Our Own "Tulip Festival"

This year's Tulip Festival wasn't at Thanksgiving Point. No, it was at the Maverick.

We attempted to go to Thanksgiving Point, but it was COLD and WINDY. It was kind of a comedy of errors--Mom had a migraine, so she stayed home. We were able to have a picnic (outside the gardens--no $). But we all froze and poor Shell-Bell didn't have a jacket. Then Nicole ran off and Alex had a tantrum. So Kristi took her kids home to nap. We chased Nicole and headed back home, but neither of us wanted to call it a day. So we went to the mall and had ice cream to eat up a few extra minutes. When that got old we headed back to the Maverick so Shell and Cole could go home. The little playground at the Maverick was just too strong of a magnet. We spent the next hour and a half in the beautiful warm sunshine, sipping Pepsi's and talking while the kids played.

A Pepsi always tastes better when it's Mommy's.

Believe me--this is a RARE occurrence!!!! Spencer rarely touches his nemesis in a kind and loving way. Richele kept saying, "hurry Kam, take the picture! We're never going to get another like it."

The kids were happy and played well together, so our Tulip Festival was a complete success.

Easter Fun

Easter was 3 days of festivities for our family. Friday night we went to Grandma's house and had a yummy ham dinner. Luckily we were able to get the outdoor egg hunting done before the rain started. Then we moved onto dyeing massive amounts of eggs!! Everybody joined in the fun. I love to see Wayne's crafty side!!! The boys really had a good time, but Grandma told us we had to leave with 2 dozen eggs (kind of silly for our allergy-ridden family). We did enjoy the sulfur smell for a few days until Cameron would "allow" me to throw them away. Unfortunately we didn't have our camera at Grandma's house--bummer.

Saturday was the Loveridge celebration.

Nicole mauling Cam at the Old Spaghetti Factory.

"kissin' cousins"

Grampy and Mommy watching The Lion King with Spencer.

The weather was terrible so we had our egg hunt inside. Cameron liked hiding them again for us to find. Then we would hide them for him to find.

Egg coloring was serious business for this little boy. And of course not a bit of a mess.

Sunday Morning they were so excited for their Bakugan Sets. Boys are weird in what they like--but I am a pro at boy toys!!

More Bakugans. They didn't care much about the candy (they never do).

One tired Mommy. The boys were having so much fun figuring out their game, I was able to snooze for a while. It was wonderful!!! Happy Easter to all...and to all a good Nap.

"Do it on Saturday"

I have learned that when I am dealing with anything unpleasant with Spencer, such as: cutting his toenails, fingernails or hair, I have to give him plenty of advanced warning. We both have to prepare ourselves for the fits to come!! Although he has done much better with the fingernail cutting---he likes to show Cameron how "brave" he is.

The kid needs a haircut!! So all week he has been saying "do it Sunday". It's always Sunday for him--we have no idea why. So this morning the boys were laying in bed with us and I said, "Spencer we need to cut your hair".

Of course he replies, "Do it Sunday"

"It is Sunday Baby"

"Mommy, Do it on Saturday"

Which of course I will do. I am not ready to deal with the snot, spit, vomit and flying hair that always go with a Spencer haircut. I am definitely planning on a buzz for the first of the summer for that kid. I will have to take a picture of the next fiasco.

So Happy...

Yesterday was my second day working in the Pleasant Grove office (Jones' Dental) and I just have to say---WOOHOO!!! I had worked in the Orem (Christiansen Dental, then Christiansen and Jones Dental) office for 10 years (in fact, my first day in PG was my exact 10 anniversary of working for Dr. Craig---ouch, oh well, he would have never paid up the $1000 anyway). I will admit I had a hard time filling out the "new hire" paperwork---NO I have been here for 10 years, but since the offices split, we have to be technical about things.

ANYWAY!! I never knew working could be like this---fun AND relaxed. We are busy, very busy, but the girls are all so nice and help out and the Doctors just want what is best for their patients and staff. It is so wonderful to be working with such good, honorable, honest men. And to be back with my girls is heaven, almost all of my girls (someday Christy--at least we're under the same roof).

I thought it would be torture to not know any of my patients (and worse yet, they won't know me). In Orem, I knew nearly all of my patients week after week. In my first 2 weeks in PG I knew one. But I am a good fit for the patients that come in and I will get to know more of them as time goes on.

