An Evening of Laughter

Saturday, December 1 - San Diego Nights

The kids at the hotel we stayed at when we went to Disneyland.

Natalie, Eden, Oliver and Aubrey. I love all of their different hats!

After Emily, the kids and I all got some hot chocolate from Starbucks for the ride back home to Menifee, we rested for awhile. Then we got ready for the fun night that lay ahead of us.

First, we went to a restaurant that is one of Jared's favorites, DeMille's. There we had some food... Italian in nature. We got calamari and spinach dip for the appetizers. Ed had never eaten calamari before so I had to get a picture of him trying it for the first time. He didn't like it. I ordered my usual, fettucine alfredo with chicken and it was delicious! Ed ordered a meatball on the side and it was HUGE! We were going to try some cantelloni for dessert, but we were all STUFFED!

Emily and her new fried friend! She and Jared love calamari... EW.

Ed trying calamari for the first time. I asked him if he liked it. After a moment... he said, "No".

Emily and Jared

Look at the size of that ginormous meatball!!!

Next, we went to see one of our favorite comedians, Brian Regan. (Jared knew we liked him, and surprised us with tickets! We were sooooo excited!) We sat pretty far up, so we missed out on his crazy facial expressions and little jigs... but hey... we could hear him at least! We were afraid that we would hear the same ol' stuff, be we were pleasantly surprised! It was mostly new stuff. We were just dying laughing! We really like him because (A) he doesn't swear... only damn and hell... and (B) he's hilarious, at least we all think so!

After Brian Regan's show, we walked down to Ghirahdelli's and there was a pretty long line. Some of the workers gave us some new chocolate flavors to try while we were waiting to order. I got Eggnog... yeah... not an eggnog fan, but it was pretty decent. When we got inside I ordered a plain vanilla malt (I was still really full from dinner)... and let me tell you... it was AWESOME! The best malt I've ever had the pleasure of sipping on!

Our First Time at DISNEYLAND!!!

Friday, November 30, 2007 - Disneyland in the rain...

We got to Disneyland at around 11 am due to some nasty traffic. We headed toward the tram to take us to the park. I have to admit, there were a lot more people there than I thought there would be, because of the rain. I would HATE to see how crowded it would be on a nice day!!!YIKES!

We just decided that we would go around the park in a circle which made our first stop... TOMORROWLAND. We went on what would later be Oliver's favorite ride of the day! "Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters" was a ride that had us aiming at lit targets in the world of Buzz Lightyear. There was a joystick on the dash of our little car which made us move in all directions. Oliver just loved it! It was pretty cool!

Next, we went on the "Star Wars Star Tours" which is a simulated ride that made me feel a little woozy! I was glad when that one was over.

"Space Mountain", a rollercoaster that takes you on a fast trip in the dark, was the next one up. I was iffy about going on that one. I was planning on waiting with my kids while everyone else went on it. I later changed my mind after my kids agreed to it! I couldn't believe that they actually wanted to go on it! Eden didn't like it, but Ollie said that he did... although it didn't look like it while he was on it!

After that we went to the Pizza Port for lunch and spent about fifty bucks for all four of us to eat! It was surprisingly tasty!

After that, we went on the "Matterhorn Bobsleds" and the kids didn't enjoy the glowing red eyes of the abominable snowmen that lurked in the corners.

Then we heard that Ariel, The Little Mermaid, was out meeting and taking pictures with the kids. We rushed over to FANTASYLAND since she is Eden's absolute FAVORITE Disney princess. As Eden was meeting her, she told Ariel that she was her favorite. It was so stinkin' cute! She was just beaming!

Off to "It's a Small World". It was decorated in Christmas lights for the holidays and they even sang different Christmas songs inside.

We ventured over to "Autopia", which was an outside ride. The rain had stopped so we thought we'd try it out! I rode with Ollie and stepped on the gas while he steered... or... didn't steer. He had let go and we went back and forth, back and forth off of the track that kept us on the road. I had a headache after that one that's for sure!

Eden was in heaven at the next place we went, the "Disney Princess Fantasy Faire". Here she got to meet Belle, Mulan and Jasmine. She also got some souveniers at the Royal shop.

Mom had told me to make sure that I should go on "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" before we left. One word... WEIRD! You end up in judgement and then in hell with the devil. Hmmm... I don't think she quite remembered all of that! After that we went on "Snow White's Scary Adventures" and then to MICKEY'S TOONTOWN. I wish we could have gone there earlier in the day while it was lighter. My pictures didn't quite turn out how I would have liked. Also, Mickey and Minnie were getting ready for the parade when we went so we didn't get to see them there.

