Our Disney Adventure

For quite a few years now Kevin and I have been wanting to get the kids back to Disneyland. The last time we went I was pregnant with Russ so our youngest three hadn't been, Jane didn't remeber it, and the older two barely remembered. But it just never seemed to work out financially. But we decided this year would be a great time to go, since we had been saving up for a while, and we were just really dying to go. It really was a pretty big deal for us to go because we never really spend much money on trips. We were counting down the days for months, we were like little kids at Christmas.

We decided to drive down on a Sunday and leave pretty early so that we could get there early in the day and have the afternoon and evening to relax a bit. Well that plan got shot out of the water. I woke up feeling not so good, and had some yucky guts right before we left. Then we got about an hour In and annie started crying that her belly hurt. I was feeling a bit better so I thought annie would too. Nope she started in on the diarrhea. Then we stopped for lunch and Clara had a blowout, so I had to change her, clothes and all, then we went in to the restaurant to eat lunch and wouldn't you know Annie throws up at the table. We ended up stopping about three more times because she had diarrhea and everytime she managed to get it on her clothes so we had to get clothes out of the suitcase multiple times. By the time we got these I was a wreck and exhausted. She threw up and had diarrhea again when we got there. It felt like our whole vacation was going to be runied with it cycling through everyone. Kevin and I said a prayer and he gave her a blessing and I felt such peace that everything was going to be fine. She slept through the night and woke up fine the next morning and no one else got it. It was such a tender mercy from Heavenly Father.

That first day was super fun we got in pretty early and got on a few rides almost immediately. We were so excited to see how Russy would like it because we thought he would be so excited, but I think he was a little overwhelmed becuase he was kindof quiet. He never had actually experienced anything like Disneyland before and I think it was just such a different experience for him.

This was out first ride Buzz Lightyear. Russy just didn't really know what was going on.

Nellie thought it was pretty cool to drive the car on Autotopia. I stayed with Clara becuase she was too little to go on that ride, but it was fun to watch eveyone pull in and see how they liked it.

Russy was starting to warm up to the whole experience when we went on Alice in Wonderland, and he told me immediately that he wanted to go on that one again.

The little ones loved its a small world, and honestly I love it too, it's just such a cute little ride.

In toon town we tried to take Annie and Russy on the little rollercoaster but Annie was just an inch too short. It was so sad becuase she wanted to go so bad and cried to whole way back through the line. It was fun to ride with Russy though because he really enjoyed it.

Janie had a really fun time and something we learned about her is that she is qutie the little daredevil! She loves the scary ride and had no fear at all! It's so cute because she is just this little tiny girl.

The first day I took the three youngest back to the hotel in the afternoon to take a nap so that we could come back and watch the parade that night, it was a good thing too because we had to sit for hours so that we could have a good spot for the parade and the kids were so done at that point. I can't imagine if they hadn't gotten a nap how that would have gone. Yikes! I don't want to know!!

Russell really loved the parade. And seriously how could he not? It was so dang cute and well done!! I was worried after waiting so long for it that it was going to be a huge disappointment, and that I would wish we didn't spend the time waiting, but it was the opposite! I ended up feeling like it was one of my very favorite things about the trip, and the kids did too!

 

The girls really loved seeing all of the princesses in the parade and Jane said that of course Elsa and Anna waved to her!

 

Even cute Clara liked the parade. Although she was Sooo ready to go to bed at that point.

The second day we decided to do Disneyland again so that we wouldn't have to stay too long because after such a late night, we knew we wouldn't want to have another late night, and we wanted to do World of Color at California Adventure. So we just decided to stay the whole time, not go back for naps and then head back to the hotel early. One of the funniest things about the second day, was that we realized thatnRussy was big enough to go on Splah mountain so we thought hat he would surely love it, so we should take him. He ended up freaking out and totally crying about it. We had wished we had brought our phones so we could take a picture of the pictures of they take of you one the big hill at the end, becuase Russ had the most terrified face in it. It was way too funny. He also loved going on Star Tours and it was way too cute to watch him in that ride with all of the guns shooting etc. Janie's favorite ride was the Matterhorn, which I hadn't been on since I was a kid and I forgot that it was a little scary! But fun!

It ended up being pretty hot the whole time we were there, so when we were waiting for the big girls to go on a ride and annie and Russy saw this little water park they were all over it. They were soo drenched! It was a good thing we were headed back to the hotel after that.

Clara was the BEST baby! She was so chill and just hung out. She napped in her seat and went on the rides with us. She was so good! She also slept amazing at the hotel. In fact when we got home she didn't sleep nearly as well in her own bed as she did in the hotel. It was crazy!!

