My Valentine's Surprise!

Nathan was so sweet for Valentines Day this year! He wouldnt tell me what surprise he had in store for the evening, just what to wear and the time. We dropped the kids off at my dads house for the evening and he drove us over to the Awhatukee area, I kept wondering what we could be doing? We pulled up and lo and behold, we had reservations at The Melting Pot! I was SOO excited! I had always wanted to go there before and I LOVE fondu! It was really nice and intimate inside. The hostess took us to our table and waiting there for me were these beautiful roses! They had this cute "lovers quiz" that we answered questions about one another at the table. We enjoyed a Cheddar Cheese fondu with bread and veggies to dip in it, an awesome ceasar salad, our main course an array of different sirlions and chicken and shrimp with dipping sauces and of course dessert the Chocolate/Carmel turtle dipping with strawberries, cheesecake and more! The food was awesome! They also took a picture of us at the table and framed it for us to take with us on the way out. It was the best date I could have imagined. Nathan really went above and beyond! I am so lucky to have such a thoughtful and loving husband! :)

Our Sea World Vacation

Brayden and Nate with their 4D glasses on


Sea Lion Show

Kids were swingin like monkeys

Nate and the kids in the Polar Bear Cave

Me and the kids in the Polar Bear Cave

Brooke and Brayden checking out the Walrus

The Polar Bears were awesome

Brayden showing off his Sea World sword

Budweiser Clydesdales

The indoor exhibit of the pengiuns

Shamu jumping high in the Believe show

Me and the kids checking out the Penguins

Braydens sad face after the Seagul snatched his lunch

Bray and Brooke smiling pretty despite being soaked from the rain

Braydens favorite! scary sharks

I couldnt open my eyes cause of the rain!

The Seals and Sea Lions were really noisy!

The Dolphins were amazing to watch

Oh my goodness where to begin?! We left for San Diego bright and early Friday morning and arrived there a quick 5 hrs and 20ish minutes later! Boy did we have a great time!! Despite all the RAIN the kids were in good spirits!!

Brayden's favorite animals were the SHARKS! When we went back the 2nd day that is ALL he wanted to see! He didnt really care much to see the other animals... silly! Brooke loved the Penguins! We actually got to see them getting fed the 2nd morning we were there. It was pretty cool to see how they could force these big 'ol fish down their tiny little throats!

Of course we went to all the shows! Shamu was super impressive and the dolphins could sure jump high, but surprisingly to us, our favorite show was the Sea Lions. They were so funny and little sea otters joined them a few times. So cute! We also saw a 4D Sesame Street movie and a Pet/Dog Show that were pretty cool.

I am so glad that we got a 2 day pass because really we could not see it all in 1 day. The funniest part of the whole trip though, was the 1st day when we sat down to lunch. Brayden got a personal pizza and all the sudden a big Seagul swooped down and snatched it right off the table!! Brayden was devistated to say the least! He sat there for a good 15 minutes just staring at the bird with a sad face saying "the bird ate my pizza!" We tried to ask him if he wanted another one, something else? No response. Poor guy. haha (Sorry for all the pictures but we took 94, it was hard to choose them!! lol)

Fun in the Sun

Nate with Mojo on one of the trails.


Me and the kids after we got home

Today we went to this new park in South Chandler with Pappa Lake, Unlce Greg, Aunt Chelsea and cousins Abby and Maggie. I wasnt able to get a good picture of any of the kids. They were too busy running around enjoying the scenery. It was so cute the kids picked some flowers and ran up and down the trails together. The trails that we walked on were around a few man made lakes. The kids really enjoyed it; they got tired pretty quickly. It was a beautiful day out! Almost hot actually... I am so glad that we can get out with the kids and do this kind of stuff. YAY for Nates vacation :)

Playing at the Park

The kids and I went to the park the other day and had a great time! The weather has been so beautiful here. It truly does not feel like January!! Its why we live in AZ right? Brayden was being a little camera shy, I could only get a couple shots of him. They are growing up so fast.

Update

I have been bad about updating this for the last few weeks. Truth be told, I havent taken any pictures to post on here. I was trying to post this really cute video that I took of Nate and the kids during storytime before bed, but I was having the hardest time...?

Anyway, the kids are doing GREAT! Brayden is becoming such a smart little boy. He will read along with many of the books we read each night. His favorite is "Chugga Chugga Choo Choo." I have been watching a few boys a couple days a week, and he is having so much fun with them! He is always asking me when his friends are going to come over.

Brooke is getting to be so big! She is catching up with Brayden in height! I think she is going to be a tall girl!! Volleyball? Basketball? I dont know! :) She is finally starting to get more brave with words.... Still not talking like I wish she would be, but I guess it takes time.

Nathan is working hard as usual to support us. He has been doing so well. This past weekend was a 4 day weekend for us, so that was nice! Unfortunatley I was sick for most of it, but being the great hubby he is, he took good care of me :)

Not much else going on with us... we are trying to plan a trip to San Diego here in a couple weeks :) We want to take advantage of a 3 day weekend Nate is going to have, plus we think the kids will really enjoy Sea World! I have never been, so I am pretty excited!

Happy New Year!

I cannot believe that it is 2009 already! Time sure flies the older you get it seems. 2008 was a pretty good year for us. Nothing too exciting to note, but we are grateful for everything that we have been blessed with and the chance to be together. The kids went down last night around 8 and we had a few friends over to help us ring in the new year. We watched a few movies and played the game "Catch Phrase" (which by the way is one of my favorite games :)) Its so funny to see how people think by how they try and describe these words. Well, a little after midnight the kids both decided to wake up again! We watched a movie in their room and finally they went back to bed. All in all it was a nice, low key, relaxed new years eve. Just the way I like it! I hope that the new year will bring our family and friends much happiness!! Love you all!

Merry Christmas!

Left to Right- Uncle Tom, Dad, Gma Lake, Gpa Lake, Brayden, Chelsea, Abby, Maggie, Greg, Brooke, Me, and Nathan. (Ryan was taking the pic) :)

Greg and my new neice Maggie :)

Rough picture of me, but everyone else looks cuute! :)

Brayden opening his BATMAN!

Brayden and Brooke LOVED their kitchen :)

Today we had a wonderful Christmas! The kids woke up to see that Santa had visted. He brought them a play kitchen that they LOVED as well as some other small presents. After we got cleaned up, we went over to Pappa Lake's house to visit with Uncle Ryan, Great Gma and Gpa Lake, Uncle Tom, Unlce Greg and Aunt Chelsea, and cousins Abby and Maggie. We enjoyed a yummy ham dinner with some delicous sides. The kids had a blast opening their MANY fun presents! (Thank you so much to everyone for all of the wonderful gifts :)) Then the kids spent a few hours playing together with all their cool new stuff. It was so fun to see everyone. Some of which, we had not seen for about a year!! We hope that everyone had a safe and wonderful Christmas!