Christmas

Catching a breath here, we were so busy coming back from Disneyland. We had all the children's well checks the next morning at Dr. Sudha's. Caden's 4 year, Riordan's 2 year, and Teagan's 9 month. Thankfully Daddy was able to come with us.
Caden had to get 4 shots, and Riordan one. Teagan none.
Stats are:
Caden 42 inches tall and 38 pounds (my little beanpole)
Riordan 37 inches tall and 32 pounds (he's gonna be a stud!)
Teagan 27 inches tall and 18 pounds (such a peanut)

Christmas Eve we drove around our area and looked at Christmas lights and then headed to our neighbors for a little cocktail and appetizers. Then once we got the children down, Mike and I put toys together and wrapped. Santa brought Caden an air hockey, fooz ball, ping pong table with chess, checkers and backgammon. Mike was a bit frustrated with that, so while he did that I put together Teagan's Discovery playhouse, her matching Pottery Barn Kids Chair, and wrapped the rest of the gifts.
Caden's rule was that he had to stay in bed all night or Santa won't be able to come and leave presents. He said though, if Santa already came then he can sleep in our bed, which we were trying to get him to stay in his. So sure enough about 3 am, he comes into our room and says "Mommy! Santa came and he brought me air hockey!!" and then he layed down and passed back out! LOL It was absolutely adorable!
Santa brought Riordan an acoustic guitar. He lovessss his Daddy's guitar and always for over a year wants to play it. So it was a no brainer for us this year. He too woke up in the middle of the night. Mike was with Teagan and heard him get up. Riordan went to the tree and went straight for the guitar (it was not wrapped). He just knew it was his and he began to play it. Mike scooped him up and took him back to bed, as he screamed " 'tar, tar tar!" He did go back to sleep but he was right back at it in the morning and had no interest in unwrapping any gifts. So Caden helped him out by unwrapping them.
It was a wonderful Christmas morning. Caden had also asked Santa in Disneyland for a toy gun. Preferably a BB Gun. However, Santa guided Caden to more of a toy gun explaining he was too young for such power. Thank you Santa! So both he and Riordan got Buzz Lightyear guns, and boy can they get loud sometimes!
We had dinner with our wonderful neighbors. The food was all so yummy and Carol's table was decorated so beautiful.
It all seemed to go by so quickly. We have been creating some wonderful memories.
I have pictures that I'll post tomorrow. I just needed to get my wording down before I lost it all...

