Spring Break Part II - Disneyland

OK here we go - Part II - Disneyland.  Below is a pic of the kids in our group (pre-Casey) - 8 kids 7 and under!  Can't you tell how excited Bia is???  It was a recurring theme to our visit to The Happiest Place on Earth.  Obviously she didn't follow her dad's instructions!

And then there was Chatty - who was true to her nick-name and really had a good time.  We heard a lot of "This is the best day ever!" from her. 

Note - she uses that line frequently, even when we aren't at Disneyland.

I love this picture even though Connor isn't smiling.  These two cousins had never met before that evening and loved hanging out together!  It was so cute!

Try not to smile Bia!  Not sure what was up with my camera - maybe the humidity?  And nice reflection off my backpack!

The next morning I tried to get a picture of the newest 4 year old and you can see how well she complied (even though I let her eat cake for breakfast)!  Good thing she is cute!

And at the Princess something or other photo op and she still won't smile!

This has to be one of my all time favorite pictures - the cousins sacked out in our bed after a full day at Disneyland!

On our last day at Disneyland we ran into this guy ...

And headed over to California Adventure.  Bia was sort of enjoying herself ..

OH MY - is that an actual real smile????  

Of course we didn't get that until we ran into Casey and her crew!  I seriously thought it would never happen ... the day before we kept missing each other.  Somehow I ended up in the middle of this pic and look extra wide - hot and sweaty after a long day at the park.  Casey looks great - of course!  Wish we could have had more time together.  I seriously want to plan a girls trip (sans little people) so we can really hang out... anyone else in???

Our cute little blondies!  Love Lainey - she was so sweet and Bia loved her new friend (even though it doesn't show in this picture)! 

I didn't get any good group shots so you will have to go to Casey's blog to see those.  Carter is such a cool kid - we discussed basketball, surfing, hovercrafts, etc.  He is an awesome big brother even if he does wear skinny jeans.  And Jack - the middle child who was doing anything and everything he could to make his mom mad!  Casey has the patience of a saint!  She was so good with him.  Jack made me feel like my family is just as normal as everyone elses!  Thanks Jack!!

All in all a good trip - but glad to be home.  Now I have to prepare for another birthday.  Chatty turns 7 next Monday!  Where does the time go??

Another Day at the ESPN House

My friend Robin and her family were in town this week and came over to visit last night.  Robin is my oldest friend - I met her in 4th grade when we moved to the desert.  Even though we have lived in separate states for most of our adult life, we still keep in touch.  It was great to see her, Trent and her twin daughters.  They also got to witness a normal night at the ESPN house which included Bia throwing a royal fit about what she was wearing and running around in her underwear refusing to put on her jeans, Chatty losing a tooth and leaving her bloody paper towel on the ground (yes she lost another one!), the girls pretending like they were WWF wrestlers with each other (I thought only boys did that), etc.  But the highlight of the night was when Bia told Miss Robin she should go in Mommy's bathroom because Daddy always poops in his bathroom.  Classic huh?  Robin - I hope you, Trent and the girls will come back again and that my family didn't scare you away! 

And no I didn't take any pictures - I was a total slacker.

What We've Been Up To ...

We've been busy here in the desert ... in between the ER visit and my trip to the east coast we have ...

Celebrated Columbus Day by making Nina, Pinta & Santa Maria hats and treasure chests.

Played with our food ...

Worn our winter PJ's

(even though it is still 90 degrees outside)

Ridden bikes a lot

Spent many hours at the soccer fields

Played at the park while Sister plays soccer

Visited with the Kingston Queen after the game

(and getting yummy cookies from her!)

What have you been up to?

Friday Facts and Findings

1. First - Chatty's first time riding the bus home from school today - hope it goes well!
2. Football - watched my first two games of the college football season last night - so glad to have it back on my television
3. Feet - sore, ran 6 miles on Wednesday morning (at 5:20 am no less!) and then 3 yesterday, good thing Friday is my day off!
4. Fried - our home computer. We have delayed purchasing a new one and now it looks like we may have to purchase two, one for the kids and one for us since this one is fried. Mr. ESPN is supposed to talk to his IT friend at work today to get some advice about what to purchase!
5. Future Bride - meeting the future Mrs. Kingston for drinks this afternoon and to give her the belated Bridal shower gift I have. The gift is different but fun I think ... will post about it next week.
6. Frustrated - got to work this morning for a 6:00 a.m. conference call and it was canceled ... UGH!! At least I can leave early right??
7. Fancy/Frilly - trying to decide what to wear and where to eat for out anniversary dinner tomorrow night. I am going to make a quick stop at a couple stores to look for something.
8. Food - my neighbor's nanny is making Thai food for us on Sunday night, I better take an extra dose of Prevacid so I can handle all the spiciness!
9. Fall - is it really coming to the desert? It isn't supposed to break triple digits this weekend! Woo Hoo! I never thought I would be so happy to see 95 degrees!
10. Friends & Family - looking forward to some quality time with both this weekend!

Have a great and safe Labor Day Weekend!