Disneyland & H1N1

I whole heartedly agree with what many of you are thinking to yourselves right now...Disneyland and H1N1 should NEVER be used in the same sentence. Total opposites. One brings the most amazing joy and happiness, and great memories, while the other brings total misery. We had both first hand. Our trip to Disneyland was in October because we had never been their during the Halloween festivities before, and really wanted to see it!

The kids were great on the drive down. We left at 6 am Sunday morning and got there at 4pm California time. We checked into the hotel, and were looking forward to our first day a Disneyland on Monday. Monday went well. We had a great time. Then on Tuesday, about noon, I started to feel really sick. I mean really sick. My whole body ached. I wasn't even sure if I was going to be able to walk back to the hotel. We made it back, had lunch, and Mike took the kids back over to the park so I could rest.

Wednesday morning I felt even worse. Fever, vomiting, cough, headache, I literally thought I was going to DIE! Mike, again, took the kids by himself to Disneyland so I could sleep all day in the hotel. That night, I told him we better go home. I wasn't getting any better, and the hotel room was driving me crazy. We told the kids...they cried, the most unpleasant, begging, pleading cry. Of course, they did not understand why we couldn't just stay. We were leaving, and missing out on 3 extra days of our vacation!

Thursday morning, the doctors confirmed the diagnosis that I was already pretty sure of...H1N1. Sucks, really sucks! Luckily, we got a few good shots on our first day!
It really was amazing during Halloween. Everything was decorated so cute!

Ava riding the fishy.

Waiting for Bugs Life to begin...this was one of the days I was in bed...take note at the uncombed hair!

Waiting for Toy Story..again, mommy is in bed, and our hair did not get combed!

One of the mornings the kids went to Monsters Inc. first thing. They had all of the kids line up for a "Scream Contest". Jordan won!! He was awarded this certificate that he could use all day on that ride, to go to the front of the line!

Here Jordan is signing the certificate he won at Monsters Inc.

Candy Corn Acres in California Adventure.

The "Celebrate" parade on main street.

Jordan on Splash Mountain

While we were riding Pirates of the Caribean, Mike took Ava over to talk to some Disneyland employees at a keosk. She gave Ava this pin that said, "Honorary citizen of Disneyland".

The Haunted Mansion was a whole new ride. Everything had been changed for Halloween.

Swimming at the hotel.

More fall and Halloween decor!

Riding Dumbo!

Mr. Toad

Hopefully, we make it back really soon to make up for having to leave early!

Lexi and Ava waiting to go in on our first day! Hey Look, their hair is combed!!

Jordan earns his Wolf!

After much time and effort for Jordan, his leader's, and his mom and dad, he earned his Wolf badge in scouts. Congrats!!

"Take me out to the Ball Game"

I love, love, baseball season. I think it's because I have such great memories watching my dad and brother play when I was a kid. Lexi played coach pitch softball this year and had a lot of fun. She is a good little hitter. She actually caught a fly ball one of the girls hit, and I am so sad I wasn't recording. The look on her face after she realized the ball was in her mitt was priceless. Mouth wide open, jaw dropping, followed by screaming and smiling in excitement, and amazement!

Jordan's team went to the tournament, and were the Mapleton City Champions! They all played so hard in the heat of the day, some days two games in a row. They had a great coach, and great friends on the team. I am very proud of them both for their accomplishments!

I thought that was a pretty good action shot of him catching that ball!

Painting Party

Luckily, this painting party took place before I stained the back patio. My children started out by painting their fingernails and toenails with paint, which then turned into a total body painting spree! Knowing the patio would soon be getting a make over, I wasn't even worried about it not coming off. They had a great time.





Ava, focusing on her toenails...

Lexi's "SiLly" Party

Lexi was invited to a birthday party, and they had to dress up in a silly outfit! It took a little rummaging through the closets, but we were able to piece together this beauty! Her winter polka dot fleece scarf tied around her neck in a bow, her purple ballet skirt, and her hair in several ponytails. She had a great time, and what a great idea!

The Patio

This was one of the many things that kept me away from blogging all summer. (which I still have a lot of catching up to do) We filled the summer with many vacations and projects. The patio, was one of my big ones. I wanted to create a place to sit and relax in the evenings and take advantage of the cool canyon breeze we get each night. I stained the concrete, and also put a faux finish on top of the main color. We added lattice to the back to add a little more privacy and shade in the late afternoon. My sweet hubby bought me the furniture for Mother's day. It was a great addition to our home for the summer. Many dinners, conversations and memories were created!


The view from my back door.


The "living room"

A view from the side

The "dining room"

"Happy Haunting" winners!

The winners of the Happy Haunting signs are:

Regina- you can thank Lexi, even though Jordan really wanted to be the one to draw the girls name who had the answer to his tongue twister...he still remembers and likes you the most:)

Janice- you can thank my sweet little Ava for eating, I mean picking yours.

Melissa- you can thank Jordan for drawing your name. (I will need you to email your address to me cbrunger@gmail.com)

Congrats to the winners, and remember there is still one more set of pumpkins that I will be posting. Be the first to comment when you see them again and they are yours!

There are some really cute Christmas crafts coming up...can't wait!

Rustic Pumpkin Giveaway!

Be the 1st to comment on this post and they are yours!! Don't be too sad if you are not the 1st...there is one more set left....be on the look out!!

What's for Dinner???

My favorite thing to make for dinner is reservations!

I saw this at the boutique last week, and must have it somewhere in my kitchen...

HaPpy HAunTiNg!!

I just love give aways!!! This cute little Happy Haunting sign, could be yours! I have 2 left. Just leave a comment by Sunday October 11th at 8:00pm. Good Luck!

General Conference

I love and look forward to each general conference. I love the message, and being together with my family. Every year, I have some sort of project to work on as I watch General Conference. (it must be the ADD or multi-tasking side of me) This year, a friend of mine asked me to donate baby headbands for a boutique. The money earned will benefit Mothers without Borders. She has been going to Africa to help women and children there. Of course, during conference seemed like a perfect time!

As I was sitting on my family room floor putting the bows together, President Monsen was talking about his past birthday and all of the gifts he had received from all over the world. He stated that the best gift he could ever receive is kind acts of service that we do for one another. WOW, I thought, I am giving a great gift right now, as I burned my finger tips with the hot glue gun for the 20th time....it didn't seem to hurt as bad after I heard his powerful talk on serving and loving one another.

...and the ones in the front are for the BYU fanatics!!

The Winner's are:

I am pleased to announce the winners of the pumpkins for round 1 are:

Jade- you can thank my son Jordan for drawing your name!
Steff-you can thank my daughter Lexi for drawing your name!
They will be dropped off at the Hospital tomorrow with your names on them.

I did say round 1. Yes, there is a round 2. All you have to do is be the first person to leave a comment when you see the cute little things "pop" up again over the next 2 weeks! There are 2 more sets to give away!

Good Luck!