First day of 2nd grade

Kimberly started the 2nd grade today. She was so excited to start school again. Her teacher's name is Mrs. Wright and she seems really nice. Things she is excited for this year: she gets a desk this year, her classroom has a pet turtle, and her thermos in her lunchbox (so she can have mac and cheese or soup). Kimberly's goal this year... to be the smartest kid in her class. I hope she succeeds!

Big sister vs little brother

I decided to let Kimberly feed Jacob one day. He didn't cooperate very well but they sure had fun.

Twins

Tell me they didn't come from the same gene pool!

More fun pictures from summer

Fun Pictures from this summer

Hogle Zoo 2011

We were able to fit in our annual summer trip to Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake this year. It was very hot that day but we stayed cool with the misters throughout the zoo. Jacob had fun for his first zoo trip and Kimberly and Matthew were beyond excited and happy. Here are some pictures from our trip.

Jacob's first crawl

Jacob 7 months old

Such a big boy!

Happy 4th of July 2011

Isn't that a great site! Tell me that isn't the best patriotic start to a parade! I am proud of these veterens. (My dad is in here but hiding behind a flag)

Here's my dad... the tall one on the back row on the end. For all my old drill teamers... don't you just want to yell GUIDE! HAHA.

This is the only photo of my kids. Let me explain some things. First off, they are sitting waiting for the parade to start. Second, they are wearing my mom's silly hats to keep the sun off of them (which at present time there wasn't much sun). Third, Matthew has a cracker in his mouth because my kids were a little under the weather. Poor things were outside the day before enjoying Soda sun and 4th of July morning ended up with heat stroke. They couldn't stop throwing up all morning. By the time this picture was taken, Kimberly was feeling better but Matthew had just thrown up again. I had the cracker in his mouth to try and settle his tummy.

We did have a great 4th of July. Enjoyed the parade, had a great time at my parents house, enjoyed visiting with family, watched many fireworks, checked out some old cars at the Cruise-in, and enjoyed the sun. Yes we had a few hiccups in our weekend but all in all we had a great 4th.

Happy 4th America!

Swimming 2011

Kimberly

Matthew in his alien goggles.

Kimberly hanging out in her cute goggles.

Matthew

So we just finished up swimming lessons for the summer. The kids did great and I am just glad they are over. haha. We take and pay for swimming lessons at the Sports Academy. A bit pricey but worth every penny. The classes are small and they swim indoors so no matter what the weather is, they will swim.

Kimberly did great. Let me give you a bit of background. At age 2, Kimberly would not get in the water... not even for a bath. She would stand in the bathtub and scream. She hated water. I have no idea why but that was just her. Eventually she did start sitting in the bathtub and then started to like water. At age 5, I put her in her first swimming lesson. She was so scared but did what the teachers told her to do. She would rarely let go of the teacher on anything and would not jump into the water like all the other kids. After swimming lessons that year, she eased up a bit at the big pool with us and started floating like she learned. Each year she has been less afraid and more willing to do things. This year she was a fish. She was swimming around by herself the first day. So much so that they moved her up to a different level. She didn't get scared... she loved it. She got to try her hand at side stroke, back stroke, front stroke, and many other things. My favorite part of her lessons... Kimberly leaping into the pool and floating on her back without the help of her teachers. She isn't afraid anymore. I am so proud of her.

Matthew did awesome. This was Matthew's first year of swimming lessons. From watching other preschool groups in the past, my only goal for Matthew was to stay in the pool. I didn't care if he listened or did what the teacher wanted... I just wanted him to stay in the pool. Well he far exceeded that. He was floating around and not scared of anything. I am so proud of him.

In a couple years I will have to put the kids in a few more lessons in the summer. That way the kids can learn and continue to improve on their swimming skills.

He's Mobile!

No Jacob hasn't been watching Kimberly do backbends. He figured out how to be mobile by doing this backbend to get around. It is so funny watching him do it. Yes if you were wondering, he does have a bit of a bald spot because of this scoot. The only good that comes from this is he puts his feet down flat to do it. He tends to curl his feet in (we have had him checked by a specialist and it will just take time to work them out) so to see him use them flat makes me happy.

Jacob's first big boo boo!

Poor baby! We went up the canyon to enjoy the weather and ride the 4 wheeler. Duke, Jacob and I were hanging out listening to nature. I decided to get up and get me a drink. I startled Duke and he wiped out everything in site to see why I jumped up. Well Jacob was part of that wipe out. Duke's leash rubbed along side Jacob's eye and boy did it hurt. He screamed pretty loud. I felt bad but not much I could do. Just one of those things. He was a good sport though. Doesn't this picture make you sad though!

