Photography

Hey. I am looking into new cameras. I am getting a really nice SLR. I think I would like to do photography professionally. (At least for friends and family - don't know how much more I can put on my plate right now) But, I love photography. Since I have been researching camera's, I have run across some really cute photos. I decided to do my own photo shoot. Well, Erin and I were talking, and she said, man, if you could find an 8 month old, you could take some really cute poses. Well it took me a second to realize that, HEY, I have an 8 month old! Since I would have to email these to Erin (we're both getting a new camera) to show her the pics, I thought I would put them here. I just realized that changing the saturation on a photo makes it look awesome, so I'm going to put before and afters...just so you can see, and maybe try it!

Here are pics I took of her on my bed. I changed them to Sepia, because my bedding is blue and brown, and I wanted it to not clash...

I love the picture of her pouting, I put it on here twice, just cause I love it!
I lowered the saturation on all 3 of these photos.

Meatballs

Tonight during dinner, Jake said: "Mom, you're the best meatball maker in the whole world!"
That struck me as funny, but it is a meal all 3 kids will chow down! Here's the recipe:

Crockpot Cocktail Meatballs

3 lbs. ground beef (of course the leanest possible is the best)
1 pkg dry onion soup mix
14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

Sauce: 18 oz. bottle ketchup (this is just a little over 2 cups)
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. Worchestershire sauce

Combine beef, soup mix and condensed milk. (I do this in a gallon size ziploc bag...keeps my hands clean, and is easy to squish) Form into small balls (makes about 45-50?) I use my cookie scoop, and just scoop right out of the ziploc bag. Place meatballs on baking sheets and brown in oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and drain excess grease. Place meatballs in crockpot. Combine sauce ingredients and pour over meatballs. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours. Serve over white rice. MMMM!!!! (I don't usually think of it ahead of time, and usually just make the sauce on the stove, and add the meatballs right before serving)

Anyways, just a little recipe, from the best meatball maker in the world! :)

Asleep?

Okay, on Sunday afternoon, Troy and I told the kids they needed to nap, because we were having a family gathering for Kyle's Bday later in the evening, and wanted rested children. Jake always has a hard time getting to sleep. And, since he's the most stubborn child, it makes it all the more difficult. Troy and I were taking turns reading HP#7 (I'd read a chapter, he'd read a chapter) and Jake came downstairs. We told him it was quiet time, and that he needed to cuddle up on the end of the couch. We looked over, and this is what we saw:

Naturally, we didn't think he was asleep, we thought he was goofing around. We got closer...

and closer...

until we realized he was most definately asleep. How on earth that child could fall asleep like that, I will never know. I absolutely think it would have been much more comfortable just to fall asleep in his bed!

CONCRETE!

Our concrete for Troy's Basketball court was poured on Thursday! It is so exciting...the yard is coming along...now for a fence...hmmmm....anyways, the boys were in awe of them pouring the cement.

Troy's dad stopped by while they were pouring, and I had him help me put their handprints in the cement, right next to the house.

Now all we have to do is get the basketball hoop put in! Fun times!

What a day!

I think yesterday was such a great day! First, my friend Camille and her kids came to visit via Indiana, Boston, Scotland, and now Seattle! (We met in Oregon 6 1/2 years ago!) It was so great. Between the 2 of us, we have 5 more kids than we used to! That made things crazy, but the boys hit it off TREMENDOUSLY! They played out back while Camille and I talked. Then we made it down to my scrapbook room, and decided to make cards and magnets... It was so fun! I felt like I had friends again! :( Then she left a mere 5 hours after she got here! That's life! Here's a picture of the 2 of us. Adam, age 6, took the picture...he tried his best though! We went to Artic Circle for lunch and let the kids play (Camille and I stopped through the drive-thru at Kneaders and got us a good lunch). Here is a picture of Kyle and Adam. Just a hint of how long we've known them, when Kyle was 9 months old, we went to the hospital to see Adam right after he was born!

It was so fun! I totally miss having friends...who know me! Oh well, all in time, right? I sure hope so!

After such a busy day, I was dreading doing dinner. I had to go to the PO and on my way, I called my brother, David, who is in town until he goes to UC Irvine to get his doctorate. He came over and made dinner, Venezualan food. He went to Venezuala earlier this year for school. Dinner was yummy! And healthy!

Then, we had a great game of Kickball in the backyard! So fun! What a day!

