Legoland 2

When we went to Legoland earlier this year we bought a two day pass. Last week we went back to california to use that second day.

I wish I could say that we are really good at this road trip thing since we have done it so much, but the truth is we forget something different every time. Some things we've got down pat, some things we keep winging it--which is a bit of just what happens with small kids.



Who's that cool girl in the backseat?



We saw this incredible orange glowing sunset as we drove. Probably from pollution or something, but it was pretty spectacular.





We settled into our hotel right at bedtime and got everyone to sleep. The next day we were off to Legoland in our swimsuits to check out the waterpark as well as the main theme park.







The crowds were nonexistent. We hardly even needed to use Perry's disability pass and got on all the fun rides pretty quick.























Thank you, Layla, for helping your sister look at the camera. Sisterly force.













E and I traded off with Brinns on most of the rides. There are really only a couple of rides that a 32 inch little girl can go on at Legoland.













The waterpark was fun, but half of it was closed so that was disappointing. And it was around this time that Perry had a meltdown so getting him to do any of the slides was difficult. But once the lazy river was opened we went around 3 or 4 times and everyone loved that!







It was so cute watching Perry shake this guy's hand.



Layla was pretty excited to drive this car



While Perry drove the boat. This the one ride that Perry remembered from last time and requested to ride this time.










The ninjago ride!







And the last ride of the day.



The faces of five great men.





We had time to go through Sea Life aquarium before it closed.





Brinns sang baby shark for us over and over again.



Such a pretty sky on our walk back to the hotel!



I'm glad we got to experience Legoland, but my vote is that our next amusement park as a family should be Disneyland.

Happy 9th!!

Another year older.

My Perry boy turned 9 years old.

It's so hard to narrow down pictures of him. He makes the BEST faces and I love every stinkin expression of his.















On his actual birthday we took him out of school early to go to Surfing with Nixon at Big Surf. He got to choose where we ate for lunch (chick-fil-a), birthday treats (from Hurts Donuts), and dinner (mac and cheese).



He wanted to wait until his cousins were in town to celebrate with a party and to open presents. Bryce's birthday is just a week after his so they combined birthday parties and we threw them a big swim party.







Family came from the Hyer side and the Allen side for pizza, ping pong, swimming, and cake.







We keep our cakes simple around here.





We sang to both of the birthday boys.











We all looked pretty cool in our sunglasses.











Perry was happy to share his birthday party with his cousin "as long as Logan brings a present for me and for Bryce." He did.



Happy birthday, Perry! We love your sweet innocence, your passion, your contagious smile, your love, your desire to be a good friend and brother (especially to Brinna), your playful nature, and how you work so hard to accomplish all that you do. You are growing up so wonderfully! We love you, Perry!!!

Pajama Night

Kyler was having some friends over to swim one night so Layla asked if she could have a late night with a friend. The plans were arranged for two sisters to come over. I came into the kitchen a little while later to this "Pajama Night" set up.

She finds such joy in organizing and planning. Eric walked by and said she is totally my daughter. So true! We are a lot alike.

Did you notice the flashlight taped up above the balloons? E and I were not even sure what her plan was for that. But when the girls built a blanket fort under the table even the flashlight came in handy to tell stories with.


Let's look closely at her labels. She made good use of the tape to get those to stay.





Her friends came over from 6:30-9pm. Around 8pm, Layla came quietly over to me and asked if she could go to sleep. Then she told me next time she is only have a late night until 8pm because she gets tired. Haha. 

happy labor day

We gave hours of our day to ikea today.

And ikea gave us swedish meatballs

and a cart ride.

We definitely labored on this labor day trying to get all the new pieces built. We all worked together (minus Perry who was glued to watching Avengers Endgame for the first time. He didn’t know what to think about what happened to iron man, but it is definitely a new favorite movie of his) and got a lot of it done. Layla was proud of her part in the work of building chairs with me. Brinny loved climbing all over the boxes. Eric, Kyler, and Kacin did all of the lifting, carrying, and tightening—the majority of the work, really. Our goal is to organize the loft which is a daily mess of toys and books.