Disney Vacation in Reverse

So I just downloaded all the pictures and realized I don't feel like putting them in chronological order, therefore you are going to get our vacation details end to beginning.
Day 5 was just driving home. Very peaceful I must say. No worrying about crying babies. I actually got to put my seat back and take a little nap! AHHH!!!)
Day 4 Here are the kids on the last night of our vacation, which included a day at the beach and a late evening with our friends kids. We were on our way to a nice hotel close by (thanks Trimbles for giving us your extra days at the resort) and Aubrie is the only one who could stay awake (barely) to watch the movie. Guess that's what 4 fun filled days will do to you!

Here is Aubrie struggling to stay awake. Notice her new cute hat (it says "Fabulous") she got at the newly discovered store, Libby Lu! She never was interested in hats, until this one. When I saw it on the shelf, it had her name all over it! Ethan down for the count. He was asleep before we loaded in the car!

Boston was in and out! He is actually asleep in this picture....Yes, he can sleep with his eyes like this....freaky!!!

The Great View from the Hendrickson's new house by the beach!!! The Hendrickson's are great friends from College! It's always great to get together. We all went to the beach together, and then met up with the Hellewell's and Greg Rossiter (more college friends) for dinner. Good times!

Day 3

Here are some pictures from the rides!!! I love getting off the rides and seeing what everyone looks like. Here is how the seating arrangement's usually worked for us. Maya and Aubrie, Boston and Alex, Michelle and Marco, Ben and EThan, and then me! Sometimes I got to ride with Ben and Ethan. Some rides, like Splash Mountain, got tricky with 9 people and we didn't think about it until we got to the front and we were holding up the line as we were trying to figure it all out. (long enough sentence?) I'm sure their used to big, indecisive groups.....right?

Tower of Terror (my personal favorite!)

Ben was pulling a "Boston in this picture. In most of the pictures Boston had the most serious face imaginable. I was very proud of Boston. Before our trip, he was panicked to go on Space Mountain and told us that he would NOT be going on the Tower of Terror. By the end our trip those were his favorite rides, along with California Sceamin and Indiana Jones (of course!)

More Splash Mountain!!

Friday Night, after our nap, we headed over to Disneyland early to ride the Fantasyland rides, and the Nemo ride. The concept of Nemo was cool, but as my kids put it, "That ride was boring!" Glad I did it though. I think Sophia might have liked it. Here are some pictures in the Mr. Toads Wild Ride line. (one of Ben's all time favorites)
The girls (minus Sophia)

Our biggest picture taking challenge....getting Ethan to make a straight face!

The boys!

Friday we all went up to Venice Beach after breakfast at IHOP. It was so warm. I told Michelle that I wouldn't be putting the kids in bathing suits because it would be too cold. I had them in jeans and even brought jackets. The jackets were off before we got out of the car, and the kids had fun in the water. So much so, Ben had to buy Ethan a "miniature" muscle outfit (it was 2 sizes to small) because he was freaking out with his wet jeans. Of course, I warned the kids not to get too wet because wet jeans would hurt their skin. Who listened??....just Boston. They did have a fun time in the water (it was nice). The boys also played a little football on the sand. I totally blew it with the "no bathing suit" thing. Sorry Michelle! What kind of California girl am I anyway? After the beach, we walked the Venice Boardwalk for only a short while, realizing that was not place for our children, or us for that matter. I kind of got that feeling as we passed someone offering prescriptions for Marijuana! We headed back to the hotel and took a nap while the kids did homework!

The girls and their new sunglasses. They found theirs when I had to get a new pair (therefore my dorky sunglasses). I left mine on California Screamin and when I went right back, they were already gone!!! I thought I lost the new pair later that day. Ben was not happy. Luckily I ended up finding them in the bag, where I swore I had left them. Still wish someone wouldn't have stolen my favorite 10 dollar Nordstrom glasses. Hope they feel guilty every time they wear them!!!

Aubrie...looking so old to me here!

Ben.....having a boyish quality here! I LOVE this picture of him!

