Thanksgiving

(Okay, first off, can anyone tell me why my pictures become dull when I add them to blogger? So annoying that the colors change!)

Thanksgiving was a lot different this year. I don't know that we've ever not been at home for Thanksgiving. It's such a hard holiday to travel long distances for, as it's only a longer weekend. Luckily we do have some family in this big state and had several invites to join them. Matt's Auntie was the first to invite us to spend it with their family, so that's what we did. We were all going to go to Pismo Beach to a resort, and have a nice relaxing weekend. So we didn't all go up until Thursday. It was weird not spending Wednesday cooking and preparing for a Thanksgiving dinner, not that I'm complaining!

Since Matt was off school on Wednesday, we decided we'd go to Disneyland for the day. Since I'm so behind on blogging, I'm not sure I've ever mentioned that we have season passes and have gone quite a bit. I have so many fun pics to share from past visits, someday, I hope to!

Since we've been quite a bit, I don't take a lot of pictures anymore. I guess not as exciting, and hard to just shoot pictures while pushing strollers and keep kids close, even though I carry my camera the WHOLE time! This visit was the busiest  we've ever seen it, even compared to the times we went during the summer. Who knew everyone went to Disneyland on their Thanksgiving holiday! It was also the coldest ever, well at least when the sun wasn't on you, and once the sun set, it was too cold for me in my jacket!

The first time we've ever gotten a pic with Buzz. We're not into waiting in line for that kinda thing, and the kids really don't want to either. He just happened to walk past us and started doing a picture line right by us. Winston loves Buzz, and I love how he's just staring at him here. 

When we went during Halloween time, it was decorated so cute, and they had a few rides that were changed for the season. One ride I wasn't able to go on and see was the Haunted Mansion. Luckily they kept it the same for Christmas as it's was the Nightmare Before Christmas theme. It was so cute and better then the original ride. 

Disneyland Main Street during Christmas. The Tree was huge, and soooo many people!

The California letters were changed to a candy cane design, though it's hard to see, since everyone is always taking pictures with the letters.

Thursday morning we took headed out to Pismo Beach. It's about a 3 1/2 hour drive for us. The traffic was really good, since it was Thanksgiving day. At least that's what I assume. We met Matt's Auntie Ellen and most of her family at the resort.

We stayed at the Seacrest Resort, which was so cute and nice! It was a great room and so cute, so I had to take pictures. Although I can't get a wide enough angle to get really good ones. 

Cute bathroom, I don't know why, but I think so.

Each room had a balcony and this was our beautiful view.

Looking out at the ocean from the balcony.

Auntie Ellen had ordered a Marie Calendar's Thanksgiving dinner, that we ate on the balcony at the top of the hotel. This was our view we enjoyed during our dinner.

That night we went and played games and ate pie in the breakfast room. Well the kids played games anyways. 

Quinn looking like he enjoyed some tasty treat, though I can't recall what it might have been. 

Matt's cousin Carrie's youngest daughter, Chelsi. She was so cute, thinking she was quite the big girl drinking out of a cup. Carrie and her husband Mark have 3 girls, each of them about a year younger then our boys.

Quinn really wanting some of the Froot Loops, but since we wouldn't let him, I guess he resorted to licking the dust with his finger. Gross Quinn!

Winston was worse, and just tried helping himself, hoping they would fall on the plate if he held it just right. 

The next day we took the morning and relaxed with no real agenda. So the boys really wanted to go swimming, even though it was only 50 some degrees. I joined them in the hot tub and that was it!

I think Winston is disturbed by his wrinkly finger! Haha! Sadly I forgot the swim stuff of course, so he didn't have his floaties and was quite sad! He had to stay by me instead of exploring.

View from the pool area.

Sadly, that was all the pictures I took of the weekend. I hate when I do that! Friday afternoon, once Uncle Tom (Auntie Ellen's husband), his mom and Brian came into town we went to a yummy little restaurant that had wonderful clam chowder and I had some yummy pulled pork. Then we went into a fun surf shop and looked around. A few hours later Grandpa Mathias, Auntie Mimi, Uncle Terry and most of their kids came into town. We went to see a melodrama play that was so cool. It was this old theater that had sawdust on the floor and served had a refreshment stand. It did three plays, A Christmas Carol, a funny Sleeping Beauty and then a funny Christmas song thing. Ha! It was so much fun, then of course dinner afterwards, which is so much fun with 25+ people.