We then went to ADVENTURELAND and hit "The Enchanted Tiki Room". My mom said that I had to see that one as well. The kids were in a trance the whole time! It was pretty cute.

The parade was scheduled to start in about 30 minutes so we traveled to main street to find a good spot. YEEEAAAAAAAAHHH... we waited for two floats... the first and the last. Santa and Mrs. Claus drove by and waved to the kids and then a double decker bus crammed full of Disney characters drove by. We did get to see Mickey and Minnie on the top tier and got a photo of that at least. It was disappointing, but what can you do!? I'm sure they didn't want to electrocute all of the good paying guests!

We left to check in at the hotel a few miles from the park and have some sandwiches and such for dinner. Then off we were again, until the park closed at midnight! There was no stopping us!

Right as we got back, the fireworks started above Sleeping Beauty's Castle. It was misting and sprinkling a lot at this time! We thought we would head to some rides while everyone and their uncle were at the castle area. Yeah... it was so crowded and it was roped off... we didn't there as we had hoped. But hey... the lines were nothin' all day long... no complaining here! So, we went on "The Jungle Ride", and then headed to the "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "The Haunted Mansion" (Ed and my favorite rides!). "The Haunted Mansion" was decorated for the holidays in "The Nightmare Before Christmas" movie theme by Tim Burton. It was pretty awesome! Also, at the very end of the ride, there was a ghost named "Oogie"... which happens to be a nickname of my grandpa!!! Too funny!!!

Next, we went on "Peter Pan's Flight", "Pinocchio's Daring Journey", the "King Arthur Carrousel" and finally we got on the "Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage" which was a new ride and had the longest line of the day. After we came off of the submarine, the park had closed. We made our way toward the shuttle area and after a long wait and some misunderstandings we finally made it back to the hotel! We changed out of our wet clothes and crashed! A wet and wild day, that's for sure! It was great!!! I can't wait to come back!

Shopping and Scrapping: Two of my favorite past times!

Thursday, November 29th - Shopping and Scrapping

Today was our first full day at Jared and Emily's home in Menifee. I loved seeing the palm trees everywhere and enjoyed the sunny weather! It was a tad chilly, though not anywhere as cold as back home in Iowa!!! We usually wore our sweatshirts everyday, but hey... it was better than being all bulky in our winter gear!

This morning Ed accompanied Jared to his work in San Diego while Emily and I took Natalie and the kids to her gymnastics class. Aubrey was still in school, so we traveled to Temecula, a city about 30 minutes away from their house to do a little shopping. We stopped by Ensign Books, an LDS bookstore and I got some stuff for the kids for Christmas. After that, we went to the GINORMOUS Joann's Fabrics and I was in awe of how large it was! I couldn't believe the amount of flannel fabric alone!!! Also, the scrapbooking section was wonderful. It was great fun!

We drove around and Emily showed me where a new church building was being built. We then picked up Aubrey at school and went to eat a late lunch at Carl's Jr., which is alot like Hardee's here in town. The kids were very excited to see each other and immediately played together when we arrived at their house!

Emily and I got a chance to talk and get to know each other a little bit more. We also talked about scrapbooking and crafts. She's got a ton of cute stuff she made or had made for her.

Her friend made this for her... TOO CUTE!

www.awishfulthought.com

Later that night, Emily took me to my very first Christmas Card Exchange! I got to meet several of her friends from church which was very nice. They were all very nice and funny! They had treats set out as well as a cute little snowman urn for hot cocoa! Mmmm... it was delish! Everyone chatted for a bit and later we moved out into the living room and passed around our cards! They were all so cute! We each made 18 of the same style card and then passed them out and so we went home with 18 different styles! I'll have to have one in our ward! It was a lot of fun!

We got home and chatted for a bit and headed to bed for a good night's rest before we were off to DISNEYLAND in the morning!!!

California, HERE WE COME!!!

