Summer fun!

We've had a very full summer! Lots of birthday parties, a luau, beach days, pool parties, playdates...etc.  Here are some pictures of our adventures!

Proof I've got the STRANGEST children!

Laura, Crystal and Jamie - this is for you! I have to explain it - on Netflix there's a bunch of old Daffy Duck cartoons and on one the girl Daffy likes turns good and bad off and on - so she starts Mary had a little lamb all sweet and then ends with the evil voice.  My kids think it's the funniest video...yeah, they're a little strange!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bXtbeviaHg

Vacation...

I know...it's been what? A month and a half since we've been back from Disneyland? Oh well...story of my life! :)

While the rest of my family flew, Dave, the girls and I drove down to California.  It actually wasn't that bad of an experience either.  Other than the 50 million potty brakes, the girls behaved rather well.  I sat in the back with Hallie with Dave driving most of the way and the other two in the very back.  I had lots of surprises for them - new coloring books, movies, polly pockets, etc. to spring on them if they were behaving themselves.  We got there in 2 days and were lucky enough to stay in a really nice condo about 4 blocks from Disneyland.  Dave and I didn't end up staying in the same room however, I had the older two in the king bed and Hallie stayed with Dave on the pull out couch - she refused to sleep with her sisters on the pull out (see post below...the stink).  

Anyways we got to walk to the park every day and had a really great time, other than a few meltdowns from my middle and youngest children.  Makes for memories right?

One of the girl's favorite thing to do is get autographs! They were thrilled to meet all the Disney celebrities! 

Woody was a crack-up with Emma.  He took her autograph book and drew a picture of her in it!

Hallie with my dad.  This merry-go-round in California Adventures was her favorite ride and grandpa was very willing to take her on it repeatedly!

My girls bestest buddy Auntie Laura on the King Tritan merry-go-round.

The Conklin cousins on the 4th of July, our last day at Disneyland.  The fireworks were phenomenal! Charlotte was a peach the whole time and really loved all the attention her older cousins gave her!

The girls with Ariel in the princess area, I don't remember what it was called.  After they met some princesses, they got to see them coronated.  A duke and duchess showed everyone how to curtsy and do a little dance - it was really adorable!

Our little scrumptious Lotte.  Jamie and Ben are sure lucky to have scored her for a first baby! She's hilarious and such a little smarty!

My parents, bless their hearts, took the girls early one morning and had a great time in Fantasy land.  I know the girls loved hanging out with just the grandparents, and my parents said it was their favorite day of vacation!

Mom and Hal - "twins" as Hallie calls herself and her grandma! I don't think she understands that word...I think to her it means buddies.

Me and Laura -  can you tell I was sweating like a stuffed pig? Yeah California and pregnancy was a tough combo.

LOVE this picture of the happy little family.  Aren't they darling?

Dave and Hal coming out of the Toy Story ride at California Adventures.  LOVE that ride!!!

Em and Claire eating a delicious Dole whip while sitting in the Tiki room - oh my crap, heaven in a bowl!

Bumper cars - I did think it was lame that pregnant women can't go on this ride - really? The bump is like a nudge...oh well...at least I got to go on the California Soarin' ride - love the orange smell they spray at you going over the orange groves!

Our family on the 4th - everyone looks cute...except me.  It seriously looks like I've got a large beach ball under my shirt...seriously...

This picture cracks me up - our family friend, Crystal (her first time to Disneyland by the way!) went with Dave and girls to meet Mickey because I needed to sit.  Doesn't she look like the mama? :)

Overall, we had a terrific time and made lots of memories with the entire Conklin side of the family.  Thanks mom and dad for the fabulous place to stay! Til next year! Kidding, I think I can wait a few more years before going back - 4 kids? Yikes!

Sleepyheads

Our attempts at getting Hallie to sleep through the night by herself have been unsuccessful.  Around 12:30 every night she cries in bed until Dave gets her or I feel a tiny presence next to my side of the bed waiting for me to pick her up and plop her in the middle of us.  Last night Dave tried sticking her in with Emma.  It worked for about 1/2 an hour and then the crying began.  Little stink...

June Part 1

Emma's last day of kindergarten.  I can't believe she'll be a big 1st grader next year!

Emma and her teacher Mrs. Kukas.

Emma with her sisters and friends from school - they are such a cute group of girls.  Most of them attended preschool together the year before. 

June Part 2

This year Claire went a new preschool headed up by a member of our ward.  She really blossomed there and made a lot of darling little friends.  At the end of the year, her teacher put together a program for the parents.  Claire got to memorize a poem about spring and performed it in front of quite a few people! It was a great night!

Right before Claire performed her poem.  When she wears her sweaters like this we call her "Ethel".

The kids were broken down into the 4 different seasons.

June Part 3

I'm probably the worst blogger out there - Claire's 5th birthday was the end of May and I haven't even blogged about it! We held her birthday the first week-end in June because of Memorial week-end and so many of her friends were out of town.  We do "friend" birthday parties every other year, so this was her year to have them over! She wanted a Barbie and a Mermaid Tale birthday.