Day 2 The second half of day two, we headed over to Disneyland. They have this new "Jedi Training" where they used to have the Buzz Lightyear show. They pick about 30 boys and dressed them up in these brown robes and "trained" them with the light saber. All the boys (Boston, Ethan and Alex) were chosen. Boston was very serious the whole time, of course. Ethan really got into it. Boston fought Darth Mal and Ethan fought Darth Vader. The instructor asked Ethan to use the force on the Storm Troopers and he new exactly what to do. The instructor said something like, "where did you learn how to do that, on the streets?" The Jedi training was definitely the highlight of Ethan's evening. He was jumping around the park with his little rolled up certificate, like it was a light saber, going through the motions they taught him! I'm so glad he got picked!

We started our day at California Adventure. We walked on all the rides and rode all the good ones twice. Boston got on to Screamin Califonia by a hair, literally! Luckily we were all able to go on the Tower of Terror! We also did the Roaring Rapids and Michelle got soaked. That's what happens when you sit by the door! As we were winding down at California Adventure, we ended with the High School Musical Performance. They chose Boston (me pointing to him of course) to come up and be a part of the show. They introduced him as Austin from Arizona , because who would ever think he was saying "Boston"?! They dressed him, and the other kids they chose, in top hats and gave them a cane and then danced around them. Boston couldn't fight the music and started jigging a little. The other "volunteers" just stood there. When they were done they gave them these pins. Boston comes running back saying, "Look! I got a trophy! Now I have two trophies!" I didn't have the heart to tell him it wasn't a trophy, so I just went with it and now it sits next to his baseball trophy!!

Parade time!

Aubrie and Maya, in the front seats of California Screaming, about to take off!

Day 1

We got to the park around 3:30. By the time we got our passes, we were in by 4:00. While we were in line, we saw the Lorenzana's leaving. The kids ran and greeted them and then we parted for a few hours, while they tried to go to the beach. The park was empty and we were able to walk on the rides. Our first ride was Space Mountain. That is my favorite ride at Disneyland (and Thunder Mountain). After a few hours in the park, we met up with the Trimbles and Lorenzana's for dinner. EThan had a melt down and then Aubrie spilt her drink and had a melt down of her own. Dinner was such a circus show and I wanted to cry because we hadn't even been at Disneyland for more than a few hours and I was having to deal with that. I just wanted to enjoy the only time I had with Erin before they went home and instead I

was dealing with drama and ruining everyone's dinner! Luckily the rest of the trip was great! Look how happy and loving they are!

California Adventure all decorated for the Holiday's. Just the day before they looked like Candy Corn! Where do they keep all that stuff???

The walk to the ticket office! Such anticipation. I was so excited!

We headed out early Wednesday morning. We left at 8:00 and Sophia hadn't woken up yet, which was a blessing. She didn't have to go through the whole separation thing and my Mom said she never cried the whole time we were gone. It was hard to leave her without giving her a squeeze, but it was for the best. After being on the rode for about 30 minutes we stopped at Cracker Barrel for breakfast. It was so weird to be able to just relax and not have to deal with the baby. After a nice breakfast, we got back on the rode and made one more stop at the outlets before we got to Disneyland. Ben bought himself his birthday present, and I didn't buy myself ANYTHING!!! I wasn't feeling well and just wanted to get back to the car! Also, after Ethan ran into the parking lot and almost got hit, I was done with the outlets. That kid can be so spacey sometimes. He is in his own little world and means no harm, but it drives me crazy sometimes!

WEll there it is, end to beginning! What a great time! Ben is ready to go again. I keep reminding him that it won't be as laid back when we take Sophia. I did miss her, though, and we were all anxious to see her as we were getting close to home!

Only in Arizona

Where else, in the US, can you do this in November.....COMFORTABLY???? One reason we stay here (besides the fact we couldn't sell our house if we wanted to!) Ethan in the middle of a game of tag!

Ben coming out of a flip!

Aubrie's sweet dive!
Sophia floating and blowing bubbles!
To make you non-Phoenicians feel better, check out our temps in August!

Finally....Orgnanized!!

