Just dropping a line

All is well here! Kyle has been home and we're soaking up every second we have with him. When he's gone you can bet your blog that I'll be back posting up a storm. For now I'll leave ya with some sneak peak photos of what my living room no longer looks like. Happy Sunday.

Goodbye, brown coffee caramel house! Hello spring happiness!

We're Going to Disneyland!

Errrr...em, we already went to Disneyland!  Like 4 months ago! No matter. Better late than never to document and memorialize a historic event such as this in the Woodbury Household.

This is the 5 of us! You just can't see Ruby in the carseat.stroller very well. 

This was a much looked forward to vacation. Timed perfectly in all aspects-- We went the first week of February. I'm sure I've made mention before that Kyle and I are not fond of lines or crowds. This was a GREAT time to avoid the crowds and seize the opportunity on slashed hotel prices. Also, I HAD FEET! As in, two working, walking feet. I was still sporting a single medical shoe on one foot, but could totally walk without pain. Truth be told, we tossed the idea around of going while I was still sporing the wheelchair, allowing us to skip lines altogether, but in the end decided against it. Ruby was at a great age where she was old enough to be sleeping through the night and young enough that she could still fall asleep in the stroller (carrier on a snap 'n go, BEST stroller ever).  and we didn't need to go back to the hotel for naps. Savvy still takes naps, but she can live without them. She and Cade were both at great ages that they will actually perhaps remember this vacation.

We booked a two-room suite with a little kitchenette that was across the street from the Hotel. In hindsight, I think I would have gone with a little bit larger (and okay, nicer...but then I sound snobbish) hotel room that was further away from the park. With young kids, they were walking a lot across the street anyway and by the time we actually made it inside the park, they were exhausted.  A shuttle from a further away hotel would have saved their energy and legs, and I don't think would have affected our arrival or departure time to and from the park at all. The pictures online for the hotel we stayed at were quite misleading, or perhaps the Butlers (the family we vacationed with) and us just happened to get one of the few un-renovated rooms? Who knows.  But we didn't spend that much time in the room, so it really wasn't a big deal.

Justin, crazy man, drove his car to Disneyland while he sent his wife, Julia on an airplane with their two kids. The five of us also took an airplane (our reason being to take the most advantage of our time taking Cade out of school) and Justin picked us up from the airport and drove us straight to the hotel. So nice!  I think also in hindsight, we would've heeded Justin's advice and driven our van. We were coming off a long winter of a number of road trips to Boise so the thought of more hours in the car for vacation didn't exactly appeal to us. Although we had recently purchased our beloved Van, Kyle and I weren't really in the mood to break it in on a trip to Disneyland. But after the trip we decided we could have stood to loose a day or two in travel, and it wouldn't have been a big deal. So we say. Who knows if we actually ever drive there though!  'Twould never hurt to stop in Vegas at my aunt and uncles house though...

We originally planned to spend 3 days at Disneyland/California Adventures, then go to Lego Land., then the last day at the beach The children were having SUCH a great time they couldn't BEAR the thought of leaving Disneyland, so we nixed that idea. But, after the 4th day, the novelty had worn off a bit, and I think they would have LOVED Lego-Land.  By Friday, the crowds were seriously picking up, so we spent the day at a hotel pool/mini water park.

Savvy, feeding Daddy grapes by the poolside.

We all had a great time. I think our original plan was a good one, but it's so hard to know how things will go, and how the kids will react. After all, the whole idea of the park is to ENJOY yourself.

We did indulge in a character dinner, which we enjoyed, but we were all surprised at how full we got so soon. After some quiet pondering and meditation over the matter (haha) I realized the culprit. Chocolate milk. Ordering the chocolate milk, adults included, and drinking TWO glassfuls before we got our plates for dinner prevented us from making very many trips to the buffet. Alas. Next time, we'll order water. The food was great and it was hilarious watching Savannah delight in each character she got to meet. Cade was a little "cool" for them, but secretly enjoyed himself.

Julia and I kiss Chip. Or was it Dale? Don't remember. One of my favorite chldhood shows was Chip 'N Dale, Rescue Rangers. Remember, Melody?

