{ Cruisin Disney style . . . finale }

I need to finish this last post about the cruise! I got so side tracked by the birthdays! But I wanted to make sure I finished this since it is my journal.

The second day in Cabo was a short day. And since it was such a fiasco to get Myla and all her gear on and off the ship I decided to stay behind and have a nice boat day while it was still warm. The boys had researched out a few snokeling options and decided that it was a good day to go since the moms and kids were staying on the ship. So Logan took Ayden along with Todd, Alan, and Connor to spend the day snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas.

Logan is going to write a journal entry for that day and I will add it to this post once he's done. For now . . . here are the great pictures they took on their adventure.

{ These 2 are such good buddies }

While the boys were ashore, we took the little kids to the Mickey pool which was very busy but incredibly fun! They just played for hours. Uncle Trevor got in the pool and tossed them around for a bit. I just sat on the side and enjoyed the warm sun on my face. It was the perfect temperature outside.

After dinner that night, Logan took the kids our on deck 4 and got some cute shots of the.

Unfortunately I couldn't post the cutest one because Sophie is even more sprawled out and it wouldn't be appropriate for the web.

{ She's even cute with Mickey bar on her dress }

We went to Studio Sea to watch/play a game show that night. My kids even got a chance to go on stage! But I guess I was the real show, because they were playing a trivia game with still shots from disney movies and I got a little too into it. In my defense . . . I was AWESOME!

The Final Day:

It was officially our final day on the ship. The kids had some stuff they wanted to do in the Oceaneers Club so the adults went down to a lounge for some yummy drinks and games. We found out they were having a giant game of bingo there and the boys all bought some cards to play. (for the record, they spent way too much money, and none of them won a dime. But it was still fun)

This was the day we lost Dee Dee. That is what Myla has named her special blanky. I took the kids up to deck 9 while we were waiting for bingo to start and when we got back, dee dee was gone. I retraced my steps 20 times, but it was no where to be found. I think I went to the lost and found at least 8 or 9 times that night. And I continued to call the front desk to see of anyone had turned it in. I was a mess. Myla was sad and fussy, but it seemed like she wasn't quite sure what was missing. She slept on top of me that night, I was her dee dee. I just kept praying that we would find it before we left the ship. (And we did! It was rolled up in a ball at the final lost and found before we left the port. Hooray!)

{ This was taken right after we found it. You can't tell from the picture how elated she was.

Oh, and I was crying. . . of course }

The next morning at breakfast everyone was a little somber. Its always hard when the trip comes to an end even though you are usually ready to get back to real life. We had the added hardship of saying goodbye to the Buchanans AGAIN! Man we hate always having to say goodbye to them. The kids love each other so much and have become such good friends. This trip was a great bonding experience for them.

{ The girls walking towards the exit of the ship }

We went through customs and as we got to the baggage claim to round up our bags we realized one was missing. All of Logan's clothes were in a giant duffle bag and it was no where to be found. So I sat with the kids while he walked all over the port trying to find it. We finally had to file a report that it was missing and write down the value of the bag. Not fun. There was one piece of luggage that was part of a set that had been left behind so we were really hoping that those people had taken his bag instead and would call us when they realized they had the wrong bag. It took a few days, but Logan finally got his bag back!

We took a taxi to a car rental place by the airport. We were on the same flight as Jenny and Trevor and Brian and Todd, but they were planning to sit at the airport from 10 until our flight left at 4. We knew better than to attempt that with 3 little ones so we decided to rent a car and go find something to do in LA until our flight left.

Luckily we got a hold of the Buchanans who also had a later flight and had rented a car. We met up with them at In-and-Out burger for lunch and then went to a park for a little bit to let the kids run around. As Logan put it, seeing them one more time was the perfect way to soften the blow of the trip being over.

Our flight home was good and seemed to go by quickly. As we found our car and drove home, we talked about what a great trip it was and how lucky we all were to be able to have had such a great experience. Thank you so much, Nana and Papa, for so generously taking us on this trip and giving us the opportunity to spend time with you and our other family members. We will cherish this experience forever. You guys are the best. Love you.

1st Grade Pow Wow

I haven't had a chance to post about going to Ayden's Pow Wow. My friend Nicole watched my girls so I could go help in his class. He was so excited, he's been asking me to come for a while now.

When I got there both his teacher and teachers aid told me how excited he has been all week for me to come. Way to make your Mom feel special Aydo!

We had a great day making rain sticks, honey butter, pottery, and necklaces.


It was so fun to see him in his environment. He's a good boy and I'm very proud of the person he is. Thanks for sharing your day with me buddy!

Posted from my iPhone

{ Kindergarten program/Making Pies }

Sophie was very excited to perform in her Kindergarten Thanksgiving program. They had prepared some excellent songs to sing for the parents and she looked so cute in her pilgrim costume.

Every year the kids look forward to pie making day at Brammy's with the Hammer cousins. Brammy puts it all together and then they get with a partner and make pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving.

