Blowing through October

Peter had a soccer game the day before we left for California and his last two games were on the 8th and 10th. Peter played well and got in the game well. Casey had a good time coaching the team. The team ended their season with five wins, two losses, and two tied games. So overall a good season. Alice spent the season playing along the sides and into the field most games. She ended up on Casey's shoulders a few times. Kendal was usually out of sight finding her buddies to pal around with.

The 9th was an early release day. We had Kendal's friend Hannah over to play. They played games, science experiments, and had a fun afternoon.
Casey had his schools hobby day on the 10th. He was over the CSI ropes course and student building. It was a chilly day and Casey felt his age afterwards; however he had a good time.
That Friday I was able to go volunteer at the Library. Alice was happy to sit with the kids this time around!
Saturday was a full day. Peter and I went to his friend Sam's baptism in the morning. Just a bit later we came back for cousin Becca's baptism. It was a nice program and they ended with blessing baby Naomi. Kendal had a her volleyball tournament at the same time as the baptism. So she and I ditched out of the confirmation and blessing so we could jet over and make it to her last games. Her team had lost the first round while we were at the baptism. Her team fought hard and I was very much on the edge of my seat to loose, win, then loose the sets in her second game to be out of the tournament. It was a tough loss, but she played her best. Kendal enjoyed her experience with volleyball this season and hopes to return next year!
(I was lame and didn't take any pictures of her final tournament so here is her teams picture - which she missed because she was at her other cousins baptism.)

We left the tournament so we could enjoy lunch with family at Brett and Vanessa's. The kids played all around and we enjoyed some food and chats. Kendal and I left early from there as well so that she could go try out for Vipers (the traveling basketball league). Just the right amount of kids showed up so they're all on the team. Kendal is also on the regular KYA team so she is going to have a very very busy few months ahead of her. (We can do this?!!)

I've watched Jemma a couple of times each week. She's a clingy little lady most of the time, but were getting the hang of things and most of the time Alice does well with her.

I caught something and was sick over that weekend. Alice came down with a fever that night and we both stayed home from church last Sunday. Alice had a few up and down days, and has just maintained a runny nose and an occasional temp the rest of the week. I had every symptom and was feeling downright crummy till Friday. I'm still not 100 %, but I'm doing a lot better. Peter has been coughing and congested the last few days also. So crossing my fingers it doesn't spread or circle back to anyone.
Kendal is now into her piano lessons this fall with Nancy Hyde (she's in our ward). She's loving her new teacher (probably because she gets rewards ; ) she's advancing to her next level soon and making good progress this fall. I'm proud of her hard work and know she enjoys it!
Casey took Kendal and Peter to a curriculum / family night at the school on Monday. The kids did a few different activities around the school. They got a free book, played a game with the music teacher, had some snacks, etc.

Since my activities have been off the past few weeks with YW Kristen and I put together one on Tuesday. We went to the bishops house and shot bows at his targets. I'm going to pretend I did great and hit a tomato off of the target, but really I just hit the target and knocked off tomato. The girls had a good time, even if we pushed them out of their comfort zone.

The kids had the day off of school Friday. Kendal had her first Vipers practice in the morning. Peter and Alice played around (got in the way) with the other kids siblings. I let the kids have some Wii time after lunch and later we went out on errands and ate out at Denny's for dinner (p.s. they have lame coupon deals).

Yesterday I went with the youth to do baptisms. We went out to pizza pie cafe afterwards. The kids had their primary program practice in the afternoon. It was snowing and blowing like crazy yesterday. Thankfully there was a break so Peter could go and enjoy time at his friends birthday / football party.

Today was the primary program. Easily one of my favorite Sunday's of the year. I love the sweet / pure spirit that the kids have and love the message and songs they share. Kendal and Peter did well on their parts (we'll just make sure Kendal ditches the gum next year). They both sang so well and Alice was happy to watch (and pull a face or two) the kids. Kenny and Cheryl came to watch and spent some time with us this afternoon. We ended our evening with Strawberry popcorn and a happy day.
My picture taking has definitely lacked this past couple of weeks, but here's a couple to enjoy! Love these three!

Disney 2019

We've had a "Disney fund" going for many years. We decided this was a good year to go (Our plane tickets were free through points, and Alice is still free - double win!) We chose to go during our October break from school. My parents and Katherine joined in on the fun.
The kids and Casey ditched school a day early and we flew out on Oct. 2nd. We left a bit before 5 in the morning to make our flight. The kids got sucked into cartoons and snacks and behaved very well on the flight. After finding our mega van (15 passenger) and eating some lunch we wanted to find a beach. We opted for Seal beach that was between the airport and our hotel. It was a beautiful day and aside from it being very windy it was good. Kendal and Peter were ridding the waves for quiet a while. Alice wanted to dig / throw sand around, and the only time she went near the water the surf came in and scared her away so she hid behind my Dad. It was a decent time (even if Casey found a knife in the sand, a bird carcass decided to hug my leg, and Dad got sand chucked at him endlessly ; ). Then we made our way back to the hotel to clean up. We ate dinner at Wendy's near the hotel and had intentions to hit up downtown Disney; however waiting for the bus and realizing how tired we were changed our minds.