Wednesday, November 28th -

This morning we packed and got ready for our trip to sunny California. The first thing that went wrong was after my morning shower. I had gotten out of the shower and was drying off when I my glasses decided to fly off of my face... and since I can't see without my glasses, I cautiously took a step back and stepped right on my glasses, GO FIGURE!!! Since I didn't put all of my weight on my glasses, they didn't snap right in half, but were spared... although the sides were a little cockeyed! I put them on and they were sitting diagonally across my face. I gently twisted them back into place and prayed that they wouldn't fall apart. (I did pack my coke bottle glasses... just in case!) Next, Ed went to get the oil changed in our van, and come to find out, our water pump went out. So, $160 later... we were on our way to Minneapolis!

It took about 3 and a half hours to travel to Minneapolis to the airport. Our plane didn't leave until 9 pm, so we had about 4 hours to wait. While we were in line to go through airport security, Ed's computer bag strap got caught on one of the roped poles and he didn't realize it. He knocked down three poles and was still walking. I was like, "ED!!! STOP!!!". He turned around and we were both just busting a gut laughing! After we got our boarding passes, the kids got some "wings" from one of the workers at the desk. Eden decided to use it as a mustache. Ollie followed suite.

We walked around the airport and checked out some of the stores and restaurants that lined the halls. We finally settled on eating at Chili's. The time flew by as the kids sat and colored, I did my Sudoku and crossword puzzles and Ed was on his laptop.

We boarded the plane and the stewardess asked the kids where they were going. Later, she said their names on the intercom and said we were going to Disneyland and that it was their first flight. They got some wings and a certificate that said it was their first time flying! They did a lot better than I thought they would... they actually slept most of the time. I on the other hand... didn't get a wink.

After our four hour flight, we arrived in L.A. and met up with Jared and Emily! On the way home we stopped for something to eat at Del Taco and I got a Macho Meal. The only fast food place I know of that serves fries with Mexican food! HOLY BUCKET O' FRIES!!! We got to their home, chatted for a bit and then collapsed in bed!

Jare Bear is growing up so fast!

Pulling off my socks...

Ollie and Eden feeding Jaren his first taste of rice cereal!

Eliza and Jaren

I LOVE these pictures of Jaren with Ed!

"I'm a STRONG BOY!"

I love it when he giggles!
Jaren and I looking at books

Happy Turkey Day!

Thursday, November 22nd - Thanksgiving Day

We celebrated Thanksgiving this year at Ed's parents house and man... did I feed my face this year!!! Yeah... not happiness for me belly! We spent the day with David, Janine, Danny and his fiance, Jamie, as well as with our own little kiddies. We missed Randy, Naomi and Lydia. Hopefully our schedules will mesh next year!
It was our first time meeting Jamie and she was very sweet! We are happy to welcome her into the family. Oliver and Eden were ALL OVER HER!!! Oliver was just smitten with her and kept trying to kiss her! It was soooo funny! I can tell they will love her as their new aunt! They are planning a March wedding in the Rexburg, Idaho temple. We are crossing our fingers so that we can make it there! I'd love to see how Rexburg looks now (I graduated from Ricks College in Rexburg about 10 years ago).

We had a fantabulous spread of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, vegetables and rolls. I really did miss Janine's yummy homemade stuffing with sausage in it... oh... it is sooooo good!

She made pies for dessert as well! We had pumpkin, apple and cherry pies. Pumpkin is my favorite... with cool whip on top. And I'm not talkin' a "dollup" of cool whip, I'm talkin' half the container covering every square inch of pie! Jaren even enjoyed himself while trying out the "Johnny Jump Up" for the first time! Here is a video of him twirling around...

First Day of SNOW!

Wednesday, November 21st - OUR FIRST SNOW

Today we had our first day of snow! I went to pick up the girls at school and Mrs. Boehmer said the kids have been wound up since they realized that it was snowing outside!

As we were driving home, the flakes were coming straight toward the van. It felt like we were in space flying at light speed through the stars! The flakes were actually pretty big!

"Don't eat yellow snow!"

McKenzie and Eden. I can't tell if Eden is catching snowflakes or sticking her tongue out at me!

I let the kids play outside for a while in the back yard!when we arrived home. They were catching snowflakes on their tongues and running around in the snow. I did realize that it was about time to invest in a bigger pair of snowpants for Eden (as well as Oliver).

She must be waiting for a flood... no... a blizzard... Either way... she's wearin' some pretty sweet high waters!

Oliver hamming it up with Eden's mittens on!

They love winter. It's only just begun...

"Would you like some... Rubber Neeples?"

