California here we come!

In October we took a week off of work and school to go on a road trip to California and what a trip it turned out to be. We stopped in St. George for the night with Carly, Jeff and Owen and then left Mia with them for the week. I did not think she would have much fun sitting in a stroller day after day and every time I saw a mom changing a diaper or feeding a baby I was so glad that was not me this time. I'm sure she had much more fun with Aunt Carly even though she was sick and got all of them sick too. So sorry but Carly we are so grateful for you. Thank you so much. As we headed on to California I have decided I never want to drive again. Traffic is awful the whole way. People do not know how to drive on a two lane highway and no one knows how to pass. Then that night Emma and James started with a croupy cough. At about 3:30 in the morning we almost made a trip to the ER but thankfully her Advil kicked in and she was able to breathe easier and get back to sleep.

So after not a lot of sleep and with two sick kids we were off to California Adventure Park. We had a great time on the Toy Story Mania ride and Radiator Springs Racers. The kids did really well for not feeling good. I got a hold of their doctor and she was nice enough to fax over a prescription for their croup that night. Things were looking good until we rushed to the Tower of Terror and got right on without stopping to think that the kids probably wouldn't like this ride. They did not, they were terrified. The next day at Disneyland we took them on the Pirates of the Caribbean and that sealed the deal. They did not trust us much after that and refused to ride anything they hadn't already been on. Finally on our last day there we were able to get them on some rides in Fantasyland.

We also spent a day at Sea World which was a nice break from the other parks except that now I was sick. I walked around Sea World in a daze. The kids love petting the manta rays and the star fish. They also did enjoy the shows this time too. Overall it was a fun trip but I am not anxious to do it anytime soon.

Mater! He is just like the car in the movie. He drives around and talks too.

When we got to Disneyland the kids really did not want to ride anything after our first days experience but when we got in line for Pixie Hollow she got really excited. She got even more excited when she saw Fawn and Tinkerbell. It was so fun to watch her talk to them and be so excited about something.

She loved Minnie too.

Cruella deVil was amazing. Quinn and I loved her. She plays her part perfect.

After waiting 1 1/2 hours we finally saw Mickey. Don't ever wait for him at his house. The sign said 20 minutes when we got in line. Boy were they wrong. He is all over the park, get in line there.

The kids finally noticed other kids getting the characters autographs so they just had to have Pooh's. It was so cute.

Donald all dressed for Halloween.

They were able to sit in this tea cup but the ride was closed (it was scheduled to open the day after we left).

The atmosphere in Cars Land is amazing. It is just like the movie. Well done Disney except Luigi's ride is really dumb, don't waste your time.

This is another great family photo with our kids. They just love to smile for pictures, especially when they are sick and tired.

These are James' kind of rides. Love Bugs Land too.

 

Day three of four was spent in Sea World. It was such a nice break and the drive was a nice break too.

Petting a manta ray.

Quinn did a good job not letting James fall in.

Star fish.

This bird almost got that fish but Quinn fought him off.

 

Ahhh, shark!

 

Thanks for going with us Grandma and Grandpa Van Bibber. We had a blast!

Mia is 9 months old!

Mia turned 9 months old on October 2 and here are her pictures finally. She refused to give big smiles and to stay in one place for too long now that she can crawl but they still turned out so cute that I really wanted to buy them all. Of course as soon as we walked out the room she was flashing big smiles to anyone who looked are her. Oh well, still cute.

Fall Festival

The first Friday in October was Emma's school Fall Festival. She was so excited that whole week because her teacher had told them about it and she couldn't wait. She was also learning a song to perform for everyone with all the other kindergarteners. So we bundled up on that very cold evening and headed to the park for some fun.

Mia is ready for Halloween and loves the skeleton that Emma is still afraid of.

The fish pond booth.

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The bean bag toss.

The bouncy houses.

Mia and Grandpa Lavender having a conversation.

 

Scary!

Then to top the night off Emma and James finally convinced Mom to let them sleep in their tent and they did great!

