So Not Like Me......

Last Sunday we were sitting in church, I leaned over to Darrin and said I think we should go to Disneyland! He of course said lets do it! I had a hard time concentrating in church wondering if we should really go or not, I figured I would check for hotels and see what we could find and maybe that would help me make my decision. When we came home we found a super good deal on a kid suite, and Darrin was able to get work off. Anyone who knows me knows I never do anything on the spur of the moment like this. Every time we plan a vacation it takes me forever to get everything packed and ready to go. I figured it was finally time for me to just do something spontaneous for once! We decided to make it a surprise for the kids, I secretly packed all their stuff on Monday and Tuesday, and then Tuesday night decided I would tell Madi we were going to the Grand Canyon, and to do some things I knew she would think were boring! The only reason I told her was because I knew I couldn't pack all her stuff myself so I needed her help. We told her not to tell Kaiden or Abby, and that we would be leaving Wednesday when they got home from school.
Wednesday morning we woke them up at 5:00 in the morning and said it's time to get up and get dressed, we are going some where fun! Kaiden and Abby were a little bit shocked, it was still early so I don't think they really knew what was going on. The kids kept asking where we were going, but we wouldn't tell them. Kaiden kept guessing Disneyland but we assured him there was no way because we are going there in June. Right about the time we were getting into California Madi finally got smart and figured out we had passed the Grand Canyon, and she was sure we were going to Disneyland. We had our GPS in the car and it was telling us to get on the San Diego freeway. We thought that would be the perfect time to tell them we were going to Sea World! Kaiden and Abby were really excited, but Madi had a meltdown! She said she hated Sea World and if she would have known we were going there she never would have come. She wanted us to take her back home, and begged us to go to Disneyland instead! Her friends Hayley and Kenzie were also on their way to Disneyland and she wanted us to just drop her off and she would go with them. As we kept driving I was turned around talking to the kids in the back seat, the GPS was giving us more directions and very clearly said to drive towards Disneyland. You should have seen their faces Abby's eyes got so big and Madi finally had a smile on her face! It was so funny, I wish I would have known it was going to happen like that and I would have had my video camera on, because it was priceless! It was along drive but we made it and we were all ready to get to Disneyland!
The first day we got there we were able to go on just about every ride before they closed and it was only a half day for us because we spent most of the day traveling. The weather was great and there were hardly any crowds! We of course had to do Dumbo, it was night time and the line was really short so we took total advantage!Bugs Land....is one of my favorites! I don't know how much longer I can convince the kids to go there because they are just growing up way to fast, but they went for me, and I did manage to convince Darrin to go on the "Chew Chew Train" it was the first time he had ever been on it {I think he had a little bit to much fun!}

The fun little Bumper cars. This was the first time that Abby got to ride them all by herself. You have to be 7 and she just had her Birthday!

Madi letting us all know just how much she enjoys Bugs Land!

Us enjoying the sun!

Madi's friend Courtney is obsessed with Jasmine so when we saw her we had to get a picture!

Another one of my favorites is Toon Town not for the rides, but all of the fun little things the kids can play with and of course Minnie's House! Usually it is so packed and busy you can never get a good picture or you have to wait forever to do the little activities, but we went at night and there was hardly anyone there! The kids enjoyed themselves playing around and letting me take pictures!

Madi doing what she does best.....Talking on the phone,
And taking it easy, waiting for the phone to ring!
Darrin looking super excited to have his picture taken!
We had sooo much fun! We kept very busy and didn't stop to take to many pictures this trip! It was fun to surprise the kids and spend some time with just our little family! We cant wait to do it again in June!

The Green Machine

So our last experience with the Pine Wood Derby was a little bit disappointing. It was Kaiden's first year and we thought we had done our best, we had no idea how competitive these little events could be. Well to make a long story short he lost, not just one or two races he came in last place every race he raced! Kaiden was such a good sport about the whole thing but we felt terrible. This year Darrin was determined to not let that happen again! Kaiden and Darrin worked hard picking out a design they thought would be the fastest, and made sure this year they had done everything they could to have a fast car!
This is Kaiden showing off his car right before the race is getting started. He named it the Green Machine! It's hard to tell in the picture but it had a really cool paint job that changed colors from different angles!
Each of the boys got to race their cars 6 different times. Kaiden put his car up on the track for the first race, and believe it or not he took first place! We were all so excited at least he had done better than he had at the last Pine Wood Derby! Here is the announcer giving him a high five for winning!
Kaiden raced all 6 of his races and came in first every single time! He had the biggest smile on his face all night! I think everyone else might have been getting sick of hearing his name announced as the first place winner at the end of every race, but we were all very excited!
When the race was over he of course took home the big trophy! Here they are announcing all of the winners!
Kaiden receiving his Trophy!
Kaiden and Darrin first place winners!
When the race was over everyone was coming over to see the winning car and asking lots of questions about what they had done to make it so fast! They didn't reveal to many of their secrets, but they had fun talking about what they had done. It was a fun night and the outcome was way more than we had expected! Way to go Kaiden!

Happy Birthday To My Sweet Abby!

Abby turned 7 years old on February 2nd! I told her we would have a small little party with some of the new friends she has met since we moved in. I was trying to make things very easy and simple this year, but of course it ended up being way more work than I had planned for.

We decided to do a baking party with a cupcake theme! These are the cute little cupcake invitations we sent out!