We were up bright and early Thursday so we could be at Disneyland on time. I had the kids dress up the first day. Kendal was a simple version of Tinkerbell. Peter a simple version of Peter Pan. Alice was Alice in Wonderland (Which she'd tell everyone, "I Alice in Wondaland")! After our iconic picture up front we made our way in. I wanted some character pictures. We found Chip and Dale first. I was hoping Alice would be overjoyed with all of the characters because we've spent months introducing the characters and shows to the kids. She definitely wasn't having it, and wanted to hide from all the Characters. (With persuasion by day three she did better with the "human" characters). She was just as scared of Mickey next. After this we hit the park hard! We loaded our morning with fast passes and scouted out short lines and got on Haunted mansion, Indiana Jones, Splash Mt, Big Thunder Mt, Pirates, The Millennium Falcon - smugglers run, plus a few more. We breezed through things and utilized rider switch as much as we could. The longest wait was for the Millennium falcon ride. While everyone waited for that Alice and I headed over to fantasy land. We rode the carousel, Dumbo, and the Casey Jr train. Alice loved all of the rides; it was a joy to watch her (and the other two) on rides! Peter had to be convinced about most of the rides on the trip and after a few of them refused the rider switch to go again. He was pretty brave though. Kendal loved it all! After lunch (and a quick nap from Alice) Alice and Kendal got to meet some princesses while Dad, Casey, and Peter waited for the Peter Pan ride. We hit up a bit of Fantasy Land and then Toon town. We got quite a bit in and the kids were loving everything. We knew the next day we would be there early again so we left not long after dinner.

I had schedules wrong and had everyone up very early for an early morning on Friday. However we missed the bus so we were late anyways and just had to deal. Our first priority on Friday was going on the Millennium Falcon again. Casey and Katherine took the older two while Alice, My parents, and I got in a few rides in Fantasy land. We finished out more of Fantasy Land before we made our way to Tomorrow Land. We got in all of Tomorrow Land that afternoon. In the midst of things my parents and I took Alice for a nap on the monorail. We saw Peter Pan from a distance, took pictures with Tink, we never found Alice in Wonderland, however we got a picture with Mad Hatter. Kendal surprised us and braved the Matterhorn with Casey and I. She proved pretty brave and did great on the crazy rides the whole trip! We took a break before dinner to shop in Downtown Disney. Peter picked a Chewbacca stuffie, and Legos. Kendal picked birthstone Mickey earrings, and Legos, and Alice got spoiled with an Anna and Elsa doll. That evening we decided to stay for Fantasmic. We stood waiting in a crowded line for over an hour with tired feet, but it was an epic show and Kendal and Peter were in awe. Alice had fallen asleep in line and had me cover her ears during the show. We didn't have the patience to sit on the hard ground longer for fireworks so we watched some as we made our way out.

Saturday was our day at California Adventure. We decided to Start at Cars Land. Everyone waited in line for Radiator Springs Racers (Peter's favorite ride, along with the Millennium falcon, and Autopia!) while Alice and I went on Luigi's dance ride twice, and Matter's ride (which she hated) once. Then I switched and took Kendal and Peter on the RS racers and Matter's ride. Meanwhile Casey did the single rider on RSR, and Alice and my family went on Luigi's again. (She loved that ride and put her hands up as she went around!) After lunch we headed over to Soarrin, and the wilderness area. Alice loved the playground, it was hard to keep up with her at times. Kendal stayed with us so she could ride Soarrin with me (She loved that ride and leaned over to take it all in the whole time.) We got to see the Casa de Familia (Horchatta churros!!) and we all went on the River Run while my Mom kept Alice. Peter's reaction to the ride was priceless. He was terrified to put it mildly (such a trooper in so many rides. He refused to ride quite a few, but happily went again on others). We went on the Guardians of the Galaxy ride (another one Peter was interested in - loves the characters - but we scared him a lot going on it). We hit up the Pier towards the end of the day. The kids got in a couple more rides (Ariel, Carousel, Inside out) before dinner. Casey and I downed dinner so we could utilize our fast pass and go on the Incredicoaster. It was such a fun ride (Casey's favorite!) It was fun to get a few moments here and there with just him. After the ride we went back to Hollywood blvd. We got to meet Elsa and Anna (Alice's favorite, along with the Carousel, and Dumbo, really she hasn't stopped talking about princesses and mickey since ; ). Alice was less shy with them and even held their hand. Kendal got their autographs and loved it! Casey took Alice and Peter on one last ride (Monsters Inc.) while the rest of us did the animation academy. We got to draw Sally from Nightmare before Christmas! (This was one of Kendal's favorites along with, the Millenium Falcon, Soarrin, and Guaridans!)

It was so much fun to take our family. It's always been on my family adventure list to see the Ocean and experience Disneyland together! (Thanks for enjoying the Disney magic with us Mom, Dad, and Katherine!) Casey and I are such Disney fans and it's so fun to pass on the joy that is Disney onto our kids! The Halloween decor and additions to the parks made it more special and magical! Peter spent Saturday evening and Sunday convincing us to stay and have more fun. We had another good plane ride home Sunday. Kendal read on the way home and the other two conked out! Till next time Disney!