LIFE

I have been so bad this year about blogging. It has been an extremely hard year for me. I have had some hard trials, but I am finally to the point where I can say things are good. I am so glad to be alive. I have the greatest family a girl could have. My kids are extremely great!!! AJ( Elder Glad) has almost been gone a full year, but it has seemed longer than that. Todd is doing great. He is going to college and working at Pizza factory. Karrilyn is also going to college and helping out every chance she can. Angela is actually going on her first date this weekend. My kids teach me something each and every day. We have so much fun together.

Even though this year has been real tough for me, I have learned so much from it all and I am a better person. Todd just received his Eagle Award and I need to blog about it. I know. We have some great pictures about it. I also got a new kitchen and just love it. I have my braces still and can't wait until they come off, if that will ever happen. This year we went to Disney World again and it was so fun, just like a fairy tale. Mike is in the middle of many transitions in his life and we don't know what will happen at this time, but we are along for some bumpy roads.

I was just released from my two callings and called to be the Primary President of our ward. I was thrilled. I love Primary and especially the kids. I hope I can make a difference in their lives. I have the best counselors and secretary and I already just love them to pieces. This calling came at a time when I really needed it. I am so thankful. I have been subbing in many schools and I still just really enjoy it. The kids are SO fun and I just love it when they run up to me in the hall and give me a big hug. Yes it is worth it. More than anything I have learned to live each day to the fullest. I have tried to do this. I love my kids and wonderful husband so much. It is so nice to know that I can be with my family for eternity. We are a team and together we can make it back to heaven.

We all have missed our Elder Glad but he is doing SO good that I just want to scream from the housetops. Thank you thank you, for watching over my Elder. I love him so much and long for the day to get my BEAR hug from my AJ Bear. I sure love being a mom, I can't imagine my life without my kids and my hubby that is my biggest chearleader. He has been beside me this whole year as I have dealt with LIFE.

I am so thankful for who I am and how I have come to be ME.

Better Late than Never

This year has been filled with many many eventful days. I would have to say one of the highlights of our year is back the end of April when I graduated with my bachelors in Elementary Education and was able to graduate with two of my children. Todd and Karrilyn both received their Associates degree the same day. We were able to walk together when we graduated. It was awesome. Todd graduated from college before he even graduated from high school, which is another great even for this year.

I have been so much of a slacker, this year has been hard and I felt like I needed to try to get at least some of the most important things blogged about.

This day was so exciting for me. I never thought I would actually go back to school and graduate with my bachelors and I DID IT. I have always had the dream to be a teacher. I hope that now I can find a job as a teacher.

This picture is of Karrilyn(my oldest daughter), Todd( my 17 old son), and I am in the middle. It was such a beautiful day. I couldn't have asked for more.

Karrilyn on graduation day. She is so happy, which you can tell by this picture.

This is of Todd on graduation day. He is such a cutie. I am so proud of both of them. They have worked SO hard.

Here is a picture of me with my two sisters, Kami and Kristi and my two kids that graduated with me. This day was very special. My mom and dad came down for the graduation and Mike's parents did also. We also had my two sisters come down and Kami actually brought her two kids too and then Mike's sister and brother in law( Anna and Fuzzy) came down too. It was a day I will never forget.

Just Get Back Up

This is the story of MY life.

I had an experience last week that I just need to write about because some day it might just help my kids to hear this story.

It was fast and testimony meeting at church and the spirit just kept telling me to get up and bear my testimony, but I kept avoiding it. It is hard for me to get up but I finally gave in. I started to walk up the aisle as my heart was pounding and all of a sudden I realized that my whole leg was asleep and I figured just keep walking it will shake out. Well, needless to say it didn't.

All of a sudden I went flying through the air. I have always imagined if I fell that I would not remember anything but that wasn't the case. I remember seeing everything going flying as I flew through the air. It was scary. Before I knew it I realized that I was on the floor and that I hadn't broken anything that I could tell.