Disneyland Part 3

Friday morning we had breakfast with Mickey and friends in the Paradise Pier hotel. The kids were so excited to see Mickey. First thing we got to do was get a couple pictures with Mickey. I didn't mention this before but we did take advantage of Photopass. These are people that are in special spots all around the parks and will take your picture and will even take pictures with your own camera. Then after your trip, you can view them and buy them. Very handy... we did notice though that they don't take as great of a picture with your own camera. haha. One guy cut off Brian's head. haha. Oh well. This breakfast I wasn't as impressed with but we did have a fun time seeing the characters. We got pictures with Stitch, Minnie, Daisy, and Pluto. During the breakfast, they would have breaks where the kids could go and dance with the characters. Matthew was too shy to do this but Kimmy got into it. She looked so cute.

After breakfast we decided to hit Disneyland again cause we missed a couple lands. Well this was not the day to try and get to Tomorrowland (good thing we hit this the other day). This was the grand opening of Star Tours. You should have seen the line for it. People were waiting 4 hrs for this ride and they had to block off part of Main Street just for the line. And I have to say... Friday or the weekend is not the day for Disneyland. Man I swear you could tell there were 1000s more people there just that one day. We ventured into Adventureland (like that) and first thing we saw... Jasmine and Aladdin. So we got our picture with them. Then we hit the jungle cruise. Hilarious tour guide... made you laugh the entire time. When the kids get older, we totally have to try Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Carribean. Brian and the kids climbed in a tree house but Kimberly got a bit scared of the heights so they came down quickly. We got a chance to ride a pirate boat and after the rapids the day before, Kimberly was a bit leary of boats and water. haha. It was a nice peaceful ride and pretty cool boat. We then went by splash mountain where Kimberly was dead set she wasn't going on that ride. We rode Winnie the Pooh and then Brian rode splash mountain. They had a great deal... if you were a single rider, you could enter thru the exit and only wait about 10 minutes. Much better than waiting the 60 + minutes like everyone else. I was going to ride it after Brian but luck would have it that Jacob got fussy. haha. We checked out everything we could (and missed a bunch cause of scared kids). The kids were really whining that day and Matthew just insisted all day that he couldn't walk cause his legs hurt. We did get a chance to ride the monorail (not as fun as I remember) and that was about it.

Grandparents and family were sweet enough to give all of us some money for souveniers. So we really needed to spend this money and get our treasures. This is what we spent the rest of the day doing... that and swimming. Funny thing about young kids... they have no concept of what souveniers are. The kids wanted to buy toys at every store. Brian and I let them buy one toy but the rest of it we wanted something to remember our trip by. So we got some shirts, jewelry, pens, color books, hats, etc. Here was a funny while were shopping. The kids were really whining and wanting toys and what not. Brian and I were very tired of hearing it. So we were checking out with whining kids underfoot and Jacob was in the baby bjorn on Brian. Well I guess my sugar from the day before got to him cause he projectiled spitup right on Matthew's head. Oh man... that broke the tension. Brian and I busted up while trying to clean off Matthew. Matthew was a little grossed out so he just shut up for a bit. Kimberly couldn't stop laughing, mainly because it didn't happen to her. And Jacob just had a bit smile on his face.. he probably felt a lot better. I guess we needed that moment! haha

By this night, we were tired and ready to head home. We can't wait to go back when our kids are a bit older so maybe we can hit those other rides but we totally wouldn't have changed anything on this trip. Well worth the money and time.

Saturday morning we got up early and headed for home. We were tired and ready to be home so we didn't stop long when we did stop. By the 11 hour of driving, Jacob had had his limit. He was screaming so bad. We felt bad but had no other option but to get home. I have to say what a wonderful feeling it was to start seeing the Wasatch mountains come into view. When we hit Salt Lake, we felt like we were home.

The trip was wonderful, the drive long, but all in all... perfect. Now I need 5 more years to recover before we plan this again!

Disneyland Part 2

Thursday was the morning that we didn't have a breakfast planned but we did have early access to Disneyland so we still got up early so we could get to the park. What a treat when we got into the park... many characters were lined up to take pictures with right when we walked under the tunnel. The lines weren't long and we were able to get some cool pictures. That morning we also were able to get FastPasses to World of Color thru our hotel so while I ran back to the hotel to get those, Brian and the kids went to Tomorrowland to ride a couple of rides. Matthew really wanted to ride the rockets. After a couple of rides, California Adventures opened up so we decided to check it out.

