Our sweet boy…

Drew is such a happy, sweet little boy. He's changing from a toddler into a little boy each and every day. And he definitely is getting closer to being 2… Just in the last few weeks, his opinions, likes and dislikes have intensified immensely. If he does not want to eat something, he will assertively tell us "no" and clamp shut his mouth. There is no way in heck we can get him or force him to eat it. He'd rather starve.

He also started having a definite opinion on his wardrobe choices each morning. One morning he was throwing a small fit and crying as I was getting him dressed. He kept saying a word over and over, but I couldn't figure out what he was saying. He was pointing up to his shirts that were hanging in his closet so, I lifted him up and he chose a navy blue shirt that was in the middle. He knew it was his "baseball shirt" – his Boston Red Sox shirt. He was trying to tell me "baseball" but I didn't understand. As soon as he picked it out, he was so happy. The tears stopped and he wanted it on. He did not want to wear the shirt I chose for him. He wanted to wear his Red Sox shirt. So, for the next 3 mornings he would tell me "baseball". Luckily he had a couple Red Sox shirts, and then on the third day, we borrowed Allie's Red Sox shirt (don't worry – it looks just like Drew's just bigger – it's not pink!) so I could wash his other shirts.

He makes us laugh with his adorable looks and actions, his cute speech, and his love for singing. Even when he's doing something he shouldn't, it sure is hard to stay mad at him because he just melts us. A couple weeks ago, I had put Drew down for bed in his crib. He had only been in there for a couple minutes and then he started crying really hard, which is unusual. I didn't know if he got a body part stuck in his crib or what but he was obviously in distress. I went back into his room and as soon as I opened the door he said "help……. help". (He says this so cute). So I walk over to his crib and he holds up his right arm. I couldn't see his hand – he had just barely pulled it into his long sleeve pajama shirt. I lightly tugged his shirt down and his hand came out. He smiled and said "tank too" for thank you – and laid back down to go to sleep. Seriously – he totally could have fixed his sleeve himself. He just didn't want to. I couldn't get mad at him – it was just too cute.

I love having a little boy. They are so different from girls, but each is fun in their own unique way. I love being a mom and am SOOOO lucky to have such wonderful children and a wonderful husband that loves and supports me, is so helpful and is the best Dad to our 2 beautiful children. I truly enjoy being around them and hanging out with them al the time . Love ya guys…

Mom & Daughter Night Out

Allie has been working so hard on her job charts and doing chores around the house and being obedient. She is such a great little helper (when she wants to be...). So, as a special date night, we chose to go get our toes painted. This was Allie's first time, and she was so excited. I was so proud of her, she was so grown up at the salon. She hoped right up in the chair and was so still and patient. She would watch to see what I did, and she'd do the same thing. She would giggle when they'd scrub her feet or clip her nails. I couldn't help but take a ton of pictures of my little girl. All the other people in the salon thought she was so cute how grown up she was being. Allie picked out her nail color all by herself and they asked her if she'd like a flower on her toes. "Of course" was her reply. They gave her a super cute flower, and Allie LOVED to show anyone who would look at her toes the beautiful artwork.

She's growing up so fast. I miss the little baby I use to cuddle and hold so tight, but it is a lot of fun to see how much she's grown, and to see her joy in experiencing new things. After our pedicures, we went to Harkins theater to buy our Dad (and Allie) some of their favorite treat - popcorn. It was a super fun mom and daughter night out. We usually just go shopping so this was a fun change.

Just too Literal...

So, one day me and Allie were talking about some things she learned in her Primary class at our church. I was trying to help her understand that we lived in heaven before we were born, and we were just spirits. and we had to come to earth to get a body. We talked about how Satan didn't make a good choice. He didn't want to listen to Heavenly Father and he didn't get to come to earth and get a body. Allie instantly got a puzzled look on her face, and asked me "so he's just a head?"