The next morning, Saturday, Matt went out with the older boys and Auntie Mimi's family, to see a car show, which turned out to be pretty much nothing, and to look at the dunes on the beach. Matt's cousins Kenny rode with him and took the remaining pictures for this post!

Uncle Terry, in the drivers seat, and Matt's cousin Kyle's wife, Saira.

So we were going to go to another beach a see sea lions that day, but it ended up pouring rain the whole afternoon. But here's what we did the rest of the weekend, ate lunch at Fat Cats. Yum! Hung out the rest of the rainy afternoon at the hotel. Matt's 13 year old cousin Tia loved hanging with the boys, and watched the older boys while Matt, Winston and I went out for an hour. Went to dinner at Klondike Pizza, which was awesome with peanuts shells all over the floor, that never get swept and is basically like dust. (Quinn had to be told numerous times to not kick it around.) Sunday, went to Sacrament meeting. Then went to one last outing all together at Sylvester's to eat lunch. Then onward home.

It was a great weekend and a great distraction from life! It was so fun being around Matt's extended family and getting to know them better, and meeting most of them for the first time. We are so thankful for them sharing the weekend with us and all they did for us. How grateful I am to have family somewhat close! I love living in California and have so much fun experiencing life here!

Thank you so much Auntie Ellen and Uncle Tom!

Hardy Wedding

At the beginning of September Ben and Jackie got married at the Salt Lake Temple. I was so glad that we were able to go, and especially that Matt decided that the could make the trip with me. I was going to do it on my own. The wedding was on Saturday, bright and early at 9am. Matt had a test Friday afternoon, so we weren't able to leave until about 3:30pm. It was one long tiring night and next day. When we got to Las Vegas, we sat in traffic for an hour, they had closed the freeway due to a fatality accident, but of course you don't know that and just keep inching forward until they make you exit and everyone is trying to exit at the same spot. We quickly ate in Las Vegas and changed the kids into jammies. The kids eventually fell asleep, and Matt and I continued to drive on. We got into Salt Lake at 3:30 am, way later then we wanted to. The kids took a while to settle back down, especially Winston, who didn't go to sleep until 4:30am, and that's after being in bed with Matt and I. So I got over an hour of sleep, and then had to wake up to make it to the sealing. Matt and I ended up being like 5-10 minutes late for the sealing, which was so embarrassing and they were totally waiting for us. I hate being late, HATE IT! We didn't even get to feed the boys breakfast, I just took them snacks! Ha! Not sure why we ended up late, we just must have been moving slow from fatigue!

Anyways, long story short, it was a great sealing and such a sweet spirit there. I love the temple and I'm so grateful for the covenants we make there and eternal families. It was so great to see all our family and be with them for the weekend. Some of my pictures at the temple.

 After the ceremony waiting for the bride and groom to come out. My kids ran wild up and down the stairs.

 Right after this Winston was standing in front of the doors they walk out from and wet his pants! We had just started the potty training thing, I didn't plan on having underwear on him, but left the diapers in the car, so I put underwear on him, and meant to change him. I forgot, and then paid for it. Later at the luncheon, after still not changing him to a diaper, I had to clean out poopy pants in the toilet of the Joseph Smith Memorial building. Luckily they keep sparkly clean toilets!

Matt's cousin Robin and her husband David. They are the cutest and sweetest couple. You just can't help but love them!

Cute little Grandpa. We just love him and love being around him.

Still waiting for the couple. Cynthia with her Aunt Mary Ellen, Aunt Phylis and sister Ellen. So beautiful!

 The couple came out and then all the picture taking starts. Little Grandpa and the happy couple.

Grandma Hardy with them too. Missing Grandpa Hardy, who passed away only a few short weeks earlier. We sure miss him!

Malcolm looking way to grown up and handsome. What am I to do with these boys!

A cute kissing shot of the parents and bride and groom. I'm sure they all loved this!

Cute Quinn waiting patiently for the pictures to end.

Grandpa imitating the grumpy boys. When Winston saw this picture today, he had to make "dada's" sad face. Such a cute picture!

