We had a busy but fun weekend. Saturday we had a BBQ to celebrate Matt's graduation. I didn't think to get the camera out until we were sitting around the fire and everyone was leaving. Thanks to everyone who came. We had tons of good food and desserts. After making s'mores we sat by the fire after everyone had left and relaxed. It was our first time using our fire pit but I'm glad Matt convinced me to buy it. I'm really enjoying it.

But I do have pictures of what the boys filled their day with while we cooked and cleaned. Matt picked up a slip-n-slide for them and they played in their pool.

Ashton would just run down the slide until he would slip and fall.

I was planning on making Kaleb a Mario Kart cake for his birthday that we celebrated on Sunday and I've never done elaborate fondant work (not that this is elaborate) and didn't realize how much time it would take. So squeezing this in after church but before dinner was a challenge. Needless to say I wasn't able to make everything I wanted or take my time. I was going as quick as I could. My kitchen looked like a tornado, it was a huge mess. Matt wasn't home to help but showed up about 10 minutes before I finished so I had him making banana's and putting eyes on everything.

I'll post recipes for everything on my food blog when I get a chance. It's not hard or expensive (I used cake mixes) just time consuming. But since it's been so long since I've done a fondant cake this cake made me excited to do some more. (And there was no time for cute, staged photos)

Kaleb was excited to put the candles on the cake.

The 4 1/2 hour of chaos were worth it to see his face! (even if it is blurry)
We were also celebrating my grandpa's 86th birthday!

Disneyland!

We had the best time in Disneyland! (Thanks to my grandparents for taking all 24 of us!) We're already starting a Disneyland Fund so that we can go again in a couple of years. Since we were in the park almost from open to close everyday for 6 straight days it felt like we were there for weeks. I was worried it would be over too quick but we were able to see just about everything and the boys were in heaven. It's so different seeing Disneyland through your child's eyes than going as a child. It's so much fun to see how excited the boys were the whole time. Matt hadn't been to Disneyland since he was 7 or 8 and I hadn't been for about 8 years so there were alot of new rides.

Our last day was the opening of a new show in California Adventure called World of Color. They usually do 2 shows a night and we had reserved seating for the 2nd show through our dinner reservations (which was the only way to reserve a spot) and since it was right on the lake we saw part of the first show while we ate. You only can get one fast pass to see the show each day but since our tickets came with our reservations we used our passes to get tickets to see a 3rd show they decided to do due to demand. So we were lucky enough to see it twice on opening day. It was a fountain/water, light show with movies sprayed on the water (like fantasmic) but everything was in huge proportions and the way they were able to create things with water, lazers and fire was amazing. It's a must see. I recorded the whole thing but I don't think you want to watch 25 minutes from my point and shoot camera, it doesn't do it justice. Here's a clip about the show that Disney made: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5CP7slwv64

Now for all the pictures. It's funny because although I took alot of pictures (as in 200+) I feel like I didn't take pictures of 75% of what we did. We did so much. But I wanted to enjoy our time and not worry about taking a picture every minute.


We left early Saturday morning (5th). When we drove through a canyon Ashton started putting his hands up and saying "Weee" down any hills we drove down. I guess he was preparing for the rides.



The first night we went to the pool but it was getting dark and cold so we took the boys over to downtown Disney to walk around and we watched the fireworks from the entrance.



The first day we went into the park Mickey was just coming out so we hurried over before a long line formed and took pictures. This happened to us with most of the characters we had pictures with. We weren't up for waiting in huge lines to see them. So only 5 minutes in the park and the boys were happy as could be.






I love this picture on our first ride, The Jungle Cruise because it sums up Ashton's reaction to everything in Disneyland.



Kaleb really wanted to go on Splash Mountain and he requested to be in the front. This is the one ride that I think I was scared on until I was 13 so I was a little worried about his reaction.



As you can see, he was terrified. He then became worried about going on all of the other big rides, Matterhorn etc. but eventually he tried and loved everything except Splash. He wouldn't go on Splash again but everything else he loved. The only ride he wasn't tall enough for was the roller coaster in California Adventure that has a loop. He wouldn't have gone even if he could have. Although he was about 1/2 inch short for Indiana Jones but I read a tip online about folding paper towels in shoes if they're just under the height requirement. Shhh! So we used napkins in his shoes to make him tall enough.