When we got back from naps we headed to the cars ride because we had fast passes. Russy was super excited to go on it but then he was kind of scared when it went really fast. He had the option to go again with our stroller pass with Grammie and Papi but instead he just wanted to go into the gift shop and buy something. So the big girls got to go on that cars ride twice in a row, which they really enjoyed. We tried to go on tower of Terror right before world of color becuase we had fast passes for it, but there was some kind of malfunction and they told us we would be another half hour before we got to ride and we would miss world of color. We wanted to make sure we saw that show because we missed it the last time we went to Dis eland so we had to ditch Tower of Terro, and don't worry nellie let us know for the next two hours how it was her favorite ride and she was heartbroken that she didn't get to ride it, even though she said earlier that it was really scary and she didn't know if she even wanted to ride it. Ha ha!

These three are just too cute!!

The last day we were there we went to a Dodger game. It worked out that there was a day game and Kershaw just happened to be pitching!! It was just too perfect. The only problem was it was a really hot day and the kids were just beasts!! They didn't want to watch the game at all and they were up and down wanting to move around. It was awful!! I tried to take the little ones out for a while so that Kevy would be able to see some of the game, But even the big girls were pretty bad. We were able to see a grand slam by the Dodgers though which was pretty dang awesome so overall it ended up being worth it.

 

We were lucky enough to be able to sit in the shade so that was was good because seriously it was blistering!!

We had such an amazing trip. We feel so lucky that we got to go and that Kevy's parents got to come with us. It made it really nice to have the extra help!! The kids especially Russy talk about Disneyland all the time and how bad they want to go back. Hopefully it won't be four more years before we make it back.

 

Circus Vargas

Kevy was able to get us free tickets to the circus that comes into town every year. I have heard really good things about it and the tickets are normally over $25 each!! So of course we went! We always try and take advantage of free stuff. That's the nature of having a lot of kids, you have to be cheapskates.

My Mom wasn't in town but my dad was so we invited him to go with us. He is so good with the kids, and Russ and Annie just love him so much. It makes me so happy!

Russ just HAD to get this light sword. Silly guy, we just used some of the money that he would get for Disneyland so that I could justify doing that, because I am not that aren't that has to get everything for their kids.

The circus was seriously so amazing, the performers were awesome, there really wasn't a ton of them, they just did everything. They were seriously so talented! The only problem was we were told that we had to be there at 6, so we made sure we were there right on time. The only problem was we really didn't need to be there that early because the show didn't start until 8! Sitting waiting for almost two hours in a hot dark circus tent with six small kids one being a six month old and all of them out after their bedtime. Not a great idea!! They did pretty good all things considered. I had to leave with Clara a couple of times because she was kindof freaking out with the noise. It was SO loud! Plus she was totally exhausted but of course wouldn't sleep.

It was really cool and I am glad we went, but there are some things that I am really looking forward to about the kids getting bigger, and trying to do things like this is one of them!!!

 

Back to School

We were so grateful that we were able to find a house in the same area so that the kids were able to stay at the same school.  I really didn't want to move them again, even though I know they would have been great sports about it.
I really didn't want school to start this year!  It was so hard because we moved a couple weeks before school started so we had spent so much of our summer trying to find a place and showing a house, etc.  Pretty much anything but doing summer activities. I really hope I can make it up to them next summer, because this one stunk. We didn't even go on vacation this summer!  In fact we didn't even leave the Sacramento area!  Now that's just sad!  But alas school started and the kids were still excited to get back.  I personally loathe the first day of school, because I have to try and get the kids there and we have to leave WAY early and I have to cart my other kids with me, which this year was three additional little ones. yikes.  I decided that since we can't park remotely close to the school on the first day and since I wanted them to ride their bikes home from school that we would all ride together.  Not a good idea.  It took forever to get there because Russy was riding and so we got there just before school started so I had to try and get everyone to their classes and  take the obligatory pictures.  Its just nice after the first day when they can get themselves to school.
 Lizzy lost her best friend to Middle school and another one of her friends moved.so in a lot of ways it was starting over for Lizzy.  But I don't worry about her, she always has made friends so easily!  She has Mrs. Donahue and she just loves her.  She comes home and talks about her all the time. She even tells me that she is her favorite teacher she has had, and that is really saying something because she has loved her teachers.  Nellie didn't have any of her friends in her class either, but she has Mrs. Rodrick the teacher that Lizzy had last year, so that was good to have a teacher we were already familiar with. And Nellie now has her best friend down the road so she can ride to school with her and she still gets to play with her at recess. Janie has Mrs. Williams and she was lucky enough to have her favorite little friend Maxim in her class, so that made her a lot less nervous for the first day. 

 I just cant believe how big these girls are getting! It is so crazy to watch the time zoom by and she these gorgeous girls growing into such amazing people.  I am so proud of the people they are turning into!

