DISNEY CRUISE: Day 1 (plus travel time)

We decided it was high-time to take a family vacation, so we went on a Disney Mexican Riviera Cruise. The cruise itself was from Sunday, November 4-Sunday, November 11. I really wish we had been able to fly, but it was just too expensive for 5 people to fly (Maren came with us to help us take care of the kids). So we drove over 2 days, staying the night in Las Vegas. 

Our plan was to leave by 10am at the latest on Saturday. We woke up to find that Mackenzie had thrown up during the night (probably twice). So we had to strip the bed and do a load of laundry, bathe Kenzie, clean up throw up. ugh. Despite all that, we were able to get out on the road by about 11:15. About 15 min later, Kenzie threw up again. Thankfully (?) it basically all went down her shirt. So we stopped to clean her up. As I was carrying her towards the gas station doors, she threw up again (!) right in the parking lot. Poor girl! After that, we just left her in a diaper, in case she threw up again. (We only had so many clothes with us!)  

The rest of the drive was pretty uneventful, besides trying to keep 2 small entertained in the car for many hours! We made it to Las Vegas in time for dinner. We ate in Taco Bell and was feeding Kenzie some of a soft taco. We were getting ready to leave as she finished her last bite. It suddenly looked like she was choking on her bite, so I stuck my hand up to her mouth so she could spit it out and instead she threw up all over my hand and the floor. Ugh. 

We finally made it to our hotel and went to bed. Now, as we drove into Nevada, we gained an hour. Then during the night, we went through Daylight Savings and gained another hour. So it was no wonder the kids woke up at 5am and were ready to go for the day (it feeling like 7:00 and all).  We made it to Los Angelas around 3pm. Luckily there was no line to board the ship so we didn't have to do a lot of waiting. Though, for a while, they were going to make us wait for the doctor to come and check Kenzie out b/c her of throwing up and previous fever (it got up to 103.3 near the end of Saturday). But then they let us just go.

Riding the shuttle from the car to the port

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Happy Halloween! This year Devin was dressed as Batman and Mackenzie was Catwoman.

 Getting a good picture of Devin and Mackenzie is almost impossible!

Halloween Festivities Part 2

So we actually got a pumpkin this year! We decided to carve it on Oct. 30, in preparation of Halloweenthe next day. 

Devin wanted to help "cut" it.

Kenzie's Birthday Party

We had a family party for Kenzie on October 27 (Saturday) so more people could come. We had basically the same people who came to Devin's party, except this time we had Micah, but no Ethan.

Devin, Freya, Grandpa Don

Painting

So, I'm not big on doing crafts at home and so when we finally whipped out the water colors on October 25, this was the first time Devin (4 years old) and Mackenzie (2 years old) had ever painted. Well, at home, at least. I think Devin might have done some painting in preschool last year, now that I think about it. Anyway. They sure had a lot of fun! Even though they couldn't seem to get the right order down (water, color, paper). They wanted to paint after putting their brushes in the water. 

Halloween Festivities

October 24- Since Morian wouldn't be able to attend our ward's Halloween Party, we went up to my mom's. We took pictures of the kids in their costumes before heading over b/c they weren't supposed to wear masks.

Kenzie is Catwoman this year

(I just bought a long-sleeved black shirt and black pants with attached black skirt, then made her a mask out  of felt, as well as felt ears that I slid onto a headband.)

 Devin is Batman

(We got him Batman pajamas, then he got the mask and cape for his birthday.)

The party consisted of a chili dinner with donuts and hot chocolate for dinner, then Trunk-or-treating out in the parking lot, along with a hay ride. It was pretty cold! Poor Devin was just freezing! I held Kenzie the whole time, so she absorbed some of my body heat, I think! 

We also went to our ward's Halloween Party on October 27. Chili dinner and Trick-or-treating at tables set up along the wall. Someone was handing out cotton candy and both kids got one. Neither one finished; I had (got!) to finish them myself! Thankfully the weather was nice b/c we had to walk to the church and back.

Kenzie's Birthday

On October 23, Kenzie turned 2 years old! To celebrate we went "bouncing" at Classic Skating. Kenzie really liked the Ironman bouncer! She kept wanting to go back!

The Trampoline Place

October 17- My friend, Kristy and her boys, Apollo and Earnest, invited us to go to the "trampoline place." I had never been before, but Maren had taken Devin and Mackenzie back in May and they loved it, so we decided to go! They had a lot of fun! It was kind of crazy b/c there were 2 birthday party groups there, but that's okay. There was a smaller kid section that we mostly stayed in.

I love it when Kenzie jumps

BYU Homecoming

BYU's Homecoming football this year was on October 13. A few days before the game, I got email saying I had won 2 free tickets to the game, courtesy of America First from when I entered on their Facebook page. Awesome! Morian wasn't able to come with me since he had to work (game was Saturday afternoon). But I was able to convince my sister, Maren, to babysit my kids while I went to the game with my other sister, Sirie. She currently lives in Provo, so I just met up with her down there.

I had to pick up the tickets at an American First branch, which I did Saturday morning. Little did I know, I won an autographed football along with those tickets! Awesome! 

 Our seats were actually pretty decent. We were at the back of the lower bowl, just off to the side of the north end zone.

This was our first touchdown. Too bad we had to lose the game! But we still had fun and it was nice visiting with a sister I don't spend too much time with (I am 9 years older than here).

Happy Birthday Dad!

Wow, there are a lot of fall birthdays in our (mine and Morian's) family! My Dad turned 58 on September 29, so the next day we had a little get-together for cake and ice cream. 