So those of you who know me well, know that I LOVE organization. Not to say that I am always organized, but I love the feeling of getting there! Ben said we should buy stock in the Sterlite company. (The ones who make all those plastic storage container's). Anywho...I have been waiting anxiously to transform this mudroom into a great organized "haven", where my kids stuff can all have a place, and where I can orderly store our food storage.

My favorite part....the drawers under the "lockers" hold the kids shoes and socks...no more scattered shoes everywhere, or running upstairs for socks!! (Ok before I used baskets, but just not as orderly)

Ben's Uncle has a business up in Prescott, and he just came down and installed these on Friday. They are beautiful. He literally spent all day putting them in, leaving just as we were getting back from Trunk or Treat! I was in seventh Heaven putting everything in the them on Saturday. I know...it's a sickness. Either I will ruin my children to the point where they will hate organization, or to the point where they have to be organize, too! Ben is just happy that I'm more relaxed!;)

On a similar note....Ben finally put this on Craigs list! Can't wait to get the garage organized once this is gone;)

Trick or Treat....

"Trick or Treat, smell my feet, how "bout" some good dinner....!!!" ???? That's what Ethan came back with after a fun filled night of trick or treating! Only Ethan would change that last part. He is all about his dinners!
Halloween was a busy day! It started at 6:00am! I finally was feeling well enough to hike. It was still hard to get out of bed, but I was glad I did! I then rushed home to shower, get the kids off to school and Ethan ready for his Friday "kids camp". I quickly picked up the house, and then Dan (Ben's uncle) arrived to install our cabinets. See next post! The kids all had an hour party at the end of their school day. I spent the first half at Aubrie's class. I helped pass out food, and got to meet and chat with other Moms. In Boston's class I was their "Bingo Caller". The first round, about 5 kids won. Boston was one of them. I was hoping the parent's didn't think I rigged it! (I didn't this time.) Hee! Hee!! The second game all the kids got bingo at the same time (we were playing blackout), and it was crazy. I wish I had the camera ready to take the picture of 25 kids jumping up all at once screaming, "BINGO!!"

Aubrie and her "friends". The one next to her is Victoria. She is her "school BFF", and a great friend! The future Mr. & Ms. Lorenzana! J/K LOL!! We like to give them a hard time, but they totally deny any affection for each other. Boston hanging out with his class! Boston hamming it up with some friends

We headed out for Trick or Treating around 5:45. I know it was a bit early, but we had to get to the church around 6:30 for the Trunk or Treat. The neighborhood was pretty empty and only about a fourth of the homes were "open for business". My Mom stayed behind, after we left for the church, to hand out candy. She said it really picked up after we left. She said a decorated trailer, full of kids, was going up and down the streets having a great time.

Star Wars is in the house! (or on the patio) Our Vampiress, Aubrie. We didn't have face paint, so we had to use some lipstick! Our little witch, Sophia! Isn't she the cutest witch you ever saw? Love the hat!!

The Trunk or Treat was great! First of all, as we pulled in the parking lot of the church, we saw Zachary Montez (Aubrie's "crush") right outside the doors. He came dressed as a VAMPIRE!!! ARe you getting the connection??? Aubrie was a VAmpiress.....he was a VAmpire! What are the odds?? It's not like his Mom and I talked, and Aubrie didn't choose that costume. I picked it our for her a few days before Halloween. Needless to say they were following each other around the whole time. Anyway......back to the party!
The cultural hall was decorated so nice. The activity committee leader is quite the party planner, and did a great job! It was very organized, and the food was great! Finally, someone was brave enough to get away from the whole, "chili cook-off thing"!! She did BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches, and they were so yummy! They even were prepared with hot dogs for the kids! Thank you for saving many Moms from the battle of trying to get our kids to eat something "Yucky!" After the dinner, the kids went around to various rooms playing games including; bobbing for apples (Boston and Ethan got soaked), ring toss, face painting (Ok that's not a game, I know!) and more. The kids had fun playing those and winning prizes. After the games, they all headed out to the cars to go "Trunk or Treating!" All the kids kept going around and around until everyone was out of candy. I was holding the fort (our car) down, while Ben walked around with the kids. We finally left around 9:00.

