Spring Gwalks

Sometimes Dale loves taking walks (or "gwalks" as Trey calls them)...mainly when we're able to scour the neighborhoods dreaming about things we want in our home...eventually :).  And sometimes I have to infuse our walks with a little old fashioned bribery...which usually involves food.  One of my most favorite things in the world is to get out of the house and walk the neighborhood with Dale and Trey.  I don't know what it is, it just makes me happy.  It brings back memories of when I was prego with Trey and we would go on a long walk every night.  As my due date got closer the walks got longer and longer, hoping to bring him early :).  It didn't work, but now walking through our neighborhood makes me a little nostalgic.  This super L-O-N-G drawn out winter is killing me...bring on the springtime and the strolls through the neighborhood!

First stroll of the season :)

Californ-I-Ay

Dale and I found a new love.  We love the beautiful state of California!  We loved everything about it (minus the crazy driving...but we would gladly take it just to visit again soon!)  We spent the last week soaking up the sun (on most days), meeting Disney characters, and just plain having the time of our lives.  No cares in the world, just the beautiful California landscape and the salty breeze in our hair.  It couldn't have been a better vacation!  We spent the week at Grandma Gigi's (our Brother in law's grandmother) and were spoiled with home cooked meals and a beautiful home to stay in.  Trey loved playing with his cousins (and hitting his little cousin Spencer...poor kid took a lot of bullying from Trey this weekend).  We are so glad Dale's family invited us along on this trip!

The Alien Jerky place in Bakers CA.

Disneyland

 Doesn't he look super excited to be on this ride?  He didn't smile on any ride except for the teacups.  Most of them scared him.

 Lunch at Ariel's Grotto in California Adventure.  It was not fantastic.  We missed our breakfast time, so we had to do lunch instead...and I'm not gonna lie...definitely not worth the money.  I think it would've been more fun for us if Trey cared at all about princesses.  But, he doesn't.  In fact, the only think that kept us sane during this whole ordeal were the stickers they gave him.  

 Belle was very sweet talking to Trey :).  

Then he attacked her.

 So these next few pics are super bright...my sis in law gave me a mini lesson on how to use my camera  without just using auto.  So, I ventured out into the scary world of using manual for most of my pics.  I learned a very important lesson.  Don't wear your sunglasses while taking pics...they make them all look dark :).  I couldn't figure out what was wrong, so I just kept making them brighter :).  So, don't mind the pics where Trey's hair blends in with the sand/sidewalk...lesson learned :).  

 In a lot of the pics we're pointing because it's the only way we could get Trey to look at the camera :)

 My niece Faith buried my legs :)

 All week there was a long line to see Mickey Mouse, and we weren't about to wait in it seeing how Trey doesn't even know who he is.  But on Thursday we hung out in Toon Town for awhile and I thought it'd just be fun to check out his house.  There was hardly anyone there, so I figured he wasn't around anymore.  When we got to the back, there was a security guard waiting, and I asked him how to get out.  He said to wait just a few minutes, but didn't say anything more.  Then it dawned on me that Mickey was still here and we were first in line :).  We didn't get a great pic (Trey kept trying to touch him and the lighting was horrible), but it was fun to see him!

 Trey has discovered dumdum suckers.  He thinks they are fabulous.  I loved all of the pics of him eating his sucker, so here they are :).

35 Years of Service

Last weekend we took a trip to Parowan for my dad's retirement ceremony.  My dad retired from the National Guard as a Major after 35 years of service.  He joined when he was 18 years old and was still in High School.  At this point he's been in for more years than he hasn't been in.  He's done 2 tours of duty, once in Kuwait, and once in Iraq.  He's gone to his once a month drill, yearly summer camps, and other trainings for as long as I can remember.  It's been a huge part of his life.  At the ceremony they presented him with all sorts of awards, and gave my mom one too.  I love that they recognize the wives- they play a huge role in this!  They had my dad say a few words, and he mentioned how much he appreciates my mom and her support- He said he missed their first 14 wedding anniversaries! (mostly because he was at Summer Camp I think).  What a woman for not complaining about that :).  After doing this for 35 years, I think it still seems surreal to him to think that he's done with his service.  I am glad I got to witness first hand what it means to be part of a military family.  I have such respect for these men and women who choose to serve!

It's Official...

I've been teaching the 2nd grade at the same school for the last 7 years.  I LOVE the ladies I teach with, and have loved teaching the 2nd grade...but it's official- I'm quitting at the end of the school year!  Yesterday I went in and told my principal.  The last step will be signing the resignation paper, which I'm doing at the end of this month (you get a bonus if you do it early :).  As much as I have enjoyed teaching, I am SO EXCITED to be at home with my little one!  Thank you so much to my sweetheart for making this possible...it's been a long time in the making, and I'm so grateful the time has come! :)  

I love my boys!