LegoLand

LegoLand was our first amusement park- and it was the perfect start to our vacation! The boys were amazed by the humongous Lego creations and loved all the rides. Our boys are not known for their bravery with rides (they will play outside in negative temps for hours on end jumping off huge snow hills but rides require a different type of bravery!) so I was a little frightened that LegoLand would be a waste of $ for our boys. NOPE-not the case, our boys really stepped up- they tried every single ride! Yay- I LOVE rollercoasters and I've always wanted our kids to at least try them! We opened and closed (10-5pm) LegoLand with no meltdowns BUT with huge smiles! The boys ran most of the day but this is how the 3 of them rolled by the end of the day!
Parker's never seen Star Wars but somehow he knew exactly who Darth Vader was! Isn't that amazing- Darth... all Legos!??
Amanda- this one's for you Lego Eiffel Tower! In the center of the park... is Miniland. We were amazed by all the details put into these Lego creations. Parker is now super inspired to make cooler things with his Legos.
I think Noah rode this plane at least 5 times. Bapak- you might have a pilot-wannabe!
Another cool Lego creation to climb on. For some reason camels had quite the effect on Parker in San Diego. We had the hardest time convincing him to move on to the next ride, he just wanted to keep climbing on this camel. I was totally jazzed that Parker rode the monster truck roller coaster with Kep. He had no idea it had this huge hill and there was no getting him back on it to ride with me- one time was enough!
Our little muscle-shirt-croc-boy kissing a fireman!

2 too-cute firemen!

Noah being eaten by the shark.

Sir Parker was totally soaked after the pirate ride, standing by his knight.

Noah totally lit up when he saw Bob!

Savannah the Strollin' princess! She was a trooper! It was so fun to watch her; flap her arms, smile from ear to ear and kick her feet in pure delight even though she spent the majority of the vacation in this stroller.

Nice shades boys!

So, if you're ever in San Diego with toddlers- go to LegoLand- it was awesome!

Spring Break 2009

We had a STINKIN' awesome time in So. Cal! Here we are waiting for the Shamu show on our last day in San Diego. There will be MANY more pics to come! I'm trying to narrow down the pictures but I might just end up posting about 10 (or more!) per amusement park. So, I hope I don't bore any of you. I loved every minute of; being in the sun, wearing flip-flops, making unforgettable memories with our little fam and watching our kids soak up every adventure! Man, if I lived in California... I would have annual memberships to LegoLand and Sea World.

7 days... who's counting?!!?

ME! I am definitely counting down the days 'til we land on the sunny shores of California! I am so pumped! Now, the packing begins! This weekend, I will be on the search for all our; summer clothes, swim diapers, sunblock, shades, sandals, San Diego maps... that's strange, I never noticed how many Summer-themed words begin with "s"! And, I am thrilled to see "S"eventies in the San Diego forecast. This mama is in desperate need of all these things! I hope the San Diego sun will bring back Noah's beach-blonde-surfer hair!

But, I must share an update... the combo. of; Vitamin D (thanks for reminding me of this, Sarah C!), Daily Scripture and an improved attitude have really helped me overcome the winter blues! True JOY only comes from God and it has helped, tremendously to sit back (AGAIN!) and make Him my focus. Woohoo!

Big storm moves into S. Calif.; snow closes I-5

YAHOO News- February 16

Oh my goodness! This was one of the news articles on my homepage, YAHOO News, this morning! All I have to say is... that snow better fall this week and then warm up to 70 by March 4th! I am hoping for blue skies and 70s when we visit San Diego in 2 weeks! Our boys can hardly wait to see the monkeys... not snow!

testing out their Valentine "bags"

Here's our giddy little guys totally jazzed to go sleep in a tent with their dad! We bought really warm sleeping bags for them at the REI Winter Clearance and since the bags are red, we decided to wait and give them as their Valentine's gift. Whoa- that was the "hit" for our boys, we had no idea a sleeping bag would be a cool gift. The sleeping bags are super warm but Kep still bundled up the boys, to satisfy mom! I'm sure he ripped off at least one layer once they were safe in the tent!!!

