Back from Disneyland

We had the most amazing time in Disneyland last week. I knew the kids would enjoy it, but I had no idea I would have so much fun. In fact I told Dave I want to go back again without the kids. In all we spent Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at Disneyland and California Adventure Park and then we spent Thursday and Friday at Legoland and the Aquarium next to Legoland. Amazingly no one got lost, and despite a few traumatic moments, I think we will all have fond memories of this trip.

The whole family at Disneyland

Of course you have to get a picture with Mickey Mouse while you are there. Hunter had to give Mickey a kiss as well as a hug.

Hunter with Donald Duck

Allison with Minnie Mouse

Ashton looking very much like a Cheshire Cat with the White Rabbit

Every night there was a great fireworks show over the castle set to music. Most of us enjoyed it, especially Dave, but the twins thought it was too loud and scary. Here they are during the fireworks on our first night in the park. Kristen is covering her ears and Loryn is covering her eyes.

Kristen and Loryn's favorite rides were the carousels. This fish carousel was in California Adventure. Kristen, Loryn, and Hunter went on it over and over again while Dave, Ashton, and Allison went on the California Screaming rollercoaster (the best rollercoaster I have ever been on). There wasn't any line so we could get off and run right back on again.
Here is Kristen on a favorite Sea Lion.
Below is Loryn on her favorite Sea Horse.


Below: Kristen on the Sea Lion from the night before.

Hunter also liked the Carousel a lot. He didn't like the fast roller coasters very much and luckily for him he was too short for several of them. Next time though Hunter. Below: Hunter on his otter.
The Pirates of the Caribbean ride was a favorite of the parents and Ashton and Allison, but the younger three thought it was a bit too scary. Afterward we dressed up for a few minutes in the gift shop to recover from the trauma.

Another traumatic moment was the Matterhorn. They had heard about the Yeti monsters on the ride and Hunter and Allison were terrified. The twins (one with me and one with Dave) were crying when we got off. Below: Hunter before the ride has even started is a little worked up about it. The rest of us thought it was great.

Of course there were other bright moments like meeting Sheriff Woody. Hunter was thrilled.

And the twins were so excited to meet Cinderella. I wish I had a picture of the Dumbo ride too. Loryn is still praying every night that she can go on the "elephant" ride as well as the "horse" ride (the carousel in Disneyland) and the "fish" ride (the carousel in California Adventure). This Cinderella was fantastic by the way. She never broke character even when she was talking to other workers in the park.

The tea cups were also a favorite. We went on them on our second night there after California Adventure closed. Because it was late, very few people were riding the kiddie rides so we were able to go on the tea cups over and over again. Dave and I both got a little sick so we went back to the hotel soon after.

We also went to Legoland. I think we timed it just right going before all the schools got out for Christmas break. Legoland was empty. You could run onto any ride you wanted to. Our longest wait was probably five minutes. There are so many amazing lego sculptures all over the park. Many of them are life size or bigger. It was incredible to see.

While there we went to a 3-D show about Bob the Builder.

Allison poses with the Queen of England.

Ashton and Loryn next Lego San Fransisco

Ashton and Allison at the Sealife Aquarium. Look at all the pretty fish.

Dave and Hunter with a tired, lego-grandpa. We loved all the detail that went into this sculpture: the Hawaiian shirt, shorts with super white legs and dark socks, Tiva sandals, and there is even a hole in one of the socks where you see his toe poking through.

Kristen and Loryn couldn't go on as many rides at Legoland as they could at Disneyland. I don't know why...I guess they don't have as good an insurance policy as Disney. This made them sad on several occasions, but who cares about rides as long as there is a lego dog to play with. They spent a good ten minutes just playing around this dog. It was so funny. (Loryn is the one with her tongue hanging out like she is a dog too. This is not unusual for her. Half the time at home she is either a dog or cat. Who needs pets when you have two year olds who think they are animals.)

Update

Hello out there. Due to popular demand (J/K) I am finally updating this blog. So much has happened over the last year I feel kind of bad for not documenting it. I will try to catch up and be better. For one thing Dave and I went to Hawaii for our tenth anniversary in May, we sold our old house, and we bought another one across the street. Between these events we lived very busy lives.

