tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-361488872024-03-07T19:58:55.076-08:00Pieces of MeLaurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.comBlogger509125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-70791039033021570532014-07-20T19:53:00.001-07:002014-07-20T19:53:10.962-07:0050 Things I am Grateful For<p>1. I am alive! <br />2. I am healthy and capable of moving my body <br />3. I have a loving husband <br />4. I have two wonderful children who love me <br />5. My mother and father are alive and well <br />6. I have siblings who I LOVE talking to and hanging out with <br />7. I have a job that I love <br />8. We have sufficient for our needs <br />9. My husband got a wonderful new job this year <br />10. He gets to be home more often because of said new job <br />11. My son brings so much joy to me with his Lego building <br />12. My son is a little cuddler and loves to give me hugs and kisses <br />13. We get to go to Zoo Camp this week! <br />14. I have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life <br />15. I have felt the power of the Holy Ghost in my life many times <br />16. I am able to read and write <br />17. I feel confident and capable with digital scrapbooking <br />18. I have the opportunity to serve the children in my ward (church) <br />19. I love coming home <br />20. I have a laptop that lets me be mobile when I need to be <br />21. I have been choosing healthy foods to fuel my body <br />22. Grey’s Anatomy reruns <br />23. Bubble baths  <br />24. Pedicures <br />25. Massages <br />26. The occasional Diet Coke <br />27. A new pack of markers <br />28. The school supply aisle at the store <br />29. Spell check <br />30. Powerful computer programs <br />31. Photoshop Illustrator trial periods <br />32. YouTube tutorial videos <br />33. Cool breezes in the fall <br />34. Blogs that I love <br />35. Good books to read <br />36. Online Settlers of Catan games <br />37. The scriptures <br />38. Really good, long hugs from my hubby <br />39. Baby giggles <br />40. Handmade quilts <br />41. Chocolate <br />42. Good friends <br />43. Quiet days at home <br />44. ANNIVERSARY CRUISE is coming up! <br />45. Dressing up for Halloween <br />46. Dr. Who <br />47. Firefly/Nathan Fillion/Serenity <br />48. Really good back scratches <br />49. A clean kitchen <br />50. A maid making sure I have a clean kitchen</p> <p>Thank you, that is all for this nice Sunday night. </p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-38695258664169468292014-07-10T09:45:00.001-07:002014-07-10T09:45:37.518-07:00Summer Update!<p>Well boy howdy! I can’t believe it’s been 6 months since I posted on here! I have to admit, I haven’t been on my computer as much these last few months, just because I can do so much on my phone instead! Check my email there, surf the web, play games, etc., and my desktop has been taken over by the kids! They spend more time on pbs.org than I do on my blogging, that’s for sure. </p> <p>But that’s okay, because now I’m here and I’m ready to recap! Here are some fun photos from the things we’ve been doing the past few months:</p> <p>The biggest thing is that we’ve started a summer bucket list that we’ve been working on with a few other families in our ward. It’s called the Family Adventure Challenge and it’s a list of about 100 things that you can do to earn points throughout the summer. There are all sorts of activities on there, from trying a new food to going to the beach to inviting another family over for FHE. Then, at the end of the summer, we’ll have a barbecue and awards ceremony! The kids are super-psyched about it and we’ve been trying to do something from the list each day so that we can get as many points as possible! Here are some of the things that we’ve been doing.</p> <p><img title="IMG_0976" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0976" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-izBI9-yM5tk/U77CiyKbCuI/AAAAAAAAGAg/_XHymLETg2k/IMG_0976%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></p> <p>Eli made us (Nathan and I) dinner and served us as our waiter. He wanted to pick out everything he did, so he made shrimp cocktail and breaded chicken with pasta! It was delicious!</p> <p><img title="IMG_0998" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0998" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Pykxt1B01RI/U77ClJGVz4I/AAAAAAAAGAo/NqN790IfyZU/IMG_0998%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></p> <p>Father’s Day selfie with my boys! Don’t worry, I got a photo with Nathan too, ha!</p> <p><img title="IMG_0991" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0991" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Pg1Ll1YjGpM/U77Cnbl-BfI/AAAAAAAAGAw/X-OfRFL7GiY/IMG_0991%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></p> <p><img title="IMG_1012" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9zi8Of2jykE/U77CpoyC5zI/AAAAAAAAGA0/iB2SIHxITws/IMG_1012%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></p> <p>We went to the drive-in to see How to Train Your Dragon 2 and got the BIGGEST pizza for dinner! That one fed us for a while!</p> <p><img title="IMG_1016" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1016" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DqC3Pfao6-w/U77CrRQVAEI/AAAAAAAAGBA/IgrDe4C3654/IMG_1016%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></p> <p>We set up a tent in the backyard for camping and Big Turtle wanted to help put it together! Silly turtle, camping’s for kids!</p> <p><img title="IMG_1032" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1032" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Hf8vRr-nUXU/U77CtO0p0dI/AAAAAAAAGBI/2d7_T8D9H3E/IMG_1032%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></p> <p>We made delicious dutch oven stew and cornbread! Oh man, this stuff was yummy! </p> <p><img title="IMG_1039" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1039" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pve7x8XFU74/U77CuNKcCpI/AAAAAAAAGBQ/SSwTZcgRYkE/IMG_1039%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></p> <p>And what camping trip would be complete without S’Mores?? Seriously one of my favorite desserts on the planet. </p> <p><img title="IMG_1043" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1043" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9oDH8eSwaYU/U77Cuw4RtMI/AAAAAAAAGBY/58ylkKaS1rY/IMG_1043%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></p> <p>The boys did some fingerpainting!</p> <p><img title="IMG_1058" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1058" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mPnExNie3VY/U77Cvn1leYI/AAAAAAAAGBc/4P-SqFAlHrc/IMG_1058%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></p> <p>We also made a fun fort! (I love those clamps, they come in so handy!)</p> <p><img title="IMG_1063" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1063" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xEQ1e_CvAV8/U77CwjDuexI/AAAAAAAAGBo/_KtXjgjBqrg/IMG_1063%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></p> <p>We played a game the boys made up called Shape-tionary where you have to make a picture with shapes and have the others guess what it is. It was super fun! We also spent an hour under here singing everything we said. That one was brutal and I’ll spare you the video, but I’m glad we did it and earned points for it! </p> <p><img title="IMG_1089" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1089" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cdhD5K2aNR4/U77CxV8JSaI/AAAAAAAAGBs/U7eo_0Upg-s/IMG_1089%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></p> <p>Another day, we went to the San Diego Safar Park to see the new Tiger Trail! That was so much fun, the boys loved seeing the tigers and I loved being outside for most of the day, even if it was a little hot. But at least it was cooler in San Diego than at our house! </p> <p><img title="IMG_1096" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1096" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SkVyWp7TqGI/U77CyJ4FqfI/AAAAAAAAGB4/AYvNiZIfsso/IMG_1096%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></p> <p><img title="IMG_1102" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1102" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IaUL24yk-jg/U77CzS4wp3I/AAAAAAAAGCA/JFxujfg2J24/IMG_1102%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></p> <p><img title="IMG_1103" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1103" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gIddMMTDOeU/U77C05_K4xI/AAAAAAAAGCI/QOeLBzwTooU/IMG_1103%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></p> <p><img title="IMG_1164" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDftWEuqPz1UnlAQpa4cS_AHkfbnFrsATvzaKDN65ShxLYH3vpNc8IG4TD3xs9g-9rRL9nAvLbRhNI5-MJ5G0bSSHTptcfZgoWtK7BHWe_4PKp8zJ9YYOZ3ZBnZLLEQ-me4-jg/?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></p> <p><img title="IMG_1173" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1173" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-khzQmw8psBk/U77C2vROUVI/AAAAAAAAGCY/LRig8i8l54o/IMG_1173%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></p> <p><img title="IMG_1178" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1178" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PeqdGHLyDOM/U77C3qCKOTI/AAAAAAAAGCg/7OiUTceQ7iE/IMG_1178%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></p> <p><img title="IMG_1182" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1182" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-U9E_4yAQEBU/U77C4nXWZOI/AAAAAAAAGCo/A5uxUvz5tnM/IMG_1182%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></p> <p><img title="IMG_1186" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1186" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-he0PwtIdrHE/U77C6B-fdJI/AAAAAAAAGCw/H0ZvRvf32xU/IMG_1186%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></p> <p><img title="IMG_1203" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1203" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-A7VRhgRCC7w/U77C68luGgI/AAAAAAAAGC0/FN8cpijrdik/IMG_1203%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></p> <p>They boys got to feed the lorikeets! They loved it and even though they were loud, it was really cool to be in there with them. I even got a stowaway! This guy jumped up on my back without any coaxing because I was holding the boys’ empty cups of nectar and he thought he would get a treat! If not for him squawking SUPER loud in my ear, I would have loved to have him hanging out on my shoulder all day! </p> <p><img title="IMG_1226" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1226" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fpS11UM_XfQ/U77C7_h0y6I/AAAAAAAAGDA/yX-ky9HJTL0/IMG_1226%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></p> <p>A couple of days later, we went to see the pets at the pet store. I told the boys we have enough turtles for one family!</p> <p><img title="IMG_1236" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1236" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G27c8lbn-RM/U77C9dGUTLI/AAAAAAAAGDI/4MEcU30gPwU/IMG_1236%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></p> <p>We also went to the beach, and although the only photo I got was a selfie, the boys had lots of fun! Eli had just gotten a new boogie board (better suited to his size) and he spent pretty much all his time in the water. I even got in with him this time and had a blast! West used Eli’s old board and because he’s so dang small, he got a ton of waves just sailing him right in to the shore. He loved it all, except for the couple of times that he got tumbled under! Thankfully he was wearing his life jacket, but he still got a little roughed up. I’m glad they both had fun though!</p> <p><img title="IMG_1272" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1272" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LqbJyfcPw5c/U77C-Uj_eKI/AAAAAAAAGDQ/iJu4PH3Jg60/IMG_1272%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></p> <p>Our family went to the March Air Force Base museum and got to see a bunch of really cool planes! The boys loved it, but I would love to go back once without them so that I could have time to sit and read all of the displays and everything. Needless to say, their attention spans are not long enough for that. But they did love seeing all the cool stuff they had there. I’m so glad we got the tram tour ride because it was HOT out there, and we got to see everything in a covered tram. Perfect!</p> <p><img title="IMG_1281" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1281" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-L4n0v3CwhiM/U77C_upsDXI/AAAAAAAAGDY/VzPLafIdYG4/IMG_1281%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></p> <p>Thanks to Nathan’s dad, Nathan and I got to sneak away for a Watkins Family Hour show at the Largo. Oh man, it was SO good! They had a few special guests, including Jackson Browne (who wrote “Take it Easy” by the Eagles) and he was amazing. Seriously, I had chills when he finished one of his songs because it was perfectly quiet in the theater and the song was just beautiful. But the best part of the night? Getting Sean Watkins’ new album, All I Do is Lie, and getting to have him autograph it in the Little Room after the show!! I was so star-struck I could barely tell him my name to put on the CD. (For any who don’t know, Sean and Sara Watkins are brother/sister and they are two-thirds of the band Nickel Creek, which is my favorite band of all time.) In any case, it was a wonderful night and although we were out way past our old people bedtimes, we had so much fun. I can’t wait to see them again! </p> <p><img title="IMG_1286" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1286" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MBVMfDu_1lM/U77DA1ohqdI/AAAAAAAAGDc/A9E8dfgIQsE/IMG_1286%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></p> <p><img title="IMG_1291" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1291" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-afWmx6jTfvI/U77DBmUlFyI/AAAAAAAAGDk/BSW0XiLPWR0/IMG_1291%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></p> <p><img title="IMG_1288" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1288" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a8izdlQUvBI/U77DCufKr6I/AAAAAAAAGDw/rDhnmjtNp2E/IMG_1288%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></p> <p><img title="IMG_1287" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1287" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SzaBrX0sbIs/U77DDUlfsYI/AAAAAAAAGD4/kzlclKu-nYs/IMG_1287%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></p> <p>We got together with a couple of friends and made stepping stones! It was really fun and although not all of them turned out (most of them cracked or fell apart as they dried), the kids had a great time making them and that’s what matters! Oh, and the points. The points matter too. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Winking smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JnHoMUkaGUY/U77DFv6XHmI/AAAAAAAAGD8/fl4YQANXEec/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p><img title="IMG_1292" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1292" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DVy4rUlS4CE/U77DGaOsM6I/AAAAAAAAGEI/xQtN8i2Ag74/IMG_1292%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></p> <p>We took the kids to Seascape, which is a big warehouse place with bouncers and a huge ball pit and lots of good ways for the boys to use up their unending energy supply! They had a great time and they slept well that night!</p> <p><img title="IMG_1324" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1324" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ex3YB7jkxLk/U77DHKWD1mI/AAAAAAAAGEQ/jodVWo9OULI/IMG_1324%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></p> <p>For the Fourth of July, we went over to our friends’ house and Eli created this patriotic scene out of Legos! He was so proud that he even made the flag ‘waving’! I love this kid.</p> <p><img title="IMG_1330" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1330" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kV5kt-JremU/U77DIPgSthI/AAAAAAAAGEY/DgbyPTjKcFY/IMG_1330%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></p> <p>We even got to play a good Settlers of Catan game! It had been way too long since I had played and I missed it!</p> <p><img title="IMG_1315" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1315" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_fH89oOk7_g/U77DJcXEdbI/AAAAAAAAGEc/vO87IMDx6BQ/IMG_1315%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></p> <p><img title="IMG_1310" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrnShyAnRHF4ax8g1XvqJkEjYbdA0O5Qx9KFa0g358-wFknf5LWR0UWFjK6tEShxcnhfuTpiuc3XFRq_CX4JQpbzhnUw-57fIc1RGh9YK-3BzIvSJm1HyMDBpergJrnTeRod3/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></p> <p><img title="IMG_1320" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1320" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1GimDkhrnSE/U77DK9Osv-I/AAAAAAAAGEs/L57PvTDzuYw/IMG_1320%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></p> <p>Earlier that morning, we went to our ward’s Fourth of July breakfast and they had a cute bike parade for the kids. They gussied up their bikes and scooters and went to town! Of course, there were a couple of crashes here and there, but for the most part, it was safe, ha!