Disneyland 2010

I have some major blog catching up to do! I think I'll start back up at the beginning of the month when we spent a great two days at Disneyland and California Adventure. I am a firm believer that Disneyland is magic. No really. Magic. I grew up in California and I have NEVER seen it rain there. I think there is an invisible bubble around it. It truly is the happiest place on Earth. And nothing is better than watching your children experience that magic first hand. It was a perfect trip! It all started last February...

Austin and I volunteered to play softball with families who were less fortunate and who were trying to get back on their feet in Phoenix on Valentine's Day. They were families who were living in small apartments maintained by the Salvation Army and it hardly seemed like service spending two hours with such fun people playing a sport we both love! Austin pitched and I played outfield and we had so much fun playing with these sweet humble families.

In return, we received two free passes to Disneyland and held onto them tight for this special up coming trip. My parents treated us as a combined birthday and Christmas present for our family. We stayed at a beautiful place in Carlsbad and spent day one at California Adventure and then one of my sisters family joined us for day two at Disneyland.

Here are just some of the highlights and fun!

Dax LOVED Soarin' Over California and Wyatt was too small. While Dax rode the ride four times, Wyatt didn't mind waiting around in Radiator Springs and making pals with Goofy.

How perfect to sit on Santa's lap at Disneyland! The boys got to tell him what they wanted, a Bat Cave and a Criss Cross Crash Hot Wheels Race Track (more to come on that), and I got to avoid the hundreds of people and the madness at the mall. Plus, I thought he was the best looking Santa I had seen in forever!

This picture cracks me up. What the heck does he think he's gonna find?!

Thankfully my mom and I had my dad and Austin to take the boys on all the crazy, crashin', spinnin', make us puke kinda rides in a Bugs Land. They had a ball!!
We started the morning off at Disneyland with the famous character breakfast. It's a buffet style breakfast with Minnie and 15 of her closets friends and it was FUN! I have no idea where Wyatt was. Oh! Probably stuffing his face with one of three plates of scrambled eggs he made Austin get him!! My mom found a old friend, Eeyore. Years and years ago when I was eight our family went on a 4-day Walt Disney cruise to the Bahamas and we have this classic picture of my mom with Eeyore during the last night of fancy dinners on the ship. When we saw Eeyore was eating breakfast with us we had to recreate this picture. Even all these years later my mom still looks the same! One of my favorite pictures from the trip! So cute!

Another one of my highlights of the trip. It was one of those rare, tender moments when I could actually see the brotherly love between these two funny boys. Dax was being such a great big brother and lovingly introduced Wyatt to one of his heroes, Aladdin. He was a great Aladdin and was so sweet with the boys. I think it was one of their highlights too!

We could not have asked for a better trip or more fun! I love Disneyland at Christmas time and it was a great time spent with loved ones! Thanks again Mom and Dad! We love you!!

Gilbert Arizona Temple Groundbreaking

I wish I could put into words what a wonderful experience we had yesterday at the site of the future Gilbert Arizona temple. We drive by this spot (less than 5 miles from our home) weekly. It's en route to Costco, the mall, the freeway, JoAnn's, Old Navy, In-n-Out....basically all our favorite places. The boys know the massive field of dirt as "the temple" and look for the big trucks and construction workers each time we pass. As we walked onto the site yesterday it had been transformed with 5,000 chairs, a stage with a beautiful choir, a cute old man playing the organ under a rainbow colored umbrella, lawn chairs and blankets and thousands and thousands of people. I was simply overcome with the spirit. At one point I bent down next to the boys who were happily playing in the dirt and explained to them that on the exact dirt we were standing and playing, there was going to be built a house of the Lord. I hope they know how truly special that is. Throughout the services as the speakers spoke at various moments Wyatt would look up with excitement in his eyes and repeat words he had heard over the speakers. "Temple!" he'd exclaim. "Book of Mormon!" "Faith!" "President Monson!" Each time he would grow more and more excited. I was so touched that he could feel the Spirit and was recognizing the words being said. He was so adequately expressing the joy I was feeling listening to the speakers and wonderful authorities who were there to preside at the meeting. As we were packing up to leave I could tell he was thinking about something. He looked around at all the people in the field of dirt and then at me and asked, "we build a temple?" I had to chuckle. "No" I said, and explained that we didn't build a temple right then, but they were going to start. That fills my heart with so much happiness. I am so grateful we have this rare opportunity to see that field of dirt transpire into a sacred holy temple.

