Carnival

Judson's school had a carnival Friday night to raise money and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the school. I worked at a couple of the booths and Michael, Judson & Carma met me there later. I seemed to be a pretty good success and all the kids had so much fun!
Judson said getting his face painted was the best part and Carma loved "fishing" for ducks the best.

The Lizard and The Zoo

First of all I will tell you about the Lizard that Judson caught almost 3 weeks ago.
He named it Noah the second (after his horny toad lizard that died last year). Renton found it at Aunt Cynthia's house and Judson was brave enough to catch it so Renton gave it to Judson. Thanks A LOT Renton! Just kidding, we love it. We buy crickets for him and I never see him eat them, but he is still alive so I guess he is. I think he is a dessert fence lizard but I don't know for sure. The kids love to hold him and he is pretty cute. I just hope he survives.

Last Friday Judson's class went on a field trip to the zoo and I chaperoned. It was a short and sweet visit lasting only 2.5 hours. I only had 3 kids in my group (Judson, Brayden and Josh) and they were all so well behaved. Our highlights were the White Alligator and the roaring Tiger. The Tigers was TICKED to be in a cage and was pacing back and forth trying to get out. Judson said "why is he doing that?" I said "He probably wants to get out and chase us." The other two boys are very cuddly boys and liked to hug the whole time... Judson was having none of that. I was chuckling to myself when they would try to hug him. I think it is more so because those boys just turned 6 and he is SEVEN now. hahaha We rode the train around the zoo before ending our visit.

Highlights from our Disney Trip

I know we missed so much during our Disney Trip. I can't wait to go back... I LOVE IT!!
It really is the happiest place on earth (well, I wasn't thinking that when I was about to pass out from the heat). But now that I am home I am craving Disney Land again and I can't wait to go back. Sad news, they decided to hold the race the same weekend and I don't know if I want to take the chance of doing it again in that heat... so sad.
Here are highlights from our trip.

First shown: Judson and Carma with Alice and Madhatter. It was the cutest thing b/c Alice came right up to Judson and Carma and asked if they would like to join her for a game of musical chairs. OF COURSE they would! Alice really couldn't have been any cuter and Madhatter was so into character. Carma kept giving him crusty's, but she LOVED Alice and went to her in a second. I am pretty sure that was my favorite part of our trip.

We waited in line to meet Aerial and got to her and Carma FREAKED. She was terrified and didn't want anything to do with her. It was hilarious! Her favorite ride was Monsters inc. We went on it at least 5 times and each time we got off she would hit me and say "Monsters! I want to go on it again!".

Judson, Nonnie and I did bumper cars. It was fun even though the ride is short. I was done after this ride b/c I felt like I was going to faint. (it was the day of the half marathon and over 108 degrees). Judson stayed with Nonnie and had so much fun. I am looking at these pictures and amazed that he was climbing rocks and going over ropes in this heat. This is where Nonnie is and I are different. She will suffer through the pain and heat for Amusement parks. And it was so sweet of her to stay with Judson. I suppose this was the reason he puked at the restraunt later. It seriously broke my heart that he had to go back to the hotel with Michael while Nonnie and I went back Disney Land. Michael said he was sleeping in seconds and he slept for over 13 hours. Poor kid. But he was perfect and ready to go another full day to Disney by morning.

Judson and Nonnie ended our short visit to Disney Land by going on the "Promised Farris Wheel". We were done at 6:00 since that is what time California Adventure closed and the lines back into DL were CRAZY! I can't wait to go back and next time I want to stay at least 3 days

The Beach

I HATE THE BEACH!!!
The BLISTERING Sun, the STICKY sand, the STINKY water (with who knows WHAT in it); not to mention all the half naked skinny girls for me to compare myself too. I am just not a fan. But you just HAVE to go when you go to California and Judson couldn't wait to go. We went to a private beach with our friends who went to DL with us. Judson and I were sorely disappointed to find out that there were no sea shells at the beach. That is the only thing I like doing at the beach.

But look at the cute pictures we got. How happy do I look in this picture... hahaha
BAH HUMBUG to beaches!! POO POO BEACH!

Judson's First Day of First Grade!

Move mouse over the pictures to hold them still and move them.

Here are some cute pictures of Judson on his first day of school. He started saying he didn't want to go to school THE FIRST day. We are 5 weeks in and he didn't today was the first time he DIDN'T say it. I guess he has just figured that whether or not he says it he has to go either way. Poor kid, I agree, school is SO LONG! I miss him, but honestly it is better that he is gone most days b/c he is SO obnoxious lately.

