Disneyland Day 1...

Today we woke up so early! I think it was around 5:45. We took showers and got our stuff packed. I am so excited we are going to be in Disneyland today. We made really good time to California, minus a small blowout in Barstow. We thought we were in the clear and that we were going to be in Disneyland by lunch but we got really lost. We drove about an hour the wrong way. We were all really tired of being in the car and super frustrated by the time we got there. It was so hot too. Almost too hard to breath it was so hot. I really didn't pack the right things. Our room was ready so we took our stuff up and turned on the AC for a minute. We grabbed all of our stuff and ate lunch at McDonald's. Despite the fact that it is so hot I am so excited. I feel like a little girl again. We thought splash mountain would be the best start to our day, the wait was 2 hours. I guess everyone wanted to be wet. We settled for a fast pass and a trip down the Jungle River. Sophie thought it was so awesome. After the Jungle Cruise we went on pirates. Thank heaven for inside rides with AC. I could have gone on that ride over and over again. We went to the castle after pirates. Sophie has been dying to see it since we got here. We went over to Snow Whites wishing well and threw a penny in and made a wish. We rode on Snow White and Pinocchio. We also went on Peter pan and the Carousel. By the time we were done with all of those rides it was time to go back to splash mountain. I stayed out with the kids. We got a frozen lemonade and watch the people walk around. We have almost gone through all of the water bottles that we brought so we also got a $3 bottle of water. We saw Winnie the Pooh and learned that it was 111 degrees. What! It is the end of September. That is just way too hot. The poor people in those big costumes. They were only letting them be outside for 15 minutes each. We made our way to Thunder mountain and rode it a few times. There was no line. We meet the only grumpy person in all of Disneyland. It was one of the cast members on that ride. I think the poor guy was just too hot to be happy. We walked past a a BBQ place that smelled so good. We went back to fantasyland and rode on Dumbo. Corey took Dawson back to the room they were both hot and spent for the day, plus it is Monday night which means football. Silly boy! We rode Buzz lightyear and then space mountain. We thought about eating dinner at a hamburger place but decided against a $10 hamburger. Everyone but Sophie, Bonnie, Maddie and I left. We rode small world and then Bonnie and Maddie also left. Soph and I walked around. We went to pixie hallow and looked around in there. It is so cute. I can't wait for her to see Tink. We went back to the room and ate pizza. When the kids were asleep the girls went to Target for more water and some summer clothes on clearance. I really can't believe we are here! I am so excited for the next few days. It really was so hot too. In all honesty I have never been so hot in my whole life. I really hope tomorrow won't be as bad...

8 months...

My little buddy is 8 months old. I can't imagine my life without those chubby cheeks and those to dye for brown eyes! He is quite a little character. He loves his sister and wants to do everything she does. He follows her around, she mostly loves it but sometimes gets a little annoyed. No one can make him laugh like she can though! He is crawling around all over the place. He has mastered going up stairs and like to go head first down them. I don't think we go through one day without a bonked head. He stands up on everything and is also walking around things. I am sure one day he is just going to take off. He loves to read books and play with toys. He like TV but not as much as his sissy does. He cruises around in his walker. I have had to move everything out of his reach. He is so smiley and loves to give us kisses. He love balls so much. I think that is what he is usually playing with. It makes his daddy so happy. He is still waking up 3 times a night to eat. I started him on formula, he likes ok but I think he prefers nursing. He eats baby food twice a day. He loves all fruits but has a really hard time with vegetables, he gags a lot when he is eating them. He love his cereal puffs and his crackers too. He has four teeth, he is in the habit of biting it is not very fun. They are sharp little things! He puts everything and I mean everything in his mouth. I am constantly searching the floor for anything that he might choke on. It is so crazy. I swear Sophie was not like that. He love to snuggle and go on walks. He loves to be outside while his daddy is playing basketball. He jabbers and clicks his tongue. I love him so much, he is such a sweet boy.

Disneyland here we come...