I had laid down to take a nap early yesterday afternoon. Suddenly, Ed came into the room and shook me to wake me up. He then said, "We have to find out where the fire is! I think there's a fire in the house!" I immediately sit up, still a little groggy, but when you hear the word "FIRE" it kinda gets ya goin'!

I sit up in bed and immediately the smell hits me! I get up and follow Ed through the dining room toward the basement. (He thought it was coming from downstairs). As I rounded the corner, I see Ed's eyes get big and his mouth gapes open and he says, "It's the nipples!" I was like... "WHAT?" "I forgot about the nipples!" Evidentally, he was boiling water on the stove and sanitizing the nipples for Jaren's bottles and FORGOT ABOUT IT! ALL of the water boiled out and we were left with burnt rubber nipples... hence the smell of something burning! It just REEKED!

Reggie and Arthur stopped by to drop off some movies they were borrowing and Reggie couldn't smell it because of her cold. Arthur came in from the car and chatted with us right as Oliver was spraying some Glade alllllll over the house! I could seriously TASTE it... he sprayed so much! Even Reggie said that she could smell it all now and taste it! At least they got to go HOME and get away from the smell! It was sick!

I saw the rubber nipple remnants in the pot in the garbage can and of course had to pull it out and get a picture of it! In case you were wondering... here is what burnt rubber nipples look like...

THE END.

Memories with Meghan

My friend, Meghan celebrated her birthday today and so I was going to do the same thing that she did for me on MY birthday last September. We've had so many fun and crazy times together! It's crazy that we've only been friends for six years and I feel like we've known one another forever! So, here are some things I love about Meg and some crazy experiences we've had along the way...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MEG!

I love how we always break into song in different situations. It's almost always the SAME SONG that we bust out singing!

I love that we share a passion (obsession) for blogging!

The double date to Cedar Rapids before you guys were married. Who could forget Ed's bright orange vest?! It's like he was an escapee from the "joint" if you know what I'm sayin'! I also loved the picture of Ed and Garran in those goofy hats in the back seat! Ed the Bumblebee...

Who can forget when we found out Oliver was allergic to eggs... yeah... that was NASTY! Sorry about that!

The plethera of topics that you, Mandy and I gab about and almost wet our pants laughing at! Think of colored shapes... teeheehee!

PENI in a mexican restaurant... need I say more?

Chatting on the phone almost every single day, even though we only live like 10 miles away...

We understand each other's PSYCHO sense of humor!!!

Introducing you to the delicious Burek and having it hanging out of your mouth about to get into an accident! Fun times!!!

Stealing my entertainment center from Freecycle!!! Hehehe!

Ah... the stories from the other side of the line... ya know what I mean...

Shopping excursions and Garage Salin'

Playing 'MOM' and setting up "Man Dates" for our hubbsies!

Nauvoo on April 10, 2004... taking pictures of you and Garran with his brown shoes on! Hahaha!

Silly games our husbands play... (Frac in dees).

Yes... we ARE the paparazzi! Watch out! I'm sure ONE of us has a camera on us!

Bridal Shower... Baby Shower... at least we haven't showered together... we aren't THAT good of friends!!

Doing crafts and scrapping together! I love having someone equally obsessed with things as I am!

I know we've had so many fun times together and we'll have so many more as well! Hope you had a great birthday!

Love, Stac

Flashback Friday - Lips and Mustaches

Eden, Anne, Ollie, Braden, Jetsina, Sydney & Jayden

Oliver, Uncle Bryan, Eden

Grandpa Young with his stylish mustache!

"Pucker up... Buttercup!"

Gram and Mom

We had a Mom School Valentine's party in 2005 at our house for all of the kids. (Mom School was for our kids and we took turns teaching them for 2 1/2 hours every Tuesday and Thursday mornings. There were six of them ages 3 & 4 in the class.)

We decorated Valentine Mailboxes, exchanged Valentines, ate some Valentine Goodies and even made a craft. The best part was the foam mustaches and lips! Even Bry, Mom and Gram and Gramps got in on the fun!!! I just loved these pictures!

SPT

This week's SPT challenge is to take a few moments and focus on that special holiday *thing* that you are planning for this year.

I love the holidays and so it's hard to narrow it down to one *thing*. We have some special things that we do each year as well as things we'd like to start doing!

*I bring up all of the holiday books for the kids and I to read.

*I get out all of the holiday DVD's that we've been waiting all year to watch. "The Polar Express" is one of my favorites. I'd really like to see it at the IMAX movie theatre this year in Cedar Rapids.