I remember thinking to myself what do I do now. I just have made a fool of myself and the whole bishopric looked like they were going to have a heart attack. Well, I put on a fake smile and walked the rest of the way up to the pulpit and bore my testimony. The first thing I said was "if you were asleep you aren't now". I can't believe after all of that I was able to get up and bear my testimony. How humiliating, how humbling!!!!

When I sat down, my husband asked me if I broke anything. I replied, " just my pride." It was a very hard day for me. I just kept thinking about what I fool I had made of myself. I know that I am a little crazy but to have everyone know it now, was not what I had in mind.

I hope that I can always remember and teach my children that when you fall and you will so many times, you need to get up and do your best and make the best of the situation. As a little girl, this is one of the things I remember most about what my dad taught me was that you can't just stay down. You HAVE TO GET BACK UP!!! This summer has been a very, very hard one on me and maybe it is for me that I had this happen, so I can remember I just need to not give up but get back UP!!!!

My Happiness, My Joy

This is a picture of my family. We had pictures taken just before AJ left in December and I am so GLAD that we did. This picture says it all.
My family is my happiness, and my joy. Without them I wouldn't be anything. They have been my life, my job, my ambition for over 24 years. Each day brings new challenges and also many great rejoices. This last year has been so hard to have AJ gone but it has made us grow stronger and closer together, it has strengthened us. I can't say it has been great but I wouldn't want it any other way. Many times I find myself looking around and wondering why and I know it is because there is someone missing. AJ is with us wherever we go.
I truly am blessed to have the greatest kids. I must say they are not perfect but pretty close. There are days that I say is it all worth it but they keep reminding me constantly in so many ways that it has all been worth it.

Many years ago, I decided to stay home and not work and be with our kids as they grew up. At that time it was very hard for me because I am quite social, but I do not regret any day spending with them. They are my everything. Our family has been blessed so much by this great opportunity that I had to stay home. We haven't been the richest but we have always had what we needed and my kids know that mom is there for them. I hope and pray that I have done and taught them everything that they need to know for this life. I greatly miss my kids being small and easy to snuggle with and hold but I am so glad for the great adults they are becoming and the love that they share to those around them. I hope somewhere they have learned a little from me being there for them. I am very GLAD to be a Glad.

The Glad Life

Life around here has been crazy. We keep waiting for Spring and it doesn't seem to be coming any time soon, but we decided to take an afternoon and go up to Kolob Canyon. It was beautiful even though it is still really cold. What a beautiful drive.


Easter has come and gone and we did enjoy. My kids even though they are big still enjoy getting candy and having a Easter hunt. It was a great day to remember the resurrection of our Savior one of the greatest gifts we are given. This year Easter was also on General Conference weekend. What an extra treat. I can't remember a year when I felt we were taught better than this year. It was so great. I am always reminded of how much more I need to do as a mother and how much I haven't done but at least it gives me something to work towards. We all were thinking about AJ and hoping his Easter was great. He told us that he actually received an Easter basket from one of the families in Ohio. We also sent him an Easter basket. We sure miss our missionary, our AJ BEAR.

At our house it is always a tradition to have yummy treats for General Conference and it is also for Easter so this year we had an extra amounts of treats. What can we say. We all need to diet now.

Todd has been real busy with Sterling Scholar preparations for months now and it finally all came to an end last week. He has been having mock interviews, putting together his portfolio and many other things to get ready for it. We even bought him a suit. He looks so handsome. One of the last things we had to do to prepare him was to get his hair cut. He wasn't real excited about this but he knew it needed to be done.
Here are some before and after shots of his hair cut.

Before

After ( does he look happy about it???)

What a handsome looking guy. Todd is such an exceptional kid, young man. We went to Dixie State College last week and had a dinner and then program where they presented the Sterling Scholars that won for regional competition. Todd didn't win the regional competition but we sure thought he should have. You can tell he is a little stressed. He looks so awesome. Times like this is payment for moms. I can't believe that I have such an awesome young man. What would we do without him and his great desire to excel and give the best in every thing that he does. Todd you are a winner!!!

