Sunday, November 2, 2008

Fall Break

For Fall Break this year we had the opportunity to go to California, thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Hill. It was a quick trip down but plenty of fun.

The ride down was a little bright for Ellie so Mandy lent her her sunglasses.

In front of California Adventure with most of the crew.
Nick (Whit's fiancee), Whitnie, McKensie, Mandy, Ellie, Ryan, McKay, and Jackson.



Our little family ready to have a fun day. The kids were so excited to go. The whole shuttle ride over they kept chanting "Disneyland, Disneyland!"


The kids couldn't wait. They had to have a bite of the candy.

The traditional picture with everyone, including Grandma Sherrie and Grandpa Jeff.

McKay's was so excited that this time he was tall enough for Indiana Jones. Mandy and I thought that it would be a little to scary for him, but Mandy was good at explaining how everything was going look and go on the ride. After going on the ride, he said "That was FANTASTIC!!" He wanted to go on the ride again. Since I'm such a big fan of Indiana Jones as well, McKay and I had to get a picture inside the ride. Like father like son. I love you bud, and way to go.


Since it was Halloween we had to go in the Haunted Mansion. It was decorated to the theme of the "Nightmare before Christmas" the kids were a little scared, but good sports.

The kids and Mandy love the tea cups. I can't stand them. I get dizzy sick really fast, so Nick and I watched Whit and my family go on the crazy ride.

On the way to California Adventure, we took an old car to the front entrance of Disneyland. The top speed was about 5 miles an hour but better than walking.




Lunch break. Grandpa Jeff and McKay chilling in the shade drinking some water. We waited in line for about an hour to go on Soar'n over California. The ride lifts you up in the air and you are looking at a huge screen that displays areas all around California. As you are flying through the air you can smell the area your in, and it feels like your really there. At the end of the ride, you are flying above Disneyland and fireworks are going off. The kids loved it!

Ellie seemed to be on my shoulders a lot. It was OK. We did a lot in a couple of days. The kids were great and we all had a fun.

Snow White's wicked queen. Ellie wouldn't go by herself, so dad had to jump in and get in the picture.



Taking another break waiting for the Disney Pixar's parade.


McKensie, Ellie, Nick, McKay Whitnie and Jackson enjoying the Pixar Parade. Ellie didn't like it much because some of the people where squirting water at everyone. She would bury herself into Kenz arms and hide. It was a really neat parade, and a nice break from standing in line.


We spent our second day at Knott's Berry Farm. The last time we came as a family was one year ago. The kids remembered the mail ride, and wanted to go on that first thing. McKay and Ellie love it. I love Ellie and McKay's expressions.


McKay and Ellie had a great time on the race cars. It would wipe them around each corner. Poor Ellie was on the outside and getting smooshed by McKay, but it didn't seem to bother her. They where just trying to hold on for dear life.


The Hill family tradition that started with my Grandma and Grandpa Hill was to go to Knott's Berry kitchen and have a meal. They have the best home made roles and their famous Knott's Berry jam. I look forward to this place every time we come.


McKay and Ellie enjoying coloring and eating there jello. Speaking of Jello, Grandpa Jeff and Jackson were sitting across from McKay and Ellie and they were playing a magic trick on McKay and Ellie. Jackson would eat his Jello and my dad would catch the Jello in the back of Jackson's head, McKay and Ellie thought that Jackson had a hole in the back of his head. The kids loved it and told Jackson that he needs to go to a doctor when he gets home. Thanks for entertaining the kids Grandpa Jeff and Jackson.




We all love ice cream. Smile!



McKay loved to go on this airplane ride. You could control whether you go up and down, and he thought that was the coolest thing ever.




This is another fun ride for the kids. They only problem was that it had the longest line in the park. Mandy was a good sport and waited in line with them. It amazing that a ride that last for maybe thirty seconds and tips back and forth like a tee-ter-totter, would be so exciting for kids. I'm glad that they had a great time.