Bowling

With the Pass of all Passes, we can get unlimited bowling. (Awesome!) So we've gone quite a bit in the last few months. (Though not as much as I would like to go!) Anyways! Here are the scores from a time we went on Sept. 20.

The first game I more than doubled Morian's score! 

 Morian didn't do that much better the second game!

Neither of those scores are even close to what Morian usually gets...he was just having a tough time finding his groove!

 I love that I still won the third game even though he was beating me up until the 9th frame! Boo-ya!

Hogle Zoo

On September 19, my friend, Kristy invited me, Devin, and Mackenzie to join her and her two sons, Apollo and Earnest, at the Hogle Zoo. We love getting out of the house, being with friends, and seeing animals so it was a win-win-win situation! We were there for a couple hours and the kids had a lot of fun! The new habitat, Rocky Shores, was open and it was out first time getting to see the polar bear, otters, seals, and sea lions.

Devin and Apollo climbing on the statue Rhino

Devin's 4th Birthday

This year Devin turned 4 years old. We had a *small* family party for him on September 15. It was pretty casual; we just hung around and visited for a while.

Freya's 1st Birthday Party

 On September 8, we went to my niece, Freya's, 1st birthday party.

The kids had fun playing with the balloons!

Thanksgiving Point Farm

On August 28, I took Devin and Mackenzie down to the Thanksgiving Point Farm to meet up with my friend, Kristy, and her 2 boys, Apollo and Earnest. 

It's hard trying to get 4 little kids to look at the camera!

Kaden's 1st Birthday

My nephew, Kaden, turned 1 on August 28 (I think). His Mickey Mouse party was on August 22.

Morian's sister, Shari, made the cake. She did such a good job!

Real Salt Lake

So, as holders of the Pass of all Passes, we are able to go to a select few Real Salt Lake soccer games. We were able to make it to the last game available this season. You had to show up at the stadium the day of the game to get your tickets. I didn't realize there would be sooooo many people! I took the kids with me (big mistake!) and we were in line for about an hour. The first half hour was fine. Then Kenzie no longer wanted to move up with us and would get mad every time I made her. She was screaming and crying and nothing I did solved it. The lady in front of us offered to let Devin and Mackenzie play with some of her baby's toys and even turned music on her phone for them to listen to! Another lady behind me a ways brought up a fruit snack to see if that would help! By the time we left, Kenzie was crying so hard she was literally foaming at the mouth. Oh man!

So, before the game (Aug. 21), Morian and I went to dinner at Zupa's. Yummy! 

Feeding Ducks and Climbing Trees

One day we decided to go to the park and feed the ducks (we had a lot of expired bread to get rid of!). There were so many ducks! And they just kept coming! There were probably close to 20 or more at the most. 

Another Dentist Visit

August 14- Time to visit the dentist! This time they got x-rays taken. Kenzie climbed right up on the chair and sat so still! She did such a good job! The hygienist was so impressed! 

Cecilia's BYU Graduation

On August 10, Morian's sister, Cecilia, graduated from BYU. Morian was able to get the day off so we could attend.

Here is Cecilia as they called her name

Glenn's Birthday Party

Even though my sister, Kayley, and her family moved to Virginia earlier this year, they happened to be in town for Glenn's birthday (my youngest sister, Sirie, got married the day before). We met at Kangaroo Zoo to celebrate. We did cake and drinks outside first before heading in to jump.

Kirsta's 29th Birthday

For my birthday this year, we shared a free breakfast at I-HOP...

July 4th

For the 4th of July this year, we went up to my parents' house to celebrate Independence Day, as well as my birthday, with my family. We had a bbq with lots of yummy food and did lots of visiting and chasing kids around!

To start off the festivities Kenzie did lots of swinging!

Trafalga

Back in June, we decided to take a family trip to Trafalga in Lehi. They have a few little kid rides, as well as a mini-golf course. This day we just did the rides. 

First Devin and Mackenzie rode the airplanes. They actually rode it twice in a row.

Random Mackenzie Pictures

Trying to get a shot of Kenzie's smile...oops, too close!

 This is how she says "cheese!" for pictures!

 Her new swimsuit

 More forced smiles for the camer!

 At least she's trying, right?!

Random Devin Pictures

I love how Devin will fall asleep in the strangest positions!

 He is such a goofball!

 "I whip my hair back and forth, I whip my hair back and forth!"

 Devin is learning how to study from his Daddy...

 wearing earplugs!

End of School Year Party

This past school year, Devin was attending a preschool that gave special attention to kids with disabilities, learning and physical. So Devin went to school 2 times a week and got to socialize with other kids around his age and get some help with his speech. On the last day of school (June 5), they had a water party. Devin didn't actually have class that day but he was allowed to come anyway. Kenzie and I also came. The day started out pretty nice, but by the time we got outside, it was very overcast and windy. But the kids still wanted to play. So they did.

Devin enjoyed following this kid around and doing what he was doing, like throwing water frisbees.

 Kenzie went straight for the kiddie pool and climbed right in!

 She also enjoyed the water table

 Back to the pool!

 She was pretty excited to have 2 frisbees!

 Here Devin is squirting a teacher!

 And now some random girl!

 Brrrr! It was cold out, especially when they were wet! But they still had fun!

Swim time

For 2 summers we have said we were going to buy a kiddie pool for Devin. We finally got around to doing it this summer. The kids had their first chance to use it on May 21.

Devin testing out the water

 Brrr! It's cold!

  "I'm not sure about this Mom!"

We didn't have a swimsuit for Mackenzie the first couple times they went swimming and Devin's was too big. We did eventually get them suits that fit!