Disneyland

We just got back from a week at Disneyland. And wow did we receive the ROYAL treatment. This was a Sales Conference for Chad's work that he had earned. And we experienced Disney like we never had. It was awesome! They put us up at the Disney Grand California Hotel. That was so great, you cannot beat the convenience of staying there. To get off of the rides and take a quick walk right up to your room for lunch was so great especially with our all of our young kids. It will be hard to Disney any other way.

Sydney was pretty happy with her Minnie Mouse and matching hat.

The first night we were there Beneficial had a party set up for us on one of the studio lots. It was so amazing. It was beautiful and so fun. They had two separate buffets, one for the adults and one for the children. The adults had steak, chicken, salads, potatoes etc. and a variety of desserts. The kids had peanut butter and jelly, tator tots, fried corn, milk, juice and for dessert a variety of disney treats. It was so cool. There were balloons everywhere. They also had two caricatures in the back of the room for the kids as well as Minnie, Mickey, Donald and Goofy. It was a party that only Disney could put on...Amazing!!

Max LOVED Mickey! He would have nothing to do with any of the other characters.

Kalli and Tyler getting their pictures done.

After the party. The kids made a haul with all of their balloons and pictures.

California adventure has a new Toy Story ride. It was a blast. Gotta love Mr. Potato Head

Max LOVED riding the rides.

Chad and some of the kids taking a rest.

Sydney got to celebrate her 7th birthday while we were there.

Toon Town

One of the guys Chad works with, Tim Blackham has kids our kids ages. So we had a blast hanging out with them most of the time.

We wore the kids out.

One night Beneficial had a party for our group at the ESPN Zone. Each couple recieved 2 game cards worth $100 of games. The kids were in heaven. It was so fun. They played games and ate for three hours straight. What a blast!!!

Horse Racing at the ESPN Zone

Max even had a buddy, He and Colby had a lot of fun!

Everyone has to have a picture right in the front gate.

Chad was not feeling so good on the Tea Cups. Too bad I am pregnant and couldn't go on those kind of rides.

While I took the older 5 kids to see the production of Aladdin, Chad and Max took a little rest up in the room. Max took chillin out very seriously and if you know Max, he doesn't chill out very often.

We were so lucky to get to stay at the Grand California Hotel, it was so nice and SO CONVIENENT! Thanks Beneficial for the greatest family vacation we could ever imagine!

On our way home we had to hit In and Out Burger (we don't have them in UT yet, but they are coming!). Max took over Chad's milkshake, hey he knows what he likes!

A Birthday and Father's day

This weekend we celebrated a few birthdays as well as father's day for my dad, Chad and my brother in law Kirk. We were lucky enough to be able to check my dad out of his rehab facility to come home for a couple of hours to BBQ, blow out candles and just hang out. We also celebrated my dad's birthday, Sydney's birthday, Kalli's birthday and Ammon's birthday (my nieces boyfriend).

Sydney and Kalli got to open their OOBEES sets. If you don't know what an Oobee (www.oobees.com) is it is super cute, very girly slippers, blanket, pillow, bag and cosmetic bag.
They were thrilled and very surprised.

Chad, Dad, Kalli, Sydney, Kirk and Ammon

Kalli got her favorite breakfast in bed this morning for her birthday. She had Bacon, Hashbrowns with fry sauce and Biscuits and Gravy.

Puppy Love

I was downloading my pictures and saw this one that my four year old took of his sister and her favorite friend. Now that is Love!!!

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Today Andrew and I went to visit my dad. We brought him balloons, oreos and a root beer freeze (his favorite). Today my dad is 68 years old and way to young to be in a care center!!! But besides that we had a great day with him. We were even able to attend the care center's variety show where they sang Happy Birthday to him. That was a treat! We saw a man playing a harmonica, a hula dancer, a golf trickster, an accordion player and a magician, that is only to name a few. It was quite eventful. After it was done my dad said "I am way to young to be here!" I couldn't agree more dad!!!
Happy Birthday to the Best Dad Ever!!!

