Disney world-our toy story hotel

I think it is safe to say that I love Disney! My dream vacation would be going to Disney World for a few days, going on a Disney cruise for a week and then going back to Disney for a few days. I couldn't manage to make the cruise happen so instead I was able to plan a 7 day trip to Disney World. We stayed at the same hotel as last year (All-Star Movies Resort), but I requested to stay in the Toy Story section of the hotel. (Last year we stayed in the 101 Dalmatian part) Kate is obsessed with that movie so I knew it would be a hit. One of my favorite perks of where we stayed is the magical express. They pick our luggage up off the carousel and we take our carry-on luggage and head to the bus, who whisks us away to our resort. And as an added bonus I love that I don't have to brink any car seats on this vacation. 

Shot heading into Andy's room, which was the courtyard for our section of the hotel

Kate riding in RC from Toy Story

Another bonus is the resort transports us to the park of our choice, usually this includes a short wait, but again I love that I don't have to rent a car and bring those car seats. 

More fun pictures of the trip to come.

Harveys room and first game

When our children turn 3 months old they get booted out of the bassinet by my bedside and into their crib. Lucky Harvey got his own room. We turned the guest room into his nursery. But don't worry we can still handle guests, so come visit. I wanted his room to be easily transitioned as he grew up. So I got in touch with my inner artist and painted these 4 ball canvas below. I think they turned out pretty awesome. I also added some ball decals above his changing table after I took the picture. Harvey seems to like his room.

While I was in town visiting my parents my Dad invited me to go with him to a Jazz game where he scored some pretty amazing seats. I have never sat that close to a real Jazz game before. Harvey and I went to the game and Kate had a fun outing with my Mom. Joe was back in Pocatello being a responsible adult and working. When he saw how awesome our seats were he regretted being an adult. I was worried about the noise with Harvey's precious ears and so I found the baby budz. They seemed to really help decrease the sound. He was able to take a nap at the game and didn't even flinch with the loud cheering.  The game was March 8. Harvey was almost 4 months in these pictures.

He even met some players....or cardboard players....while he was sleeping

 

Max and JB came along too. Max caught 2 balls, he kept the basketball, but he gave the smaller ball to Harvey as a souvenir. He is such a good big cousin!

Thanks Papa for taking Harvey to his first Jazz game. I think he liked it!

Harvey's baby blessing

Joe was able to give Harvey a name and a blessing in church on February 7. It is such a gift to have the Priesthood on the earth. It was wonderful to hear of the love Heavenly Father has for Harvey. It is comforting to know that Joe and I are not alone to parent our children, but that we have a loving Heavenly Father who is watching out, and always there for us, and the kids. It was nice to have so much support from family on this special day. Harvey is loved so much!

Harvey is constantly moving and so it was very difficult to get a good picture of his outfit because they were almost all blurry. My good friend Marcy crocheted the beautiful blanket. Harvey's outfit is one of my treasures that I saved from my days working at the GAP. I got it in 2002. I always knew I wanted to be a mother someday. I am so happy that I had the forethought to buy this white outfit. (They are really hard to find) Some people may call me crazy for hoarding baby clothes when I was in college, but I am grateful.  

We forgot to take pictures all day! This picture was taken when most of the family had gone home and Joe was getting out of his white shirt. Kate refused to be in the picture as always....

Harvey being loved on by his big sister Kate

Proud Mom and handsome Harvey

I love this picture so much. Look at all these kids love on Harvey, and he loved the attention. We have made great friends here in Chubbuck and it was so nice to have their support too. 

Lava Hot Springs

We had family in town for Harvey's baby blessing the beginning of February, so naturally we went to Lava Hot Springs for some much needed swimming in the dead of winter. One of the things I love about Lava is that the kid area water is always warm, we are talking mid 90 degree warm. It is nice to never have the kids shiver or complain they are cold. 

Papa and Millie Mae

Kate on the slide

Silly Phin

Kids and adults relaxing in the play area

Jane is such a good cousin. She looks after Kate and makes sure she is safe and having a good time. 

Kate, Harvey and Dad

Emily, Jane and Aaron waiting to get splashed by the water bucket

Harvey enjoyed his first swim, it was more like a very relaxing bath. He loved it!

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Pictures

The end of January my friend who is a photographer was doing mini sessions for Valentines day. We took advantage of the opportunity to get some sweet pictures of our two heart breakers. Kate is an incredibly happy person but when someone brings out a camera she freezes. My friend was able to coax a few smiles out of her. These were taken 1-30-16

I love this picture because it captures Kates personality and spunk

Those eyes! That smile! The tongue!