It is a great tradition.

Well this year the Hammer-clan came down with the flu the night before the big pie making event. The kids were so bummed they couldn't go, but even though they felt better we didn't want to pass along the flu so that others ended up sick on Thanksgiving day.

So we stayed home.

As a consolation prize, Daddy picked up some stuff on his way home from work so we could make pies as a family. It wasn't the same, but they were good sports about it. Thanks Daddy!

They were really good helpers. Not sure why they had to sit on the counter though . . .

{ The finished product } { Enjoying the goods! Yum! }

Man I love these cuties.

{ Birthday weekend }

A month or so ago my parents told us they were going to San Diego for their anniversary and so we could use the cabin to celebrate my birthday!

I was pumped and immediately started planning.

We decided we wanted to stay one night with just adults and then whoever wanted to could grab their kids and come back.

We invited 3 couples the Botts, the Borens, and the Browns. (or the 3 B's as I like to call them)

We got up there just before dinner time. I really wanted to get there before dark because it's a little harder to find in the dark, plus there are lots of deer and I didn't want there to be any accidents. (like last winter . . . boo hoo)

{ Logan got to work on the fire }

{ Jeri and Jason Boren Kirk and Texie Brown }

{ The ladies. (minus Nicole) }

I have some awesome friends. Jeri and Nicole made a delicious dinner. Lasagna (home made by Jeri) french bread, and salad. And Texie made score cake for dessert. Thanks ladies!

Texie and I have this thing with matching. We always like the same clothes and have quite a few matching items. Here we are in our matching coats (from 2 years ago) and matching jeans.

{ Twilight shirts . . . great minds think alike }

It was snowing while we were eating dinner. It was the perfect atmosphere to be in the cabin with the fire going and the snow outside. We got in our pjs and played a roaring game of wacky sixes.

Around midnight we went downstairs to the theater room and turned on

The Count of Monte Cristo.

I have always loved that movie but I think it's mostly because I saw it for the first time when Logan and I were dating. (for that whole month and a half)

I was the only girl that didn't sleep through the movie, and Logan was the only boy who did! Ha! We are kinda reversed that way these days.

The next morning I heard Logan get up really early and I had a good idea what he was up to. I love the tradition we have of decorating the house for birthdays.

It definitely makes the birthday girl/boy feel special!

{ this is what I woke up to }

As well as a delicious breakfast being prepared! We sat around visiting and enjoy the peace and quiet, knowing it would all be over soon as we headed to pick up our kids.

{Logan was so pooped from getting up early to decorate, he crashed! }

We had a relaxing morning and then all went our seperate ways. Logan and I went to see Breaking Dawn before we had to pick up the kids from Aunt Jenny. I always go see it with the die hards first but we usually see it together soon after. If we don't, I will explain the entire movie to Logan before he gets a chance to see it.

(I actually had already described a lot. Sorry Log)

I liked the movie a lot better the second time. It was hard to look past some of the stranger scenes on the first time around with such high expectations. I think Logan liked it as well.

We picked up the kids from Aunt Jenny around 3:30. That's right, she had our 3 crazies for 24 hrs. What a trooper! Not only did she and Trevor watch them, they played with them, made pictures and crafts and had a great time. Thank you so much Jenny and Uncle Trevor! You're the best!

The kids were so excited to go to the cabin. There's just something about that place. Not only is it beautiful, it has a special feeling about it. We got there just about the same time as the Browns who went home to get their kids and came back. Their kids were mesmerized by its beauty. They just ran through the house saying things like "this is a mansion!" and "I wish we could live here!" They were excited at the potential to go sledding but it was getting dark so we decided we'd have to wait for morning. We had some dinner and the kids made up some pretty fun games using our heytell app as a walkie talkie.

That night the kids made me a cake and sang happy birthday. They also gave me a present. None other than a Pillow Pet! Ha! It's my own fault because I rave about them to people and always joke about how I want one. Well now I've got one! Thanks guys!

They Brown kids decided to call the bunkbed room

the barracks

(their dad is in the military) and they were really excited to set up camp.

And while they were busy setting up camp, we were setting up for the tour.

Rockband tour that is.

We started a band together about 2 years ago and haven't had a lot of time to practice lately so we thought this was a good opportunity!

The next morning we held the kids off as long as we could . . . but by 9am they were all dressed up and ready to sled!

There wasn't much snow, but this didn't stop these crazy kids. And they had a blast!

{ Check our the balls that collected on Boston's bum! }

They liked going with Logan because he could slow them down with his hands. It's a pretty steep hill with lots of twigs and branches poking out. Ayden sustained a few battle wounds.

{ warming up with some delicious hot cocoa }

We chilled, played rockband, watched movies, took naps, and just enjoyed the day with our close friends. It was a great weekend that I will look back on with fond memories.

Special thanks to my Mom and Dad for giving us the opportunity to use their beautiful cabin. You guys are the best.