Rest of March

We had a fun rest of our month of March. It was a good month with our trip to Cali and then a trip down to Colorado Springs as well as just trying to enjoy life with our kiddos. 

This picture is a little out of order. When I was able to bring my gluten we ent all out and went to Pot Belly to eat a yummy sandwich. I was pretty excited since it had been over 2 months since I had been able to have a tasty Pot Belly sandwich. I was also nervous. I didn't want to bring back gluten and have it cause a problem. Being on this elimination diet was super hard. I lost 10 pounds in 6 weeks because I didn't know what to eat. It was hard to eat enough calories when all I was eating was fruits, veggies, some nuts and protein. I allowed myself to have chips on Sunday nights as a treat.  So I was pretty excited to bring back gluten. It opens up so many possibilities. The only problem was that I over analyze everything. So I was gassy that night and started to worry that it was the bread. I think my body wasn't sure how to handle all of that heavy food in my body. haha 

Anyways, back to our fun stuff. 

We made our way to Colorado Springs 2 days after we got back from San Diego. So it was just enough time to do some laundry and pack up again. We were only staying for 2 nights so we could get back and enjoy some down time before the break was over. 

It was a fun 2 days filled with staying up late chatting or playing games, celebrating St. Patricks day with a little scavenger hunt that Coya put together and just letting the kids enjoy cousin time. Before we knew it it was time to head home. 

Brandon and I also got to go out on a date night. A fellow Endodontics office that our office refers to a lot invited us to a "brush and board" night. We got some food and were able to decorate our own craft that we selected before that night. It was a fun night and we liked how our crafts turned out. 

Plus everyone was sent home with a Yeti bottle, a blanket and a gloved window scraper. Brandon and I also won this Yeti cooler in a raffle drawing. I had Brandon put it in because he is the lucky one. Then when they read the numbers out they started with just doing the last 4 digits. Then when they read out another one they read out all the numbers. I had said right before they called the numbers out that it was going to be ours. Sure enough we won!! It was a great night! haha We took home a lot of fun stuff that night. 

Ethan was in charge that night and he kept calling and texting me about what his brothers were doing. Kayden ended up not wanting to go to bed and was crying and screaming. He ended up talking to me on the phone and telling me that he didn't want to go to bed. So I told him that he could sleep in with his Brothers if he was good and went to bed. So I told Ethan and he was able to get him to go to bed for him. Then since he is still too nervous when we are gone he kept texting asking when we were coming home. I told him to just go to bed and we would be home soon. Thankfully, he did and it all worked out. It is nice having a kid old enough to babysit. It is a little bit of a learning curve but it is working out. 

Then the 12 year old in our ward that was diagnosed with cancer started loosing his hair from the Kemo. So Ethan and Cohen Barker decided it was time to shave their heads after mutual. 

Pretty proud of these boys to support their fellow Youth this way. It was a big statement of love and support and the Diamonds boy felt very loved when they sent the picture to them. 

Golf tryouts also happened in March. I was not super excited for Ethan to try out for Golf because the matches were during school hours. Even though I was not too excited for that we figured we should let him tryout and see if he even makes the team. 

He said he didnt do great his first day of tryouts. The next day he was sick and feeling pretty awful. Tryouts were only 2 days. So if Ethan wanted any chance to make he team he had to make it to the second day of tryouts. So he slept until about noon and I gave him some Advil. Right before we had to leave he came out of his room and said that he wanted to go to tryouts. He ended up doing better than he did the first day of tryouts. He was glad he went. 

Silly Kayden! I can't remember what he told me he was being with the tile on his head. 

These boys were pretending to be either driving a car or flying a plane. They got it from "Bluey" 

Then one of the Sunday's the whole ward was going to wear their favorite shoes to church in support of Jack Diamond.

All of us sporting our shoes. Brandon and Ethan have the same brand of shoes and they felt pretty cool! haha 

Look at those guns!!! Little Emmett has so pretty strong muscles! 

Trying to make it look like Wyatt has Emmetts muscles. haha 

We also went to the church and played some Pickleball. It was too cold to play outside so we went to the church to play. 

Also, we found out that Ethan made the Golf team!! We were excited for him! We found out while he was at school through an email. So we decided to surprise Ethan with a sign when he got home.