 Maxim found Janie immediately when we got to school.  It was niced to not see her nervous at all.

 I could tell Nellie was pretty nervous the first day because she didn't know anyone very well in her class.  But she did great!

 I walked into Lizzy's class to take a quick picture, and she was looking a little scared, but then she saw me and gave me her great smile. 

By the time I got back to Jane's class she was already doing great at her table.  I am so proud of these girls and how well they do in new situations!  We are so excited for a new school year and to see them all learn and grow even more!

 Russy was beyond excited when it was his turn to start school a couple of weeks later at Miss Patty's Place.  He got all ready in his new shoes that he said make him run really fast. 

when we got there though I could tell how nervous he was.  He went though without crying or anything.  I was a little nervous to go pick him up because I was worried about him, but I didn't need to be.  when I picked him up he was beyond happy.  One of the happiest I have ever seen him.  He loved it so much!  In fact when he learned that he didn't get to go every day at first he was pretty upset.   but now he is just super thrilled when I tell him it is a Miss Patty Day.  He is growing so much there too.  I love watching him mature and change.

Just Keep Swimming

The highlight of our summer really was the swimming. I was really worried about getting a city pass this year because I didn't know what I was going to do with Clara if we did. She wasn't going to want to go in thepool but I couldn't leave her In the shade when there was a million people around. The solution: my parents had moved into an apartment with a great pool so we went there! It was nice too because we could use any floatingwewanted and a good portion of the time we were the only ones there! I was able to just keep Clara in her seat I the shade and not haveto worry about her, it was also great becuase my mom was there most of the time so she was able to help me with the kids.

There was one thing that really drove me crazy though and it was the kidsconstantly wanting to get and stay in the hot tub!! Even when it was over100 outside they would still want to go and cook themselves in the hot tub!!

It was really fun to go a few times with cousins when they came to visit. Swimming is really fun with a big group!

Annie spent a lot of her time laying out towels and messing around on the side.

Nellie really made strides last year with her swimming and she really picked it up even more this year! She did great!

Jane was ver timid in the beginning and then totally blossomed by the end of the summer. She was swimming on her own, going underwater and even in the deeper end.

 

This was one of the best things of all, watching him learn to love swimming!

Janie learned to jump in, it was really cute!!

 

This was one of the best things of all. These two learned how to swim completely on their own with their life preservers. The would just paddle all around the pool, it was really the cutest thing ever!!

The one time we tried to put miss Clara in the pool. She hated it, ( it is pretty cold) we took her out and she fell asleep with dad.

Even if we didn't do tons this summer by way of activities, at least we went swimming lots!!

 

All About Nellie-9 Years

Nellie is 9 Years old!  these kids of mine are just growing up way too fast!  Next year I will have two in the double digits!
I love that Nellie is still a little girl.  She thinks she wants to grow up but really she doesn't.  This past year there has been a big shift in our family.  It used to be that Lizzy and Nellie were super tight and Jane was the one that was left out.  Not so anymore.  Lizzy has moved onto liking things that are older so Jane and Nellie have become really close and they are the ones that play together all the time.  We moved into a new house that is quite a bit smaller than the last one, so we don't have as much room in the house, but Kevin made up a play area out in the garage and that is pretty much where you will always find Nellie and Jane playing.  They love to play house the most I think.  They also play with their dolls a lot, which makes me happy that they are going to good use.  I just wish they didn't feel the need to make such a giant mess that they don't want to clean up.  Nellie is still the biggest slob.  She is so very creative when it comes to the games she makes up.  I love it because she is always coming up with a creative new game to play.  The only problem is that she throws a massive fit when I make her clean up the mess. She struggles to keep her room clean and now that she and Lizzy share a room, it has become a giant problem that causes a lot of fighting.
Nellie is now in fourth grade and is still dong well in school.  She really does well with math especially.  She may not like it but she does pretty well with it.  We also now live really close to one of her good friends so it has been fun for her to have a friend nearby. 
Nellie still really loves candy and sweets and I can use them as an incentive or a consequence of choices.  I know that if I threaten to take away a treat that she will do just about anything to get it back.
Nellie loves her baby sister Clara so much.  I think partially because she looks the most like Nellie of any of the kids.  But Nellie loves trying to get Clara to smile and helping take care of her.  When Nellie wants to be a helper she is a great helper, the problem is she would rather not do it, so on days when Lizzy is gone she makes sure to stay MIA so she doesn't have to help. 
One funny thing about Nellie is that she wants to have money so bad, but she doesn't want to earn it.  She wants to get it in the easiest possible way.  Nellie is still probably my hardest kid.  She has such a hard time with change so this past year with a new baby and a move was particularly difficult for Nellie.  But since we have gotten settled and things have gotten easier, she ahs started to do better. 
Even though Nellie gives me a run for my money, I wouldn't change a thing about her, because she is special.  She has such a good heart.  She makes our life exciting and she challenges me to be a better mom.  I love her so much and I am so glad that she came to our family, because she makes life so much more exciting for  all of us!1

Nellies 9th Birthday

Nellie is 9, my how the years are flying by. It was an off year for a party so she just had a family party. She has been wanting a summer kind of cake and settled on a watermelon cake. It was pretty easy to make and pretty fun too. We were of course in the middle of moving again. Poor Nellie and Kevy! Their birthdays fall at just the wrong time for this! Too many moves have taken place around their birthdays. I hope one day to somehow make up for that.