Disneyland

What an amazing time we had in Disneyland!!
Our drive there was about 6 hours and it seemed that time flew by and we were there. So we checked in to our hotel, room wasn't ready, but they gave us our keys, the bellhop had our bags and we headed to lunch, since we hadn't had a really good meal that day. We headed into the park after lunch and arrived just in time to get primo seats on Main Street to watch the Christmas Parade. I loved watching the reactions on the boys faces, more than watching the parade itself. It was everything I had imagined and it was just the very beginning!!
After the parade, our room was ready so we went to our very convienently located hotel at the Grand Californian, and rested for a bit. We decided it would be best to order in for dinner and let Riordan and Teagan go to bed, and Caden and Daddy went back out to explore Disneyland together at night. They rode Dumbo, Teacups, and It's a Small World. Soon they were watching the Fireworks while it 'snowed' on them. The Park was so beautifully decorated for Christmas.
Our first morning we had Breakfast with the Chip and Dale and Friends at the Storyteller Cafe, in our hotel (where we actually had lunch the day before) It was so cute to watch all the characters, mostly from Over the Hedge, come up to the kids and actually get chased down by Riordan. He wanted to hug them all. We had Mickey waffles, tons of bacon and juice and got our first autographs! Teagan was so adorable as she took it all in with such curiosity.
We went back to Disneyland and rode rides together as a family. We rode the Carousel, Dumbo, Storyland, It's a Small World, I watched the Malloy boys on the Teacups, and then made our way into Mickey's Toon Town to meet Mickey in his house! But not before we sat with Santa Goofy and took a picture ;-) We then met up with our friends, The German's, at Casey Jr.'s train ride for a bit to say hello and catch up. Had some yummy cheeseburgers and headed back to the hotel for naps.
We were here for 4 nights and 5 days and it was absolutely perfect. We never felt rushed and if we didn't get to something one day we could always get it the next day. Caden had a birthday dinner at Goofy's Kitchen and a cake decorating party at The Plaza Inn with Mickey and Minnie. We laughed so much and walked so much. Teagan did develop a fever while we were there and some not so fun diapers, but she was such a trooper. I held her mostly in the baby carrier and she slept a lot.
The last night, Riordan got sick, in Caden's bed none the less and he, Caden, slept right through it!
But before that, there's so much!, we had a famliy photo with Santa in the downstairs lobby that night. We then put the children in their pj's and headed to The Craftsman's Guild Room (Concierge luxury room) and sang some Christmas songs, and then Santa came in and read ' Twas the Night Before Christmas' !! This Santa was so amazing and he sounded identical to my dad. I wasn't going to say it, but Mike actually did first! We are so blessed to have taken the children on this amazing family vacation. We had such an incredible time that we booked before we left for the next year at the same time.
Oh and before I forget, I know I'm all over the place, we met Pastor Joel Osteen. For those who know us well, we have been watching him on TV for almost our entire relationship. We have always wanted to see him in person when he tours but never were able to match up to his dates. Well we were walking back to our hotel on the second night through Downtown Disney and Mike goes, that was Joel Osteen we just passed. I practically turned the double stoller back around on two wheels and said 'Oh we are so meeting him!' He was with his daughter, just strolling along so I called out to him and he turned to us with that wonderful warm smile, shook our hands, had a small conversation and he was just so wonderful. We realize he was on vacation and felt so special that not only did we see him while we were there, but he didn't seem to mind the slight intrusion on his family time with his daughter. We did keep it short, and it is one of Mike and my favorite memories.
So it took me a long time to post this because my Sony Vaio is freaking out, yet another virus. So I'm now working from my brand new MacPro! I love it, so back to Disneyland.
We got a long special time with Captain Hook! He was just so awesome and played with the boys and was so sweet with Teagan. I haven't heard the boys laugh like that in a few months. He really got them going. We never made it to Peter Pan or Buzz Lightyear rides, but we will next year. Caden and I did go out by ourselves at night, but because of wind we didn't get to see fireworks. We did however ride Autotopia together and he loved it, as did I. But his most favorite ride is It's a Small World. I can't even remember how many times we rode it. Riordan loved every ride and would always cry when we got off of them and bang his head. He would get so mad it was over. Mike and he rode the Matterhorn Bobsled ride. It went pretty well until it went through the water at the end and he did not like that part. Teagan got to ride most of the rides with us and again she was just incredible. Big smiles, cuddles, having the time of her life at her young age of 9 months!
So the following link is to over 300 pics. View at your own risk and when you have time. I hope they are pretty much self descriptive!

Disney Photos
More Pics
And More

Peter Piper Pizza Party!

We had the boys joint birthday party last night at Peter Piper Pizza.

We had such a great time with all our friends and are so thankful to those who could attend and help make it the best birthday yet! The surprise look with Riordan and me is because during his birthday song, he kept trying to blow out the cansles. Well he blew one out and it lit right back up! And then we looked at each other and hence the picture ;-)

Caden had a Dinosaur Cake and Riordan had Go Diego Go cake.

Both very cute and very yummy! The only thing that went awry is goodie bags. I wanted Peter Piper to do them and plum forgot about them due to the pain in my mouth and they for some reason didn't have us marked down for them. So we will be doing them when we get back from Disneyland.
Peter Piper Pics