I love how the umbrella is duct taped to the side of the bench. I think it was a little warmer then expected!

Multi-Stake Choir

There were at least 30 "gold" shovels each with a picture of the Gilbert Temple on the shovel and each was engraved on the handle that read "Gilbert Arizona Groundbreaking November 13, 2010"

Elder Claudio R. M. Costa, Presidency of the Seventy and his wife Margareth

My sisters, Nicole and Jennifer

Gilbert Arizona Temple

3rd Annual

Earlier this week we had our 3rd Annual MacGillivray Night of Frights and Spooky Delights. Every year I create a spooky dinner for our family and it is really becoming one of our most anticipated traditions of the year. I can't truly express what traditions mean to me. I love them. Love. Them. I love family ones that have been around for years and decades, passed from one generation to the next, and I love the ones that are special to just my little family, like our Halloween dinner. No matter how silly or ridiculous it is (and this year it was), I think family traditions are what life is truly about. It doesn't matter that you are eating a completely hideous dinner (just you wait), it's having those moments when you are with your loved ones, having fun, and making memories that will last a lifetime. To me, nothing is better.

So this year, I think things were a tad bit spookier. I had so much fun looking for ideas and found a great combo of things the boys love to eat that I was certain they would get a kick out of. That totally backfired. Dax wouldn't even touch his dinner. Would not touch it. He just stared at it. We couldn't stop laughing when at 8:00 Wyatt was fast asleep with a full belly and we were microwaving Dax a quesadilla. Maybe I need to tone it down a little next year....NAH! It's too much fun!

Centerpiece: This one was so easy and the spookiness was priceless. It's nothing more than a head of cauliflower in a jar with some colored water. Can you tell what it is? Yup, "brains". So creepy.

Spooktacular Graveyard Dip: While I made a seven-layer dip, Austin helped the boys color these hilarious tombstones that he was so clever to name. Just stuck them in the dip and made ourselves a little graveyard. Wyatt loves to dip so this was right up his alley. Monster Toes: I LOVED the way these little guys turned out and they were seriously delicious despite really looking like toes! First cut a wedge in cocktail wieners. Then cut tortillas into strips and wrap around each wiener and secure with a toothpick. Throw them in the oven for 6-7 minutes and then fill the toenail with ketchup. YUM! Slimy Worm-burger: Dax seriously thought these were too gross to eat...he wouldn't even touch them. Slice hot dogs and drop them into boiling water for a few minutes and they start to curl. Dunk them in some BBQ sauce and you've got slimy worms. :) The plan was to finish the night with orange chocolate covered popcorn but we never made it to Michael's for the chocolate. We settled for pumpkin pie. Pretty much Dax had no problem eating that. Go figure!

shaggy

What do you think? Is it about time to cut this shaggy mop?

Let's Ride

Yesterday was one of those days. The kind of days where there is not one thing on the calendar. The kind of days that seem to be very few and far between lately. I sometimes find them nestled in between days full of pre-school, work, play groups, soccer practice, church meetings, appointments, and errands, but not very often.

The boys so needed one of those days.

So, after lunch I told the boys, "Let's ride". (I try to sound like a cowboy when I say it but let's be honest, it does not come out "cowboy" at all.) The boys jumped for joy, grabbed their shoes, and headed straight for the garage because they knew exactly what it meant. Besides being so busy, we have had too many unbelievable hot months to even think about going for one of our rides. Today was the day and they were pumped.

Lately, my adorable Wyatt has been a wrecking ball. One who tries my patience in every way. Who has a voice, an opinion, a scream, a tantrum, a melt down, and a need at all times. Neither boy was very terrible at two, but with Wyatt turning three right around the corner, I can see those "terrible's" and they don't look pretty. He's a little naughty. A little mean. A little antagonistic. A little boy. I keep reminding myself that it is just a phase. Some days I handle it better than others, but this day, we definitely needed a ride.

The boys lead the way. I follow behind. We played games, picked flowers, starred at clouds, stopped and explored more times that I can count, had scooter races, inspected bugs, played at the park, ate snacks, and met new friends. And the boys petaled their little hearts outs.

