Cute Cousins

Our park close to our home finally opened. We have waited with much anticipation. It is a really great park with this rock water feature. I captured this picture of Ally and Drew the other day. Sometimes I forget that they are only nine months apart. Drew really adores Ally. Audrey is playing in the water in the distance.

Spring Break 2008

Temecula School district gets two weeks off for spring break. We have spent time at the pool, the park, and have also gone to the Wild Animal Park with some friends. Here are some pictures from the Wild Animal Park. There is a fun play area for the kids. I think this must be fairly new because I don't remember it. Here are the kids posing with the Lion.

Audrey and Drew playing in the jeep.

After lunch and some time at the play area, we moved on to "Outer Africa." On the way, the kids found this fun water feature. All you had to do was pull on the ropes and water would spray on you. In the picture below, Maddy is trying to soak Cody. Audrey was a little more timid and didn't get to close. I know, I couldn't believe it either.

There was a bucket that would fill up with water and then dump over. Madison decided to stand under it until the water came down on her. She got soaked.

I didn't bring any extra clothes and Madison didn't have a dry part on her body. So Lauren offered up Kaia's shorts. By the way, Kaia is two years old but her 2T shorts fit Maddy. Okay, so

they are booty shorts on her. I wonder how many mothers thought, I can't believe you are letting your child dress like that. Note to self: next time bring some extra clothes.

It was a really fun day. Even though there was a long line to get into the park, once we got in, it really wasn't crowded. We even got to see the butterfly exhibit. The butterflies would just land on you. My kids just thought it was the coolest thing. Drew tried to pick one up (even though you are not suppose to) and it tried to fly away. I wish I could of captured his terrified look.

Easter Festivities

So on Saturday before Easter, we went to the Temecula City Easter Egg hunt at the park. Andrew was not able to come with....he was diligently serving with his Young Men. So I packed up the kids and made it to the park about 5 minutes early. If you don't make it there on time, you might as well not bother. You blink and its over. So the city sets up different areas for the kids depending on age. Since I was there by myself, I had to let Maddy and Audrey go to their area by themselves and I stayed with Drew. Ally and Krystal showed up just in time.

Drew and Ally didn't get it at first, but it didn't take long before they were picking up the treats. Drew's age group got to hunt for snacks like cheezits, Mint Milano cookies (I stole those later), gummy bears, and granola bars. The kids had a great time. Dan and Cole came just as the hunt

ended.

After the hunt was over we waited in line for the bounce house. Cole enjoyed the wait from way up high.

The cousins got the bounce house all to themselves. Oh, the hours of enjoyment this bounce house could provide if it was in my backyard.

After we were done there, Dan and Krystal came over for breakfast. My kids sure do love when their cousins come over. After breakfast Krystal and I were able to sneak away to a boutique that was going out of business. Couldn't find anything though. All in all, it was a really fun day. I just love these times. And we are so lucky to have such a great relationship with Dan and Krystal.

So I have two celebs in my family

Numero Uno: Michael Jackson...Nice glove. Now we just have to teach him the moonwalk.


Numero Dos: Cinderella.
I needed some help getting my grout clean and Audrey happily offered to help. I know the excitement of cleaning won't last for too long, so take advantage while you can. Below is Audrey scrubbing the floor and the final two pictures show the progress she made with the grout. I almost didn't post the before and after shots because then you would see how dirty our floor has gotten...oh well. Audrey did a great job. Thanks Cinderella.



Before-GROSS!!!!!!!!!!!

After: YEAH!!!!!!!!!!

Binky Lover

Okay, so I have an binky lover. I was so grateful when he was a baby that he took the binky so well. However, the drawback to a binky baby is taking it away. (I still choose a binky baby) Drew has been without his binky during the day since around 18 months old....but he still gets it at nap and at bed. Since Gavin has been born, Drew has become more attached to them. During non sleeping hours, he will either go find his own binkies or try to steal Gavins' when we are not paying attention. Here is a picture of the two boys...>Drew is trying to peer pressure Gavin into his binky addiction. Brotherly love. Drew is not sleeping, but the flash kept making him close his eyes.

Monkeying Around

So I have a monkey on my hands. A couple of weeks ago Drew realized that he CAN climb out of his crib. Right before Gavin was born, he did it once or twice, but we let him know he can't do that and he seemed to listen...UNTIL NOW..my efforts were thwarted. So he was still doing a good job sleeping at night and at nap time, he would just climb out when he was done. However, on Monday he decided since he can get out at the end of his nap, why not do it before he even went to sleep. Well, I was busy cooking dinner and decided to just leave him locked in his room for "quiet time." He was quiet, but very sneaky. This is what his room looked like after "quiet time." UGH!!!

So the very next day, I went and bought a crib tent. I know, I know, why not just put him in a big boy bed. I am just worried about the above situation happening over and over each day. Also, the day without the nap=very cranky child. So I opted for sanity. After I got the crib tent home, it didn't fit on my kind of crib. I was ticked. However, Tami lent me a crib that it would work on. So I was going to have Andrew put that together but he came up with his own plan..see below

I came home from girls night to find that Andrew had put the tent on the bed. It worked okay. However for nap time today, Drew opted for the crib without the tent. I think Andrew needs to set up the other crib so we can use this device as intended. Anyway, we will see how this ends up playing out.

Happy 10 Year Anniversary

Then-Our Engagement Picture 1998

Now-Our Ten Year Anniversary-Mille Fleurs
For our ten year anniversary, we went to the temple to do marriage sealings, and then went to dinner at Mille Fleurs. It was a wonderful night. It is so nice to be able to just be together. Thanks mom for watching the kids. The first ten have been amazing..heres to the next ten. Love you babe.