Vacation 2010

Nate's brother Roger got married this past weekend in San Diego.  We decided to incorporate our vacation with the wedding.  Things were a bit tight as Jack had a baseball game on Wednesday and another the following Monday.  Thus, we decided to fly.  We have never flown as a family because we actually really like road trips, but there just wasn't enough time to drive.  Bella hasn't flown since 2004, so she was pretty excited.  She ended up being okay with the flying, but thought it was way too loud. 

We went straight from the airport to the San Diego Zoo.  The weather was beautiful and the kids had a great time.  Jack was very interested in the reptiles and Sophie loved the polar bears.  Bella would not commit to a favorite animal, but she bought a stuffed lioness, so we will call the lions her favorite.  We were pretty tired when the zoo closed, but our hotel was in Anaheim, so we hopped in our rental car, which just barely fit us all, and drove up.

Earlier in the year we participated in the Give a Day, Get a Day program that Disney had going on so we had vouchers for some free tickets.  Despite her slightly worried face, Sophie had a lot of fun.  She was a little nervous, but after each ride, she would want to go again.  We spent the morning going on rides she could ride.  Then she fell asleep in the afternoon and we did a lot of parent swapping.

We decided to eat at places we hadn't eaten before and ride on a few things we hadn't before.  Bella really wanted to go on the Canoes, so we did.  It ended up being pretty funny.  The girl behind me hit my paddle no matter what I did.  Bella managed to get all of us wet from her seat in the front.  Sophie was really mad at her, which made it more amusing.  While Bella and Nate were on Splash Mountain, Jack, Sophie and I went on the Pooh Bear ride.  At the end of the ride you can meet Winnie to Pooh and some of his friends.  Sophie ran and hugged him and was very excited.  But when we went up to see Tigger, she didn't want anything to do with him.  

 Bella drove the car on Autopia for the first time, she is a pretty crazy driver, and Jack drove a car all by himself.  I think he has passed all height requirements and can ride, drive, and do everything.  He was pretty excited.

Bella still really loves the FantasyLand rides, especially the Alice in Wonderland ones.  Sophie didn't mind the spinning tea cups at all, she was pretty much on board with everything.  She even went on the Matterhorn and clapped at the end.

 By around 9 o'clock Sophie crashed.  We did a few more ride swaps, then the kids and Nate watched Fantasmic while I found some t-shirts.  When I sat down I about fell asleep myself.  We ended up staying at the park until midnight, so it was a sixteen hour day of fun.  Bella fell asleep in the few blocks back to our hotel, and we all crashed and slept really soundly.

Saturday, we drove back down to San Diego to the wedding.  We got to the San Diego Temple to find the wedding party had arrived in a stretch Hummer.  The kids thought that was pretty cool and loved sitting in it for a while.  The temple is undergoing some cosmetic renovations, so most of the pictures are off to the side.  The ceremony was really great.  We are so happy to have Cassie as an official aunt now.  She automatically get 18 nieces and nephews in one fell swoop.  Also, she is the most recent daughter-in-law since me, almost thirteen years ago.  We drove up to the reception in Temecula, where apparently I didn't take any pictures.  That night we stayed in Lake Elsinore.  After so many late nights we were pretty tired and slept really hard that night.  Sophie had fallen asleep at the reception and woke early as ever, so we all got up, got ready and headed over to Dana Point.  Nate's two older sisters, mother, and younger brother were at at the same place as we were, so we went to the beach together.

My mother-in-law hadn't been to the ocean in 42 years!  It was so fun to be with so many of the family and hang out together.  The time went by too quickly and we didn't get to visit enough.  We spent about an hour at the beach then headed out to the airport.  Our flight was a bit delayed and the kids were going nuts in the airport waiting.   Finally when we boarded and got all situated everyone calmed down.  As the plane began to taxi Sophie pointed out the window to show Nate something and fell asleep mid-point.

She was so tired she slept until we landed in Salt Lake and plane was pulling into the gate.  We had a hard time convincing her that she flew anywhere at all.  She thought she had just sat on the runway then got back off.  I don't think she was really convinced until we found our van in the parking lot.  We came home to a relatively clean house (yay!) and lots of laundry (boo!).  I love vacation, the anticipation, the going.  The coming home is always my least favorite part.  I need another trip to look forward to.  I am glad we will be seeing everyone again soon at the reunion next month!

Mini Golfing

We let the kids pick a fun family activity to do on their birthday.  Bella really wanted to go to Boondocks for her big day, but Nate and I vetoed her seeing as we were heading out on vacation in less than a week.  So she settled for mini-golf.  We went to a new to us course, Mulligans in South Jordan. It was a little windy, but the kids had a blast.  Sophie tried hitting the ball on the first few holes, and when that didn't work out well, she decided to throw it instead.  She amazingly got a hole in one doing this. 