This last Saturday we also had the chance to go out and show how slow we really can run, just kidding. We had to do our annual 5K ROTC run. I actually felt like I had trained for it this year and it has been a while since I have felt prepared for it. It was a great run to do with my kids. We ran up Canyon Park trail. The bad part about that is it is almost all uphill and I am an old lady and those hills are really hard to run up. This is a tradition that we have been doing for about six years now.

I actually placed third place. That was kind of nice. This made me think twice about possibly doing the Cedar City half marathon in a couple of months but not sure I am up for it.

OTHER: A little more about life here in the Glad home. AJ is doing good on his mission. Our highlight is hearing from him on his email every week.

I have been trying to substitute and not getting as many calls as I used to. I really need something to do. I have been feeling quite lonely during the day and just not feeling needed. I hope to find a job for this next year, I hope you are all praying for me. I need something to keep me busy and I don't think getting pregnat is an option.

I am getting used to my braces, and I can actually eat. I do get tired of carrying around my food when I eat, always very self conscious of if there is food in them after eating out. I actually lost weight too. That is an added bonus.

We are starting to plan our graduation that is coming up in three weeks. Todd, Karrilyn and I will all be walking at SUU. I am getting my bachelors degree and Todd and Karrilyn are getting their Associates degree. This is such a big accomplishment for all of us. It will be quite an experience to have my kids get to graduate with me. I sure love them and I am so proud of them. Now for arrangements for graduation. I need to decide what to feed my family that is coming in for the graduation. ANY IDEAS???

In COLOR

Our family had family pictures taken and Mike and I also decided to have our picture taken together. I know that I have posted one of us but it was without color. I really love this picture of us.
I can't believe how much I TOTALLY love this man, even after all of these years!!!!

Finally the Pictures...

Yes, I actually have posted my braces/new hair picture all in one. This was at the end of last week. You can tell that I definitely have braces and that my hair is a little darker.
What do you think???

Braces for me

Ok, well I did take pictures of me and my braces but I look awful so I guess I will just tell you about them.
I finally did it. I had braces put on this week on my teeth. I was very nervous but I have always wanted straight teeth. Two of my kids have had braces and Angela still has hers on. I went in on Wednesday morning and they put them on. It took about an hour. It wasn't too bad until I decided to try to eat something. I was a little nauseated when I got home so I just had chicken noodle soup for lunch.
It is now Friday and it hasn't been too bad but they are definitely pretty sore and I keep taking the Tylenol to help it out but I really miss food that isn't pudding or mashed potatoes. Everyone keeps saying it will be worth it and that I will never regret it. I hope so. Fourteen to Sixteen months sounds like a very long time. I just hope I can actually bite down on something yummy in the next four weeks. This will get real old real fast. I think if I have too much ice cream I could put on more weight than I really want to. The only good thing right now is that people say it makes me look like a teenager. Is that good?
What yummy food can I eat today??? I will probably just starve.

Still Loving Me

Just a picture of me and my honey. YES, he has definitely changed since last year.

A little different Christmas last year

Our Christmas was a little crazy this year and real different. For the weeks before Christmas we were trying to get AJ ready for his mission to Columbus. We spent a lot of time shopping, playing, preparing etc. Here is one of AJ's pictures in the MTC with his great friend Craig that just happened to be in the MTC when he was.

Yes, AJ was in the MTC during Christmas so we had to celebrate his Christmas before he left. His report date was Dec 16.

This is a picture of AJ helping to decorate the tree. For some reason there is always the tongue.

During that month, Mike and I took AJ to Salt Lake to shop for missionary clothes and to also take him to a couple of temples. We went to the new Draper Temple and the Salt Lake Temple. It was great. This picture is of Mike and AJ at Leatherbys. You just have to go to Leatherbys if you have the chance.