</p> <p><img title="IMG_1344" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1344" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XRR1BekIolw/U77DLsFIGtI/AAAAAAAAGE0/PushjNjFN3I/IMG_1344%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></p> <p>Family Selfie while waiting for the fireworks to start! Granted, it’s not a great photo, but I’m glad I have it. </p> <p>Alright, so that’s an update into our lives for the last little bit! Congratulations if you made it this far in the post! Hopefully I’ll be able to add some more updates soon. </p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-79428280966873411012014-01-05T06:57:00.000-08:002014-01-05T06:57:00.777-08:00Nothing like a handlebar<p><img title="LBL_1653" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1653" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0_m-s-KLL0A/UsiuGiwK6fI/AAAAAAAAF14/I-L4XlNsFrc/LBL_1653%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="468" height="480" /></p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-16864164901053307732014-01-04T16:50:00.000-08:002014-01-04T16:51:31.141-08:00Just a trim<p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">The boys (all three!) got haircuts today. It was about time! Although since I was out getting gas while it was actually happening, the girl didn’t cut Eli’s as short as I’d like. Exacerbated by the fact that Eli probably protested loudly that he didn’t want his hair cut! So it’s still a little too long and shaggy for me, but he likes it, so I’m okay with that. And yes, that is the “after” picture and not the before, ha!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">West, of course, got a “rock star” hair cut and was totally fine with it, gel and all! They’re both adorable, in my opinion. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img title="collage" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="collage" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bsksU3lY7-g/Usisd8FC39I/AAAAAAAAF1s/vlIf-vcNzMg/collage%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="284" /> </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-12620121140148026992014-01-03T22:18:00.000-08:002014-01-04T16:41:16.318-08:00Ridin’ nerdy<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Santa spoiled the boys this year for Christmas and they both got bikes! (Bike helmets and all!) </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">We put the order in with the big guy because it had long been on our minds that Eli needed to learn and it was a great time for West to start as well. Can you believe the kids have never had bikes before?! Slacker parents. Plus, E was just never that coordinated so it seemed more prudent to put him on a scooter than on a bike. But now that he’s got the itch to master his bike, he is working really hard at it!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="LBL_1679" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1679" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Jn570rvW1Ak/Usip1bRWK5I/AAAAAAAAF1I/N0ETuNvILwQ/LBL_1679%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="LBL_1699" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1699" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FjmuGmL3P1U/Usip2FZzTNI/AAAAAAAAF1Q/77JuUPDl1i0/LBL_1699%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="LBL_1703" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1703" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ev5gcGOzkdg/Usip3LMiVfI/AAAAAAAAF1Y/xlbu2YbGTAk/LBL_1703%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="LBL_1709" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1709" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M_iJKx6PvKs/Usip3tsxddI/AAAAAAAAF1c/ro5wQkbGoxk/LBL_1709%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">(I didn’t have any pictures of West on his because he didn’t want to come out with us on the day I brought my camera. I’ll get him soon, though.)</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The boys and I have been on almost-daily bike rides since Christmas. While you’d think it would be great exercise, it’s mostly slow going with the boys. I’m totally fine with that, however, since I will usually go out on a solo trip once they’ve pooped out. And since I discovered my bike actually has 21 speeds instead of only 3 (yeah, don’t ask, I’m not a very observant individual…), it has been much easier to tackle the hills in our neighborhood. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Winking smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vVajz5_PTk8/UsehAOgX66I/AAAAAAAAF04/mDq3XlZv5FY/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Next on the list is getting Nathan a bike of his own! And then we can venture out on family bike rides. I would love that.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-51751264003722549582014-01-01T19:29:00.000-08:002014-01-04T16:42:10.677-08:00Happy 2014!<p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">For New Year’s Eve this year we were invited to hang out with some good friends and boy, did we have fun! We spent the night playing games, eating food and having a great time. The kids, of course, were a little crazy, but they had fun. We played Tsuro, Nathan’s new game he got for Christmas. It was a big hit, and we hadn’t played it with 8 people before, so it went quick and was lots of fun. We also played Ticket to Ride, which is always a good time, and then charades with the kids! They were adorable and loved the intensity, ha! </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img title="LBL_1609" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1609" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hAz2RNYyWsE/UseAFtQL0jI/AAAAAAAAFy0/xCbo0BTYclw/LBL_1609%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Then, once it hit midnight (EST, lol!) we celebrated in the street! Even though my camera had a hard time focusing in the blackness, so they’re pretty out of focus, I’m still glad I got some fun shots, ha.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img title="LBL_1610" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1610" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QHYC0oaEajE/UseAGVHI2qI/AAAAAAAAFy8/Ybjx7jctJ-g/LBL_1610%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_1612" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1612" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ss-D3qHGSrA/UseAHBm10kI/AAAAAAAAFzE/SfZcYFBwJX0/LBL_1612%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_1613" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1613" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SoZ_QPwm0fw/UseAHnNzVLI/AAAAAAAAFzM/310cP4JPCPg/LBL_1613%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_1614" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1614" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4cI_dulVBL8/UseAIQJ-igI/AAAAAAAAFzU/StDDIyPm_Gg/LBL_1614%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_1618" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1618" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-stbtYoGQ4SI/UseAI7BqoEI/AAAAAAAAFzc/3zAMR_u63-o/LBL_1618%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_1629" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1629" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u6F-UBo7Ojg/UseAJoovcRI/AAAAAAAAFzk/bwoF559GCd0/LBL_1629%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_1632" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1632" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M-nkLXTu1ig/UseAKSKe4TI/AAAAAAAAFzo/0E1idJztkg4/LBL_1632%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="480" /> <img title="LBL_1634" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1634" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rAtDR_HiEoM/UseALJjcOvI/AAAAAAAAFz0/UHVQ2aBDaBo/LBL_1634%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_1642" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1642" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ln0awiFhzDA/UseALgxWj_I/AAAAAAAAFz8/e1kGD539SMI/LBL_1642%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">As far as resolutions go, I plan on blogging a little more, releasing some fun products over at Scrap Girls, and riding my brand new bike at least a couple of times a week. I don’t really like doing the whole resolutions thing, but I think these goals are attainable and I won’t beat myself up too badly if I can’t get them all done perfectly, which tends to be the case most years. But this time I’m just going to go with the flow and do my best. Can’t ask for more than that, right? </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Here’s to a wonderful new year! </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-25292944999349473822013-12-24T23:44:00.000-08:002014-01-06T20:46:04.693-08:00Christmas Eve<p>This year was a Lakey family year, so we stayed in California and had everyone from Nathan’s side of the family come on over for Christmas Eve. It was fun to get to see people we hadn’t seen in a while and to have some fun playing together. </p> <p><img title="LBL_0979" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0979" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0U1v9RQ1YZM/UsuGNUo1zwI/AAAAAAAAF3o/GOTfuiupEFM/LBL_0979%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_0935_crop" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0935_crop" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UxGiksxm3s8/UsuGOWn0ZVI/AAAAAAAAF3w/P4B1h2BaB3Y/LBL_0935_crop%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_0937" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0937" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2v1DxxljdRI/UsuGPWkBqWI/AAAAAAAAF34/te3mXfEwkso/LBL_0937%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_0959" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0959" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wG4qCthAly4/UsuGQUm5VII/AAAAAAAAF4A/SPn81mMIwPw/LBL_0959%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_0970" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0970" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jvrDcdYE4Gs/UsuGRKcW2-I/AAAAAAAAF4I/ROV8iE3-GN8/LBL_0970%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p>We played the traditional White Elephant game and had a lot of fun with it. Of course, playing with the Lakey family, you never know what you’re going to get! West made out like a bandit with a big M&M dispenser filled with those chocolate candies he loves so well! Eli got a cool set of books, Nathan scored a 20 Questions handheld game, and I got a little bullet blender! I felt a little bad after that, what with our contributions of a pair of CD’s (Phineas & Ferb and Manheim Steamroller), a giant poster of Ron Burgundy’s mustache (that said “CLASSY” underneath it), the 20 Questions game (that we stole), and the piece de resistance:</p> <p><img title="LBL_0953" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0953" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1Dlcvqx-rZo/UsuGSOB400I/AAAAAAAAF4Q/T0mMl1No_MU/LBL_0953%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_0950" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0950" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BWzBKMhvd6c/UsuGTOXvG3I/AAAAAAAAF4Y/DDdqUEL9Dag/LBL_0950%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_0956" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0956" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZudnhGl4gW0/UsuGUAIwHTI/AAAAAAAAF4g/c-qfnuatR38/LBL_0956%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_0963" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0963" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TqsORdNHcmY/UsuGU44jHMI/AAAAAAAAF4o/ckg55xvAIXU/LBL_0963%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_0955" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0955" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2ZxxiS-vW-Q/UsuGV0XG8bI/AAAAAAAAF4w/qnI66_P_McA/LBL_0955%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /></p> <p><img title="LBL_0965" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0965" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r_RoeCqipOY/UsuGW8fHhJI/AAAAAAAAF44/7JGZWructSM/LBL_0965%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_0968" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0968" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8bf5YRCYIeY/UsuGX3HWMmI/AAAAAAAAF5A/ZD3nYw7FAqU/LBL_0968%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_0961" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0961" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-grtVVmWVqdk/UsuGY9_ueMI/AAAAAAAAF5I/5MCZa_4T8no/LBL_0961%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_0986" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0986" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nzU13kRkhuM/UsuGZotTBSI/AAAAAAAAF5Q/eJkBglf5v8Y/LBL_0986%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_0948" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0948" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ByLJb70Ao3k/UsuGasTU2XI/AAAAAAAAF5Y/JEwP_nzudn4/LBL_0948%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_0949" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0949" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--Q1Y6So9G9I/UsuGbCJL6LI/AAAAAAAAF5c/6E00XLck5N4/LBL_0949%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p>Oh yes, that’s the fertility statue that made it’s debut two years ago at the last family white elephant gift exchange, courtesy of Janae. This year it was Renee’s turn to bask in its glory. And to think, they almost left it at our house by accident! Luckily we got it to them just in time as they were driving away. Crisis averted!</p> <p>The rest of the night was spent opening other gifts to and from those that were there, including the family name exchange we do every year. It was a lot of fun! </p> <p>The boys opened their Christmas Eve pajamas, and we found Eli’s shirt and pants were too big. That’s what happens when Mom goes shopping without her boys there for comparison! </p> <p><img title="LBL_0976" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0976" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GOS0wzk64bo/UsuGb2F8U7I/AAAAAAAAF5k/QGXbRA8pbVo/LBL_0976%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p>Then it was time for cousin pictures! We’re so glad we now have more cousins on the Lakey side and we’re starting to even out a bit. My boys were spoiled by Grandma and Papa alone for far too long, ha!