Wow, I'm a slacker.

We have had a super busy 2 weeks! Sorry i'm so delayed.  I hope I can explain all of these pictures still

 :-)

We finally gave in and bought a pass to Disneyland.  I'm so excited because it seems that all of our friends have the pass - so now we get to go whenever we want.  I imagine that when Landon starts walking it will be ever more fun/chaos, but until then we are enjoying it.

Of course, our favorite rainy day place is still the Long Beach Aquarium.  I think I first took Landon there when he was about 1 week old.  He is clearly starting to enjoy it more.  I love watching his little face and wondering what he is thinking when he sees animals - especially fish.

 A few weeks ago we joined out friends Liv and Lochner at Disneyland to celebrate Hunter.  Hunter is a wonderful boy who deserves celebrating, especially since he's been out of the hospital for a few weeks.  The poor kid is still getting poked and prodded, with a looming endoscopy, but he's in a great mood - as usual.  Here we are waiting for Liv and Lochner to arrive.

 Yay! Lochner is here!

 Big man on the horsey

 Liv and Lochner had to ride with the animals on the train ride.

 And here we are.  Why do I look so much happier than they do?

 I imagine this scene about 13 years from now when Hunter is driving.  Instead of checking out Minnie Mouse, I can imagine them looking at some cute girls hanging out at the local McDonalds.

 Liv took Hunter into Donald Duck's boat!

 I take both boys with me to Mommy n Me on Tuesday mornings.  This class is actually for Hunter's age kids, but a lot of my friends bring their second babies.  Hunter is decorating the purple cat (for all of 30 seconds before he splits).

 And he LOVES to paint (himself).

 I turn around for 10 seconds and Landon has crawled to the top of the slide.  We have a real climber on our hands.  So he refuses to walk but he can get most anywhere he needs to with his crawling, cruising and climbing.  He can almost get onto our bed!

 What a good student.  Front and center.

 He keeps telling me how he wants a baby sister.  He recently told the babysitter that we are expecting (which we are not).  So when we have a baby sister, we will name her Cheet-oh, as requested by Hunter, and he will feed her with a bottle just like this.  I'm glad he's practicing.  Maybe he will do middle of the night feedings?

 On Wednesday night we went out to celebrate Bridget's birthday! Rc, Janeen, and Nancy were having a blast.

 Lori, Bridget and I were having a good time too.

 Janeen, Me and Rc

 The whole group.

 Super exciting! On Thursday my brother flew into town for about 26 hours.  I miss him so much.  With his residency schedule and the boys, I just never get to see him.  The last time was when he flew down in May for Hunter's 2 year birthday.  He is going to be such a good Daddy.  Landon even let Uncle Jeff hold him - rare.  He doesn't let anyone but Mommy hold him usually!

 On the shuttle bus to Disneyland.

 The 4 of us at Disneyland!

 Hunter knows how to wear Uncle Jeff's glasses!

 And there they go in a rocket ship!

 Uncle Jeff wanted a churro, so all 3 of them got churros.  This turned out to be the best decision of the day because it was the only time that Landon was happy in his stroller.  Mmmm.  Boys and churros.

 We were on our way out when guess WHO appeared?! It's Mickey Mouse!

 Uncle Dr. Jeff showed Hunter how to do a proper exam.  I'm not sure what his med school taught him about the heart, but maybe the neurosurgeon is too focused on brains ;-P

 Then Hunter gave him a shot.

 We went to Bridget's house for  a birthday celebration.  Chance, Keagan and Hunter have known one another since they were about birth-2 months old.  Landon wants to be a big kid at the table.

 Oh look how cute he is! He got into the chair all by himself and....

 stole his brother's pizza.  You would have no idea that this kid dropped 15% in the weight standards.  He eats like a baby vacuum!

 Lori, Bridget and me before we left.

 Keagan did not want us to leave AND he adores Brian.  We had a hard time leaving with this little monkey attached to us.  Maybe next time we'll just take him with us.

 On Saturday morning I was so lucky to take Landon to a 1 year old birthday party for Marty.  What a special age it is! These are our friends Deanna and Marty from Mommy n Me

 These are our friends Riley and Kelley

 So, on Saturday night one of my BEST friends from high school came into town to prepare for our baptism on Sunday.  She must really love me to fly across country with 2 boys and 6 months pregnant.  I couldn't have imagined this weekend without her and I am so glad she came.  Hunter and Daniel had SO much fun playing together.

 Sweet baby James - he is the epitome of a sweetheart.

 Hunter wanted to do whatever Baby James was doing, although he informed me that James is not a baby because he can walk.

 After church they wanted to play outside since Daniel is used to 8 degree weather in Rochester, NY.

 The pool felt like it was about 8 degrees to me!

 Luke, Jen's little brother and someone who just means so much to me, drove in from Arizona to be at the baptism.

 Katy and her family drove in from Thousand Oaks to be a part of the celebration as well.  The middle child, Lizzy, is Katy's oldest child.

 Daddy holding Landon while he eats.

 Then Lizzy and Daniel pretended to sleep out by the pool.

 And Landon inhaled my cake.  He needs it more than I do anyways!

 Me and Jen.  One of my best friends in the whole wide world.

 And out by the pool.