What a week

What was going to be a pretty smooth week for us turned into not so smooth! Mike and I had our teeth cleaned on Monday and I had previously set up an appointment to get a cavity filled for the week after Christmas. It had started to bother me and the dentist and I agreed it was a root canal tooth at that point. He gave me some antibiotics to help prevent infection if the pain became a bit more constant. Well it did and I began my antibiotics on Wednesday morning.
That night I went to our Mom's Night Out, which was an ornament exchange at my friend Michelle's house. My tooth was still painful at times but was bearable. We had such a great time and I got home about midnight. Still earlier than a few girls! :-) When I went to go lay down the pain was intensified and it was throbbing. I hardly slept a wink and we called the dentist first thing in the morning. They told me to wait and see until 3 pm, hoping the antibiotics got a chance to do their thing. So Mike went to work and I layed in bed. My friend Christa took Caden to school and Mike was back home about noon.
The pain was still present and not fun at all. We went to Caden's school for his school birthday party. Cupcakes that were rainbowed swirled with sprinkles at his request. Back home and I went to bed, but not before calling my dentist and saying that the pain was still there. They scheduled me the next morning for an 8 am root canal.
They don't work on Friday's so I expressed my gratitude since they knew we had our big Disneyland trip on Sunday. They called in a prescription for the pain, which never really worked, however plain ole Tylenol PM helped me sleep.
So I had the root canal done the next morning, on the same day as the boys birthday party, and I thought I was doing pretty good. Came home about 10 am, started to make some food for MOM's Holiday Party, threw it in the oven, and then went to cut Caden's hair. The novocaine started to wear off and I was in tears. The pain was so intense. I finished Caden's haircut and crawled back into bed. Mike took the children out for errands and lunch at Chick-Fil-a. I tried to sleep, but instead just dozed in and out for a bit.
I made it to the boys birthday party to Peter Piper Pizza but in some pretty good pain still. It was so hard to not laugh and smile, ouch ouch, and hugs to everyone and getting pressed on the check. Nice and swollen. I couldn't wait to go to bed. Took my tylenol PM and I was down for the count. This morning all I thankfully have no pain but just some soreness and tender spots! So instead of packing for Disney tomorrow I had to finish up what I was behind on with our blog ;-)

Polar Express

The Polar Express Train Ride to the North Pole in Williams, AZ was just so much fun! We headed up the day after Riordan's birthday about 10 am.

The children hardly napped at all they were so excited as were Mike and I.

We arrived at 2pm and were able to immediately check in. Williams is a small town, reminded me of home growing up before the 'expansion' began. The hotel had a big fireplace in the lobby and was all decorated for Christmas. The staff was so amazing and nice. We dropped off our things and went exploring. You could tell the lights that were strung every where were going to be so beautiful at night.

We met the German's for dinner about 4:15 at Max and Thelma's, and it was a bit stressful. Teagan had had it, she was so tired and the boys were too. So we went back to our room to give her a quick nap and began to dress the boys in their special Polar Express PJ's. Our moods started to lighten and the excitement came back! They were so cute!

We went back out at 6pm, it was dark, everything was lit, it was cold, and it was so pretty! It was like we stepped in a magical wonderland. We took some pictures and then headed to our train that was about to board. Coach F on the Polar Express. Hanging out the door was our 'chef' talking to people passing by. Caden at this point started to get anxious. He keep saying he didn't want to get on, and to take him back to the hotel. He was under the impression the train ride would be like the one in the movie. So we board, Caden crying, and me trying to console him that I promised it wouldn't go fast.

Once everyone was boarded we began to pull away from the depot. Caden started to calm down and cookies and hot chocolate came out and he was perfectly fine. He started to tell us how much he loved the train ride. We brought our copy of the book to read along as it was read on the speaker prerecorded by Liam Neeson. Riordan was a bit of a wiggle worm, but he shared his cookie with Teagan. SO sweet. And Teagan was an absolute wiggle worm and wasn't happy if she wasn't eating a cookie or attached to me in the baby bjorn.

The ride to the North Pole was about 30 mins. When we pulled up Santa was on his sleigh waving to everyone! Caden and Riordan were so excited!We were there only a few minutes and we turned back. Our chef told us that Santa would be visiting soon so let's sing his favorite song, "Santa Claus is coming to Town".

As soon as we started to sing, in came Santa! He was so beautiful!! The look on the boys faces were absolutely priceless and worth every little aggravation on our trip. Santa handed out bells to each child and they were a big hit with the Malloy's. Even Teagan got one. Santa then proceeded to the next car. After that we sang Christmas carols the rest of the way back. Our chef was really into his singing and made it even more fun.

We tried to stay up a little later once we walked back to the hotel, but all the children had had it. So off to bed we went. It was a restless nights sleep though, everyone was coughing (I think our room was actually a smoking one, it was very stale smoke smelling) and I had a stuffed up nose.