Aren't the 3 of them so cute!?! I wish I could be a little mouse in their tent as I'm sure they are super entertaining!

Noah was pumped to wear his daddy's headlamp!

PS: I highly recommend these bags if you can hit the REI Winter Clearance, they are normally$100 and we got them for $25! The bags are made for little kids, only 5 feet long, so you don't have to worry about your child getting lost down in the bag and suffocating! I don't know if that's possible but that's what I always worried about when camping. Now, are boys will be super toasty and safe on all our camping extravaganzas!

skiing with my love!

I LOVE being with my hubby. And, yesterday was so refreshing as I had him all to myself! I wanted to do something special for Kep on Valentine's Day, since he's been so patient with my stinky attitude all winter. So, I surprised him with a day of skiing at Alyeska while Popeye and Mo-mo kept our children.

Kep loves to ski and I think... he is an exceptional skier! Even though, he is a great skier, I love how Kep is always so patient with my "super-cautious skiing". He would love to ski every run on the mountain, but I appreciate him being willing to ski the same run over and over just to be with me. I don't have a hint of bravery in me when my ski boots are attached to my skis. But thankfully, I have a patient and encouraging ski partner. Well, yesterday was perfect and we had so much fun hanging out- just the 2 of us!

What's your source of JOY?

HOLY-cow, I have been one bummed-out mama this winter. I spend my days wishing for things I can't have. I would love to live closer to my amazing family- I miss them daily. I, also, would love to have warm weather, a beach nearby and a constant tan (for now, the tanning booth will have to do until we go to San Diego in 2 weeks!)! I have always wanted a mini dog, not a huge slobbery St. Bernard;), who could follow me around the house and sit on my lap at night! I would love to have more money (or airmiles)... just, so I could travel to the most interesting locations. I dream of going to my old stomping grounds (Indonesia) with my family. I need a hobby other than; shopping, sippin' mochas and relaxing pedicures. I wish I could inspire my 2 yr. old to talk, so he could communicate his frustrations. There are so many other things I would like in life and these are the things that I have been focusing all my attention on since I moved to Alaska.

But, I do not want this for me or my family. I want to be completely joyous in ALL the numerous blessings God has given me. I have known that I need to find my JOY from God alone, but now I am actually pursuing it! You see... today was our first Young Mom's Bible Study, led by my super-duper-multi-talented friend, Amanda. I am so happy that God has inspired her to start this study where we study a different theme each month. This month, she felt led for us to study "JOY" and that is exactly what I needed! I am excited to see how God is going to use this month to inspire me in my walk with him to discover that through Him alone I can find JOY even when:

• my kids are fussy,
• I feel alone,
• the weather is lame,
• I'm "bored" with "life"...
• and, the list goes on but I don't want to bore any of you!

So, as I study God's Word and find complete joy... I am also trying to change my attitude on a daily basis. I desire to be joyful with the things God has given me.I am joyful that God has given me a family that loves the outdoors. This is a GORGEOUS day of our whole family taking a walk across the frozen lake to Popeye and Mo-mos home. Not every day in Alaska has; blue skies, humongo shadows, pure snow, and sparkly mountains... but, it is my goal to still find joy even on the not-so-gorgeous wintery days.

I am also finding joy in the fact that God gave me 2 adorable boys who LOVE to imitate their dad. Here they are on a frrrreezing/dreery day (I'm in the car!) but they are still outside trying to ski with their dad.

I know God gave us children to help us remember to find JOY in the little things. The boys were thrilled to be able to wax their skis, just like daddy. That would have been so boring for me but my 3 boys constantly teach me lessons of how to be thankful and joyful.

Savannah is such a smiley one! We are so thankful for her addition to our family. God knew that I needed a happy little sissy.

