Why does unpacking take so long!

So, we've back over 2 weeks now and i'm still not all unpacked. The garage has boxes everywhere, mostly filled with stuff that I think "where did I have this before and do I really have to bring it back in." My mom's been up here for a few weeks and she's helped play with the kids while I try to finish. She left today wondering if anything really got done. Everyday we clean out 10 boxes and the next morning I pulled in 10 more.

We finally got an awning put over out back yard which has been nice for the kids. It was too hot before because it's all cemented and just cooked anyone outside. We were borrowing a shed from Jeff's parents that we kept in the back but emptied that out so the kids would have more room to play. So now we have Christmas, Halloween, and camping all over the family room and I really wonder how I'm going to get the house back in order.

And to top it all off, I get to deal with morning sickness. Yes, you heard right. Our fun, little, SURPRISE is due Feb 7 2009.
You know it's bad when you go in for your first 10 week exam and the nurse is just laughing at you when you have a 5 year old, a 3 year old, and a 10 month old. So I will officially be one of THOSE moms with kids 18 months apart. I now know why Heavenly Father sent me an easy baby like Brenna, or I would be in danger of losing my mind. Course, I just need to wait for her to be 18 months and then we'll see how easy she stays. hahah ahahahahahahaha ok, get it under control.

We moved back

After 5 months of lots of looks but no offers on our house, we've decided to move back home. We did the big move this weekend and I'm still trying to unpack my kitchen. It's always nice to be home but we are grateful to Grandma and Grandpa Bitter for sharing their home with us. Maybe we'll try again next year. ha The plus side is that my house is TOTALLY cleaned and de-junked and I'm being careful about what I bring back in the house.

Rest of the Thompson Trip

Doing puzzles with Grandma

Ryan loved listening to the crickets and frogs with Grandpa. He's been doing this with Grandpa since he was two and remembers it each time.

My mom had these ceramic frogs all over the house and Kevin spent an afternoon gathering them for a reunion. My mom was great about it and let him play in the pot. They looked so funny.

Kevin loved Mandi their new dog. When he looks at the pictures of her he calls her "Handy Mandy" from the Nick Jr cartoon. haha



Bonfire:
Growing up we always had bonfires during the spring to take care of fallen trees and pruned limbs. It was fun to have my kids share in that. They loved the marshmellows and gathering pinecones. Brenna wasn't too sure at first but was happy later.




Dump truck:
The boys found the dumptruck and had fun climbing all over it. I swear we've had this truck FOREVER. My mom always wanted my sister and I to sing that song "It's so Cozy to Ride in Dump truck" in that truck and record it. But we procrastinated and then we were too old to be cute. So now, we'll try with the next generation. Now if only I could find the lyrics...


My dad put Ryan to work watering.


Birthday party for my dad's 65!! We had all the brothers and sisters come from around. My mom did a balancing match/fork trick. Yummy food and great company!

Long Car Trips

We have had a few long CA trips this year - visiting my parents and Disneyland. Jeff set up the entertainment system for the kids so the pull down screen in the middle will play movies off the moded xbox. He set speakers up in back too so we, the grownups, could listen to our own music up front instead of listening to 8 hrs of Disney shows.

This is Kevin's reaction as I turned "Cars" on for him to watch. I was cracking up and luckily grabbed a shot.



Here is Kevin's version of headphones. It's one of the speakers Jeff had anchored under the headrest.

Happy 65, Dad!!

Sorry, I've been gone again. We spent a week down in CA with my parents for my dad's 65th birthday bash. It was fun being with all the family again and all of my dad's family came.
Ryan wanted to eat one of those frosting balloons so bad!


Looking great! Mom and Dad


We're off to Snowbird for the weekend so I'll have to play catch up when I get back. Hope you're all doing great!

Disneyland - Day 1

(There'll be a lot of detail for me so just skip if you want)

We had a busy weekend around March 6. We drove down to Disneyland and stayed in the Carousel Inn. I'd recommend it. It's right across the entrance to the park. We splurged a bit and got a suite and now I don't know how I'll ever go back to a single room. It was so nice having the boys in their own room at night. Usually we all have to "shut down" to help the kids go to sleep and then we have to whisper and keep the TV really low. But here, I put the boys down in their room and we could actually keep the lights on in our room!

