California

What a crazy, fun week!  We left home at 2:30 am on Sunday, March 25th.  We made it it Anaheim by about 1:30 pm California time.  We only stopped a few times and didn't hit too much traffic going out of Vegas.  Our hotel was directly across the street from Disneyland and around the corner from the Anaheim Garden Walk (like The Gateway in SLC).  The day we arrived we had massive amounts of rain and terrible wind.  We were hoping for better weather the rest of the week!  Later in the day it cleared up enough that we were able to go around the corner and go through the Anaheim Garden Walk.  It was pretty dead (it was Sunday evening and many shops had closed due to the economy), but it was still a lot of fun.  We found the store Lush.  If you haven't been, you must go!  They told us they opened a store at the Ceder Creek shopping plaza in SLC and I might have to visit now!

On Monday we spent a staggering 15 HOURS at Disneyland!  On the bright side, we saw and did almost everything we wanted to!  The weather was nice - a bit chilly (we had to buy sweatshirts and a blanket for Sam), but nice.  After having a 3 day park pass, I will tell you that if you ever go to Disneyland, go on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & go when the gates open.  We went on Monday, Thursday, Friday and there were a ton more people there on Thursday and Friday.  However, the longest line we stood in the entire three days was only 45 minutes!

We visited the Princess Fantasy Faire and saw Ariel, Belle, and Tiana.  Then we walked over to the little shop & Sam got her face painted.  The lady that did it was quick and she did a good job too!

We went to the Princess Coronation Ball after visiting the princesses.  Here we learned how to wave like a princess and do a princess dance.

We rode on lots and lots of rides!  Nykelle & Sam became pretty good little friends.

We ventured over to Downtown Disney on Sunday night and bought the kids autograph books so we could get autographs while we were at the park!

At 6 pm we found seats for the parade and chilled out for thirty minutes before the parade.  These were Sam's favorite dresses in the parade.

On Tuesday we drove out to Long Beach and saw where Cindy & Tom grew up.  We saw what their elementary schools are like - SOOOO much asphalt!  The high school had more grass than the elementary school!  Weird!  We visited a Trader Joe's and a Smart & Final.  Then, we ventured out to Seal Beach.  It was fairly windy but Sam tells me the water wasn't too cold.  She and I wandered the beach for quite awhile looking for treasures.  We found some shells, but nothing like when we were up in Oregon.

Also while we were out in Long Beach we visited the Long Beach Aquarium over at The Pike.  These guys had sting rays as long as I am tall!

This shark had a saw like nose.  It was so weird!

We made many, many, many trips to Downtown Disney.  I found a gigantic Lego store where I picked up a few things for Nash.

On Wednesday Cindy went to California Adventures with Greg, Stephanie & their kids.  We took her car & I drove us back down to Long Beach.  Yep.  Didn't even wreck or anything!  We had GPS or I never would have done it!  We went back to The Pike and checked out what the shops by the aquarium were.  We walked down the pier too.

We bought tickets and went whale watching.  Before we even got out of the harbor we saw dolphins (lower left).

Sam made good use of our 2 1/2 hour whale watching trip...she took a boat nap while using grandma & I as wind blocks!

We did see a few fin whales as we were turning around to head back to the harbor.  It was amazing!

When we got back by the harbor there were some sea lions hanging out on the buoy.

After whale watching we walked along the shoreline village shops.  Sam found a ride she had to go on.

Back at Downtown Disney she decided she wanted to get a character drawing of herself.  She ended up having them make her into Alice from Alice in Wonderland.  It's super cute.  I should take a picture of the final thing.  Apparently Alice is her new favorite (good thing with that Halloween costume already done!).  She ended up doing the trading pins and has about 7 Alice in Wonderland ones now!

On Thursday Sam danced at California Adventure so that's where we spent our day.  We rode lots more rides.

Grandma & Cindy rode rides with us too!