Kinlee

My niece Kinlee with Down Syndrome is featured this month as the spotlight on http://uptowndowns.com. Go check it out! Also, click on the "The Simple Truths of ServiceCan you make a difference?" It's a great story!

Bear Lake

Last weekend was the Korth Family Reunion. It was held at Bear Lake - Rendevous Beach. I think it was like the 17th-20th year they had done it at Bear Lake (nobody could agree on which summer was the first summer). It was a good time! I attempted to get up on a wakeboard. I tried about 20 times, I had almost drowned myself and then I threw in the towel, so somebody else could have a turn. There's got to be a trick to that...(My forearms are STILL sore!) Troy, Kenny, and Cherice, took the kids (except the babies, I stayed on the beach with them) on a boat ride. When they got to the middle of the lake, they made the kids jump in the lake, so they would know that their lifejackets would hold them up, in case something happened. Then, they got on the tube. I guess Kyle kept doing thumbs up (go faster) and Jake and Daxton kept doing thumbs down (slower). They loved it though. I hope next year there is more time for the kids to go tubing. The boat was pretty much consumed by wakeboarders. I wish I could have been on board for some pictures. I went out on the boat once, and went out on the waverunners twice. Most of the time, I hung out under the canopy on the beach, kid watching. The joys of being a mom. Anyways, here are some pictures...Here's my cute scrawny Haley LOVING the sand! Here's a picture of all of my kids. They had such a blast playing on the beach. We did probably 10 loads of laundry today, and the lint from the dryer had TONS of sand in it! The camp was a ways from the beach, so if the kids fell asleep under the canopy, you were pretty much stuck, cause nobody wanted to wake a sleeping child to hike back to camp. Here are a few of us that got stuck, Haley and me, Kenny and Kinlee, and Allisun and Kristin. Here are the cousins playing in the sand. It was very serious business. I don't know what they were building, but it was definately important. Kinlee LOVED following Kristin around. Kristin loved it too! They're the best buds! It's so cute to watch! I won't go off on my soap box about the dirtiness of camping with kids, but I am glad I have another year until I have to do it again!

Harry Potter Review

Troy and I caught the 12:01a.m. showing of Harry Potter. First of all, it was a great night to "people watch". People are psycho! Showing up in all sorts of HP costumes, Hogwartz Uniforms, etc. The movie was pretty good, NEVER as good as the book...BUT, my biggest irritation of the night, is people's reaction once the movie was over... People came out crying because Sirius had died. DUH! If you would have read the book 4 years ago, you would have known that would happen! You can make it to a midnight showing of a movie, but you can't crack open a book...oh, what those people are missing! Also, a lot of people came out saying they didn't really understand what was happening most of the movie...well, that's what happens when you try to make a 600 page book into a 2 hour movie. Also, what does that say about society...what happened to reading...I partly wish they never made these movies...at least not yet...we won't let Kyle watch any of the movies until he's read the books. We read the first book together in the past few weeks. As we would drive around town, Troy would drive, and I would read, or vice versa. All of our kids enjoyed it, and it was better than watching a TV in the car, right? So, over the weekend we finished the book, and watched the movie to go along with it. Kyle liked it, but everytime we get in the car, he begs to read more Harry Potter. So, we'll continue reading...anyways...if you haven't read the books, READ THE BOOKS. The movie was okay...they definately left out TONS of things, and Troy and I don't like how they portray Dumbledore...(Did the director even read the book? That's questionable...) It is fun to see the book come to life...But, I will be standing in line at Midnight for the book and it will be MUCH more enjoyable...July 21...

MAN! Most of you know I own my own business - well, I couldn't do it without my business partner, Erin. Erin does ALL the computer stuff, and I have the product, organize it, and ship it. Well, today I got in 32 boxes! (I usually get 1-3 a day) No, I'm not joking! I have been trying to go through everything today, and my living room is crazy! It took the poor Fedex man 15 minutes to deliver it, and I had to give him a bottle of water, I felt so bad! Here is a picture of all the boxes...notice my kids climbing on them...no need for a park!(Oh, we don't have living room furniture yet, so we have our old kitchen table we are giving to Allisun and Beau that we need to take to Kenny and Cherice's for storage, and then it's usually an empty room). Here is a picture of the big mess...I was about halway through opening the boxes and sorting everything. I know it looks messy, but it is definately an organized mess. When they ship products to me, they don't put all the ribbon together, etc...it's just a big mess to sort through...and then take down to my "store" in the basement.