After 4 hours of being out and about enjoying the beautiful day, forgetting all about what was left at home, and enjoying each other (minus the sand throwing in the before mentioned new friends face) I vowed to say to them "Let's ride" more often. Because guess what? My little Wyatt wasn't quite the wrecking ball I was thinking he was. He just needed some of my attention. I was the one that needed the ride. Not them. They are as quirky and funny and loving as they have always been. I was the one who needed to stop and slow down and enjoy my sweet boys. My little buddies. My ridin' partners.

one year later.

This day has been haunting me this entire week. I knew it was coming. I knew it happened in mid-October. I knew it was close. It wasn't until I went back to my original blog post that I realized it was exactly one year ago. It is quite possibly the worst day of my life. I look at this picture and I shutter. I can remember the screams, the blood, the panic, the horror. All of it. Tears still fill my eyes when I think about it. It was dreadful. The doctor said it would be a year before we knew how things would heal. Did you know that scarring goes though phases? I didn't. Until I witnessed it first hand every day. There were times when it was raised and bright red that I would think it would never look better. I went through more sunscreen on his head this year than one could ever imagine. I know Wyatt hasn't forgotten about that day. We drive by the hospital and he always tells me that is where he went when he hurt his eye. I look the other way. It literally haunts me.

And even though I love his long-hair-look like Johnny from the Karate Kid, I have to say, I don't think it's a necessary as it once was. Although it isn't as good as having no scar at all, I think all in all it ended up okay. Like I said in my original post one year ago...."My sweet Wyatt, he's going to be just fine".

kids in a candy store.

Once upon a time their lived two little boys. Their momma asked if they would like to go to the biggest, bestest, funnest candy store in all of Arizona.

They immediately began jumping up and down and said, "Yes!" So off they went with aunts and cousins in tow for what was sure to be the best candy store trip ever.

When the two little boys arrived at their destination they were overwhelmed! They had never seen such a place in their entire life. There was so much to look at! Suckers! Jelly Beans! Gummy Bears! Chocolate! The store was filled with every candy imaginable from ceiling to floor and was without a doubt these two little boys dream come true.

After numerous trips around and around the busy store, the two little boys carefully made their selection. A mere three dollars and ninety six cents and an hour later, all were happy and content.

On the drive home one little boy ate his red sucker and 8 gummy worms. He was so happy. The other little boy clenched his Spider-man Pez container in his hand and patiently waited for the perfect moment to enjoy his much awaited candy. When they arrived home the little boy waited while his momma filled his Pez container with one package of pink Pez candy. Shortly after she filled it with one package of purple Pez candy.

When all of a sudden the last package of yellow Pez candy and the other little boy were suspiciously missing and oh so quiet. After searching and searching, the little boy who had already eaten his candy was found hiding in a corner between the dresser and the wall in his momma's room surrounded by little ity bity pieces of trash.

His momma hunched down next to the little boy and asked, "What's all this?"

The wide-eyed little boy replied shocked, "There ess some trash en yo room!" Like it was a mystery waiting to be solved.

His momma, trying suppress her laugh asked, "How did this trash get in my room?"

The little boy, again with wide innocent eyes, replied, "Maybe some body ate 'em candy alllllll gone". By golly! Who would have done that?

The little boy continued, trying to prove his innocence says, "Yook in my mouth" and opens wide. As his momma peers in he says, "See? Es no candy in me mouth".

This fairy tale suddenly turns into a mini CSI episode. His momma says, "Yes! I see yellow candy in your teeth" while still trying to suppress her laugh.

The little boy stands there shaking his head with wide innocent eyes. His momma says, "Did you eat the candy?" The little boy runs away. climbs the stool to look in the bathroom mirror. He comes running back and says "Yook at my tongue". He sticks it out and his momma say, "Oh! It's yellow!"

The little boys shakes his head with a look of accomplishment and innocence and says, "No, es orange".

The moral of this story: Never trust a fibbing child with an orange tongue. And buy more Pez.

bff's

Winnie the Pooh once said, "We will be friends until forever, just you wait and see."

My question is, how do you amicably split such cute best friends before forever comes?? It's getting a little ridiculous.