*Picking out our gifts for our favorite couples... ORNAMENTS! We decided last year to pick out a special ornament for each of our couple friends. That way, if they ever move away, they can think of us at Christmastime when they are trimming their trees and be reminded of the funny or memorable event that the ornament represents!

*Making Christmas Cutout Cookies with the kids! YUM!

*Painting Christmas Ornaments with friends and family.

*Listening to Christmas music and putting up our decorations and tree.

*I'd love to get tickets for the "POLAR EXPRESS" train ride this year. You travel on the train in your pajamas, have hot cocoa, read the story and then get to see Santa at the end! How fun would that be!?!

We want to continue some of our traditions as well as introduce new ones each year in our family. I just LOVE spending time with my family and friends and let them know how much they all mean to me!

Happy Birthday, MOM!!!

Mother - Daughter Banquet at The United Church of Christ. She made us matching dresses!

Mother - Daughter banquet in 1984.

The "Pink Ladies". There's nothing more comforting than your mother, especially when you're sick.

Mom and me on my 29th birthday at Las Margaritas - September 2007
Happy Birthday, Mom!

Some memories and stories for you on your special day...

I remember...

...you would always make time to color with me even though I know you really didn't want to.

...swordfighting with plungers in Wal-mart when I was in Jr. High or High School!

...telling you to stop singing in the store, and then you started HUMMING to the music... Oh that ticked me off!!!

...burnt bologna. Enough said! Bry and I voting you off of "Survivor"!

...endless garage saling and Goodwillin'! Gotta love those bargains!

...going to your 25 year class reunion and people thinking that I was YOU! Golfing and you getting attacked by some birds when you were trying to find your ball under the tree!

...people saying we sound alike, look alike and laugh alike!

...playing "hooky" from school and going to the Williamsburg Outlet Mall with you and Chad!

...going to church and laying my head in your lap on the pew. You'd always rub my face and hair. Eating at Long John Silver's afterward.

...the familiar hum of the sewing machine. I still remember my favorite summer short outfits... the yellow seersucker outfit with the beach umbrellas on it and the lavender one with the large tropical flowers on it!

...ALWAYS going through your jewelry box when you were dusting off your dressers. (Eden does this.)
...going to the Cattle Congress every year when we were younger.

...just laughing at silly things or funny stories.

...going camping almost every summer with you and grandma and grandpa and doing the PB&J dance for the barges at night.

...when we had a family reunion and we were playing on the beach of the Mississippi in Clinton and we rode in the boat to QUICKS and ordered like 30 hamburgers and 5 pounds of fries!

...going to the Unicorn to eat and shopping on the day after Thanksgiving with you, Aunt Sue and Grandma.

...being sick and you taking me to Sartori to stay in the sick bay. Yeah... sometimes I faked being sick... just thought you should know that after all of these years! :)

...being sick (actually really and truly sick) laying in bed and you giving me one of my Christmas presents early... "Ribsy"... I read the whole book that day!

...being chased around the wall that separated the kitchen and living room with a wooden spoon because of something naughty one of us kids did.

...making little pizzas with you for someone's birthday and watching the "Beastmaster".

...going to the Mother - Daughter Banquets at church.

...having you always finding the good bargains at garage sales because I'm stuck in the kid's clothes sections forever...

...painting Christmas ornaments and decorating Easter eggs with us.

...ALWAYS making Christmas goodies and Christmas Cutout Cookies every Christmas... I LOVED THAT!

...putting on a Guns and Roses show for you guys... "Welcome to the Jungle... We've got fun and games..." What the crap was I thinking!?

...wearing our halloween costumes that you made... the Watermelon and the Strawberry. I won second place that year at "Squeals on Wheels". I was in first grade.

...going to see Grandma Boardsen in the nursing home and bringing her goat cheese. I'm so glad that you did that for us.

...you always making Chad and I a fort in the living room on the kitchen chairs whenever you mopped the dining room floor.

...when Chad and I would watch WWF wrestling and we would fly off the couch onto the stack of couch cushions and you didn't care... that was awesome!

...going to Rastrelli's last summer and telling me about when you used to work there!

I could go on and on and on... there are soooo many more things... I just always remember us laughing together! You are one of my best friends and I love spending time with you! I hope you had a wonderful 55th birthday! So... does that make you a Senior Citizen yet? :)

Love, Stacy