Oh Noah! What a crazy little boy! He can try my patience like no other but I know God gave him to me for a reason and I am determined to focus on all of his positive traits. This is how he fell asleep today- it's so Noah-style. He's just such a silly little guy that brings a smile to everyone's face. I, so badly want to be a more; loving, patient, joyful, wise and sensitive mama to Noah's needs.

So all of this to say, that so many people think I have it altogether... I do crafts with my kiddos, we do cool outdoorsy things, I help plan MOPS and other mommy things...but inside I have really let my joy be focused on these worldly things and events. I have, also, been spending too much time on my laptop instead of playing with my kids. So now, when I open my laptop I have a sticky note hanging down that reads, "Find JOY in God and give JOY to your family before you spend time on the web". You see, I have failed to let my joy be focused on God and taking time to truly be joyful for all His blessings to me. This month, I am super pumped to let His joy be my inspiration.

PS: One last thing... after I got home from our wonderful Bible Study, I opened up my email to read today's devotion. Once again, it felt like I was reading something written just for me. The devotion went perfectly with what we talked about in this morning's Bible Study. Proverb's 31 Ministries devotion from today.

Happy Valentines to YOU!

I am so glad we have meaningful holidays in this country. And, I love how all these holidays fall right in line with winter because they help me stay focused on; the things I'm thankful for, then praising God for His precious gift-Jesus- to us AND now taking time to do little things for the ones I love. Each winter, I get tired of the weather but then another holiday comes along to focus my attention on others and crafts! Here are some pictures of what we have been up to! I bought this big foam heart, wrote on it, cut it into 14 puzzle pieces and then put magnetic tape on the back of each piece. Every day, I put one puzzle piece into that mailbox and then the boys put it on the fridge... they have no idea what it will say or look like until February 14. Now, I know a puzzle piece isn't super exciting mail, so they also each get one red peanut M&M (gotta start the day with chocolate!). They also get one post-it note with a verse of God's love written out and we are posting these on our door. Finally, they get an extra little "craft"... today I had their box of Valentine cards to write on and yesterday they made bear/heart/foam bookmarks.

And, of course sugar heart cookies are the best way to start all Valentine festivities!!! Noah agrees!

she is a chameleon

I have always thought it comical how many people comment on "who your children look like". The funny part about it is everyone's opinion is different. And, the frustrating part is I usually don't get any credit... in Alaska, people always say our children look like daddy. Even though, Savannah and Noah are totally my side!!! :)

But, the ultrasound lady called it at 18 weeks... "this little girl is going to look just like Noah"!!! How in the world could she see that from an 18-week ultrasound. But she was so accurate... we could not believe our eyes when we first saw Savannah- she did look just like Noah! Then, there have been random people who comment on how Savannah looks just like Parker. So, I smile and say "you think so" and in my head I'm thinking "what do they see, she looks like Noah!". Until, I saw this picture I took on Saturday.... Savannah is a chameleon and she does look like Parker, too!

I love how our little girley loves riding the four-wheeler with her brothers and I adore how they will do anything to keep their sissy smiling!

8th picture... 8th folder

My dear friend, Amanda, had a fun idea to share the 8th picture in your 8th file. I was all excited to see what cute picture I could post of our kiddos... but, not so much, in my case! I thought about cheating and choosing a cuter photo... that wasn't blurry and dark... but, I will not cheat!!!

So, here is this year's attempt to have a cute picture of Santa with our children. Every year, we go to the local library to sit on Santa's lap and then receive a wooden toy (a bribe!!!) made by Santa. Well, I don't know if your kiddos do well with this but mine do not enjoy Santa, too much. I always get to sit in the picture with them in order to keep the tears and screams from mounting! Fortunately, Parker is old enough to be fine with Santa but now Noah and Savannah will have nothing to do with Santa. I think we're done with traumatizing our kiddos with Santa pictures!!! I wonder why Santa pictures have become such a tradition since most kids really are terrified of the cute old man in a soft/furry suit.