Cindy came with us to California Adventure because Greg & Steph had headed home.  Plus, she wanted to watch Sam dance.  We discovered the turkey legs.  Oh my!  If you are ever at Disneyland, you MUST try these!  They are $10, but worth every penny!

On Friday we were back at Disneyland for Sam to dance again.  I video taped her dance on Thursday and didn't get any pictures.  On Friday I took pictures instead of video taping.  The video is 26 minutes long so it's too long to upload!  They did a better job on Friday than they did on Thursday, but they cut Sam's hip hop routine out on Friday.

I took 184 pictures on my camera (they are all on my facebook if you want to see them all) and Sam had 2 disposable cameras.  I think she has 5 pictures total left (27 pictures on each camera).  Plus, my mom & Cindy both took pictures AND I bought the photopass CD that we had nearly 50 pictures on!  When I get the cd with the edits I made on it I'll post some of those pictures too.  There is an awesome one of Sam with Belle. 

On Saturday we went to the swapp meet at the Orange County Fair Grounds.  That was fun.  Reminded me of the flea market in Florida but much smaller.  We headed home around 10 am or so and made it back home around midnight.  We stopped a few more times coming home than we did going out.  Nothing traumatic except for some pretty good wind gusts.  I drove us from the California/Nevada line to Mesquite.  Cindy drove us the entire way there and except for when I drove on the way home she drove the rest of the way.

The boys had only been in bed a little while when we got home so Travis got them up.  They were really excited to see us and we were really happy to see them.  Brooke was sleeping when we got home but ended up waking up as I was ready to go to bed.  She was running a slight fever and was very clingy.  I chalked it up to teeth and let her fall asleep on my chest before I put her in her own bed.  Sunday she was running a very high fever and was just not herself.  I finally took her to Instacare around 7 pm or so.  I had given her ibuprofen around 6:15 pm and it was about 7:30 when we got in.  They took her temperature and it was still at 101.8!  They told me she had a double ear infection and that the right one was worse than the left one.  I was glad I already had an appointment with the ENT scheduled for today.  They put her on omnicef and eardrops 2 x a day.  

We went and saw the ENT today.  He told me that her left tube is open and looks ok but it's on the verge of being questionable.  Her right tube was clogged...again (it was a week ago too when we went in for the two week post op appointment).  He ended up getting the clog off her tube and injecting ear drops directly into her middle ear.  He said that that will usually make a difference.  We are to keep on the omnicef and do drops in each ear 2 x a day and go back in a week.  The dr. seems to think if we can get the fluid to drain so her tubes can stay clear that she'll do well.  I'm crossing my fingers we don't have to do two sets of tubes in each ear like we did for Sam.  I'm not holding my breath though.  He said he used titanium silver oxide coated t tubes that NEVER clog - I told him never say never with my kids!  He smiled and told me he's starting to see the familial tube issues arise.  I'm just glad he's a good dr. and is good to us!  Cross your fingers her tubes are clear in another week!  I told the nurse I brought Brooke home a cute minnie mouse outfit and she brought home a double ear infection!  She thought that was pretty funny!  Good thing I have a good sense of humor!

Auction Winners!

First of all, I just want to say THANK YOU to those of you that bid on items!  Your money is going to a GREAT cause!  The American Cancer Society Relay for Life goal for the 2012 event is $120,000-$150,000.  Last year the event raised about $97,000 so we have a long way to go this year!  If you would still like to donate to our team effort, you can do it here: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/?team_id=1101030&pg=team&fr_id=37785.  You can also follow my team's progress at the same location.  I'd love to see my team raise AT LEAST $1,000 again this year.  We will be doing a swap meet (yard sale/bake sale/fundraiser) on Saturday, May 5th in HYRUM.  Keep watching for more details!


Without further delay, here are the AUCTION WINNERS!  If you would like to pick up your items during the week, my husband will be here while I am out of town.  If you would like me to bring the items to you, I can do so when I return from California next week.  You can leave a comment or shoot me an email or text to let me know what you'd like to do.  PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY.