My dad asked if the boys could drive the Mark Twain boat and they were able to. Unfortunately the urge to go to the bathroom hit less than a minute of taking off and Kaleb couldn't hold it for the 15 minute ride. I felt so bad. Matt had to take him off the boat and they had to wait until we returned. He wasn't happy although I think it was more because Ashton took his place and so he was mad his brother was able to do it. Needless to say anytime anyone had a bathroom brake we made sure Kaleb went with just in case.












We kept catching Mickey at just the right moment when we entered the park.







This was funny. I thought I would let Ashton steer and I would hold the pedal down. When we started going he wasn't grabbing the wheel so I started driving. About 10 seconds later he says to me, "No mama, I drive now" and he grabbed the steering wheel. It sounded all too grown up. It was a bumpy ride hitting the guide rail back and forth from there.



Our first day in California Adventure.



Tower of Terror always makes me nervous for some reason. But I still love it. I love my sister's face, she has her hands up.



Ashton usually took a quick 45 minute nap right around lunch time in his stroller. Which by the way, we debated about strollers and with the walk to and from the park we ended up going with the Baby Trend Sit-n-Stand stroller.(on sale and I had a 10% coupon!) Best decision we've ever made. The storage basket was huge, we put jackets, blankets, snack food, everything in it and then on the footrest on the back we were able to put a soft sided cooler with water bottles, milk, and anything else we wanted to keep cool. It let Kaleb ride when he needed to but it's not a huge stroller, it folds down to a normal single sized stroller, even smaller than some of them.



This isn't a ride but it was awesome. This is a shopping cart at K-Mart. You should have seen how excited I was. It had a t.v. with Disney shows to choose from and there was another screen on top for the parent that let you switch shows, see a store directory, and a window to see in the car part. Maybe they're around here and I've just not seen them but I hope we get carts like this soon. Ashton didn't want to leave.











The day before we left we spent a little time at the beach. I wish we could have stayed longer but we drove down to San Diego to spend a couple hours with Matt's aunt and uncle. Ashton loved the sand and seashells and my dad taught Kaleb how to surf on a boogie board. Kaleb did pretty good and only swallowed a little sea water.

I know that's alot of pictures but I love looking back through my blog and remembering everything by looking at all the pictures. It was such a fun trip and it was nice to have so much family with us.

Happy 6th Birthday Kaleb!

Disneyland - June 6, 2010

I just spent 2 hours looking at pictures from when Kaleb was born up until today. I can't believe how much he's grown in the last couple of years. He's made our lives full of love and happiness and he couldn't be a sweeter boy. Of course I had to post some a couple of pictures from previous years so here they are. And if you think there are alot of pictures here wait until my Disneyland post. :) (We didn't have a digital camera until Kaleb was 9 months old, I can only imagine how many more pictures I would have taken if I didn't have a film camera!)

June 16, 2004
It was amazing to hold you for the first time. The joy and love that I felt immediately was overwhelming.

June 17, 2004
1 day old

June 17, 2004
Your dad never wanted to put you down in the hospital. He loved staring at your little face.

First camping trip!
6 weeks old (what was I thinking?!?)

3 Months Old
You don't always sleep with that puppy still but right now you're in bed holding it tight.

You always have the biggest smile.
March 20, 2005 - 9 Months

First Birthday - June 16, 2005
You started taking a couple of steps for the first time right after digging into your cake.

August 11, 2005
You loved baths and still do! (especially if there are bubbles)

November 18, 2005 - 17 Months

September 17, 2006 - 2 yrs old
You are a daddy's boy for sure.

May 15, 2007 - almost 3 yrs. old
Just today you and Ashton both climbed in the dryer. I guess some things never change!

May 26, 2008 - almost 4 yrs. old
You still love airplanes, you even bought a new one in California last week. You could spot an airplane before we could.

June 21, 2008 - 4 yrs. old

February 21, 2009 - 4 1/2 yrs. old
Such a stud!

July 18, 2009 - 5 yrs. old
You and your dad hiked donut falls. You love anything outdoors.