</p> <p><img title="LBL_0995" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0995" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3Qx4KpUCqWg/UsuGctWE10I/AAAAAAAAF5s/YZ8W6mHQ700/LBL_0995%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_0999" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0999" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZcRLEhXSiLs/UsuGdR0SDCI/AAAAAAAAF54/7IRXdIhQhtM/LBL_0999%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="454" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_1006" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1006" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DqTdhnhm2-w/UsuGeCelbvI/AAAAAAAAF58/Nrv-1i-JTQs/LBL_1006%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_1010" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1010" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fR253xn_N5E/UsuGewLiurI/AAAAAAAAF6I/a3RToKMrZqA/LBL_1010%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_1019" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1019" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-c3Kj55GUltw/UsuGfjM77kI/AAAAAAAAF6Q/HTtTDBA44iY/LBL_1019%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_1023" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1023" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5lA47-7_hz8/UsuGguSEJDI/AAAAAAAAF6Y/6oBR75xDx_0/LBL_1023%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p>Then we snuck in a little family picture for these guys, complete with photo bomber! </p> <p><img title="LBL_1033" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1033" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xRgn3h5J6n8/UsuGhcR_zSI/AAAAAAAAF6g/91GU4inP8To/LBL_1033%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_1034" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1034" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ga7Lru5IYpQ/UsuGiOvmy_I/AAAAAAAAF6o/arYbasyaB00/LBL_1034%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><img title="LBL_1038" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_1038" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DXHRj_DiGUw/UsuGiqzhO5I/AAAAAAAAF6s/Y27uSoRG3Ww/LBL_1038%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p></p> <p>We can’t wait to do it all again next Lakey Christmas! </p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-33750930593262306982013-12-19T17:24:00.000-08:002014-01-04T17:27:39.961-08:00Preschool Christmas performance<p>(12-19-13)</p> <p>Today West had his preschool Christmas program. As always, it was just adorable! And sadly, he missed last year’s program because we skipped town early to get to Dallas. So it was extra-special to get to see him perform this year. He loved it, too, and was practicing his songs for weeks beforehand. </p> <p><img title="LBL_0856" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0856" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ufE6pXfKyDs/Usi0-BBJhAI/AAAAAAAAF2I/iir-YDwY2e0/LBL_0856%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_0865" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0865" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-maNq-KVFPeE/Usi0-3Q-_hI/AAAAAAAAF2M/xAXd2-rLVtQ/LBL_0865%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_0868" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0868" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qwWeqmCq3UI/Usi0_Yx262I/AAAAAAAAF2Y/NFaj0I94mHw/LBL_0868%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_0870" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0870" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_iv5cA7LLzE/Usi1AQKAKEI/AAAAAAAAF2g/c5EwsTUWCto/LBL_0870%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_0873" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0873" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8FceOVnAAIU/Usi1A2V1AZI/AAAAAAAAF2o/uvlosuC_qGk/LBL_0873%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_0889" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0889" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-45xXPaoDqvw/Usi1BtuKhlI/AAAAAAAAF2w/Tv6OwHYE4Z4/LBL_0889%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_0906" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_0906" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GD3kkaxYEm0/Usi1Cv8WOGI/AAAAAAAAF24/BoEH7p5BZR0/LBL_0906%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>He said that he was super nervous about the other parents being there, so he just sat and watched me the whole time and didn’t look at any other parents! That made me smile, because I was wondering why he was staring me down the whole time, ha! </p> <p>They sang “Feliz Navidad”, “Christmas Cookies”, a song about being special (I forget how it went) and “Up on the Housetop”.</p> <p>He did a really great job, and we’re so happy that he got to be in Miss Heather’s class again this year. I can’t believe that by this time next year, he’ll be a kindergartener! </p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-10915403363296469932013-12-14T19:36:00.000-08:002014-01-03T19:36:57.062-08:00Mini Golf!<p>The boys had never been mini-golfing before, so when we got Castle Park passes on Black Friday and saw they have a mini golf course, we decided to try it out! The boys loved it and were in heaven getting to play against Nathan and I. We all even managed a hole in one apiece! </p> <p><img title="IMG_6361" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_6361" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mD95jL_CS8A/UseBzNkJ5kI/AAAAAAAAF0I/oWz0AQbO4ck/IMG_6361%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> <img title="IMG_6364" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_6364" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sp-TuO1He2A/UseBziff_CI/AAAAAAAAF0M/QUk5kzb1pK8/IMG_6364%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> <img title="IMG_6367" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_6367" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6CsiFzdKgdA/UseB0f_ECGI/AAAAAAAAF0Y/KhZeuEpMesM/IMG_6367%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> <img title="IMG_6368" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_6368" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IjDodwp3PEM/UseB034rUjI/AAAAAAAAF0g/gb1f97Q98aY/IMG_6368%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> <img title="IMG_6372" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_6372" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3b_cwsLBBpU/UseB18x-iYI/AAAAAAAAF0o/0ZEyikfA3KI/IMG_6372%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-14042325644267836782013-10-18T10:40:00.001-07:002013-10-18T10:40:47.298-07:00Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!<p>Okay, this is something that I have been looking forward to for months! I was so excited to get the kids dressed up and go Trick-or-Treating at Disneyland. Since this will more than likely be our last year with passes, I wanted to make sure that we got to do everything we wanted to, one time at least. So we got tickets for the Tuesday night party and we were literally counting down the days with a giant paper chain!</p> <p>Because I wanted to get in and get situated a little early, we broke Eli out of school early and headed down to the park. The boys were really excited, as was I, and we got there around 2:30 or so. </p> <p><img title="LBL_9774" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9774" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A7N1kkNE-u4/UmFyZBE7xjI/AAAAAAAAFqs/SbZcy9rUaEM/LBL_9774%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p>They weren’t letting people into the park with Halloween party tickets just yet, but since we had passes, we were able to go in early and check in to get our wristbands and everything inside the park. Of course, we stopped to get photos of the boys in front of the giant Mickey pumpkin first!</p> <p><img title="LBL_9783" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9783" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cooFEiDwcWE/UmFyZyahj1I/AAAAAAAAFq0/X71kvLnsH2g/LBL_9783%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p>Can you tell what their costumes are?? I’m sure those of you with little kids who like to watch PBS Kids will have a leg-up with the guesses! I’ll give you a hint: the boys are doing a pose and saying, “What If?!”  Any guesses?*</p> <p>After the pumpkin, I made them requested that we take a mini family photo in front of the castle. (Nathan hadn’t gotten there from work yet, so it was just us three.) I even had on my costume by then. ;)</p> <p><img title="LBL_9788" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9788" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dJZOxU5onW8/UmFyaobd64I/AAAAAAAAFq8/ioruM7j1j-0/LBL_9788%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>It was fun to just walk around without really having an agenda, waiting for night to come so we could get started on all the fun! We watched some ducks hanging out in the pond by Adventureland, </p> <p><img title="LBL_9793" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9793" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C5h7TjyL8jY/UmFybMtLY8I/AAAAAAAAFrE/HXGZi-KVaz4/LBL_9793%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_9795" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9795" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_xmp2S2of1s/UmFyb5OzObI/AAAAAAAAFrM/M5fR1c69w8A/LBL_9795%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p>went on Tarzan’s Treehouse, </p> <p><img title="LBL_9801" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9801" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E4Bp4szeje4/UmFycp08WEI/AAAAAAAAFrQ/I20KpXxjmyM/LBL_9801%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p>and checked out some of the ‘carved’ pumpkins they had surrounding Walt Disney’s statue. </p> <p><img title="LBL_9803" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9803" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xUvlGrl8Ybg/UmFydABLWZI/AAAAAAAAFrc/dr_2tzJbIWs/LBL_9803%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_9804" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9804" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bliBn7XKTaw/UmFydvzjE0I/AAAAAAAAFrk/Wh_K6yqGC_I/LBL_9804%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p></p> <p>Once we got in line and got our wristbands and miniscule Trick-or-Treat bags, we headed up to the Big Thunder Ranch and had fun doing some of the carnival games and looking at the neat carved pumpkins they had on display. We even tried the tent that conjures up a villain, but we didn’t last through the whole thing because West got scared. :) </p> <p><img title="LBL_9833" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9833" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3Mrea5WrYto/UmFyeqtvk3I/AAAAAAAAFrs/wL0rVbS0PhY/LBL_9833%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_9835" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9835" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E-l7486mNnE/UmFyfOEhGDI/AAAAAAAAFr0/kvIxqTePzDk/LBL_9835%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p></p> <p><img title="LBL_9837" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9837" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3nAmq40pnXE/UmFyf4xHiAI/AAAAAAAAFr8/ib-_ZkxJiOI/LBL_9837%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_9840" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9840" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MgsbrW9k8sE/UmFygtqlzEI/AAAAAAAAFsE/YOJmJtkKs6U/LBL_9840%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_9847" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9847" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tJEkDCkpR0s/UmFyhOycGzI/AAAAAAAAFsI/th-JhuNlej4/LBL_9847%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p>They even had their fortunes told, and they both ended up with the same character type – a bat! They received a card that told them to make sure when they go to bed that night, to say “I love you” to their Mummy. It was cute.</p> <p><img title="LBL_9849" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9849" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nzAGsFbwMVc/UmFyhosvwrI/AAAAAAAAFsQ/TqFPLQCgQ-o/LBL_9849%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_9854" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9854" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xrB25ACWhLQ/UmFyiNu2FWI/AAAAAAAAFsY/wauXjL54eEw/LBL_9854%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p>Finally, we met up with Nathan, who had to come after work, and we sat down to eat for a little bit. Then we headed out to the Trick-or-Treat stations! They have these stations set up all over the park, usually with a line of three or four spread out on a walkway that you follow to go through them all. The ones we went through were on the river, over by Winnie the Pooh ride, up at Big Thunder Ranch, in the Golden Horseshoe, in the Zocola restaurant, in Fantasyland and the Mickey theater on Main Street. The kids cleaned up! I jokingly told them that they wouldn’t even need to Trick-or-Treat on Halloween night and they rebelled at the thought. Even if Eli did end up giving almost all of his candy to me and West because he doesn’t like chocolate. Whose kid is this?? :)</p> <p><img title="LBL_9882" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9882" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ot-TG-SLT78/UmFyixlMROI/AAAAAAAAFsk/2ib-VZMP1rc/LBL_9882%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="577" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_9866" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9866" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5-qI0QSST4E/UmFyjVB1n3I/AAAAAAAAFso/XG3PeurHVgU/LBL_9866%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p>Oh my goodness, and then my favorite part of the night! We were waiting in line to see Captain Jack Sparrow. Apparently it was just at the same time as a character change, and I saw out of the corner of my eye, Peter Pan and Wendy waiting behind a little trellis for their turn to trade out with Jack. I pointed West over to them and said, “Look! I see Peter Pan and Wendy!” all secretive-like. West was so excited to see Peter Pan that he went right up to him and started talking to him. And if you know what Peter Pan is like at Disneyland, then you know why he’s one of my favorite characters to interact with. He was so cute, asking West how much candy he had collected and what he was going to do the rest of the night. West loved it! Then we got a cute picture of the boys with them both, and that’s when Jack Sparrow came over to them and started interacting with Peter and Wendy. It was hilarious! Peter was asking Jack what that Man-Hair on his face was, and Wendy replied, “That’s facial hair, Peter.” They were really cute. :)</p> <p><img title="LBL_9870" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9870" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iYZ8WxdhM7I/UmFyj0IVVnI/AAAAAAAAFs0/jpR21aqTJV8/LBL_9870%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p>(That’s West telling Peter that he had collected THIS MUCH candy!)</p> <p><img title="LBL_9873" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9873" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DehJtCvbWg0/UmFykWfpkDI/AAAAAAAAFs4/0GbE7vktAcg/LBL_9873%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_9874" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9874" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kxXNT971SXs/UmFykxp4CTI/AAAAAAAAFtE/fK-ZTob9UkI/LBL_9874%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="429" /> </p> <p>After we decided we had collected enough candy, we headed over to the castle to try and find a spot to watch the fireworks. Usually we don’t stay for them, since West is kind of afraid of them, but I insisted this time because I wanted to see it, plus I figured it would be a good time to try and get West used to them so he wouldn’t be scared anymore. We ended up scoring a sweet table at the Jolly Holiday bakery, where we had a great view of the fireworks and the castle. West did really great, and although he held his hands over his ears for most of it, during some of the parts he took them off and listened, then said, “It’s not that scary!” Score!</p> <p><img title="LBL_9897" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9897" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1jeAuzh8UTI/UmFylhye2FI/AAAAAAAAFtI/SozDrn07wro/LBL_9897%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p>I know, it’s fuzzy, but I didn’t want to move and this was the best I could get. :)</p> <p><img title="LBL_9902" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9902" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gzy8m5KpKlg/UmFymCJqn1I/AAAAAAAAFtQ/fcDtrsW2V-0/LBL_9902%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p>We had a great time and I’m glad for the memories! Happy Halloween!</p> <p><img title="LBL_9905" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9905" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wOv9S0DGL3k/UmFym2xM2UI/AAAAAAAAFtY/G86-hbfYs_Y/LBL_9905%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_9907" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_9907" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BgG4xWkAzTg/UmFynd0VkPI/AAAAAAAAFtg/tG0IxRIwWo0/LBL_9907%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /></p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-46917474465052930072013-08-26T09:32:00.001-07:002013-08-26T09:32:47.060-07:00We have a 2nd grader in the house!<p>Well I can hardly believe it’s here! The summer seemed to go by in spurts – super fast one minute and then crawling by the next. Of course, Eli has been so excited to go back (almost as excited as I was!) and today, the day finally came. He was up at the crack of dawn (seriously, 5:30am and he was ready to go!), dressed and ready for school. He designed his own T-shirt this year, with the front saying “2nd Grade” and the back saying “RULES!”. </p> <p>This year Eli has the same teacher that he did for his 1/2 combo class last year, which will have its pros and cons, I’m sure. I’m glad that he’ll have someone who knows him, who understands his quirks and know how to work with him. But I’m also nervous that he’ll be so comfortable in the class already that he’ll forget his first-day manners. I’m sure he’ll do fine, I’m crossing my fingers! </p> <p>Here are the fun first-day photos we took this morning. West was there, ready to go with his lunchbox, but of course, he doesn’t start preschool until next week. But he was excited to accompany Eli to his class!