A cute tradition our neighborhood does is meet for breakfast at the bus stop the first day of school. It is such a cute idea and lets us meet the parents and the kids at the bus stop. This bus stop has almost 50, YES, FIFTY kids. CRAZY huh. We are working with the school board to change it. Kids are like a wild pack of dogs when they get together. I swear I saved at least 3 kids lives in less than 2 weeks at the bus stop. CRAZINESS I TELL YA!

Judson's teacher is THE CUTEST lady! She has retired once already and is back for round 2. NUTS?? I don't know, but I feel blessed to have her. She is so sweet and smiley AND organized. She actually responds the first day I ask her a question, sends thank you notes and has a calendar of the month's homework for us to sign. She is AMAZING! I think this will be a GREAT year for Judson. He is already reading small books on his own. We are so proud of him.

Judson's Birthday!

I can't believe it has already been 7 years! That went by SO fast! I also can't believe it has been a month since I have been diligent in posting. I have SO much catching up to do and I am starting with Judson's birthday since it is the most important. He has been a busy kids lately. So much to post about his busy life.

The first picture is Judson's bug collection. Jared sent THE COOLEST bugs to add. THANKS JARED!! Now it looks way more complete. We have added 8 more beetles and a huge moth and the NASTIEST spider I have EVER SEEN!

Judson had 2 mini parties. We had a few of his neighborhood friends over Saturday night before his birthday (since his bday was on a Sunday). Mario, Matt, Connor & Clayton came. A sister from our ward made the coolest Darth Vader cake. Judson LOVED it, and who could blame him, it ROCKED! We played freeze tag, and Jedi, Jedi, Yoda (duck duck goose).

On Sunday we celebrated at the Tolmans. All the cousins were there to help celebrate. Michael and I made this cake and it wasn't nearly as cool as the Vader Cake. We tried to give it a "retro" flare when we realized it wasn't lookin' too hot. It has the Napoleon Dynamite look to it don't ya think? We had Watermelon and treats.. it was low maintenance and fun. How can it not be fun where there are so many boy cousins near his age to celebrate with? They are all TOO CUTE!!

Disney Land

Disney Land was SO much fun! even though it was SO HOT!!
I love it there and am always amazed at how much detail work goes into everything! Judson and Carma had so much fun too! Judson is braver than me when it comes to rides. He went on the Tower of Terror. He said he wouldn't go on it again, but he wanted me to. I never made it on there. Carma LOVED the Monster's Inc ride the most. We went on it 5 times. Judson and Carma also played musical chairs with Alice and the Mad Hatter. It was way too cute. Carma let her pick her up and dance with her and Judson was stealin' chairs like a pro. (so what that the other kids were 2 years younger:).
After going on the Pirates of the Caribbean I was debating whether or not to take Carma. We decided she would be fine, and she was. She LOVED it. She cracks me up on what she is scared of. Fireworks.. yes, SCARY, freaky looking pirates in semi-darkness.. NO.
Judson LOVED Indiana Jones. My kids are SO MUCH braver than I was (or am). I would have had nightmares for years!
My favorite ride is Soaring over California. It is AMAZING and so relaxing. Michael enjoyed it too~ even though he is not a rides fan.. or even Disneyland fan for that matter.
All of us LOVED the Crush interactive show. That is way too cute and funny.
To our surprise ,the kids did really great in the car. There was a tiny bit of whining but not bad. Thank goodness for DVD players. I hope we can go again and I hope to do the half again next year.. if is NOT in the summer.

Check out our pictures at:
http://www.disneyphotopass.com/photoeditor.aspx#

I DID IT!
I finished the half marathon. I didn't do nearly as well as I hoped. I finished in 3hr and 3 mins. TOTALLY TICKED that it took me over 3 hours to do. My goal was 2.45 max. But I am giving myself credit for even finishing since it was 100 degrees and SO HUMID. Seriously it was 108 on Monday and 14,000 people signed up for the race and a little over 9000 finished. I mean the heat was just "oppressive". It zapped everything. At different points during the race I pictured myself just stopping and calling Michael to get me.
It was pretty cool to go through the parks and even cooler for some reason to go through Angel's stadium on mile 10. To smell the fresh grass (be in the shade for part). The energy there was incredible. It really helped me to keep going.
Mile 11 I met this cute 65 year old woman and we talked to mile 12. By mile 12 I found more energy and started jogging again and mile 13 I sprinted as fast as I could. By the end I wanted to die and the sun felt as if it was actually pressing against my face and all I wanted was shade.
I didn't have that wonderful feeling of accomplishment that I hoped to have. Rather I was pissed that it was so DANG HOT!! I was wondering why I paid so much money to be so miserable. But as I got back to the hotel I was feel better and at this point I have been bitten by the "race" bug and Michael and I are going to start training for a race as early as November. I think there is one in St. George.