Cade, Belle, Savvy, Anthony and Shelby. Not moments later did I learn that Justin had a favorite Disney Character. Belle! Having her present for the character dinner made his week. I'm completely serious.

While at Califorina Adventures I took Cade on the Hollywood Tower Hotel ride not realizing the eery creepyness of the line-wait entertainment, and then the actual heart-dropping ride. It was just a short line so I said, "hey, lets go on this ride!"  He didn't cry. He didn't scream. He just kind of sat there in shock. Poor kid.  The best part though was Savannah asking Cade over and over to recount the entire experience from start to finish. They went to bed that night talking about it, then when they woke up she drilled him with more questions. Cade definitely felt pretty special to be the expert on the ride in Savvy's eyes. Until Kyle snuck her on the next day. Savannah proved to be our daredevil.  ALthough she was about an inch or two too short, he simply whisked her through the line passed the entry attendant and they made it without further questioning. Phew. To say she LOVED it would be an understatement. She squealed and laughed hysterically each time the ride dropped in the air. I can just imagine her face now! She still speaks fondly of that ride and can't wait to go back. Hopefully then she'll be legal. Cade was tall enough, or rather, trained to elevate his feet just barely enough to hit the benchmark without being noticed, but he wasn't interested in going on the rides. Sav would have given ANYTHING to be a few inches taller. Or wearing Go-Go boots.




We enjoyed "It's a Bug's Life" and the Toy Story rides. Sav LOVED the Ferris Wheel for being so high in the sky, but then got kind of bored of it. It wasn't thrill-seeking enough for her, apparently.

We got to the park most mornings by 10 and the kids were in bed most evenings by 8. Once, while dining in Mimi's Cafe, both of them fell asleep during their wait for dinner. It was an unexpected quiet, pleasant meal for Kyle and I.

Another attraction we did on a whim was the Jedi training. We had just gotten off the Nemo ride and heard some music and followed it to the Star Wars presentation. They were in the middle of choosing their Jedi-trainees and Cade got selected. We enjoyed him watching him learn how to activate and deactivate his lightsaber.  Before we left the park for good, we purchased two of them for continued training and defense purposes. Cade was thrilled. In fact, just yesterday he donned a Jedi costume he received at a birthday party, complete with personalization of his Jedi name, "Edac," and brought his lightsaber over to play with his cousin Tyler. Cracked me up.

Some other highlights in no particular order...
* Cleanliness. I so appreciated how clean and well-kept the entire park is. It's SO nice! I grew up going to Kings Dominion, a Paramount park, and while it is FULL of really great rides, it is also full of grafitti, chewed gum, and that icky, sticky feeling of germs everywhere. Disneyland was beautiful and sanitary. Even the bathrooms. Especially the bathrooms.

* You could pick Mormons out pretty easily at the park. And there were lots of them! Makes sense, it's such a family friendly place and Mormons are known for big families with young children.

* Kyle and I cracked up at all the people video taping the fireworks and light shows. We really wondered if these people would ever watch the show on their camcorder ever again. I wanted to turn off their cameras and just let them enjoy it in the present.

* It's a Small World = World's largest showcase of every ethnic stereotype known to man. It was hilarious and at the same time, I am shocked the ACLU hasn't shut the ride down. The song didn't leave my head for weeks. Savannah LOVED this ride, Cade hated it. I thought it was a perfect ride to sit and relax for a few minutes to feed the baby.

* This trip marked the week when Ruby was unintentionally weaned. Simultaneously, she sprouted her bottom teeth that week and I took a bunch of Sudafed to ward off a cold, not realizing that's what you take when you want your milk to dry up. Oops. I was sad, but it turned out okay and Ruby made the transition just fine. I think I was the one most sad about it.

* This baby carrier was the greatest thing ever! Especially for taking Ruby on the Buzz Lightyear ride so I could actually shoot and aim my laser properly. 

Justin returning this handy device he rented for his Dad. The kids had a blast riding with him on it. It was a sad day returning this for not just his dad, but the kids.