The Lorenzan'a followed us to our house. We enjoyed the hot tub, while the kids stayed inside and watched Indiana Jones. We let time get away from us, and were up unitl midnight! It was fun, but getting Ethan up for his baseball game the next day was like raising the dead!!!

What Sophia did most of the night until......... she replaced her thumb for chocolate!

Can you see it?

Tonight was a Daddy/Daughter "pumpkin carving" night at the church. They had a great time eating, socializing and carving their pumpkin. (Thanks Michelle for the carving kit!) Aubrie came home all excited for me to see the pumpkin they carved. Ben picked out the design! Can you see what it is?

NO?? How about with the light's off???See it now???

Honestly, I had a hard time seeing it! Finally, after Aubrie pointed it out, it was as clear as day. It kind of reminded me of that whole Old Lady/Young Girl illusion. It's a vampire and a girl....Aubrie said it was Edward and Bella!! Great choice, don't you think? Props to Ben for being so "with it"!! Can't wait for the Movie!!! I'll be one of the few girls with her husband by her side, and I'll be dang proud of it, too!!!!

On another artistic note....here is what Ethan created at his preschool Halloween party, all on his own. It's a pumpkin mouse:) Boston said, when he saw it, "You know Mom, Ethan is going to be an artist when he grows up, because he is always doing creative stuff like that." I didn't realize he was taking notice!

Man Bag, Ties, Twinkles, 875 miles and Rock Band

I know that my titles are a bit much, but that is how I like it. I realize that there are already photos out there and there is no sense in denying it. Ethan has a man bag! I am doing all that I can to persuade him to upgrade to anything else. I must admit that when I reluctantly peered into the aforementioned bag I was mildly impressed with his organizational skills. There was a place for his phone, his chap stick, wallet, etc. I am still doing whatever I can to get that away from him. I believe that a few more public shamings and it will be all good!
The other pain in my life right now is Sophia and her affinity for my ties. She loves to go into our closet and pull my ties off the rack and then parade in them throughout the house. I can rarely find the tie that I want since they are all over the house. It is cute to see her walking around the house saying something to all of us with a tie wrapped around her.
Rachel is slowly ruining our children (most likely for the better). The other day I was making another Wal Mart run and came across an illuminated end cap filled with Twinkies, cupcakes and other of Hostesses greatest hits. I began to reminisce about the fun-filled days that I had with the yellow sponge cake with the cream filling. I almost shed a tear. I decided to buy a box and bring it home to surprised the kids. Aubrie is always watching the pantry because she knows that dad likes to break the rules and bring home various contraband now and again. She spotted the Twinkies and said, "dad, what are twinkles?" Are you freaking kidding me? TWINKLES?! I got the box down and started to hand them to the kids. They looked at me and told me that Twinkies can kill you and that they are not good for you. WHAT!? It took some persuading but I was able to tempt them into a bite. Once they had a bite they were hooked. I am evil! I think the kids now know that when it comes to sweets Dad is the bomb diggity. Rachel does a great job with teaching the kids to eat healthy, but TWINKLES? Come on!
I left Sunday night to go to California to visit Rachel's brother. He was doing some work that I have not yet done and it was to be great training for me so that I can replicate the work here. I left just before 7:00 p.m. Luckily I was able to get a good nap in before I left. I did not want to leave Rachel and the kids, but sometimes we don't get everything that we want. I actually did not mind the trip. I was able to chill for 6 hours as I drove across the desert. It allows me to reflect back on where things currently stand and I things that I can improve upon. I could probably use a cross-country trip to address everything. I rolled into Rachel's brothers house at 1:00 a.m. At 3:00 a.m. Jessie, the beagle that we gave them a couple of years ago, must have found a rabbit in the backyard and started barking like crazy. That did not help me sleep for sure. I got up at 7:00 a.m. and got ready for the day. Danny and I headed up to Thousand Oaks to where the restaurant was located. It was a Japanese sushi restaurant. We needed to upgrade one system and replace another. It was hard, dirty work. It took us a little over 5 hours to get things done. Around 4:30 p.m. I headed back to Phoenix. Unfortunately for me 5:00 p.m. in Los Angeles does not make for fast travel. It took me almost 3 hours to get to palm springs. Luckily there were some fast drivers from Indio all the way back home. I got back home around 11:20 p.m. Rachel was nice enough to wait up for me. She has been feeling really tired lately and also caught some cold that is going around right now. I got her into bed with the intention of getting some work done, but eventually I fell asleep as well.
Tonight for family night we broke out the Rock Band set and went to town. It was great fun. Boston was built for that game. He took over on lead vocals while Rachel jammed on the guitar and Aubrie pounded the drums. I was on the video camera and Ethan did some kind of interpretive dance (it had nothing to do whatsoever with his man bag!). It was a lot of fun for me to watch the family all together. I bought another guitar tonight at Wal Mart so that we could all jam together. I sure love my family a great deal and need to do a better job in showing that by how I act and the things that I say. I am grateful that Rachel and the kids are patient with me. Work continues and I have decided that it is not as bad as I have thought these past 2 and a half years. The money is good and the work is required to be done. That being said, it still requires a lot of work, but I don't mind that. There are a lot of businesses that are not making it right now and a lot of families in trouble. I am very grateful and can see the Lord's hand in helping us get into this profession and stay in it. I am tired. It is past 11:00 p.m. and I still have to watch house. Rachel is tooling around upstairs so I had better head up. Another long day tomorrow.