</p> <p><img title="IMG_5851_crop" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5851_crop" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E4fP96-Uj0c/UhuDIIxSxmI/AAAAAAAAFo8/rdMPc8onY9M/IMG_5851_crop%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> <img title="IMG_5855" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5855" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m2jLhlzn4no/UhuDI8m9NrI/AAAAAAAAFpE/6JJ9UuxKPIo/IMG_5855%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> <img title="IMG_5858" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5858" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5KKa5zi-oeM/UhuDJfyluZI/AAAAAAAAFpM/59xyxSlZJlY/IMG_5858%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> <img title="IMG_5860" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5860" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vcJhbMBYGjs/UhuDKY1yVRI/AAAAAAAAFpU/53_wWhYRbp0/IMG_5860%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> <img title="IMG_5861" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5861" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QHVxvSmOOjc/UhuDLPTUOcI/AAAAAAAAFpc/FqqRs_cqL5I/IMG_5861%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I’m looking forward to having some more quiet time to get some projects done around the house, and to be able to have these two not fighting with each other all day. Absence does make the heart grow fonder, after all!  ::wink::</p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-37276285197222475072013-08-05T08:53:00.001-07:002013-08-05T08:53:30.267-07:00Day at the Beach<p>Last week the boys and I headed out to the beach for the day. Can you believe it was our first trip to the beach this whole summer? I know, I’m a terrible Californian. :)</p> <p>We were going to go with friends, but when the weather looked like it was going to be too cold, it ended up just being us. We went down to Newport, where Nathan likes to go and found that it was pretty crowded. Thankfully, we found a good spot and set up camp. </p> <p>The coolest part was the parking. Yeah, weird, I know. But they now have this app that you can download that lets you pay for parking straight from your phone, lets you watch your time so you can stay on top of it, and you can even add more time from right under your beach umbrella. It sure beats having to take the kids out of the water and walk them back to the car to add a couple more quarters to the meter!</p> <p>Eli spent most of the day with his boogie board in the water. Even though the water was cold, he loved the huge waves that were coming in and just rode hard out there for at least 3 hours! </p> <p>West and I spent the day throwing the ball back and forth, eating our lunch, and building sand castles.</p> <p><img title="IMG_5699" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5699" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zu2jQvElurg/Uf_KcquKuBI/AAAAAAAAFmo/VerhBhn1wuU/IMG_5699%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="IMG_5705" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5705" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hLWLn2bEaA8/Uf_KdD0N2gI/AAAAAAAAFmw/O8IOz964kus/IMG_5705%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="IMG_5707" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5707" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cPDy8s3NRTw/Uf_Kdr_naQI/AAAAAAAAFm4/0p5mMZtkpHI/IMG_5707%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> </p> <p>But the best part for West? That would be knocking the castle over!</p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:9fb5ada7-b99a-44ee-a171-d22d47afe58f" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; width: 425px"><div id="71d3b10f-d7ed-4db8-81b6-6a69f48aa0e5" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHNkqk12CUQ&feature=youtu.be" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ia-MW8tXT00/Uf_KeAN3A2I/AAAAAAAAFnA/2Qm0mlYSfq0/video5a5ca343798e%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('71d3b10f-d7ed-4db8-81b6-6a69f48aa0e5'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/pHNkqk12CUQ&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/pHNkqk12CUQ&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>We had a really fun day just enjoying the great weather together. The boys certainly slept well that night!</p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-29784190430755524182013-07-29T23:51:00.000-07:002013-08-05T00:25:39.896-07:00San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park<p>(July 29th)</p> <p>Nathan had a class to teach for work down in San Diego today, so the boys and I tagged along with him and spent the night at a hotel. The boys loved the breakfast buffet in the morning and I loved getting to bum around with them all day while Dad was at work! </p> <p>With our newly renewed zoo memberships in hand, we dropped Nathan off at work and headed for the San Diego Wild Animal Park. I love that our memberships get us admission to both here and the zoo, because it really makes it feel worth the money. The boys had both been here before, but Eli was only about 4 and West had just been born, so they didn’t remember much of it. </p> <p>I didn’t have my nice camera with me, so try to look past the barely-adequate photos, ha!</p> <p><img title="IMG_5597" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5597" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GK0YWTA1bOU/Uf9TJ_ovosI/AAAAAAAAFiw/0xjMoHxcl-8/IMG_5597%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> </p> <p>Ah, Eli, my poser child, ha!</p> <p>First thing off the bat, there was this adorable little hedgehog guy that was out and ready for his closeup. He was so cute and looked just like Martin Freeman! Although, I don’t think the woman holding him liked my joke. (In case you don’t either, <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/222013456601431175/">here’s a link</a> that may explain…or not.)</p> <p><img title="IMG_5600" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5600" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PWRk8uDv-Kw/Uf9TKadcyrI/AAAAAAAAFi4/g490NWX_kYs/IMG_5600%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> <img title="IMG_5601" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5601" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SQ8hHNu9Kmw/Uf9TK5pEDKI/AAAAAAAAFjA/0Au6_yyvtxI/IMG_5601%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> </p> <p></p> <p>We were there first thing in the morning, and we came across these adorable meerkats that were just waking up and getting ready to start their day. I love how they were lounging in the morning sun.</p> <p><img title="IMG_5602" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5602" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SZK1nk8-4wo/Uf9TMNn3VNI/AAAAAAAAFjI/FQUeqWej6A8/IMG_5602%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> <img title="IMG_5603" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5603" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dW_kv-piPBk/Uf9TM8mNxjI/AAAAAAAAFjQ/GvEg8CZaOxA/IMG_5603%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> <img title="IMG_5606" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5606" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F3Pf36P87fs/Uf9TNSbFDLI/AAAAAAAAFjY/viubYnCaubo/IMG_5606%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Then the boys tried their hat at living in a nest, pretending to be bat-eared foxes, and living in said bat-eared fox’s den.</p> <p><img title="IMG_5612" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5612" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iiov_bQ9qfM/Uf9TOAbNsAI/AAAAAAAAFjg/nuI_Ehibhy8/IMG_5612%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> <img title="IMG_5614" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5614" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nU1TeC_GdZg/Uf9TOiF5v4I/AAAAAAAAFjo/xFAn2TazLwE/IMG_5614%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p></p> <p><img title="IMG_5613" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5613" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O1elBqS5Pmk/Uf9TPf6W2SI/AAAAAAAAFjw/CWHYJQ8WKH4/IMG_5613%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p>Then we saw the most adorable little guy! A fennec fox, who was just running around his habitat and looking cute.</p> <p><img title="IMG_5617" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5617" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HtQjmNOwjiQ/Uf9TQJzgibI/AAAAAAAAFj4/As04JOmpRdY/IMG_5617%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p>Seriously, I wanted to take that guy home!</p> <p>We wandered over to a little mini park and found some statues to climb on and some drums to play.</p> <p><img title="IMG_5619" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5619" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i3CHEE5iJAQ/Uf9TQudhijI/AAAAAAAAFkA/JEtydKv9l4U/IMG_5619%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> </p> <p>(West finally feeling what it’s like to be as tall as Eli!)</p> <p><img title="IMG_5624" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5624" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EGIQzKq5KDg/Uf9TRYE_ICI/AAAAAAAAFkI/2TOUyZx8qUk/IMG_5624%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> <img title="IMG_5625" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5625" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JZH8IHEwMoo/Uf9TR7mkT0I/AAAAAAAAFkQ/Lan7z8nsWHY/IMG_5625%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p></p> <p>And some actual proof of my existence! A miracle! :)</p> <p><img title="IMG_5626" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5626" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n8r0MVRx4kY/Uf9TSoJbALI/AAAAAAAAFkY/0ee18Ht8OLw/IMG_5626%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="IMG_5627" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5627" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uHbjuPC17ac/Uf9TTVZkArI/AAAAAAAAFkg/vUJOIwClAPU/IMG_5627%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p>Sidenote: Don’t you just love my hat? Okay, it may be a little large, but I love it because I finally have something to protect my freaking hairline from getting sunburned! That’s been the bane of my existence the last couple of summers because I never remember (or want) to put sunscreen in my hair and I always end up with a terribly burned scalp, which turns into the lovely look of dandruff a week later. So yeah, I bought a big, floppy hat. And I love it in all its ridiculousness. </p> <p>Moving on! Next stop was the bats, which were just freaky-deaky! They look kind of cool, but there’s no way I’d want to come into contact with them out in the ‘wild’. Seriously creep me out.</p> <p><img title="IMG_5635" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5635" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sNnj71Pgs5M/Uf9TT4CF2II/AAAAAAAAFko/nkZG0x59G0M/IMG_5635%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="IMG_5636" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5636" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YI-oyrai4KU/Uf9TUa5yNbI/AAAAAAAAFkw/Wr8pjtODx9w/IMG_5636%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="IMG_5639" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5639" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2rXUYhKCQGY/Uf9TVMfhHoI/AAAAAAAAFk4/Z4VSw2vlKQA/IMG_5639%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p>Unless, of course, they were these bats. Then I’d be okay.</p> <p><img title="IMG_5640" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5640" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QZM8TQb9MB8/Uf9TVr1ZFlI/AAAAAAAAFlA/oBW4m2pXsGo/IMG_5640%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p>Next up, we made our way over to the tram ride that goes around the park. Thankfully, that’s a free trip included in our memberships, so we can enjoy it as many times as we want. We had a really cute gal leading our expedition and we got to see a ton of animals!</p> <p><img title="IMG_5641" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5641" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gKTQeDu0f9E/Uf9TWedp_OI/AAAAAAAAFlI/6eSWt9MrRTY/IMG_5641%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p>I won’t bore you with all the animals we saw, but here are some of the highlights:</p> <p><img title="IMG_5643" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5643" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CAyk1PLmBgY/Uf9TXFVTMPI/AAAAAAAAFlQ/BEaB-Fhcwks/IMG_5643%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p>In that photo, you can just barely see a rhino and her baby (right behind the giraffe). Our tour guide said this was probably our best shot at seeing that baby on the tour, and sure enough, once we had made our way back around the circle where we would be closer to them, the Mama and baby were gone!</p> <p>Here’s another rhino taking a rest in the shade.</p> <p><img title="IMG_5645" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5645" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iydomforYcQ/Uf9TXnv0zII/AAAAAAAAFlY/Om8MCyguZPY/IMG_5645%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="IMG_5649" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5649" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hoezIOwPbLM/Uf9TYf7h-sI/AAAAAAAAFlg/JaNkPjuQ_3s/IMG_5649%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="IMG_5651" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5651" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gTCAx5Kk9Ao/Uf9TZEmvWpI/AAAAAAAAFlo/ieUJMVPEb0Q/IMG_5651%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="IMG_5662" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5662" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2Ba0ozFAOtM/Uf9TZiqpLVI/AAAAAAAAFlw/fcL6VXpCn5E/IMG_5662%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="IMG_5664" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5664" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cwDtMun0yq4/Uf9TaLogtHI/AAAAAAAAFl4/IHi80N_hsew/IMG_5664%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> </p> <p>After cruising by the lions… </p> <p><img title="IMG_5665" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5665" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aJvY6vI97Cc/Uf9TazA1mQI/AAAAAAAAFmA/hJ-TCRj2ZW8/IMG_5665%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p>…we ended up at the perfect time to catch a bird show. It was so cute and well done, we saw lots of cool birds, including my favorite secretary bird! I was too mesmerized to take any photos, whoops. But the highlight was when Eli got chosen to go onstage and help with one of the presentations! He was super excited to be picked and said to me afterward, “Mom, I was crossing my fingers so hard so that I would get picked!” Too cute.</p> <p><img title="IMG_5667" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5667" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jyxmiPViuzY/Uf9Tbuk-WcI/AAAAAAAAFmI/pgCND1pI0jU/IMG_5667%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p></p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:5610c221-62d2-44b0-bcc8-f3e01fa0cd0c" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; width: 425px"><div id="1938b2ea-1845-4f4f-9a92-1a55ed947a0d" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nfZuqSzxJk&feature=youtu.be" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0A-evGNMZVM/Uf9TcFfQWbI/AAAAAAAAFmQ/5duRwFW_Q2M/videod98470b55fcc%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('1938b2ea-1845-4f4f-9a92-1a55ed947a0d'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/1nfZuqSzxJk&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/1nfZuqSzxJk&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>We ended up having a really great, albeit long, day at the park and we will definitely be going back again soon! </p> <p><img title="IMG_5692" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5692" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S1J1cRjmmjg/Uf9TcgxuNBI/AAAAAAAAFmY/7-wNeQiaryY/IMG_5692%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-35423279923485782012013-07-25T23:14:00.000-07:002013-08-04T23:15:28.139-07:00Bowling!<p>(July 25th)</p> <p>The local bowling alley has a great summer program that lets the kids bowl for free, 2 games every day. (Of course, shoe rental is not included in that deal, but they have to make money somehow, right?) So I took the boys down this afternoon and they had a lot of fun! I didn’t have my nice camera with me, so the shots are pretty terrible, but I’m glad I got it documented at least. </p> <p><img title="IMG_5577" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5577" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xrsJTw_6S5s/Uf9C9F2aJ2I/AAAAAAAAFiA/vwPWoxTq3sI/IMG_5577%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> <img title="IMG_5580" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5580" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-f9SNhL6PnrA/Uf9C9jCJ1gI/AAAAAAAAFiI/zuhPh6uosno/IMG_5580%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> <img title="IMG_5582" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5582" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JnxjRQ_ir50/Uf9C-RGUHHI/AAAAAAAAFiQ/MQ8IpIwPgfk/IMG_5582%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> <img title="IMG_5586" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5586" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-W53SFWMgdXs/Uf9C-7mB3LI/AAAAAAAAFiY/pBRoWM4NIQs/IMG_5586%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I love this next picture – West was refusing to smile so Eli was ‘helping’ him. Ah, brothers!