Their highlight of the year. Did you know Disneyland sells hunks of meat the size of this cotton candy? Not kidding. It's kind of barbaric-feeling watching so many people eating them. 

 Savannah's reaction to the characters was endearing and entertaining. She would literally get lost in the arms of these big creatures and just hug them with all her might. 

Cade was often too cool for the characters, or just not interested in meeting them. Here are the few he wanted to meet:

This one surprised me. Cade really did request this shot with Cinderella.

Cade's all-time FAVORITE character. This was a very important introduction that took place. Did you know Donald is the only one permitted to speak (with exception to the princesses)? He really spoke like Donald Duck. And did you know Daisy is the most difficult character to photograph and greet?  I don't know if it's because her hours are few and far between or what, but it's a true story.

Savvy's smile really affirms that Disneyland is the Happiest Place On Earth.

A Blessing

Ruby was blessed on Tuesday, October 12, 2010  in our home.  While we were in Richmond for my high school reunion {10.10.10}, we got word that Kyle's mother and father were going to be in Utah that upcoming Tuesday night on business, the night after we got back to Utah, so we seized the opportunity to have Kyle's mom present for Ruby's blessing and got special permission from the bishopric to have her blessed in our home. Mary's health had been in rapid decline and when I spoke to her on the phone, she said she probably wouldn't be up for the travel again. Her being in town was definitely an unexpected but welcomed surprise.

I'll not pretend that it was a perfect experience. In fact, as I write about it, I still kind of cringe. I thought that writing about this so many months later I'd look back on the occasion with a little more fondness, but still no. I'm sure I still need a dose of perspective and need to spend some more time growing up and maturing in order to do so. We had just returned home from Virginia the night before, so the house was in a bit of chaos. I was exhausted myself -- planning and executing my high school reunion had zapped every ounce of energy in me. But, groceries needed to be picked up, the house straightened up, a meal prepared for several guests. I don't think I got dressed until about 2 minutes before the guests arrived and it was just something that had been in my closet for years that I could actually squeeze into. I barely had time to throw my hair in a pony tail, also adding to my not-so-lovely appearance. I snuck back upstairs after greeting some guests to put on a bit of make-up and noticed the dress I had put on didn't exactly fit me very well. I still had that "just had a baby" body and the fabric clung to me in all the wrong places. It certainly wasn't a picture-perfect vision in the mirror. Not that life is all about things being picture-perfect. But for these special occasions, you want the surroundings and atmosphere to be somewhat peaceful, and serene, and be feeling at least a little bit pretty. All that aside though, I was okay with dealing with the chaos, not feeling pretty, and cooking a meal on a whim. I was actually excited to try out some new recipes. And I knew that the actual ordinance taking place was the important part, which I suppose is where the feelings of disappointment come in.

Traffic was holding up Kyle's parents (beloved i-15 construction) and Brother Sandgren, the bishopric member present for the blessing needed to be in a very important meeting. The kids were getting hungry and restless and were running around. It was announced that as soon as Kyle's parents walked in the door there wouldn't be any hellos or how are yous, they'd just get right to it and start blessing her. Well, that was the case, and since there were no hello's nor how are yous, Cade and Savannah were still loudly playing in the living room while Ruby was being blessed in the family room. It wasn't their fault, they just didn't even know their grandparents had arrived and that their little sister was being blessed. I didn't hear a word of what was said in the blessing, just Cade vrooming his legos around and Savannah giggling. I stepped away in the middle of the blessing to hush them and bring them into the room, but they were so confused as to what was going on it didn't really help quiet the atmosphere. So, I'm sure she was blessed with many beautiful things and that the Spirit was present....I just didn't hear them or feel it.  I know I should simply feel grateful that at least she was blessed by a worthy priesthood holder and she was surrounded by family and close friends..... I know in my head  that that's what is important . But deep down inside of me I still wish it could have gone just even a little bit differently. I know, it's time to move on.