Party! Party!

Why would three grown men be putting on lipstick? Here's why!

So when the Lorenzana's told us about their cool Halloween parties they had back east, and I told them how much I missed the ones our friends from NC, the Kneelands, threw, a party was soon in the works. They hosted it at their house and did most of the work. I just considered myself party support! It was a great mixer for the new ward!

We started off with a little food. We had soups for the main course. I made my yummy broccoli cheese (thanks Holly for giving me that recipe years ago), and Michelle's Mom made my baked potato soup. Michelle made a yummy chicken tortilla (that was my lunch today) and had made some extra desserts and appetizers, just in case. The guests brought desserts and appetizers, too, according to their last name. We had plenty of food!!!! (Monique, I need that dessert recipe for Thanksgiving by the way!!!) After eating, we took off on a picture scavenger hunt. Can you guess that getting a picture, of the guys putting on lipstick, was one of the items?? We were paired with the Kostenza's (sp?)(another new couple in the ward) and the Jensen's!! We had a fun time driving around, like mad people, trying to knock things off our list. We didn't win, but still had a fun time. We came back and a few played rock band, and then we watched every one's pictures and gave prizes for most original costume and funniest! Everyone did a great job with their costumes! Here are the pics of some of the costumes and few from "the hunt"!! Good times!

Our team members!!

Our team in Arizona paraphernalia

Our team jumping on a trampoline! Our team getting a picture with a Walmart Employee! She was having fun with it!

Our costume!

We were "the Jeff's" polygamist family! It was Ben's idea (surprise)! Marco had fun with it. He was the "Head Matriarch", I was the middle aged wife and Michelle was the young one. We called our selves wife 27, and wife 80-something!! Our name tags all said "Sister Jeff's". Some people dared us (Michelle and I), for money and dinners, to wear our costumes to church. If there wasn't the primary program today, I totally would have done it! We actually won funniest, but we forgot to tell them they couldn't vote for the host! We forfeited and gave the prize to the next winner!

Funniest Costume

Most Original

This was seriously the most original!! If you can't read the sign around their necks, he was Lehman Bros, and she was the Bailout Plan!! Classic!

One's my kids liked! The couldn't wait to see the pics!

Hunchback...if you couldn't figure it out!

This one is for my Dad!! AAADRIIIIAAAN!!

The one I thought was the funniest!

This guy came as his friend, who once upon a time worked at checker auto many years ago, and had a mullet! BTW his friend is the one who came as the Hulk!!

His wife came as a SW Airlines Mechanic! She had on an orginal jumpsuit!

Week in Review

Week in Review (AKA...LONG ENTRY)

So I stuck with it and went Hiking M, W, F! Friday was the hardest. My body didn't want to get out of bed, I was glad I did. The company is great, and I need the exercise. Getting up early is actually rejuvenating, although I'm dead by 2:00pm!!