Welcome Home Taylor (temporarily)

Sometime the last week of September, Taylor and his companion were chopping wood. In an effort to finish up and get home by curfew they were hurrying and in a rhythm. Taylor would put the wood up and his companion would chop, but then one piece of wood wobbled and Taylor just reacted and reached for it when his companion was already mid swing, it chopped off the very tip of his finger. He immediately got a blessing and was rushed to the hospital. The doctors were able to get him taken care of everything looked like it was fine. But three weeks later he learned that the bone was infected and they needed to send him home for some major antibiotics and some rest. Taylor was very disappointed but it turned out the be the best thing for him. He came home got great news from the doctors here, rested and 5 weeks later he was reset apart as a missionary and sent back to Alaska. We are so grateful for his protection (it could have been much worse of an accident) and for his quick recovery. Taylor is very excited to finish out the rest of his mission and we are too! We love you Taylor and we'll see you in 6 months!!

We got our signs and we are ready for him.

He just needed his Mom!

Welcome Home!

Taylor got to meet Mia for the first time too.

Mia is mobile!

So Mia is still the best baby. She is almost always happy and I honestly can't remember the last time she woke up in the middle of the night. She is the best sleeper. Her naps are still uneven but I think that is because we are on the go so much, especially now with preschool and kindergarten pickup times. They are right during her morning nap so she is becoming a great afternoon napper when we are home. When we are out and about she doesn't want to miss anything so she doesn't do as well but she is still happy so it all works out.

Mia started rolling over just after she turned 5 months old in July.

Just a few weeks later she was doing this. Trying to do a somersault or crawl.

 

She loves books, she wants to hold them and chew on them.

Two happy kids!

All clean and playing with her cute bear that plays a lullaby.

Mia learned to sit up really well by September at 7 months old.

Looking very cute for church!

The other day I got too busy with the kids and forgot that she was ready for a nap since her morning one got cut short because of school pickup and I caught her asleep in the high chair.

Go Utes!!

What cute kids we have!

Yesterday I left Mia sitting by these rings and when I came back in she was over in front of the fire place sitting up and so proud of herself. She learned how to sit herself up and crawl all in the same day. What out she is mobile and not even 8 months old yet.

School!

Wow - a kindergartener! I swear she was just a rolly polly baby. We have now moved into a new stage of life where I am running to drop kids off and pick them up several times a day everyday and now there is also homework! Emma is very ready for school. She loves it and being Miss Independent wants to ride her bike by herself to school, umm I think not. She also would like it then if I would just drop her off her and not walk her to classroom. But I think this is too fun. I like watching her be one of the big kids.

So here she is on her very first day wearing her favorite new shirt. It's Princess Celestia from My Little Pony, her favorite show.

She also loves her backpack.

Out in front, waiting for the bell to ring.

So one the first day the parents got to go with their kindergartners and stay for a 40 orientation because us first timers have not idea what is going on. Then the kids leave with their parents. So here is Emma at her spot at the table looking a little bored and embarrassed that her parents are taking her picture. She is ready to get started.

 

So now that we have been going a few weeks I still don't know a whole lot because Emma doesn't like to talk about it. I do know that recess is of course her favorite. She also has P.E., computer lab, music time, and library time. During rug time she has to sit crossed legged which sometimes hurts her legs and the teacher just talks which can get a little boring. They are making a quick run through the alphabet. They are also going over shapes and learning nursery rhymes to help them as they learn to rhyme. That is about it. I am anxious to hear from the teacher about what kind of student Emma is because at home she still cries when I try to teach her the correct way to do something or when she can't do it the right way the first time. She can also talk your ear off and of course the thumb sucking. We shall see.

 

A week later James started Joy School with 3 other Moms in the neighborhood. We had a rocky first day because this is what he was doing when I got up that morning even though the cabinet was locked. He was able to get his tiny hand through the small opening of the door and turn it on. He has been loving playing Lego Star Wars and Lego Indiana Jones (Minion Jones is what it sounds like when he says it). He started playing with Quinn in July and at first I would hear things like: James stop falling off that cliff, James come this way, James stop shooting me, or Dad I jumped! So cute, but now he is a bit addicted and will play on his own. When he gets stuck he asks me call Dad at work because he knows Mom is not very good (I'm getting better).

 

 

So after tearing him away from the game and getting him buckled in the car while he is kicking and screaming we got to preschool and he loves it. It's not very long only 1 1/2 hours which is perfect for 3 boys and 1 girl who are only 3 and 4 years old. Just long enough to run one errand with only one child who is still confined to a car seat, heavenly!

 

 

So here is our boy on his first day of preschool!

He already can't wait till he is 5 and can go to the big kid school like Emma.