Christmas list

So Grandma Ro asked us to make a list of Christmas desires of our little ones and you wouldn't think this would be so hard. I have been working on this for about two weeks. It's not that there isn't anything out there that they want...its NARROWING it down. In fact...I am starting to really dislike commercials in the morning. I am tempted to quite tv...I know...very brave statement, but COME ONE already. They know how to get those little girls I tell you.

So instead of giving this list of exactly what the girls want I am just going to give an idea of what they like. They love to sit around and play with they My Little Pony Ponyville sets. I didn't think Chloe would, but she does. Cuz really anything Lanes does, she loves. Works out great when they share :)

They newest and greatest of the commercials for the ponies is the carnival set.

And they would really love this...but Grandma don't fold to the pressure. It is only a mere $359!!! Can you charge that for something? But of course they might need some more ponies to add to the fun :)

The girls also love princesses!! They love to play them, they love to watch them...you name it. The new thing out now is a pony for each princess that actually walks...I tell you, when will they stop? But of course they saw that on the tv. They love to play with these dolls, but they have itty bitty shoes. But it makes the girls happy. And Laney keeps talking about a princess castle. I am at a loss, but if you find one, she would love you.

They love Dora...still. That little loveable girl always has a home here. Apparently there is one you can take in the bathtub that has caught their eye...what could be funner?

And they absolutely LOVE dolls. You could get them accessories...clothes have been the big thing lately but I can't really find any so I resorted to getting a pattern...yeah..which me luck.

They love books, movies, games, puzzles, PJ's, etc. They are so easy to please. You could get them a soccer goal and they would love it. One of the many things I love about these sweeties. Now if you want to be SUPER Grandma what they REALLY REALLY REALLY want is a swingset (Mom kind of wants that too). But not just any swingset...a Lifetime one. Hey...I thought everyone gets an outrageous item on the list! Hope that helps Grandma. The girls can't wait to see you in a month!

P.S. The pony stuff was on sale at Amazon if you want to take a look.

Disneyland ..we came...we conquered!

Sorry, the next few blogs are kind of a recap because I was so "lazy" this summer and didn't get to it. But in my defense, I still wrote about it in word with the intent of blogging later.

June was a very fun and exciting month for us....let me tell you. A month could not be more fun packed! It all began with a trip to California. Who wouldn't want to spend a few days with the breaking waves in the background, just relaxing and reading a book? And even better, to spend a few days with disney princesses? We had a great time relaxing on the beach for the first day. The girls just played in the sand and ran from the waves. I myself went for a quick boggy boarding escapade....and escapade it was. Too bad I don't have pictures to document. Bri, Whit, Madyson and I went out to catch some monster waves. But we were finding that where the life guards wanted us to stay wasn't the greatest places to catch the waves. So we meandered out to where the surfers were. If they could be out there....why couldn't we? Which may I say...the waves were much better out there (probably why the surfers were out there.) But before long, we see a yellow lifeguard boat coming towards us, telling us to get in. Bri of course just turns around, if she can't see them, they can't see her right. And what do I do when confronted, explain. We were just out there because the waves were better. That didn't fly...they wanted us to go in. So we caught the next wave in and had a blast. So much so...we went out again. We didn't intend to go as far...but when the waves a come a callin' you have to answer. So again, the yellow boat comes and says, "What did we tell you girls? Get in now." And just to accentuate that, they had a lifeguard swim out from the beach. How insulting...I had caught every wave in...did they think I was incompetent...so I said...the waves are better here and we can catch them in. Did that work....NO. They made us go in....what kill joys! So I thought that was enough humiliation for Michael for one day. It's not easy for him having me for a wife...but I love him for it.

I don't really want to bore with details...but the trip was so fun. We spent two days in Disneyland and California adventure....very needed. The girls had a blast and we really enjoyed ourselves. We saw a lot of characters and even ate with the princesses! The girls loved it and according to Chloe....Rella is EVERYWHERE! She loves that lady:)

The kids past some of the time watching videos. Apparently Chloe felt she had phone calls to make, people to talk to...no wasting time. And Laney just loves cuddling up to Kaleb:)

We also taught the girls to play, I don't know what it is called, but you catch the ball with the stick with a net. They had a lot of fun trying to get that down.

