Dsneyland here we come!!

We took off to California last week to spend a week having fun.  We spent four days in Disneyland and the rest was spent relaxing/driving/having fun with family.  We went with my mom and dad, sisters Misti and Trina, and brother Koy and his family.  Seventeen of us - including seven kids and two babies - in one house.  It was at times chaotic (trying to pack for a day at Disneyland) but so much fun at the same time.  I was amazed at how well all the kids did with the sleeping arrangements.  I think they were all so very tired every night they didn't have any trouble going to bed (mostly).  Anyway, it was so much fun and nice to get a week away from any other responsibilities.  Thank Koy and Cassie for inviting us to tag along.

Here are some pictures of the things we did...

The first day was spent driving.  We started out in a snowstorm and thought it was going to be a long drive but after a couple hours it cleared up and was beautiful.  We stopped at St. George on the way down and played at a park for an hour and a half while we ate breakfast and waited for Grandma and Grandpa to meet up with us.  They stopped to wait out the storm for a while, but thankfully were able to meet up with us again.  It was a bit chilly, but somehow the kids didn't seem to mind.

GNO...this time with the little ones, too

My mom's party/girls' night out for the little ones was a huge hit with the girls.  They loved it and felt really special.  We did a few things with them.  First, they got the spa special with included....

Oatmeal and yogurt facials

 Manicures and fingernail painting

 Make-up

 and hair.

 Then they had some fun with dress ups and put on their nice princess dresses for a special feast.

Look at that lipstick on Sara.  She chose and put it on herself and at first I said, "Woah!"  But then it changed to "WOW!"  She looked gorgeous.

They got to use grandma's nice glass dishes.  She was brave but they all came out fine in the end.

And then they jammed out to some fun music.

Grandma also had a princess cake and we had Kamri blow out some candles.  Kamri thought the whole night was a special party for her.  We let her think that.  Who's to say it wasn't?

Oh yeah and we watched a movie before bed

Kamri's 4!!!

My little girl is 4!!  I can't believe it. 

Last year she wanted a butterfly cake and as soon as we were done blowing out the candles she said, "Next year I want a lady bug birthday."  She hadn't forgotten.  She actually reminded me all year, so this year that's what she got - a ladybug birthday cake.

 We celebrated as a family on Thursday, the night before.  She picked dinner and we had a few small presents and cake and ice cream.  You could tell by the look on her face she felt special and loved the attention.

 On Friday - her actual birthday - we went to story time at the library with her best friend Katie.  They had some cute Valentine stories and then let the kids make a valentine to take home.  Kamri made hers for her dad.

That night we went to a fun party put on by my mom.  pictures to come soon...

Better off...

Some days I feel like my kids would be better off if I just locked myself in my room and let them take care of themselves.  Yesterday was one of those days.   They couldn't do anything right - in my eyes - and I didn't handle it very well.  UGH!!!

Am I the only one that feels that way?

Decor...

I have so many ideas of how to decorate my home, but I have a hard time with commitment as far as colors and such go.  Sooooo, I just do't do anything.  Not so fun.  So instead of making decor for everyday I like to use holidays to decorate my house. Here are some things I've made for Valentine's Day...

Daddy/Daughter, Uncle/Niece Dance

Each year our city puts on a Daddy Daughter dance.  We've made it a family affair and all the girl cousins and their dads and grandpa and uncles attend for a night out of fun and dancing.  The girls get corsages and get taken out to dinner and dancing.  What more could they ask for.  

Uncle Pace was Kamri's date this year.

 And Sara got to go with Dad.

 Here they all are eager to get going.

 They look forward to it every year.  They get all excited figuring out what to wear and how they want their hair done and getting all dolled up.  The corsages are a nice touch but it bugs Sara and Kamri put it on for the picture then promptly took it off and didn't want to wear it.  I think we're not going to get those next year. 

Evan's a star....

Evan's grade put on a play last night.  He had a big speaking/dance/song part and was actually really excited about it.  He was Professor Snow-it-All and taught everyone how snowflakes are made.  It/he was ADORABLE!  He was the star of the show.  :)  He's sad that it's over.  He had so much fun! I recorded his part last night and have already watched it atleast twenty times today and haven't gotten tired of it yet.  Each time I still giggle and smile a proud mama smile.