The Bestest in the Westest

Brian and I often comment on how lucky we are to live in the neighborhood that we do. We truly have the BESTEST NEIGHBORHOOD and we are spoiled by all our great neighbors. Each year during the summer we try to get together and have a little neighborhood party and BBQ. Since we have 50+ kids just in our cul-da-sac and down our little street, we decided that it would be fun to rent a BIG blow up slide for the day.
The kids had a blast. Even though it was a little cloudy and drizzly outside...we put the garden hose on it and turned it into a water slide. It was a huge hit.

Even the little babies in the neighborhood would have a blast going down. Karson on the other hand was NOT thrilled at all with it. After much coaxing, I talked him into going down with me on my lap. So we climbed up...slid down and WHACK!!! he hit his head on my knee and that was the end of sliding for him.

Krew & Cami

Kyle

Brinley

It's always fun to just hang with great friends!

We always have yummy food at are BBQ

Karson and his ammo!

And for some reason we always end up with a water fight.

Ashlynn's friend Hailey looks like she is up to no good.

Peyton D. getting her daddy wet. And Megan M. be chased by her dad after getting him soaked. Run Megan run.

Since we usually do it around the July 4th weekend we end the night with fireworks in the culd-da-sac. Here is Karson with his friends Makenna (who insisted on sitting by him the whole night and was not happy if someone got between them. You could also see her leading Karson around while holding his hand through out the night...to cute! Karson is already whipped), Her little brother Macoy, and Karsons other little girlfriend Sydnee.

Brinley and her friends Kennadi, Madeline, and Hailey...enjoying the fireworks.

Ashlynn and her two friends Hailey and Megyn.

I am so glad we live in this neighborhood where our kids have made such good friends. We ARE BLESSED!

We DID Disney!

This post is way past due. But I wanted to share our fun trip, that we took back in April. For Spring Break we headed to Disneyland and had a Blast! We have been there before (okay maybe three or four times,) but seriously, other than the FIRST time , this was the funnest time we had. I think that it has to do a lot with my kids are growing up and that we didn't have any little babies.

The anticipation of walking down Main Street. This is were the Excitement really begins!




I'm not sure why, but the Astro Orbiter is ALWAYS the first ride we hit. Maybe since it is the first ride we run into?



My kids were really quite well behaved (for the most part) which made the trip enjoyable.

This is what kept Karson manageable through the whole week at Disneyland. Brian bought him this set of cars. It was the BEST purchase EVER. He carried those cars for 4 days straight. They kept Karson entertained the WHOLE time we were stuck standing in long lines.

He would line his cars up..."drive" them along the railings and so forth. That was the best idea.

Okay I just have to brag about my kids. They aren't wimps. That makes it fun, because they will try out ANY ride as long as they met the height requirement. I was so proud of Brinley. She went on Indian Jones ride...although she kept her head down the whole time and says she will NEVER go on that again. We also talked Brinley into going on the Tower of Terror. That on the other hand she said she will never forgive us. She came off the ride in tears. It scared her to death. She said she doesn't like it when people DON'T TELL HER THE TRUTH about how scary a ride is. She won't be going on that again either. But I am so happy at least she gave it a try.

Ashlynn loves the California Screamer. You know the Roller Coaster that goes upside down? I on the other hand, ride it ONCE each time we go. But the WHOLE ENTIRE time I'm asking myself "Now remind me how this is fun? And Why I am on this?"

We had a lot of first this trip. First time to the Tikki room. I think that will be are only trip to the Tikki Room LOL!

The Nemo Ride. The kids liked although it is a little hard to get the little ones down inside the submarine.

Sights from the Nemo Ride.

Disneyland Parades are the BEST! Here's the Family waiting for the Main street Parade to begin

So Karson is a Rookie when it comes to Parade Watching. He didn't get the memo that he was NOT PART OF THE PARADE and the he NEEDED TO STAY ON THE SIDEWALK.

When Woody came down the stairs, Karson ran out to greet him...Biffed on the road and all the friendly Disney workers came to pick him up and REMIND HIM TO STAY ON THE SIDEWALK!

Then comes Pooh and Karson could not resist this loveable bear. Karson ran out and this time ...mission accomplished! He gave Pooh Bear a great big hug.

Meanwhile I'm DODGING GIANT BICYCLES trying to save my son from being ran over.

They Must have realized how much Karon wanted to be part of the parade. So they caved, and invited Karson and Brinley to join them.

Disney California also has some great parades. The girls really enjoyed singing and dancing along with High School Musical!

