The Wonderful World of....

DISNEY!!!!!

I've gotten to go to Disneyland a lot this past year because my mom bought Samantha and I passes. But because Tom has that whole "work" thing he doesn't get to come with us. Well, this year Disneyland lets you in free on your birthday so...we went as a family, finally. It was so wonderful. We had a fabulous time. We went through Sleeping Beauty's Castle, Astro Blasters (Buzz Lightyear), Tom took Samantha on Space Mountain (and she totally loved it), Small World (Tommy's favorite), the Carousel, Tea Cups (Eliza's personal favorite), Haunted Mansion, and the Jungle Cruise (Samantha's favorite). We also got pictures and autographs with Goofy and Jasmine.

You know, it always shocks me how it seems like we do so little on paper. But you know: potty breaks, nursing breaks, concession stand breaks, lunch breaks, dinner breaks, melt down breaks, naps in stroller breaks, and all the time standing in line really cuts into your actual time. I thought it was still just awesome.

Then, what was equally awesome was when we brought them back to my wonderful mom and she put them to bed while Tom and I went back for a little date. Unfortunately it closed at 8:00. We thought we'd be smart and got a fast pass before we left for Indiana Jones, only to have it be closed due to problems when we got back. So we stood for an hour in line for Space Mountain again (because I hadn't gone before). I actually thought standing in line was awesome. How often do Tom and I get to sit there and just talk for an hour with nothing else to do?!? The ride was cool too. Then we stood in more lines to get the picture from the beginning of the day. We actually shelled out the money since this was more of an "official" family vacation. It's way cute too-too bad I have a husband who strictly adheres to copyright laws. I'll share the cute non-copyrighted pictures with you.

Samantha and me hanging out while Tom waited in line for an HOUR in the ticket line.

Cute kids in front of Rabbit's house

The Carousel

Just the photo op for Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. We didn't actually do it because it was a 40 minute wait and I have a 20 minute limit of standing in line with kids.

Jasmine and the girls. I must say-it was pretty funny when Samantha went up to her and said "Hey-you're on my shirt right here" Jasmine was pretty gracious.

Eclectic Collection of My Funny Kids

I just wanted to share a couple of the mundane but nevertheless amusing things in our lives right now. My kids certainly have the ability to drive me nuts but I don't think anything compares to how funny they are and how many weird things end up happening when kids get involved.

My kids sucking applesauce through a straw. According to Dr. Google it's supposed to help Tommy with his age-inappropriate, sort of gross, never-ending drool problem (strengthens the "not drooling" muscles). I think that's a big 'ol line but it made for some good times.

Yeah, Tommy in the walker. He climbs in the swing too-what am I supposed to do about it?

I walked in after Mutual to check on her and she was wearing her birthday crown from several weeks ago. What a goofball :).

Finally, this video is funny for three reasons:
1. This is like my billionth attempt to capture Eliza clapping on camera. She will not do it. She becomes mesmerized by the camera
2. Tommy with his "cheese" and the special drool down his face.
3. The ending-it's not so much "funny" as "tragically sad" but some variation happens only like 50 times a day around here and if I don't laugh, I'll cry!

Everybody Look at my House!!!

WHAT?!? Yep-that's right, this is our new house that we are going to OWN!

To quote a wonderful movie- "Let me 'splain. No there is too much. Let me sum up"

We still have not sold our house in Virginia but we finally came around to the idea of renting instead of selling. Then, lo and behold, Lockheed agreed to pay the rental management fee-yay! Plus-we didn't want to lose the Lockheed benefits of buying within a year of moving here (Paying the closing cost, paying points towards the interest rate, etc.). There were two obstacles we imagined to buying:

1. Would anyone approve us for a mortgage loan with us owning another house?
2. Renting our VA house wouldn't cover the full amount of our mortgage-could we afford to buy if we did get qualified?

Answers:
1. USAA qualified us with absolutely no problem (incidentally, for less than half of what we qualified for when we bought our VA house-they really are cracking down). We will have to put 10% down but that's not a problem.
2. This house is going to cost LESS each month (with taxes, PMI, everything) then it currently costs us to rent. Isn't that crazy?!?

So this is our house. We will try to close on the 29th. Wild huh? I'm still reeling a little because it happened really, really fast. So here are some spec's on the house:

1. It is not crooked or slanted, that is my poor picture taking ability
2. 2,370 sq ft.
3. 4 bedrooms 2 1/2 baths.
4. It's in a nice neighborhood that will still be in our current ward, which I'm really happy about.
5. My favorite parts about it are the kitchen pantry-it's truly amazing (walk-in), the double sinks in both upstairs bathrooms, the separate tub/shower in the master bath, the granite counter-tops, the fact it backs up to the green-belt (no shirtless backyard neighbors) and the layout is good.
6. Some of the inevitable "not perfect" items are-smaller kitchen, but it does have a lot of counter space because of an island, and Tom wants a HUGE backyard, and ours is just normal sized.