Fourth of July

We had a fun fourth of July! It started off with a tradition of going to Copperton Park for their breakfast, followed by the races. It's hard to describe the atmosphere. It feels like you've stepped back in time. This is the only place you'll see "Age 50 and above" race for the $3 grand prize (which my dad won, fyi). Where me, and my cousin James' wife, Marisol, fought through the shoe scramble...yes, I did shove her, but it was all in fun. I fell flat on my face in the sack race! And, my brother David won the $3 for his age group! Oh, I would be a bad mom, if I didn't tell you that Kyle won his race for age 5-7. All kids under 5 get 50 cents, and then they run. Everyone is just out for a good time. You don't hear the "f" bomb flying or see scantilly clad women. Kids just run around with snowcones and have a great time! The reason I love doing this every year, is that I did this when I was little when we lived in Utah. It's the one thing I can take my kids to, that lives up to the memory (so far...).

Here's a picture of the boys. As you can see, Jake didn't want pictures taken, so we got one of the boys, and one of the girls. Here are the cute girls! I had my mom come over at 6:45 in the morning to put french braids in Kristin's hair. She looked so cute!

Here are Jake and Kristin running the race, and then Kyle and Daxton. Thank heavens no one thinks to pick up the camera while I'm racing!

After the races, we met the Cartier's (Beau and Allisun), Kenny and Cherice, and 2 of Becca's kids at the splash park by our house. Troy and Kenny probably had the most fun...the goof balls. I sat under the beach umbrella with Haley and just enjoyed watching everyone have fun! After this, we went home, napped, and then went to my parents house for a BBQ and fireworks. The kids had a blast! By 10:00 Troy was dying to get home. He had to be up by 5am to go to work. Jake and Kristin wanted to stay the night at my parents, and I guess they didn't want the night to be over, so they stayed up until midnight watching a movie. It was definately a good day! I love the fourth of July. I am grateful to the US Troops we have that couldn't be on American soil to celebrate the fourth. As we were watching fireworks, I was thinking how appreciative I was the the noise of the fireworks all around, was just that, fireworks. In other parts of the world, you don't race to see the fireworks, you duck and cover. I am so thankful for the country we live in! God Bless America!

Formula...

Okay, I just bought 28 cans of formula on ebay for $539.00. A mere $19.25 a can. Ouch! Haley goes through about 2 cans a week! So, I'm hoping that it will last close to her turning one! For all of you mothers who can nurse...do it! Don't take it for granted! I would give anything to be able to nurse now. Happy 4th of July!

Last Day of School

Kyle's last day of first grade was on Friday. We picked him up at 12:30 and came home and had an indoor picnic. Kyle and Kristin had ham sandwiches, and Jake had chicken nuggets. Haley had a bottle. They watched Sesame Street and then took a nap to get ready for swimming lessons. It was their last lesson in the 3 week session they were signed up for. They are signed up again for another 3 week session in August.

Kyle and Daxton thought it was great to spit water between turns. Kyle did so good! He is definately a swimmer!

Jake learned to swim! It's so great! No worries about him anymore! Kristin on the other hand...After their hour lesson, they all got to jump off the diving board. Everytime, we told Kristin if she did it by herself, we would buy her a snowcone. Well, this is how she did it, everytime...

I'm hoping she'll get better by the time the next session we've signed up for starts. So, on the last day of the session, they let the kids race each other. Well, I wasn't aware that my kids were such good and fast swimmers! Kyle and Jake did awesome! I think (though I won't tell Kyle) that Jake just might be able to swim faster than Kyle. So, it turns out my kids have the Korth Competitiveness in them. After swimming lessons, I told Kyle he could have a few friends over for an "end of the school year" party. He just invited Daxton and Daniel. They were going to watch a movie, but challenged Troy and I to a game of Kick Ball in our backyard (that has been a nightly occurence this summer). So, we played kick ball, them against us. I'll let you guess who won. (As I said earlier, there is this Korth Competitiveness gene...so don't think for one minute Troy was easy on the 3 boys - or me as his teammate either). After the boys left, we made popcorn and let Kyle, Jake, and Kristin watch a movie. I can't imagine life without microwave popcorn...

