It Cool When Your Parents Kidnapp You and Take You to Disneyland!

So the parental units of all family formations decided it would be fun to take a trip to the Magic Kingdom. But we were a little sneaky about it. Everyone had a different plan of attack but Scott came up with the idea of telling the boys we were going for a drive and a picnic--that explained the cooler in the car. After arriving in Blythe we stopped at our usual McDonald's and told the kids they could go inside and eat and play for a while. That was supposed to be the highlight. I think a few were a little disappointed that we hadn't chosen a closer McD's but they stopped grumbling after they were fed.


Brock is so happy to have freedom from the carseat, a clean diaper and french fries!


Brock's toes trying to reach the next level in the play area.


Blake in full force!


Bradley, not so sure about his parents mental GPS but thankful to be fed.


Bryson was a great helper when the time came to load the car again. Brock was not so thrilled with the idea as you can imagine. But into the car we went and told them we were going home. They had no idea we were continuing west to the Matterhorn! No one had a clue even while we drove down the streets in Anaheim until we got to the Grand Californian. It was Bradley who was the first to look away from the DVD player and notice where we were. I don't think I have seen any of them that excited and surprised. They really couldn't believe we'd drug them all the way to Disneyland. What they wouldn't find out for another hour or so was that all the cousins would eventually be there too and they were in for 3 super fun days at Disneyland. What a way to end the Summer!


One of our first rides after we got there. They were so excited to see Nathan, Benjamin, Joshua and Baby Elizabeth.


Bradley and I hangin' out in Flick's Flyers.


Mom and Dad threw in a few surprises of their own. We celebrated Chris' Birthday on Orange Shirt Day, and my birthday on Green Shirt Day. My favorite part was wearing my Disney Birthday Button and having all the Cast Members tell me "Happy Birthday, Princess Amy!" I wore my button for two days!


So proud to know I've passed on my love for Chocolate Mickey Rice Krispy Treats!


Bradley and Bryson pose after eating at the Taste Pilot's Grill.


Scott makes his way from behind the camera to chill with Brad!


Green Day and the Tea Cups. Love it!


Yes, Bradley is now the new King of England. Jolly Good!


Here's three of the boys on the Jolly Trolly in Toon Town. A nice shady spot to rest in the afternoon.


The last day of our trip was Blue Shirt Day. One can never ride the Autopia Cars too many times. The kids were very first in line one of the days. That was one of those totally cool moments!


Brock could only take sooo much fun until the Pixie Dust turned into Nighty Night Dust!


I want one of these boxes at my house!


Cassi, Katelyn, Bradley and I braved the fireworks show one night. It was so amazing I took a million pictures and some video. But I will leave you with my favorite picture. The castle might be a little blurry but that my friends is a Mickey Mouse Head in the Fireworks. This is why I love Disneyland!

We had an amazing time surprising the kids. This trip will never be forgotten and probably never topped in the surprise department. It was worth the grumbles in the car on the way there to see their faces when they realized where we were. Four little faces I will never forget!

Our Wild and Crazy Fourth of July!

We, the portion of the Partridge Family who currently reside in sunny AZ, headed to Utah for the Fourth as always, in search of the perfect summer day, a few hot dogs and hamburgers, perhaps a prize or two from Grandma and of course--some amazing fireworks. Well, we got all that plus more fun than should be legally allowed!


Back at our favorite park, Blake actually sits still long enough to snap a picture!


Here is Brock, probably thinking over the options of throwing the ball or just holding possession for a while! Both are pretty good options for a 2 year old!


The afore mentioned prizes. Mom always comes through!


The girls received picnic plate covers, which we made a fashion statement out of. Gotta love a dual purpose!


And the kiddos got Hackey Sacks! Because there weren't enough objects they could find to throw at each other. At least these were festively patriotic and soft on the noggin.


Here is an attempt to regain the Hackey Sack stature of their youth. Ryan, clearly in the ready position with Kaley demonstrating the appropriate hand placement.


Some of the kids trying to hack the sack!


I thank Paul Simon for the caption for this picture: "Still Crazy After All These Years!"


The show would not be complete without, well a show! So here we are waiting for the Stadium of Fire! (Can't you hear the theme song running through your head? It's gonna be there all day!)