My kids, ever since they were little, usually get a Christmas outfit during the first part of December. This is a picture of them all with their new Christmas outfits. They know that time is running short and they are all going to miss their brother.

We had many friends and family come down for the missionary farewell. We were so overwhelmed with the love and support that we felt. AJ did a great job. SO many people commented that he spoke like a return missionary instead of one just going out. Of course we had to have great food to celebrate. We had a brunch with muffins, fruit, breakfast casserole and other great yummy food.

We did have a special day for AJ's Christmas. He is such a cutie. His Christmas wasn't that exciting, because how exciting can ties and shirts be but we still had fun.

We have the greatest bishop in the world. Anyway, this is a picture of AJ on the night he was set apart as a missionary. We invited our bishop to come too. AJ and Bishop Wilson have a great relationship.

The day that AJ went to the MTC we woke everyone up early and headed to Dennys for breakfast. It was early but well worth it. We had a great time but it was real hard when the kids had to say good bye.

This is a picture of AJ and I at the MTC when we dropped him off. I am trying to look happy but this is definitely a bitter sweet moment.

A picture of Mike and AJ the day that we took him to the MTC. As you can tell it was a hard day. AJ will be a fabulous missionary.

Christmas morning, Angela doesn't look too awake.

Todd is so excited about his external drive and really knows how to show it. He must be from my side of the family.

Christmas morning with Karrilyn is always a blast. She is always so happy about what she gets even though she is my oldest. My kids definitely love Christmas. Wonder who they got that from.

Christmas Eve checking out where Santa has been on the computer. We have to make sure we are to bed on time. Haha.

Christmas morning, my kids are so cute. It was definitely different without AJ for Christmas but we tried to make the most of it. This picture is of Angela, Todd, and Karrilyn. Merry Christmas.

Christmas tree, you always have to have a picture of the Christmas tree. New Year here we come.

It takes me too long

While I am in the process of trying to get caught up with my blog, life continues to go on and on. I substitued in fourth grade at Enoch Elementary today. I think this will be my life for quite a while, not knowing when I will be working and when I will be home. The kids are great and yes I still want to teach.
I don 't know how many of you even care but if you ask how are you doing???? The last six weeks has been very hard for me. The last three weeks while AJ has actually been in Ohio has been a little easier but still hard.
Here is a picture of my boy right before he left.

I just get thinking that I am doing good and then I have a day when I REALLY miss him. I just can't describe how hard it is to have your son leave and not know every day how he is doing. AJ is one of my best friends and that makes it even harder. When he was home he always wanted to know how I was doing and always tried to cheer me up or make me laugh if I had a bummer of a day. That is just my AJ. I miss him SO much and I have so long to go. Having a missionary leave is such a sacrifice. It is so good for them but it is really hard. I just can't imagine life without him for two years. That is a long time. I hope I can hang in there, because today I wonder.

Student Teaching 09

I finally finished my student teaching in November of 2009. My first placement was in first grade at Enoch Elementary. I was really worried about first grade at first but I ended up really loving it and I really enjoyed the teacher that I worked with. She was a great mentor to me. The kids are so cute and so loving. I wish I could post some of their pictures but I haven't received permission from them. I learned a lot in first grade. First grade would be very hard to teach. There is so much to teach the first graders and you are so busy because you have so much that they need to learn.

My second placement was in the same school but in fourth grade. I really enjoyed it also. Fourth grade is definitely different, but they kids are great. This class had 31 students in it. There is so much that is expected of the teachers these days I don't know how they can keep up and do all that is expected. I was required to teach four lessons in each grade that were evaluated but I was mostly teaching all of the time. It is crazy how each teacher is so different on how they discipline, how they interact with the kids and just how they run their classroom. I learned many things that I won't do and many things I will love to try when I get my own classroom. I can't believe how fast the twelve weeks went by, at the time I kept thinking will this ever get over with and now I miss it. I miss the kids, I miss teaching, I miss making a difference. I just hope that I can find a job soon so that I can actually teach.

