Disneyland Trip!!

After much begging and persuading, Rob and I finally gave in and took the kids to Disneyland in September. We drove in the Tahoe half way on the way there and stayed in Las Vegas at a hotel where we had a nice suite to stay in overnight. The next morning we got up early and drove the rest of the way to California. We got there in time to go to 1/2 a day at Disneyland, and the kids were so excited! I was a little worried about Spencer not wanting to go on the rides, especially after him crying on the tram ride from the parking garage to the park! But he did really well and loved many of the rides. Here's a picture of him by one of his favorite rides that we went on many times while the big kids were on Splash Mountain.


He is holding his Buzz Lightyear Gun that Grandma bought him with her birthday money while we were there. The Buzz Lightyear Ride was probably his very favorite of all the rides there. He keeps telling people "I shoot a robot!" Even now a month later, he still reminds us that Pooh sat in a honey pot and that he shot a robot and balloons.
Here's a picture of the whole group of us that went to Disneyland. It's my whole family, except for Dan and his wife and kids, since he is going through chemo. We missed him and his family while we were there. This was taken on Mom's birthday after we had yummy icecream pie made by Turia.
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Brooke and Alyssa got to go to a Princess Lunch where they ate and met all the Disney Princesses. Grandma took them and I haven't gotten the pictures from her yet, but at the lunch they got their own autograph book for all the characters to sign. Brooke was really excited to get lots of autographs. Here she is with Alyssa and Jesse from Toy Story.

The twins had to test their strength at the Sword in the Stone. Maybe next time we go back they will be able to pull it out!


Tiffany's favorite ride was actually in California Adventure called California Screamin'. It starts out with a countdown rocket-launch and takes you upside down with other twists and turns. Here's a picture of Tiffany and Aaron going on it for the last time right before the take-off.


Our last day was spent at the beach. The kids loved it! I am so glad we went. They all had a blast playing in the sand and the water and finding seashells. They all learned really quickly that the huge waves were very powerful and could pull you under the water. Here's some pics of our beach day fun. We can't wait to go back again. We had a great vacation!

Sorry I am not very good at this....

Okay, so i am realizing that I am really not very good at this blogging stuff, but I want to get pics up from our Disneyland trip we took a few weeks ago. So that is upcoming as soon as I get the pictures off the camera. While I am on here, though I might as well say a few things about my family. I have realized recently that I am very blessed with wonderful kids and a great husband. I am so pleased with my kids and how well-behaved they are. They really are good kids. People wonder how I can take having 6 kids and stay sane. Some days I wonder that myself, but the truth is is that it isn't that hard when they are well-behaved. This probably sounds like I am bragging or tooting my own horn, but I don't think they are good because of me by any means. I think they were born with good dispositions and they have an awesome daddy and good grandparents and other family around as good examples for them. I hope that the Lord will bless us with another good-natured child as we prepare for #7 coming in December. Listening to conference today and yesterday has given me time to think and realize the blessings I have and has given me renewed dedication and commitment to being a better mother and wife. I feel very blessed that the Lord has trusted me with my precious children and has given me the best partner I could have asked for in my husband, Rob. It's been a good Conference Weekend!

Bus Tour

Monday Tara and I took a bus tour of Washington DC. We rode the metro (subway) to the starting point of the tour and then hopped aboard the Double Decker Bus for an all day pass around town. We were able to get on and off the bus whenever we wanted if there was somewhere we wanted to stop. We stopped at the Jefferson Monument for some pictures. We hopped back on and drove by the Capital Building, the WWII Memorial, and the White House (see pictures above). The last 2 pictures are of Arlington Cemetary, that was absolutely amazing! More than 600 acres in total where soldiers are buried. There are just rows and rows, neverending it seems, of headstones of soldiers from all of the wars. My favorite part was the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. What a solemn and reverent feeling was there! We walked up just as they were starting the ceremony and not a sound could be heard besides the clicking of the soldiers heels. Very cool. I am glad they are honoring those soldiers that were "unknown but to God" that served and died for our country.

A Getaway to Washington DC

Last week Rob and I got to get away to beautiful Washington, DC.....without the kids! This is the first time since we have had kids (almost 12 years) that we have gotten away for an extended period of time without them. My mom and Julia were so kind to help out while we were gone for 5 full days (a long trip for us!). Rob had a conference for work out there and we decided I couldn't miss the opportunity to go with him to such a neat historical place. Luckily, while he was at the conference I was able to hang out and sight-see with his co-worker's wife who also came along. It was nice to have a companion as I walked miles and miles (we didn't have a car) to the monuments and sights. Then in the afternoons we were able to meet up and spend the late afternoons and evenings together.

Changes....

I have a lot on my mind right now and have had for the past 3 weeks. Yesterday I got sustained as our ward's Young Women's President! And I am FREAKING OUT! What a huge responsibility and time commitment. It's been years since I have been in the organization, so I have a lot to learn about what I need to do. I have never been the president of anything, so I feel very inadequate, to say the least. It's definitely been a roller coaster these past few weeks trying to find counselors that will accept. It seems like just when I start feeling a little better about the calling, something new comes up that I am supposed to be doing and I stress out again. Thanks to everyone that has given encouragement and support, especially my wonderful husband, who will be taking on a few more responsibilities himself, with me being gone more. I welcome any suggestions anyone has for camp, activities, lessons, etc. because I know many of you have much more experience in this area than I have. So feel free to give me a call, but you might get an earful while I vent some frustration!

Thoughts for the day....

I just found out that my next door neighbor Arlo Ward died yesterday. He lived a full life with his wife Amelia. He was such a neat man. He served in the war and loved to tell stories about when he was young and could do so much. He loved gardening and helping other people. He and his wife have been having health problems for quite some time now, but the thing that has struck me is that they were always helping each other. I would go over to their house and bring them dinner every so often and always found them holding on to each other and buoying each other up, even though they were both very sick. What Amelia couldn't do, Arlo did for her. And vice versa. We have loved having such neat neighbors. We will really miss Arlo. Reflecting on these things has made me realize how important our loved ones are for us. We help each other and give the strength that others don't always have. I love my family and my awesome husband and I hope I will be able to be that strength to them always. Above are some pics of the ones I love.

Funny things kids say....

A niece of mine did this on her blog, so I thought I would try it as well. I asked my 5 year old to answer these questions about me, and I wrote them down exactly as she said them.

1. What is something that mom always says to you?
"Almost all the time when my room is not clean, you tell me to clean it."

2. What makes mom happy?
"Being nice"

3. What makes mom sad?
"Being mean to you."

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
"You tickle me."

5. What was your mom like as a child?
"I don't know."

6. How old is your mom?
"25"

7. How tall is your mom?
"31"

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
"work"

9. What does your mom do when you are not around?
"Sometimes she goes to the post office, and sometimes she goes to the bank, and sometimes she goes and visits people."

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
"Having fun."

11. What is your mom really good at?
"Making dinner!"

12. What is your mom not very good at?
"Making airplanes"

13. What does your mom do for her job?
"Clean her room"

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
"Sandwiches"

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
"That she buys VFlash games"

16. If your mom was a cartoon character who would she be?
"Someone who sets up movies for people to watch." huh?

17. What do you and your mom do together?
"We go to exercising, and I get to see my friends."

18. How are you and your mom the same?
"Cuz we both have blue eyes."

19. How are you and your mom different?
"Cuz we don't have the same hair."

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
"Because she hugs me and kisses me. That's it."

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
"Because he's handsome."

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
"Church."