My Dad

I haven't updated on my dad's situation in quite some time. I have had lots of people ask about him so I decided to do some updating. My dad is weak. After all of his surgeries. His body is weak. He is down to 148 pounds. He has been in a rehabilitation facility for 2 months now. We did not think he would be in it for more than a couple of weeks. He is trying to get strong but we go day by day. He cannot go home until he is strong enough to move himself from the wheel chair to the bathroom or the bed on his own. We keep hoping and praying that he can go home soon. He has also been without his Chemotherapy for about 4 months. This isn't good. But the doctor does not want to start him on the chemo until he is strong enough to come home. The doctor is afraid that if he starts the chemo while he is in the rehab center he may never come home. So I guess I am pleading with any of you out there who know me, my family or my parents to please pray for my dad to get strong. He needs to be home with my mom and we need to get his cancer under control.

Today we took the kids down to see grandpa. Max is so attached to him. He still tries to get grandpa to use his walker and feels as though he is grandpa's personal care giver. In fact tonight one of my dad's nurses was helping him and when Max saw this he went up to the nurse and gave him a huge hug as if to say "Thanks for taking care of my grandpa when I can't be here"

This is Max pushing grandpa, right before he ran grandpa into the nurses station.

My six monkeys and their Grandpa

I love you dad!

My mom is stronger than I have ever thought she could be. She is down with my dad every day for hours. Just to make sure he is being taken care of. She truly loves him and he appreciates and loves her more than I can express. He gets so confused and upset when she is not there, when she comes all is well for him. What an example of true and unconditional love.

Especially For Youth 2009

EFY Game Night

Chad and I always try to direct at least one EFY (especially for youth) every summer. We usually opt for one at BYU so we can stay at home. I love EFY and I love BYU. The energy of the two is awesome. The BYU campus is beautiful and I love the mountains that surround it. I love the youth. They are incredible. And I love listening to my husband speak. He is so awesome. (maybe I am biased but seriously he is good) During the week of EFY Chad speaks about 11 times to the youth. My very favorite is Thursday night. Thursday the kids dress up in their church clothes all day. They attend classes (taught by other teachers), then they end the day with a musical program given by them, an awesome fireside (given by Chad) and testimony meetings oh and of course my very favorite part, the EFY medly. This year we had 900 youth in our group.
Seriously it was a blast and such great kids.

Chad was the Session Director of BYU 3B and
Scott Robley was the Director for BYU 3A.
The shirts were not the manliest of colors.
The green was called Algae and the Pink was Hibiscus.

On one of the nights we brought Raegan and Kalli.
They had a blast dancing with the counselors.

My cousin Melanie's daughter Ashley was at our session.

Our good friends the Heslops had their daughter there too.

I am so red faced! It was hot in the ballroom. They combined sessions for the dance so we had over 1600 kids dancing...Talk about stinky, sweaty kids!

Seriously the counselors are so great!

WE LOVE EFY!

Soccer Days

We just finished our soccer season. We had 5 out of our 6 kids playing soccer this year. Some days we had as many as 7 games on one Saturday. It was pretty crazy but the kids loved it. They all played their hearts out and did really good. But I am happy it's over with, for now.
It will be nice to have our Saturdays back for a while.

Here We Go Again!!!

Well if any of you missed it the first time, our Rachael Ray segment will be airing again this Friday, June 5th on the Rachael Ray show.
(Man, that is a big group, look all of those kids! I wonder what Valerie and Rachael would have to say about Chad and Cassie expecting Kerby Kid #7 in December)

Our New Little Buddy!

This is Tumbles, he is six weeks old. He is part Collie (lassie) and part Eskimo. He is the cutest little guy and is well loved at his new home.

Fun with Cousins

My sister Andrea and her kiddos came up to UT from AZ. Last night we took the kids to a park and they had a blast. It's so fun that they are such great friends with their cousins and can just pick right up every time. The weather was absolutely beautiful!!! I love the seasons in UT.

Sydney is always such a poser.

Raegan and Torie

Kymber and Kalli

Max is so dang cute but is always into trouble! He is definitely a handful, but a cute one!

KALLI

Tyler and Sydney on the Monkey Bars.

Andrew was so cool in his awesome glasses!

Sydney and Abbie

MAX

Abbie and Sydney on the Monkey Bars

TYLER

Torie and Sydney

Chad was trying to join in on the fun. If you notice his left leg, he still has on his boot because his leg is still broken. Not very smart, but he had fun!!!

Ellie and Andrew

Kalli and Kymber just chatting and having a great time.