The Dudley Bunch: May 2011

May 22, 2011

California Screamin'

Tatym's first time back, after 4 years, riding her favorite ride: Love the faces.

Well, we just returned from the Happiest Place on Earth. No, not Butte, Montana...DISNEYLAND! It was Tatym's celebratory trip for her 12th birthday. This time, it was not just Daddy, but I got to go too. (And Marlo...we're sort of a package deal). We flew in Thursday morning, and Tatym and Tim hit Disney hard that night, while I chilled with the babes. Friday, we all went and took turns going on rides with Tatym. I thought that since I was there, I would take all these great photos, ( I am always annoyed by Tim's lack of photos on the trips), however, we were having too much fun to worry about lugging the camera...not to mention we were running from ride to ride.

I personally enjoyed California Screamin' the most, and Tower of Terror, the least. (Both in California Adventure). I screamed like a little girl on the roller coaster, so I hear, and quit breathing on the latter. I hate that feeling of free falling. Seriously, who enjoys that?

Of course we still love the classics: Thundermountain, Matterhorn, Space Mountain, and Indiana Jones....fun!

On Saturday, we were relieved that the end of the world didn't happen like all the billboards were predicting...Phew....

BECAUSE... we had VIP passes for Universal Studios. We got the tour of the studio sets, props, wardrobe, and then all the rides too. Our favorite rides were Jurassic Park, and the Mummy. The first is a water ride, and the mummy is a rollercoaster that goes forward, then the whole thing backwards. We saw where they film desperate housewives, CSI, parenthood, and a bunch of movie sets. It was pretty cool.

We had a blast, and Tatym got her much deserved alone time with us...well close anyway. We figured out that in addition to a half day tour of Universal, she did over 40 rides in that half day and day and half at Disney...we are sure it's a record. I came home exhausted, with a bruised spine, (all the rattling around in roller coasters), and with a bit of a fascination/obsession with the types of impractical shoes people wear to theme parks. Seriously girls? Platform heels? Are you really going to totter around in those for 8 hours? Ugg Boots? It's 75 degrees and you are wearing a tank top. Strappy sandals that will blister your feet in 2 minutes? My feet were killing me, and I was wearing really practical shoes.

All in all, a great time, lots of good memories, and home to the family safe and sound...a perfect weekend.

Double Digits

Josh is in double digits. Last week he hit 10! We took the kids to Jumptime, and then had the Zollingers over for a little birthday cake. He got a basketball and hoop, which we can barely drag him away from. Sometimes, when we think he's mowing the lawn, he sneaks away for a few shots. I guess that is a sign of a good gift.

May 9, 2011

Look Ma...

Oh this little stinker. She is crawling really well. So now, she is ready to stand up next to the furniture that she can barely see over.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was wonderfully awesome. I understand some women hate it. They feel guilty, or don't want the attention, or whatever, but NOT ME. I think it's a great day. I love breakfast in bed, and being waited on by the hubby. I love that I can watch "Hello Dolly" on tv, and nobody complained or begged me to change the channel. I love the homemade poems, cards, and crafts that the kids are so excited to give me. I love the fact that for one day a year, everyone tells me how great I am. (Even if it's lies or exaggerations of my beauty and skill). This year, I got really spoiled. Tim got me a sweet golf bag. Which I know may not sound exciting for some of you, but I loved it! The kids each made me a card, with coupons or poetry attached. I already hit Piper up for a back massage, and Josh will be taking the trash out later today...yay!

Broadway you say?

I have not yet been to Broadway...in New York. It will happen when the babies are bigger, but until then, lucky for me, we get traveling Broadway productions right here in little old Boise. This season has been awesome. The color purple, Grease, Legally Blonde, Fiddler on the Roof, and Wicked. So I took Tatym and Josh to see Wicked on Friday night, and it was amazing! We were all spellbound if you will. The costumes, the sets, and especially the actors...were super impressive. So I just ponied up some more dough to go again with Tim this week...can't wait. Then in June it's Mamma Mia...yay, who doesn't love Abba music?

Our Story...the short version

Tim and I met in 1994, after his mission while I was in University in Lethbridge. After breaking and entering the Prince of Wales hotel that was under construction in the middle of February, we started spending a lot of time together. ( If you need more info about our meeting/breaking and entering...call me). Tim left that summer to go to Kansas City to take some science classes for Chiropractic school. While he was gone, he managed to get another girlfriend. Needless to say, we went our separate ways...and I was a little bitter. I guess he liked me best though, because for the next two years, he called me anytime he was home on semester break. Eventually he wormed his way back into my heart, and the rest is history. We married in October of 1996, and have been blissfully happy ever since. He is truly one of the best men I have ever known, and a great husband and father. That isn't to say he never drives me nuts...I am only human after all.

Family Vacations

There is nothing better than a family vacation. We have made it a huge priority to take vacations as a family. Not all of them are extravagant. In fact, some of our favorite memories are our trips to Alberta, or to the mountains a couple hours away. But one of our family's favorite destinations is Cancun, Mexico. What's not to love...the beach, ocean, food, and company is always outstanding. We went again last fall and had a blast. The kids were all at ages where we hope they will remember it. We had so much fun playing in the sand, and just hanging out together. The kids all got to swim with dolphins, and I was happy to be the photographer...in fact I may have gone overboard with my 500+ pictures. Here are a few of our favorites. Happy Memories.

Sisters

I have been blessed with 2 sisters. I didn't always think that was such a treat, but as I have gotten older and hopefully wiser, I have come to realize that sisters make the best friends. There isn't anything...(and I mean anything), I won't talk about with my sisters. A couple of years ago, we started having our "girls weekends", and let me tell you...that is fun. Undoubtedly someone is always nursing or pregnant, but it is still a blast. I was even lucky enough last year to be part of Kami and Tonya's births. I have always wanted to be on the other side of labor, if you will, and just be there as a support. Kami gave birth to Kiyomi in February, and Tonya to Walker in July, and I was there! They were both so amazing, and it was so cool to be part of it, and I am grateful I was in a position to go. Anyway...I love my sisters! Blood and all the others I have adopted to my heart over the years.

Family

Not only are Tim and I lucky to have our sweet kids, but we are blessed with great parents, siblings, and nieces and nephews. It is funny to see how big both families are getting. There are soon to be 24 grandkids on Tim's side, and soon to be 13 on mine. It is so much fun to get together with them whenever we can, and our kids have such fun when they are with Grandparents or cousins. It is a real blessing to have so many people who love you, love your kids, and are involved in helping them become the great people you want them to be. I don't think there is any way we can overestimate the value of such support. I am especially grateful that family is always there in the tough times, even more than when it is all fun. Just want you all to know how much we love and appreciate you all, even if we are too dumb to say it very often. There you go...a full serving of cheese. But I really do mean it all!

The Dudley Bunch