We are Crazy about Disney

Our Disney vacation was nothing short of Incredible!!!

We flexed all our muscles

We enjoyed our status as honorary bugs

We took the plunge on Splash Mountain

We hung out with our BFF Mickey

Uncle Justin made a surprise appearance.
We met up with Uncle Justin and Jamison who just arrived.
We posed with the A.
A for Awesome.

Don't ask me why.
D would've been ideal.
They should spell Disney instead of California.
I'll write a letter.

Tutu and Papa survived
The Magical experience with us

Sometimes it seemed we were spinning in circles...

Other times we soared to new heights...

One thing is for certain...
We took fun to Infinity and Beyond!

Absolutely Dawsome

Is it possible I am this excited because we are going to
The Happiest Place on Earth?

Perhaps my enthusiasm comes from knowing how much fun my children will have on this Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Vacation.

Joy absolutely leaps from my heart
knowing how much my incredible in-laws have invested
in creating the ultimate family reunion experience.

People who know me well, know I hate to travel.
Actually, complete strangers
have seen me kicking and screaming out the window as they drive by.

Even if I am really excited about the opportunity for the trip....
am thrilled to see the people there...
I often find myself lamenting the journey.
Dragging my feet if you will.

Well, I am thrilled to report that is not the case this time.

Absolutely Dawsome Family Reunion...Here we come!

I haven't been on an honest to goodness, family vacation, since little Brian was 2 years old. After 2 attempts at week long beach vacations, it just seemed like more work than fun.

Fast forward 2 more kids and 6 years later, and our baby is 3. He is easy and best of all, he is "reasonable." Even if he disagrees with the plan, choices can be explained to him and he always comes to recognize that mom's idea is the best!!

I am so excited for this vacation!

I am so excited for this vacation!

I am so excited for this vacation!

Funny thing is, I didn't even type the above sentence 3 times,
I erased an image and tried to get it back, and that statement kept repeating,
But it echos my sentiments perfectly!

We can't wait to hit the beach
Disneyland shines brilliantly in the horizon.

Relaxation and Adventure with our favorite people?
Delightful!

Vacation are you here yet? We are ready!!!

Cinderella. Your Chariot Awaits.
Look out Prince Charming...
These boys are going to give you a run for your money!

Learning Opportunities and Answered Prayers

As our car was being loaded onto the tow truck a few minutes ago, Griffin asked, "How does he do that?"

I replied, "He knows just what to do."

"Oh, Heavenly Father tells him what to do and he listens to Heavenly Father?," Griffin asked.

"He learned at his job," I explained.

Griffin responded, "That is his work. Oh, that is how he learned."

Now the truck is leaving with our car. I hear, "It's flying away, our car is flying away." coming from Brian in the living room. Though this astute 8 year old does not believe the car is flying he is enjoying the concept.

"No, it is just driving, the truck is just driving away," comes Griffin's confident reply.

I am sure Heavenly Father would help this tow truck driver, if He needed too. Sometimes, we can learn what is necessary to accomplish a task, and Heavenly Father can focus on real emergencies.

I am thankful that on Saturday He heard my prayer and allowed me to safely drive my car home, so I wasn't stranded while my husband was out of town, and my boys could enjoy the "tow truck experience" from the air conditioned comfort of our living room.

I also cherish having a small child who knows Heavenly Father is eager to help His children, and regularly recognizes such opportunities, and reminds me of times when this help can be sought.

I Had a Surgery...

I must relay a most urgent message at the request of Griffin Mazer.

Attention Everyone that I know:

Griffin sliced his fourth toe open on the Carson Pool door.
He received one red otter pop to eat, while the swim team manager/ resident medical expert apologized repeatedly until she had properly cleaned the wound, and removed dirt, blood, and one hair, from the affected toe region. Two small surgical dressings, aka tiny band-aids, were applied to the small area. Tears dried. All was again right with the world.

Later while swimming at a local water park one of the band-aids began to lift. Griffin became hysterical, "My surgery. My surgery," he shrieked. The neighboring muscle clad lifeguard raised a concerned eyebrow. I assured Griffin and the nearby pool protector that everything was fine. No blood is present, it is only a cut, and the tiny cut will heal, even if the little band-aid falls off. The male guard was amused as I mentioned Griffin can be a little bit of an alarmist.