 Sally - a wonderful Gramma (and Mom) - helped SO much with the boys.  I am so thankful that they were in town for a multitude of reasons.  I have no idea who would have taken care of them during the baptism if it weren't for her.  Thank you Gramma Sally!

 Family shot before the baptism.  Notice the boys' little suits.

 Us with our missionaries, Elder Acosta and Elder McCulloch

 With our great friends, Kim and Ben

 With Dr. Bigler! He is just such a wonderful man and I am so thankful to have him in my life.  He is the one who baptized me and it was really amazing.

 Katy and Jen - my adopted sisters.

 The Bigler clan that came (we're missing Stephanie and Nick).  Katy, Dr. Bigler, Sally, Jen and Luke with an assortment of children.

 Before the baptism I was so nervous and excited.  I woke up at 5 am, excited for the day.  As the time got closer I just felt so excited to express my commitment to our Heavenly Father.  I also knew a lot of people would be there and it made me excited that so many people cared to join us.  Below, we are wearing our jumpsuits that we wore to get baptized.

I just have to note, at this point, that the baptism was the most spiritual thing I've experienced to this day in my life.  I've been through a fair amount of stuff in my life, but the feeling I got right before I was dunked, was so comforting.  I just know that Heavenly Father is there and that he loves me.  As Dr. Bigler took my hand and I went into the font, I knew I would always be looked after for time and eternity.  When I actually went under I felt like I was above myself, watching it happen.  It was the oddest experience I've ever had but I loved it.  Then I cried, like I usually do.  I gave him the biggest hug and said "thank you" and I've never quite meant it as much as I did in that moment.

 Me and Dr. Bigler

 Dr. Bigler, Me, Brian, Elder Hill (who baptized Brian), and Elder Acosta.  Elder Hill was transferred away from our ward which made us so sad.  He is such a sweet person!

 This is our Bishop, Bishop Ford.  He is such a nice man and we felt so lucky that he came to our baptism.

 Afterwards there was a little party in the rec room.  Our church friends hung around for quite awhile.  These are the friends who have been SO supportive of us the whole way through.  They've taught us a lot of the nuances of the church and answered millions of ridiculous questions.  The Olsens also have 3 amazing kids who I want to be like when I grow up because they are so polite and wonderful.

 Me and Jen - post-baptism.  You need a best friend in these moments.  After I was baptized I went to the little room to change and we realized that I didn't have a towel.  So, Jen went and got me a ton of paper towels and helped to pat me down.  What would I have done without her? It's those little moments in life when you realize who loves you the most.

 Another high school friend. Nicole, drove in for the baptism.  She converted just 7 years ago and was so excited for us that she had to be here! She brought her 18 month old, Jackson.

 On Monday morning we went to Katy's house to play.  They have an AMAZING backyard! This plane seats 6 kids and the boys (yes, 5 boys) had a blast on it.  Here, Tommy, Hunter and Daniel play while Uncle Luke helps teeter the teeter totter.  Say that 5 times fast, I dare you.

 Landon had fun playing too!

 The boys again.  So cute.

 Siblings! Katy, Jen and Luke.

 Brothers! Hanging out on the airplane.

 We went in the jacuzzi and then it was lunchtime.  Landon so badly wants to be a big boy.

 And they got to play on the play structure too.  So much fun! Landon in the swing, James, Hunter and Daniel up in the house.

 Daniel climbed the ladder!

 I just have to say that Hunter is ADORABLE in his big boy underwear.  Yes, we wear underwear full-time now (except at night).  He is doing a great job with the potty and i am so grateful that I no longer have to do stinky diaper duty with him!

 On Wednesday we went to the Skirball museum with Jen and Katy.  There is a Noah's Ark exhibit which is SO cool.  The kids can climb it and play with so many different tools and levers.  It was the perfect age to go. Tommy, Daniel and Hunter.

 Here they are weaving something on the loom.

 I don't know how we got them to all sit still, but somehow we did.

 And the little guys. Landon and James.

 Katy and Landon.  Sweet, sweet Landon.

 I was SO impressed that he figured out how to work a well.  He watched the big kids do it and then he fully pumped it and made the water spray! 13 months old.  A genius.
 Tommy figured out how to open and close the roof by pulling on the rope.
 Hunter and Landon playing together.  I don't know why it surprised me to see, but Hunter wanted to play with Landon more than anyone else.  I was so happy to see them playing together.

 And then Landon found a broom and it was all over - he loves to clean! Just like his brother.

 Jen and James.

 Katy and Tommy

 Me and Landon.  Tired Landon.

 Hunter decorated himself with the scraps of fabric you were supposed to use to make a doll.  He made the headdress himself and asked me to make a tie - to go to church. So there you go, my little stylish guy!

 Me and Hunter on the camel.

 Cooperative cousin work.  Daniel, James and Tommy.

 Landon figuring out how to make it go.  I cannot believe how quickly he figures out these things!

 The moms - Katy, Jen and me.  We had so much fun and I was so sad to say goodbye to Jen.  Katy I can still see (and plan on it) but Jen lives so far, who knows when I will see her next.  I'm so happy that she came into town and got to see the rest of her family.

These last two weeks have been wonderful, but when isn't life wonderful?! We are so lucky to have all that we have.  I am so lucky to stay home with my little boys and to spend time with my friends when they are in town.  Life is good - no complaints.