Note: In case you were wondering what kind of freak animal is pictured, it's a lion that has been washed so many times his head is a matte of hair rather than a furry mane. I tell myself it adds character, but really I am appalled by its appearance. I'm still trying to figure out how the lion made it out of the house on this day. Please help me break these two up.

motormouth

Dear Dax,

I love you. And one day when you are older and looking back at this journal, I want you to know something. You are a motormouth. Do you know what a motormouth is? Let me tell you. A motormouth is someone who talks excessively and incessantly. Those are big words. I'll tell you what they mean. They mean you talk all the time. No, I don't think you quite understand. All. The. Time. Don't get me wrong. I love it. There is never a dull or quiet moment in this house while you are awake, but I love it. I am a great listener. Did you know that about your mom? You talk and I listen. We have a great relationship. I sure love you.
You usually start off your best conversations with, "Hey mom, did you know...." and follow up with a question about some animal that you know some crazy fact about and that I have maybe heard of once. For example, "Mom, did you know the rainbow jellyfish shoots lots of colors at you and that you fall asleep and never wake up?" When I say, "Wow! No, I didn't know that" you proceed to say, "I'll ask grandpa if he knows. He knows lots about animals." It's true. Or another one of my favorite conversation starters is, "Guess how many..." followed by some outrageous statement. Something that I could possibly never really know how many. But you always know how many. And you always tell me. And then remind me not to forget. But I do. I'm sorry about that. And these next conversations are by far the most fun for me because I really don't know where this information comes from other than your wild imagination. They go, "Remember when I was a little baby..." followed up by something that I have never told you, but you are convinced you did as a little baby. It's hilarious. I love when you share stories with me about your infancy.

Sometimes I long for those peaceful moments, but it only last a split second. Because I want you to know, I honestly and truly am delighted to hear your daily play-by-plays of what happened at play group and preschool, what you think about every species of dinosaurs, and what your best friend likes to eat for lunch. So yes, your being a motormouth suits me just fine. I hope you never change. I think your future wife will find it a charming quality.

Oh! And did you know? The average 4 year old uses 800 words. I think you use 1800. Boy do I love you.

Love, mom

why?

Kids eat funny things, would you say? Dirt, bugs, food off the floor, sand, play dough, dare I say boogers (gross), scabs from owies (even grosser), chalk, crayons, grass, glue, their hair...so many different, crazy things. Why, oh why do they like to gross their mothers out like this? After I found Wyatt with a face full of crayon shavings and every color of the rainbow on his teeth I decided I needed to get inside the head of a two year old and figure out what on earth possess this child to eat such random, crazy, should-be-nowhere-near-your-mouth kinds of things because I just can't figure it out. So I ask him, "Why did you eat those crayons (the extra splurge on Lightening McQueen ones I might add). We don't eat crayons." His brilliant answer? "Because I wanted to mommy."

There you have it. Can't argue with that.

And I didn't.

day in & day out

Day in and day out they're just boys with wild imaginations making me laugh and smile.....

We're explorers who can't stand on the tile because it's the "sticky icky mud tile". But, it appears safe for mom because she is deemed official piggyback ride giver so others can cross it safely. I am so honored.

We're deep sea divers the moment we wake up swimming from room to room because our house is a great big ocean. Watch out for SHARKS (that'd by Wyatt of course)!

We wear sunglasses for goggles and laundry baskets on our head as rocket ships and fly to the moon while playing space wars.

We're paleontologists digging around in the dirt in the backyard looking for old dinosaur bones. Don't worry, Dax uses that word and chimes in to remind me who we are because I can never for the life of me remember that word.

We're (Wyatt and me) robots getting blasted by Ice Man (Dax) stopping us from moving until we get unfrozen, also by Ice Man (which entails a punch in the arm). Thanks.

We're Shanghai knights perfecting our moves....sometimes too perfectly.

We sit on blankets for our magic carpets and imagine flying around the Cave of Wonders.

We're mobile pet shop owners and sell animal pets from the back of our Crazy Coupe cars. Anyone want a giraffe? Because we sell those.

We're pirates sailing to a desert island from the platform of our play set. We're loud pirates too...sorry to our neighbors.

We're chefs that bake the best ever banana cake in the entire world using every plastic tupperware and wooden spoon in the house (leaving their mom to clean up the mess). How very sweet, but it sure is good!

We're at a theme park riding on a "miracle ground" which in 4 year old language is a merry-go-round. No worries, I don't correct him. It's too cute.

We're mountain climbers who carefully wait at the bottom of the bunk beds for the rock slides to pass (aka pillows being thrown off the top bunk) before we continue our ascend. Pheww. They are always close calls.

Like I said... WILD! And I am so so grateful.