I guess maybe it's too tacky too say the price (is that still the etiquette?) but I would totally tell you if you asked. :).

I am really, truly excited.

Check Mark on My List

Remember this give-away blog post? Well, today I finished them and mailed them off - so Heidi, Alison, Mom, Krista (and Katie who already got hers) look for them in the mail. I had a lot of fun doing them, hope you enjoy!

Help! I Need Somebody. Help! Not Just Anybody

Now that Eliza is 6 months old I find myself a little more on top of things in my life and slightly more willing to venture out in public and do the things I did routinely before having a third child. This includes but isn't limited to: having a regular grocery shopping time, library story time, going to the park, extra outings, Wal-mart, clothes shopping, taking walks, etc. I would say that at least 90% of the time, if not more, I feel like I handle it all pretty well. The funny thing is that I get comments on my bravery, sanity, "hands being full", etc. EVERY TIME I GO ANYWHERE!

These are largely well-meant and do not offend me. I just think it's hilarious how much people want to help me. Maybe I just noticed it more this week but everywhere I went people stepped in to do something for me. Cases in point:

1. I went to Samantha's Fire station field trip on Wednesday and a fireman took Tommy through the truck, the presenter picked him up and held him on her hip for a good 5 minutes of her presentation (I was a little mortified, but I figure-hey-if that's what she wanted to do) and another Dad carried him around on his shoulders for another 5 minutes
2. I went to either wal-mart or the grocery store the other day and some women saw me hoisting Eliza into the front part so she picked up Tommy for me and lifted him into the basket part.
3. At the check out stand of a grocery store I was holding Eliza and loading things one-handed onto the conveyor so a lady came running up and started loading my things with me to help me. (Afterwards I got one of the favoritest comments of people-the cashier said I was "brave" while she implied with her tone that I was "insane")
4. We had a crazy week so we got fast food twice and both times the cashiers were falling over themselves to help us to our table-and Tom was even there.
5. A man wanted my parking spot and I told him I'd just be a minute because Samantha had her bike and I had the double stroller, so he hopped out and tried to help me fold up and load up.
6. And finally...the funniest/creepiest one is when the man who had just finished soliciting me for money tried to pick Eliza up from the spot in the car I had laid her while I buckled in Tommy and put her in her carseat. I took her as politely and quickly as I could-I really think he was just trying to be helpful :S.

So, if I sound like I'm complaining-I'm definitely not. I'm thrilled there are so many helpful people in this world. I just hope it's not the look on my face that makes these people pity me. I do try to be ultra-calm in public so I don't appear to be that mom. I guess I should enjoy it while it lasts right?

A Look Through the Years

I've wanted to do this for a while-so I will. Here's my darling little girl on all her birthdays. Happy Birthday to you Samantha!!!

March 17, 2005

This was in the basement of the residence hall we lived in. We had a little friend party for her another day but we had several nearby relatives come on her birthday. We had a full out dinner with an edited video of her first year playing in the background. She got her first cupcake-it was awesome.

This is her 2nd Birthday. We lived in Virginia. We had a birthday party at our house where we invited some of her closest friends from the ward as well as her MOM'S club playgroup friends. It was St. Patricks themed of course.

We were in Virginia again. I didn't feel up to a full-blown party (I had morning sickness) so I invited a few close friends to a bounce house center and then we had pizza, and cake and ice cream at our house after. I finally skipped the St. Pattie's theme and did Princess stuff instead.

4th Birthday! We had a special family day. The best part for her (besides presents of course) was going to the Children's Museum. I posted about our whole day below-so read it :)!

I love this little (big) girl. I always feel grateful for the opportunity to be her mother. She has the sweetest spirit and personality. I happen to think she's gorgeous and smart and talented and loving and....etc., etc. I love Samantha!

4 Years Old-Wish Her Many More!!!

My baby is 4!!! Today was her very special day. We tried to pack in as much fun as possible. I tend to use run-on sentences so I'll expound on our day in list format:

1. Tom stayed home from work-which was awesome
2. Then we (he) made green pancakes for us all
3. We went to the Children's Museum where she had the absolute time of her life
4. After which we ate lunch as a family at the park
5. Then made cupcakes and goodie bags for her preschool where...
6. She was "Princess for a Day" and got to be line leader, the one who did the calendar, and all those other things that make preschoolers feel so special
7. Made her choice of dinner (spaghetti :)-also dyed green-with green bread and strawberries (her favorite)
8. Opened presents!!! Her big one was a bike-which of course we had to try out.
9. (Cup) cake and ice cream

She is thrilled to be four. Samantha only starts talking about her birthday approximately 364 days before they happen so I hope we made it a special one-she certainly seemed to enjoy it. I'll share some pictures with you.

Tommy LOVED the museum as well. When he likes something he really, really likes something.

Eliza's response to all the excitement.