I hope the kids one day look back with appreciation for all the cakes that I dreamed up for them.

 

I realized I didn't have any pictures of nellie with her present. But I did find this random one that one of the kids took. That's right Nellie got crutches for her birthday. That is what she really wanted and she uses them all the time!! Jane and Nellie play this game that they call " the broken leg game" where they are injured and the have casts and slings etc. I would think this was weird but I played it as a kid as I am sure many kids did. Having never had a broken bone I always thought it would be so awesome to have the attention. I know that is one of the reasons that they play as well. It's been really fun to watch Mellies and Janes relationship blossom. Now that Lizzy has gotten older and gotten into other things, these two play so well together. I am going to be so sad on the day when Nellie decides she is too old to play with Jane and Jane is on her own.

 

The State Fair

After living here for five years and not going to the state fair ever,  I decided that it might be fun since we hadn't done much this summer.  We decided to go on a free kids night because it is so expensive, that way we were only paying for me and Kevin.   This was yet another poorly planned event on our part.  We got down there pretty late, dinner time, the parking was pretty bad, so it took us forever just to park and walk into the fair.  We needed to eat so we spent a good portion of our time trying to find something to eat and then waiting in line for it. which would have been fine except Kevin had to be back home around seven, so by the time we finished eating we had maybe a half hour to try and do something.  It  was pretty ridiculous. So we just found the nearest exhibit. Luckily it was one for kids so that was good.

The food was alright, certainly not for the price that we paid, but that's life.

 

It was fun for the kids do a lot of the little hands on things.  By far the favorite was the giant bubbles.  but there was a pretty big crowd around them so we couldn't stay too long there.

 

 

We have decided that if we do this again we will for sure spend the whole day rather than trying to do it in a couple of hours.  Clara was still not the easiest baby at this time, so she was unhappy as well.  So overall, not the best trip, but that is ok.  The great thing is we always can try again next year.

Our Fun Fourth

We had a whole bunch of things planned to do on the Fourth this year. We were going to go to the parade in the morning, meeting Lizzy and Kevy there becuase they ran the 5k that morning. Then we were going to come home and go to some friends a little later for water games for the kids and then have a fun dinner with a bunch of friends and then do some fireworks that night. Well Nellie woke up with a sore throat after throwing up the night before and not feeling good and I just had this deep down sick feeling that she had strep. So we met Kevy and Lizzy at the parade. It wasn't that great but the kids enjoyed it alright. I took Nellie to the instacare after that where the nurse confirmed my suspicion that it was indeed strep. So we got to stay quarantined from everyone. We tried to make it fun for our kids and we tried to have a little dinner and Kevy got some fireworks for us to do, but everyone was sick and grumpy and Lizzy came down with strep too. It ended up being such a crappy day. We didn't even end up doing fireworks that night becuase we just wanted everyone to get feeling better. Kevy did take a few of the kids to watch the city ones that night. The crappiest thing of all was that we thought we would save the ones we bought and do them the next night, and then we found out that the fourth was the last day we could legally light them! It was so disappointing. It defintely is a day I won't remeber fondly!

 

On the bright side I got to dress this cutie up in this darling outfit. To bad no one really got to see her.

 

Clara's Baby Blessing

everyone was here for Joes wedding, so we decided it would be a good time to bless our sweet Clara! All of the baby blessings have been not or miss wit how many family members were around to participate. I think we may have had the most for this one though so that is pretty neat. It is crazy to think that we have our whole family here now! It makes me a little sad to think there won't be any more sweet baby blessings for us. Kevin gave another sweet simple blessing. The was they are supposed to be.

I think it is so special that all the girls were blessed in the same dress. It is very special.

I love too that Clara was able to wear booties that her namesake made. How special is that!!

I love this beautiful little family of mine!! I am still in complete awe all the time that these precious souls all belong to me!! I feel so very blessed.

I love this sweet little baby!! She has the sweetest little spirit and I am so grateful we have been so blessed to welcome her into our home!! I still can't believe we ever could have thought we were done before we had her, she really completes our family!