My sister-in-law and I took our little ones to the Aquarium in Sandy, which I wish it were closer so we could take them more often. Both Shad and Mason absolutely love fish so it is a great activity when we want to get the boys out of the house. 
Shad really enjoys coloring and I don't know why I thought it was a good idea to let him try markers but I did. I am actually glad I let him use markers since he enjoyed it so much. I am even more glad that I took his clothes off first considering how much he got on his hands.
Recently Shad has discovered his diaper and his ability to pull it down. I am pretty sure that he now does this subconsciously and I get a good laugh from it every time.
I just love Costco, but I do hate unloading the car afterwords. Luckily I have my little boy to help out with the chore.
I think he got a little tired after the long walk to the steps, I guess that is a good place to take a break.
Growing up my mom always told me that she hated Mother's Day and this always upset me so much because I always tried so hard to make it such a wonderful day for her. Come to find out when I was older my mom told me that my dad said one year (when all the kids were still very little) "why do I have to do something for you, your not my mother" needless to say mom my straightened him out quick and he is one of the most loving supportive husbands I know. This story gave me some insight on what to expect for Mother's Day or should I say starting me dreading it. I do have an amazingly loving and supportive husband who did not feel the same as my dad however he is also a very hard working man so he often has to work on holidays including Mother's Day. Dan had some beautiful flowers sent to me to show his appreciation as well as let me buy my new bike trailer without having to lose the other 16 lbs needed to fulfill my part of the deal, but he has always said how much he loves me the way I am (that makes one of us).
Despite Dan's efforts it was a difficult day. I woke up early since I had to prepare a lesson, make breakfast for my sudo mom (my wonderful aunt Penny), get ready for church, start prep for dinner, and make some flower arrangements. When I woke up Dan was still up (he got home from work at 6am) and waiting for Shad to wake up so he could get him so that I could sleep in, what a wonderful gesture. Since I had to wake up anyway I sent him to bed. The rest of the day was rush rush rush, since church is not canceled for Mother's Day. When we got home from church it was straight to planning my Mother's Day meal because who else is going to do it. My wonderful husband was sleeping all day because he had to work again that night so I didn't get to see much of him, I was busier that normal since I had to plan things out for my mom while the rest of my siblings enjoyed their Mother's Day or were pampering their wives. I think that I need to just ignore Mother's Day altogether then maybe I will be pleasantly surprised.
So for the past, oh I don't know maybe, 7 years I have enjoyed learning new techniques for making cakes. My sister and I took a cake decorating class forever ago and ever since I have made out families and a few friends Birthday cakes. This one by far takes the cake (pun totally intended). It was (or should I say still is since we have some leftover sittin in the freezer) a chocolate with mint ice cream inside. I used fondant on the top to make a clean look and I am really happy with how it turned out.
About a month ago Dan decided to run for Utah County Sheriff, and I am fully supportive. As proud as I am of him in standing up for what is right and trying to make changes for the better for the citizens of this county, I never knew it would take this much time and be this exhausting to do so. Right now we are in the process of talking to all of the delegates for each precinct, which results in spending 3-4 evenings away from home which I hate because I don't get to put Shad down to sleep at night, I never thought I would miss him as much as I do especially because I spend all day with him. We have 2 weeks until the delegates vote on who they want to represent their party and we are keeping our fingers crossed that it is Dan.
This whole process has taught me a lot about politics and about people in general and not all of it is good. I am sad to see how money and power changes people for the worse. Because Dan is running against his boss, his work environment has become not so enjoyable. Dan continues to have co-workers come up to him and lecture him on how inapropriate it is for him to be running and that he should just wait his turn to be promoted. It is sad that all they can see is how this position will benefit Dan financially, completely ignoring the problems that are occuring in the Sheriff's department and how Dan plans to change all of that for the better and is not focusing on how it will benefit him. We just hope that Dan gets the chance to use his experience and talents to make a positive change weather he does that as the Sheriff or not.
Again I am so proud of Dan and his hard work and great ethics, and I am so lucky to have him as my husband. Dan, I love you and wish you luck.
Over the 2 days we were at Disneyland I felt a little bad for Shad almost like we were dragging him around all day and forcing him on rides. Well after this experience I was convinced that Disneyland is a magical place! At the end of the 2nd day we went back to Disneyland to get Shad some Mickey ears well when we got to the store live Mickey was just leaving and Shad followed him to the back stage door and when he couldn't follow him though the door he looked very upset, so we decided to stick around and wait for Mickey to come out again. Luckily Mickey did not disappoint and came out about 20 mins later.
