you know that I never so anything for Valentine's Day- Eric and I have never even gotten each other a card. We kinda decided that this year maybe we should do a little something, it's not the kids faults that we don't like it. The big kids were coming that night and Eric passed his first test for his contractor's license so I decided to make a fun dinner. We had chicken enchilada soup, salsa salad and for dessert, cake balls. I decorated the table with a red tablecloth, our silver chargers (that we used one Christmas), flowers, and candles. On each plate I put a chocolate dog and I bought the big kids sparkling lemonade. There were balloons on each chair... it was festive.

Delaney helped me dip and sprinkle every. single. cake ball.

The kids

I just remembered this, and had to share. The day before Valentine's Day we went to church. After church, we get the kids from their classes and meet my parents for breakfast. This morning, we ate in the courtyard and the littles were watching these boys play football in the court. Brody was yelling "BALL" and Delaney just wanted to play. Eric took them over to get a closer look and these boys (who were probably 12 or 13) handed the football to Brody and then played catch with the two of them! It was the sweetest thing and the littles could not have been more thrilled. When we got home, they were inspired to play more ball outside.

Does Delaney seem a bit annoyed that I am trying to take a good picture???

The big boys and the little kids playing at church.

Keeping up with the big kids

At home. She WILL be that girl on the soccer team that is wearing a skirt with leggings and cute shoes. And she'll be kicking the boys butts.

And he will be on the line.... protecting Tom Brady.

My mom and I took the kids to the zoo. We hadn't been in such a long time. This was by far the best time. Brody was hysterical, he was so excited about EVERYTHING!!

Brody could not believe that their was a polar bear-right there.

Delaney really likes turtles so this was very exciting!

My mom trying to keep Brody out of the nasty pond. He really likes ducks:)

That says Nana's bench:)

Brody loved pushing the button on the frog fountain!

That's us!

After we left the zoo, of course we had to ride the choo-choo.

We have been playing outside a lot! Delaney and Brody have been playing together rather nicely. Every once in awhile I will run into the room and while she has him a headlock and I scream "what are you doing?" and she will reply, "I am just trying to bite him", but those moments are becoming less and less. We got some new play sand for our sandbox and the kids (Eric included) love it!

And I will leave you with this, because, well, it's gross and typical:)

Yes, Eric changing a yucky diaper, on our kitchen table.

(I have some very fun pictures of our snow day-yes SNOW- but blogger is taking forever, so I will save that for tomorrow:)

Good Old Fashioned Family Vacation: Day 1

****Warning: You are about to read a very long post with pictures that probably won't interest you. I must let you know in advance that I took a crap load of pictures and want to post them for my own memories and for whoever else wants to see them.

This is day one. I am thinking there will be about 4. Hold on:)

We finally went on our first *whole* family vacation. Where else does a family of 6 go to have fun? California, of course. So, we load up the family truckster aka Wally wagon aka the killer mini van and we headed out.

A 14 year old, an eleven year, a two year old, and a one year old....all packed in, ready to go.

                                                                 

That's how we roll.....

                            
                                       

And we're off..........

The snack basket.

Typical teenager:)

We accidentally took a wrong turn and ended up taking the scenic route to LA. So here we are in an unplanned destination:  Wickenburg, AZ.

Kaylie and Brody...

Delaney and Daylen at McDonalds

Photo op in Wickenburg....see the sign in the background:)

FINALLY, after a ton of stops and lots of Caillou and Dora, we arrived in Anaheim. This was Brody's first time in a hotel room and he went ballistic. The hotel room was pretty small, we moved the beds so we could put Brody's pack n play in between them and Daylen slept in a chair (he wanted too), but it worked.  We decided to go eat dinner and get ready for the next day: DISNEYLAND.

Monkey and Daylen

Kaylie and Delaney coloring

After a long day of traveling with 4 kids....Eric and I found our sanity in the form of liquid.

Ahhh...............

Delaney running on fumes....

Brody, picking his nose, checking out girls

Okay....the day had arrived. Delaney was finally going to see Mickey Mouse and give him a hug. We went down and had breakfast first.....

and then we made it to

We loaded the stroller up with 2 diaper bags, a blanket, 2 sippy cups, 4 bottles of water and 2 toddlers and we made it in. Delaney instantly saw Mickey! I watched her reaction and thank goodness, NO TEARS! She does have a little issue with loud noises and when she is nervous or afraid, she plugs her ears. SO, 3/4 of the pictures have her plugging her ears.

The kiddos....

On Daddy's shoulders after checking out the opening parade (plugging her ears)

We thought we'd jump right in and go on It's A Small World. Delaney was hesitant at first, but quickly began to love it and Brody thought it was awesome!

The men.

The sisters

After the ride, we headed to Toontown. Let me just say, this place is the cutest thing I have ever seen. We headed over to Minnie's house to see what was going on and to our surprise, Minnie came right out next to the stroller! Delaney was SO EXCITED!!!! Minnie shook her hand and then went over to her house, so we followed. While we were waiting in line, Delaney said, "Mommy, just tell them excuse me. It's my turn now." When I told her we had to wait, she took it upon herself and yelled, "Move people, I want to hug Minnie. Come on!" So, after that embarrassment, we made it up to see her.

Minnie's house

Waiting in line....

Finally......

Happy moment:

We went around Toontown and had a blast.

Delaney in Minnie's kitchen watching the cake bake

Brody in Mickey's house

Daylen lifting weights

Photo op with Goofy

After Toontown we had some lunch and made it just in time for the HUGE Celebrate parade on Main Street. It was a way cool show and the kids loved it. At one point they have the kids go out onto the street and dance and Delaney was all about that (with her ears plugged).

Woody

Brody taking it all in

Brody and Eric...

Delaney waiting in line for Pooh and Tigger. She was so funny...she kept saying, "I just want to hug him. ok? Just right now I do it."

Score!

The kids did awesome, but the odds are pretty good with a one and a two year old that some tempers are gonna rise. And then you get this....

Followed by this:

But not Monkey....he's too cool for school

Kaylie's ears:)

Me and Eric in California Adventure.

We started the day at 10:30 and left at 9:45. Long day, but totally worth it.

And that folks is just day one. Now I know you can hardly contain yourselves for the rest of the week, but you're going to have to. Stay tuned:)