Disneyland and a Birthday? What could be better?!?

I turned 28 on March 20th, I cry now, and I really wanted to take advantage of the free day at Disneyland. Without a lot of convincing, Ben agreed so off we went. It was just the 3 of us, Ben, Carter and myself. We drove down Thursday evening and stayed at my brother's in-laws house. I was like a little kid, too excited to sleep so I only got about 4 hours.

We got up early and on our way stopped at the BEST donut place, Donut Man. My favorite donuts are the fresh peach and fresh strawberry but they only make them when they are in season. LUCKY for me, the strawberries are in and I was a very satisfied girl. Carter's finally at the age where he knows and understands who the characters are and I couldn't wait to see his reactions. Even though he's been 4 times it felt like I was taking him for the first time. Weeks before we went all he could talk about was riding on Dumbo. Oh, to be a child again.

We met up with Matt and Lauren after Matt got off work. Lauren's mom and sister Taylor came as well. It was so good to see everyone and Carter met Mattison, Matt's little girl, for the first time. They were so fascinated with each other. He loved giving her kisses and she kept trying to get his attention. She is such a munchy and I'm sad we don't get to see them more.

Saturday morning we spent at Disneyland then left when it was getting crowded and headed to the beach. Carter was in heaven! A giant sandbox and water! The water was so cold but Carter was oblivious. We had a blast and then Lauren's dad made us BBQ hamburger's. I brought the birthday cake since I was only wanting a Costco cake, they're the best! A great day.

We spent the next morning at Disneyland, ate at my favorite restaurant, Story Teller's Cafe, and then drove home later that evening. It was such a good weekend and a great way to celebrate your birthday. I highly recommend it!

February flash back...

My cousin Katie was married on February 6th and we were able to make the trip to Utah. Even though it was a very short trip it was so good to see everyone.


The 2 NONE pregos on the ends and the 4 pregos in the middle.


Me, Karen, Heather, Melissa Straw-Smith and her sister Shauna Jorgenson went to see this movie. Loved it! I just realized that it stars 3 Jennifer's; Aniston, Connolly and Goodwin. Just thought it was funny.


Here is Carter in the bathtub. He didn't know I was recording at first. Then when he does he starts singing the Clean Up song. So funny.


Here is Carter watching a movie at Grandma Nise's house.


Wearing Grandpa Lamar's hat



Carter just being Carter


Noah got his Webelo Scarf and a belt loop thing. Still not savvy on this Scout stuff.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

So, like the Skousen I am, I'm obsessed with Holidays and themes. I only like to watch Halloween movies in October, Christmas in November & December and of course deck my house out with appropriate decor. Well, being March, the only movie I have for St. Patrick's Day is Darby O'Gill and the Little People. It's about an old man who finds a leprechaun and how he makes his wishes. Some may find it boring, not me. It's a classic Disney. Naturally, I make Carter watch it all month long and he's really learned to like it and asks to watch it almost daily.



In the movie, a "scary banshee" ghost-like person comes to claim the soul of Darby's daughter. As kids this thing scared the crap out of us. This is Carter imitating it, and the picture is what it looks like in the movie.



He is such a funny kid and a Skousen through and through.

Happiness and Harmony, that's what counts with children

Lately Carter has been in the testing mode. He knows EVERY button to push and tests me to my wits ends. The last 2 weeks have been awful. He's lucky to be alive. I tell him NOT to do something and he looks right at me and goes right on to do it. He uses my dishwasher and oven as stepping stools to get on the counters so nothing is safe.

The other day I met Ben at the mall to help him pick out new glasses. He was still in his exam so I wandered the mall and into a camera store. I had just bought myself a 44 oz. Cherry Coke and was very excited to drink the whole thing. Well I stopped to ask the man a question and Carter tried to get out of the stroller. He was buckled which of course makes no difference. He managed to dump my entire drink on the floor. I was ENRAGED! The man gets me a pack of paper towels to use. It was all over my pants, part of the counter. RAGE. So Carter's bawling because he got a swat and Ben finds us. I stand up and tell him I'm going home. Screw the glasses at this point. Ben then goes on to tell me that his exam cost 76$ instead of 15$ because it hadn't been a year since his last one.
"So when's the year mark?" I raged
"May"
WHAT THE! It was like adding insult to injury. Why couldn't he wait the 2 months? SO, now I'm raged at him. We get to the doors and I took Carter's drink and chucked it because if I didn't get one neither did he! Which made him cry again. We get to the car and Ben asks if I'm mad. Ya think?

I'm chucking Carter and the stroller into the car (obviously making a scene) and this girl comes up to us and asks to borrow some cash for gas blah blah blah. It was all I could to bite my tongue and not rage at her too. Stupid girl. So I leave Ben and said see ya at home. I rage the whole way home. Thankfully, Carter fell asleep on the way. I park and turn off the car and sit for like 10 minutes trying to get courage to finish the night. I go to get Carter out and he wakes up and says, "Sorry mama."

Dangit, now then it broke my heart that I was such a retched mother. And when Ben got home I apologized for my hagginess. And he apologized for not thinking and said he could've waited.

WHY!?! Why must we go through these trials of evil children and husbands who don't think? I still love them though and continue to deal with Carter's blatant disobedience. Good times at the Hunter home. Don't cross my path on the wrong day!