Disneyland

My sister Alisa's work (Safeway) had a night at Disneyland. It was only Safeway employees and the tickets were cheep so I couldn't resist. My boys had never been before and I hadn't been since I was very little. I didn't tell the boys until we went to pick Alisa and her kids up to start our drive. What a surprise it was for them! It was so fun to have this experience with my kids and my sister and her kids. We were there from about 5pm until about 1am out time. We are all so tired (especially Easton) and cold and our feet hurt but we had a BLAST!

I like this picture because if you look real close you can see that Easton is missing his two bottom teeth.

My sister Alisa with her kids Spencer and Ashleigh.

Can you see Buzz Lightyear?

Ashleigh with Minnie Mouse!

Cadence and Easton with Mickey!

It's a Small World was the only ride I remembered from when I came the last time (I think I was 3 years old) so we had to try it. It was kind of boring but it's one that you have to do at least once.

Space Mountain was my favorite ride...I think it was everyone's favorite ride!

The next day we went to Seal Beach for a little bit. The boys had never been to the beach before so they LOVED it....even though the water was FREEZING!

Phoenix Zoo

One of Cadence's scout leaders couldn't make it to their trip to the zoo so I was asked to step in and help out so I said yes. Easton was happy because this meant that he got to go too. It was our first trip to the Phoenix zoo. Five boys at the zoo made me nervous but they were pretty good. The zoo itself wasn't too exciting to me. It seemed like the good animals were either hiding, sleeping or off exhibit but the boys had a lot of fun. It was fun to be out with my boys!

Christmas 2009

This was my boys and my first Christmas here in Arizona. On Christmas Eve the tradition here in Arizona is to go out for Chinese food and so that is what we did. It was a lot of fun to see everyone together. I can't believe that so many of us live in Arizona! After dinner we went to my brother Lee's house to open family gifts, open their new pajamas and have some more fun. We got home late pretty late so the kids helped me get cookies in the oven for Santa. Since it was so late I put the cookies out for Santa along with milk and carrots for the reindeer.

I woke up before the kids on Christmas morning. I was so excited. The boys finally got up and we headed for the pile of gifts under the tree.

Along with a bunch of other stuff Easton got a few dart guns which he loved!
Cadence got his Red Rider BB gun (yes, the one from the movie) He was so excited! After we explained the rules and I warned him not to "shoot his eye out" he went right outside to try it out.
Cadence made me a very nice stained glass bottle at school. I love it! It is so special!
Easton made me a cute calendar using his hand and foot prints. It is soooo sweet!
It was a great Christmas! I am sad it is over!

Easton's Christmas Program

Easton had his cute kindergarten Christmas program. He was so excited. They practiced so hard and even made their own shirts. The program was so cute. I was tearing up the whole time. I LOVE MY KIDS!

Easton is 6!

My little baby turned 6 on December 15th! He is growing up so fast!

We had a pirate party with a few of his friends from school.

Captain Easton

We had a few activities. The kids all decorated their own pirate cupcakes. All the kids got their own sword and and eye patch. They played Pin the Treasure on the Map, Pop the Cannon Balls, Musical Islands, made ocean in a bottle (not too successful but fun) and Cadence and Adam (Easton's cousin) made a treasure hunt for the kids. It was a fun party but a lot of work!

Grandma Belle Van Wagenen

In November my Grandma passes away. She was 90 years old and had cancer so it was somewhat expected but came a little faster than I think most of us expected. She was able to stay in her home that she loved and passed quickly. We all miss her very much. I was lucky to have been able to go and visit her in October. I didn't know it then but that was our last visit.

The funeral was the first week of December. It had been several years since all of my siblings had been all together. It was fun to see everyone.

My brother Erik, my dad and My brother Lee

My two handsome sons all dressed up and ready for the funeral. Aren't they cute!?

Three of my four sisters (Jenni, Alisa and Amy)

Three of my cute nieces (Sasha, Ashleigh and Kyana)

My cute mom and my brother Lee.

My uncles Kenny, Norman and Paul, and my Mom at the graveside memorial.

My whole family all together!

It is hard to believe she is gone. I miss her but I know she is so happy to be with her husband and the rest of our family on that side of the veil.

Trustworthiness

Easton got the Trustworthiness award in school way back in November. His teacher got to pick one person in the class for this award and she picked sweet Easton. His teacher made the perfect choice, he is trustworthy! You can always believe what he says and count on him. He is such a sweetheart! He got to go on the stage during an assembly to receive his award. He was so excited.