Missionary Spaghetti

My Dad's favorite thing, and my Mother's least favorite, when we were growing up was to make Missionary Spaghetti with us.
The other day, my Dad invited us over for an installment in "Grandpa School"; making Missionary Spaghetti.  I never got any actual shots of them making the spaghetti, and I desperately wish I would have thought to take some. 
When I brought Ernie home to meet my family 10 years ago, he noticed something that nobody else had noticed on my parents 20 foot ceiling. (Except my mother.) Dried spaghetti noodles.  That is when I got to explain to him how we checked noodles in our house.  My dad taught us to check to see if the noodles are ready the way that he did when he was on his mission,  by throwing them against the wall. If they stick, they are done.
My dad tends to really get into things, and when we moved into that house he thought it would be fun to see if we could get them to stick to the ceiling.  Oh, we got them to stick all right.  And nobody could get them down.  They stayed up there for a few years.  You couldn't see them, they were so high and they blended right in.  We had honestly forgotten them until Ernie noticed them.  Whoops.
And now you know why mom sat by not entirely thrilled with the boys learning the trick.  And they totally did it.  Two noodles on the ceiling.  It was impressive, it's a long ways up. 

I did get pictures of their after dinner adventure.  Mustaches with markers. They didn't show up as well as I hoped, but you get the idea.

Yes, it was a little work to get them off their faces, but we did it.  And it was worth it.  They still laugh about it.

Fall Traditions

I love fall.  This year hasn't been as hard to get used to the unchanging weather. But I must say, there are times when I truly miss the beautiful changing leaves and cool crisp air.  

One of our absolute favorite Fall Family Traditions has always been going to the Pumpkin Patch.  Unfortunately there is no Linder Farms here.  And not having anything like that here brings out the nostalgia in me and I can't help but long for a little bit of weather change.

So we found a pumpkin patch. Meaning, pre-picked, washed, and very expensive pumpkins lined up.  We let the kids pick out some pumpkins, and we at least got some cute pictures. 

And let's face it, pictures, that's what really counts, right?

And yes, we are still wearing shorts here.  This week it has been raining and so the highs have been in the 80's and I think it may have only gotten to high 70's today- but don't quote me on that.  It has been wonderful!

Soccer Season

Caleb started soccer recently.  He is so amazing.  Seriously, he not only loves the game, but he is naturally good at it.  At the last game, he scored a goal about two minutes into the game.  I'm sure I will post more pictures as the season goes on, but here are a few to give you an idea of what a soccer stud looks like. And what his fans look like as well. :)

OK, so Ernie might have taken a few of those pictures, and there really aren't a ton of him actually in the game, but it's better than nothing, right?

I came across this picture as well.  I thought it was so cute, and deiced to throw it in there as well. His Grandpa and Grandma had to leave right before we went to the game, but we got a picture of them as they were leaving.

I love that it has cooled down a little and we will actually get to enjoy the games with out sitting in the blistering heat!

The Happiest Place On Earth

This week I took the boys to Disneyland.  A friend of mine was taking her three kids, and we decided to tag along.  I was a little nervous about not having big E with me.  And we did miss him.  And I can't wait until we can all go as a family again.  But there is no denying it, we still had a GREAT time! The kids are at great ages, and they are the same ages as her two oldest.  I am so grateful I had the opportunity to take them.  I have always loved to do fun things with them and take them on fun outings, but life has gotten SO busy that I haven't been great about that lately.  It was fun to spend so much time with them.

Ernie and Caleb with their friend Ethan.  The first morning, the little girls went to a princess breakfast, and the boys opted for Ihop. These are there "we are so excited we can hardly stand it" faces.

This was a huge year for Caleb.  He was big enough for Indiana Jones!!!! This is a picture of him in line, right after he passed the height check. He was SOOOOO excited!

Caleb right before he got on the ride.

The kids on the Jungle Cruise.

Caleb still loves to have his picture taken.  No, he was not picking his nose. He was animatedly telling me that he did not want a picture taken.

Ernie on the carousel.

I like how neither of my kids are looking at me in this picture.  But, Ethan and Cate were willing to oblige.

Caleb and Cate had a fun time playing on Goofy's car.  They took turns being the "parent" and driving the other one around.

Ernie hopped in on the fun.

Caleb on Autotopia.  I think this is such a boring ride. But the kids like it. And Ernie was tall enough to drive his own car!

This is near the end of a long day while we were waiting for the parade.

Here is one of my kids favorite characters.

Cate and Courtney are out there dancing away. So cute!

It made me sad that my boys are past the dancing stage.  They used to dance like crazy whenever they heard music. *sigh* But they are stilll cute :)

This is what they thought was the end of the day.

Somehow the day slipped away, and before we knew it, we realized that dinner time had passed and we hadn't ever eaten! We stopped to try to eat on the way home.  I was in line getting subway for Ernie, and had the exhausted kids sit down.  Before I knew it, I looked over and saw this.  He is REALLY asleep! I mean completely passed out.  Poor kid!

My failed attempt at getting an obligatory picture at the Disneyland entrance.  In their defense, the sun was in their eyes :)

Ernie was so excited we found Buzz! They brought their autograph books from the last time we were there, and this is the only autograph they got.

The closest thing I could get of a picture of Caleb with Buzz.

Ernie got picked to be trained to be a Jedi.

Not the best picture, but that is him fighting Darth Mal.

Ernie and Cate, Me and Caleb, Ethan and Liz on Space Mountain.

Yep, I totally took a picture of the pictures that you are supposed to buy. 

Ernie wanted a picture of the Halloween Goofy, but he didn't want to wait in line.

Ah ha.  I finally got a picture. You can kind of see the fall decorations. I have never been there in the fall before.  So fun!

Ernie and Ethan and their "scared" face before Tower of Terror.  Which we literally walked onto twice.  Seriously will always try to go in the off season form now on.  We rode Thunder Mountain Railroad five times the first day without waiting in a line!

Ernie, Caleb, Cate and Ethan.  They informed me that they felt like adults because they got to ride this ride by themselves. They loved it! (And they went three times in a row!)

Ernie and Caleb at their favorite store ever.  So, when I said that they could buy one souvenir with their money, I was thinking maybe something "Disney ish" to remember their trip.  But the second they saw down town Disney, they remembered this store. 

So, I very much have a love-hate relationship with Lego's.  But I had an epiphany watching them as they were in the store.

They absolutely love them.  They live and breathe Lego's right now.  And as much as they drive me crazy, that will last for a total of maybe 2 more years. (I pray).  And then I will only remember the times that they loved Lego's so much and wish they were that little again.

After that side note- I Cherish the times I get to spend with my kids like this.  Completely worth taking off work and pulling them out of school.

Last night Caleb was saying his prayers and he said, "Thank you for the chance we had to go to Disneyland.  And thank you for letting me have the Best Mom Ever."

 Enough said. I think I will make whatever needed sacrifices to go every year.