Our first ride was the Storybook Canal. Jeez, it was such a long wait! I was worried that all the rides would be like that but it was the only long wait for the day. Here we are going into Monstro's mouth. The boys are in the striped blue shirts and I'm the red. Brenna and Jeff waited since she was asleep in her stroller.



Next we did the teacups. There was NO WAIT at all. Wahoo! The boys really liked it. Notice that we are in a greenish cup because of Ryan.





We are in jail at Toon Town.


This was the boys' first roller coaster in Toon Town. I couldn't find Ryan in the picture until Jeff pointed him out in the FIRST car. My baby isn't old enough to ride by himself is he?!?! Jeff and Kevin are in the 3rd car. Ryan loved the coaster and and soon as he found out there was a grownup roller coaster (Big Thunder Mountain) he was begging for it.


Ryan was very interested in the map and was trying to direct us.


Ryan was NOT interested in meeting Mickey Mouse. He ran and hid and I had to pick him up and hold him for the group picture. Kevin, on the other hand, was thrilled to meet him and I tried to hold him back in line for our turn. He compromised by standing 3 feet away from Mickey and asking repeatedly "Is it our turn? Is it our turn?" Then high-fives and hugs for Mickey.




Here's what Brenna did all day.


The Dumbo ride was a big hit. Kevin with Jeff and me with the other 2. Don't miss our green Dumbo.


Luckily the boys watch The Sword and the Stone on the drive down so they knew exactly what this sword was. I love how Ryan's face was turning red from trying so hard.



We did all the original dark rides. Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland were our favs and definitely had a happier tone than the other rides. It was so funny to me in Snow White (I think) where the whole ride was dark and about all the evil things and then at the end of the ride, written on the WALL was "they lived happily ever after." Like an afterthought. Too funny.

We ended that day watching the Parade of Dreams. Great end to the day but boy were we beat. And of course the boys were excited for the next day and had a hard time going to sleep.

Disneyland - Day 2

Jeff's parents and brother and sister met us on the 2nd day. It was so nice to have extra hands to help with the kids.


Everyone rode Splash Mountain first while I stayed with Brenna and Kevin. Then Trisha took Kevin on the Winnie the Pooh ride, Julie stayed with Brenna, and I rode with Ryan again. He loved it and told me it was scary but he would help me not be scared. We sat in the back and while everyone got wet I was SOAKED!! From halfway down my shirt to my socks. I ended up changing later since it was too chilly being wet.


Here's Ryan waiting in line to see Winnie the Pooh. Notice how happy Ryan is to be AWAY from the characters? Notice how sad Kevin is to be AWAY and waiting his turn?




Yay, finally made it. I love how Kevin puts his hands in his pockets and just chills. Once again, I had to hold Ryan for the group picture. I didn't even try to make him see Tigger.




Here's 2 of our great helpers: Trish and TJ with Brenna.


Most of our group on the Jungle Cruise.






The Pirates ride was really fun - they've added a bunch of things from the movie. This was the one ride that scared Kevin. I wouldn't have even noticed but he had his hand on my thigh and I got a sharp pinch from him gripping so hard during one of the waterfalls.



Here's a pic of our strollers. Ryan was good about walking until the end of the day (see last picture).


Thanks to Trisha who really helped make the kids' day. She was great about taking them on rides their size.


Here's us while we're waiting for the Electrical Parade. This is one of the few pictures I got of Randy, Jeff's dad. I dont' know how he eludes the camera so well.


Snow White is such a love/hate thing for me. The movie is only ok for me and I have a hard time with her voice. It drives me crazy. But I think out of all the princesses, her gown is my favorite. It is so distinct to me. When you see someone wearing it (ie a little girl), you know right away who she is. Whereas with some of the others (Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella) it's not quite as clear.



While I was ready for yet another day of Disney Magic, the kids were more than done. I think Brenna's face says it all: