California Adventure

Well hello. Sunday we returned from a whirlwind trip to California where we met up with Crystal, Rich, and their kids, along with Grandma Cardon. We were able to stay with Mara and Ben at their apartment in L.A. Despite being very tired and worn out, we had a great time seeing the sites and spending time with one another. We spent one day in Disneyland, one at California Adventure, and our final day at the beach. I managed to burn my children's skin to a crisp by not applying sun screen to their little bodies. Ooops! Good thing they had so much fun playing in the sand. The girls had a wonderful time playing with their cousins Kelbie, Caden, and Macy. We had to do quite a bit of coaxing to get them on the rides at Disneyland - especially after we took them to the Haunted Mansion (BIG MISTAKE). Our day at California Adventure was just that. It poured nearly all day, and we got to spend $40 on ponchos in the gift shop. We were grateful to have them however. Here are some pictures of some of the things we enjoyed during our stay.

The Beach


Mia playing in the sand - and getting a nice sun burn.

Libbie and Kelbie spent a lot of time making "king's chairs" in the sand, and Uncle Rich pulled them around the water on a boogie board.

Mallory, Mia, and Macy playing in the sand. Let's just say there was not an inch of their bodies not caked in sand. Yikes! Mia and Mallory enjoyed sliding down a sandy hill.

The love birds!


California Adventure

Uncle Ben and Libbie on the bumper cars in Bug World.

Mia, Mallory, and Libbie in front of the ride all the adults liked the best at California Adventure.

Kelbie, Caden, Libbie, Macy, and Mia with Mickey Mouse.

A hilarious picture of Nathan and Mia in their ponchos and 3-D glasses before the Muppets show.

Here the kids are before we entered the park. Little did we know that it would rain for the rest of the day. Brrrrr...!

Disneyland

Cousins in a tea cup.

Daddy and Mia on a ride in Tomorrow Land.

We got to see Minney Mouse as soon as we entered the park. What luck!

Primm, NV

We made the mistake of booking a room in Primm, NV, on our way to California. When we got to our room, it was stinky, dirty, and ants were swarming our bathroom sink. I said to Nathan, "I thought you said this hotel had a high ranking?" He replied, "No, I said this hotel was the highest rated in Primm." Scary Larry.

Our latest family trip to the portrait studio was actually not too bad. We got some good shots of the girls and there was very little crying. We'll call it a success.

Hippity Hoppity

We had a great Easter weekend. Friday we went to Grandma's house and stayed there until Sunday morning. The girls had lots of fun doing many Easter egg hunts with Uncle Nathan, and we also had some good eats on Saturday night. Above is Mallory holding one of my decorated eggs - it wasn't too long before she chucked it across the table. It was fun while it lasted.

Libbie and Mia coloring eggs.

Apparently we didn't explain to Libbie that touching the dye isn't the best idea.

Mia with her two-toned egg.

Even Nathan was super excited to color eggs - HA.

Here the girls are just before church in their new dresses from Grandma Oyler.

The girls got this silly putty stuff in one of their eggs. They had so much fun making interesting facial hair with Uncle Nathan.

Here are some shots of the girls during our thrilling Easter egg hunt. We pretty much had to point out every egg to them. They weren't into looking for themselves.

This is just a sweet shot of Mallory. She just fell asleep sitting on the couch before nap time - very unusual for her.

These days, one of Mallory's favorite activities inclueds putting clothes on and then taking them off again - over and over and over. We have many a stetched out shirt now. She's even gone as far as wearing Courtney's dirty socks - sick (above). Whatever keeps her entertained is fine by me though.

We got a trampoline last week. The girls are having so much fun on it. However, the second day we had it, Mallory and Mia collided and Mia recieved quite the injury. She bit her tongue really hard, and it was bleeding everywhere. It still isn't a pretty sight to see. Hopefully that will be the last of injuries for us - cross our fingers.

These are the days of our lives

Libbie recently got a new bike for doing so well on her job chart for a whole month. She is still learning but anxious to be on two wheels soon. The neighbor boys have a little ramp she really wants to try out. Ha Ha.

Here the girls are before a Sunday walk. They all insisted on wearing Dad's hats. Mallory looks very excited to get outside. I love pictures like this. They crack me up.

Mia is very into having me take odd action shots of her. Here she is eating her lunch. All righty then.

She looks sweet and innocent.

Last week we went with Aubrey and her girls to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point. The girls had a great time digging in the sand for "fossils".

Mia, Alexis, and Libbie playing in the wet sand - creating a dinosaur habitat.

Greetings!

We've really slacked off on the up-keep of our blog lately. You see, the most exciting place we've been over the last couple months is the doctor's office. We are really keeping the pediatricians and dentist in business in Saratoga Springs. I am pretty sure our home is the breeding grouds for all diseases (Mallory being the head carrier). We are trying to remain positive and cross our fingers everyday that we are on the mend. This winter has been brutal! Libbie just finished up her basketball season. She did a great job, but unfortunately I forgot the camera every week so I have no visual proof. Sorry!

Libbie and Mia debuting their new dresses. As you can see, they are quite excited about wearing them.

My girls looking so grown up.

Here are Libbie and Mallory. Notice the nasty lip disease Mallory is sporting - just one of the many things that passed through the Cardon Disease Factory.

Everyday after baths, all the girls get in this formation. They are ducks in eggs, and they "quack" for quite a long time.

Merry Christmas to All

Stacy, her mom, and her siblings at the Smith family party at Wolf Creek Lodge.

Libbie striking a very cute pose at the Smith Party.

Mia, Molly, Mallory, and Libbie together for a cousin picture.

This is quite a change - Mia grumpy for a picture and Libbie smiling. Here they are in their new Christmas clothes.

Uncle Nathan and Molly.

Mia got make-up from Santa this year because she was sick of Santa always bringing her "boy toys". Mallory made us wonder what in the world Santa was thinking.

Libbie by the Diego House she asked Santa for.

Mallory in her new lazy boy Grandma Oyler gave her.

This picture is an accurate portrayal of Mia on Christmas day - dazed, confused, ornery, and quite frankly didn't give a rusty one. She made Libbie open most of her gifts.

Libbie on the other hand tore threw her presents in a matter of minutes. She loved every second and was happy to open some of Mia's gifts.