I saw a awesome giant cupcake pan made by Wilton and thought it would be really cute for her cake. I had no idea how hard it would actually be to decorate and frost it and make it look like a real giant cupcake. This was my sad attempt, I think I should have practiced it a few times before the party, but I was short on time and was just about sick of making cakes and frosting at this point. TaDa! here it is, good thing she is only 7 and didn't judge! I think she still liked it!
Here is a picture of the table all set up and ready to go.
Because it was a baking theme I decided to have chef hats as party hats! I couldn't find any that I liked that weren't way over priced so I decided just to make them. Abby's was pink and a little bit different than all the other girls {she was after all the guest of honor!} The rest of them were white. I didn't think they would even want to wear but they all loved them!
One of the first activities we did was paint aprons! I traced a cupcake on the front and then they got to paint them, and decorate them how they wanted. I was hoping that they would dry fast and they could wear them to decorate cakes, but they took forever so they just got to take them home and they can wear them when they bake at home!
More painting fun!
After the aprons we all headed back upstairs and played pin the candle on the cupcake! {sorry I forgot to take pictures} but they had lots of fun! Next it was on to the kitchen, I had made all the girls their own little cake to decorate! I frosted a thin coat of pink frosting and then they got to decorate however their little hearts desired!
They had so much fun and got really creative. This is a picture of all the girls cakes when they were finished! I think a few of them might have a great cake decorating career ahead of them, what do you think?
After the cakes were done being decorated we sang Happy Birthday and had cake, cupcakes, and ice cream! Then we opened presents!
Abby got so many nice gifts, a hula hoop, a fun twirly tutu skirt, a baking apron that Paiges mom had sewn {she liked it so much she wore it the rest of the day and fell asleep with it on} Barbies, Webkinz, an art easel, and a balloon filled with $50 from Gram and Papa, and that's just a few of her favorites!
Her party was so much fun! I'm so glad that she has been able to make so many new friends and they all got to come and celebrate with her!

Later that night we went to celebrate some more at Pirate Island Pizza! Tammy, Preston and their kids decided to come along. The atmosphere inside was super cool!

They have an arcade and a pirate ship play area. They even give the kids free pirate hats! Darrin must have felt left out so he borrowed Abby's!
It was a very fun and long day! Abby had a great Birthday!
I still cant believe she is 7 already! She is so independent and full of energy. She keeps us on our toes and we are enjoying every minute of it! Happy Birthday Sweet Girl, we love you!!

Christmas & New Years All WrApPeD uP!

This year the traditional Christmas Eve party was at Todd and Chynna's House! We had dinner and then played our white elephant game. My kids favorite part of the night was opening up their new Jammie's from Gram and Papa!

Here is Abby and Brianne showing off their matching pj's!

Brianne got a box of Scooby Doo band-aids for her white elephant gift and was so excited! She was pretty disappointed when she opened them up and found out it was really a gift card to Little Caesars!
Madi showing off her new "Nerd Glasses" she bought while Christmas shopping with Dad, and her blanket she received for her white elephant gift!

Todd and Chynna's cute little baby Crew in his Santa Christmas Jammie's!

Our attempt at a some what decent picture!

We had a fun night, and it was good to get together with all the family!

After the party we went home to get ready for Santa! We got the plate of cookies and milk ready and then watched "A Christmas Story" the kids were excited to go to bed so Christmas morning could come real quick. We decided to have everyone sleep in Madi's room for the night so that their would be no peeking!

Abby getting ready for bed!

Now I would explain Darrin's outfit, but its a long story so I will just leave you with the picture for now!
Madi getting ready for bed!

The Tree!

We only got one tree put up this year, another long story. But I think it turned out just fine!

Christmas morning the kids actually woke up pretty early. We usually have time to get up and shower and get ready, but not this year!

Madi showing off her new peace bag!

Abby having fun opening her presents!

Abby actually letting me take a picture before the chaos begins!

The play by play on Kaiden opening his last present! I think I will just let the pictures explain themselves!

Let me just say that him and Abby were both very surprised to see what was inside!

And Kaiden was one Happy kid when he opened his new Xbox 360!!

Madi was also one happy little lady when she finally got her Ipod touch she had been dreaming about!! Just look at the smile!I managed to actually get their gifts in a pile so I could take a picture!

Here is Abby and her new Doll House. For Christmas this year Abby wanted a doll called my best friend is 4 feet tall, I think Santa must have been all out of those she he got her a 4 feet tall Doll House instead!

I got a picture of Kaiden's stuff, but he was M.I.A. to busy playing the Xbox to have his picture taken!

Madi and all her "Girly Glory" Grrrrr teenagers!

And this year I finally got my Picture of the Salt Lake Temple!!!

After our morning together we headed out to Darrin's parents house for brunch and to talk to his brother Rock who is on a mission, and was going to be calling home! We also got more fun presents! The anticipation of us all waiting to open our gifts while Grandpa made sure everyone had one before anyone could open them!

Finally!Madi and Brittany Christmas morning!

Typical Brittany!

It was such a great Christmas! We had so much fun spending time with family and friends! We are so grateful for all the wonderful people in our lives and for all of our blessings! We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, and hopefully next year we might actually get a Christmas card sent out!

New Years Eve, and Day!!

Every year for New Years Eve we go to Grandma and Grandpa Haun's for a HuGe PaRtY! We have everyone together and we play games and eat yummy food we also play some serious games of poker! Grandpa went all out this year, he had two huge tv's set up. One with a Wii and the other with a Playstation, he bought tons of games and had his pool table set up.

Here is Darrin and Abby fighting it out in boxing!Check out that concentration!
Midnight came way to fast, but everyone managed to stay awake and and ring in the New Year with lots of streamers and noise makers! {Thanks Preston!!}
Notice Grandpa in the back making a quick getaway!
Goofy girls, I'm still wondering why we claim them?
Ahhh the noise makers......once again thanks uncle Preston!!
Maybe one day we will get a serious picture!!!
We had a great year! We had many new changes this year including a new house! We are still trying to adjust but are looking forward to the year to come! We love you all!!