The day has arrived! I am SOOO excited. We packed the car, let me just say that I have never seen a car so full in my life. We managed just fine though! We drove away around 10:30. We made a stop in Lehi to drop off Dawsons bed, Autie Bottom offered to take it in their car. We also got some muffins and some pizza at Costco. The kids fell asleep around Payson and slept for a long time. We stopped in Scipio, Dawson had a pretty big blow out. We also stopped in St. George. We walked around a cemetery and got a humongous snow cone. It was yummy but we didn't even come close to finishing it. We made really good time to Las Vegas. Just as we were about to get off the freeway we got pulled over. Corey got a ticket and we were so bummed. Oh well, such is life. We made it to my cousin Kristi's house, unloaded our things and went and ate dinner at BJ's. It was really good food. We went back to the house and talked for a while, then we went to sleep. Our kids were up so early so we decided to leave. It was so fun to see Kristi, she is such a sweet girl and I love her. We got some breakfast stuff at Walmart, then we drove to Primm. We tried to check into to Buffalo Bills but it was only 9:00. We waited for about an hour and then were able to check in. The rooms were clean and smoke free! We chilled in the room all morning, got some panda express for lunch and watched the Broncos game. Everyone arrived around 3. We went swimming in the freezing pool and then got ready for dinner. We ate at the food court and then some of the kids and grandma went on the roller coaster. We went back to our rooms, got ready for bed and went to sleep. I can't wait to go to Disneyland tomorrow!

Dawson...

This is his favorite place to play. On these little stairs in our family room. He climbs up and sits down. He has taken a few face plants, but that doesn't stop him. It is so funny. He got his first forehead bruise the other day. I am sure it is the first of many. He is an active boy. Its a good thing too. He has to keep up with his Daddy and sissy!

Standing...

Dawson pulled himself up a few weeks ago on Sophie's little Mickey Bike. He was so proud of himself. Now he is walking around everything! He loves his new found freedom. Sophie usually laughs, but now he can get her toys on the table and she is not too thrilled about that. He is so little still, he is not even 8 months old yet. I love watching him move around. He is so cute. Sophie is a big girl and I love her so much.

Random thoughts...

I feel like the past few weeks I have not had a moment to breath. Between Birthday Parties, wedding stuff, baby blessings and the last few weeks of summer, we have been so busy. I feel like I have been so behind in documenting our lives. I am so excited for Fall! I love summer, it is definitely my favorite time of year, but I also love fall. The colors, smells and clothes are all so fun. I love going outside and feeling the change in the air, I love being able to wear jackets at night, I love having a cool house when I wake up in the morning. I love making yummy treats and I love the color the sky turns when it is fall. I think it changes to its most beautiful blue! Maybe it is just the contrast of the colors around. We are looking forward to football season! I love college football but my sweetie is a major NFL fan. I can't help but be excited just because he is so excited. I have been sewing a lot, mostly for Jessica's wedding but also a few things for fun. I will post pictures of my projects soon. Recently I have been searching for some comfortable shoes to wear on our Disney vacation. I have such sore and tired feet all of the time. I got some vans but Cor said I am not such a vans girl. I would have to agree with that. They weren't happy for my feet anyway. My Mom told me about some shoes called Toms. I had never heard of them. Jessica wanted some for her Birthday so I went with her to the mall. They have them at Nordstrom and at Lolabellas. They may possibly be the most comfortable shoes I have ever put on my feet. I could not leave without them. So here they are. Corey thinks they could possibly be the ugliest shoes he has ever seen. Oh well. They make my feet happy. Some cute child in Africa gets a new pair of shoes too. That's the deal with Toms shoes. One for One. They have a million different colors and fabrics but I chose plum cords. I love purple right now. I love my life and feel so grateful for my sweetie and my babes. For my home and for the gospel. We are so excited to get a break and head to California. I love California. I could so easily live there. I will close these random thoughts with another story from the mouth of Sophie. She has really been acting up lately. I think it is the change in routine from summer to fall. The other day she was having a moment so I had a talk with her. After asking her to do something for the millionth time, I finally told her that Princesses always listened to their parents. I told her that they were loving and kind and if she wanted to be a princess she needed to do those things. A while later she was doing well at listening and she said, "Mom I am a princess I am listening to my parents. I am going to marry a prince and his name is Corey Jens Halliday. She is so funny.

Labor Day...

We had a fun, low key Labor day. We were going to go to the Lake but we have been cursed with some kind of sickness that will not leave. I hope and pray we are all well before Disneyland. We woke up and relaxed down stairs. We caught up on some of our shows while the kids played on the floor. We decided to go to breakfast at Ihop. While we waiting for our food I went in the bathroom to change Dawson. When I came out my Dad and siblings were sitting at a table. I had no idea they were there. They came and joined us at our table. We went home relaxed some more while Dawson took a nap. When he woke up we went to the zoo. It was so crowded. We had a good time though and enjoyed the cool weather. Papa bought Sophie and Dawson a ticket for the Merry go round. They both loved it. I am so excited for Disneyland. We watched the Bird show and then left. We were going to make steaks for dinner but decided Chinese sounded better so we went to Dragon Diner. We got home bathed the kids and watched Diary of a Whimpy kid. I love having a day that Cor has NO work. I love spending time with him and our kids.