We stood there waiting for Ethan to walk in the door and then yelled out a bunch of "wahoos" and "congrats" and told him he made the team. He was pretty confused when he walked in the door. It was pretty funny! Then we told him he made the team and he was all, "I did? Let's GO!!" haha 

We then took the kids out for some ice cream to celebrate! Papa and Gigi were able to come for ice cream to celebrate with us too. Now the real crazy begins with Ethan being on the golf team and having to get him to practices and matches. 

 

Spring Break

Before we knew it spring break was just around the corner. We started March with just normal everyday things. We ended up getting them out of school a day early for spring break to fly to California. Before that life happened as usual. 

Kayden took a bubble bath and his skin did not like it. He started to get a rash from the bubble bath stuff. So I had to make sure to wash him off in clean water and then put lotion on him after. His skin is so sensitive.

Ethan made the Honor Roll which is so awesome! We are so proud of how hard he has been working this year. He was also told that he doesn't need his extra literacy help in 8th grade. He has improved so much that they don't think he needs all the extra help anymore. So he was able to sign up for an extra elective for 8th grade. He was stoked about that and we are proud of how hard he has worked and how far he has come over the years. He has improved so much with his reading and writing. It is so great to watch him succeed in that part of schooling. 

Brandon and Ethan have been doing a push up challenge. They are supposed to do 1 extra push up each day through the year. So by the end of the year they will be doing 365 push ups in a single day. Pretty crazy if you ask me. So naturally the boys would want to jump on Dad while he does some pushups to help him get even stronger. haha 

Then before we knew it we were off on an airplane to San Diego! 

The morning did not go as smoothly as we had planned. It was an 8 oclock flight so we had to get up early. We figured we would get to the airport and grab some breakfast before getting on the plane. That did not happen. We got to the airport an hour and a half early. However, by the time we walked through the parking lot and checked our bags we were at an hour till our flight. As we walked to security a lady was telling everyone that we needed to go to the bridge security because the line was shorter. So we walked towards the bridge security. When we got there it was a way longer line than we thought it would be. We waited in line for probably 30 minutes or more. Then since it was a different area for security we did not have the tram to jump on. We had to walk through terminals to get to a tram to be able to take it to the C gate. It took way longer to get to our terminal than it would have if we had gone through the normal security check point. So we ended up having to walk down a stairwell because the line to the elevators was long and we needed to hurry. We had to walk down 3 flights of stairs and then popped out to get to the Tram. It was crazy. By the time we had done all that we had lost a lot of time and were cutting it super close to our flight time. We also had to get their quick since we were able to board with family boarding and that happens before the B group boards. By the time we got to C terminal we were in a rush. Our Gate was towards the end of the Terminal too. So as we got closer to the Gate Brandon noticed that A gate was boarding. Brandon was holding Kayden and running with Ethan and Emmett and me and Wyatt tried to keep up. We got there just as they were finishing up boarding family boarding. It was a crazy morning. We have never had this kind of a thing happen to us when flying out of town. It was nuts!! We were glad we had made it to the family boarding. However, we did not have time to grab anything to drink or food for breakfast. Thankfully, we had packed some granola bars and other snacks. We didn't pack a ton of snacks though. So when we got on the plane the kids were thirsty and hungry. I still can't believe we barely made it to the family boarding. 

I let Brandon sit by the older boys this time. haha He enjoyed sitting next to boys that were not trying to climb all over things and were not happy with what they were watching. haha 

The flight went well. Kayden is funny and isn't quite old enough to just sit and be happy with a single movie. He changes his mind too often. haha 

The other problem on the flight over was that there was a lot of turbulence. So when the fight attendance would usually pass out drinks and snacks they didn't. In fact they didn't pass out drinks until the flight was almost over because of how bumpy the flight was. Which was terrible because we had not had time to get anything before getting on the plane. So Kayden kept telling me he was super thirsty and needed a drink. He complained over and over again and there was nothing I could do for him. Then when we finally got snacks and drinks and Kayden was happy with his sprite the flight was almost over. They said they were going to come around and clean up the trash and as they came around the male flight attendant looked at me and Kayden who was trying to drink his drink more as if he needed me to throw away the cup. He was looking at me like he was not going to leave until I threw it away and that I needed to give it to him then and there. So I had to pry it out of Kayden's hands. Kayden was so sad and I felt so bad having to do it. I was super upset that the male attendant would give me such attitude and make me take a drink away from a 3 year old. I had to consul Kayden by telling him we would get him his own soda when we got to IN N OUT! I felt so bad ripping it from Kayden's hands and I should have just told the guy that he was not done yet. After that I was a not happy. Thankfully, Kayden was ok with getting a bigger soda at lunch. 

