Disneyland!

We were so lucky to be able to go to Disneyland with the Barfuss family as a last trip before Sarah leaves for her mission. We had a great time hanging out at the park and in the hotel! Its always fun to be together, and Andy and Julie always know how to show us a great time!

On the way to Disneyland, Todd and I left a few days before the rest of the pack and took a detour via Bakersfield to visit my brother Greg. We had an awesome time being with them and their five kids for a few days. They made us awesome food, and Lyla loved playing with her cousins. We loved getting to see their house and neighborhood, and I'm so glad to be able to picture their life a little better now!

Todd and I with the oldest three: Olivia, Grant, and Audrey

Todd and me with Greg, Julie, and a few kids sprinkled in (Grant, Trevor, and Lyla). Photo credit to the lovely Olivia :)

On Monday we went to IHOP for breakfast with Julie and Trevor, and then we hit the road to Anaheim. We spent four days at Disneyland, which was nice because we didn't feel rushed to pack everything in. We bought the owl leash/harness for Lyla before we went, and it was our best purchase of the trip by far. It allowed her to get out of her stroller and run around without her going too far. I'm seriously considering taking her for walks around our neighborhood with it on.

Our first photos at Disneyland...just outside the park waiting for our tickets

Lyla wasn't convinced about the whole Disneyland thing yet...

Riding the Carousel at California Adventure

Jason and Lyla just sharing a turkey leg. She loved it so much that we bought her one of her own (we were just so excited that she was interested in real food after a week of pure snacking)! She ate about 6 bites and we called it a success!

Glasses on, prepping for the Toy Story Ride

Dumbo ride with Lyla. One of my top two favorite moments of the trip hands down. She doesn't look happy here, but once the ride got going, her face was pure bliss. It was pure Disney magic and I'm not ashamed to admit that I may have teared up a bit :)

Someone just spotted Tigger!

We waited in line to see the Pooh characters, and once we got close to the front, Lyla started climbing under the ropes to try and get to Tigger. Some nice adults in front of us let us cut so she could go meet him sooner.

Lyla and Tigger

It took Lyla a minute to even notice Eeyore. I think he must have blended in too well. She walked over to him and then bolted over to where the rest of the family was standing watching her. We brought her back and reintroduced them and then she was happy.

Pooh was the last stop and she loved him too!

On the Winnie the Pooh ride

Lyla loved the Pooh characters, so we decided to buy her a stuffed animal as a souvenir of our trip. I was trying to figure out which one she liked best, but she loved them all! In the end, she ended up getting an ugly Eeyore that she seemed to "pick" herself. It is the cuddliest, but also the ugliest.

We had a great trip and can't wait to go back!

Easter 2014

We had a nice Easter this year. Leading up to Easter Sunday, we got to participate in a neighborhood egg hunt, and Debbie also hosted an egg hunt in her awesome backyard. Naturally, I failed to get a picture of Lyla in her Easter dress, but I guess there's always next year. I gave a talk on Easter Sunday, and it was a really great experience to be able to focus and study a little more about the Savior and the amazing gift that his Resurrection is to all of us. It definitely helped me focus and remember what Easter is all about.

Lyla on the end with some of the neighborhood kids

She just seems like such a big kid to me here...also, she was the only kid there without some sort of basket or sack--unless you count he dad's pockets.

Daddy and Lyla

Cute Samara and Cambria at the Draper's egg hunt

Lyla finding some eggs

Callie and Lyla "sharing" the car...this headed south very quickly

Chad is always incredibly impressive about playing Mr. Mom and showing places up ON TIME with his three kids when Des is working

Checking out the spoils with some cousins

Ashley rocking the crutches

Recent Fun

Note: When I started this post, things were a little more "recent"

Here are some pictures from some of the fun that's been going on lately

My nephew Spencer got baptized this past Saturday. It was fun to celebrate him and he even asked Uncle Todd to be a witness. It seriously does not feel like long ago that I was meeting him as a little three month old for the first time in Southern California.

Me and Spence

Spencer's Grandma Jolley made this amazing Armor of God quilt for Spencer. and I had to take a picture! She is crazy talented!

We also got to spend some quality time reliving our BYU days when we visited Jason and Sarah down in Provo. We got to see the amazing Sacred Gifts exhibit, and Sarah treated us to a yummy and nostalgic dinner at the Creamery on 9th.

Aunt Sarah and Uncle J

The gang at the Creamery

Lyla enjoyed sampling some Graham Canyon

We tried to snap a few pictures of Aunt Sarah and Lyla to make sure we can remind Lyla about Aunt Sarah while she's in Sacramento

Playing with Aunt and Uncle

We were also able to help Laura celebrate her birthday this month...

Her present was alright I guess...if you're into new cars and things. (Side note--It's always kind of been a dream of mine to watch someone get a new car with one of those big bows on it like in the commercials. Being there was a dream come true I tell you!)

The Superbowl happened, and though the game didn't go quite as we might have liked, it was a lot of fun cheering on our Broncos up to that point. Plus, we consoled ourselves on the loss with some great memories made with Nertz and Nancy Drew!

 Todd insisted that everyone who watched the Superbowl with us "suit up".

Had to get a family shot of us supporting our Broncos! I seriously never thought I would be so excited about football.

We had a nice low-key family Valentines Celebration this year with our little fam. We had yummy Pasta alla Vodka and Sweet Tooth Fairy cupcakes for dessert. It was a lot of fun staying in and celebrating with our little girl!

Daddy and Lyla on Valentines Day

Mommy and Lyla on Valentines Day

Our Yummy dinner with the cutest little date on the end. In the morning, Todd surprised me and Lyla each with a bouquet of those pretty pink carnations.