California Trip: Part 2

Disneyland

This was our first day at Disneyland



Zack, Tyler & Steve in their Star Wars shirts.
They couldn't wait to go see the Jedi training show!

Darth Vader

Zack's favorite souvenir was a light saber that he got to make...he was so happy with it!

Me, Shelly & Libby in our Mickey Mouse shirts....Tyler snuck in the picture!

Of course there were parades & fireworks too....

Disney's downtown parade

It was a great firework show...

Steve & Tyler enjoyed it!


and of course the rides...


They said Tyler was laughing so hard on the teacups that he almost peed his pants (luckily he didn't). So now they call that ride the "peecups"!


Libby gave grandma a good spin!



Steve won't do spinning rides,
so we had to get a picture when he actually went on the teacups with me!

Another favorite ride of ours is the matterhorn...

Finally, a little bit bigger ride that Tyler could go on.

He was so proud, he kept saying, "I made it, I made it!" So Steve got a picture of him by the measuring stick.

Of course, we had to go on it's a small world!

I had to put this picture of my mom smiling...the last time we were at Disneyland, she got stuck in there for over 2 hours!

Tyler is definitely a daddy's boy!


Libby wanted to see pixie hollow (where tinker bell lives), but they closed it off for the night. We noticed a back entrance & snuck a picture. That is why she looks a little nervous, she thought we'd get in trouble!


We did get minnie's autograph.

AND

Tyler was so happy to see Lightning McQueen & Mater!
If you ask him what his full name is he'll say, "Tyler Max Lightning McQueen Peterson"!

We have never gone to Disneyland during the summer months before. It is too crowded, but we still had fun!

CALIFORNIA TRIP: Part 1

On June 5th we arrived at the beach house!

It was on Capistrano Beach,
which is between Dana Point & San Clemente

Right out the back door was this....

It was beautiful.

The first day....

We flew out in the afternoon with our little family, my mom & dad & my sister Shelly.
On the way there, the plane was kind of small. We actually had to walk out on the tarmac & climb up stairs to get in. It wasn't my favorite ride...on take off, it kept floating up & down like it almost couldn't make it up! Luckily we arrived safely!!

Then we picked up our "15" passenger van...that was an experience all in itself. Big van, confusing freeways & Steve's driving ;) made for a fun adventure!


Our kids were very excited to see the ocean was right out the door!

We all ran straight to the ocean.

Steve & Tyler Man
After we got the van unloaded we were in search of a Walmart or grocery store & a place to eat. Eventually we found a Lone Star & target.

THE BEACH...
This was one of the best parts of the whole trip. It was a little cooler weather than we thought it would be (The people in California call it June gloom) but it was still so beautiful.


I love the sound of waves

Me & Libby

The rock & shell collectors....Zack, Shelly & Tyler

They collected buckets like this everyday!


Almost every morning, I would wake up & see this out the sliding door. They would wake up early & Go play in the waves & start their rock collecting.

Libby & Zack
LOVED running & splashing in the water



Zack with a "real" smile on his face.

Libby is a water girl!

Tyler loved sliding down the sand hill....
Unfortunately, he got to taste the yucky salt water when a wave went over is head. He spit all the way back to the house!

As you can see he's still in his pajamas, they'd wake up & head outside.


sail boats

Grandma & Grandpa


Zack, Libby, Pa-Pa & Tyler


Grandma & Grandpa Steen with the boys.


Me & Steve

My next post will be Disneyland & the American Girl Store adventure. Sorry for all the pictures, but I love pictures so there are many more to come!

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!!

Today was the last day of school & we are SO happy! This will be our first long summer, since we've always been on year-round school. The last 2 weeks have felt crazy. Talent shows, field trips & end of year programs. I've been bad at taking pictures lately, but I did get a few from Zack's 1st grade program....it was so cute! It was called Once Upon A Lily Pad & he was an alligator.

Zack...the alligator

Singing songs....

He did a great job on his part too!

Our summer has definitely started...it's almost 11:00pm and we are all still up! Thank heavens we don't have to wake up early tomorrow!!

Sick & Tired....

SICK....
On Friday, Libby wasn't feeling good. Every time she is sick or sad Mickey seems to sense it. He always comes over & curls up next to her.

It must of worked because she felt much better the next day!

TIRED....

We had a busy Saturday that ended with running through the sprinklers! He ate his dinner & fell right to sleep at the table! You know it's starting to feel like summer when you stay outside, eat dinner late & fall right to sleep at the end of the day!!

Happy Mother's Day

I have the sweetest family...they are so good to me!

They made me yummy crepes & cute cards & presents.
It was so cute, Zack & Libby gave me the gifts they had made for me & Tyler said, "Your present is upstairs, wait one minute." He went upstairs & started digging through his toys and came back down and asked, "do you like light sabers, Mom?" Then he went back up & brought me half of his double light saber sword. Now that is what I call love...to give me part of his favorite toy!!


I LOVE these kids!!

I'm also so thankful for my mom!
I feel so blessed that we are so close, I don't know what I'd do without her!! She has always been a great example of the kind of mom I want to be. Thanks for all you still do for me!!


I love you!!

Steve's birthday was on April 10th....

We went to dinner with his parents, Julie, Elise & Emily. We celebrated Steve's birthday & it was also a goodbye dinner for Marilyn & Gary. They are going on a mission to Nauvoo for 6 months.

We ate at the Asian Star & it was yummy!

Steve was happy because he got Sushi & cheescake!!
And then later that night he got to eat even more ....

It was late at night, but the kids finally got to sing happy birthday & eat brownies & ice cream with him!
Happy Birthday Steve!!!
And

We'll miss you Marilyn & Gary!!

For the last few months Steve has been working ALOT...he'll drop the kids off at school & then he comes home way after they have gone to bed. He has been going in on Saturdays & Sundays too. Tyler has really been missing him. When Steve is home, Tyler can't get enough of him...

He has to do whatever it is his dad is doing...


He curled right up in his lap & read his ad too!


Looking comfy with his crossed legs.

On conference weekend he shared the couch during Steve's nap...

Of course, Tyler doesn't need much sleep, but at least he was with his dad!
Hopefully Steve's schedule will get back to normal soon! This boy needs his daddy around!