New (to us) Van

We got our van the day we got back from our vacation last Sunday.  It is a 2008 Honda Odyssey.  It has leather seats and a navigation system.  It seats eight, but we took out the middle seat so that it was easier for the kids to get in and out of the car...and so we wont have to move the seat when we have the baby.  We are really liking so far.  It is so nice to have so much extra space for each of the kids. 

Josh learned how to buckle up himself while we were on our vacation in Margie's new van and he continues to do it himself in our van.  It is so nice just having to buckle in Megan and letting the boys take care of themselves. This van does have a tv screen so that the back seat riders can watch a movie, so the kids really love that.  We haven't put any movies out in the car yet, but I am sure that will happen soon.

Megan loves to sit in the very back in the boys buster seats.  She thinks that she is so big.  I let her sit back there when we just drove to the church, but now she always wants to sit there - my mistake.  We love our new van and think it will be great for our family of six!

Birthday Party For Tyler and Megan

Yesterday we decided to celebrate the birthdays of Tyler and Megan with the Steenblik side of the family.  We were going to do it with all the family, but then most my family went to St. George for my grandpa's 90th birthday party - a good reason for them to miss out on the party of my two little ones.  So since my family was going to be out of town we partied with the Steenblik's.

We decided to just have it at Tony's parents house and have his siblings come there.  Nate and Amy with their kids came into town the night before from Oregon so that they can bless their baby Cora here with all their family.  Derek ended up being called into work, so we missed him.  Otherwise all the family was together.
Tony's parents took us all out to dinner at IHOP.  Kids eat free there, so that was the perfect choice for a group with eight kids.  After dinner we went back to the Steenblik's for presents, cake, and ice cream.
Tyler and Megan were both very excited to open their presents.  Megan opened the wagon from Tony and I first (it was the biggest) and she loved it.  We then let Tyler open a couple while she played with the wagon. 
Tyler liked his presents and wanted to play with them right away, but I made him wait until today.  Grandma got Megan a Minnie Mouse chair and she fell in love.  She wouldn't let anyone touch her chair or her wagon and kept both of them very close to her for quite a while.  It was pretty entertaining to watch her try to keep both of them at the same time.  All the pictures I took of it were blurry, darn camera.
After cake and ice cream we changed the kids into their pajamas and took them home.  The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins and celebrating birthdays.  It is always fun to spend time with family, especially when you haven't seen them in a while.  We sure do love our family and miss them when they are gone.

More Fun Times at Disneyland

Mom, Megan, and Tony on the Casey Jr ride.  We loved soaking in all the sun and the beautiful weather.

Josh and Tyler sitting in Dumbo.

Josh, Tyler, and Megan sitting in Dumbo.  They really liked playing in Dumbo together.

Tony and Megan in line for Buzz Lightyear.  Megan loved seeing the big Buzz that talks and moves while you wait in line.  He cute little face would light right up each time we saw him.

Tyler blowing up Toon Town.  Tyler liked playing with all the "toys" in Toon Town.

Josh and Tyler by the fire works in Toon Town.  They couldn't get enough of all the things to touch, pull, open, etc in Toon Town.

Josh and Tyler in "jail."  This is the only jail I better catch them in (wink, wink).

Tony, Megan, and Mom playing with the mail box that talked in Toon Town.

Josh wanted to blow some stuff up too.

Can't forget Megan, she wants to blow up things too.  Daddy helped Megan to pull it up and down.

Tony and Megan with big smiles at Disneyland.

Tyler trying to pull out the sword in the stone.

Josh trying to pull out the sword in the stone, he was so close.

They thought maybe all three of them together could get it, but no such luck.  With Josh, Megan, Tyler, and Mom in the back holding up Megan.

Megan loved riding the horses and did it at least three times.  Josh liked it too and was happy to join Megan (and Daddy) when she wanted to ride.  Mommy and Grandma didn't ride on the carousel this trip because it makes them way too sick, Tyler didn't want to ride it either this trip, 

Tyler showing off his cool pose while waiting for a ride at Disneyland on his 7th birthday.  What a cute kid we have.

Daddy and Megan waiting in a line at Disneyland.  They are so happy in the Happiest Place on Earth.

Josh giving Mommy some snuggles while waiting in line.  Daddy is holding onto the leash that was on the monkey that was on Megan's back.  Having that on her was a life saver because that girl liked to wander off and go in other lines.  She is small and quick, so the backpack was a must have.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse

Mickey Mouse and Josh.  Josh did so good with all the characters.  I didn't get a good picture of Megan with Mickey and Tyler refused to come anywhere close to Mickey - not sure why, he was just being difficult.

All of us (minus Tyler) with Mickey Mouse.

Me, Megan, Minnie Mouse, and Tony.  I think Megan had to wait too long in the line before she met Minnie that she was super tired and hungry by the time she got to Minnie.

Josh, Megan, and Tyler in a chair in Minnie's house.   The kids loved playing in her house and being out of the line and in the cool house.

Tyler, Josh, and Megan playing with the phone and desk in Minnie's house.

Tyler playing in Minnie's fridge and Megan having a tea party at Minnie's kitchen table.

Tony, Megan, and I waiting to see Minnie.  We were just so excited!

Tigger, Eeyore, and Winnie the Pooh

Megan walking right up to Tigger to give him big hug.  It was so cute to see her go up to him with no fear. 

Megan giving Tigger a big hug.  Adorable!

Josh went after Megan and gave Tigger a big hug too.  No fear.

Tyler didn't give Tigger a hug, but he did go right up to him and pose for a picture. 

Our cute little family with Tigger.  Tyler is one silly kid and did this silly pose in many of the pictures on this trip.

Megan with Eeyore.  Eeyore got right down to Megan's level, I was impressed. 

Josh went right up to Eeyore and gave him a big hug too, adorable!

Tyler just was a silly kid with Eeyore.  Good thing Eeyore seems to have a good sense of humor.

Our family with Eeyore, so fun!

Winnie the Pooh...Megan didn't want to leave Tony's arms, but Josh gave his another big hug.  Josh loves him some Winnie the Pooh.

All of us with Winnie the Pooh.  Silly Tyler once again!

Water and Parade Fun

Tyler putting back on his wet socks and shoes after playing in the water in Bugs Land in California Adventure.  I wasn't super happy about how wet the boys got, but they had a good time playing in the water.

Josh got super wet playing in the water and had a wonderful time.  He didn't complain once about having wet clothes or wet shoes.  I was very proud of him. 

Tyler and Josh waiting for the parade to start in California Adventure.  They seemed to like the parade and loved popping the bubbles of the kids next to them.

Megan watching the parade in California Adventure.  She seemed to like to it.

Megan pointing at something she liked during the parade in California Adventure.  She is too cute for words.

Tyler, Mom, and Megan waiting for the parade to start in Disneyland.  Tyler and I were glad to have the break on our feet and to see all the fun characters and dancers. 

Megan pointing at Minnie Mouse when she came by in the parade in Disneyland.  She loves Minnie.

Josh relaxing while watching the parade.  He loved eating the popcorn and seeing all the things int he parade.  He kept telling me how much he liked the parade as it was going on.  It was fun to see him get so excited.