Right in the middle of California Adventures they are building a couple new attractions. One I didn't pay much attention to but the other one was Cars. Next year they will have an awesome Cars attraction. From the ferris wheel we could see down into the construction and could make out some of the things they were building. Pretty neat! But in the meantime, they have a little area that you can get your picture with Lightning and Mater. We timed it right when it opened and were the second people in line. They were pretty cool replicas. Then Brian and the kids went to check out the Pier while I went to the baby center to feed the little one. Of course the first attraction the kids found was the merry go round. But they sat and watched the California Screaming and both kids said no way! haha. They were not about to get on a roller coaster. From there we got in line for Toy Story. The line seemed long but it kept moving so it wasn't too bad. Jacob could go on it and it was pretty fun. Then we decided to try our hand at the midway games next to Toy Story. Our 1st time pins came in handy here. The first game was just our family and we should have won a little prize. But the lady was so nice and happy it was our first time, she gave us the big prize... Bullseye. The next game was a baseball game and Brian didn't really want to do this one but Matthew did. The worker came out and let Matthew throw all 8 balls for free. Matthew almost made one of them. Then the next two places we were able to get some more stuffed animals. We had money on the card left for one more game so we went back to the first lady and Brian won another Bullseye. The kids were so happy.

Next stop after potty breaks and watching people... Ariel's Grotto for lunch with the Princesses. Kimberly was so excited for this moment. Right when we walked down the stairs, there was Ariel and you got to have a picture taken with her. She was really cute and Matthew was being very shy with her. Then lunch was fantastic. That was probably my favorite meal of everything we ate. They brought out 3 tier appetizers that had fruit, veggies, salad, meat, and cheese. Then the meal was yummy and filling. Then they brought out a tray of many kinds of desserts. Now some of you might know this but I haven't had sugar since Jacob was born in December. (All my kids tend to spit up bad when I eat sugar so I was trying to be good with Jacob). Well this is where I splurged and tried a few things. Oh it was so good and so worth it. During our meal, the princesses came out one by one. Kimberly was so happy but once they came to our table, she turned into the shy gal. She couldn't even talk so she was so star struck. It was so sweet to see her that way. And I have to say... man they picked pretty gals to be the princesses. Once Jacob woke up, he was really interested in their pretty dresses more than anything. Matthew just liked them all and got used to having a picture taken with each one. Great times had by all.

After lunch we headed to bugs land (per a helpful worker's advice). The crew went to try the 3-D bugs life attraction and only made it 5 minutes. Too many things started scaring the kids and they had to leave. haha. But the rides were fun and we had a great time. Then we walked around and found Monsters Inc. This ride was fun cause it was just like the movie. At the end, the head lady (animatronic) was standing there and she was talking to the people. She told Brian what a cute monster he had (he had Jacob in his arms). They were so funny. There was Mr. Potato head just like that at Toy Story... making fun of people.

By this time the kids were itching to try the big ferris wheel so we ran to that ride. Along the way, we came across tons of press trying to get a glimpse of the new Little Mermaid attraction that was set to open the next day. Talk about a busy place. The ferris wheel was very big and fun. We were smart and got in a car that didn't rock. Seriously you had to see the ones that rock to believe what I am talking about. Scary! But the ferris wheel was high and fun and just a nice family moment.

Okay so I am a little scared when it comes to rides (didn't use to be this way). But I talked Kimberly into going on Grizzly Bear rapids with me. I have no idea why I wanted to ride this ride but I did and I wanted Kimberly to experience too. We had to wait a bit for the ride but it was worth it. I seriously think Kimberly would have freaked out on the ride if it hadn't been for the people on the raft with us. They were so funny and cute with her. We got soaked... Kimberly especially. She got a bit scared but we both had a blast together. Good thing this was our last ride of the day cause she was wet and freezing. While we rode this ride, Brian and Matthew went shopping and back to the room. To get warm, we told decided it was a great time to go swim and the hot tub. After dinner in our hotel room and a nice rest, it was time to head back into California Adventures for World of Color. This was probably one of my most favorite parts of our entire trip. WOW is all I can say about it. The water works, the sounds, the movies, the pictures, the lights.... so much to take in but it was neat. Where Kimberly was, she couldn't see everything... good thing I taped it. During the show, they had bubbles going everywhere when they were doing a water scene... they had fire during a pirate scene... water was coming from everywhere. If you were close, you definitely got wet. haha. We were also blessed with being around some really nice people. After the show, everyone was so tired. Once again, 5 minutes after hitting the pillows, snores were heard around the room.

(This is how Jacob watched World of Color!)

More to come.