What Was I Thinking!?

When it comes to keys, my brain must not comprehend the importance of them, because I have a key problem. My problem isn't loosing my keys. I automatically place them either on the key hook by the door, or in my purse. My incomprehensible key problem with my brain, is that I tend to leave my purse in my car, with my KEYS in it! I have locked my purse with my keys in my car 3 times this year, 2009. Twice Jared has come to my rescue, and once Kailey came with the trustworthy spares from home. You would think I'd learn, especially since one the times, Jared's rescue came at 3:30 in the morning. Jared, so kind hearted, and thoughtful, had had enough of my lame brain and bought me a magnetic "hide-a-key". I hadn't quite hid it yet, and unfortunately the hide-a-key was sitting in my console of the car, when my last, inconceivable, 4th time locking my keys in the car, act took place. Yes! Can you believe it!? Actually that was the first question Jared asked when I sheepishly called him. "Where's your hide-a-key?" I quitetly yet quickly responded, "Umm.....Well....I haven't hid it yet! Because I hadn't gotten around to getting another key made because I actually have to have the dealer make it, and I umm....didn't want to hide a empty hide-a-key!" Now my lame brain, produces lame excuses too! Anyway, Jared gives me an exaggerated sigh, and proceeds to ask where I am. Right then, my brain starts flash backing and I then realize, that I had the spare keys too, also locked in the car! ( BTW Jared's keys to my car ARE the spare keys). Again, I pitifully explain that, earlier I had left my purse in the car in the garage, with my keys, so just grabbed the spare. And now both sets were tucked safely away in my purse. "You are on your own, Baby!" were the comforting words Jared gave as I hung up the phone. I had no other choice but to call a lock smith.
After a hour and half wait, the locksmith showed up. I wasn't too happy, because of myself, the concern for me from my husband, and most of all the wait. The locksmith proceeded to asked me a number of questions concerning my car. I guess my annoyed look, made him confess that he was just making sure I wasn't trying to steal the car, that I wanted him to unlock for me! "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" I have half laughed half choked up, "If I want you to help me steal a car it wouldn't be a Dodge Mini Van!" The, then scared, locksmith just shut his mouth and hurried and unlocked my door. With out any words, he thrusted over the bill. (see exhibit "A" above). I murmured something to myself about how I should get a discount because he made me wait so long, then I wrote a check and he left. That was it! 5 minutes of his time, 90 minutes of mine, and a hefty $118 down the drain, all because of my brain seems to pass over the importance of NOT leaving your purse with your keys in it, in the car, then lock it.
I hope all who reads this will learn from my Ummm....unlearned mishap.

UEA (Utah Enters Anaheim)

Yes! We did it!! Jared and I have been waiting what seems forever to have ALL our children tall enough to ride all the rides at Disneyland. Finally Porter, our youngest is tall enough! We don't like Disneyland (Sorry to anyone who is a Disney FREAK!). But unfortunately Disneyland is place that children must experience for themselves, plus they need to be able to fit into the "Ive been to Disneyland Crowd.

Yea! We are done! We've done the Family Vacation to Disneyland! Now if my children want to go back, they can choose to go on their own when they are older. Please don't judge me too hard, I just don't like crowds, and I can think of a thousand and one things I rather be spending my money on, than a over-rated, over-crowded, over-priced, place like Disneyland. I'll admit Disney goes all out on decorations, on the themes. They don't hold back for sure. And Yes, I'll also admit, it is pretty clean considering how many people go daily, and finally I'll admit the bigger, popular rides are enjoyable to ride. But one time is plenty for me. I think of Disneyland like an real expensive restaurant. Some restaurants, are decorated so great with a fun or neat atmosphere, yet the meal is just mediocre. You end up paying for the atmosphere not the meal. Instead of going Disneyland yearly, I think Jared and I will try to vacation different places, like back east or up north or down the pacific, now that our kids are old enough to really enjoy and appreciate vacations.

I think what made Disneyland fun, was that we purchased a "Ride max". Ride max is an program where plug in the rides and shows you want to see, and it mathematically give you an schedule that tells you where to go and what rides to get on at certain times to avoid long lines. We as a family used that, and it was like a scavenger hunt. We would race to beat the clock and time. We grabbed fast passes, and actually got to ride all the big rides 2 times each. We never stood in line for more than 30 min. The average Wait time was 10 min. Trying to out beat the crowds, was very challenging, entertaining, and rewarding! by the end of the day, I almost felt like I out smarted Disney! "In your face Disney...Not only did we ride all the rides, we didn't get pulled into your spell of buying stupid mickey ears, Pictures with fake characters, or $6 churros The itinerary, also recommend popular restaurants,worthwhile shows and what rides or show that aren't worth the time. Who needs a week in Disney when you can get-her-done in one day!

Ok with all that said, We did go to the beach too! We went to New Port Beach. Now there we just relaxed. At the Beach we enjoy the soft sand, fun waves and warm sun. There was fun shops to visit with great deals. You can ride your bikes down the board walks for miles, inexpensive restaurants that served yummy foods, and plenty of room everywhere!!

I think my kids enjoyed the beach just as much has Disneyland. And other than parking, it was FREE!

Hello Autumn

I'm not a real fan of fall, I know that a lot of people like the fall colors and the autumn smells in the air, I say WHATEVER! I don't like how I never know what to wear! I'm freezing in the morning, and Hot by the afternoon, I'm not sure whether to get my winter clothes out and my summer put away. There are Clothes everywhere because my family has to change clothing 2 or 3 times during the day. Besides that, my flowers are brown, and dead!

However.....I do like the harvest.

My apple tree gave me Yummy apples this year!

We went to a pumpkin patch, rode on a tractor trailer

and picked out our own pumpkins! (Note the shorts.)

Kailey bought her first car (with help from mom and dad).

And finally this fall Kelsey, Kailey and I ran in an all woman's 5k! For no training, or gearing up, I think we did pretty darn good! Kelsey ran it in 31, myself in 32, and Kailey in 33 minutes. I think we might do one every year, it was kinda fun.

I guess Fall isn't that bad!!