Item # 3 (bubble bath) - Renee Nicholls @ $10.00
Item #12 (flower dress) - Renee Nicholls @ 11.00
Item #19 (apron) - Renee Nicholls @ $10.00
Item #22 (Skin so Soft pack) - Renee Nicholls @ $15.00
Item #26 (ANEW cream) - Renee Nicholls @ $16.50
Total due for Renee Nicholls - $62.50


Item #4 (Easter letters) - Aleisha Viterna @ $15.00
Item #15 - Aleisha Viterna @ $5.00 
Total due for Aleisha Viterna - $20.00


Item #5 (Let's go fly a kite) - Amanda Griggs @ $10.00
Item #17 (cow car seat blanket) - Amanda Griggs @ $15.00
Today due for Amanda Griggs - $25.00


Item #10 (blue dress) - Jill @ $15.00
Total due for Jill - $15.00


Item #11 (Fourth of July dress) - Shannon Beddes @ $15.00
Total due for Shannon Beddes - $15.00 (I will send it with Caleb on Tuesday along with his registration & tuition, just check his backpack!)


Item #13 (Star dress) - Cassidy Bradshaw @ $10.00
Total due for Cassidy Bradshaw - $10.00


Total Raised: $147.50

Online Silent Auction to benefit my Relay for Life Team

I was going to do a booth at the Senior's Center in Hyrum, but when I called they told me the date had changed from the first part of Spring Break to the last weekend in April and Samantha has a dance competition that weekend.  So, I have decided to do an online silent auction instead.  All proceeds will go toward my Relay for Life team fundraising effort.  If you'd like to just donate to my team, you can visit my team webpage at: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/?team_id=1101030&pg=team&fr_id=37785

In case you haven't heard, here's why I relay:

My grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was in middle school.  She beat the cancer that first time, but it came back about 10 years later and took her from our family much too soon.  Unfortunately, that wasn't my only encounter with cancer.  Since my grandma's first diagnosis, both of my grandpa's, my grandma Ruth, my husband's grandma Myrle Dean, my husband's grandpa Charlie, my high school friend Amber, my friend Melanie's husband Kenny, my friend Amanda's nephew, my "other mother" Cindy, and many more have been diagnosed with cancer.  I relay in honor of these friends and family members, but I also relay because I want to help find a cure for cancer before it hits my family and friends again.

Here's how it works:
1. Look at the items.  Make sure you notice the minimum starting bid!
2. Decide which item(s) you'd like to bid on.
3. Leave a comment telling me which item(s) you are bidding on.  Tell me your bid for each item that you are bidding on.  Remember to leave your email address with your comment!
4.  Be sure to check back often to see if you have been out bid!
5. Auction ends Friday, March 23rd, 2012 at midnight Mountain Standard Time.  All winners will be announced & notified via email on Saturday morning, March 24, 2012.
6. Checks can be made out to American Cancer Society when you come to pick up your items!  (Arrangements can be made to have items mailed, but I will charge you for shipping.)
7.  If you'd like to bid on something & don't have a google account, you can contact me at: mistybown@hotmail.com.

Happy Bidding!

Item #1: Girls Pillowcase Dress  Size 4T  Minimum bid: $10.00  Retail value: $20.00

Current bid:

Item #2: Girls Pillowcase Dress Size 6 Minimum bid: $10.00  Retail value: $20.00

Current bid:

Item #3: Two 24 oz Avon Bubble Bath  Jelly Bean bottle is Jelly Bean scent  Princess & the Frog bottle just says bubble bath so I have no idea on the scent.  Minimum bid: $8.00  Retail value: $8.00 each (bidding is for both bubble baths)

Current bid: $10.00

Item #4: Easter letters  Minimum bid: $12.00  Donated by: On The Avenue (http://www.ontheavenuelogan.blogspot.com/ )Retail value: $28.00

