My Disney Lego set

While looking on Instagram one evening I came across a picture of the Walt Disney World Castle Lego set that was set to come out September 1st. I immediately showed Derek and said I want that set. I even put the date on my calendar so I wouldn't forget about it.

If you know me very well you know I love Disney. Especially all things Disneyland. I enjoyed Lego's as a kid and still do as my kids are into them. There are always sets I find cool but I never would have thought about buying my own set. That is until this castle came out.  Because my kids are into Lego's we are part of the Lego VIP club. At the beginning of August I realized I could buy the new set early on August 17th. I'm not the type of person that has to be at the movie theater to watch the first screening of a new popular movie. Or be in line for a new book release. I'm just not like that. However I decided that I better get to the store when it first opens.  Seeing how this was already completely out of my character I didn't want to get there too early so I arrived about 20 minutes before the store opened. I was happy to see I wasn't the only adult excited about the set. I was about the 10th in line.

Seriously this set is huge! 

I can't remember how many bags there were now but there was a lot. I had it all organized before I began. Look at the instruction manual!

I built this set by myself. The kids only got to put the characters together. I did it over 2 days and think it was about 8 hours. I love all the details. Its incredible.

 Here it is in the loft. I love how it looks against the navy blue wall. 

I posted pictures of the set on Instagram when I first got it and when I finished it. I find it hilarious that I have had more people talk about this to me than anything else I have ever done before. I'm guessing I may have surprised quite a few people by being childlike and buying something fun and unpredictable. 

And no, I did not glue the pieces together. I will happily take this set apart and rebuild it again. It was kinda therapeutic to just sit and build it. 

Tucson Temple and Zoe's goal

At the beginning of the month we went to St David to see Grant be baptized. Its always fun to go down there are visit Marie's family. On our way there we stopped by the Tucson Temple to see how its coming along. 

Zoe got these scriptures in February from her primary teachers. From that day she set a goal to read the Book of Mormon before her baptism. Not only did she do it but she finished with 3 months to spare. I enjoyed getting to read it with her. She was always so happy to read each morning before school. 

To celebrate such a big accomplishment we took her to the American Girl store and let her chose something. She choose the desk for her doll Kit. Afterwards we had lunch at Zinburger. 

We are so proud of her. Zoe keep it up. You are an amazing little girl! 

Back to School 2016

This year school started July 25th! We had a wonderful summer. I'm finding that an 8 week summer vacation is the perfect length. My kids never get bored but are pretty happy to get back to see their friends. 

Chase is now in 4th grade

Zoe is a 2nd grader

(she's made it tradition to wear zebra on the first day of school)

Maeley is in 5th grade

I love these kids! They are such good kids. I know I say it every year but they are growing up too fast! 

Girls camp 2016

At the end of April our area had major ward and stake boundary changes. Our neighborhood got put into a brand new ward. Our new ward also is in a brand new stake. With crazy changes like that just months before girls camp we went with our old stake. I was called to be the 2nd counselor in YW. This was my first time ever going to Girls camp as a leader. Also because the stake had Trek it was only Beehive camp.

Here are some of the girls practicing for their skit. 

Because we made a 9th ward and there aren't 9 values they made one up and a color. 

We were gratitude and purple. Also our mascot was the raccoon. 

Besides the rain the first day it went well. It was fun to get to know the girls better and for the girls to bond together. As a newbie (and the rest of the leaders) to YW we were happy it was a small group and a shorter camp as now we know what to expect and what to do differently next time. 

These girls are so full of energy and have such sweet spirits. 

Chase's 9th birthday

This year we had 2 birthday parties! One with each side of our families. Chase had such a great time choosing the cake he wanted, tweaking recipes and helping make each one. 

Brownies with mint ice cream, whipped cream and Andes mint chopped on top. 

Laurel made these awesome cookies! 

Chocolate cake, with Reese's brownie ice cream and chocolate icing.

 He was pretty darn happy. I think he was surprised to get Star War's t-shirts because I do not like Star Wars but he does and that's what matters.

4th of July!

To be honest I can't remember what we did for the 4th of July. But looking back on these pictures sure puts a smile on my face. I love my family. They bring me so much joy and happiness. What we did or didn't do doesn't matter but its the wonderful relationships we have and the love we share that do. 

The Circus!

Shortly after the performance we went to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey Circus Xtreme! We went with Derek's Uncle Troy and Aunt Teri and their family. It was so much fun! Our kids had never been to the circus before.

Sadly his was the only picture we got of the 5 of us. 

Waiting for the show to start watching silly clowns. 

We had a great time. It was so fun watching the kids watch some of the performances. They totally got into it. Zoe loved the tigers the most. The tight rope watchers were incredible and the poodles were hilarious. Overall the whole show was great! So glad we went.

Kids Summer Performance

Way back in June we signed all 3 of the kids up for a performance class. It was for a couple hours each day for a week. They learned songs, choreography, and simple speaking parts for a Mary Poppins performance that they performed at the end of the week. I had to really persuade Chase to sign up but in the end he loved it.

Getting ready to start! 

These kids were so great! I love watching them try new things and gain new interests. Zoe had already done a couple performance classes and enjoyed having her siblings with her this time.