Our Baptism Boy

Kaleb was really ready to be baptized and was so grateful to be surrounded by family that day. We started off the morning with Kaleb's soccer game.  Grandpa Murdock, Aunt Barbara, Aunt Aly, Uncle Scott, Dex & Grandma & Grandpa Stock were all there cheering him on.  

He made a couple of goals and had a great game! Then we went our separate ways for lunch, relaxed and got ready.  

We arrived at the Stake Center early so we could take pictures of Kaleb in his suit and dressed in white.  When we got there, we found out there'd been a change in plans, and he was now having his own baptism. Bishop Williams offered to give an impromptu talk & Aunt Barbara said one of the prayers, so the program was just fine. We were so fortunate to have a room FULL of family: everyone above, our little family of course, Aunt Judy, Uncle Rog, Randy, Ayden, Jenny, Tim, TJ, Britt, Taylor, Lily, Kenzie, Great Grandma Rosie & Great Grandpa Jarvis, Alexander, his wife & kids, and a few members from our ward.  

Grandpa Murdock gave the opening prayer, and I led the music. Then Papa Stock gave a very personal talk on baptism to Kaleb. He also wrote it down and gave it to him the next day as a keepsake, which was so special. The kids & cousins sang I Know When I Am Baptized. 

Kaleb was all in white, and knew all the words. It was really special. Ruby did, too. :)  Then Ben baptized Kaleb, while the grandpas were the official witnesses, and the rest of us, too. Warm, fuzzy feelings all around. While he and Ben changed, we each wrote little notes to Kaleb about baptism & Grandma Rosie played prelude. Then when they came back, Bishop Williams gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. He talked about how Kaleb was ready for his interview and what a fine young man he is. Then Kaleb was encircled by the men in our family that were there holding priesthood. Ben gave him the gift of the Holy Ghost and in his blessing talked about how he'd need to be courageous in choosing the right. We all sang I Am a Child of God and Aunt Barbara got a little emotional saying the closing prayer. I think it all hit us at once, what an important step he had taken. 

Afterward we went to our home for 8 feet of sandwich, veggies, fruit, & brownies.  There was lots of visiting and good feelings all around.  

Kaleb received many gifts and well wishes from family near and far. Grandpa Murdock wrote him a special poem and read it aloud.  It was a very momentous day for our family and we're so happy Kaleb was our firstborn son. He really is setting such a fine example for Dylan and Ruby. We love him so!

Disneyland, Day 2

We learned Friday is a LOT busier than Thursday, but still had fun. We met some of Ruby's favorite princesses: Rapunzel, Cinderella & Ariel. We went through Mainstreet, USA and the boys bought some magic trick books. I talked the kids into getting silhouettes done by an artist that's worked there for years, my special souvenir. She just looked at the kids and cut their outline out (without a pencil or anything) in less than 5 minutes. It was impressive. We kept a copy and gave one to each of the grandmas for Mother's Day.


Then we headed to Fantasyland & took Ruby's picture in front of the castle. She has a thing for castles! The boys tried to pull out the sword from the Sword in the Stone tale & then we rode King Arthur's Carousel. The kids & I went on a creepy Pinocchio ride while Ben waited in line for Rapunzel. We swapped out and the boys went off while Ruby & I met her favorite princess. She kept hugging her, it was so cute!  Then we all went to Pirates of the Caribbean & decided to head back to the hotel for a break.  It was really hot & crowded mid-day!  On the way back, our limo sit-n-stand had a blowout (we did have all 3 kids on board). Luckily we weren't too far from our hotel, so Ben went and got the truck & I waited with the kids.


After a little nap & nice, cool A/C break, we went back for round 2.  We spent a lot of time in Tomorrowland & loved the Buzz Light Year rides.  There was a cool rocket ride that went pretty high, and then another cool one that was like you're in a video game...you shoot the aliens as you ride through.  The boys went on the Star Tours while Ruby & I rocked out to a live band & got dinner.  After that we split up again so Ruby & I could do the Teacups & flying Dumbo ride & the boys did some other car rides & parade.  We tried to get back together for the parade & fireworks, but they block off sections & we had a hard time meeting up.  So Ruby & I watched the fireworks show by It's a Small World. I'm not sure how we made it back to the hotel that night, we were all so exhausted, but somehow we met up, let the kids pick out a stuffed animal & got back okay.

If we were to do it again, we'd just do one day of Disney, or plan a laid back day at the beach in- between.

Wordless Wednesday

Disney or BUST!

Earlier this year, Kaleb started asking about Disneyland and we decided it was finally time. We wanted the kids to be tall enough to ride lots of rides, remember it, and appreciate it as something special. Ruby is also really into princesses, castles, and wanted to capture the magic of it all while she still believes.  They're only young once, right? :)

We stayed super close by at the Candy Cane Inn & since it was Kaleb's birthday trip, we let him choose the park. He chose California Adventure & we were off! 
We had lots of tips from friends, got there first thing in the morning, decked the kids out in first timer & birthday buttons & were on our way. Ben & D went for fast passes to Carsland while Ruby, K & I met up with Goofy, then went to Disney Jr. Live.We saw Sophia, Jake & the Neverland Pirates & the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse gang perform. I was sad D wasn't there because he loves Jake! Then we met up at Bugs Life & Ruby was super scared by the spiders & other creepy crawlies during the show. It's 3D & they spray water at you, and other unexpected things.
After we calmed her down, we headed to the Bugs Life rides. We did the bug bumper cars several times, rode a train, and did a high flying one, too.

After that we made our way to CARSLAND!

It was JUST like the movie.

D, Ruby & Ben went to meet Mater.

 K and I watched that movie so many times when he was little, it was pretty great being there with him. We did some gift shopping, and ended up doing single rider to the front for the best ride ever! You ride in a car with a few people then it takes you on a mini roller coaster & movie reinactment. I couldn't believe K was old enough to ride by himself & that I trusted him enough to wait for me after. Later that day we came back and Dylan, Ben & Kaleb rode it together while Ruby & I had drinks at Flo's V8 Cafe. We also got to rock out with DJ (got K on video dancing like a crazy man), and ride on Luigi's Flying Tires.

That night K and I went back &  it was all lit up like the Life Would Be a Dream scene in the movie & we were able to ride it at night together. It was awesome!

Dylan loved the Mickey Mouse Flying Gondola HUGE ferris wheel . We had to get the rocking one.  I love how Ruby is holding on for dear life!

The boys & I really loved the flying swings!

K loved Carsland & the Rapid River rides best. We got cmpletely soaked at the Rapid River ride & the boys had SO much fun! 

Ruby loved the Red Rockets best. We had to ride that one 3 times in a row.
Ben also went on California Dreamin with the boys and we all went on the Little Mermaid ride & carousel for Ruby. Of course the kids had to have their faces painted, We saw a parade & finished the night with The World of Color show. We were all SO tired, but in the best way after such a fun day!