</p> <p><img title="IMG_5592" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5592" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C6Zx_whB2_k/Uf9C_sKXkZI/AAAAAAAAFig/skiXz4TwLME/IMG_5592%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-17589605787421081622013-07-10T20:45:00.000-07:002013-08-04T22:40:54.585-07:00Disney with my boys<p>(July 10th)</p> <p>Today I took the boys to Disneyland because I really wanted to see the Lone Ranger train that was on display there, after they had the movie premiere at California Adventure. West, of course, was all over it, but Eli took some convincing. I mean, seriously, I must have broken my kid because what 7-year-old doesn’t like going to Disneyland?! Really though, he loves it once he’s there, he just gets nervous that Nathan and I will make him go on rides he doesn’t like. For better or worse, we’ve stopped forcing him to face his fears, so he’s mellowed out a little bit about it lately, ha. Parents of the year, I know. </p> <p>So the first stop was the steam engine and it was certainly impressive! Although not enough for the boys to ignore the blaring sun in their faces.</p> <p><img title="LBL_8647" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8647" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z9qeyKobty8/Uf86nZeUSnI/AAAAAAAAFdo/E2-VXOsAdWw/LBL_8647%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p>Then it was off to the boys’ favorite place – Redwood Creek Challenge Trail! Really, if they could spend all day there, with a few churro breaks in between, I’m sure I wouldn’t hear any complaints about going to Disneyland ever again. </p> <p>A favorite of theirs is the Bravery Test, aka the tire swing. <img title="LBL_8657" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8657" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3ogS0euHuvU/Uf86n-WWf5I/AAAAAAAAFdw/i0liMstswio/LBL_8657%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /></p> <p>It’s fun to watch them zip down the line, especially because at the end, they get swung up as they’re stopped and swing back toward the other end. West loved it even as he was falling off the swing!</p> <p><img title="LBL_8653" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8653" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4y2jLcAdERg/Uf86ohafs2I/AAAAAAAAFd4/--VtMuzjgBg/LBL_8653%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" />  </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><img title="LBL_8665" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8665" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fR4jG7HbzpE/Uf86pMtiazI/AAAAAAAAFeA/_W3EjaEJ2pQ/LBL_8665%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="wipeout" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="wipeout" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vLBzxjW3USo/Uf86qoQVHNI/AAAAAAAAFeI/i76RNIECFLE/wipeout%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="640" height="206" /> </p> <p>Of course, they then had to mark it off on their trail maps. Good thing I have a steady supply of quarters!</p> <p><img title="LBL_8676" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8676" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aZY6-rs4s7U/Uf86rK1_8NI/AAAAAAAAFeQ/MXrX0Ln9C3Y/LBL_8676%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_8680" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8680" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3paVME8RdNI/Uf86rsMa0KI/AAAAAAAAFeY/_Z-wqFp4jVw/LBL_8680%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_8681" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8681" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3n5wLu_yZCk/Uf86sZ-sscI/AAAAAAAAFeg/mO-JlTtecSc/LBL_8681%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p>Next is the kiddie slides, then the popular rock climbing test. They both love this one, but West is just a natural climber and he always looks right at home on the rocks. Eli is getting better and better at it, the more he does it.</p> <p><img title="LBL_8687" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8687" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G8TIdBZ2msI/Uf86tPsg0FI/AAAAAAAAFeo/5HHM9qDGHjY/LBL_8687%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_8700" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8700" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Lvy0jDSePUg/Uf86tpBQAmI/AAAAAAAAFew/AEchVa_QvKc/LBL_8700%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_8713" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8713" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-57SDIYDS7q8/Uf86uTUhpLI/AAAAAAAAFe4/YCXz3KlJ3sc/LBL_8713%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_8704" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8704" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f401ipZcbFU/Uf86vOaU7eI/AAAAAAAAFfA/7dqb_7tb0cc/LBL_8704%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_8708" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8708" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Gm_7zvCqiRg/Uf86vk7FI8I/AAAAAAAAFfI/wBvDkg4wqXo/LBL_8708%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_8710" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8710" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3NfxpnFtIrQ/Uf86wa1HuyI/AAAAAAAAFfQ/CY2Hq-W6Pfc/LBL_8710%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_8721" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8721" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9Etbed_HCdY/Uf86w2XzXpI/AAAAAAAAFfY/nvU2YvVmQS0/LBL_8721%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p>Then we made our way to the Little Mermaid ride, a favorite of ours to take a break from the heat outside! I took along my big camera to try and get some shots of the inside of the ride and was pleased with the way most of them turned out.</p> <p><img title="LBL_8732" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8732" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eJxTDdgWSW0/Uf86xaukFvI/AAAAAAAAFfg/rBFAsXeX79Q/LBL_8732%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> <img title="LBL_8747" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8747" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Tqknls89820/Uf86yEbiESI/AAAAAAAAFfo/XmyMdRcT7pM/LBL_8747%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_8759" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8759" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xRE9FtoQ9Zg/Uf86y8dI9-I/AAAAAAAAFfw/mZgeQ_HYv7s/LBL_8759%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> <img title="LBL_8762" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8762" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FCeD-yv9tU8/Uf86zXXU--I/AAAAAAAAFf4/bgyHq2yCiBY/LBL_8762%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_8766" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8766" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qXurqW588HA/Uf86z2opKOI/AAAAAAAAFgA/1MoggFXv01I/LBL_8766%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_8777" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8777" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bwwdG41zMfE/Uf860tgnYSI/AAAAAAAAFgI/s97ua8T0OG0/LBL_8777%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_8782" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8782" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-atv4QG16jhI/Uf861IA1egI/AAAAAAAAFgQ/TLp7TvwcefM/LBL_8782%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_8784" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8784" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Gbdsd-PvFCM/Uf861n2gm7I/AAAAAAAAFgY/oJQ9g32P_vk/LBL_8784%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Then we headed over to King Triton’s Carousel, and Toy Story Midway Mania. I love riding the carousel with the boys, and Midway Mania is one of my top-three favorites rides in the park. It’s almost always worth the wait and I love getting to practice my shootin’ skills, ha.</p> <p><img title="LBL_8788" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8788" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-o5HytfVocek/Uf862GEwVNI/AAAAAAAAFgg/pgpmj8WFJE8/LBL_8788%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> <img title="LBL_8798" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8798" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ruCEoJDXYkU/Uf862mkvTvI/AAAAAAAAFgo/3iwBa7hMq2c/LBL_8798%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> <img title="LBL_8800" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8800" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vpX0zBS-HDE/Uf863Jf2brI/AAAAAAAAFgw/qsS87u_qZqY/LBL_8800%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_8801" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8801" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-khIoWyWo8tw/Uf863unRY_I/AAAAAAAAFg4/1Cj1pQwE2WM/LBL_8801%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Finally, we ended our day with some ice cream! Yum! </p> <p><img title="LBL_8834" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8834" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hsmeEl_u0pk/Uf864Y1dT7I/AAAAAAAAFhA/WJSwOd4EtBQ/LBL_8834%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> <img title="LBL_8837" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8837" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YpI04m1qrmo/Uf864uZaW-I/AAAAAAAAFhI/ekRQT0S03yw/LBL_8837%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p></p> <p>And here’s the only proof that I was there that day: the boys and my ice cream. :)</p> <p><img title="LBL_8838" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8838" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Hjn_4jUVv0I/Uf865Tc-BxI/AAAAAAAAFhQ/Accil_3bwx8/LBL_8838%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /></p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-54925984971067194732013-07-05T21:51:00.000-07:002013-08-04T21:59:19.107-07:00San Diego Zoo<p>(July 5th)</p> <p>Last night Nathan and I decided to renew our zoo memberships, in hopes that the kids would be old enough to enjoy it again and make it worth the trip down to San Diego. We had them one year when Eli was about 2 or so, and he enjoyed it, but we also lived closer to it than we do now, so it wasn’t as much of an investment of time to go down. But now that West is older and is interested in animals and since Eli has decided he’s going to be a zoologist when he grows up (seriously, he talks about animals and their cool and unique attributes all. the. time.), we figured it would be worth it. </p> <p>So today we took the kids to San Diego to visit the zoo for the first time in years. Let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint! The boys were thrilled with the surprise trip, and were so excited to go and explore. One of the highlights was getting a map and planning out our route, since the SD Zoo has pretty much the most confusing layout ever! Eli loved the challenge, though, and proclaimed himself ‘in charge’ of the map, telling us where to go and only getting us lost once! Thankfully, Nathan was there to help out with minor corrections here and there, but don’t Eli that, ha. </p> <p>The first stop was the koalas, which are some of my favorite animals. I love how cute they are and how they just cling to their trees and hang out all day. They’re just adorable!</p> <p><img title="LBL_8280" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8280" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mmZyo4msY6w/Uf8w3DlfitI/AAAAAAAAFaA/pJLAJw3f0Fc/LBL_8280%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_8315" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8315" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wsIUE-RTnVI/Uf8w33SYVYI/AAAAAAAAFaI/EPgaVh-BCBk/LBL_8315%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_8320" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8320" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-koFWr94MNFY/Uf8w4qZkvOI/AAAAAAAAFaQ/bpIQcu0E1aY/LBL_8320%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_8276" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8276" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BGgQUyQfhpU/Uf8w5c8TrjI/AAAAAAAAFaY/zt6vl3XFqsY/LBL_8276%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p>West loved pointing out the animals on all the informational signs he saw. Since he’s not reading just yet, he asked us to read almost all of the facts to him. </p> <p><img title="LBL_8268" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8268" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-o08UZm6yR_s/Uf8w5_V1hjI/AAAAAAAAFag/NkzimavuRGM/LBL_8268%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p>He did almost get eaten by a giant vulture, but luckily the vulture had already had his breakfast!</p> <p><img title="LBL_8345" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8345" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KxuRA6s58CI/Uf8w6kxuYHI/AAAAAAAAFao/WhMvECOaV1w/LBL_8345%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p>We saw kangaroos, flamingos, and stopped by the giant elephant sculpture, before checking out the real thing. The elephants were really huge!</p> <p><img title="LBL_8301" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8301" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Vy-0gpmMr_0/Uf8w7FyVLxI/AAAAAAAAFaw/ehtQ4RJfK5g/LBL_8301%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_8306" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8306" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f8zwdpZe8xI/Uf8w7hCP7GI/AAAAAAAAFa4/OSIIEtTrCZU/LBL_8306%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_8341" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3krSQu1-jW43KSm9-KouNjFf81Kbp6VDjmBE3Toh_LgvnmSpHY3sPCuguAKE2Uw2kwByWzCSAAOkcXzKCq_b1tydwk0JWwmYHsnubJSr8E4pFlvvpuJvFiPEhr1SJCiXiG22/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_8361" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8361" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uG4RsroWT38/Uf8w87ck9TI/AAAAAAAAFbI/38E30-1VETM/LBL_8361%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p>West tried on the look of an extraterrestrial impact theorist, with a little help from dad. </p> <p><img title="LBL_8363" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8363" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--6rMQp3EAfs/Uf8w9Ub_-RI/AAAAAAAAFbQ/4SMyRfb0dPM/LBL_8363%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p>I think he’s got the look! </p> <p>We saw one of my favorite kinds of birds (which I’ve just discovered thanks to Eli and Wild Kratts), the secretary bird!</p> <p><img title="LBL_8354" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8354" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9AEjJlam-iA/Uf8w-Gy_OWI/AAAAAAAAFbY/_Ndzh-0SLWc/LBL_8354%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p>Don’t let the photo fool you – they’re really cool birds with long legs and they look so funny when walking around. They also use their long legs to stomp on snakes to kill them and eat them, which is pretty cool to see in action. </p> <p>We saw a big rattlesnake, which made me feel like I was back home in Texas. </p> <p><img title="LBL_8348" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8348" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YGb4ZX8cLyA/Uf8w-8A5OvI/AAAAAAAAFbg/1q8RdnmdtfE/LBL_8348%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p>Well, actually, the only time I’ve ever seen a rattlesnake in real life (not in a zoo) was when I was on a walk with my friend Tracy and our boys in Mission Viejo. It was pretty scary, as he was kind of blocking our path and we basically ran by him with our strollers, praying that he wouldn’t eat us. So I suppose it should have made me feel like I was right at home in Southern California! </p> <p>Then the kids rode a humungous, extinct liger or something. Whatever it was, it looked fierce to me! Not gonna lie, I was kind of glad it was extinct. </p> <p><img title="LBL_8372" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8372" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yojaRgN6T0o/Uf8w_evKTqI/AAAAAAAAFbo/KTjHwohh7Wg/LBL_8372%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p>After that was another big cat, a cool-looking lion who was pretty much bored with the whole “people looking at me from behind a fence” thing. But at least he looked cool doing it.</p> <p><img title="LBL_8375" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8375" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KGPQjckABks/Uf8xAArbgqI/AAAAAAAAFbw/rOAqPkX0VQk/LBL_8375%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p>Next up were some cute gazelle-looking things, I am 100% sure that’s not what they are, but I can’t remember their names. They were really cute, though! </p> <p><img title="LBL_8387" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8387" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-szNYeYZzVEY/Uf8xAnkRSTI/AAAAAAAAFb4/ItRLvwJQwNM/LBL_8387%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>See, don’t they just look like the volleyball players of the animal kingdom or something? Adorable!