Making Memories California Style

 In December, it will have been three years since we experienced Disney World.  When we left that blessed place, Dave promised me that we could do another Disney vacation in three years time.  Well, you better believe I held him to that vow.  Last week we headed to sunny California and it was quite magical.

 We stayed at the Marriott Resort in Newport for a couple of nights and those were some fancy digs.  The kids were in heaven

playing table tennis, life size chess (well, moving the pieces around, they don't know how to play).

They strategized for the win while I did some zumba with the other guests on the pool patio.  

After some exploring and relaxing in the kids club, we spent the afternoon at the beach.  

The kids were blissfully happy.  If I could show a picture of pure joy, it would be photos of them frolicking in the water.  Even Harrison kept running to to the tide.  He loved the beach so much, he tried to eat all the sand.  

The rest of us opted for other snacks, like granola bars, popcorn, etc.  The popcorn bag spilled all over and I kid you not, the entire flock of Newport seagulls surrounded our blankets.  The kids were trying to run them off, but those were some beastly birds taking claim to the beach and those kernels.  I put on a brave face and didn't run screaming down the beach as I did as a child, but I wanted to.  We went back to the hotel, swam in the pools there, grabbed a bite to eat and prepared for our Disney delights ahead!  I knew the vacation was off to a good start when Brenna was hanging out the van window (yes, Dave rented a minivan) and yelled "I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS TRIP!!"

I was so looking forward to Disneyland at Halloween and it did not disappoint.  I am not the best photographer, so I didn't capture the decor but it was fabulous.  There were lots and lots of people, but we did everything we wanted and waited no longer than 25 min on any ride.  So, Harrison did pretty well chillin with the people in his Mickey tee.  

The first day brought awe to each of us.  Katelee is our most bubbly and expressive child.  She showed her enthusiasm and giggled all day. She is a thrill seeker and loved everything we did and saw.  Brenna opened her map and dropped her jaw.  She said, "MOM-they have bathrooms here!!"

Dave does not do spinning rides, so that cuts out the tea cups, splash mountain and others, but that didn't stop the rest of us.  That skeleton dude they put in Space Mountain is seriously disturbing, though!  Brenna said she was 'almost scared ' of that ride!

And, because Dave isn't as much of a ride/Disney fanatic (some may say freak), he happily sits out with the baby so I can go enjoy.  Each Disney vaca we have had (this is #3) I appreciate this, because I honestly can't get enough.  This is apparent in every ride pic that is taken.  I have the same open mouth 'wahoo' being exclaimed!

While they didn't do the fast rides, Dave and Harrison did go on quite a few.  Peter Pan was a hit, Buzz Lightyear is always exciting, and how could we forget, 'It's a Small World?'  Harrison was literally in awe...

The weather was sunny and felt kind of hot, but we weren't complaining.  It had been 99 the week before we got there.  

The next day we went to California Adventure.  Grandma and Grandpa and Shannon flew in to meet us for the day.  It was great having them with us.  Some highlights were: Tower of Terror (Brenna's favorite), going to Cars Land, riding the swinging Ferris Wheel, where Shannon couldn't open her eyes and I kept yelling to Grant, "Don't drop my baby, don't let my baby drop!"  as Harry sat on his lap and our car rocked like a pendulum.  Good times.  

California Screaming was a hit with all those tall enough to ride...sorry Brenna...There is so much awesomeness going on in this picture, I can't even point it all out, but take a good look at each person here...

World of Color was absolutely incredible and the parade was fun as can be watching the girls dance and the baby pop bubbles

We LOVED our experience at Turtle Talk (he he, Grant trying to describe a bikini top,) and seeing Harrison squeal in delight in the Disney Junior puppet show made the whole trip worth it!

California Adventure is a BLAST!

We said goodbye to the grandparents but Shannon stayed one more day and met us for breakfast the next morning at Ariel's Grotto.  It was Friday and we knew the park would be more crowded, so it was perfect to meet some of our favorite characters then.  

Wahoo!  It's Aurora

and Snow White

Cinderella and Ariel were there too, but Harrison tried to feel up Belle

it caught her attention, of course!

But, the baby's favorite character of the day was Minnie. Here he is laughing and running to her.  

But, then she had to keep her creepy head away from him!  Ha!  

 The wonderful Shannon got our tickets for the girls to see Anna and Elsa.  There was some finagling, but it was all worth it!  Brenna had been internalizing all her excitement most of the time, but when she knew she was about to meet Elsa, all the hyper came to a head!  She was on a high.  It was awesome!

 Anna and Elsa loved having sisters dressed like them.  They twirled and hugged and bonded, for sure!

Notice Grant is missing in each of the character photos.  Somehow he seemed to disappear whenever a princess photo op happened!

We had dinner at the Blue Bayou and stayed for Mickey's Halloween party.  But, much to my dismay, the kids were tuckered out and couldn't be dragged around past 10:30.  They made it for the fireworks (which rocked) and the parade, so I tried not to be too mad at them!