SO Thankful

I know I have been much of a slacker as far as blogging, but my life is so busy with so many things right now. I do miss my wonderful blogging friends that always make my day and have great things to encourage me.

I would feel so ungrateful if I didn't post something about the many things in my life that warm my heart and that I am so thankful for.

We had a great Thanksgiving. It was at our house, which is a first in a long time. It turned out great. Wonderful food, great family and fun.

I am so blessed with so many things. Especially this year, I am focusing so much on the things that mean the most, which aren't things.

I am grateful for

great kids that are always trying to be great examples in their every day lives

great husband that has put up with a wife gone every day all day long for 12 wks

Warm and comfortable home

Great friends that have helped to make me who I am

Great family that are so loving and caring

Health and strength to continue on

An end to my dream of wanting to be a teacher, I can't believe it.

A testimony of the gospel and all the joy it brings to me.

A son with a desire to serve the Lord in a full time mission in a couple of weeks.

I am so thankful for all I have and just hope that I can continue to be strong in all that I do.

I AM SO THANKFUL

A dream come true

I have not been sleeping lately at all. I have so many things on my mind and I just can't clear them at all. It is so scary to think that my life is at another turning point.

My whole life I have dreamt of becoming a teacher and when I started having kids of my own, I just figured I would never get my degree or become a teacher. This Friday is my last day of student teaching and I can't believe it. I can't believe that I will have a batchelors degree and that I can actually be a teacher. I guess dreams do come true, now the hardest part will be to find a job. I am so excited to be finally done with school, but I am also sad because I just love these kids and know that this chapter in my life will be over with soon.

Along with many other chapters in my life, it is changing. AJ will be leaving on his mission on Dec 16, I will be graduating, and Mike has retired from his job in the military. We have so many questions about our future. We have always dreamt of when our boys would serve a mission and now that AJ is ready, it is so scary for me. Will he be ok?? We won't be there if he has problems and will I be ok??? I have a very closeness to AJ and it is going to be quite emotional for me. This teaches me a lot about sacrifice. I hope that I can be strengthened through this hard time, because it will be tough.

During times like this, when I feel so excited but scared, is when I miss my very close friends, especially those that live miles away. They have always been such a strength to me and I miss their love. What an exciting time in life!!!!

Already October

Yes, I know it is already October and I can't believe it. That means I am almost half way through with student teaching. Halloween is around the corner, with the holidays right after that. It is also General Conference weekend, which I can't believe but has been such a blessing to me in my life this year, already and it is just the first day.

I felt like General Conference was incredibly great, which I always say it is but there was so much that I needed to hear and my family also. I felt like there was a lot of focus on love and don't we all need to be a little more loving and tolerable to everyone that we are around in our every day. I can't wait for tomorrow.

I just love this time of the year. Fall, I don't know what it is but it is great and I just enjoy. This year, however has been quite different with me doing student teaching every day until 4 and Mike being at home. Our life has been turned upside down and we are still wondering what side is up. This Wednesday I will be shifting to fourth grade and I am excited but I will definitely miss all of my little kids in first grade. What will they do without me??? I know they will be fine but will I. It is so unbelievable to me that I really will be graduated by Thanksgiving. I haven't experienced being gone so much for years. I have been able to stay at home and take care of the kids so now I am experiencing not wanting to go anywhere on the weekend. I just want to stay home. This isn't always easy because I do have other obligations and commitments. I just need to get over it and get used to it.

Thanksgiving, I can't believe it is really in sight. We are actually going to be having Thanksgiving at our house this year. That makes for a little more preparation with family coming down to stay and having it with us.

I know this has been a lot of rambling on and on but there is so much going on in our home at this time. My kids are so busy and have so much going on in their own lives. I will definitely have to blog about them soon.

This day will always be great for me

Today, to a lot of people is a reminder of the tragedy that happened eight years ago and for me it is a reminder of that too but the thing I remember the most about this day is that MANY years ago I was married to my sweetheart.