</p> <p>Then West and Eli did their best seal impressions, although it wasn’t cold enough to really do it justice.</p> <p><img title="LBL_8395" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8395" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cRWZAyoNWaQ/Uf8xCfMkCWI/AAAAAAAAFcA/mJd9ywTKOqg/LBL_8395%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_8407" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8407" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwhODHa6rcQkDdoxAzeBDIvQQVlg-oJrkWnURa5AQf3E76IiGrIDu9AcvLKfwNnEM6_vM7lMmVK8ZVOVwktfKlejt-6H7zL39NUNKayU8KZ7iv3P9D8j7sH2Q7oz1W-73WYSf/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p>After that it was the huge line to get to see the pandas, which is puzzling to me why there is such a demand for those guys. I mean, they’re cute and adorable and all, but you don’t see people lining up in a processional like that to see the gazelle volleyball players. Maybe because they’re more endangered? I don’t know, but I was glad we got to see them. </p> <p><img title="LBL_8429" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8429" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-79VE2bDGQG4/Uf8xDpsm8eI/AAAAAAAAFcQ/I0q6whReig8/LBL_8429%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p>And our own bamboo-loving kiddos.</p> <p><img title="LBL_8436" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8436" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G3yjv-LAtKg/Uf8xEU3paEI/AAAAAAAAFcY/uaZjY13Rxh8/LBL_8436%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p>West’s favorite animal, the warthog, had a couple of adorable little babies with them. They were fun to watch as they trotted around the enclosure with their mommas. </p> <p><img title="LBL_8456_web" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8456_web" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VZzzF3mUCm4/Uf8xE8IfwKI/AAAAAAAAFcg/9a2V6YLY0-k/LBL_8456_web%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="265" /> </p> <p>Then there were some big horn sheep, an orangutan, and some more crazy animals!</p> <p><img title="LBL_8467" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8467" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Umi642njHVo/Uf8xFr1gyZI/AAAAAAAAFco/YDM-R_Ih_5E/LBL_8467%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_8526" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8526" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hkejRz3MM9o/Uf8xGHuco1I/AAAAAAAAFcw/9_KEb4Gvs_c/LBL_8526%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_8504" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8504" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z-7Vm_zPUOY/Uf8xGuCRhYI/AAAAAAAAFc4/xwtFShyn5To/LBL_8504%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_8511" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8511" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-laEZLPjMD_E/Uf8xHbLYpcI/AAAAAAAAFdA/MERSKXmQc6E/LBL_8511%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_8529" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8529" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yrSRvdul6Rs/Uf8xIAGMPuI/AAAAAAAAFdI/X_mUJXnDuNc/LBL_8529%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_8545" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8545" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MGwbmv2KTiA/Uf8xImhxyXI/AAAAAAAAFdQ/G8FRN_GjVIw/LBL_8545%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p>Of course, getting to visit (although briefly!) with my friend Amy from Scrap Girls was one of the highlights. She works with the birds there at the zoo and was busy with a new exhibit they had to finish on a deadline. Of course, we didn’t give her much notice, so the next time we plan to go down, we’ll have a longer visit. Just getting to chat with her was totally awesome, though! </p> <p></p> <p><img title="LBL_8550" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_8550" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--pynO8WBCbE/Uf8xJQPLcsI/AAAAAAAAFdY/ILrUrTxeKSI/LBL_8550%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p>We really had a fun (and calorie burning, with all those hills!) day and we expect to go back often throughout the year!</p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-60107785634588960262013-07-03T19:58:00.000-07:002013-08-04T22:58:47.809-07:00It doesn’t even look like him!<p>(July 3rd)</p> <p>We ended up not doing anything special for the Fourth of July, because of this:</p> <p>Here is my poor little Westie boy after getting pinkeye over the weekend. Even though he looks miserable, he was such a trooper and it didn’t stop him from being his adorable self.</p> <p><img title="IMG_5479" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5479" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yz8M95BF57M/Uf8_Edo6kLI/AAAAAAAAFhg/WxDqcETegiA/IMG_5479%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> <img title="IMG_5482" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5482" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JM62Ao3d8Lc/Uf8_ExFJo8I/AAAAAAAAFho/tAuhNQ0dtyU/IMG_5482%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /><img title="IMG_5480" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RkJQX34suaE/Uf8_Frv2j0I/AAAAAAAAFhw/HlYPMM9dFRg/IMG_5480%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" />  </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I was super paranoid that Nathan, Eli or myself would get it, since it’s so contagious, but thankfully we were spared. We got West to the doctor quickly and on antibiotics, and within a few days he was back to his normal self. I wasn’t really all that bummed that we had to miss out on the festivities of the Fourth of July, and I actually enjoyed just hanging out at home with the family. </p> <p>And I just had to share these photos because I thought he was way too cute of an invalid. :)</p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-9782195853449506772013-06-21T07:28:00.000-07:002013-06-21T07:28:00.078-07:00Disneyland and the 24-hour day<p>Nathan and I took advantage of the kids staying the night at Grandma and Papa’s house one Friday night in May by heading out to Disneyland on a date. Luckily it coincided with Disneyland’s 24-hour day of operation to celebrate the upcoming Monster’s University movie release. I thought it would be really fun to be a part of that. Of course, we didn’t actually stay the whole 24 hours, although I know there are die-hard fans out there who did. The park opened at 6am Friday morning and stayed open until 6am Saturday morning. We were there for 6 of the 24 hours, and I felt good about that. ;)</p> <p>We got there and immediately got in line for the Tower of Terror, since that is my favorite ride at the park. As we had to spend over an hour in line, we were happy to not have kids with us! Not to mention they’d be terrified to go on the ride anyway. </p> <p><img title="IMG_5167" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5167" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TLZpuRfWPCo/UcOCbTnV8MI/AAAAAAAAFXs/FyjrT3qzwqE/IMG_5167%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p>It was really fun, we had a good set of drops! Afterwards, we decided to head to Disneyland park, as there was a grad night going on that same night and a lot of the California Adventure areas were going to be off-limits to us. So we headed to a ride that I actually had not ridden since I was about 8 years old – the Matterhorn! It’s so silly but I just hadn’t gotten around to riding it, since it had been under construction for a while and there is no way I could go on one of my solo trips with the kids because they’d refuse, so I just hadn’t had the chance to go yet. Luckily it was just as I remembered it and lots of fun! </p> <p><img title="IMG_5168" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5168" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-27rU_43vfgY/UcOCcKOuAtI/AAAAAAAAFX0/QOs4bCp4w88/IMG_5168%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> </p> <p>(As you can tell by the horrible photo, apparently I was *really* excited to be on the ride at last!)</p> <p>After the Matterhorn we decided to get some food so we headed over to the Bear Country restaurant and staked out a table way in the back, on the river. </p> <p><img title="IMG_5170" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5170" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uhwHxeNUvJY/UcOCcjV-bBI/AAAAAAAAFX8/jhf6JLu6wf4/IMG_5170%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="IMG_5171" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5171" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2yjDAyUL7mY/UcOCdOPw3WI/AAAAAAAAFYE/xBGTaRlRw6w/IMG_5171%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p>We ordered funnel cakes along with dinner and enjoyed having a chance to be away from all the crowds. Because holy moly, it was CROWDED! I know the last 24-hour park day was not this crowded, but I think it’s because they were doing the grad night at the same time, which is crazy if you ask me. </p> <p>But anyway, so we had this little table in the back to ourselves, right on the river, when the Fantasmic show started. Turns out where we were was a perfect spot to watch the fireworks, and we even got to see the Mark Twain riverboat loaded with characters that were through with their part of the show, but were slowly floating by us in complete darkness. The best part was that they knew people could still see them, so they kept in-character and waved to us as I snapped a few pictures. Of course, I only had my dinky point and shoot with me, so none of them really turned out, but here’s one that kind of shows you what it was like. </p> <p><img title="IMG_5177" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5177" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yLu3TJmmH0A/UcOCdiYsaAI/AAAAAAAAFYM/-7uvfweae6A/IMG_5177%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p>Kind of cool!</p> <p>After eating, we moseyed around looking for things to do that weren’t terribly crowded or had really long lines. First we went on the Winnie the Pooh ride because I wanted to show Nathan the hidden Mickeys in there. Then we walked and walked and ended up stopping at the Tomorrowland Terrace to listen to a band that was playing there. We had a fun time rocking out for a while. </p> <p><img title="IMG_5205" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5205" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SUCY_fr5hPY/UcOCeKdPIXI/AAAAAAAAFYU/g3gGDv9hjHQ/IMG_5205%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="IMG_5214" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5214" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gX5_w9l_eOw/UcOCeSUrWzI/AAAAAAAAFYc/QJNdbCjgoTY/IMG_5214%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p>Once the band was done, Nathan was pretty much done for the night, so we headed out. But not without taking our photo in front of the Monstrous Summer banner so we can always remember we made it! Ha, too bad the photo turned out terrible! I hope the one the “pros” caught is better. </p> <p>All in all, we definitely had a great time and I’m looking forward to going again with just Nathan during our anniversary in August! </p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-43359063056013027412013-06-20T11:00:00.000-07:002013-06-20T11:02:41.481-07:00Tom got hitched!<p>My little brother got married last month and I was so happy that it was here in California so that I could have a chance to see all my family out here. We did lots of fun things, but this post is about his wedding. The day was beautiful, they had perfect weather (I remember standing outside the temple and while it was hot, it was also breezy so it was really nice.), and lots of family around. They were married in the Los Angeles temple and had a morning ceremony. The hubby and I were lucky enough to have his parents watch our kids so we could go to the sealing and not have to worry about who would watch them at the temple. Of course, all of the photos I took that morning are on a memory card that Jeff had to borrow, so I don’t have any pictures of the temple. Yet. I’ll try and update this post as soon as I get them back and edit them up. </p> <p>The group photos were fun and I’ve seen a few of the individual photos of Tom and Britania, and they look really cute.</p> <p>Once the sealing was done, we headed out in lots of lovely California traffic to go to their luncheon at a cute little barbeque place. Once the bride and groom decided to grace us with their presence, we had toasts and heard some fun stories about Tom and Britania (individually and as a couple). One of Tom’s good friends even wrote in a toast to be read at the luncheon, as he couldn’t be there that day. It was really cute. Here are some shots from the luncheon. <br /> <br />Warning: HUGE overload of photos coming your way. </p> <p><img title="LBL_7674" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7674" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y6-PnBEUCPs/UcNDX4-cIqI/AAAAAAAAFRM/tngkvCGKsDw/LBL_76742.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7675" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7675" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O7BoBszS-nU/UcNDYV7w55I/AAAAAAAAFRU/VODzb6OjBv4/LBL_76752.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7682" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7682" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-siBI9uP7EDQ/UcNDYuGPSMI/AAAAAAAAFRc/R6Dn16yuR4Y/LBL_76822.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /></p> <p><img title="LBL_7671" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7671" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2dq0_BQArA8/UcNDZDiTeFI/AAAAAAAAFRk/yiyFkR89mSc/LBL_76712.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7676" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7676" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LkxsPzvfVN4/UcNDZmdlLWI/AAAAAAAAFRs/40BgScEiL9k/LBL_76762.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p><img title="LBL_7683" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7683" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-40JOtT86B2Q/UcNDaJSXOXI/AAAAAAAAFR0/9szwbCFzB2o/LBL_76832.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7685" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7685" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g2jNMNkffnE/UcNDaTb9E0I/AAAAAAAAFR8/i2BxVvKNoFE/LBL_76852.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7727" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7727" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UzevO7JBUho/UcNDawwZ0-I/AAAAAAAAFSE/0GF5ihqA4ps/LBL_77272.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7731" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7731" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7_TbVwuXwrs/UcNDbbmvHdI/AAAAAAAAFSM/T7jBSSbqQ38/LBL_77312.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7738" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7738" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ka9edWo2DAw/UcNDb9c_jqI/AAAAAAAAFSU/1M8NTKYR2LA/LBL_77382.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7741" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7741" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wz4Q0dGSwBU/UcNDcfiLo6I/AAAAAAAAFSc/UKomnpcZS6A/LBL_77412.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7745" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7745" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f_j5cVo_bPs/UcNDcjjqOhI/AAAAAAAAFSk/NQC9H73cG1c/LBL_77452.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7747" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7747" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fch1okdWh9w/UcNDdCqhuTI/AAAAAAAAFSs/x0WPx5yauEw/LBL_77472.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7765" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7765" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hki_wBHUW1w/UcNDdjuITDI/AAAAAAAAFS0/g3Qd_Q3cuxU/LBL_77652.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /></p> <p><img title="LBL_7760" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7760" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rdTogbMrF6E/UcNDeHrbNpI/AAAAAAAAFS8/APxrlJ2Ifw8/LBL_77602.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p> <img title="LBL_7767" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7767" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x2N_jUXONMY/UcNDeSG5VsI/AAAAAAAAFTE/PCAFrMhIrC0/LBL_77672.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7770" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7770" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9reQS0i8ucI/UcNDe7UJqBI/AAAAAAAAFTM/Jgrrtj17bAE/LBL_77702.