Nate & Brittany's Wedding

April 2, 2009
Nate & Brittany Holiday
Newport Beach Temple
With that many people, someone was bound to forget their temple recommend...I just never would have guessed it was gonna be me!27 Cousins
All but 3 of them were in California. Sam was overwhelmed to say the least.

Brittany! I want Brittany!
Sam couldn't stop asking for Brittany at the reception. She looked like a beautiful princess, no wonder Sam couldn't get enough of her.

10 Brothers & Sisters
This was the first time in 12 years EVERYONE was together.

Huntington Beach

The entire family went to Huntington Beach on Wednesday before the wedding dinner. Sam has never been too keen on sand. As you can see, the first half of this beach trip was no different. Luckily, her cousin Sydney eased her into it. Before long, she was being buried in the sand! We spent our final day, Saturday, at the Hyatt Regency on Huntington Beach. A full day of swimming at the pool, playing on the beach and the gals being pampered in the spa. Finally! A relaxing day that actually felt like a vacation.

Disneyland

As you can all guess, Samantha was in heaven at Disneyland. Even though she was overwhelmed and exhausted, we spent 2 days visiting her favorite characters and play areas.

Sleep Jewoolie's Castle
She knew exactly who lived here! Too bad the fireworks show made it look dark and scary.Minnie Mouse & Friends Breakfast
The first day we got there really early and went on Dumbo, Tea-Cups, It's a Small World and then met all the cousins for a character breakfast on Main Street. She about lost her mind when Minnie Mouse walked in. Carousel Rides
Sam would've been happy riding the carousel over and over and over. We should have listened to her instead of making the mistake of taking her on rides like: Peter Pan, Toad's Cars, Finding Nemo, Pirates of the Caribbean...all disasters. Celebration & Pixar Parades
Sam LOVED the parades. She danced to the music and waved at all her favorite characters. The Pixar Parade in California Adventure had bubbles floating down from the sky...lots of bubbles. Almost lost her.

A Bug's Life Land
We spent a lot of time in this play area and also the ropes and slides playground in California Adventure. She, of course, hated the Bug's Life 3D movie. Scared the pants off of her. Princess Lunch at Ariel's Grotto
Worth every penny! Sammie got to meet Ariel, Cinderella, Belle, Snow White and her favorite Sleeping Beauty. The food was really good and each princess spent a lot of time with her.

Tinkerbell at Pixie Hollow
Sam gets a little shy and nervous when she meets her favorite characters. She always shows them her shirt as an icebreaker...it's pretty funny to watch. When she met Tinkerbell and Rosetta it was no different. Luckily, we got one really good photo out of the bunch.

Mickey! Mickey! Turn Around!

She doesn't like to go up and take pictures with the characters, but loves to shout and holler at a distance. Mickey did eventually wave and shake her hand.

Toon Town
In California Adventure they have a show called, Playhouse Disney Live on Stage featuring Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! As everyone knows, this is Sam's favorite show. She loved every minute of it! Once it was over, she requested a second trip to Toon Town. Poor thing was so tired this whole week...sometimes she just laid down where she was to rest.

Let's Go Fly a Kite

Grandma and Grandpa think of all the fun things to do with Sammie. Last night they came over with a kite. A Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Kite. Do they know her or what?!

Samantha's Bedtime Routine

If ever we call on you to babysit, here is Sam's schedule.
It is long. But fun. Sometimes.

Basketball
Before, during and after dinner, Daddy and Sammie play basketball in the driveway. She got a pink basketball and volleyball for Christmas. She likes to carry them (both at the same time) around the house, waiting for Dad to get home. And, she sleeps with them at naps.


Car ride
We pimped out her car with a DVD player. Luckily Aunt Melissa is letting us borrow this for the plane ride. Imagine Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for 3 hours straight...she'll be an angel the entire flight!Bath
The washcloth on her tummy is keeping her warm because she gets cold...wonder who she got that from!Storytime
We let Sam pick out 2 books. Tonight was a bear theme: Bear Wants More and We're Going on a Bear Hunt. This was the first time Blake heard her "read" the book.

Prayers
She won't say them, but she will give a shout out to her current favorites of the day. Mommy, Daddy, Gamma & Pappa, Deesh & Ray, Ma-Lissa, Nate & Ditney, Lauren-Avery, Davey, Lyd-i-a...and then she'll add any friend she happened to see that day. Prayers are going to become really long after we reunite with all 26 cousins next week. Is that right? Is there really 27?!

Hide
At bedtime, she almost always hides in the same spot. We would tell you, but that would be cheating. We wouldn't want to spoil all the fun. This is another spot she will either hide in, or watch TV from here. Can you see her? Look closer...There she is!Potty
We are not potty-trained or potty-training for that matter. She wears pull-ups and goes pee-pee before and after nap and bedtimes. It's a start. When we get back from Nate's wedding, she's got a whole pack of Disney Princess undies waiting for her.

Bubbles
I have an entire stash of potty prizes. So far, she only cares for the bubbles. She has to be in bed, laying down...that way she can catch them with her feet.

Songs
Once the bubbles are over, she starts screaming to go "poops." This is a lie...she doesn't need to go again, so don't fall for it. The key is start singing a song she will sing along with. Current winners are: I Know You from Sleeping Beauty, Twinkle Twinkle, I Am a Child of God, and Wheels on the Bus. After she blows us kisses, Dad leaves and I get to sing a few more songs. Then we leave her to talk and sing to her baby. Door open.

That's ALL it Takes!

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

One of our yearly outings is the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Sam has been every year, including the year she was in mommy's tummy. The older she gets, the more fun it is for everyone! One of these years, we will all dress up like Pappa.We started off walking through the carnival. She insisted on stopping so she could "ride this one!" Have you ever seen a happier girl?

We stopped at the pig races... and petting zoo.The Children's Country was great this year.
We walked through Fun on the Farm. Sam needed no guidance. She knew just what to do and loved carrying the basket of goodies. She got to plant seeds... and harvest the crops.

Milk cows, and pick fruit off of trees. In the end she sold her basket of food for money, and got to buy a treat. It was a great activity for kids.We ate lots of great food: funnel cakes, deep fried oreos, BBQ and ice cream.We got to see Taylor Swift that night. She is adorable and put on a great show!

Square Foot Garden

I've been wanting to start a garden for years. With the help of Blake and my Dad, it is finally built and growing...so I hope.I've got: tomatoes, zucchini, onions, pumpkins, watermelon, peppers, carrots, lettuce, strawberries, cilantro, parsley, dill, sage, chives, basil and oregano.