The Disneyland Tradition

Grandma and Grandpa J have a fun tradition for the grand kids when they turn 4.....they get to go to Disneyland!!! Andy and Ashlyn were super excited to spend the day at one of their favorite places with 2 of their favorite people.

The rest of us joined them in the evening for some birthday celebration Disney style.We each got our own cake to decorate and eat.

Then we got to dance with Mickey and Minnie.

Such a fun day! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa J!

Random Fun in February.

We went to Disneyland and finally saw the World of Color show. And apparently had a successful Disneyland trip....

One Saturday morning I asked the girls what they wanted to do and they said they wanted to go to Grandma P's house. Grandma was happy to have them so we took the boys to Scandia with Grandma and Grandpa J. We are so lucky to have our grandparents so close.
They wouldn't let us go on this ride with Andy without paying so he braved the ride alone. I was so nervous but he handled it well and didn't look the least bit dizzy afterwards.

We played wheelbarrow up the stairs.

And we were reminded how freakishly strong our Ashlyn is. I think she took the steps 2 at a time.

Chase started eating more and more real food =)Our Valentine's Day plans had to change because of a certain sick child. So we made the best of it and tried to add hearts and love to everything.

The kids LOVE having a "fancy" drink. Sherbet and Sprite in a Goblet!

And the sick kid!

Sometimes I feel like....

a waitress.

Here is a sample morning conversation.

Mom: Taylor what do you want for breakfast. bagel or waffle?
Taylor: Bagel
Mom: Toasted?
Taylor: Yes
Mom: What do you want on it?
Taylor: One half butter, one half peanut butter and jelly
Mom: Andy, bagel or waffle?
Andy: Pancakes
Mom: I'm not making pancakes today. Bagel or waffle?
Andy: Waffle
Mom: What do you want on it?
Andy: Syrup cut up
Mom: Ashlyn, bagel or waffle?
Ash: Bagel
Mom: Toasted?
Ash: No
Mom: What do you want on it?
Ash: Cream cheese.....and chocolate milk please.

Breakfast is served.

More birthday fun

Andy and Ashlyn had the option of a big party or to take a few friends to Downtown Disney to the Ride Maker store and Build A Bear. They choose Downtown Disney.

We divided up and the boys went to build their own race car. Andy choose the cool Lightening McQueen car.

The girls had fun at Build A Bear

Introducing Ashlyn's new bear Heidi but is sometimes called Hearty.

Grandma helped Ashlyn get her bear all decked out in style.

We took a quick group picture and rushed off to try and beat traffic back to Corona for dinner at their favorite restaurant.

Chick Fil A!

It was all about American Girl stuff and Rapunzel this year.

Andy was happy with his DS.

They picked out their own cakes.

Such a fun party!

The twins are 4!

In January we celebrated a special birthday: Andy and Ashlyn turned 4 years old!They sure love each other.

They spend almost every waking moment together and get along so well. Andy always has to make sure Ash has heard what we say. In the car he will repeat everything to her. They entertain each other so well. Almost everyday Tyler comments about how our kids are "big kids" now. It is so crazy and so fun as we watch them grow and learn and become their own person.

It seems doughnuts have become the traditional birthday breakfast in our home.

McDonalds was the choice for their special birthday lunch.

And they were happy to have 2 of their favorite friends to join us.

Andy has grown so much lately. He is tall enough for most of the big rides at Disneyland. He loves video games. He gives lots of hugs and is getting almost too heavy for me to carry. He is my big brown eyed boy!

Ashlyn continues to make us smile with her fun fashion sense, awesome laugh, and cute voice. She will come up to you at random times and say she loves you infinity plus 100 or 100 weeks. She is such a fun cute girl!

Day 2 of birthday fun was a little party at preschool.

Andy brought doughnuts to share and Ash brought little cupcakes.

Day 3 and 4 of birthday activities are coming up next.....

Chase at 10 and 11 months old!

At 10 months he was attempting to walk a little more. He LOVES balls and I believe the Major Leagues are already calling....the kid can throw!!! With both arms! He lOVES to play catch and if you don't throw it back right away he does the throwing motion with his arms trying to tell you that you need to throw the ball back. He loves to tackle and has traumatized about every baby/non nursery age child at church.

He blows us away with how smart he is. You only have to show him something a few times and he has it down. Turns out at 11 months old, he loves the beach. We took him to Balboa for a little photo shoot for his bday invitations, gave him his own little bucket and shovel and he was IN heaven! He kept wanting to go into the water even though it was freezing!

Now at 11 1/2 months old he is a full walker. He blows kisses. Can dribble a soccer ball. Play the piano (baby style), dance and sing. He loves story time before bed. He has enjoyed trying milk this week, and goes crazy when I pour the kids some....he wants some too.

He has 1 little tooth now on the bottom.

He is eating lots of big people food and is FINALLY sleeping through the night! I had to just close my ears and let him cry it out and it only took 2 nights...silly me, I should have done it sooner but he is MY baby and I had such a hard time letting him cry. I can't even express how much joy this little man brings into our family. Each child does and each child has their own special and unique qualities that make a family complete. I think because he has 3 older siblings that ADORE him it makes his presence in our family so much stronger and so much more fun. The kids are having fun teaching him new words like Tay Tay and poop (agh! I'm not happy with that one but they think its so funny)

In 2 weeks we will be celebrating his 1st birthday. It has been such a fast and fun year. I can't believe he is already so big. (sigh)