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FaMiLy VaCaTiOn!!!!

My mom, my sisters, and I have talked about a great big family vacation for a long time now and last week we finally did it. The Dickerson crew took off on Sunday the 11th for Arizona where we spent a day and a half at the pool and hangin out with Grandpa and Grandma. On Tuesday, Brandon's 16th birthday, we headed to Newport Beach, California where we met up with Ashley, Todd, Berkley, Courtney, Brady, and my soon to be born niece! That first night we went to Huntington Beach, it was the first ocean sighting for all the grandkids, and it was so cool. Todd was flying a kite while we all had our toes in the sand/ocean at sunset. We went to a really delicious pier cafe for dinner called "Ruby's", I would recomend Ruby's to anyone who vistits that part of California. Wednesday morning, we all woke up pretty early to spend the day at DisneyLand. Thank you so much to Grandpa and Grandma for keeping track of all the little grandkids so the big kids could play. I love amusement park rides, and having all day to just have fun and not having to keep track of little kids was AWESOME!!!! Thursday we spent half of the day at the beach building sand castles, boogie boarding, and surfing. I am in total love with the ocean, it was my favorite part of the whole trip. If I had it my way, I would have spent the entire week at Huntington Beach. I am obsessed with the water; swimming pools, the ocean, the lake I love it all!!! We spent the rest of Thurday at Balboa Island, having lunch and walking around to the shops and the all-famous ferris wheel. Friday was our day to do "our own thing," my family chose the Wild Animal Park in San Diego. I'm sure this animal park is very cool, but we didn't experience most of it. We got there around 11:00 a.m. and it was already 104 degrees. We spend two hours walking around and going on a jungle safari before we decided to call it quits. It was just too hot, I felt really bad about wasting so much time and money there. If it were up to me, we would have spent the day on the beach!!!! We got back in time to have a nice dinner with everyone at a mexican restaurant. Living in New Mexico has given me, a once total hater of mexican food, a new found love for tacos and enchiladas! Saturday morning we woke up and gave our goodbyes to my sisters and their families, which was sad since I know that I won't be back to Utah anytime soon. To end our vacation, my parents took my family out on a boat ride around Balboa Island. My dad drove the boat, thanks to the help of three co-captians, and we got to see all the nice houses and boats that call Balboa Island home. This was such a great vacation, my parents REALLY went all out and everyone had a great time. I can't wait for the next family vacation!!!!

Grandpa and Grandma

What better way to kick of the summer than spending a week with Grandpa and Grandma?!?!?! The boys and I drove down to Gilbert last Tuesday ready for a fun filled week with our favorite grandparents. The boys are so good in the car, we only stopped twice in six hours! Once we got to Grandpa and Grandma's,I was out of the picture, the boys wanted nothing to do with me!!! I think it is so cute the immediate bond that they form with my parents! We had a great week, I love that my parents' house is so close! We spent a lot of time at the pool, did some shopping, and ate lots of yummy food. We also went to the Aquarium, which was really cool. They had a ton of different sea creatures and a lot of fun interactive things for the kids to do. Another fun thing we did was go fishing. That's right we actually went fishing with Grandpa and Grandma. Danny takes the boys fishing all the time, and the boys thought it would be fun to bring their poles to Arizona so they could fish at the reserve by my parents house! My dad was kind enough to take the boys to see the new Shrek movie so my mom and me could have some girl time. We bought swimsuits, ate frozen yogurt, and talked/laughed a lot. Late one night my dad took charge of the boys again and my mom and I went and saw a movie together, a luxury that I was greatful for. One night we even made homeade ice cream. It was such a great trip, we hope to make at least two more before school starts up again. It is so much fun for me to watch the boys interact with my parents, the boys are totally crazy about grandpa and grandma! I love you so much Mom and Dad, you are exactly what I imagined grandparents to be!!!

Kindergarten

I can't believe it is actually summer. This year has gone by so fast. Hayden started full day kindergarten in August, with many hesitations, but it turned out to be a great year! Both he and I made some really great friends, and he really excelled in his school work. His teachers were absolutely amazing ( I already have Ace registered for their class), they totally made this year a positive experience. The last day of school ended at 1:00 but you were allowed to pick up your kid any time between 11:00 and 1:00. When I dropped Hayden off he told me to pick him up at 1:00 because he wanted to "enjoy every last minute of kindergarten!!!" The last week of school they had a program where every kid was given an award for completing kindergarten and the kids also performed a play. Both Danny and I were able to go, I am so proud of my little Hayden he is growing up so fast!

PaRtY TiMe!!!!

On Saturday, we had a birthday party at our house for Hayden and his friends. While my mom was here for Hayden's birthday we planned and bought supplies for the big event. Hayden was so excited to have his friends come to his house and help celebrate his birthday. We decided that we would play pin the tail on the donkey, have a balloon popping contest, and play bingo. We made sure that every kid who came won a prize, we also sent all the kids home with goodie bag! Hayden got some great presents, and I was lucky enough to set up some future playdates! I love seeing kids play together, they are so accepting! Although we didn't get the turnout I had hoped for, I think the party was a hit! Thanks mom for all the fun ideas, and thanks to Jamie, Danny, and Brandon for helping me supervise!

Hayden Turns SIX!!!!

Playing games with Grandma

Hayden signing the check at dinner.

Riding the new bike around the block.

I can't believe that six years ago this month I became a mom. Being a mom is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me, I am so lucky to have such wonderful boys! I can still remember everything that happened on April 14, 2004. Hayden's entry into this world was very stressful and scary. I don't know what I would have done without Danny and my mom there to keep me going. My mom has always been there for me and the boys, so it was very fitting that she flew to Albuquerque to help celebrate Hayden's big day. Hayden woke up very early on his birthday (of course) and asked me when it was exactly that he turned six. I told him that he was born at 4:30 in the afternoon. He replied by saying "Oh so at 4:30 I will get taller?" I said "No you just grow a little bit throughout the year." He said "Then how will I know that I am six, I still feel five!" Kids are so funny! We took Hayden to school, where he got to celebrate his birthday with homeade cupcakes and ice cream. While Hayden was at school, Ace, Colton and I went to pick up Grandma at the airport. As I have said before, being in a new town all alone really makes me appreciate everytime someone comes to visit. I still really miss Utah! After we picked up Grandma we came home and played outside till it was time to go get the birthday boy from school. We picked Hayden up and counted the hours till Danny came home so we could open presents. Hayden got a real basketball and the new chipmunks dvd from Grandma and Grandpa. From Brandon, Ace, and Colton he got two new video games. And from me and Danny he got a big boy bike! We ate dinner at PF Changs (my boys are obsessed with chinese food) where the waiter told Hayden that he had to sign the check since it was his birthday. It was a great day, it meant so much to have my mom there for the day. The boys are crazy about Grandma, and they aren't the only ones. I loved seeing my mom, and I can't wait till I can go back to Arizona to spend more time with her and my dad!