New Years 2016

We decided to be brave and start 2016 with a road trip. We went down to visit my family in Salt Lake. My brother Jeff was in town with his girlfriend Kim and we wanted to have Harvey meet them and other family members. Kim is adorable and both Kate and Harvey love her. We had a great time meeting up with family and introducing them to Harvey. Harvey was 6 weeks old when these pictures were taken! Here are some of the highlights of the trip.

Jeff, Kim and Harvey
12/31/15

Scott and Harvey
12/31/15

Kate and Diesel
It is no secret that Kate loves Diesel, and sweet Diesel seems to not mind all the love

Watching deer while eating cereal in the morning at Nonna and Papa's

My brother from another mother aka Victor who lived with us 2001-2002 as an exchange student from Brazil was in town and I got to meet up with him. I had to apologize to him for how horrible I treated him. I treated him like a sibling which meant, I picked on him and I ignored him too. Luckily he has forgiven me.

Victor and I

Jane, Collette, Harvey and Richards baby #4 ( we are very excited to meet this little addition in April)

Harvey got to meet his cousin Millie Mae for the first time. These two are 2 months apart in age. Just like Kate and Phin. It is fun to have kids at the same time as my sister Suzanne. And it is fun to have a built in best friend for them. 

 My Nephew Ben turned 8 in December and chose to become one of the newest members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We are very proud of him for his decision to be baptized. He looked so handsome on his special day.

Ben on his big day! Isn't it great to be 8!

I've always thought that Harvey looks like my brother Bart. Seriously what do you think?

While we were in town I got to meet up with my good friend Rachel. We worked together at the GAP for years and years, and she was one of my bridesmaids. 

Harvey got to meet his Great Grandma Doris Preston

Christmas 2015

Christmas 2015 was a special one for our little family. I did not want to travel with a newborn during the holidays so we opted to stay in Chubbuck and start our own traditions. We talked to Kate about Christmas and she learned about Jesus and why we celebrate Christmas, but she also caught on to the idea of Santa very quickly. Christmas Eve we had pizza and watched a movie together on the Love-Sack. When it was time for bed this girl was way too excited to sleep. Our power also went out right before bed time when she was helping Joe wrap my present. We had to pull out flashlights which I think energized her more. She was so excited and curious that she didn't fall asleep until 1030. Harvey must have sensed her excitement and he wouldn't go to sleep either. 

Christmas morning arrived and Kate woke up early and was ready to open presents. We thought we had a few more years of sleeping in on Christmas but boy we were wrong. 

Santa brought each of the kids one gift, he brought them each a horse on a stick thing.

Kate is obsessed with Disney princesses right now. She has known all of them by name since before she was 2 years old, so naturally this little girl needed a princess backpack.

Santa pancakes

 We bought a trampoline for our family at the beginning of Novemember, Kate was with us when we bought it and she knew that she had to wait until Christmas to get to jump on it. When she was little we use to pass her over the fence to our neighbors who had a trampoline. This little girl was very excited to get one. Oh did I mention that we set it up in our garage. We have an extra deep 3rd car garage that we don't us except to store some things, and thought it would be a great place to keep the trampoline in the winter. This winter has been so cold here in Idaho, and some days it is too cold to jump even bundled up in our snow clothes. It has been a fabulous gift for our family to enjoy.

Joe was a trooper and started setting it up Christmas Eve after the kids were asleep. I love that on the box it said "Some assembly required" They were not joking, he stayed awake for the next 4+ hours getting it to the point where Kate would be able to jump on it in the morning. Tom and John came over Christmas afternoon and helped put the netting on it. We have learned that the 3 most dreaded words for a parent to hear on Christmas Eve is "some assembly required"

Johns parents and siblings came over Christmas day. Kate loved having someone to jump with. She literally jumped all day. When one adult was tired they would switch out another adult who would go jump with Kate. Kate said some pretty great things that day. At night she told me that jumping was hard, and that jumping made her legs tired. She slept very peacefully that night so the trampoline did its job of wearing her out.

trampoline in progress

Family picture

Kate went to the dollar store and picked out a gift for Harvey, this smart girl talked me into getting him 2 firemen hats. 

He is so small that his Santa hat doesn't even fit him

His size in comparison to a Christmas stocking. Not his Christmas stocking, I'm working on his stocking and Kate's still.