I'm not sure why Chase looks so confused. He has to know by now random picture posing is unavoidable at these family gatherings. (Love ya Chase!)


It just wouldn't be right if I didn't pay homage to My Donny!


And if all that wasn't enough, we endeavored on a new journey there this year. Bradley got to attend BYU's Soccer Camp. An amazing day camp that we want to do every year if we can. He had so much fun!


Bradley is the tall one in the blue jersey listening to his coach (a BYU soccer player). All the kids were divided by ages. They got lots of fun free-bees including Men's and Women's soccer game tickets. Because Scott, Chris, Kaley and Chase left the party to get back to work, Cassi and I braved the week with all the kids and a lot of help from Mom and Dad. Dad and Bradley went to one of the Men's soccer games.


Bradley and his coach. Scary that Bradley is almost as tall as this college sophomore!


Now, we should be done with the fun by now but we even threw in an insane game of bowling! Complete with Brock throwing up and having to redress him in souvenier clothes we'd just picked up at the BYU Bookstore. Thanks to the nice man behind the bowling counter who got us a new pair of socks from the sock vending machine--a totally cool idea by the way. A sock vending machine!


One of the most competitive teams formed during our bowling night. They play hard and win like champions!


Brock in his new duds, spiffy socks and awesome bowling shoes! After he threw up he was totally ready to bowl like the big boys!


Ok, I can't resist. Brett's new do just begs the comment: "Which one is the bowling ball?"

Bryson Gets Baptized!

The long awaited day finally came on June 26, 2010 when Scott baptized Bryson. Bryson had been counting down the days for months and was beyond excited his day had come. Uncles Chris and Chase gave really great talks on baptism and the Holy Ghost, the cousins sang a primary song, Aunt Cassi played the part of musical director/accompanianst and Grandpa Partridge and Great Grandpa Ed were witnesses. It was a beautiful day and I know Bryson could feel the Spirit of the Holy Ghost witness to him that his Heavenly Father was pleased with his choice to be baptized.


A gift or two from parents and grandparents for Bryson.

After the baptism we had an open house at our home Luau style. And we had Hawaiian Sized leftovers! No one complained about having to eat kalua pork, fried rice and pineapple for a few extra days though!

These are a few of Bryson's friends plus Katelyln. You can see the festivities and full mouths in the background. (Unfortunately, I got too busy playing hostess and didn't get a chance to take more pictures but you get the idea!)

Yea! It's May!!!

Bryson had been looking forward to this day for a long time! He finally turned 8 and was so excited to get baptized and start Cub Scouts. Top that off with a fun family party complete with basketball theme, Phoenix Suns tickets, Star Wars Legos and a birthday tower of Krispy Kreme doughnuts! Could a birthday get any better than this?


So much fun to be a Cub Scout!


Super Awesome Suns tickets for Bryson and Scott!


Star Wars Legos. We don't even need to say anymore!


Magic School Bus books are a HUGE favorite!


SHAZAAM!!! Slam Dunk on the Birthday Treats!


The Rings of Fire! YUM!!!


He shoots he scores! A little B-ball outside.


The dribbling contest.

Awesome April!

Fom eggs to ducks April brought all kinds of Easter and Spring Fun for the Grover boys! We celebrated Easter at Grandma-ma's & Grandpa Ed's house with a Egg-cellent Easter Egg Hunt! All the cousins had a blast--and that's no "yolk!"


All kinds of fun can be had with Easter buckets!


Here are my cute boys ready for Easter Sunday. It's amazing they get more handsome every year!


Bradley--The Purple Power Stud


Bryson--The Man with no teeth but a Bright personality!


Blake--You just can't get much cuter than this . . . unless your name is . . .


Brock--And then it might be possible to be cuter!


I wasn't kidding earlier about the ducks--or duck rather. Quackers to be precise. And I'm not talking about my mental state when I agreed to keep Bryson's class pet overnight. Here is Bryson and Quackers in a freshly cleaned box. His brother Peep went home with someone else for the night.


Bryson was a good big brother and gave Brock a lesson on "How to pet a Duck." Brock of course was totally into having something smaller than himself around in the house and loved to watch and pet the duck. Fortunately for Quackers, his stay at The Grover Hotel was only a 15 hour layover so although we had tears at the good-bye scene all parties left friends and with all appendages in tact!