This being our third child blessed, we still did not manage to get a family picture of the three, four or five of us...Sigh. Maybe next time? As I look back on each of my children's blessing days none of them have been under ideal circumstances. Perhaps I'm supposed to be learning a lesson??? Or I just need to start wearing rose-colored glasses on those days.

Here are the few pictures we have of little Ruby's blessing evening.{If anyone else has any to pass on to me, I'd be ever grateful!} I know I should look at these ones of her in my old blessing dress with fondness, but every time I see them I just want to lift her up off the carpet and put her cute white blanket underneath her....or something. I know, I know. I need to let it go. Or take some photoshop refresher courses.

My mother, Ruby and Mary. This is such a tender picture for me... Mary was telling my mom to give the children extra squeezes every now and then for her and to be a Grandma for the both of them.

And we'll end with the final highlight of the night. 

Savannah ran outside into the street (why? I don't know. It was dark. Nothing really going on out there, but for some reason, all the little cousins decided to congregate in the cul-de-sac in front of our house}, tripped {a very common thing for her. Even when she is just walking} and scraped up her lip. Despite Kyle being very squeamish around blood, he thought it'd be great to take a picture of her running into the house crying.

I suppose this picture sums up that evening pretty well! I do think the food turned out alright.  Minus Kristen's chicken cordon bleu, which was grotesquely under-cooked. But we popped it in the oven for some more time and it must have been okay because she ate it.

Universal

For those of you who know what FHE is, and have young children, you probably have seen this before during a particular favorite primary song:

About 2 years ago I thought this move was invented by Cade who taught it to Savannah. Now that we have been in other homes for FHE with young children, I'm fully aware this is a universal phenomenon. 

All children know how and when to do the "Sun-BEAM leap."

It's hilarious, adorable, and uncanny all in one. 

Halloween 2010

Are you doing a double-take because it's June? Me, too. I discovered more pictures of events last year that haven't found it's way on my blog yet. Still playing catch up!

2010 was our first year experiencing Halloween at Hillcrest Elementary. Wow. That's the only word I had to really describe the occasion. I had no idea Halloween was such a big deal!  I do have one memory of Halloween in Elementary school. It was when I was in 5th grade-- all the kindergarteners came through our classroom and had a little parade in their costumes. In fact, I remember that so clearly because that was the year my little sister was in Kindergarten. I remember a boy in her class, Henry, was the only kindergartener without a costume. I wasn't sure if it was because his parents elected him to not wear a costume, or simply weren't aware of this. They were from Vietnam and I don't think they had been in the States very long. I recall their accents being very thick and them not understanding much English.  But his teacher made him a cute little jack-o-latern face out of construction paper that he held up with a popsicle stick. I remember my heart feeling so bad for him. Just not wanting him to feel out of place or left out. To this day I still cringe at the thought of the little kindergartener feeling left out. Breaks my heart. He did seem happy marching through our room with that little pumpkin face of his.  You want to know what's ironic? I can't remember for the life of me what my little sister dressed up as, but I remember little Henry in his Levis and red long-sleeved shirt with his pumpkin face. Go figure. 

 Growing up in my household we were never huge into Halloween. We always dressed up and went trick-or-treating until we were too old, and if there was a ward party we would participate (my all-time favorite was the ward Halloween party at the Rainock's home. I was probably only 10, but I still remember having a blast-- they even had a Haunted walk through their woods. At that age, I LOVED getting scared. Now, not so much, but then I totally ate it up. They were always so great to open their home and their property to the ward for all sorts of activities}.

 Kyle and I wouldn't consider ourselves huge fans of Halloween now. It's not that we detest the idea of Halloween, there's just other more fun holidays so we participate and it comes and goes. I don't decorate for it (I'm more of a simple Sept thru november "fall" decorations sort of person which includes about 4 gords and a ceramic pumpkin in my "fall decor" bin. And that's pretty much the extent of it. The dressing up in costumes is fun, and we're always up for a fun couples Halloween party, which we were thrilled about going to this year. But I don't care for the creepy-ness some like to express their Halloween spirit with.  