That day becomes more and more vague, but I can't help but always to remember how great I felt that morning when I was seated across the altar in the SLC temple from my soon to be husband. There is nothing to compare with that great joy and peace. Mike complains that I was a little late that morning and yes I was but nothing like throwing in a little stress on a marriage day just to make sure you can handle anything.

My wedding was a beautiful September day. I remember having all of the people that I love the most there to help me celebrate my day. Little did I know that there were four more important people in the heavens that were partying and celebrating that we were getting married.
We had an outside wedding reception and I have to say it was perfect. Mike had to wear a pink shirt with his white tux and at first I didn't like the idea but I love it now.

Our honeymoon was wonderful too. We headed to Jackson Hole, Lava Hot Springs and Yellowstone, which is one of my favorite places in the world. There is nothing quite like getting the last room in the park and then to find out it was a room with two single beds with the bathroom down the hall and all on your honeymoon. I remember going out to watch Old Faithful at midnight with Mike and thinking how romantic it was.

Oh and YES, YES, YES, I would do it again and again. We have been through so much together and things aren't always a bliss but they are DEFINITELY worth the ride. I love every minute that I spend with him and I can say that I am still in love. I came home yesterday from school and he had bought me roses for my anniversary. They are beautiful. I just wish I knew something great that I could give him.

I bet now every year when you see all of the flags out for 9-11 you will also remember the great celebration of our anniversary on that day.

I Never Knew

This week has been hard but it is definitely better than last. The hard thing about this week is that I have a funeral to go to on Thursday. You probably are wondering who is it for??? I would have to say it is for one of my favorite people in the world. My husband's Uncle Roy passed away on Saturday morning. Why should I care??? I care because from the very second that I met him he has always treated me like a queen and as if I walk on water or something. I just can't explain it.

Mike and I, when we were just starting out with Karrilyn and AJ lived in Draper in a tiny little house behind Uncle Roy's and Aunt Mary's house. They rented it to us for $105 a month. It was small but what do you need when you are such a small family. I remember we had only a shower, no tub and the kids bedroom was also the laundry room. Oh well it was great for us.

Back then, I used to get up every morning and take my little kids to another person's house and babysit to make money so I wouldn't have to work. I would have to get up early and take my little kids out into the weather. I remember every morning that the weather was bad I would go out to my car and Uncle Roy had already scraped my windows in my car for me. He was an angel. Uncle Roy and Aunt Mary also told us not to pay rent two times a year for Christmas and during the Summer so we could have money for vacations and Christmas. They spoiled us. I just adored him and his wife. I always felt like I belonged and Aunt Mary had red hair which made me feel like I was truly family. They were both there in the temple the day we were married too. Even though I haven't seen Uncle Roy much, when I do he treats me as if it was just yesterday and that I still mean the world to him. He will truly be missed but I am sure his lovely wife is so happy to finally be reunited with him.

Well, back to this week. That is the hard part, funeral... The good part about this week is that I am adjusting to student teaching. I can finally say that I am loving it. I taught almost the entire day today. I love the kids. They are so cute even though at times they are frustrating. It is amazing how much I have learned already.

I just hope that I can find a job teaching when I get finished. It would be awful if I finally had my dream come true and wasn't able to find a teaching job.

Oh yeah, I forgot. Angela finished her first Cross Country Race. I was so proud of her. Todd has been doing it now for two years and does wonderful but it has been quite a struggle for Angela. Why is it that I start crying when she came across the finish line??? I am so proud.

Birthday in Disneyland

This year, I had a great birthday. I usually do, but this year was great fun because Mike and I went to Disneyland on my birthday. We had so much fun just the two of us. We took tons of pictures, ate lots of yummy food, went on many fun rides and it was great. This time that we were at Disneyland, we actually ate dinner at Pirates of the Caribbean. It was expensive but well worth it. This is one of my favorite pictures so I thought I would share.