When you can't get them to smile, you just work with them. I LOVE Quinn in this picture, he's so into it.

Love all the red shoes. Just love red period, although ironically, I don't own much.

Notice the sign, notice who's child is in the background.

 Really, how can you keep the 2 year old off!

 Love this picture. At least he's moved from the grass to the tree bed! Haha!

At the luncheon, little Grandpa's ukulele came out. Love when he just sings, and so does Winston. He will just stop and listen to him. The boys really like it when Grandpa sings "Coconut Willy"!

Little Grandpa also sang the song while Ben and Jackie had their first dance. Aunt Ellen and Cynthia joined him as well. So cute, I just love it! We had lots of fun enjoying Grandpa over the weekend!

You might think that's a lot of pictures, but I didn't post the bride and groom, their next!

Weekend Fun

This last weekend the boys and I had the opportunity to drive north to visit my little brother Tyler who lives with my Uncle Max and Aunt Reaka. It was a 7 hour drive and the boys and I made it safe, sound and sane. Thank goodness for food and entertainment. Matt had the joy of staying at home and studying for a test. We missed him so much, but his focus has to be on school.

Tyler was being ordained an Elder, so I was able to be there for the ordination. He also finished his Duty to God award, so I was able to see him work on his last project and get his award. I'm so glad that I can live close enough to be able to support him. He is all grown up and moving away this weekend to attend BYU before going on his mission. I really can't believe he's already old enough to do all these things. I still remember him as my little buddy that I would read to at night and he would sleep in bed with me sometimes. I remember when we moved away from dad's to live with my mom and how much he missed me. He would send me pictures and notes, that someone had written for him, to me. He was a cute little guy!

He's grown up to be a wonderful young man. Uncle Max and Aunt Reaka have been wonderful parents to him. You can see what a good example he is for others around him and that he has a strong testimony. He's so good with my boys and is fun to be around. I sure love him!

I'm so mad at myself, I always do this, I wanted to get a picture of the boys and I with Tyler, but it never happened!

This is the only picture I got of Tyler, I know it's an amazing picture of him, right! He's working on his last Duty to God project. Nothing like doing it the last minute! :) A coat and purse hook for the nursery. I thought he did an awesome job.

While Tyler worked on his project in the garage, we played outside in the road! :) The boys had a great time playing with the marshmallow bow and mallow. It's cool, it shoots miniature marshmallow. Something any little boy would love!

The only picture I got of Malcolm, so I had to add it. Seems mean to leave one of the boys out.

Winston out in the cul-de-sac picking up the marshmallows, and showing me his big belly. He likes to call it his baby, thanks to his Auntie Stephanie!

This is my little cousin Channing. She's showing me her skateboarding skills. She was in a community play of the "King and I" and was one of the kings daughters. She has her hair in a bun and painted black, with her blue eyes! She is adorable and was so good with the boys. I could have brought her home with me.

Quinn trying to jump rope. Doesn't look too successful the way the rope is wrapped around his arm! :)

Just love Winston's little converses. He's obsessed with shoes and always has to pick out his own. I wish he would pick these everyday.

Aunt Reaka's dad came up Saturday as well. He was such a cute old man. They call him Opa, grandpa in dutch, since he's dutch. He moved over from Holland when he was 19 after his parents joined the church and wanted to go to the temple. He wasn't a member at the time they moved over, but later joined after the war. He was sweet and took us all out to dinner, including my family. Thank you Opa!

Channing and Uncle Max were in the community play "King and I", so Saturday night, we were lucky enough to see them in it. They did a great job and it was a great play. I sure wish you could take pictures during it. Uncle Max was one of the priests and had his head all shaved bald. He looks really good that way! I think he should keep it. The play started at 8pm and went until 10:45pm. I was nervous taking the boys that late, but I risked it. They did really well during it. Opa bought them all candy for during intermission. He was so sweet to them. Winston fell asleep toward the end, and so did Quinn. I look over at Quinn and his head is down on the hand rest with Aunt Reaka's hand under protecting it. It was so cute.

It was awesome to go spend some time with family. They made me feel so welcomed and so loved. They loved my crazy, rambunctious boys, and didn't seem to mind their wild ways. Thanks Uncle Max and Aunt Reaka for the fun weekend. I love you so much! Thanks to Channing for giving up her room to us!