Happy Birthday Andy!

Happy Birthday Andy! It is hard to believe that he is three, but at the same time, somedays I feel like he has been here forever!!!!! He was so excited to finally have his birthday. The other three had theirs in February and March, so he had a long wait for his birthday. He wanted to have "Cars" on his birthday cake and we bought birthday hats to be more festive. We went to Chuck-E-Cheese for dinner and then came home for presents and cake and ice cream. Andy sure keeps us on our toes, but he is such a fun and kind loving little boy. Our house just wouldn't be the same without him.

The Three Piggy Opera

Wesley's class performed The Three Piggy Opera a few days before school got out. It is the story of the three little pigs, but with lots of singing. Wes, knew most of the songs already becasue Berlyn did it 2 years ago. However, he was by far the loudest singer in the classroom, and everytime the singing would get quite his teacher would look to him to get everyone singing loud again. It was a fun little play to watch.

Wesley as the "Father" Pig. His nose kept falling off.

Here he is talking to his three little pigs before they leave home.

Singing with the chorus.

Ear Piercing!

We told Berlyn that she had to wait until she was 8 years old to get her ears pierced. She loves her new earings and can't wait until she can wear other sets. congrats Berlyn!!!

Berlyn

Berlyn was baptized on April 11th. She was so excited to be baptized. There were four children from the stake and she was the only girl. The other little boys were so shy and barely smiled, but Berlyn was grinning from ear to ear and bouncing off the walls. We were lucky enough to have Grandma and Grandpa Mason and Grandma and Grandpa Lingard drive down for the weekend. We are proud of Berlyn for getting baptized, but at the same time it is hard to see her growing up so quickly.

Happy Anniversary!

Today is mine and Alex's 9th Anniversary. I can't believe that is has already been 9 years. We have had the best time these past 9 years. I don't think anyone really knows what marriage will be like. You just jump in with both feet and figure it out as you go. We had a wonderful wedding and I think it is because we were only concerned about getting married, not if everything was perfect or not. I was not that picky about my wedding, I just wanted to marry Alex. However the day was perfect. I am so grateful for Alex and all that he has taught me. He has been very, very patient with me. He says I have two flaws, stubborn, and hard to forgive. Sadly he is right on both. However, he has taught me the importance of forgiveness and is still working on my stubborness. I think the biggest lesson I have learned is the effectiveness of communication. I didn't know how to talk to Alex about what I was feeling and thinking for the first couple of years of our marriage. I just kept everything bottled up inside,but after about 3 years, I realized what a mistake this was, and that Alex really did want to hear what I had to say. And since then I have really learned to commuicate with him. I love being married and having a husband with such a great sense of humor. He has a way of making me laugh about things that I am mad about. He can make me feel better after I have made him dinner and it turns out to be a ball of grease!!!! I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for leading us to each other, we weren't looking to get married when we did, but it was the right thing to do and the best decision we have made. I love you Alex, Happy Anniversary!!!!!

Explanation of fourms of government.

Great music video on what our country faces.

DISNEYLAND

We finally made it to Disneyland. And we had the BEST time!!! We left on Sunday after church and took Macady to Alex's cousin's house here in Tucson. We were sad to leave her, but knew the trip would be so much better without her. We had told the kids a little "white" lie and said we were going to grandma's in Utah. The funny thing is they believed us that we didn't want to hear Macady cry the whole way there, and that is why we weren't taking her with us! We got to Disneyland around 8:30 pm and waited to see what the kids would do when they figured out where we were. Berlyn kept saying that there was Mickey stuff everywhere, but she knew we weren't in California! It was great. But when we turned to go to the Disneyland Hotel, she finally asked us if we were at Disney and we said yes! You have never seen three happier kids. They were so excited to be there and when we said we were going to Disney for 3 days, they were bouncing off the walls. The Disneyland Hotel was the best! It made our trip so much better to stay there. Our room was so clean and had Disney stuff everywhere. Even the shampoo bottles had tops that were shaped as Mickey. We got upgraded to a room with a view of the pool which was fun because at night they had a light shining Tinkerbell into the bottom of the pool. Everynight when we got back to the hotel, they had come and turned down our beds and left chocolates on our pillows for us. We were spoiled and will never be able to stay at another hotel at Disneyland. We had three awesome days at both parks and had a wonderful time as a family. Andrew kept telling us he was tall when he couldn't go on a ride, but there was still plenty for him to do. He was able to go on the Matterhorn a few times and loved it except for the "scary ghost". Wes loved all the roller coasters and even went on the Screamer in California Adventure with me. Berlyn loved all the scary rides such as Haunted Mansion, but didn't like the roller coasters, especially Splash Mountain. We got Andy on Splash Mountain without them realizing it and in the middle Berlyn started screaming because she was so scared. Alex and I were laughing so hard, because here she is screaming and Andy is sitting all by himself in front of Alex loving it!!! We did finally get Berlyn on Space Mountain at the very end of our trip and I think we have all agreed that it is our favorite. If you ask Andy he will tell you the Teacups are his favorite, which I laugh about. It was awesome to be there as a family and have so much fun together.

