San Diego Day 2

Today is Sea World Day! Easton and Mason could not wait to see Shamu, penguins, dolphins, and the sharks! Our hotel had this awesome billboard where we waited for the shuttle. The first place we went to was the penguin encounter. It was really cool! Literally:) We couldn't believe how many penguins were in there, and how fast they could swim. It was fun to just watch them! We then went over to the beluga whales, and polar bear. The whales were swimming all over, but the polar bear was sleeping.

Next up was SHAMU!!! We walked across a boardwalk and could look down into the different pools. These two whales kept kissing each other. It was pretty funny! We ended up sitting in the soak zone, but up pretty high. Grandma and Daddy didn't want to get wet. Lucky for them, the splashes didn't come up that high! The boys were entertained through the whole show, and were amazing at the cool tricks they could do! They really liked the baby whale too.

We then went to a pet show that was hilarious! Then to the dolphin show. We were up super high though and didn't get very good pictures. Mason loved when the people stood on the dolphins backs and went around. He thought that was awesome. We then went into the shark encounter. Easton decided to pout and be scared, so we decided to have some fun. After about 3 funny face pictures he wanted in on the fun. However he got cut out of the picture. Oops!

Easton and Mason both had to have a map. They had it out the entire day telling us where to go. They were such good tour guides!

We then went to the Seal show. It was super fun, and cute. Again, the boys were amazed at the seals tricks, and laughed through the whole thing!

Last, we went to Elmo in 4-D! It was awesome! Not only were things flying around close to your face, but you were getting sprayed by water, your seat was vibrating, and bubbles were floating down past you. Easton didn't like the water part and started crying. Mason on the other hand loved the entire thing. Especially when Cookie Monster's cookie looked like it was right in front of you. He was grabbing for it, and the Cookie Monster ate it! He laughed at that!

We had a few minutes to kill so we rode a few little rides that were there. Mason also got to see Elmo and Count. He was scared of Count though so Count left!

San Diego Day 1

The boys were so excited to be able to go on their first plane ride! They could not wait. We had been counting down days for the last few weeks. The morning we were leaving, they could hardly contain themselves! They were trying to pack for me, just to get going! We got all the way to Castle Dale and I realized that I had left my camera at home. I didn't want to turn around to get it (road construction), so I was pretty bummed. When we stopped at Wal-Mart to grab a few last minute things, I ran back and looked at their cameras. They had a really nice one for cheap so I bought it. It made me much happier. Luckily it had a charged battery in it, so the boys and I tried it out on the way!

We parked in long term parking and rode the shuttle to the airport. The boys thought that was pretty cool! We checked in super fast and went through security without any problems. We went and found our gate and realized that we still had 2 hours until our plane was going to board! UGH! Justin always stresses about being late, missing the planes, not getting through security, not finding out gate.... and I told him that I didn't want to be there super early. I didn't want to have to entertain Mason for a long time! But, he was the driver, so we got there early:) So after playing on the I-Pods, coloring, looking out the windows, walking through the shops, buying junk food, jumping off and climbing over chairs it was time to board.

The plane had 3 seats together on each side, and since there were 5 of us, Justin and I each took a kid. They couldn't wait to take off. Mason kept asking me, "Mom are we flying". I would say, "No Mase, look we are still on the ground." I don't know how many times I went through this with him! Finally once we took off and our wheels came up off the ground, and our stomachs went into your throats, they started giggling! They loved the whole thing! We had a brief panic attack when we thought we were going to miss our connecting flight in Phoenix, but then it was brought to our attention that there is a thing called time change. Whew!

Mommy and Mason were chatting the other day while Mommy was getting ready.

Mommy: Mase what do you want to be when you grow big?

Mase: 4

(he is always want to be like Easton)

Mommy: Ha, Yes, but what do you want to DO when you are big like Mommy and Daddy?

Mase: Wear underwear!

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Mason has learned the song "Follow the Prophet"

He sings it, "Follow the Prophet, Follow the Prophet, Don't go straight." (supposed to be---don't go astray.)

A Lot of Firsts

Easton had his first ever swimming lessons. He was so excited to get to learn how to swim. The first day we got up super early to get ready. We got there and he was not nervous at all. Then his teacher asked him to put his face in the water and blow bubbles and he freaked out! He was screaming and crying. He wouldn't even get into the water. I carried him over to the pool and handed him to his teacher so he could see that she wouldn't let him drown. The whole time he was yelling and flinging his arms and legs. Pretty sure everyone there thought I am a horrible mother for forcing him into the water. But I wasn't going to let him get away with it.