Once we got to San Diego we had to get a shuttle to the car rental place. 

Waiting for Dad to get the rental car. 

We grabbed some IN N OUT on the way to Tif's house. We were all starving because we didn't get breakfast that morning. So it tasted delicious!!! 

We arrived at Tif's house a little before the kids were done with school. So we got all unpacked and the kids started to play while Brandon and Q took off to go golfing. 

The boys were excited when Ryan and Remy were home and they could play with them. Sadly, it started raining pretty hard so we couldn't go outside. The kids didn't seem to mind. They enjoyed playing games in the house with each other. 

Brandon and Q got rained on the whole time! 

They were soaked by the time they were done. It took them way longer to get home than we had expected because they tried drying off in the club house a little before driving home. 

Our first night there was a little rough. Kayden had a rough night and was pretty tired that next morning. As the day went on he seemed to feel pretty good and he had fun running around with the kids. He had his moments of feeling really tired though. 

Saturday morning we went out for Donuts and to go to the harbor to see the boats. 

It was my first donuts in months!!! It tasted really yummy but also super sweet! I had not had much sugar in months either. So it was a sugar overload for sure and I didn't even have much. haha 

It was a little drizzily but cleared up after a little while. So we enjoyed walking around looking at the huge boats, eating some Mexican food and taking the Ferry over to Coronado! 

We saw a submarine and Kayden really wanted to go on it. 

Kayden was also loving up on Aunt TT. He kept wanting to hold her hand. It was kind of cute!

Wyatt and Ryan were best buds on our trip. They had so much fun together. 

Kayden was so tired by the time we got on the Ferry. I thought for sure he was going to fall asleep. He kept fighting it though. He would go from sitting by Brandon to sitting by Tif. He couldn't sit still or he would have fallen asleep for sure. haha 

The kids played on the rocks for a little bit and then we went looking for some ice cream. There were not any great options but the kids shared a little bit of ice cream and Brandon tries some terrible shaved ice. haha 

Then we headed back on the Ferry and made our way back to the car to go home. 

More game fun! These kids made the most of the rainy weather days. They had fun playing board games, setting up dominos, playing nintendo and watching movies. They got pretty loud in that house as they were having so much fun. It was funny to hear them getting so excited about what they were playing. 

One morning we tried to see the Peacocks. There is a peacock farm right next to Tif's house so we thought it would be fun. With all the rain however it was closed. So we just walked around looking for peacocks. Then we went on a little walk on a trail to look for some. 

The kids had a blast just exploring. It was a nice walking area. A little wet and muddy so we had to clean off our shoes after but still fun. 

Then we headed to the beach to go see the sea lions. 

There were a ton of them on those rocks and boy did it stink! haha 

This was a cool cave in the ocean. 

Pretty foggy out there. 

After walking around for a little while we made our way to a different beach to let the kids play on the sand. It was pretty chilly with the ocean breeze and the cloud weather. The kids didn't seem to care though. 

Kayden was having a blast scooping sand and throwing it on himself. haha He was such a sandy mess. He kept shoveling sand and then instead of throwing the sand away from himself he would throw it right over his head or shoulder. So he had sand literally all over himself! haha 

Then Kayden was having too much fun throwing sand into the waves coming in and he ran way too far. The current was taking the water out and as he took it out he ran towards it. He got way too far and both Wyatt and I tried yelling for him to come back. Ya... it didn't work. He noticed the waves coming in too late and his pants got all soaked. We were just surprised that he didn't get fully knocked over. 

So he got his pants all wet and just had to deal with it because we did not bring him any other clothes. He didn't go as far out after that and he still had fun playing in the sand. 

Ethan made a sand sculpture! 

The kids had a blast playing in the sand. Then it was time to head back to the house and get cleaned up. 

Monday was our big day. 

SEA WORLD!!!! 

Of course it was yet another cloudy and drizzily morning. It was raining a little bit as we made our way to the park. I was not excited to be outside in the rainy weather but we didn't really have an option. 