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7772" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7772" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-06USsne-xhw/UcNDfUZFEjI/AAAAAAAAFTU/PXQHPwW4hUM/LBL_77722.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7776" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7776" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1PUy1KXhLnw/UcNDf3x11bI/AAAAAAAAFTc/ZfOqh7UKKhQ/LBL_77762.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7778" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7778" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K28KNLgkjbo/UcNDgt7vS4I/AAAAAAAAFTk/S7w2m3QJzkM/LBL_77782.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7781" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7781" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JWtWtTWSiHk/UcNDhIBKQBI/AAAAAAAAFTs/7iqLa4rcheI/LBL_77812.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7790" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7790" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wUhZdQMm8ho/UcNDhlo3fOI/AAAAAAAAFT0/Hdo_QzBZP4A/LBL_77902.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /></p> <p><img title="LBL_7789" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7789" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vbkZC9WsEKg/UcNDihhZMkI/AAAAAAAAFT8/BQ98wsAIvdg/LBL_77892.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p> <img title="LBL_7795" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7795" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_rTjE6jHPHw/UcNDjB4GkxI/AAAAAAAAFUE/YrMgaBNTtn0/LBL_77952.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>There were some really sweet stories and Britania’s Mom is holding up a picture she made for them that is a quote from a fortune cookie Britania received while having dinner with Tom and her parents. Her mother kept the slip of paper even though they weren’t seriously dating at that point (at least, I think that’s the story, ha.). It reads: “A new relationship is about to blossom. You will be blessed.” Luckily for Britania, the fortune came true! </p> <p>After the luncheon we picked up our boys from my in-laws and headed to the reception. It was held at Britania’s family’s stake center and they did a wonderful job with it. Everything was beautiful and we had a lot of fun dancing and eating the night away! Here are some more photos to share.</p> <p><img title="LBL_7912" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7912" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-It_oVvtPNkE/UcNDjifgg7I/AAAAAAAAFUM/OEpmAxWTGMI/LBL_7912%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7910_crop" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7910_crop" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mUtqbZHQZjc/UcNDkGSkybI/AAAAAAAAFUU/yIMyzhHLh_0/LBL_7910_crop2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7915" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7915" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LNzsBb1RFKk/UcNDkppd5wI/AAAAAAAAFUc/k73OYxxudog/LBL_79152.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7917" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7917" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U-oE7jRkWV0/UcNDk6CyuiI/AAAAAAAAFUk/57s57Yr7Dxg/LBL_79172.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /></p> <p></p> <p><img title="LBL_7916" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7916" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IqGzgaZf2FE/UcNDlSbGmGI/AAAAAAAAFUs/evUn8nbQpl8/LBL_7916%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7919" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7919" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mK9qcwHzIS0/UcNDlymFD1I/AAAAAAAAFU0/kspK_HX0tdU/LBL_7919%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7921" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7921" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Cbd7jHKTPCU/UcNDmZP21LI/AAAAAAAAFU8/etkW9Vw5Bo0/LBL_7921%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7922" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7922" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qieCnCSh8i8/UcNDmoj7AZI/AAAAAAAAFVE/94uqpK4swU0/LBL_7922%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p><img title="LBL_7928" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7928" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2NMHIpg_aTs/UcNDnLR5bzI/AAAAAAAAFVM/LJZBV_hWn6E/LBL_7928%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_7929" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7929" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hT_xTwNzJUw/UcNDngLGu5I/AAAAAAAAFVU/yuEOBvBEK_M/LBL_7929%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_7930" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7930" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OvrL9nYxTJg/UcNDoJ9famI/AAAAAAAAFVc/iYuGOvBGsWc/LBL_7930%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_7933" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7933" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cqnDI8P-aPc/UcNDorrcXyI/AAAAAAAAFVk/7fN7mfdZ4aM/LBL_7933%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_7938" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7938" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7zKAsJMDCMI/UcNDpMur7PI/AAAAAAAAFVs/5gmcLlfEMRw/LBL_7938%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_7940" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7940" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Dcg_XRKUdAc/UcNDpfcSLcI/AAAAAAAAFV0/tFfQi2njwgA/LBL_7940%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_7941" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7941" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqn86a1isR7YtG6rL8_lA0bC2wl0jpvn2rE01C9IPrR2Wtn72xHzvrMPOld3mxveOwkbXcK_2ljiyqV2xcGGgyrOFfoLRUBZSN4XaHko0ZRuUi65HH88643rYohYhs9y-4dG6T/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_7946" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7946" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rE50W3eJ4tc/UcNDqYodlCI/AAAAAAAAFWE/Pme9Lf08yEU/LBL_7946%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><img title="LBL_7947" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7947" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Vv3d4AxandQ/UcNDqwI-pMI/AAAAAAAAFWM/ZqIZ4OfDSOA/LBL_7947%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_7949" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7949" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q3iYaVJd0WU/UcNDrcFZhII/AAAAAAAAFWU/FxfjiP0EG7E/LBL_7949%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> <img title="LBL_7954" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7954" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fk1dE0qkz34/UcNDr8nrX4I/AAAAAAAAFWc/ni7yL2_WgRs/LBL_7954%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_7959" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7959" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oWYRCMSwZoA/UcNDsWTw66I/AAAAAAAAFWk/xwPqwbMLY6M/LBL_7959%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_7960" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7960" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VabH4pb59dY/UcNDs9JHRBI/AAAAAAAAFWs/lr1qAi9koUw/LBL_7960%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_7963" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7963" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iMqZ_uDJT5s/UcNDtTGJmMI/AAAAAAAAFW0/vWNxr_PsVVI/LBL_7963%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> <img title="LBL_7970" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7970" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XHTRM5JhFEQ/UcNDt72sZzI/AAAAAAAAFW8/n6fvf0HFsh8/LBL_7970%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> <img title="LBL_7971" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7971" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HNnPa7CuL8M/UcNDumrG4XI/AAAAAAAAFXE/mKRFRzBB3eg/LBL_7971%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_7972" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7972" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X--HrubXDDo/UcNDvAl017I/AAAAAAAAFXM/FHHY0HZ0-mQ/LBL_7972%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_7973" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7973" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6OAesZwyqnI/UcNDvgNGq-I/AAAAAAAAFXU/IXQp-WKRmL0/LBL_7973%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /> <img title="LBL_7977" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_7977" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-b9Z7-RyGPu4/UcNDwLkpMaI/AAAAAAAAFXc/t3PZtI1ixZI/LBL_7977%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>It was so fun to get to celebrate Tom’s wedding to Britania and we’re so happy to have a new sister in the family! :)</p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-66500448004641617122013-06-13T09:27:00.000-07:002013-08-05T09:27:31.361-07:00Last day of 1st grade!<p>(June 13th)</p> <p>I can’t believe Eli has finished another year of school! He is getting way too old. We have loved having him in his 1st/2nd combo class with Mrs. G, and he has really enjoyed being challenged by the 2nd grade work. We’re not sure what the next year will bring when it comes to a combo class or not, but we’re looking forward to moving on up!</p> <p>Here is Eli on his last day. He was so, so excited to be finished with the school year! He had been talking about it for a few weeks and it finally came. He will miss his friends, but he’s looking forward to summer!</p> <p><img title="IMG_5282" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5282" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lvIvtzwBfsU/Uf_SU_NZAZI/AAAAAAAAFn4/ZPdw-cqkPek/IMG_5282%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="303" height="480" /> </p> <p>As a comparison, here he was close to the first day of first grade! (I couldn’t find a first day photo, which is weird, but I’m sure I have one somewhere…)</p> <p><img title="LBL_2844" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="LBL_2844" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xExiLzbUhWc/Uf_SVt_XrlI/AAAAAAAAFoA/lS6ZisromPQ/LBL_2844%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /> </p> <p>He sure is growing up! :)</p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-75786939285145449912013-06-10T09:19:00.000-07:002013-08-05T09:21:21.862-07:00Water Boys<p>(June 10th)</p> <p>We’re lucky to have a community pool that is pretty nice. (The only complaint from me is lack of shade, but that’s minor.) The boys love to go down to the pool and get out some of their energy. Today we went to the pool and the boys had a fun time. We didn’t have a life vest for West just yet, so he had to stay close to the stairs, but he still enjoyed using his goggles and playing in the water. Eli, of course, was out making friends and having a good time!</p> <p><img title="IMG_5257" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5257" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-myHw4gQXZFA/Uf_QyVhmmZI/AAAAAAAAFnQ/JhTDwCjuiMw/IMG_5257%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="IMG_5266" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5266" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AAQ2EZ1RNvc/Uf_QzXiGHcI/AAAAAAAAFnY/i6kUvnGsrxE/IMG_5266%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="IMG_5274" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5274" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-y6B_c4ikVBc/Uf_Q0Jt2PbI/AAAAAAAAFng/xkoif8NHRdY/IMG_5274%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="IMG_5263" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5263" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RBdwPo8ea_U/Uf_Q09RWHpI/AAAAAAAAFno/jKJmFHDxUz8/IMG_5263%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>We can’t wait to have the freedom of summer days to just do what we want, without much of a schedule. School is almost over! </p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-49881758046794682592013-04-11T16:26:00.001-07:002013-04-11T16:26:12.152-07:00Eli's Got Talent<p><font face="Century Gothic">Last night was our elementary school's talent show and I'm SO super proud of Eli for performing in it. He told me that he was really nervous and wasn't sure if he still wanted to do it, as we were driving there. So we had a good talk about being nervous but still going through with things, and about how he had made a commitment to do it. I don't think it helped his nerves all that much, ha. </font></p> <p><font face="Century Gothic">He was the third-to-last performer of the night, and I'm not sure if watching a lot of the other kids go first was better or worse for him! </font></p> <p><font face="Century Gothic">At dinner afterward, he told me that as he was walking up he was thinking to himself, "I'm too scared to do it, I'm just going to quit tae kwon do forever!" Thankfully, he didn't follow through on that. He did a wonderful job on his forms and everyone was so supportive of him. Here's the video for you to enjoy! </font></p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:70113433-7b65-4f48-8054-e0a0e495ec16" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div id="dde0a0e9-dcf9-4197-8535-f527887800c9" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss8hdMcbjZE&feature=youtu.be" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ndHjfOkZiMY/UWdGkycXH0I/AAAAAAAAFKo/cJSjsYRIVf8/video982e118fcdf3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('dde0a0e9-dcf9-4197-8535-f527887800c9'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/Ss8hdMcbjZE&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/Ss8hdMcbjZE&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p><font face="Century Gothic">Sorry if it’s a little shaky, and I couldn’t help myself but to yell for him at the end. :) He came straight back to us in the audience after he was done and just had the biggest grin on his face! I know he was proud of himself, just like I was. I think he learned a great self-esteem building lesson, that even when things seem really hard, you can still push through and complete them, and then the feeling afterward is amazing! </font></p> <p><font face="Century Gothic">He’s already talking about what he’ll do for next year’s show. ;)</font></p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-30390041301637645642013-04-09T22:04:00.001-07:002013-04-09T23:13:34.676-07:00Random thoughts<p>As I’m sitting here working on a new project for Scrap Girls, I had the thought strike me that I needed to do a blog post. Okay, little thought, I’ll take you up on that. </p> <p>What’s been on my mind lately? Lots of things, as per usual! But here are the top things.</p> <p>I’m excited for tomorrow night to come because it will be Eli’s premiere debut in his school talent show! I’m really looking forward to seeing him perform his taekwondo forms that he’s been learning. When the tryout forms came out a while ago, he brought it home determined to try out, doing a magic show. My first thought was, “There’s no way we’re doing the talent show!” which, once I thought it over and realized how much it meant to him, turned into, “Okay, we can do the talent show, but we’ve got to figure something else out besides a magic show, since you’ve never done a magic show before and the deadline is in 4 days! It took a little convincing, but he finally gave in and admitted that it may be hard to gather all the needed supplies, then teach himself how to do a complete magic show in 4 days (which, if you know Eli at all, was a huge victory for me, because normally he’d just be full speed ahead no matter the obstacle). </p> <p>So anyway, long-story-short, we figured out that he could dress in his taekwondo uniform and do the forms (kind of like routines) that he’s been learning and being tested on in his taekwondo class. So tomorrow night will be the big night and I’m excited to see how he does. He got a little nervous before the tryouts, but sailed through them without a second glance once he was up on the stage. I’m hoping it will be the same way tomorrow night.</p> <p>Recently I was called to be in the Primary presidency in our ward. (For those of you not as familiar, that just means I was asked to volunteer in a leadership position for the children’s group in our local church.) So far I have really enjoyed being a part of the presidency and have loved getting to know the kids better. This Sunday will mark the first week that I’ll be teaching Sharing Time, and I’m looking forward to it as well as getting a little nervous about it. I used to be the music leader for Primary a few years ago in our other ward, so I’m not completely new at it, but having to conduct and everything can be a little daunting. I’m sure it will turn out just fine, it’s just always that anxious energy before it happens that makes me think about it a lot. Wish me luck!