California Trip

Last week we took a trailer trip to Oceanside, CA. We wanted to take Thomas to Legoland (ok, I wanted to, Ryan was just along for the ride). It was so nice to finally get away. After Ryan's internship during tax season, it was a much needed vacation. We had so much fun just relaxing, enjoying the weather, and doing whatever we wanted.



We spent the first day exploring Legoland.

Thomas later said that these cars were his favorite ride

Ryan and Thomas on the train ride


Andrew

and then Thomas

Thomas and me on the safari ride

When we finally got to the front of the line, I was starting to panic, because the entire time Thomas kept telling me he wanted to be on the zebra car (see Zoo Trip post) and the ride worker makes you get on the first car available. Well the first two out of the three cars available were leopard print. If he didn't get the zebra one, things were going to get ugly! Good thing the people behind us - their little girl wanted the leopard print one really bad. So I had them go ahead of us, they took the two leopard cars and we got the zebra one without having to wait another turn. Everyone was happy!

The next day we went to Legoland's Sea Life aquarium. It was pretty fun.

Thomas and the Nemo fishes

Touching the starfish

All three of my boys

We took one day at the beach. It was a little cold and windy, but still fun.

Andrew LOVED the water

Thomas would rather play in the sand, but I did get him in the water for a minute

Zoo Trip

We had a fun day at the zoo with Grandma and Grandpa Clouse, Aunt Marcia, Dallin, Sean, Morgan, Aunt Angela, Kadence, and Addi.

Thomas had just recently decided that zebras are his favorite animals, so the whole time he kept telling us we needed to find the zebras. Thank goodness we finally did!

Another 1st for Andrew

Ryan gave him his 1st haircut a couple weeks after his birthday. He sat SO good and didn't make a peep, VERY much unlike his big brother who cries and fights it every step of the way!

Our 4th Anniversary

On May 20th it was our 4th Anniversary. We really didn't plan anything for it, since we had just gotten home from our California trip just a day before. But Ryan's mom offered to babysit while we went out. So we couldn't pass up a free babysitting opportunity! We had a nice dinner at Charleston's and were going to go to a movie, but the timing didn't quite work out. We then went over to Ryan's Grandma Clouse's to return a book and ended up just sitting there and visiting for a while. It was a nice night anyway. And Ryan surprised me with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers earlier in the day. What a wonderful husband I am lucky to have! We had such a fun day just being able to enjoy each other's company.

Thomas's 3rd Birthday

Thomas had so much fun for his 3rd birthday on April 22nd. He had some of his friends over for a party. It was so cute, that's all he talked about for at least a week before and after. It was all animal themed, so we had 'Pin the Tail on the Lion' and 'Feed the Monkey' bean bag toss. Then of course lunch and cupcakes, followed by playing in the water.

Side note: I was proud of myself for using my sewing machine for the first time, and I sewed up the bean bags (with Afton's coaching).

Kimball and Cannon

Benton

Aidan

Breghten

Thomas

Thomas and Andrew

Thomas

Andrew's 1st Birthday

Andrew had his 1st birthday back on March 8th. We threw him a little party, and he had lots of family, including all of his grandparents there.

I would have more pictures, but I couldn't find my dang camera for half of the night! So I still need to get some additional pictures from my sister-in-law Leslie.

One memorable part: I had made Andrew his own little cake to play in. So with the cake sitting right in front of him in his high chair, I light up the candle, and then turn my back for a split-second to grab the newly discovered camera and Andrew grabs at the fire! (Note to self: Duh! Do NOT do that again!) Everyone in the room, with all eyes on him (except his mother, of course) screams, "NO!" Which scared him more than the candle hurt him, I think. But the damage was done. He wouldn't stop crying until I got him out of his high chair and calmed him down. It was quite a while before he would trust putting his hand near his cake again. But once he did, he downed that cake!

Although I know at least one little cousin of his learned a lesson from this. Ethan (age 6) during the blessing for his baby brother Oliver's first birthday (exactly a month later) blessed that Oliver wouldn't get the fire. It was cute.