As soon as Shad Mickey him he ran to him and stopped about 10 ft away from him and just stared. Then proceeded to make different jestures which Mickey then copied (putting his hands on his cheeks, pointing, tilting his head to the side etc). It was so adorable that Mickey would do what it took to make my little boy happy. This went on for a little while until other kids started showing up so I tried to get Shad closer to Mickey to say "hi" and get a quick pic. As I took Shad closer Mickey came closer but Shad didn't want that, he wanted to show Mickey around so he pointed down the street and started walking away. To my surprise Mickey followed him down the street past Cruelella Devil who said "that rat is scaring kids again" and into a store. Mickey tried to get him to come out but Shad wanted to show him around the store. Mickey then gave up and went back to the 20 kids that were now lined up to see him. When Shad saw that he was leaving he followed him back out to talk to him. I am sure that the parents and other kids were so annoyed with us for taking so much of Mickey's time and Shad getting in others photos because he kept going back to Mickey to say "hi" but I was so happy with Mickey and Disneyland for taking the time and making the effort to give us a magical experience.
We were trying to distract Shad so he would let the other kids have their moment with Mickey when my sister spotted Minnie, so we decided to harass her for a while. Minnie was on her way backstage so we just let Shad follow her for a while and in the middle of her skipping backstage she did a little twirl to please the crowd and without any hesitation Shad did a twirl while following her then continued to stalk her. It was so cute to see how fascinated Shad was with the live characters and now know that Disneyland is a magical place for children and we will be returning any chance we get.
Since we were going to be in the area we decided to visit Mickey and the rest of the characters at that magical place called Disneyland. We did our day of service for a free day at the park and since my sister is a So CA resident she was upgrade out ticket to a 2 day hopper for only $25 that was a sweet surprise. The first day we spent at Disneyland and for the first time Shad acutually enjoyed the rides we took him on and even got comfortable with the live characters. We first saw Mickey at his house in Toon Town which took him a little while to get comfortable but he warmed up to him and gave him a hug and high five, I was so excited that he was not scared of him. We went back to our room for a nap and lunch in the afternoon and headed back to the park for a few more rides and FIREWORKS. I have to say Disneyland has the best fireworks ever, they really dont use many but they are so well choreographed that you really enjoy the whole experience. Shad usually hates fireworks because of the loud sound but he loved the show.
The second day was spent at California Adventure which was not nearly as enjoyable since Shad was sick. Over the previous few days his nose started running and he was getting warmer and warmer and by this day he was tired and wanted nothing except him mom. So I spent the day carrying Shad around while my sister pushed his stroller, my back was not happy with him but I wouldn't have it any other way. I was able to go on one ride, which is my favorite ride in the park, so I was happy with that.
I must say I am very lucky to have the freedom to travel as much as I do, what can I say I have an amazing husband who spoils me rotten, and he was in training most of the week and didn't want to feel bad about not spending time with me. My sister went down for spring break and forced me to join her;) It was a crazy fun filled week. We did the usual; beach, Konos (our favorite breakfast place on the beach), balboa park, and even did some things we have not done in a long time like the old lighthouse in Point Loma, Tide pools, Ferry to Coronado, and Grunion Hunting. I think a sunny trip to sunny southern CA is a must during a UT winter. The weather was absolutely perfect and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Shad had sand everywhere, it was not fun to get off of him.
Watching surfers from Crystal Peir
Tuckered out after a long day touring Coronado
Christine, Cami (Bekah's friends from Chico) Me, Shad and Bekah
Playing with a Hermit Crab for the first time, after that he would just pick them up and throw them back in the water.
As far as Grunion Hunting this wasn't great but it was still fun.
I am so excited when this time of year comes around when I get to work with more flowers. Spring always has and most likely always will be my busiest time when it comes to my business and I must say I love it...the smell, the colors, the sense of accomplishment, it all does wonders on my sense of self. So far I have 2 weddings booked and of course am hoping for more. I wish it weren't so stinking expensive to advertise, any ideas.
As toddlers grow and learn how things work most of all their bodies they accumulate a lot of bumps and bruises but this one was far the worst we have seen yet so I had to share it.
How it happened: Lily my niece was swinging in the hammock when Shad decided that he wanted to get in too. He walked up just as Lily was swinging back and Shad, not so gently kissed the back of Lily's head resulting in a lot of blood and one fat lip. Luckily after a few minutes Shad didn't seem to bothered by it and just licked it the rest of the night.