</p> <p>Last week was my 30th birthday. and I’m still kind of processing that. Don’t get me wrong, I love having birthdays, I’m just not so sure about leaving my 20’s behind. I mean, like I’ve told a lot of people lately, that really was the decade that I feel like I was a ‘real’ adult and my life kind of started. That’s when I got married, when I had both of my wonderful kids, and it still felt young enough that I could be proud that I was ‘in my 20’s’. Not so much anymore. 30 just seems old to me. I know, there are lots of people who laugh at that statement, but to me it feels true. I’m sure that my 30’s will be awesome and a lot better than I’m setting them up for, ha! It’s just hard to say goodbye to a whole decade like that. Alright, enough whining. :)</p> <p>Let’s see, anything else? Well yes, lots of other things, but I don’t really want to bore you to death with this post! So I’ll just leave with some adorable photos of my two little guys. Because come on, who can resist these cutie patootie faces??</p> <p><img title="IMG_4532" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4532" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KTbnj21ewq8/UWTyv2Dlp2I/AAAAAAAAFKQ/j_WYsF_727c/IMG_4532%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="640" /></p> <p><img title="IMG_4536" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4536" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3LeEMGmfuhE/UWTywbGnLQI/AAAAAAAAFKY/tyxeiqVbbwQ/IMG_4536%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> </p> <p>Ha! We had a fun Spring Break and spent one of the days at the beach. Of course, we had to bury the boys. They enjoyed it. :)</p> <p></p> <p>Oh yeah, and I have to add this video. Just trust me, you’ll thank me.</p> <iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Veg63B8ofnQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-92219660237647006802013-04-07T12:17:00.000-07:002013-04-08T12:18:47.469-07:00Disneyland with the fam<p>Okay, yes, I realize that I post about Disneyland a lot. I’m sorry, I just can’t help it, I LOVE DISNEYLAND! I love that we have passes and I love that I can go whenever I want to brighten my day, to entertain the kids, and to make family memories. This post will be no exception, but I promise, I will try to diversify in the upcoming posts. ;)</p> <p>SO, I just found out about this thing where they do special Magic Morning hours just for season pass holders, on certain days of the week through April 14th. I’m bummed I just found out about it this past week, but still glad I had time to use it at least once! Yesterday we got up at the crack of dawn to make sure we were down at the park by 7:00am so that we could get in early and finally, finally, FINALLY ride Radiator Springs Racers. </p> <p><img title="IMG_4560" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4560" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oyjAZUMrKLY/UWMX_VCgp0I/AAAAAAAAFI4/OqbdlK9aUcE/IMG_4560%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> </p> <p>You see, since the new Cars Land opened last June, that ride has consistently had lines of more than 2 hours most days that we have been there. Even the line for the Fast Passes is always incredibly long and usually runs out by 10 or 11am, sometimes earlier. So, being the anti-crowd kind of person that I am, I just didn’t have the patience to sit in either line, especially with two kiddos, since I usually go to the park just with them. </p> <p><img title="IMG_4558" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4558" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qz9pyIKl5wg/UWMX_yOBHUI/AAAAAAAAFJA/GbCNxGm9JZQ/IMG_4558%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p>Fast forward to yesterday morning, where because we were able to get in an hour earlier than normal opening, we got to OPEN Cars Land, following Mater and Lightning McQueen down Route 66 to Radiator Springs Racers. I was so super excited that I was just smiling like an idiot the whole time. Of course, both kids were starting to get scared and whiny because they’ve never been on the ride either and Eli, especially, hates trying new rides because he doesn’t know what to expect. Thankfully, though, we convinced them both to try it at least once, and if they didn’t like it, they wouldn’t have to go again. Heck yes, I’ll be going again, in case you were wondering. </p> <p><img title="IMG_4561" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4561" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aNJ0tUKxIcE/UWMYAgYxyXI/AAAAAAAAFJI/uRK8s0D1Msg/IMG_4561%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p>I loved the ride, it was just what I thought it was going to be and more! And we had so much fun riding through the beautiful scenery that they’ve built there, I really had the best time. The kids, predictably, will not be going again, but I can’t say I’m surprised. </p> <p>We went and took pictures around Cars Land, with Stanley first and then with Lightning McQueen, who looked so lonely without anyone hanging out with him! :)</p> <p><img title="IMG_4565" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4565" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-maqp3t10Xh4/UWMYBRCxfxI/AAAAAAAAFJQ/PEaRTfR_zbQ/IMG_4565%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="IMG_4567" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4567" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-K9KbknTsLhU/UWMYCLo3ZPI/AAAAAAAAFJY/gyWzO5SZXB8/IMG_4567%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="IMG_4568" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4568" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CQqszqg1XGA/UWMYDEpPJHI/AAAAAAAAFJg/dYfinGkk9Qo/IMG_4568%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p><img title="IMG_4571" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4571" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7nfYSKolj9c/UWMYDSurjQI/AAAAAAAAFJo/jAWqPnJTU5o/IMG_4571%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> </p> <p>After we were done with Cars Land, we headed on over to Midway Mania, which we got to walk on and ride twice in a row! That’s unheard of with that ride, which is so popular it usually has at least a 30 minute wait time, consistently. We could have gone even more, but the kids didn’t want to. Seriously, whose children are these?? Midway Mania is one of my favorite rides at the park, I love the competitive aspect of it and the fun Toy Story theme. And I’ve been known to cream Nathan with high scores in the arcade-style shooting. Not that I’m bragging or anything… </p> <p><img title="IMG_4576" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4576" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9hrZ8WEWcIE/UWMYEEqB2WI/AAAAAAAAFJw/yl-1woiIo4E/IMG_4576%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> </p> <p>After Midway Mania we went on Mickey’s Ferris Wheel – Eli and I going on the non-swinging gondola, while Nathan and West went on the swinging one. That turned out to be a bad decision for Nathan, since it ended up making him feel queasy! Poor guy. He decided to rest a little with the kids while I headed over to California Screamin’ by myself. Another of my favorite rides, can you tell? I love roller coasters! </p> <p><img title="IMG_2024" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2024" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9cqw8mCmjLQ/UWMYEvwVAzI/AAAAAAAAFJ4/WGPYslsYOLM/IMG_2024%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /> </p> <p>Once that adrenaline rush was checked off my list, I meandered over to the boys and we tackled some of the small rides, like the Silly Symphony Swings and the Jumpin’ Jellyfish. West and I love those rides, although Eli won’t join us on them. </p> <p><img title="IMG_4577" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4577" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RMcpABdHCj0/UWMYFfuYsUI/AAAAAAAAFKA/YAVkbgA2DVs/IMG_4577%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /> </p> <p>Finally it was off to Redwood Creek Challenge Trail to dutifully go through and check off the various badges that they have to earn, and a final ride on Soarin’ Over California before we headed home. All in all, it was a really wonderful, fun trip and we were even home by lunchtime! What a great way to spend a Saturday together as a family. And I’m always up for that!</p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36148887.post-50455254098856549402013-03-12T22:57:00.000-07:002013-03-12T23:02:08.313-07:00Easy mark<p>That’s me, an easy mark. West knows this and takes advantage of it as much as he can. He knows it doesn’t take much to convince me to jump in the car and head to Disneyland while Eli is in school. I figure I’m getting quality time with him while using our beloved passes, so why not? As long as we’re not doing anything else, we may as well! :)</p> <p>Such was the case on Friday and we headed out.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PuHQDnsVN30/UUAWBzzRV7I/AAAAAAAAFDI/vTffHHmdxw0/s1600-h/IMG_1924%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1924" border="0" alt="IMG_1924" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dAgwvMiJMko/UUAWCQFUGMI/AAAAAAAAFDQ/miaEvlKHUeY/IMG_1924_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></a></p> <p>(Now, as a public service announcement, the camera on my iPhone has a crack across it, so the photos all look like they’re taken through a hazy bubble or something. Sorry about that, just imagine they’re nice and crisp. Next time I’ll lug my big baby with me instead and I’ll have better pictures to show for it! ;)  )</p> <p align="center">We rode Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree – a staple for us on any Disney trip.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EJnmLsIkLpo/UUAWDm1IgUI/AAAAAAAAFDY/VhkKPmky3ks/s1600-h/IMG_1925%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1925" border="0" alt="IMG_1925" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rZPhlxjJQPA/UUAWE02VSNI/AAAAAAAAFDg/cOhurwIRm8M/IMG_1925_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a></p> <p align="center">West looking for letters while waiting in line</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uOaU8gvC4E8/UUAWF9rb8CI/AAAAAAAAFDo/jYxdtGjhDF8/s1600-h/IMG_1929%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1929" border="0" alt="IMG_1929" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VuACd5eW_ko/UUAWGpPZiMI/AAAAAAAAFDw/8SRNVrlpe_s/IMG_1929_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a></p> <p align="center">We hit up one of our favorites – the Jellyfish flyers! </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Tle9wxsq6RQ/UUAWHWN3k_I/AAAAAAAAFD4/oXBhn7yQ8Mo/s1600-h/disney%252520trio1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="disney trio1" border="0" alt="disney trio1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SOj4K4xKadg/UUAWIGdxw9I/AAAAAAAAFEA/x7AqzOT71Wk/disney%252520trio1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="320" /></a></p> <p align="center">We checked out the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, which is one of West’s favorites.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NeAWag2wJsE/UUAWJAsK5pI/AAAAAAAAFEI/2G0uGyno6vM/s1600-h/IMG_1944%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1944" border="0" alt="IMG_1944" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lGKujBA7zzM/UUAWJi9uR8I/AAAAAAAAFEQ/to8OqzXsLhY/IMG_1944_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZvZGtR2vOUM/UUAWK0tPrCI/AAAAAAAAFEY/GRNIRD-6F-U/s1600-h/IMG_1952%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1952" border="0" alt="IMG_1952" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y7nUj5NiuPA/UUAWLu8aUVI/AAAAAAAAFEg/5yFIXeKPjBo/IMG_1952_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a></p> <p align="center">Finding animal tracks</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Vn5K70m3ZZQ/UUAWMRwZg8I/AAAAAAAAFEo/ix_aCpMCz-c/s1600-h/IMG_1945%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1945" border="0" alt="IMG_1945" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rgfh1cHMHd0/UUAWNJz4mGI/AAAAAAAAFEw/0TioxAEkqvs/IMG_1945_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a></p> <p align="center">Then, of course, we had to split a churro. It was calling to us. ;)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mjRjkMvOGDc/UUAWN4ZkKyI/AAAAAAAAFE4/kCYb3yILYns/s1600-h/IMG_1954%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1954" border="0" alt="IMG_1954" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ULu64QXQeGQ/UUAWORVJjFI/AAAAAAAAFFA/toVZfXRqCdc/IMG_1954_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a></p> <p align="center">It threatened to rain on us, but we thankfully stayed dry while we were there. It sure made for short lines on the rides, though! Yay for rain at Disneyland in March! ;)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Xylq9yk0W3U/UUAWPHL6NvI/AAAAAAAAFFI/kwX8NfbGVk4/s1600-h/IMG_1934%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1934" border="0" alt="IMG_1934" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-et2ddVxPqp4/UUAWPmgXIAI/AAAAAAAAFFQ/uFmU8UwLD5k/IMG_1934_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a></p> <p>After we got home, we picked up Eli from school and he had his report card with him. All of his grades were FANTASTIC so we decided to celebrate. And what better way than to meet up with Nathan at Disneyland?! </p> <p>Yes, that is me. The woman who drove to and from Disneyland twice in one day just because she could. And I’m not ashamed. ::GRIN::</p> <p align="center">West met Mickey! Eli didn’t want his picture taken with him, ha.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bPEtKzqJwIc/UUAWQTtcr3I/AAAAAAAAFFY/dRFaDlKU-9I/s1600-h/IMG_1957%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1957" border="0" alt="IMG_1957" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6ZjJdGIRHak/UUAWRAI57WI/AAAAAAAAFFg/MKWABZlOY6Y/IMG_1957_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a></p> <p align="center">We went on Toy Story (and I CREAMED Nathan’s score, just so you know)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SKKv7IrKcNc/UUAWRgFteyI/AAAAAAAAFFo/nnfbpg2ID3s/s1600-h/IMG_1959%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1959" border="0" alt="IMG_1959" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-x8IN2Ums43k/UUAWSN8sxPI/AAAAAAAAFFw/6tfBCNhpIi4/IMG_1959_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9_AHzvxlAu8/UUAWTDCM4uI/AAAAAAAAFF4/0MpSBKQFoM4/s1600-h/IMG_1962%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1962" border="0" alt="IMG_1962" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Zy4F0qn9IdY/UUAWTrDSnAI/AAAAAAAAFGA/fNvd5X0DMGg/IMG_1962_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5-mzDg60W8o/UUAWURZRPqI/AAAAAAAAFGI/9NYt-3Nw0Qk/s1600-h/IMG_1963%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1963" border="0" alt="IMG_1963" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DlirF1iPszM/UUAWVLUrwWI/AAAAAAAAFGQ/HmE6AmZAZ2M/IMG_1963_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sJEdzuWrgdA/UUAWVrzhMFI/AAAAAAAAFGY/kSuvf9bCY3g/s1600-h/IMG_1964%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1964" border="0" alt="IMG_1964" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TNmw_DMVxuU/UUAWWfRZ2HI/AAAAAAAAFGg/mMViTWsxbA4/IMG_1964_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a></p> <p>I took one for the team and rode the carousel with West and Eli while Nathan cheered us on from the sidelines, ha. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XnYEYSBJHhs/UUAWXCXmYqI/AAAAAAAAFGo/yiQhdEo9J_8/s1600-h/IMG_1966%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1966" border="0" alt="IMG_1966" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vY72HaR7CZE/UUAWXm1MOXI/AAAAAAAAFGw/tI-IsufVzfU/IMG_1966_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a></p> <p>And the last ride we went on, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree (yes, again), we waited in line for about 15 minutes with no sign of rain, not even a sprinkle. Then, just as it was our turn to get on the ride, the skies opened up and it started POURING. Luckily the boys and I had hoodies that we could put on, but poor Nathan only had a jacket so he got the worst of it. He even tried putting up an umbrella on the ride, but the CM’s wouldn’t let him. Poor guy. After that, we knew it was time to head home, tired but happy. </p> <p>We had such a fun time! I love having passes and getting to go whenever we want. This is definitely something I love about living in California. And since we won’t live here forever (GASP! Say it isn’t so!), I really do cherish the time we get to spend here. I know we’re just so super lucky and I’m grateful for that. </p> <p>And I tell you what – if anyone reading this comes out to Disneyland and wants a free guide to hang out for an hour or two, just let me know. I’m easily persuadable! :D</p> Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09030755756691596495noreply@blogger.com1