Tuesday was Aubrie's Honor's Assembly. She was all giddy when she got up to accept her award, because Zachary Montez was there, too, and she always gets that way around him. Wednesday I had some Visiting Teaching to catch up on. Originally, I thought I would take the kids, but as it got closer, I realized that probably wasn't the best idea. Thanks ,Erin, for watching them last minute! It's so great to have good friends! Wednesday night was mutual and a meeting afterwards, so it was a long day!

Thursday Lorraine picked up Ethan for a day out with Grandma. She took him to Pump it Up, McDonalds, and then back to her house. I thought I had a lot to get done that day, but when I realized I was mostly caught up by the time Sophia woke up, I made an impromptu trip, with Michelle, to Hobby Lobby! Can I just say that place it AWESOME!!! First of all, I grew up with a Hobby Lobby close by, when I lived in Oklahoma. They were a dime a dozen out there. For some reason I don't remember them having so much cool stuff. Probably because I was a kid, and had not interest in decorating a house. Anyway, I found some great stuff for a great price and created some more "hanging" projects for Ben. One of his least favorite things!

Somewhere, in my week, I went to Paradise Bakery. I only mention it because Sophia was with me, and out of all things, ate my crumbly blue cheese salad. How weird is that? She wouldn't eat the cookies, but she would eat that! There is no figuring out that girl!

Friday we didn't have date night, because of the Halloween party on Saturday. We took the kids to Red Robin and to Best Buy (see prior post). We had a fun time. They came home and played their new games, and Ben and I relaxed on the couch, preparing for a busy Saturday.

Saturday morning started early with a 8:00 am baseball game. The kids hit really well, and Aubrie played first base and Boston was the catcher. Boston was killing me! He would not move from his spot, when he was catching. If the ball went past him, he would just let the umpire get it! Aubrie was all over first base. She hadsome awesome plays! Once, she got the ball and tagged the base, for an out, and then got knocked over by the boy running there. They still let him stay on base, even though they called him out. Coach pitch is weird that way. She was pretty upset about it, because she got pretty banged up from it. The second time he was up to bat, she got the ball and tagged the base and pointed at the boy, and yelled "YOUR OUT!" She was proud of herself. The rest of the game was entertaining, too. Aubrie's friend, Grace, was the "pitcher" and she was chasing players down with the ball, as they were coming towards home. She was giving us all a good laugh.

After the game, the kids had practice at the Church for the primary program. Ben picked Ethan up early for his 12:00 game. When I went to pick up A & B, all the kids were outside running around in the sprinklers. They were all in their church clothes, because the practice was in the chapel. I wasn't too happy that Boston's leather shoes were soaking wet! The Presidency kept apologizing to me. I guess they are a little intimidated after I got a little upset with them for yanking Boston out of class for NOTHING the other week. Oh well! Anyway, I was over the sprinkler thing fast, (like I get over most things quickly) and spent some time talking with a good friend. Aubrie went home with her daughter for the day, and Boston came home with me. When I got home I put Sophia down, so it was just Boston and I. I got some things cleaned up around the house, and then I made the soup for the Halloween party. It was a busy, but productive day! The Halloween party was a blast. I'll make it it's own post. My was throat was feeling a little sore towards the end, and I knew that wasn't a good sign.

This morning I didn't want to get out of bed because I felt so lousy, but it was the Primary Program. Aubrie and Boston did well. They were singing all the songs and I could hear Aubrie's voice above the others. They also said their parts loud and clear! Aubrie was looking at Zarchary the whole time she said hers (also brought to my attention by someone else LOL) Ethan, on the other hand, just sat there the whole time. He wouldn't do his part, and he only sang bits and pieces of a few songs. He would do random things, like hit his head over and over, or pull himself forward and back on the wall. One of my YW said she was getting a kick out of watching him. Glad he entertained in some fashion. Sophia woke up sick today, too. So she was miserable at church, and she wanted to go up on the stand with the kids. So Ben and my Mom took turns with her in the hall. My Mom took her home after Sacrament.