So, our much anticipated trip was all we ever wanted and MORE!  Dave even had a great time! He really did, he said so.   Although, when we were leaving and a Disney soundtrack was playing where the shuttles pick up he just couldn't take it anymore and asked us, "When does the music stop?!"  And Shannon quickly explained, "It doesn't."

The music and magic of Disney never stops!  That's why we (ok, I) love it!  It was a fantastic trip, we just wish it was longer.  There were tears coming home and a countdown has begun to the next time we can put the words Disney and vacation together again!

How to Devour a Birthday Cake



Our favorite little guy had a big birthday a couple weeks ago!  Harrison is now 1!! 

In true McArthur fashion, he dug into his personal cake with no reservations. 

We take our treats here very seriously.  There was no screams of disgust or delight, just all business for this boy.

But, he did pause to share a taste with the other brotha in the house!

It was a birthday to remember, for us, that is.  I don't know that he will recall a thing! 

But, we sang and opened presents (very minimal) and reflected on the bright light this kid is in our our lives. 

He has filled our home with joy and so much love.  Having "older" kids with a baby is so special because their lives are changed for the good when a new little one comes a long.  (As opposed to when the elder sibling is jealous and tries to do away with the new babe-flashback to 2007 when baby Katelee entered the scene).  Don't get me wrong, we all made adjustments over the course of the last 12 months, but he has filled a spot in our hearts we didn't know was vacant.  And, while we (ok, just me) got teary thinking of the day he was placed in my arms he just stared, oblivous to my emotions and spread cream cheese frosting across his belly. 

 

 We have loved this year with him and are excited to see him grow with all the fun milestones coming up.  Harrison has his top two teeth breaking...which was like my secret dream come true.  I get so sad when little babies loose their gummy smiles.  So, for him to make it a whole year toothless has been fabulous!  He sleeps all night, is done to one nap and a cat nap whenever we run errands in the morning.  He jabbers and says a few words and is the cutest waddler on the planet!

Other news on the homefront... Brenna started her second year of preschool:

 

 She continues to be a spit fire.  She continues to run away from church, workout classes, friends houses, etc.  She doesn't wander the neighborhood so much, so I don't get too frantic, but I still get upset at her.  She yesterday told me in a non-chalant fashion, almost like a side note, "Oh, and you aren't a very good mom."  This is the day after she told me I was fat and that she loves butts, they are her favorite thing ever.  We are raising a princess for sure. 

And, this week, we went on a hike to Twin Lake.  The kids were stellar, minus number three on the way down.  She melted at the thought of walking anymore and ended up on Dad's shoulders while I lugged around this rascal:

We surely live in a beautiful world!

 

 

Sayonara Summer

 And its official, folks.  Summer has come to a conclusion.  I know a few months ago the season began with some trepidation and anxiety.  What were we going to do with all the time off??  Well, as it does every year, summer flew by.  We finished it with some pretty fun activities: the zoo with friends...

classic, Cowabunga Bay, a road trip to the Blue Angels air show:

 

 

Cousin Evan has been here for the summer and we have loved hanging out with him.  Dave and the older two kids have gone on two road trips with Evan and Aunt Amy.  The Blue Angels is a must see for them-they are hometown heroes of course!!  I really wish I could have gone, but after the disastrous quick trip with Harrison to St George earlier in the summer, we opted out for him and Brenna.  A week after the Blue Angels, the same crew hit up Las Vegas and Evan fulfilled his stratosphere dreams!

 

We are very fortunate to have family  who understands that our kids do not get the outdoor camping adventures they deserve...so they take them camping for us!  My sisters reserved a camp site and I wasn't about to take baby Harry, so they kept the other three.  The camp ground was close, so I went up each day.  Dave was just devastated he had to work and couldn't get dirty with them (I may or may not be laying on the sarcasm there!). 

We were sitting around the fire and a pair of Sasquatch wandered through, some of our group may have been frightened for their lives, some laughed and some just wondered who the weirdos were!  Ha!  My favorite was Angelique thinking the last of those options, til we pointed out the shoes underneath looked similar to Devin's!

We were so happy Brad and Angeliques family was in town for that week and we got to spend time with them too!!  We miss them! 

 

 

Brenna wasn't so sure about Bigfoot, good thing Grandma could protect her!

 

It has been fun having some visitors.  Last week, my dear Laci was in town, so we got all of us gals and our kiddos together (and Dave and Gavin) for pizza and frolicing.  Good times were had by all.  This is what happens after 28 years of friendship:

 

 

 

While we have been relaxing for months, one thing that has not taken a back seat is piano!  Wahoo!  These kids had an awesome recital last week. 

They all worked those fingers like you wouldn't believe...memorized songs, bravo!

 

This year has been so mild outside, of course compared to last year when I was 9 months pregnant and endured a record breaking heat wave.  We have spent lots of time tramp jumping and bike riding.  Harrison gets the hook up a lot.  He totally folded in half and was asleep in the green wagon the other day on his ride. 