Fun times for the Glads

I know it has been forever since I have posted. I hope you all have missed me.

On the 24th of July we went to an early morning breakfast and then to the parade. I guess it was brighter than I thought it was as you can tell by looking at the picture of my kids. It has been a tradition since they were little to get Old Navy flag tshirts for them for the 4th and 24th of July.
After the parade we came home and started our afternoon, day of playing Rock Band. It was a lot of fun but took pretty much the whole day. We conquered the 84 song list on Rock Band. We did break for dinner and homemade ice cream with homemade carmel. Mike makes the best.

This is a picture that I had my kids take yesterday after church. My husband has a kilt from his ancestors tartan. He wears it twice a year to church and boy does he get comments like crazy. It doesn't bother him at all, he is proud of his kilt. When his parents gave him the kilt they also gave me some material that matches his kilt. My mom made me a skirt to match his and guess what???? You guessed it, I always have to wear mine the same day that he wears his.

Really, I haven't fallen off of the face of the earth. We have been enjoying our summer except for the online Chemistry class that I am taking. My daughter received her learner's permit to drive. Wow. They just keep growing and growing. I spent a couple of days in SLC and got to go to dinner with my parents for my dad's birthday. I am leaving for girl's camp this week, wish me luck!!!!!!!!!

Week full of Fun, Fun, Fun...

I know it has taken me forever to update my blog. I can't believe how crazy Summer gets especially when you go on vacation and then have three birthdays in one week.

Our trip to Disneyland was great. It was quite an adventure. We had planned on going to the beach but we ended up having some car trouble so we played at the hotel one day and went to see "Night at the Museum" at Downtown Disney. What a great theater. We did get our vehicle fixed and so we were ready for Six Flags in California on Tuesday. If you don't know what Six Flags is it is pretty much a theme park with any kind of roller coaster that there is possible.

A picture of my kids in front of the old western town in Six Flags. It was a blast but quite busy. We did do a lot of walking but it was fun. I must be getting older because some of the rides were a little too much for me, but you do what you need to do.

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we went to Disneyland. We were withing walking distance from Disneyland, well I guess one mile counts as walking distance. We walked to Disneyland, walked home for lunch and walked back and then back for dinner each night. We also walked all over California Adventure Park and Disneyland Park. What a lot of walking!!! I guess that helps with all of the treats that you eat on vacation, right??? Our feet were quite tired each night and ready for a rest.

It just isn't Disneyland without going and seeing some of the Disney characters and getting pictures with them even if you have to stay in line.

One of our traditions at Disneyland is to go and get ice cream for one of our meals, quite expensive but very worth it. We don't buy very much food at Disneyland but we just can't pass the ice cream and the homemade fudge down.

Standing in line to see Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse is just one of the parts about Disneyland that is necessary. My husband noticed right away that Minnie had her hand on his shoulder and was wondering if Mickey would be jealous.

One of our favorite rides was the Haunted Hotel ride. It is quite a ride. I think that we went on it about at least six times in the three days that we were there.

This is a picture of us waiting inside of the Haunted Hotel for our turn. You already knew we were a little scary but now you know that we can be even more scary.

This is us waiting for Pirates of the Caribbean. My husband is above us on a bridge taking the picture.

The flowers were just beautiful there in California, we just had to take a few pictures of them.

This is the last night. We stayed at Disneyland until about 12 am. It was fun but really started getting crowded on that night. The lines were a lot longer. Some of our most favorite rides at Disneyland would have to be the Matterhorn, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Haunted Hotel ride, Space Tours, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Screamer, Woody's Round Up and Soaring over California.

What a week of fun. I thoroughly enjoyed spending the whole week with my hubby and my wonderful kids. They are all so busy so to spend a week with not outside interruptions was great. It was truly like a fairytale and I will always cherish this great trip. We had so much fun and everyone enjoyed everyone's company without arguing or complaining. Thanks Kids, you guys are great and thanks Mike, you always make it the best and spoil all of us.