I am excited for our summer! No ballet, no swimming, nothing! YEA! And, to start it off, is the 4th of July...I think it's right up there, with one of my favorite holidays, especially being in Utah, where it is more patriotic (okay, not as much as Wash. DC) but compared to Bakersfield, CA, and Oregon! We have a tradition we've done here, so I'm excited! I'm sure you'll all see pics later in the week! Have a good 4th!

St. George

We have been planning a St. George trip for awhile now. When we were single (my use of the word "single" just means after we were married, but before we had kids) we used to go to St. George all the time with Kenny and Cherice (when they too, were single). We would go on hikes, swim, and go see a play at Tuacahn. So, since we've moved back to Utah, we having been planning on going. First things first, find babysitters for the kids so we could go see a play. So, we brought our two nieces with us, Chelsie and Courtnie. We invited Donnarae down for the fun too. On our way down, I wanted to stop at a place we had gone to over Spring Break when I went to Snow College. It is a place called Red Cliffs. It is a campground, and day use park. There is an awesome hike through red cliffs. From what I remembered from 11 years ago, was that there is a stream/river that flows through the canyon. We used the rocks as a slide, and we also jumped off a cliff into a deep pool of water. Well, dumb me, didn't realize that in June there is no water. So, we went on a really hot hike, realized there was no water, and turned around. I was really sad, cause the kids would have LOVED the water. Here is a picture of all who went. When we realized there was no water, and decided we should turn around I made everyone get together for a group shot. Thank heavens for timers! We soon headed off to our hotel. YEP! A HOTEL! YEA! As soon as we got there, we got into our swimsuits, and headed for the pool. They had an indoor and an outdoor pool. Which was nice, cause then we didn't need to worry about sunscreen. That night the adults went to Tuacahn and watched Cinderella. It was fun. My dad works in St. George, and stayed at the same hotel as we did, so early the next morning, Kenny, Troy, and my dad went golfing. When they got back, we went swimming again, then went to Nielsen's Custard Shop, and then headed home. It was a quick trip (cheaper that way) and was definately fun to get away for a day! To all of you who are still "SINGLE" live it up! Go and do LOTS and LOTS of things! You'll NEVER be "single" again! We had a good time, and the kids did too! Next time, we'll go back in the spring, so we can play in the stream at Red Cliffs!

Bear Lake

We went up to Bear Lake on Saturday, to play with Doug's (Troy's Dad) new watercraft. Pretty much all of Troy's family went up, and we had a great time. I will admit, I was a bit grouchy. Kristin had been up on Friday night until 2:30 coughing, and having a rough time, and I was up with her. Then, we woke up at 4:00 a.m. to leave for Bear Lake. So, I will admit, I was a bit grouchy.

I did have a good time though. I held Haley pretty much all day. I NEVER get to do that! Now that she has a bottle, it's very rare when I get a chance to hold her while she's eating. Haley snuggled me most of the day, she never does that! I loved it! She's definately a Momma's girl.

The boys and Kristin loved playing with their cousins, and playing in the sand. Troy took the boys out on the waverunners, and they were sissy's. They got less "sissyish" as the day went on. I'm sure they'll get used to them. I made Troy take me out on one. Since having kids, I'm not the thrill seeker I used to be for some reason. I used to love playing on waverunners, trying to throw myself off...I did love going out on one with Troy though...I don't think he likes it much, but I did.

Most of Troy's family was camping on the Property that a few members of Troy's family owns. Troy's parents have a Fifth Wheel and his sister and her family have a motor home. Others camped in tents. Most of you know, I despise camping...Oh, I can do it, and I will and I have, but it's not my favorite - SO FAR FROM MY FAVORITE THING! A few reasons why: I think all the stuff you think you need, and buy, costs just as much as staying in a hotel, wierd bathrooms, no shower, wierd bathrooms, dirt, stickers, did I mention wierd bathrooms? Since we haven't lived in Utah, by family, we haven't really gone camping much. We have a tent, but the last time we used it, I was pregnant with Jake. Trying to deal with a baby in the dirt, needing warm water, trying to keep sunscreen on, is a bit of a headache. I'll stop complaining now. I don't think I need excuses not to camp, I can do it, it's just that I don't WANT to do it. But, there are sacrifices you make for your kids, and I think this is one of them. On Saturday night, Troy's parents said we could stay in the living room of their fifth wheel. We were planning on driving home, but it was nice sleeping there, making the day last a bit longer. As we were sitting around the campfire, roasting marshmallows, I spied with my little eye a perfect picture spot! So, I made Doug and Lee Ann pose. Here it is! I love this picture...