But, now the all day fun at home is now put on hold.  School here we come! 

 First day of second grade for Katelee and fourth grade for Grant went so well that when asked what her least favorite part of the day was, Katelee responded with, "I hate to say this to you mom, but it was when we had to go home!"  Say what??  That was her  worst part of the day. 

This was the first year there weren't major tears on my part.  I attribute this to a few things.  1)While second and fourth grade are nothing to scoff at, they aren't milestone years.  Last year it was Katelee's first time gone all day, kindergarten before that, the previous two were Grant's first experiences.  So, I feel like we kinda have a groove going on 2)The kids were SO ready.  We had fun for sure, but we had lots of fights this summer as well 3) We were getting to school as the classes were already filing into their rooms.  I had only a brief moment to watch these two and it was more me telling them to get going than me telling them how I would miss them.  I already have missed them the last couple days, so much.  Be kind to them world!  They have my heart! 

 

Now that they are back at school, we here at home focus on important tasks,

like unrolling every toliet paper roll and eating as much of it as possible!!  Harrison is a total walker/runner now.  Amazing what a month of practice will do!!

A Midsummers Dream

And here we are, in the middle of Summer.  Actually, we started with 10 1/2 weeks of school free days and now we are down to 4.  Man, it is flying by!  We have been jam packing in the fun and I think the remaining weeks will be less exciting.  Ah well, thats a good way for the kids to be gung ho about going back to school.  The beginning of July, we went to our local pool with wonderful Shannon.  They have these awesome Aquaballs the kids would get in and try to run across the pool.  Mostly, they just fell and crawled.  Shannon is here with one had on Brenna and one hand guiding Katelee in her sphere.  

 

 I was watching Katelee and Grant try it out (and taking pictures), while chillin with this dude:

 

Yes, he does glow in the dark. 

 

Dave ended up having some 'business' in Wyoming, so he stopped at a firework shop up North and he and our neighbor put on quite the show. 

 

 

I was totally ready to run if I heard sirens.  Dave was on his own...maybe even the kids too! 

 

We had a bit of a let down in our fourth of July firework show because the park is being renovated.  We got a bogus tip on where to watch the display at the temporary location.  We Petricks aren't messing around with our love of pyrotechnics.  Here's to next year... but, we did have a great neighborhood pancake breakfast,  make an attempt at a star braid,

wear festive apparel

 

 

and eat patriotic food!

 

 

We had the demolition derby the next day and got our hillbilly on as we cheered on crashing cars! 

Dave had some work in St George, so I though it would be a great idea for us to go down and stay in the hotel with him, swim, go to the children's museum down there and have a mini getaway.  Turns out it was a terrible idea to Harrison.  He cried the entire way there and back (minus 15-20 min naps) and he now despises his carseat.  No good.  But, the non baby McArthur children had a royal time...



I got some awesome video of Katelee and Brenna performing Frozen songs for random strangers, they brought the house down! 

 

Later that week, Dave took Grant, Katelee and Brenna to Phoenix to visit Uncle Brian and Uncle Brent, Aunt Kimber, Max and Karly.  They spent two days on Brian's boat and playing with cousins. 

 

 Grant and Katelee both got up for a bit on the surf board and I was told Brenna has no fear in the water just like the other two!   No surprise there...

 The kids were in heaven with their awesome cousins.  Here are the soul sistas...

 and the infamous Max

 

They can't wait til we get to visit with them again. 

 

I enjoyed some one on one time with baby boy and loved having an empty sink.  Is it me or are there never ending dishes!!  I watched Shakespeare and ate artichoke pizza, you know, important things no one else would want to do around here.  Brenna came back with a new song she made up a few days later..."I love everyone in the world except you."  I almost choked on my water and I had to clarify.  So, I replied, "Brenna, do you mean you love everyone in the world ESPECIALLY me?"  She thought for a minute and sang again, but with a twist.  "I love everyone in the world BUT you."  Guess she really knew what she meant.  I would be offended, but practically the next day she told me  that she loves me so much and I am the best mom she has 'ever seen.'  She then said she was gonna keep me forever...awwww...it may or may not  have been because I just bought chocolate milk, but I will take it!

 

She is one for the dramatic pause, though.  We asked her to say the prayer over dinner and we all bowed our heads, closed our eyes and waited.  I peeked over at her after awhile and she smiled as she said, "Oh, did you want me to say that out loud?!" She is a tricky one. 

 

We started this week out with the float preview for the upcoming pioneer day celebration.  We are SO happy Devin and his family are in town!  The kids had some awesome face painting designs that day. 

 

And, Mr (you are a Wizard) Harry is 11 months today!!  He is super grumpy the last couple weeks...I think he is growing some teeth and doesn't enjoy that.  He loves to wave bye bye and has started taking steps.  He is a momma's boy and wants me to hold him all the day long, and most days I don't mind!  Love this little boy!