Current bid: $15.00

Item #5: Let's Go Fly A Kite board  Donated by: On The Avenue (http://www.ontheavenuelogan.blogspot.com/ ) Minimum bid: $9.00 Retail value: $19.00

Current bid: $10.00

Item #6: Girls Pillowcase Dress Size 8 Minimum bid: $10.00 Retail value: $20.00

Current bid: 

Item #7: Flat Iron/Curling Iron Case Retail value: $15.00 Minimum bid: $7.50  What I love about these is that the inside is heat resistant fabric so you can put your flat iron away hot.  This means no more worrying about a little one pulling it off the counter and getting burned!  It also means that when you are traveling you don't have to wait for your flat iron to cool off before you pack it - and, it's protected inside your suitcase!

Current bid:

Item #8: Easter Greetings Sign  Donated by: On The Avenue (http://www.ontheavenuelogan.blogspot.com/ ) Minimum bid: 9.00 Retail value: $18.00

Current bid:

Item #9: Girls Pillowcase Dress size 7  Minimum bid: $10.00 Retail value: $20.00 It is a navy blue that is on it, not black.

Current bid:

Item #10: Girls Pillowcase Dress size 5T Minimum bid: $10.00 Retail value: $20.00

Current bid: $15.00

Item #11: Girls Pillowcase Dress size 3 Minimum bid: $10.00 Retail value: $20.00

Current bid: $15.00

Item #12: Girls Pillowcase Dress size 2T Minimum bid: $10.00 Retail value: $20.00

Current bid: $11.00

Item #13: Girls Pillowcase Dress size 1 (12 month) Minimum bid: $10.00 Retail value: $20.00

Current bid:$10.00

Item #14: Flannel Baby Blanket Colors are a pastel green on the back with the print side being pink, blue, green and yellow  Measures 35 inches x 39 inches  Minimum bid: $5.00 Retail value: $10.00

Current bid:

Item #15: Flannel Baby Blanket Colors are red on the back with a light green on the print side  Measures 31 inches x 42 inches Minimum bid: $5.00 Retail value: $10.00

Current bid: $5.00

Item #16: Flannel Carseat blanket  Minimum bid: $10.00 Retail value: $20.00 I absolutely love these!  These are great even during the summer months because they keep your caseat from getting too warm.  They are excellent for keeping the wind off your baby as well.  Helps keep your original carseat cover clean and are easy to pull out and wash in the washing machine!  Back side is hot pink, print side is hot pink, light pink, and yellow.

Current bid:

Here is what one looks like in a carseat:

Item #17: Flannel Carseat blanket Minimum bid: $10.00 Retail value: $20.00  Cow print is on both sides

Current bid: $15.00

Item #18: Custom carseat canopy  Minimum bid: $15.00 Retail value: $30.00  You pick the fabric, ribbon or buttons, rick rack and size!  Current bid: 

Item #19: Women's Reversible Apron Minimum bid: $9.00 Retail value: $18.00

Current bid: $10.00

Item #20: All purpose (make up, brush, art supply) case  Minimum bid: $4.00 Retail value: $9.00  These are great for traveling!  It eliminates the need to pack along your bulky make up case.  It also protects your make up quite well so you don't need to worry about it getting broke and spilling all over!

Current bid:

Item #21: Kids 2 in 1 Shampoo & Conditioner, bag, and chapstick Minimum bid: $5.00 Retail value: Approximately $10.00  Donated by: Cassidy Bradshaw http://cassidybradshaw.avonrepresentative.com/

Current bid:

Item #22: 1 Skin so Soft Original Bath Oil 16.9 oz., 1 2 in 1 Shampoo & Conditioner for all hair types 11.8 oz, 1 Foot Works Sugar Lime Mojito Cooling Lotion 3.4 oz, 1 Foot Words Pumice Cream 3.4 oz, 1 Cool Confidence baby powder scent deodorant 2.6 oz, 1 On Duty 24 Hours Sport deodorant 2.6 oz Minimum bid: $15.00   Retail value: $33.00  Donated by: Cassidy Bradshaw http://cassidybradshaw.avonrepresentative.com/