Goofy's Kitchen for breakfast!

Goofy's Kitchen meeting Pluto!

Yeah, we got to meet Mickey!

Huh, I am worried about my daughter's future as a professional poser!!!

Berlyn's birthday with the Princesses. Happy 8th Birthday Berlyn!

Andy loved the princess and was so excited to hug them all. Here he is trying to kiss Belle on the lips. The Mack Daddy!!!!!

Aurora!

You gotta love Wes's googly eyes!!!

We also saw Mulon and Ariel at the Princess dinner.

The Fairy Godmother. We also ran into Handy Manny, Woody, Chip and Dale, The Mad Hatter, Moglie the Bear, and Minnie Mouse. It was so fun to see all the characters and to see the kids faces light up!

On the balcony of our hotel the first morning before we went to Disneyland!

Happy Birthday Wes!!

Wesley turned 6 on February 21st. He got a special crown to wear at school. Alex and I took cupcakes to his class and saw him get his special treatment for the day. He was very excited!!!

Wes with his teacher Ms. Mohr singing Happy Birthday before we went outside for cupcakes!
Wes being a nice big brother and giving Andy a ride on the Kinder trikes!

Opening his new blow up boxing gloves.

Boxing with Berlyn!

Power Ranger Birthday Cake!!!

Happy Birthday Wes. I can't believe that he is 6 already. The years have flown by. He is the best and sweetest little boy.

Happy Birthday "Tady"

Our little Macady had her first birthday on Sunday. I can't believe how fast this year has been. She has been the best baby, and Alex and I are both having a hard time seeing her get so big.


Cheese! Is that for me?

She really got into the present opening and had fun ripping and throwing all the paper. She got a baby doll, stroller, and a little wind up radio from grandma and grandpa.

Berlyn was very worried that she was going to grab the candle (which she almost did)!

YUM!!! I love chocolate. We don't eat cake at our house, so I made brownies with frosting and she was in heaven. She obviously takes after her mother when it comes to sweets!!! Happy Birthday Macady!

Inflation

Macady

Isn't she cute?

The Melting Pot

Have you ever been to the Melting Pot? My parents graciously said they would tend the crew last night, so Alex and I could have a date. We decided to do our Anniversary dinner "early" (our anniversary is April 6th) since we had free babysitting. We have come to love a restaurant called the Melting Pot. It is a very nice restaurant that serves fondue. It is rather expensive, but since it was our "anniversary" we splurged. You start off with a delicious cheese fondue that you dip bread, vegetable, chips and apples in. Then you have a salad. And then the main course. We had chicken, pork, and beef pieces that you put on a skewer and put in the fondue pot and cook it right on your table in special seasonings. Then there are plenty of dipping sauces to try. The best and last part is the chocolate fondue. We went with another couple so we got to try the chocolate turtle that was chocolate, carmel and nuts, and the s'mores. Delicious! Nothing like strawberries, marshmallows, rice krispie treats, cheesecake, pound cake and brownie. We left full, but oh so happy. Save your money and go have a fun filled night away from the kids. It takes about 2 1/2 hours for everything, but it is worth it. Happy Eating!!!

Summertime in January

I finally have a moment to myself, and decided to update this wonderful blog, so my dear sister-in-law will have something new to look at!!! It is a balmy 80 degrees in wonderful Tucson, so we decided to go miniature golfing. My parents came down for the weekend, and they were loving the warm weather. If Alex and I go by ourselves, it gets pretty competitive, however when we take the whole family, it turns into lots of laughing and fun. Berlyn sunk a few hole in ones, Wes got a couple himself. Andy decided to use the club more like a broom, but he got the ball in everytime, it just took about 20 hits. We had a lot of fun, and enjoyed the wonderful weather. It is supposed to get "cold" on friday, down to 69, so we might have to pull out the jackets and turn off the air conditioner.