Lazy Saturday...

Many of you know that Troy works on Saturdays. It's one of my most boring days...mostly, because other people are doing family things, so we usually just stay home. I have been needing to go to the grocery store, but dreading it, because who in their right mind wants to take 4 kids to the grocery store on a Saturday????????? Not me. Anyways, my dad surprised us Saturday morning, and said he was taking his dogs on a walk. Naturally, Jake and Kyle wanted to go. So, he took them to Copperton to walk the dogs. That put me with 2 kids at the grocery store! WAHOO! So, I found a waterballoon launcher and water balloons at the grocery store, and I stopped at Target for a little kiddie pool. We got home and set it up. Cherice brought Daxton and Kinlee over. The kids LOVED the pool. It was 100 degrees outside, and I thought the water was freezing, but they didn't seem to mind! (Oh, Jake has face paint on, leftover from the ballet bbq - if you're wondering why his face looks funny)

Oh, funny story, Cherice and I were trying to show the boys how the water balloon launcher worked. Cherice and I each had a hold of the handles, and the boys were pulling back the rubber band. Well, they ended up launching a water balloon into 2 backyards over, landing on their deck. Cherice and I dropped the launcher and thought about running in the house...just like we would have done if we were 10...we told the kids that they probably shouldn't aim in that direction, and let them do it on their own...

I love the backyard! It would be the greatest if we could get that cement and fence done...all in time...Anyways, Haley loves being outside too! Here she is on a beach towel! Oh, I took her to the Dr. on Wednesday. She weighs 12 lbs 3 oz! YEA!!!!!!!!!! She broke the 12 lb mark! Maybe her 3-6 month clothes will start fitting now! I bought her size 2 diapers today, hopefully they won't be too big!

When Troy got home, we decided to go to the Herriman Rodeo. I know, I am not a "rodeo" person, but it was a lot of fun. The kids had a blast! Troy's dad used to ride bulls, so it was fun to show the kids something that their grandpa had done. As I was there, I kept thinking what a different world rodeo people lived in, than I live in. I guess that's one of the beauties of America...we all do what makes us happy, or at least we all should! We're off to Bear Lake in the morning, to help "break in" Doug's(Troy's dad) waverunner's that he just bought. It should be a fun day! The rest of Troy's family is camping...but we're just going up for the day. I don't know how camping is going to be with Haley. I imagine it's going to be horrible...just wondering how I'm going to make her a warm bottle in the middle of the night, while she's screaming for one...oh well, a few more weeks until I have to have it figured out. In a few weeks, we are going back up to Bear Lake for a family reunion...we'll see how it goes! Any suggestions?

The Dance Recital

Kristin had her first ballet recital on Friday. She was a cat. She did so good. She got stuck behind a girl, and it was really hard to see her, but she did great. After her dance, we let her come in the audience and watch the other girls. She loved it. She kept telling me she needed to get back on stage and keep dancing! I really love the place she goes. It's called Wasatch Arts Center. Kristin's recital lasted 45 minutes! GREAT! It was a Pre-K and Kindergarten recital. It was nice, so you didn't have to sit through a ton of other dances! They had the other recitals on other nights. I think they split it up into 3 different recitals. I also like it because they want the girls to be modest. I understand that once the girls get older, traditional ballet costumes are a little less modest, but who wants their 3 year old running around looking like a 2-bit hooker in a ton of make-up and immodest clothing? NOT ME! Also, it's not competition dance. They only have 1 recital a year! And, the cost for the costume is $25.00. My reason for putting Kristin in ballet, is not so that she will be a professional dancer, but so that she can have fun, get excercise, and think she's a princess. So far, it's been all I've wanted!

For her actual recital, her hair was in a cute little bun, but I did her hair for ballet pictures like this, because her hair doesn't go very good in an actual pony tail...I don't know why, but it's bumpy on top!

Everyone came to watch Kristin dance! Papa and Grammy, Grandma and Grandpa, even Grandma Great, and Aunt LeAnne! Lucky little girl...

Another Haley update...

So, I received the "official" denial letter from the insurance company. They won't pay for her formula because "it is not being administered through a feeding tube". SO DUMB! Troy wants to appeal it. I don't know what the point is, but he can try, if he likes...I don't have time to deal with it.