Current bid: $15.00

Item #23: 1 Skin So Soft Soft Indulgences Invigorating body gel 6.7 oz, 1 Skin so Soft Soft Indulgences invigorating body mist 5 oz  Minimum bed:  $7.50 Retail value $15.00  Donated by: Cassidy Bradshaw http://cassidybradshaw.avonrepresentative.com/

Current bid: 

Item #24: 1 Foot Works Sugar Lime Mojito Exfoliating Scrub 3.4 oz, 1 Glazewear Sparkle Lip Gloss .15 oz Glimmering Bronze, 1 Glazewear Sparkle Lip Gloss .15 oz  Island Glow  Minimum bid: $8.50  Retail value: $17.00 Donated by: Cassidy Bradshaw http://cassidybradshaw.avonrepresentative.com/

Current bid: 

Item #25:  1 Scentini Plum Twist 1.7 oz  Minimum bid: $5.00 Retail value: $10.00 Donated by: Cassidy Bradshaw http://cassidybradshaw.avonrepresentative.com/

Current bid: 

Item #26: 1 Clinical Anew Advanced Wrinkle Corrector 1.7 oz, 1 Slick Tint .15
Minimum bid: $16.50 Retail value: $33.00  Donated by: Cassidy Bradshaw http://cassidybradshaw.avonrepresentative.com/

Current bid: $16.50

Item #27: 1 berry blizzard chapstick, 1 green mint chapstick, 1 cinnamon chapstick, 1 Skin so Soft Signature Silk replenishing hand cream  Minimum bid: $2.50 Retail value: $5.00  Donated by: Cassidy Bradshaw http://cassidybradshaw.avonrepresentative.com/

Current bid:  

My little leprechaun

Friday night Sam danced for the MC Caprielle Review.  We ended up leaving the boys with Trav's parents. The boys hate sitting through dance stuff because it usually lasts quite awhile.  Lucky for the boys, Grandma and Grandpa decided to take them to see the movie "We bought a zoo".  Apparently, it's not so much a kid movie.  Cute, but not geared for 3-6 year olds. :)

After Sam was done dancing we went back to North Logan to get the boys.  (See my facebook page for the video of Sam's dance.)  Grandma has all her St. Patrick's day decorations out.  My kids love Grandma Kris's holiday decorations.  She always has stuff out to decorate that make cute decorations, but the kids can play with it too!  Little sister enjoyed dressing up as a leprechaun and playing with her big sister.

On Saturday Travis took Sam and Nash snow skiing up to Beaver mountain.  Travis's sister, her husband, their five year old, Travis's dad, Travis's brother and his four year old went too.  Unfortunately, on the second run our nephew had a face vs. ski accident and Grandpa and Uncle Chad had to take Kash down the mountain to the hospital.  He ended up with stitches and now he looks like he's growing a mustache on one side of his face.  He should be fine, but Travis's brother spent the day quite upset about the whole situation.
I took Caleb and Brooke out to Travis's parents' house after they got off the mountain.  Brooke was in dire need of a nap and was fighting it pretty good.  She slept for most of the ride to North Logan but then woke up.  She was pretty happy to see Grandpa.  Grandpa was pretty excited to got to hug both his little girls!

Travis heads back to work tonight.  That means that we are officially kicking off our count down to Disneyland!  Samantha & I leave with my mom and "my other mother" exactly two weeks from today!  Should be a fast and furious two weeks to fly right by!  We are super excited to go (I am in much need of a vacation).  I think Travis is a bit apprehensive about the whole idea even though he won't admit it.  Look out California, here we come!  I hope my house and my other children survive a week without me!