When we got there the line to get into the parking lot was super long. There was also a line to just get into the park. It was a really long line. Tif said she had never seen it that busy before. She said that if it wasn't for us going she would have turned around and not gone. Thankfully, it didn't take too long to get in and then once we got in the park it really was not that bad. The sun even came out for a little bit which was so lovely! 

The little fish at the beginning of the park that eat the dead skin off your hands was a hit for everyone for sure. Even Kayden liked it. 

We hit everything we wanted to hit and the kids got to even ride a few rides. 

The older boys went with Brandon and Ryan to ride the mantaray ride. 

Proof that we were all there and that the sun came out!! 

After going in the Arctic area Kayden wanted to go back to the bear cave area. We didn't make it back but it was still fun. 

Time for the Dolphin show!!

The kids wanted to sit in the soak zone. Tif sat with Remy farther up so they wouldn't risk getting wet. 

Kayden was pretty tired by this time. He wanted to lay on the floor! Silly boy! We didn't end up getting wet which is good. It was nice really warm enough to enjoy getting wet. haha 

It was a good show and the kids enjoyed it. 

By the time we were getting ready to head home the kids wanted to ride some rides. Brandon waited for Ethan and Wyatt to ride "Atlantis" which is like the log ride at Disneyland. Kayden was looking like he was going to far asleep so I carried him on my back while we started to make our way back to the car. We ended up making a detour and going to the kiddie ride section. 

Emmett was excited to ride this flying fish ride. 

Kayden really liked it after we went on it once. They both ended up wanting to go on it 3 more times. 

Then Emmett ended up getting yelled at. Some little boys was riding by himself and kept standing up. So when we went back on the last time as the Lady walked by she looked at him and said in a mad voice, "I don't want to see you standing up!" Poor little shy Emmett was all upset after that. I heard the Lady and almost said something to her. I should have because when it comes to being in school or other places Emmett is a rule follower. He does not like getting in trouble from teachers or other adults. So when we got off the ride that last time Emmett was trying not to cry as he told me what the lady said. I consoled him and told him that she must have thought he was the other little boy that stood up. 

We stopped by the nibbling fish one last time before calling it a day. We stopped at IN N OUT again on our way back to Tif's house.

The kids enjoyed playing outside the rest of the evening. 

It was a nice evening and the kids had a blast together. 

Tuesday morning we had to pack up and say our goodbyes. 

These cousins were the bestest of friends that weekend. It was fun watching them have fun together. 

After saying good bye we took off to slowly make our way back to the airport. Ryan and Remy had school to go to so we figured we would just get out of their house and let them get back to life. 

Our first stop was the Temple!

Its such a pretty temple. It was fun going back there with our kiddos. Crazy to think that almost 15 years ago we got married and here and to go back with our 4 kiddos was pretty cool! 

Then we went to an Air and Space museum. Thankfully with our museum pass we got in Arkansas we were able to get into this museum for free. It was expensive and not worth the money we would have spent if we didn't have a pass. 

The kids enjoyed it for a little while and then we called it quits and went to get some gelato. 

Our last stop before the airport was the Mormon Battalion. 

It was way cooler than the museum and Brandon and I were glad we made it here. It was really cool to hear the history and the production of the whole things was really cool. They had talking pictures and videos and everything. It was super cool! I enjoyed it a lot more than the museum! 

After panning for golf and getting to keep a piece for themselves we grabbed some dinner at The Habit and made our way to the airport. 

We got to the airport this time with time to spare. 

While we waited to board the plane Kayden and Emmett made friends with some girls sitting next to us. They were teenage girls with their Mom. Kayden had a coin from Brandon and went up to them and asked if they wanted to see a magic trick. When they said yes he proceeded to show them the coin and then turned around and very carefully slipped the coin into this sleeve. Then he turned around and showed them his empty hands. haha It was the funniest thing! We were laughing so hard!! The girls got a kick out of it too. It was the best magic trick ever!!! 

By the time we arrived in Denver Emmett was about to lose a tooth. That tooth is about to fall out! 

Kayden was so tired by the time we got to Denver. The we had to wait for our luggage and for Brandon's clubs. Me and the kids waited for our bag and Brandon's golf clubs while Brandon went to go get the car and bring it closer since it was so late. It was a fun trip but we were glad to be home.