Disney Day 1

Ben started a tradition in our family when Zoe was 4 years old. She was beginning to learn to read and he wanted to reward her and motivate her to keep practicing at the same time. He promised her that when she learned to read he would take her to Disney land. A family tradition was born. Tate was about to turn 5 and has been reading for a while and it was his turn.

That coupled with the fact that I have been working non stop without vacation meant that we were off...

The hotel prepared a little surprise for Tate.

Here is a closeup of the gift

The kids were so excited to see Goofy waiting for them in the lobby of the hotel. The mood was set from the beginning. Look at the HUGE grin on Tate's face.


We went to breakfast in the park the first day with lots of the characters. Eyeore was the first character waiting for us. This was the friendliest Grey was with any of the characters.

He even gave him a kiss!

Tate liked him too.

Zoe's fairy godmother was there too. Zoe wished for waffles and we ate them every morning we were there!

Zoe needed her Eyeore love too.

Pirates anyone?

See Greysen's indifference to Mini? That is how he usually was with the characters unless they got too close.

Chip thinks Tate needs a haircut!

So funny!

Grey was only there for the food!

Gipeddo

Ahhh! More snuggles!

So sweet! ( I hope they clean those suits regularly!)

Ummm the Captain is pretty close...

Too CLOSE a little too CLOSE!

Tate looks so little here!

At this point Zoe is wondering when she gets to go back to her food.

Our first ride.

The benefit of going in January is that you practically get to walk right on to the rides. That and the 80 degree weather!

Zoe and Tate got to train as Jedis. This is Tate practicing his dodge.

I love this picture! It is so adorable how intently Tate is listening to the Jedi master!

Zoe the Jedi in training.

We have to post the video of the kids fighting the dark side once we figure out how to do it!

Of course we had to visit the Mad Hatters. Which one do you like that best? Does that look like my real hair?

Every girl need sparkly mini ears!

The pirate and the wizard!

They caught us and put us where we belong.

What adorable monkeys!

Fire and Ice

One last post before Disney!

The weekend of Martin Luther King Jr day the Dames invited us up to Chelan for the Fire and Ice festival.

There are ice sculptures, ice skating, and people jumping half naked into the ice.

Sounds like way too much ICE for me but I am trying to embrace the whole 4 season thing so we decided to try it out.

It is amazing what these men can do with a chainsaw and ablock of ice!

We had some of our favorite neighbors with us. Brooklyn and Caden were staying with us while thier brother was in the hospital.


The detail was amazing!

We went to dinner with the Dames to get out of the cold at this really yummy pizza place.
Greysen loves pizza!

Haley and Scarlet...So adorable!

Brooklyn, Cozette and Tate.

Brooklyn looks kinda bummed because she was going to have to eat red sauce on the pizza. Don't worry we got her a white sauce pizza.

Caden is so goofy!

But you can't fool Zoe!

Atticus was very hungry and that will make anyone cranky!

Scarlet likes pizza!

Here is the fire part of the Fire and Ice Festival.

After the fireworks we had to make a mad dash for the car because it was pouring rain!

Thanks Dames for the great evening.

Christmas...kinda...

I really want to post our Disneyland pictures but I guess I should do the rest of the update first.

Ben and I celebrated our 11th anniversary. He gave me these beautiful flowers. We also had a super fun and relaxing stay date. Our kiddos went to play at someone elses house and we hung out at home by ourselves. Sound boring? Not to us! We had a great time and can't wait to do it again.

Zoe was in a production of the Nutcracker. She got to play a mouse and a special angel. She did a great job and had so much fun.


Ben's birthday cake. His favorite from Costco of course! Yum!

This little puppy wandered into our garage. Sadly (to everyone but me) we did not get to keep him. He was very cute though.

Believe it or not this is the only picture that was taken Christmas morning! Can you tell what BEN was excited about? He was the one in charge of the camera. So funny! We had a very nice and relaxing Christmas with our family though which probably would have been boring to look at anyway.

End of the Year Updates...

I know, I know. I haven't posted Christmas pictures yet. Partially because most of it is video and it is very time consuming to post and partially because we got a new camera and I am not sure how to use it. December was an eventful month for us though so I wanted to update everyone.

Ben had a birthday.

I love celebrating Ben's birth even though it was particularly hard work for me this year. We do birthday week which means that for the entire week of your birthday you get little gifts and treats, you choose the menu and you do not have to do any chores. This is much harder to do when working full time but totally worth it!

Ben had asked for an electric guitar, and I found a great deal on one off Craig's list that was barely used and a good brand. Tate was with me when we picked it up but he did a great job keeping the secret.

So birthday week day 1 we gave Ben a video game "Halo Reach" which he loved.

Day 2 we gave him a shoulder strap for his guitar. He looked very confused and said "Um I guess I will have to get out my old guitar." To which Tate replied, "You don't have a guitar". Funny because Ben really does have an acoustic guitar but hasn't played it for roughly 6 years and Tate is only 4 so he has never seen it. Also good because Tate is keeping the secret.

Day 3 we gave him some cozy long sleeved shirts. (It is dang cold here right now!)

Day 4 we gave him the amp. He looked very suspicious but Tate said, "Dad it is for your old guitar!"

Day 5 we gave him the new Wheel of Time book that he already knew he was getting since I had read it before I wrapped it. (Yep, that's how I roll!)

Day 6 we gave him the guitar case all wrapped up. When he unwrapped it and opened the case he looked very disappointed and said, "Where is the guitar?" Tate replied, "Up under Zoe's bed!" Oh well, he had done so well all week.

This was also the day of our 12 anniversary.

Can you believe it 12 years. It seems both too long and not long enough at the same time for all of the experiences we have had together. It seems to me that he has always been there sharing my life with me. Although, he is probably grateful he wasn't there for the first few years. I am so in love with him.

Day 7 we staged a scavenger hunt to find the guitar. It was so fun for the kids to make up clues to help him find it. The most memorable clue was "Your favorite room" He knew exactly what that was. Do you?

That was also the infamous day we had our tithing settlement that turned into a new calling for me as the Primary President of our ward. Very unexpected. Ben burst out laughing once the Bishop said what the call would be. Needless to say I am learning a lot.

Well, that sums up December. Pictures still to come.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Thanksgiving and more...

Look at this cute little munchkin!

Tate has developed a new love for Star Wars. Ben and Tate spend about ten minutes a few times a week playing the Star Wars video game. Really Ben runs around fighting bad guys while Tate walks around in an AT AT Walker looking at the scenery.

Ben's parents came up from Utah to visit us for Thanksgiving. Mani made us all sorts of delicious treats.

Our neighbors the Bastian's also came to eat good food and play. They are awesome Settlers players!

Mom and Dad enjoying a pre-feast snack.

Here we are Thanksgiving Day.

Nana and Grey playing cars.

Here are our beloved reindeer antlers. I have no idea where they came from but every year we have to get pictures in them.

Grey was not a fan!

Silly Zoe!

Say cheese!

Get them off!

Decorating the tree. Tate looks thrilled!

This was in Leavenworth. We went with Ben's parent's and this is the only picture I got. Oh well we will have to go again!

Tate and Grey enjoying our first snow.

Grey enjoying more snow...

Grey trying to eat the snow...

Too much snow!

Silly!

Happy Holidays!