Ben's lesson was really good today. It is every week. The spirit is always so strong in that room, and most of the women come out crying like babies. Unfortunately I'm not a pretty crier, so those who don't know me very well think there is something wrong. My good friends know I'm just the "spirit barometer!"

Today, I took a good nap and so did Ben. While Ben was napping, the kids decided they wanted to do service and pick up trash on our street. They put on my rubber kitchen gloves (that I never wear and have no idea where they came from) and went up and down the street. Their main objective was cigarette butts. It gave me a chance to talk to them about the Word of Wisdom and serving, too! I was happy they wanted to clean up the street. After our walk, Ben woke up and headed off to California. He is there to watch my brother do a installation, that he needs to learn for his business. The kids were great helpers, getting the house ready for the night. Aubrie bathed and put Sophia down, Ethan cleaned upstairs, and Boston emptied the dishwasher and picked up the downstairs. I need to look back on things like this when they are driving me insane. Now I'm here, typing, and Aubrie is asleep next to me, one thing she gets to look forward to when Ben is gone. It reminds me of when my own Dad would travel and I would sleep with my Mom. Things have come full circle! Red Robin Pics!

Sophia enjoying some cantaloupe. They messed up Boston's order and gave him some....good thing! Ethan getting serious about coloring! Boston and his corn dog! I looked over and found Boston scratching Sophia's back! I don't even think he realized he was doing it. He is just affectionate by nature. I LOVE that about him! He loves Sophia so much, and I know he is going to be a good protective big brother!

Best Buy Give away!

So, Friday, I get a call from Michelle asking me if I knew about the Best Buy Give Away. Apparently, they were giving kids, from our school district, 5 dollars for every A or E on their report card. Since Aubrie and Boston rocked their grades this quarter, they both ended up with 30 dollars, each, to spend. Boston decided on a DS game, and Aubrie wanted the Wii, Outdoor Games. That was 60 dollars, and so she knew the only way to get it was to convince Boston to go in on it with her. She tried all her lawyer persuasion skills, and Boston still would not budge. She started to get upset, and cry a little because she wanted it so bad. Honestly, I wanted it, too! I'm the one who found it, actually, and showed it to her. It has all types of cool activities, like snow boarding, jump roping, and so much more! check it out! Ben was getting a little upset that she was crying after she had just received 30 dollars for free (we'll for all her had work). I told him all it had on it, and I think he wanted it to. He yelled over to Aubrie, "does that have jump roping on it?" She said, "YA!" He told her that he wanted to try that and that he would pay for half if he could use it. SUCKER!!! She has him so wrapped around his little finger. She deserves it, though. She is such a great helper and a good girl, despite her "spiciness!" (is that even a word?) Anyway....THANKS BEST BUY!!!

We prefer to call it a "Manbag"

First of all, I'm sure Ben will not be very happy that I'm blogging this! It's just too funny to keep to ourselves! So I already told you about Ethan's desire to find a purse! Well, I didn't act fast enough in finding him something. The other day he was in Sophia's room and found one of Aubrie's old purses. He came running to me and said, "Look Mom! I found a purse!" Out of all the purses, he picks the bright purple one with "Bratz" type figures on it! I try to tell Ben he picked that one because there are cute girls on it! LOL He now keeps his chap stick, play phone, sunglasses, and cash in it, and keeps it around his bed post! So far he has taken it to Aubrie's Honors Assembly, Walmart (a few times), church this Sunday (but kept it in his church bag), and to Red Robin. That was the funniest to me. We were all walking to our table, and everyone was staring, as they normally do. Come one! It's not that uncommon to have four little kids, but for some reason we always get "the looks"! I like to think it's because they are so cute! Anyway, so picture this. We are following the hostess in this order...Ben holding Sophia, Me, Aubrie, Boston, and then Ethan at the tail end with his purse over his shoulder. That's when people took a second look and then got a huge smile on their face. I'm not the least bit embarrassed. Perhaps if he was a year older, I would be a little concerned. But right now he is just a little boy who wants to keep his things organized. :)

Ethan at Aubrie's school (thanks Michelle for taking the pic:)

Him sporting the "man bag" at Red Robin!