I also like starting a little later in the day (I know Mom LOVES it too). And even though I get home later at night, it's good "bonding" time for Chad and the boys.

I am so grateful that I love what I do (yes I LOVE cleaning teeth). And I feel lucky to be in a wonderful office, with great Doctors, fabulous friends, good patients and I am especially grateful to Mom for watching the boys every Tuesday so I can have an "out". Every Momma needs an "out" and it's awesome that I get paid for mine.

My "peeps"!!! Keveny, Abby, Christy, Me and little man #2

We have all worked together for about a decade and I love these women!!! When you spend as much time at work as we do (ok I USED to spend a lot of time at work) it's nice to be such good friends!!!! I have worked with a lot of others that I am still close to (and I miss them terribly). Thank goodness for blogs (and Abby hosting Girls' Nights), so we can all keep up with each others families.

So Happy...

AND...Keveny promises me that the "Cockroach Effect" will wear off soon. When working for Dr. Craig, if he caught us talking during down time, we would get comments about being clocked in or out. So we all learned to scatter like cockroaches when we would hear him coming. Well, I am still in that mode, and Keveny just laughs. There is no scattering with the Jones'. I caught myself getting out of my chair in the breakroom yesterday when Dr. Aaron came in. It might take a few weeks to break a 10 year habit.

Swords, Spinny-Hats, Sweatshirts and Cousins

Finally, our Disneyland trip!!!

Swords!!! the boys ended up with 3 different swords by the end of the trip. The Sea World swords were the fav and went everywhere!!

Spinny-Hats!! They had no interest at all in the Mickey ear hats (even Jack Skellington--wow)

Sweatshirts!!! Grandma bought everybody sweatshirts with their last name on it. Spencer loved his so much,,,he pretty much refused to take it off, even with flushed cheeks and a sweaty forehead.

Cousins!!! The absolute highlight of the trip was watching Cameron with his cousins. He was in heaven.

That's us!!! All 25 of the Hall Clan. It's amazing it all worked out and we were all able to come.

I can only speak for myself,,,but I had such a fabulous time. I will admit that I was a little nervous at first, but work was not the main topic of conversation (hallelujah), we all did our own thing and hooked up when we could, the kids did well and had a great time together, so what else could a parent want. Oh, and Grandpa ordered perfect weather and sure enough, perfect weather.

The driver of the airport shuttle asked us if we were moving to California.

Absolutely my boys' favorite ride!!!

Monkeys in a cage.

Spencer would giggle and giggle, and my legs got quite the workout (those pedals are hard to push)

This was Dale -at the Character Breakfast. One of my favorite moments of the trip. Our 3 tables obviously screamed "hey we're a big old Mormon family!" The characters are not allowed to talk, so he would whistle songs. I do believe Jeffers got the Michigan fight song and a church song. Pat got Called to Serve, and God Be With You.... Chad got Love at Home. The best was when he noticed Brett and Nat at the end of the table with no rings on their fingers. Oh the hilarity that ensued---He was trying to get Brett to propose. He had my heart going for a moment or two---until I saw the horrified look on Brett's face. That little chipmunk wouldn't let it go---he did get a hug and kiss,,but no proposal. The rest of us were laughing to tears. He started writing on a napkin something about the San Diego Temple and the "Cinderella" sealing room. I hope Nat kept the napkin.

I was amazed that Spencer wasn't afraid of the characters.

Kyler, Cam and Lydia looking at the map of Disneyland. My little stinkers were freakishly good at that map by Tuesday morning. I think I caught on by Thursday night. Spencer actually corrected me twice after coming off the Buzz Lightyear ride.

Gotta have a family picture in front of the castle.

They were Thrilled with the Cars!!

Look at that face!!

Spencer loved the Bugs' Life rides.

Luckily nobody got too dizzy

Aaww!!! Ryan was Cameron's best buddy! And they had a lot of time together because we "puppy-dogged" Matt's family almost the entire trip. Matt had the Fast Pass system down, and Cameron loved being with his cousins, so we just went where they did. (oh, and they were just fun to be with.)

Spencer was too short or too scared to do most of the rides. So he found his own entertainment in the evenings---and mornings.