See what I mean about relaxing on the beach...oh if I could have the beach in my backyard!

The girls enjoying the beach. They played well together which always makes a mom happy!

Sundays were a little difficult for us. The kids didn't quite understand why they had this big ocean to play with and they couldn't step foot in it. So they just got as close as they could without us telling them otherwise.

And here are our princesses! We had lunch with them so they all came around and visited the girls which made them so happy! And then of course you would sometimes get lucky enough to see them around the park.

And of course the princess fair where they teach the girls how to be princesses!

Some pics of our rides and the fun the girls had at Disneyland.

The girls playing around while waiting for a prade. A pic of the family in Pooh-vill. A panoramic of California Adventure...the big white building is Ariel's grotto (where we went for lunch).

We thought the boys might appreciate this guy. But someone forgot to tell us that this parade sprays you with squirt guns. Luckily we came prepared.

We had a blast at the theme parks, but I must say, by the end of the second day, we were definitely all tuckered out.

Here is a farewell pic by the beach.

Sunday at the temple

I have to admit that today started out a little rough. The outlook of having Stake conference at 3pm -5pm wasn't my idea of a fabulous afternoon. But, when you get lemons...make lemonade! We couldn't get the girls down for their naps in enough time for them to get a full nap and us to actually make it to the tabernacle on time, so instead we got everyone all beautiful and went to the temple grounds to take pictures. I know...the girls favorite thing to do..but today they were good sports because water was involved.

I can't think of a better way to spend the afternoon than to walk around the temple grounds and just take snaps of the girls enjoying the beautiful landscape. I wish my yard looked as beautiful as the temple does but what can I say...I am just not paid enough :)

But the girls did enjoy it and I enjoyed taking photos of them, so all in all, it was a great afternoon. The conference was a little rocky simply because something was wrong with the microphone so everything was kind of blurred. Needless to say, we didn't get much out of it, but the singing was excellent and we were able to be in the presence of all the other saints on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. And to look at the positive side again, while we waited for the late afternoon to arrive, all the girls got mini-pedicures from emoi (sp?) and all our nails painted so we all looked all done up! Michael declined for unkown reasons but we still love him :) Here are some pics.

You can tell who is becoming a pro at posing. Lanes knows if she smiles cute and does what I ask quick then she can do whatever she wants sooner. Smart girl. And sometimes she doesn't even know when I am shooting. (sometimes those are my favorite) We are still training Chloe. I have to catch her off guard to get her to smile. Notice how she is very rarely smiling AT the camera.

And even if she doesn't smile at the camera...that is a pretty darn cute smile she has got there. Very infectious!

And sometimes when I am really lucky, I get everyone together...or at least the two to sit still long enough for some quick takes!

And this photo I just couldn't pass up. Look at that face!

Hanging up the slippers

Laney has decided to hang up the dance slippers for just a bit. Which is understandable, so we are broadening our horizons. She decided to try soccer for a bit. We tried to get on her cousin's team...but with hind sight on my side...I think we are lucky we found another team. Her first game was against Kaleb and they got confused. They thought they were playing on the same team and although they tried to keep up with the game, really they talked and played around on the field a lot :)

This team that she is on is really good. Her first day she was a little hesitant because she didn't have any friends on it. But two little boys got her and said, "You will have so much fun. We run and play a lot, but mostly we just run." It cracked me up. From then on she has been chatting their ears off. But they do have about four boys that are REALLY good. They score at least 3 goals a game if not more. Hopefully they will teach Lanes their secrets. Here are some pics.
Look at her get in there! You go Girl!!

Team time out...a little team time. With the next pictures you can see how it gets a little rough out there!


Hanging close to the coach.







And her and Kaleb chatting it up down the field. It's all about the fun right? And that, she is having plenty of!!