I feel like blogging

I don't have any recent pictures of our family outings or new hair cuts (although I did give Caleb one), and I don't really have anything too exciting to say, but I just wanted to blog. Mark's at a late basketball game, the kids are all in bed fast asleep, I just got finished typing up the program for New Beginnings tomorrow, and I'm taking a break from the Olympics.

This winter is going by sooo slowly....I get so stir crazy inside my house that driving carpool gets me excited. How sad is that? I do have plenty to keep me busy. Besides all the normal day to day stuff like laundry, cleaning, cooking, yelling at my kids, you know, the usual things, I also have PTA and my church calling. I do really enjoy being on the PTA. I'm the treasurer this year, and lets just say that the PTA has a lot more money than I do. PTA has a huge income called Smiths earn and learn. It's a great program, if anyone in my ward doesn't know about it they should ask me because it's so easy to sign up. I don't mind being the treasurer. I'm fairly good with money, but if I'm ever asked to be the president, that is a job I will turn down flat. When our last bishop called me to be the YW president, I really thought twice about turning that job down too. I'm not really comfortable in leadership positions, although I do have to say I *think* I'm getting better at it. I suck at delegating, and I would much rather have people tell me what to do instead of the other way around.

We haven't been up to too much lately. My dad has had some problems with his teeth (nothing too serious though), and it's been fun to see my parents. They came up today and our boys were so sad when they left. Oh, this is great news, Mark's parents are home from their mission. They returned just about a month ago and it is sooo good to have them back. Mark and I went to the temple....together....which is something we didn't do much when they were gone. We would usually tag-team it. But we aren't happy to have them back just for their babysitting services, we are excited for our kids to get to know them again. Caleb was born when they were gone, so they met him, and being the friendly kid he is, he took right to them. Mark had his annual dental convention meetings in SLC last week. I had two little nieces born last month. James is playing Junior Jazz basketball. We took our boys to see two movies, Caleb did awesome in one, and not so awesome in the other. Mark took J and A to see the Harlem Globetrotters. They had a ball. We got new furniture. This is the first time Mark and I have bought new couches. Ever. We have always had hand me downs, or DI couches (which there is absolutely nothing wrong with that), but we finally decided to get some brand spanking new couches, and I'm actually quite surprised how excited I am. Valentine's day was fun. Mark and I supported the youth in our stake by attending a fundraiser dinner for our stake's Youth Conference Pioneer Trek. Mark and I danced, a lot.....it was actually really fun. Well, I guess that's about it. I'm so ready for summer. Maybe my blog posts will be a little bit more exciting once I can actually go outside without freezing to death and breathing in horribly polluted air.

DISNEY WORLD PART 2

Hollywood Studios


Star Tours and Jedi training were two of the boys favorite attractions


Jedi training. Our boys were sad they didn't get to participate, but we were not about to wait around 2+ hours.


The Toy Story Mania ride was awesome!



One of our favorite rides was Aerosmith's Rockin Roller coaster (James road it twice!!!). Unfortunately for Andrew the height requirement was 48 inches due to some upside down loops. He was not too happy about this as you can see from the above video.



The Tower of Terror was another favorite for Mark and I. Our boys however, were not so sure. Talk about butterflies in the stomach!!





Cocoa Beach

A cute (and feisty) little crab.....

....provided a lot of entertainment for all of us!

The kids had a blast playing in the ocean and looking for shells

It was a beautiful day! We were lucky to have such nice weather. I think the high was 78 degrees.

3 little boys covered with sand coming back from a day at the beach

EPCOT

Epcot was awesome. It was too bad we only had half a day to spend there. We really enjoyed the ride Soarin'. The boys enjoyed Nemo as well. Mission Space was a little intense, but we survived (although I don't think I'd ever do it again...talk about claustrophobia and motion sickness). We also enjoyed the world showcases, although we didn't get to spend much time there.

The last ride we went on was the test track. Zero to 60 in just a few seconds!

We had an awesome time in Orlando and at all the Disney Parks. We can't wait to do it again someday!!

DISNEY WORLD January 2010, Part 1

Magic Kingdom

Mark and Andrew on the Carousel

Bethany and James riding Dumbo!

Me, Amy, Kathryn, and Mark O. waiting to ride Dumbo

The Jungle Cruise

The whole gang (minus Creg the photographer)

Getting ready for Mickey's Philharmagic

It's a Small World

Tomorrow Land Speed Way

Stitch (stupidest ride...EVER)

Posing with Zurg, after our second time on Buzz Lightyear

Cinderella's castle

Other rides we went on: Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Teacups, Space Mountain, Country Bear Jamboree, Swiss Family Robinson Tree House, Big Thunder Mountain, Snow White, and Peter Pan!

Animal Kingdom


Kilimanjaro Safari (one of my favorites!)


Giraffes on the safari

Elephant on the safari

Huge giant bats in Asia (yuck)

The kids really enjoyed looking at all the animals

Komodo Dragon (on the rock in the center)

Action shot of James and Mark riding Expedition Everest

Kids with the Ape from Tarzan

Taking a picture with Donald Duck

In line at the Dinosaur ride

One of the Highlights of Animal Kingdom for me was the Lion King show!

As you may have noticed, Caleb did not make this trip with us. Back in August when I started planning for this trip, we were originally going to Disneyland. That is until my sister Amy called and told me of this great deal to Orlando through Southwest airlines. It was an offer we couldn't refuse. But because it was a short trip, with a long airplane ride, long busy days and sometimes more than one park a day, we decided not to take Caleb. He was safe at home and having a great time with the Carlston's. I did feel guilty about not taking him, but it was nice not having to worry about naps, strollers, rider exchanges, and in the end, I was happy he wasn't with us, but we did miss him.

Some of my favorite Andrew quotes of the trip:

-"Mom, why is Florlando so far away?"
-As soon as we took off in the airplane for the first time Andrew starts yelling excitedly at the top of his lungs "we're flying....we're actually flying..."
-We are on a fast rollercoaster ride and he asks me calmly," Mom are we going to fall off this thing?"

-One of his favorite sayings when he is really excited (which we heard a lot this trip), "Mom, this is the best day ever!"

Do you know anyone who is 100 years old....

and still alive?? I do. Her name is Billie Stoker and she is Mark's Grandmother. Last month she turned 100 years old and we had a big party celebrating her life! We had the opportunity to live with her for an entire year before we bought our house. She is a remarkable woman and has taught me a lot these past 11 years I have known her.

The monday before her birthday, the assisted living center she lives at had an openhouse for all of her friends and family. Andrew wouldn't leave his great-grandma's side the entire time we were there. He also sang Happy Birthday to her in a microphone in front of everyone present!

We had a big party for her the day before her actual birthday at our church. She had family come from California and SLC. It was a wonderful day!

Happy 100th Birthday, Grandma! We love you!!