On the way home he kept telling me that he was never going back. I kept trying to think of a way to get him to go. I told him he wouldn't be able to go with friends to the pool unless his did lesson. He said he was okay with that. Finally it hit me.... MARIO... I told him that if he would finish the next 2 weeks of lessons without crying, and if he would do what his teacher asked him, I would buy him a Mario Wii game. That did it!

The next day he walked in hopped right in the water, put his face under, jumped off the side, dove for rings, swam with the noodles and even jumped off the diving board! People kept coming up to me and saying, "Wow, he is a completely different kid from that first day." Yes, it is amazing what a little bribing can do!

Troylynn gave the boys goggles which they both love! Mason had to wear his even though he wasn't swimming. Justin took the boys on their first Fathers and Sons outing. They had a lot of fun, and it was pretty nice for mommy to have some time to herself:)

Justin did his first overnight FFA Officer Retreat. We went camping on the mountain. Everyone had a lot of fun, and learned things to help them through the next year. The boys and I had a good time in the trailer (it rained off and on), and playing with Annie and Meah. Easton and Mason also had a good time with the students playing Hide-and-Seek!

It was Cleveland Days over the 24th. Justin and Mervin always go to the Trap Shoot. I finally went along for moral support. The boys were fighting over who got to hear the ear muffs. Mason finally won the fight and put them on. After a while I noticed it had been pretty quiet in the back seat. I turned to check on Mason and found this.... (I think he may be on to something:))

Last night we planned on going on the mountain fishing. It started pouring just as we left so we headed to Millsite instead. We never catch fish at Millsite. After a few minutes of fishing, Justin caught this really nice fish! It is so thick and fat! I can't wait to eat it! We all got our hopes up and tried to catch more. Justin caught one more little one that we let go, and that's it! Guess he caught the only fish in Millsite:)

Easton

Easton is always coming up with the funniest things. Once he has something in his head there is no changing his mind. I have to write down a few of the funny things that he has came out with lately.

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Easton came in from riding the motorcycle with dad and his hands were cold. He told Mommy, "Shiver Me Timbers". Mommy asked what that meant. Easton replied, "It means cold in Spanish."

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Easton and Grandma were singing the Hinges song. Easton sang, "but I have to have hinges or else I would CRAP." We tried to convince him that it is Crack, but he is determined.

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Easton helped Daddy shoot a muskrat in our pond. When he got home he told Grandma about it.

Grandma: Why did you shoot it?

Easton: Because it is bad

Grandma: What does it do that is bad?

Easton: It drinks all of our water.

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Easton is into "Super Mario Brothers". He and Mason are always pretending to have some sort of super powers. One night while changing water, he told me that our whole family has super powers. I asked what my super power is, and he told me. "People can just call you Helicopter Head Mommy".

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We sure do love him, and love that he always keeps us laughing!

Fishing

We went fishing to Ferron Reservoir yesterday. We heard that it was really good fishing. We had a blast. We got there pretty early in the evening and the fishing was slow, but once it started to get a little later, it got hot! The boys both caught their own fish on their little fishing poles. We were really impressed and can't wait to go back!

So proud of the big fish he caught all on his own!

Justin and Mason reeling in a fish

The fish that Mason caught on his own fishing pole.

Mason DOES NOT have the will power to draw and color only on paper... So I often find him looking like this... ... and I usually say, "Mase, what are you doing?" He usually replies, "I'm drawin' on my cheeks!" Or "I'm colorin' my feet."

Spent a day at the pool again. We are loving being able to go all the time! Everytime we go I think that Mason can't get any more tan. Everytime we come home and his skin is a little darker. Honestly, who wouldn't love his skin:)

Last week Justin was watching the boys while I was classes. Mason told him he didn't feel very good and fell asleep. I came home and Mase woke up screaming. He was rolling around on the floor, and saying his mouth hurt, and his tummy hurt. He was slurring his words together and just in extreme pain. (He is one that hardly ever cries about pain, unless it is super bad). I was trying to figure out what to do, and he looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Mommy, take me to the Doctor." That was enough to convince me. We ran him over to the clinic and sure enough he had a super bad ear infection. Poor guy!

So the Doctor gave him amoxcillin for it. I got him home and went to give him a dose and he started crying again. I asked what was wrong and he said, "Mommy, that is pink, it is for girls, I'm a boy." It took some convincing that boys can like pink too, before he would take it!