Nothing like a long day a Knott's Berry Farm. McKensie, Whitnie and Nick were so tired.
That night Grandma Sherrie stayed at the hotel with McKay and Ellie and the rest of us came back for the Haunt. All of Knott's Berry Farm turns into a haunted house with low lights, fog, and people jumping out at you. Mandy didn't especially want to go but she was a good sport and waited for us outside of each haunted house. I think the highlight of the night was watching McKensie get scared.
It was a fun, quick trip and we are so glad we were able to go. Thanks again Grandma and Grandpa.



Sunday, October 12, 2008

The Great Outdoors!

If you call sleeping in a tent with your 6 and 4 year old in your backyard camping, then we went camping. This is a funny story. Awhile back I took McKay to a fathers-in-son camp out in my Dad's ward. It was great and McKay really enjoyed it. Ever since that camp out, he keeps bringing up that he wants to go camping again with our whole family. So one night as we were all around the table eating dinner McKay brought up that he wanted to go camping again. I thought about it for a minute and looked outside and said, lets go camping! The kids got really excited and I told them that we are going to camp in the backyard. They didn't even care what time it was, they wanted to go get in the tent and camp as soon as possible. I set up the tent, the kids got ready for bed, and we climbed in for some fun stories and to read a couple of books. I know that McKay and Ellie probably stayed up way past me, but eventually I woke up and they were fast asleep, McKay had the sleeping bag over his head and Ellie was not even in her sleeping bag. It was so fun to be out there with them. In the morning Clara had to come out and enjoy the party as well. I know that my hair is going to be the talk of the town, but you have to get the morning after picture. Ellie is our glamour girl. She had to have the pose. Everyone smile.

It was really cold in the morning, the wind was blowing. The kids were great. We just chilled in the tent for awhile. Thanks to McKay and Ellie for the great camp out, we will have to do it again and again.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Mr. & Mrs. Alex Grow

My baby brother Alex finally locked in Annie Stewart and they got married on Sept 25. The night before the wedding day my parents hosted a wedding dinner in their back yard. The setting for both nights was nothing short of magical thanks to my brother Wyatt and his company, Alpine Event Rentals, and A Flower Affair.
Each table was named and it correlated with something having to do with their courtship. We were at the Serendipity table. Meaning the Serendipity Cafe in NYC, like the movie. Annie and Alex went there on their trip last year.


Clara enjoying a roll. The food, catered by Arlington House, was fabulous. Thinking about the pork tenderloin with brandy sauce is making me drool.

Since Annie is a Stewart, my parents thought it would be fun to have some bagpipe players play during the dinner.
Alex, accompanied by Annie's two brothers and his friend, sang a song for Annie as part of the dinner program.
I just had to show the beautiful flowers.



The next day my nieces Kim, Hailey, and Dannie were nice enough to keep track of the kids while Ryan & I went into the temple. They took some fun shots of the kids around the temple grounds.
Clara checking out the reflection pool.


Getting some coloring in while waiting at the temple.




Me & Ryan at the temple.

McKay with his cousin Kim.
Ellie & Aunt Lindsay
Mr. & Mrs. Alex Grow





Ellie was the first one to rush the cute couple.
Annie's dress was so unique, and so Her.
Before the reception they held a private ring ceremony in the Stewart's backyard.
All the Grow Girls, minus Clara. She was having a rough day!





My parents with the happy couple.
Ryan & Clara dressed to the nines.
Ellie and I showing everyone our moves.
Sisters having a good time.
Clara loves to dance, or walk around in circles.







Me with my handsome son.
The second half of the reception was rockin and the dance floor was packed.
Ellie raising the roof.

Ryan, Me, Lindsay, & Aaron.








Cutting the cake.
The first dance.
My Dad and Kim showing everyone how it is done.
Finally it was time to go.


. . . and they lived happily ever after