Make a Smilebox slideshow

Our Trick or Treat Weekend...

So another Mickey's Halloween Treat has come and gone. So much fun...it was busy, but I don't think it was as busy as last year. We went as Austin Powers and it was Groovy! Everyone loved our costumes, especially Dustin and Cooper! There were so many that wanted to take their picture. It was funny. We'd get the look, like "What are they supposed to be?" Then they would laugh and smile when they figured it out. It was awesome! The kids like it, though, going to Disney earlier in the day was probably not a good idea. It made for a very long day and some very tired kids. They were exhausted, but everytime we asked if they wanted to go to the hotel..."No! Lets stay!" I like it because safe treats right and its such fun with the dancing and characters. Though this year I was little ticked at some "big" trick or treaters (aka young adults) jumping right in the middle of a dance group of kids and characters. I was kind of like "Hey, those kids are trying to have fun and here you go jumping right in the middle and bunching them out of the way!" Go on the edge and let the kids have fun! I wish they had one for just younger kids. And, I'm sorry, I know its every one's right to do what they want, but please this is Disneyland and there's something wrong with people dressing up in the "sexy" costumes. I mean do we need to see sexy witches, pirates and Alice in Wonderlands all night? Especially when they are on 13 and 14 year old girls? A little weird I think.

Then on Saturday we went to the LA Zoo. And it was Boo at the Zoo! They had a little pumpkin patch set up for pictures and little trick or treating areas. It was fun. The kids loved seeing the animals, but Brody was very disappointed that there were no Penguins. we'll probably go again, who doesn't love the zoo?

So such a fun weekend, though very tiring. Come Sunday, we were exhausted. Good thing it was Stake conference. We skipped and had the laziest day ever just trying to catch up on sleep! Sinners, I know! But we needed it. Those kids wore us out!

Getting Ready for Trick or Treating...

So we're heading off again this weekend to Disneyland! We are going trick or Treating at California adventure Park! If anyone gets a chance to go to Disneyland I recommend going at Halloween and going to Mickeys Halloween treat. Its a separate event and you have to get a special ticket, but its so fun! They have teat stations set up through the park and other places where they play music and you can dance with the characters and cast members. The kids think its great! They also have areas to do little crafts and projects for the kids. So much fun and you know the candy is safe, right?! They also hand out healthier snacks like carrot sticks, apple slices and raisins. We've gone the last 2 years and I love it. Last year was really busy, so I'm hoping this time won't be quite that bad.
We have great costumes this year too! Two years ago we went as pirates, and last year we went as Peter Pan, Tink, Wendi and Captain Hook. This year is Groovy baby! Brody will be Austin Powers, Dustin - Dr. Evil, Cooper - Mini Me, And me and Gracie are going as 60's girls! Its so cute. Gracie wanted to go as Vanessa Kensington, but I wasn't up to making a silver dress or a black jumpsuit, so she had to settle being a 60's girl with me. And yes, i let them watch the movie...not all of it, just the fun parts like the end, so they could see what it was about. And the fun thing was they played Austin Powers later on. Gracie was in trouble and "Austin Powers" (aka Brody) had to save her! It was hilarious listening to "Help me Austin Powers!" "I'm coming! I'll save you!" My kids have great imaginations! I love it!
So wish me luck. I'll try not to have too much fun without you all!

12 Years Ago...

So today is October the 18. And 12 years ago today, Dustin and I hooked up! What a nice romantic way to put it, right? We started dating and I still haven't been able to shake him! LOL! I can't believe its been that long, it really has gone by so fast. Now we have 3 kids, a house and a fish! Well, and a dog, but she lives at Gramma Margie's ;) I always used to be amazed at how long my parents were together, or even my grandparents. How do you live that long with one person and not get tired of them, at least so tired that you want to trade them in? I guess the majority of people do, which is so sad. It used to be that I couldn't imagine being with someone for that long, and now I can't imagine what I would do without the guy. I don't think I would know how to act around anyone else. They would probably think I was a total nerd, because I am, but Dustin is just used to me being a nerd. He doesn't care, because he's a bit of a goof himself. I like that. I like the fact that I can totally be myself around him and not worry that he will trade me in, though he does make fun of me! I always return the favor, with all my love of course!
So how do you stay happily together for years and years? I know that 12 years is just a drop in the bucket, but compared to some its a big drop. Here are some things I've learned being with my guy for this long...some I learned fast and some I learned the long slow way and some I'm still trying to learn. And if anyone has any advice feel free to post it, I mean we could all use a little help now and then, right? Here it goes...

• remember he is your best friend. I tell him everything, even though I know he doesn't actually listen to all of it. I dump on him my problems, my happiness, and my thoughts. Sometimes it is for his help, sometimes it is for only my benefit of getting it off of my chest.
• remember he doesn't always listen. Some things are important to me and he could give no thought to. But as he is a guy, he pretends to hear and I patiently repeat things again.
• remember that I don't always listen. Refer to the last one and reverse the rolls. Hey I know I'm not perfect!
• remember the good times. Because we made those good times ourselves. We have had a lot of fun memories and learned alot from each other. We've learned how we can make each other laugh and what we both enjoy doing together and separately.
• remember the bad times. Because those are our bad times and we made it through. We learned to work together, maybe not always smoothly, but we did it. We learned to fight, not always fairly, and we learned to say we were sorry. (That's always the best part!)
• remember that some things don't matter. It doesn't matter that he can't find the laundry hamper everyday and it doesn't matter that I don't put things in the same place every time. these habits drive the other one nuts, but it really doesn't matter, because I will always pick up the laundry and he will probably always be looking for my keys.
• remember that people change, but not always in the way you want them to. No one will change for you, they have to want to change for themselves. We can push as much as we want, it won't do any good. All we can do is watch and see and make up for the difference ourselves. (refer to the last note.)
• remember to love one another. No matter what, I always tell Dustin I love him, even when I'm ticked. I do it to my kids to. I say "I love you alot, but you really make me angry when..." Look at me grow and express myself in such a grown up matter! It sounds corny but it does help me diffuse a bit!
• remember that its ok to not say anything. Sometimes we go for along time without talking, not out of anger, but because its ok that we are just together. Like when we are driving somewhere, or sitting watching tv, sometimes its really long stretches of no conversation, but its ok, becuase we are together and thats what matters.

So these are things I think I have learned and am currently learning. I love my husband and I am so thankful he decided to come cruising with us that October night! LOL! I have a wonderful time with him no matter what. Whether its just sitting on the couch or playing with our kids or going somewhere new. I love the fact that we are together and that we are working at making this a wonderful life for ourselves and our children. Thanks babe, its been great! Love you always and forever!

Having fun with my blog!

Finding out all sorts of things on the World Wide Web! And having lots of fun with my blog as you can see. Maybe I'm not so computer illiterate. Not great at it, but I'm getting there. I mean give me a break, when I was in High School, they hardly even offered a computer class, right? I could play Oregon Trail and Lode runner that was good enough! I mean half the time if my kids get a hold of the computer they have changed something and I can't do nothing about it! LOL!