The kiddos getting a high five from one other the performers.

The Pixar Parade was Amazing!

Of course Karson though that Lightning McQueen was the Star of the Parade.

Tow Mater was bringing up the end.

I love to sit back and just watch my cute family. I am SO BLESSED!

Okay so my son likes to Entertain!

While waiting for the parade Karson would head out to the middle of the parade route to show off and dance. He can be quite the Character. I have pictures of him doing the exact same thing the last time we were at Disneyland. He was only 2 yrs then.

I LOVE the family bonding time you get on vacation. Kyle on the other hand, I think can go without so much bonding.

The highlight of Karson's trip.

Mom caved and the girls got their face painted.

Brinley REALLY enjoyed the cotton candy.

What a great Vacation. We had a BLAST! Look at poor Karson covering his eyes. He was so scared. But he said it was fun and he thought he was pretty brave. Looking forward to many more vacations and family memories

Parents Day Program

Brinley's 1st grade class had a little program for the parents at the end of the year. They sang a few songs(short and sweet...just how I like them) and then we headed back to the classroom for cookies and Brinley showed us all the special projects she had been working on through out the year.


Brinley loved her teacher Miss Winward. She thinks she is the best teacher EVER and so do I. She really took interest in her class. She told us that this class was the BEST. Every single one of them is reading ABOVE grade level. Now that says A LOT about a teacher. Miss Winward is getting married this summer. Brinley has been talking about it all year long. You would think it was going to be the wedding of the year and Brinley says she will not be missing it for anything.

Karson thinks his big sis is pretty awesome.

The Future is Bright...at Least I Hope So

Karson had a little program for the end of the year at preschool. Miss Sommer did an excellent job with her class and wanted to show the families what the kids had learned.

Well needless to say Karson thought he was the star of the show.

He was yeasing his neighbor.

being a cool cat.

And just would not partitipate in the songs.

He was just so laid back and hamming it up for everyone to see. I really wonder if he learned anything this year.

When Miss Sommer handed out the awards Karson received the award for Most Willing! What? Really? Miss Sommer said whenever she would ask the class to do something Karson was always willing to do it. Hmmmm didn't show it in the program. You little stinker.

But he sure was proud of his certificate. And we are proud of him too.

Of course rhe favorite part was the lollipop. YUMMY!

Partying Up

The day after Kyle's Birthday, is Karson's Birthday. We get A LOT of partying in during the month of May. Of course Karson wanted to have a car birthday party...would he have it any other way. He had fun going to the party store and picking everything out with mom. Karson also insisted on a "MATER" cake. Mom was being a little cheap so she decided to make her own. And guess what? It cost me 88 cents! Well plus the cars that I added. It's not professional by any means, but Karson thought it was wonderful.

Well Mom had grand plans for an outdoor party. But of course just like Kyle's party it was rained out. Rrrrrr! So things got scaled back a little for a indoor party.


Okay, these are just random snap shots...but don't you think that it looks like Claira is totally copying Ashlynn? She is so cute.

Karson had fun! When planning his party he said "Yea, we are going to invite all my friends over...turn up the radio...and dance!" Then he proceeded to sing "Life is a highway. I'm going to rock it all night long." The theme songs to Cars the movie. I just love this little guy.

Opening presents with 3 and 4 year olds is an experience in itself. They all wanted to which one was THEIR present. And they kept asking if they got to take it home. Such a hard concept to grasp at that age.

Here's wishing my baby boy a Happy Birthday. Thank goodness he promised me that he will stay 6 forever (and you better believe I'm holding him to it). That means I only have to plan two more parties. Whahoo!

Aaaack There's a Teenager in the House!

Kyle just celebrated his 13th birthday...which he started out the day by informing me and his dad that WE were getting old, because now we have a teenager. Can you believe that? Kyle is such a friendly, out going kid and he wanted to invite ALL his friends over to help celebrate.

He had it all planned out. HE even made his own invitations. The plan was to watch "Bad News Bears" (which his father thought has QUITE A FEW questionalble scences...Sorry parents, I shouldn't trust a 13 year olds judgement) outside, projected on to the back of the "Farmers Market." He requested a cake from Costco...they are the best, Mom's home made root beer and popcorn. Well of course there were rain showers off and on throughout the day. So mom made a mad dash to clean out the basement. We hung up a sheet on the wall and the kids just hung out down there. I'm so glad Kyle has such good friends. They were all well behaved. Everyone had a good time. Hope you had a Happy Birthday Son!