My Crazy Couch Obsession

I've been meaning to blog about this for a while, but never got around to it.  So I don't know if this is considered an obsession, but I did change couches three times in a matter of three months.  When we moved into our house in 2007, I was so picky about what couch I wanted.  We searched for months since we were waiting for our house to be built.  I found the PERFECT couch.  I LOVED it, I told Todd that I wouldn't EVER want to have another couch.  Well, then came bed rest when I was pregnant with Taelyn.  I spent sixteen weeks living on this perfect couch.  Every time I looked at it, I was reminded of bed rest.  After having Trent, I decided that I just couldn't have this couch any longer.  I was shopping at Costco and I made an impulsive purchase.  I bought a new couch because in my own words, "I just can't stand looking at this couch for ONE MORE DAY!"

"My Perfect Couch" 

I called Todd at work and told him I found the greatest couch ever and made him leave work to pick it up from Costco.  He was not happy about this at all, but he did it, to make me happy.  I needed a new look.

 "My Impulse Couch"

And it did make me happy, for about a month, then I started to realize this couch is not so comfortable and it is not all that it was cracked up to be.  The couch had seven sections and each section would separate when you sat on it and there were dips where the sections were so laying across the couch was not comfortable at all.  I wanted it gone.  I started missing my comfortable Island.  When I told Todd, I didn't like the couch anymore, he told me we had to have it for at least two years before we could replace it.  He was not going to budge on this one, he was going to make sure that we got good use out of it.  I kept telling him that since it was from Costco, we could return it and get a couch that I really wanted.  He said no repeatedly.  So a friend of mine posted that she was selling a couch so, I told her I wanted it.  I bought this couch, (also on an impulse).  I won't go into detail about how I got it or what I did with the other couch because to this day it STILL makes Todd mad.  Lets just say I did it all by myself, with Todd's truck, unbeknownst to him.  So when he came home and was surprised with this couch, it was not pretty....

 "My I Lost My Mind and Got This Ridiculously Small Couch"

So after dealing with that, we are still married and still quite happy, (considering I am a little impulsive and cooky).  He wanted to get a new couch. (Mission Accomplished) So I was now on the hunt for a new couch that I promised we would have for at least five years. It took me about a month of back and forth, sitting, laying and jumping on many couches.  I finally found "The ONE."

"The One"

Its been about two months and I am still happy with it, the kids love it and Todd loves it.  It is comfortable, it's large and in the color that I wanted, I'm happy with it...... for now. 

Disneyland, UCLA and USC

After our trip to the zoo, the next day, we went to Disneyland.  We spend the entire day at California Adventure.  This is something we have never done before.  It was so nice just going to one park and not having to rush through it.  We met Buzz Lightyear.  Trent was super excited to meet him and as soon as it was our turn to take a picture with him, Trent FREAKED OUT!  This was the best picture we could get. 

 We rode on the carrousel

 I got to go on a roller coaster with Deitric

 We met Lightning McQueen!

 Disney Junior Live is one of my kid's favorite thing to do at California Adventure

 This was the first time we saw a parade on the California Adventure side and the kids loved it!

 The park closed at 8pm, so it was nice to head back to the resort a little early.  It was only Tuesday, but we felt like we already had a full week. 

On Wednesday, we headed out to LA to visit UCLA and USC.  My cousin Deitric is interested in possibly going to a college out here, so we showed him the colleges.  He really loved the UCLA campus, they got some really good information on what he should do in preparation to attend such colleges.  He is ahead of the game because he is only in eighth grade.  My kids had fun seeing and playing in the water fountain at USC.  It was a fun day with a lot of walking since both campuses are huge!  Lots of information, lots of fun!

LA Zoo

Last week, my cousin, Jennifer and her two kids, Deitric and Cecilia came for a visit from New Jersey.  We had a FULL week!  We tried to do everything we possibly could do in a weeks time, so every single day they were here, we went somewhere.  They got in late Saturday night, so early Sunday, we went out to Dessert Hot Springs to visit Jennifer's best friend.  We spent the whole day there with friends and family. 

Monday, we went to the LA Zoo. 

 Trent was a little under the weather, as you can see in the picture above. 

This was first time my kids have ever been to the zoo. Although Taelyn was really excited to see all of the animals, she kept saying, "Mommy, it's too stinky here!"

 My poor chunk was a clingy man all day. 

 For some strange reason, this black jay was obsessed with me, it kinda creeped me out.  He followed me and got a little too close for comfort.

Cecilia was helping Taelyn up to see the Elephant

 Jennifer was able to pet the elephant

 Despite his crabbiness, he had fun riding an alligator

 The kids riding on a elephant

 Todd wanted to ride a camel

 I can't take this guy anywhere!

 Cecilia and Trent on the camel

 I think Trent liked the camel

 Sassy Cecilia

 Such a sweet moment captured

Fun day at the zoo!

Halloween

Halloween, this year was probably the best yet.  Taelyn and Trent are at the age where they can really enjoy it and say cute things like, "Happy Halloween and Trick or Treat!"  They also chose their own costumes this year.  To my delight, they chose to match all on their own! Since I threw Trent a Jake and the Neverland Pirates birthday party, when I asked him what he wanted to be fore Halloween, he answered, "JAKE!" Then when I asked Taelyn, I thought she was gonna say Cinderella, but she surprised me and said, "Izzy." They were the cutest!

 Taelyn seriously cracks me up with her poses

 She was working her Izzy costume

 Izzy and Jake

 Izzy and Jake

 Jake and his sword

 Lets go, Mommy!

My mom hanging out with Izzy and Jake

We went to a few Halloween functions so the kids got good use out of their costumes.  I was just so thrilled with how well the kids did when we went around the neighborhood.  We trick or treated with the Sanders crew and every door we went to, all of the kids were so polite, (without being prompted).  This was one of three pictures I took during trick or treating and this was the ONLY picture out of the three was was not blurry.  Yup, I pretty much hate myself for not getting more pictures of our Halloween night. 

Aside from not getting more pictures, we had a fabulous night.  Great times, a very happy Halloween!