I decided to take Haley to an allergist. I haven't started feeding her normal food, and so before I did, I thought it might be a good idea. So, we went today. My insurance wouldn't cover it, and I had to pay $167 out of pocket. It turns out, she's not allergic to anything! NOPE, not even milk...hmmm...the doc said that just because she isn't allergic to it, doesn't mean she's not intolerant of it...wierd...so, back to nowhere, I guess...The allergy test was sad. I had to hold her so that they could poke these things in her back. So, she was crying, and kept looking up at me, I'm sure wondering why on earth I would let someone do that to her. It was so sad...She came home, and fell asleep. Kristin must have snuck in her room, because when I went to check on her, I found these stuffed animals...sweet girl...

Notice Haley's thigh...it's getting chubby...

As for the rest of the kids, Kyle has a few weeks left of school. Jake is going on a field trip to Thanksgiving Point farm tomorrow. Kristin starts preschool July 25th. She's so excited...I can't believe she's that old! All the kids are in swimming lessons now. It's great, because they all go at the same time, but are in the level appropriate classes. I'll have to take a picture on Friday. The boys are doing so great! Kristin will hopefully get there...

Denied...

The insurance company is refusing to pay for Haley's formula. Insurance companies are evil, I believe...loopholes...the doctors and nurses who reviewed her case, didn't think her formula was necessary. FUNNY, she would die without it...seems kinda necessary to me. Here's a picture of her at the beach...she's definately worth more than all the money we're going to be putting out for the formula...

Our Trip...

It is our last night at the beach house. Not so much a beach house, but a house on the cliffs overlooking the beach...It's been nice though. Everyone is asleep, and we are getting ready to leave in the morning. The girls (Haley and Kristin) and I are driving with my mom to Tulare, CA and she is doing a presentation for one of the schools there on Tuesday. Tuesday night, we are headed through Bakersfield on our way home. I am hoping I can drive all night, so we can be home late on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. I am anxious to be home, and get all my work done that has been piling up since I've been gone. Plus, the backyard is ready and waiting for the kids to play! AND, Erin is coming to visit on Friday! WAHOO! I find out in the morning if insurance is going to pay for Haley's formula...keep your fingers crossed...Anyways, back to our trip...

Disneyland was so much fun! (We ran into some people we had known from Oregon, Matt and Shannon Phair. It was fun to see how old their kids were. They moved from Oregon 3.5 years ago.) Kyle was tall enough to go on all of the rides. And he did. He didn't like Splash Mountain the first time, due to the fact that he got A LITTLE wet. And, he wouldn't look at me after Tower of Terror. He liked the rest. All the kids (except Haley) got to go on Matterhorn. Kristin covered her eyes the whole time, cause she was scared of the monsters, but she liked the ride. The favorite was Buzz Lightyear. Seriously, over 3 days, we went on it at least 20 times. It was one of the rides the WHOLE family could go on, and Troy and I kept trying to increase our points. For those of you who don't know, on the Buzz Lightyear ride, you are given a laser gun, and the whole ride has targets through it, and triangles are worth the most points, and if a target is lit up, it is worth more points. My highest was 110,000 points (I was an L-3 ranger - for those of you who understand Buzz Lightyear lingo) Troy's highest (I think) was 245,000. I think he lied. ;) Here's a picture that shows the cars and the guns...

The kids did so great! Really. Kristin had a few girl tantrum moments, but for the most part, the kids were good. It was so fun being on a family vacation, too! We did what we wanted, when we wanted, and we didn't have to worry about other people's schedules. Good times! We bought our Disneyland Trip package through Costco Travel, and got a free breakfast with the characters. Here's the kids with Minnie.

In Disneyland this year, the theme is: A Year of a Million Dreams. They were randomly giving away these necklaces that were called dream fast passes. On the tag on the necklace, they had little tabs, that were good for a fast pass at all the rides. So, basically you didn't have to wait in line at any of the rides with fast pass lanes. On our first day in Disneyland, I saw people with them, and trying Erin's positive thinking trick, I was trying to "will" myself a necklace. On our third and final day of disneyland, with no necklace so far, Troy took the kids on Matterhorn and I waited with Haley. When he got off the ride, 2 workers handed him and all 3 kids a necklace. They walked up to me, and showed them to me. SO NOT FAIR! It was me who had done all the positive thinking, and I didn't get one. It actually turned out fine, because there are very FEW rides we can all go on, and between stroller switch ride passes and fast passes, that whole day, we didn't wait in 1 line. SO NICE! We had gotten to Disneyland that morning at 8:00 and didn't leave until the park closed at 9:00pm. We managed to get on all the main rides at Disneyland and California Adventures in 1 day, with the dream fast pass. Here are the "winners" of the necklaces!