Wednesday we went to Sea World--Spencer found the swords first thing and carried his around all day long.

Sara and Enoch met us at the Shamu show and hung out the rest of the day. It was so fun to see them.

Cameron was terrified of the sharks!! And not so happy about the picture moment. I didn't get a picture of Spencer's unhappy moment: After the Shamu show the whales were just swimming around and so Chad took the boys down to get a closer look. The whales were right by the glass and their tails made quite the little wave that Chad didn't see until it was too late. He was able to lift Cam out of the way, but Spencer was DRENCHED. It was hilarious!!! Spencer cried and cried and said, "No, No Bad Shamu!!" He still talks about it.

We had been RUNNING for 4 days and Spencer was wiped-out on the bus ride back from Sea World.

The line for the Rocket ride is normally long,,,but we got there early on Thursday. Chad laughed at me on this one---first time around, waves and smiles--second time around, head in hands (trying not to get sick).

Brunch at Goofy's Kitchen. We burned all the calories beforehand trying to make it on time. The monorail broke down, so we had to hoof it for 20 minutes. Luckily, we were only 5 minutes late. Again the food was wonderful and the kids loved the characters (ie. Scott and Belle)

The boys banging pots and dancing with Goofy.

Jeffers got some early entrance tickets to Toon Town for Friday. The boys loved the bright colors.

AND we only had to wait 5 minutes to get pictures with Mickey.

Cam loved the little coaster---we went 4 or 5 times before it got crowded.

Spencer pouting. I don't even remember what it was about---the boys really did well overall, but we still dealt with some pouting and whining (wish I would have taken a picture of Cameron whining)

Cameron signing Lydia's autograph book. Cameron decided on the second to last day of the trip he wanted an autograph book. Me, being the mean mom wanted to say, "tough,,,,next time we will get you one." Chad, being the better parent bought them autograph books and took pictures of the signatures his cousins already had so he could print them and glue them in their books. (yah, he's a great Daddy) I will take credit for the idea to have everybody sign each others books. Love the crossed legs,,he does that quite often (cracks me up)

Spencer being a stinker for pictures---he would NOT get out of his stroller and sit by the cousins for this picture.

Waiting for the Pixar parade.

Another great memory!! Cameron stayed in the park with his Daddy late on Friday night. They picked up McDonald's for dinner and Cam sat on his bed, eating and watching the fireworks. All the other nights he was dead asleep by the time fireworks started, so it was a special treat for him.

Aaah,,,a chocolate shake and bacon!!! What more does a 3 year old need to fill his belly before the flight home.

Spencer was such a trooper this trip. He spent A LOT of time in the stroller. He was either too scared or too short to do most of the rides. I felt bad for him, but he didn't seem to mind. The weather was beautiful and he would just "people watch". So Friday was a great day for him....we did only what they wanted---Autopia, and Buzz Lightyear (Cam didn't like Buzz, but Spencer was a maniac).

Cam loved the ipod. (crossed legs again)
Cam was our "one ride wonder". He tried every ride he could--ONCE. We would ask him afterward how it was--he would say, "AWESOME!!" We'd say, "Do you want to do it again?" Before the sentence was out of our mouth, "NO!!" He even went on Tower of Terror---once. He wanted to be brave and be like his bigger cousins, but the bigger rides really did scare him.

SO EXHAUSTED!!!

Laundry!!!!

I wish I would have had pictures of the 2 times everybody went swimming. We actually asked Cameron what his favorite part of the trip was, he responded, "swimming with my cousins!"

The pool was a nice break from the park. A good time to unwind (I crocheted by the pool to unwind).

Thursday Night was especially great for Chad and me. Wayne came to our room and watched the boys and put them to bed so we could go back to the park. It was so much fun to be there with no kiddos. Well at least our kiddos. We followed Matt and Shan around again. Ryan, Lydia and I held hands and we all practically ran from ride to ride. It was so wonderful to have that evening with my nephews and neice (oh, and Chad too). Disney is great at night. Next time Spence and Cam will be old enough to stay out that late. Although I was a bit sad that we didn't get to do any shopping that night---Space Mountain made us both so sick, we went straight back to the hotel and went to bed. (I am exhausted just thinking about all the running we did that week--I have NO idea how I came back 3 pounds heavier).

We will definitely be making that trip again.