No Training Wheels!

We went to playgroup at the park on Thursday with tons of kids. Jaxon saw this boy riding without training wheels and asked me why he could. I told him he could because he learned how and practiced. He immediately said lets go get my bike but I told him after playgroup was over. He forgot, we ate lunch and I ran some errands. As soon as a pulled in he ran outside and said lets take off my training wheels mom. So off them came, I lowered he seat a bit so he could touch the ground with his feet to balance. He insisted the whole time how brave he was, that he wasn't going to cry (no prompting from me either that he would fall or anything). I then told him that you will probably fall a lot at first but that its okay and you can cry if it hurts. No mom, I don't cry! I made him push with his feet without the pedals out the driveway so he could learn how it felt to balance and back in I would hold the back of the seat while he pedaled. After 5-10 times of this he pedaled by himself a couple times, then 5 times and then I wasn't paying attention to holding very well and off he went down the driveway! He called his dad, and insisted that now he could ride bikes with the older kids like Braden and Bowdy! We practiced all day and he could do it. I was probably more proud than any other day! That first day I would just have to hold his seat at first to get him started and off he would go. Friday he practiced all day and could start going by himself, which saved my belly! And by today, Saturday, he can use the brakes to slow down, start himself, go up the driveway hill and turn around. There really is nothing better than seeing your child succeed at something they really want to do. The determination and faith that they have in themselves and you to teach is inspiring! Way to go Jaxon!

Disney Cruise

What can I say it was amazing in everyway. The boat was awesome. Three pools, one slide: the kids pool was zero entry though no swim diapers were allowed, but we never got caught because Jake was such a maniac jumping and swimming without any help the whole time, he looked like a three year old swimming just kind of shrimpy. Our room was awesome, bunk beds for the boys, king for us and Cassie had a fold down bed, we had a deck to sit on and enjoy the ocean and breeze. Disney movies 24/7 were helpful at naptime to quiet them down a bit. The had an Oceaneer Club, nursery, teenager area. For the club you signed them up, they got a wristband, they gave you a pager and you left!!! Jaxon was in heaven, characters came and visited and told stories, slides, games, pirate days, pj parties! Jake could go in too if an adult went with and he was stoked about that. The food, my fav part of the cruise, was awesome! I love the 5 course meals, hard to stay focused for the kids though. They catered to the kids the whole time! The spa was awesome and the private adult pool was fun. And this is all just the boat. We went to Key West first and rode a trolley across the whole island, pretty interesting history. We then went to the butterfly museum which was so fun but most the kids were asleep by then. Grand Cayman was fun. The beach was absolutely the best sand and clearest crystal waters ever, we went to 7 mile beach with the kids and they had a blast! Thank goodness we didn't go to Cozumel because Nassau, Bahamas was so much better! We went to the resort Atlantis which has everything imaginable. A huge aquarium, amazing hotel, great beaches, and our favorite the water park! The kids side was awesome, slides everywhere, and a great lazy river. We all had a blast, its a tie between there and Castaway Cay, Disney's island. We went there last and were at the beach all day, the kids could walk out forever, great beach, food right there, the characters were everywhere! Volleyball, adult side of the island, never got to go there but heard it was cool! All around one of the best trips we have ever been on. I wouldn't take young kids on any other cruise honestly! The service was exceptional in everyway!

This is the crew. The shows were great every night and definitely for the kids, which was how the whole amazing cruise was. We saved this spot every night. As the week went on we lost more and more of the kids to sleep though. Disney wears you out man!

You can't be on the boat and not play shuffleboard, the boys first time!


The aquarium at Atlantis

Does that really get any better! Atlantis as well, I could have stayed there for a week and still not seen everything they have to offer!

Pre-dinner, wish I could have gotten on on our formal night, the kids looked so handsome!

Disney World First

I really don't know where to begin. So lets start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. First we began with a surprisingly easy plane ride, the kids were good what a relief! We arrived in Orlando ate some dinner and on Friday we were off to Disney World. This was a great age for Jax to go, he even got to go on Splash Mountain which is one of my favorites. Jake like the Goofy roller coaster that grandpa took him on. The kids were great and hardly any waiting in lines. Buzz as always was a hit, I beat Jeff in our Galatic Space War! I rode Thunder Mtn. for the first time, ignoring the no prego lady sign. Who needs that! It was a great start to many a disney character. I thinks by the end of the day we were all a little worn out, the adults as much as the kids! The pool was just what my tired legs needed that night.

Here we are watching the parade.
The place where dreams come true! Isn't that the best pic on the planet! Love it!

There is half of us at least, the stroller brigade, then again who doesnt have a stroller in Disney World!

Ready for take off.

You should have seen Jaxon with his luggage, he drag it everywhere as did Connor. He almost ran into a glass door in the Atlanta airport he was so intent on dragging it. We had great transportation, they picked us up at the airport, with carseats in the vans, loaded it all, took us to Disney World and then to the Big Mickey Mouse boat. Wouldn't do it any other way, no hassles with traffic and taxis and especially NO carseats! Tune in next time for more of the Disney Cruise Vacation.

Proof!

I fixed the scanner! Yeah, so here is the proof that it really is a boy.

It's a.......????

So for those of you who have been wondering and waiting in anticipation to find out what it is, I have no proof because my computer isn't reading my DVD with the pics on it and my scanner isn't working either. So you'll have to trust me. Its a boy. Believe it or not. When I went in for the ultrasound, Jeff was supposed to go to St. George to do a presentation on the new hotel. So he wasn't going to be there, I was totally depressed and I finally got over it after threats of not telling him what is was going to be. Well I am in the office wishing I wasn't by myself and he shows up! It was the sweetest thing ever! I honestly am super excited for a boy, I was nervous to have a girl because I've never had a girl. But I was definitely surprised, just because this pregnancy was completely opposite of the other two. I was way sick all day, everyday the first tri and I wasn't gaining much weight and I haven't started to show noticeably except for these last two weeks I've really popped out. So its a boy and we have no boy names at all. We are in desperate need, any suggestions would be great. The boys are set on Hunter, don't know where that one came from but if you ask them that is the answer. I had a dream about naming him McKay but I think I like that better for a girl. Who knows? I still have months to decide.

Easter Fun

Easter was so much fun this year. This was the first year we really got into decorating eggs, which is my favorite part. The boys loved dipping them into the different colors and seeing what they came out like. We got lucky too, no spills. We had our fair share of egg hunts too. On Thurs. we had our ward playgroup egg hunt (thank goodnes it was warm!), then on Friday we had the Hawkins side egg hunt at the Whitney Pockets, and on Sat. the Burgess side egg hunt, and then Easter on Sunday. Too much candy was the end result.

This metallic paint from Wallyworld was fun

What a face, we went swimming afterward, Mark's pool was heated and the kids all loved it.

I decided this was the perfect size basket for kids who had already had too much candy and lots of fun!

Red Cliffs

It was finally warm for a minute a few weeks ago so we all went to Red Cliffs for some sunshine. It was packed! We packed picnic lunches, the boys were so excited to use our actual picnic basket. We ate lunch up on this cliff which was perfect for the kids. They hiked around or "climbed mountains" is what Jaxon would call it. We looked for lizards and played in the water a bit. Southern Utah is just beautiful, so different than anywhere else.

Jax was insistent that he catch that lizard! We actually caught one the other day by the house so he knew he could get it, but we were unsuccessful.
Jax climbed to the top of this tree all by himself no help. It was getting down that was the tricky part.

Aren't these kids wonderful! There is nothing better than cousins that are so close they are like brothers and sisters!

Our happy picnic!