I think I laughed out loud, but explained to her no, he wasn't just a head. She's such a joy in my life, I love to see how her brain works and processes life! Love ya Al!

The Happiest Place on Earth

Well it was a pretty happy place... Our kids had a blast at Disneyland. We wanted it to be a surprise for Allie so she just thought we were spending a few days in California. But on day #2 in Orange County we got up and got ready for the day like normal but then boarded the hotel shuttle. She still had no clue where we were going, she was just so ecstatic to be riding a bus. She tells me that she'll ride a bus to school when she's 5. Little does she know - her mom can't handle the unknown of what goes on in school buses or the possibility of her getting off at the wrong stop and being lost, so she'll probably be more like 15 before I'm ready for her to ride a bus by herself.

Anyways, we told her where we were going before she heard it on the intercom on the bus. She was SOOO excited. Her eyes got so wide, and she was just watching out the window to see when we'd get there. She had a lot of fun on the rides, and meeting princesses, and watching the parade. That was one of her favorite parts of the whole day. We had awesome seats and were right there and so close to all the characters. She waved to all of them, and called out their name as if they should know her. It was super cute. Dan and I each sat in the umbrella strollers and put the kids on our laps. Our legs were completely numb by the end of the parade. But it beat sitting on the ground or standing the whole time... Drew was completely content on my lap, because he had snacks and treats in a bag. He didn't move a muscle the entire parade.

Neither Dan nor I had been to Disneyland in a long time, so we were a little surprised at how busy it was. We did some research about less busy times, and this was supposed to be one of those times, but we waited and waited in lines for EVERYTHING. The longest line was to meet the 3 princesses and to get their autograph. We waited 1 hr and 15 minutes to talk to each princess for about 20 seconds and to get an autograph and picture. Seeing the look on Allie's face when she met them was totally worth it, but it was super tough for Drew to wait in a line for that long...

Drew loved all the other rides we went on. He was so good at sitting still and just taking it all in and enjoying the ride. He enjoyed meeting Pluto - the "doggie". He kept petting his nose and feet.

Welcome to Main Street, U.S.A. By the way, Dan is not pleased I am posting this picture of his "practical" walking outfit.

The castle was a bit disappointing. As a kid, I remember it being a lot bigger. Allie kept wanted to go inside of it, but you only really pass through it.

Allie and Ariel - the Little Mermaid smiling for the camera.

Aurora - aka Sleeping Beauty was so kind and asked her all about school and the things she likes to do. Allie was so big and answered all her questions. Allie was a little shy, but she did a great job talking to each of the princesses.
Allie and Mulan.

We come all the way to Disneyland, and this is what Drew wants to do... play in the water fountain.
Drew loved meeting Pluto "the doggie".

Allie is making a phone call inside Mickey's house.
Drew and Dan inside Mickey's house.

They wanted to spin faster and faster on the tea cup ride.
Allie enjoyed driving the car, especially because we got a purple sparkly one. Drew was happy to just go along for the scenic drive. He loves to go anywhere in the car, even a small one on a track. He always asks me to go "bye bye" and home and tries to reach for the keys, or climb in the car. He doesn't care where we go, he just wants to go...

She felt so grown up here. She was so proud of herself for making Dumbo go up and down all by herself.

Jessie from Toy Story.

Drew enjoying a Churro. I bought it for me, but I think he ate most of it...

Mmmmm pickle....

Dan had been dreaming about these big pickles from Disneyland for weeks. He loves these, and so did Allie...

The pink fairy from Sleeping Beauty came over and sang and danced her part right in front of us. Allie thought we was talking directly to her.

Allie kept calling out to Ariel. Ariel turned and waved to her - it made her day.

We tried all day to see Mickey or Minnie, with no luck. We saw them on our way out of the park right after the parade as they were closing for the night. We stood in line for 25 minutes for this picture and we had to run to not miss our bus back to our hotel, but we finally got to see them. It was a great ending to a magical day.