Not one more mention of the toe occurred until after prayers. Griffin lay down in his bed and then spoke to me very earnestly, "Mom, call everyone that you know and tell them that I had a surgery. You know which one. The one when I cut my foot on the door after swim lessons. Do it this night. You know what I am talking about, and make sure everyone knows that."

As any trustworthy mom would do, I replied, "Okay Griffin. I will let everyone know."

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Sarah is the proud owner of a Zoo Membership.

She graciously invited her sisters to bring our

monkeys to the Zoo.

We ordered up fun
And got on our way

The leisurely safari ride
through the zoo was grand
As an unexpected breeze
Lent a helping hand

The snow cones were divine.
Big enough to share.

The animals were glad to see us.
Above is my proof that it's true.
The baby orangutan made a face and posed for me too.

The water park was the real fan favorite!
Welcome refreshment from the heat.

Next time I will think of more creative excuses
To get soaked by the water falls!
Why shouldn't mom's get wet too?

After all...
When life is this good,
Who wouldn't want to enjoy it?

Totally Dawsome!!

This wouldn't be my blog
Without a little rhyme
Forgive me in advance
And indulge me with your time

This week was packed with silliness
Everyday brought something new

Bedtime antics were at a high
Bunny ears and Bad shorts, to name a few
Plenty of shorts available for bed
He preferred these pants,
He converted to shorts instead

I thought they were hilarious,
Incredibly funny.
Would you purchase these with some of your money?

Making faces and striking poses
Lincoln and Griffin are always at play

Take a picture, take a picture
They constantly say

Excitement and adventure
Are easy to find
When you are young
And of such a keen mind

They wondered what it was like to have a belly big and round
So they stuffed their shirts with the animals they found

Griffin's belly was a bit more realistic
Lincoln's looked entirely crazy
They were the proud parents of Mousey
And a bunny named Maizy DaizyCreativity flourished
All opportunities for fun were explored
They were certainly hip
And rarely ever bored

It was hard to contain this much coolness
There was more than our share of awesome
One thing was abundantly clear
This week has been totally Dawsome

Garbage Mans Don't Have Moms

Today's fight began when Lincoln said, "I want to be a Garbage Man." Griffin urgently replied, "Garbage mans do not have moms! Lincoln you do NOT want to be a garbage man!"
Griffin was greatly perplexed that Lincoln should want to be a garbage man, this was a surprising revelation.

I asked Griffin, "How do you know Garbage men don't have moms?"
"We never see their moms in the garbage trucks," was his reply.
To which I replied, "Isn't that because they are at home?"
"Oh no, definitely not, they do not have moms," was his answer.

I tried explaining that my mom doesn't follow me to the hospital when I am at work, yet I have a mom. I suggested this is likely true for garbage men too. He quickly dismissed this logic.

This was of no reassurance to him. He continued to insist that a life in the waste management
business was motherless, and therefore, was the bleakest of futures! He could not stop until Lincoln was convinced.

This whole fight fell on slightly distracted ears. The more distressing the tones, the more
attention mom paid to the situation. Lincoln was not derailed by Griffin's protests.

In fact, Lincoln was a bit of an instigator, the more determined Griffin became about the subject the more resoundingly Lincoln opposed. Lincoln was now fully and delightedly committed to his new career path.

As things began to reach a feverish pitch, I discovered this great argument erupted over some small circle stickers depicting children performing various tasks. Lincoln was looking at a small boy carrying a large garbage bag and was inspired.

Soon Lincoln threatened to place the "garbage man" sticker on Griffin's bed, a fate worse
than death. As we were running late, the argument screeched to a halt, to be resolved later.

At Circle K there was a man driving a large silver gasoline refueling truck. He began connecting large hoses to holes in the ground to reload the pumps with gas. I pointed this out to Griffin who was very interested. Then I asked if he thought that man, who drives a huge truck, has a mom. He wrinkled his nose and said, "I don't know. I don't fink so." To which I replied, "Do you think we should ask him?" Quickly Griffin walked over and sought an answer to this question. The man got a big grin and replied, "Yep. I sure do. I have a mom just like you do!" Griffin was quite pleased by his answer.

As we pulled away from the station Griffin said, "That guy has the awesomest job ever. I want to be that guy."