After our 3 days in Disneyland, we picked Jason up and headed to Santa Cruz for Michael's Wedding. While we were waiting to check into the Beach house, we went to the boardwalk. Since our kids wake up so early, we got there before it even opened up, and it was a little chilly. A worker there offered to take our picture.

Saturday morning, before the wedding, we headed to the beach. It was pretty chilly, but naturally, the kids didn't care. They got in the water, and played in the sand. They weren't happy when we told them it was time to go!

Here are the men before the wedding. Except for my dad, he had gotten kicked out of his bathroom, and was the last to get ready.

Here's a picture of the flower girl - Kristin. Maria's niece, Maya, was also a flower girl. She is a little younger than Kristin, and didn't understand the concept, she dumped her basket over, and there was a pile of flowers in the row, but it was so cute! Kristin did what she was told, a little slow, but she did it. Thanks for doing her hair, Katie!

Here's Mike and Maria. My batteries conveniently died immediately following the wedding, so I didn't get any good shots, but my dad did. Sorry I posted the picture of your eyes closed Maria, I just didn't have any other pictures!
The wedding was awesome. Maria looked fabulous. Mike looked as good as he could look (teasing...)The reception was a lot of fun too! Maria's family had made authentic Mexican food. There was dancing. Kyle was really irritated (to tears) that he "shakes it like a white boy". We'll have to work on dancing at home. Maria's nephews (that Kyle had been playing with all night) could really move. Congrats Mike and Maria! Love you guys! Sorry for the eternal post, but I knew if I didn't do it in one shot, it wouldn't get done!

Haley...again!

Okay, so, it turns out Haley has a really bad allergy to Milk Protein. Which is what the doctors thought in the first place, but with her diahrea (hmmm...still don't know how to spell it) she was having on the alimentum, they wanted her to try this new formula, called Neocate. So, he wanted her to try it for a week, just to see. He had this home health company call, and I asked for a sample, and the lady pretty much laughed, saying they do NOT give out samples. (The doctor couldn't even get samples right away, he had to wait for 4 weeks for them to arrive!) She said we could see if insurance could cover it, but most insurances don't. I told her I was going out of town, and asked how much a can was, just to be covered for the trip...OKAY...ARE YOU READY????????? She said each can (which makes about 12 - 6 oz bottles - so, pretty much lasts 2 days at the most) costs $60. YES! SIXTY DOLLARS! It has to be more expensive than gold - especially if we went by weight. I seriously about had a heart attack. She then told me, that she would need 10-12 cans a month. HELLO! THAT'S OVER $600 A MONTH!!!!!!!!! WHO CAN AFFORD THAT? Oh, and she has to be on it until she's 2! YES, 2 years old! That's 18 more months! So, I talked to the doctor, and he said he was going to see if he could get some from the children's hospital here. He was able to get 3 cans, but I had to pay for them, and they wouldn't even try to bill the insurance, but the hospital only (yeah...only) charged $35 a can. STILL! But, when I told Troy, he was like, Oh, $35, that's not bad. I had to remind him how absurd it was that we were excited to pay $35 for this tiny can of formula. I know, in your head, most of you are invisioning costco size cans of formula...HARDLY! Here is a picture of Haley with her new formula. I am posting the one of her crying, cause that's how I feel about it all. The can of formula kind of looks big in this picture, so you have to remember how tiny Haley is (she just hit the 11 lb mark! WAHOO!) So, after being on the formula for 24 hours, she doesn't have loose stools (much easier to spell) anymore. So, the doctor is going to try to work with the home health company and see if insurance will pick up any of the bill. Keep your fingers crossed...otherwise, anyone in the market for scrapbook supplies? :)

Anyways, we're off to Disneyland in 4 hours, (leaving bright and early but not going to Disneyland until Mon-Wed) then up to Mike's wedding in Monterey! Can't wait to be on vacation! We better enjoy it, cause chances are, it's the last vacation we're going to be going on for the next 18 months!