Fun in the Snow

This was the first snowman the boys made this Winter. We are still waiting for another snowstorm to come through and leave some good snow to make some more!

Paradise Island Bahamas

We recently went on a Wonderful vacation with the boys to Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas! It was such a great vacation, I definitely recommend it! I've been wanting to go for so long, and we finally made it there. There was so much for the boys to do and it was so fun playing together for that whole week. Of course I took a TON of photos!



It was so nice leaving behind the freezing weather for a little bit!



Braxton and Chase sitting together looking at the view from our room. Do you notice their stuffed animals on the chair next to them?



The kids never got bored walking anywhere because anywhere you walk, you are passing by some sort of ocean life.



This was the kids' most favorite pool to swim in because of the water slides built just for their size. The lifeguard staff were so nice and the kids had so much fun! Brian and I got to lay right by and soak in the sun while we watched them play.








The resort had daily games for kids and parents to play to win prizes. We made sure to play a few and we won several souvenirs which was nice because they were free! Brian and the boys played in a home-run derby and Chase and I played giant Candyland and I even took 2nd place in a hula-hooping contest! There were even daily kids crafts as well.



One night after dinner, the kids got to play along for the Junkanoo Parade.



Ocean life exhibits were everywhere.





We got to meet some dolphins and get in the water with them. We did things like give them high-fives and feel them and they would do tricks and the kids loved giving the dolphins hugs and even a kiss. On the way to the Bahamas, Chase told a stewardess on the plane that he was going to kiss a dolphin and she thought it was so cute that she took Chase to the captain so he could tell the captain! You weren't allowed to take your own camera into the water to take photos of the dolphins, we had to purchase them, so I will have to take a photo of our photos and I will post those.



Playing on the Beach!





The boys saw that Santa Claus was there one night and started running to go and sit on his lap. However, I'm pretty sure it was a girl dressed up as Santa. The kids didn't care or realize and were excited to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas.





Here are the kids at the end of every day! Lots of swimming, playing and exploring made tired boys! We can't wait to go back again!

Cornbellies

I thought I would post a few photos we took back at the end of October when we took the kids to Cornbellies. It's definitely something they look forward to every Halloween!

Halloween Carnival~
I decided to make Chase's costume this year since he wanted to be Sonic the Hedgehog. I could only find a costume online and I thought it was overpriced! I also didn't want to pay for shipping. I had to rush a bit to make sure I got it done in time for the school Halloween Carnival and it turned out great. Chase LOVES it! Braxton HAD to be Mario and he has been wearing this costume nonstop! The kids wouldn't even respond to their own names that night, Brian and I had to call them Mario and Sonic. It was lots of fun and they can't wait for trick-or-treating.



Chase got a bike back on his birthday but unfortunately we didn't go on very many bike rides during the Summer. We just barely got around to taking off his training wheels and teaching him to ride. He did awesome and loves going down any hill he can find!



And this is how Braxton kept busy while Chase was riding around on his bike...



Here is Braxton watching Chase do his homework...I love it!

Utah State Fair

Kindergarten

Chase started Kindergarten this week and had a great first day. He likes his teacher a lot and already knows a few of the kids in his class so that made us both happy. I snapped some photos before we got to the school and got my tears out of the way. Chase tried to console me and gave me a big hug and he told me that he loved me and that he was just growing up and going to big boy school...yes, I just cried even more! Braxton was the only one crying when we left the school, poor little guy. He dragged his feet saying that he missed Chase and even kept that frown on his face - until we got home and he could play with Chase's Super Mario toys all by himself. Ha Ha! It's so hard having my Chasey Bear growing up, but he had so much fun and told me that he LOVED school when I picked him up!

Chase LOVED swimming lessons this Summer and he was so excited that his favorite friend from Preschool happened to be in his class. Braxton did good in his class the first day, but when he got dunked under the water the next class time, he hated it and refused to go back in the water. I didn't want my money to go to waste so we joined in the Mom & Tot class with my sister Erin and nephew Beckham. It was actually nice to be able to play with Braxton and hang out in the water while Chase was in class.




We went with some friends up to Bear Lake several weeks ago and had a great time with the kids. We went to the Minnetonka Cave which was pretty cool (literally)! I think it stays at a constant 40 degrees. Some of these pictures are blurry, and I was disappointed that I didn't get any photos of our jet-skiing. It was fun though, and hopefully we do it again!



Brian snapped a photo of the view at the house we were staying at. So pretty!


Braxton and Chase looking at the chipmunks waiting for the cave tour








Brian's parents came to visit along with his sister Amanda and her son Mason. The boys were excited to spend time with their cousin, Auntie and grandparents!




Every year we get Lagoon tickets from Brian's work, so we went last weekend. I didn't take many photos for some reason, but did snap a few cute ones. The kids had a great time and since Chase is pretty tall for his age, he was able to go on the Wild Mouse with me which is my favorite ride. It was an exhausting day, but worth it to see them having so much fun!


I am so sad that Summer is ending and Chase is starting school next week. Fall is coming too soon!

I thought I would post some pictures from Braxton's birthday party a few weeks ago...



...and a summer afternoon with the slip-n-slide!

Graduation and a Vacation!

Chase had a graduation ceremony for his Preschool and it was so cute! They performed songs and Chase did awesome standing up at the microphone to say his part that he memorized. They played a movie with music and photos for the year and I seriously had to try hard not to start crying! The girl that made the video of course chose a bunch of sentimental songs and adding that with photos of my little "Chasey-Bear" growing up and moving on to Kindergarten is a cry-fest waiting to happen!



The day after Chase's Graduation, we packed up the car and headed to California! We stopped overnight in Las Vegas and then spent the week in Laguna Beach with special trips to Legoland and Disneyland. It was lots of fun and the kids loved it!!







Chase loved getting buried in the sand! He didn't want to get out so when he got hungry and thirsty, he asked if we could help him. Too funny!



We were leaving the beach one day carrying all of our beach supplies up this giant hill. We were only about half-way up the hill when the boys decided it was the perfect hill to roll down...


Exhausted Boys!!!






We went to Dave & Busters one night for dinner and played some games. Chase used his last tokens in this machine and won the 500 ticket jackpot! The boys were SO excited!! They had the best time picking out prizes with all those tickets!



We spent Braxton's 3rd birthday at Disneyland! He got to wear a birthday button with his name on it and everyone was wishing him a happy birthday. It was fun that he was getting so much attention but he did end up taking it off because he was leery of all the strangers talking to him! haha!!







We stopped at the Ridemakerz store in Downtown Disney. The boys got to pick out a car they wanted and build it with custom accessories. I always love a fun store dedicated to boys!


On the way back home, we stopped again in Las Vegas and the boys love this play area at Town Square. When Chase asked me to ride on the Unicorn with him, I asked him where we were going...he told me that we were going to Modesto, CA. HaHa!! Just a little something he picked up from Monsters vs. Aliens