I'd say easily one-third of the school day at Hillcrest was spent on Halloween festivities. There was the parade of costumes, then the assembly where the classes sang a bunch of autumn-y and Halloweenish songs, and then of course, the class party. Ohhhh the class party!

Cade in a sea of costumes at the assembly. I really enjoyed seeing the creativity that was in abundance. There are so many clever and talented people!

Michael Jackson and David Beckham

We were lucky enough to have our school's PTA president, Madam Edy, also double as the head room mom for Cade's class. She is nothing short of amazing. Lucky for us, she is also a caterer, so we were allowed to have our own healthy festive treats (Other classes had to have store-bought per school regulations). 

This is what she had in store:

"pumpkin spiders" -- pumpkin mini muffins with legs out of licorice

"Monster mouths" --- little apples with almonds stuck into the "roof" of the apple for the tooth effect

"Witches fingers" -- string cheese with little squares of american cheese.

I didn't get a picture of the crock pot of little weiners in a delicious sauce-- she called them worms in blood or something like that.  All the moms and teachers were going back for seconds and thirds...and fourths. They were delicious.

Christian A's Mom dressed up as a witch and hosted a witch's brew. Notice the dry ice making the brew smoke? The kids loved it.

Madam Edy also had a really fun game of bean bag toss in the class room and the children enjoyed going from activity to activity. It was a great party.

HALLOWEEN NIGHT.

The weather was pretty crummy, so who better to brave the weather than Mom?  I believe there was some sort of game going on that night {World Series perhaps?}  that all the husbands wanted to watch because I noticed most of the kids were being escorted by their Mothers from house to house. All of the homes were especially gracious to the Mothers and made sure we went home with our own stash of candy. My favorite was Karen Steineckert breaking out her secret "mom stash" of dark chocolate with mint candy bars. Oh so good!

 Kyle was more than thrilled to stay home and pass out his tray.  In fact, he told me weeks before Halloween that he was going to be in charge of the "treats."  I however, had already purchased my offering. Play-doh. Turns out Kyle had a different idea...

Matchbox cars, full-sized candybars, bottle rockets, firecrackers and my play-doh.  Kyle told his scouts he had something for them if they were taking younger siblings out trick-or-treating but were only allowed to take the firecrackers if they had their parent's permission. Some mothers of his scouts took some goods home to them. Can't have a boy feeling left out, now can we. Especially when it's a risky, noise-making contraption on the line.

All dressed up!!!! Savvy is giving us her best princess face. Notice her boots. She's not dressed for the ball-- just mostly the weather. 

My dear friend Laurel knitted this for Ruby when she was born. SOOOO cute! I was excited she still fit in it for Halloween. What better costume for our sweet little Ruby to have than a ruby costume?! 

David Beckham, a ruby gem, and Cinderella

The children tired fast, but we enjoyed traipsing through the neighborhood in the rain until we {Savvy mostly} could walk no more.  

Going back in time for a minute...

About 10 months ago we had a pool/hot tub party with Cade's soccer team. Looking at these pictures I realized 2 things:

1. I am still waiting for hot weather so we can enjoy the pool. These pictures make me long for hot summer weather. For now the kids still prefer the hot tub. It's June for Pete's sake!

2. I never blogged about the pool party. For the record, it was a blast. Ruby was just a few days or weeks old when we had it, so Kyle did most of it. He and the Hills, some fantastic soccer parents we have really enjoyed getting to know. Boys are really easy to entertain, that's for sure. They all had a blast going from the hot tub to the pool. We did a polar bear plunge (it was in september, so the pool's temperature wasn't that warm) and a competition for who could be in the water the longest. They loved it! I forget who won though. Oops. 

Savvy preferred this position about 78% of the time while watching his games.

 Coach Woodbury giving a pep talk. Or something.

I love these boys! 

I don't think I posted these pictures either. They are of Sav taking dance lessons last fall. She loved it. I was able to register her for this coming fall again-- at long last! I was shocked there was a spot open, they always fill up so fast. She'll have fun I'm sure. Just look at her!!! (she's in the hot pink tutu with the black leotard)