I love our new house. There is so much potential. I have many projects I want to work on and look forward to making it how I envision. Of course this may take 10-20 years but it will happen eventually.

The Family Christmas Letter I Don't Send

I have never been energized enough to do Christmas Cards, but if I did, this is the letter I would probably put with them.

We are still surviving in Lehi.

I was recently called as the Cub Master and I am hoping they will release me as the Enrichment leader. I am slightly afraid they might just let me keep both. In my spare time I enjoy chasing two one-year-olds up, over, and around the house and watching Maggie and the Ferocious Beast on a daily basis. Periodically I also do mountains of laundry and dishes.

Dave is still the Young Men's president and a few months ago he switched departments at the church office. He is now the Finance Manager of the Perpetual Education Fund. It has been a great experience for him so far and we both have a new respect and testimony of the program. It is truly inspiring to know how the church is helping people around the world and it has made us so much more grateful for what we have. There are so many wonderful members of the church living in very different circumstances and the PEF is helping to give them the opportunities they need to change their lives.

Ashton is in third grade and enjoys math, reading, and playing with all his little friends--usually at our house.

Allison is in first grade and is turning into quite an artist. She also likes to play with her friends (especially playing dress-ups) and is enjoying gymnastics.

Hunter is four years old and my little sweetheart helper at home. He is a great big brother to his little sisters. For the last four months he has been going to the basics class at the literacy center and about two weeks ago he came out claiming to have read a book in class. My distracted mother response was, "That's nice Hunter," but later that evening he floored my by reading five beginner books. Who knew?

Kristen and Loryn are 1.75 years old and dictate a lot of what goes on in our home. They play really well together and it is very fun to see them interact. They seem to communicate well with each other and they hold hands as they walk around the house or give each other hugs. They also like to trash their room together instead of taking their naps. They are starting to talk and it is wonderful that sometimes I understand what they want because they can tell me. Loryn still gets herself mixed-up with Kirsten and will call "Loryn, Loryn" when she is looking for her sister, and Kristen makes the greatest pouty-lip faces when she doesn't get her way. Loryn is our little free-spirit and reminds me of a sweet little elf. Kristen is very enthusiastic and shows all her emotions on her face and through her body language. You never have to guess what Kristen is feeling.

In all we are doing really well and look forward to another year.

Merry Christmas! With Love,
April and Family

Halloween

We had a great Halloween.

Ashton as Egor, Dr. Frankenstein's assistant.

Yes Master

Allison as Rapunzell

Rapunzell, Rapunzell let down your hair. Hunter as Buzz Lightyear

To Infinity and Beyond
Kristen as a little bumble bee.
Buzz, Buzz

Loryn as our little mouse.

Squeak, Squeak

Primary Program Day

The kids had their primary program today. It went really well. Hunter's sunbeam class sang the second verse of "I Am A Child Of God" which he has been practicing for weeks. Ashton's CTR 8 class sang "When Jesus Christ Was Baptized", and Allison had a little speaking part. They were all very cute. Grandma and Grandpa Ashton and Joy came down for the program then stayed for the family dinner we had at our house this evening.

We took pictures outside after church. Ashton lost his tie and Hunter was acting his usual crazy self. The twins kept running in opposite directions and Allison was patiently trying to get this overwith. Considering all our challenges, this was the best picture we could get of all the kids together.

Say Cheese

Allison looked particularly pretty in this picture. I love her bright blue eyes.

The Zoo

For UEA break we took a day and went to the zoo. Dave even took the day off work.
All of us admiring the zebras while the zebras ignore us.

Most of the animals were carefully contained in their pens, but it seems an alligator got out and found a tasty meal in the playground.

Watch Out Ashton!!I Will Save You!!
Princess to the rescue.

Allison shows her alligator wrestling skills.

Near by, Hunter rides a giant, wild caterpillar.

Ride 'Em Cowboy!

We also took a train ride safari.

Hold on tight!

Laundry Room's Beautiful Floor

Last month Nielson came and helped me tile the ever-in-progress laundry room. Sometime during the summer I texturized the walls and painted. Now the floor is done. Hopefully I will get the sink and cabinets installed soon.

Hooray for Nielson the Great!

Loryn, Hunter and Kristen posing on the new and improved laundry room floor. It looks a lot better than it did, and it will be so much more functional.

I am so happy!