Last Disneyland Trip for a While...

Our Disneyland Annual Passes expired on Feb 16 so we had to make it out there one more time.  We left early Sunday and came home after a half day Wednesday the 12th. We usually stay at the Embassy Suites South but decided to try out a Disney hotel this time and went with the Paradise Pier hotel.  It was nice, super convenient for getting cranky kids back for a break and cost about the same as our other hotel because of our AP discount.  There were 23 of us there, our family, Russ, Cindi, Jill & Jaci, Meredith, Kelcie & Jared and the Porter Family.

After arriving and checking in to the hotel we explored a little.  Some people went swimming in the pool (which was right out our windows-we had 4 rooms all next door to each other) and then we headed out to find dinner.  After calling a few places and not being able to get a reservation we went to the hotel restaurant and they sat us right away.

After dinner we walked around Downtown Disney before heading back to settle in for the night.

Because we stayed in a Disney hotel we got Magic Mornings- which means we got into the parks an hour before they opened to the general public.  The first morning we got into California Adventure and headed straight for Cars Land to ride Radiator Springs Racers.

 Boston and I did a few smaller rides and met Mater and Red while we waited.

(The littles waiting to go on the Tractor ride) 

(We happened upon Donald as he first came out for the day! Score!)

Apparently they all got a tiny bit wet on Grizzly. 

We spent half the day in CA, some of the highlights were Rusty and I riding Screamin' together for the first time ever, taking Brenner on Soarin over California. Rusty took Boston and Brenner back to take a rest for a few hours while we stayed at the park and rode a lot of rides with the bigger boys.  

At lunch time the girls (me, Kelcie, Cindi, Jill, Meredith, Sarah and Jared) went to eat at Cafe Orleans in Disneyland.

Russ had my two older boys and 4 of the Porter kids so we could enjoy a nice sit down lunch.  We finally got to see what all the fuss was about the Monte Cristo.  It delivered. 

 We all met for dinner that night at Rain Forrest Cafe in Downtown Disney.  We had planned to watch World of Color that night but it didn't start until 945, and none of us wanted to wait that long!

 We have hardly ever watched a parade at Disney because that is the perfect time to jump on a bunch of rides with short lines, but this night while we just had some of the littles we did.

The kids had the best view and we had the sorest necks.

The next day we got into DL early and split up to hit the favorite rides.  Cindi jumped in line to meet the Frozen princesses- and waited two hours so we could be the 5th group in line. 

While we waited for Frozen we rode a few Fantasyland rides. Including the Teacups. I took one for the team and went on with Berk, Savvy and Jaci. I had to close my eyes. Horrible horrible ride! 

Finally Olaf woke up on the Frozen house and we got to go in and meet Ana and Elsa! 

Brenner is a HUGE Frozen fan.  He had to get a hug from each Princess. 

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We also saw Woody at the petting zoo we didn't know they had.

We didn't stay at DL for the whole day, we wandered back to CA for a while.  This was my turn to take the little boys back to the hotel for naps while Rusty and the men (and boys) got to eat the yummy Cafe Orleans. While they were there I took some of the kids to Innoventions to see the Ironan exhibit and to meet Thor! 

(Swoon) 

(Monorail time!) 

Our last day, we woke up, packed up the room and cars and headed back to CA for the morning.  

When in doubt, entertaining toddlers at Disney can always involve candy. Or food. Boss and Brig liked the Mickey ones. 

This was a big day for me because of all the rides at both parks there was ONE I have NEVER ridden, Tower of Terror, and I did it that day.  I am proud of myself but I also never need to do it again.  

On the agenda for the day was taking the littles to the Disney Jr live on stage show. It's so cute and they love it. 

The boys both decided to pick up Pin Trading, I wish they would have started when we first got our passes not when they were expiring but oh well.  They have had fun trading with the cast members. We ate lunch at CA, I love the bread bowls and soup on the Pier there.  

We had planned on going back to DL to Toon Town for the littles to see mickey and as I was walking down the Main Street of CA he walked out. So we saved ourselves tons of walking and saw Mickey and across the way was Goofy too!

Then it was time for a last minute spending of the gift cards and time to head back to the cars and head home!

Superbowl 2014...

Broncos Vs Seahawks.  Although it was a horrible game, we still got some great memories and new shirts out of it. We pot lucked with the Porters and the little kids played outside or watched Frozen.

Rusty got the big boys real jerseys and I made bronco t-shirts for the littles (and one for Rusty too) There's always next season. Go Broncos. 