We left about 8:30ish but not before we got to see the SNOW FALLING!That was the icing for sure on the trip. We did drive through Sedona on the way home which was very beautiful. I finally feel I have done some exploring after living here a year. We initially were going to go to the Grand Canyon, but because of the snow we were pretty sure it would be too cold and we wouldn't be able to see much.

Polar Express Pics and More

Riordan's birthday party

I'm back tracking. A lot to catch up on!

Last Friday we had a small Blue's Clues party for Riordan

It was so much fun!! The Tripp's came over as well as the DiStephano's!

We had pizza, Blue's Clues Cake, and watched Frosty..

Thanks you guys for making his 2nd birthday so special!

Riordan doesn't like it when people sing so he got mad during his birthday wishes but soon was okay when he tried 5 times to blow out his candles!

So cute!


Riordan's Birthday Pics

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RIORDAN!!

I can't believe he's two today!
He is such a funny little boy...
Very independent when he wanders away A LOT,
but if you leave the room boy does he get mad and sad!
Mike and I took him to lunch yesterday to Chili's while Caden was
at school. We all enjoyed it so much! He got one of those frozen kid drinks and couldn't have been happier! I was singing Happy Birthday to him as we walked in and when I was finished he looked at me and says "Cake"
WOW He's getting it! So of course I try it again this morning when he woke up and sure enough he looks at me again and says "Cake" again!
Well cake is what he will get and a Blue's Clues one at that! And a huge Elmo singing balloon and hopefully some more from Party City.
He's favorite things are:
Backyardigan's, Blue's Clues, Go Diego Go, Dora, Fish (Nemo), saying Neigh, Moo, Woof, Meow, and Quack all in appropriate sounding voice, he loves dum dum lollipops and calls them 'Pop', Milkies, his brother, and his sister.
We have some friends coming over tonite to help celebrate! I'm pretty sure we will be having some Chick Fila! :-)

I think we are over it

I think....
Riordan was sick yet again this morning but we all feel better.
We went to see wonderful Dr. Sudha on Monday and got strep tested and all turned out negative! What was really interesting was weights on the children!
Caden: 38 lbs, he's a rail!
Riordan:32 lbs and not even two until Friday! He's very tall though and is losing his Buddha belly and I think he stepped back just as the scale was setting, but he is quite heavy to hold ;-)
Teagan: 19 lbs exactly! She's so petite! And that was with all her clothes on and a very wet diaper LOL.
The boys were both well into 20lbs by 8 months!
We are going to have to buy a new car. Mike has the white truck and left me with the blue truck. It's on it's roters for brakes and has a check engine light again. I have to say we got what we asked for, to make it till December! So we are checking out used cars online... not sure though what we want!

"Always look on the bright sideee of LIfe!"

It's been our theme song since the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. I tivo'd it since we were at the Tempe Towne Lake park that morning and Caden and Riordan watch it everyday since then! Caden's favorite scene is when the cast of 'Spamalot' performed. So everyday we sing this song and boy were we singing it this weekend!
Because everyone, but myself got sick! Flu I'm pretty sure. Riordan began on Saturday during the day. Then Caden in the middle of the night all night. Teagan so far only has the fever, but Mike this morning while driving to pick up his associate. The children all got flu shots in October, so I think if it weren't for those we'd be worse off.
So you say the bright side right? Well, if it were to happen this was the better weekend since next weekend is Polar Express and then the following is Disney!!
I'm flat out exhausted but I'm sure I don't feel bad compared to all my family. What Caden missed this weekend was Church and his T-ball party. Riordan, Mike and Teagan missed my MOPS dinner Saturday night. I still stayed busy, I also had the Angel Tree program from Church to check out the gifts brought in for the family's I am overseeing. That was really neat to see what the kids will be getting. I hate to miss the party, it's the day we leave for Disney...
Today we are taking it easy and our new housekeeper is coming. Our previous one hasn't worked out because of reasons unknown to me. But they were two hours late on Friday, after I spoke we them at 10:00 and they said they be at the house no later than 11:30. So out we went so they could clean. We stayed out a long time, till 1:00... Get back and they still hadn't come! I was just about to put them down for a nap when they showed up and I told them that I couldn't use them now , blah blah blah. If they had called and said they were going to be so late then we would have stayed out longer... Well it's probably a blessing in disguise because they wouldn't use the products I had...