Phoenix Open...

Every now and then I get to be a Plus One for one of Rusty's work events.  I lucked into this one because Russ couldn't stay the whole day. We always get to be in the US Airways skybox and it was right over the 18th green, and we could see the 10th tee off area too.  It was COLD, well for us AZ people, thankfully I wore a cardigan or I would have been a goner! Phil Mickelson -who we wanted to watch play- was in the last round to t off and they were running behind schedule so we didn't even get to see him.  Thanks US Airways for being such awesome hosts!

It's fun to watch Rusty "work" even on his out of office days. 

8 is Great Preview...

Tonight after church we fed the missionaries. Rusty made his famous tacos and we chatted with the Elders while the boys ran amuck. We got to drive the Elders back to the church so we could all attend "8 is Great!"  The whole primary room was full. So many kids getting baptized this year. Berkley is so funny. He eyed the 8 doughnut treats the second we walked in the door. I can't believe he is already old enough to be choosing to get baptized! October will be here before we know it. Save the Date- November 15th @ 9am. 

Gilbert Temple Open House...

I know we are biased because this is "our" temple, but it really is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.  We got the chance to take the boys along with Russ & Cindi and Jill & Jaci the first day of the open house.  I can't even describe the peaceful feeling you get inside.  The boys loved it- aside from Brenner who did NOT like the plastic booties they had you wear.  It is crazy to think that this could be the temple our kids are married in! Can't wait for the dedication and to start doing work there when it officially opens in March.

Stake Temple Walk...

Our stake decided to do a Temple Walk.  Rusty was on the committee and had a number of meetings to plan it for months and months.  We met at a nearby soccer field, and walked the mile and a half to the Temple, took pictures and walked back.  There we had a nice picnic lunch.  We had a small program and by then I could barely breathe because of my grass allergy! So, we cut it short and headed home.  I hope it is a day the boys always remember.  They can't wait to go through the Open House soon.

We walked with the Porters. The boys ran off ahead of us most of the time. 

When we got back to the park the Stake had keychains for the adults and bracelets for the youth. Our stake theme is PASS -Pray Attend Study Serve. 

Field Trip!!!

I know, I know. Braden is in the 5th grade and this is the very first time I have ever chaperoned.  I am pretty proud of myself for ding this one too because it was an all day outing to the AZ Science Center. On the bus ride over one of the three busses had brake trouble and we had to stop to make sure they all didn't die.  Just kidding, but really.  Funnily enough, I knew a bunch of other moms on other busses and the ones on the bus with out breaks were only told they needed to see if a light had gone out.  Kinda funny!  Needless to say we made it there.  We had from 9-1 at the center and the kids had a packet we had to fill out so we wandered from exhibit to exhibit.  I had Braden and two other boys and two girls.  They were good kids.

Braden and his buddy Stratton 

The ride home was louder than the way there and I was very, very ready for a nap when I got home. 

Triplets Blessing Day...

We got to travel all the way over to Peoria for the Rafferty Triplets baby blessing.  Rusty was asked to be in the circle for the blessings.  I got to hold little Brooks for part of the meeting and his big brother Jace kept telling me, "That's MY baby" it was pretty cute.  After the meeting we went back to their house for a luncheon.  My parents and my cousin Hayden and his cute family were also there.  Plus Genny and JJ's families of course.  It was such a special day!

Here I am with Brooks. Atleast I'm 90% sure it's Brooks. 

Hayden and Genny love about 8 minutes apart. So fun that of my 7 cousins we three are the youngest and we live in the same state. I'm trying to convince Hayden and Cheyenne they've lived on the west side long enough and he needs to finish med school over near me. It's only fair. 

Braden's First Band Concert...

Well, in 5th grade the kids get to pick an instrument to learn to play at school.  Braden picked trumpet because Rusty, Ryan, Russ and Maryn all played.  He's picked it up quickly because of his piano.  His first concert was at Highland High School. They did great.  I am sure it will sound more and more like actual music the lounger they play ;)

 Boss enjoyed listening to a lot of Braden's friends in the orchestra.

 It was hard to get pictures because he was right in the middle, but there he isa right behind his teacher's elbow.

 Taking their bows.

 Brenner wanted his picture taken too.

 There were so many family and friends there to watch Braden that I had to save an entire row on one of the amphitheater sides, I got a LOT of mean looks and discussions, but I threw down and saved every last one of the seats I need.  That's why you gotta come early folks!