Jack is starting to take the game way more seriously.  He really wants to beat Nate and I.  He did on a few holes, but not overall.  He could if he played more, we really aren't that good. 

I managed to take no unblurry pictures of Bella golfing, which is par for the course.

Happy Birthday Bella!

Today Isabella is 7!  She is such a sweet girl and a blessing in our family.  She is the peacemaker and the calmest among us.  She just finished up first grade and is officially a second grader.  She loves playing with her friends and doing projects with me.  She has been in gymnastics for just over two years now and loves it!  She is also going to play baseball this year and probably soccer in the fall.  She is kind to her brother and sister and always helpful to Nate and I.  We love you Bella!  Enjoy being 7!

New Niece

My little brother is a daddy.  He and Tiffany welcomed Ellery Jane on May 5th!  She came in weighing 7 lbs and 3 ozs!  Tinier than any of my babies have been.  The little girl already has her daddy wrapped around her finger.  We can't wait to meet her, hopefully sometime this summer.  This brings the nieces and nephews up to a total of 19!

Jack's Party

When the kids are 5, 10, and 15 they get to have a friend birthday party.  Jack chose to have his at Jack and Jill's bowling alley.  There was bowling, laser tag, birthday cupcakes, presents, and good friends.  We had one that couldn't come, so Bella got to bowl and play with the big boys.  It was two hours of insane fun.  As parents came to pick up their boys, Nate and I were commended on our bravery.  We all had a great time!


Jack hadn't had a haircut since last September.  So he decided he also wanted to do that on his birthday.  I really don't mind how he wears his hair, but he doesn't like to take care of it, so he's really better off when it is short.  Though I think he is only planning on cutting it every six to eight months.  

 We like the short do, and I thought it was funny he wanted to commemorate his birthday with a haircut.

10

Ten Awesome Things About Jack

1. He loves all sports, and all aspects of all sports.  He loves to play, watch, analyze and talk about them all.  When his dad gets home, the first thing he asks is for the days sports news.  Since today is the beginning of the NFL draft, it's like and extra birthday present for him.
2. He is an excellent student.  He does a really good job at school.  He has a teacher that lets him do his homework in his free time at school, and boy has that made this year nice.  The only homework he and I have to debate over is book reports, and they are only once a month.  
3. He is a great friend.  He always gets along with so many kids, and such a variety of kids.  I like that he can play nicely with anyone.
4. He is an avid reader (except when it comes to book reports).  And he and I like to read some of the same books.  We just passed the fifth Fablehaven book back and forth.  We raced through the Septimus Heap books.  He loves Harry Potter.  We read Chronicles of Narnia together.   
5. He likes to be moving.  This kid only sits down to read so far as I can tell.  He's outside playing as much as possible.  He plays indoor basketball in my sewing room constantly if he can't be outside.  I can't remember the last time he sat and watched a movie here at home.
6. He's always willing to try new things.  The kid has foods that he despises (potatoes), yet still eats them without complaint.  If we are eating something new he is always willing to give it a try.  He will also try new non-food things whenever he gets the chance, I would bet that I am not witness to most of those though.
7. He is a fabulous big brother.  He takes good care of his little sisters.  He helps Sophie get breakfast regularly, and keeps an eye on Bella wherever we go.  He's always been good at being the oldest, though I am sure his sisters think he is a bit bossy sometimes.  As an oldest child myself, I give him the benefit of the doubt.
8. He's a great conversationalist.  I love to talk to Jack!  I love his ideas and hearing what he has to say.  He's not shy about his opinions.  But he's also respectful and introspective about things.
9. He is my right hand man.  He always helps out when I ask, and even when I don't.  He cleans up messes that aren't his.  He shares his treats, even when he doesn't have to and isn't compelled to.  He loves a schedule and will gladly complete tasks I give him. 
10. He is a great all-around.  I love hearing people tell me stories about Jack!  They always have such nice things to say!  I am so grateful to have been able to see him grow up these past ten years!  I love every minute of it!

Imitation Is The Highest Form Of Flattery

Sophie and I went on a little adventure in March.  We flew to California to see my Grandma in the bay area.  Sophie was a trooper all through the airport.  Loved traveling and everything went really smoothly.  Even better, when we got off the plane she ran to my aunt and uncle and hugged them.  This was their first meeting.

The weather was perfect.  My grandma has flowers and greenery everywhere.  I totally associate the smell with good things.  The first morning I went out to get her newspaper and was inundated with the aroma of the dogwood tree.  I loved going to her house in the summer.  My brother and I spent a few weeks there every summer growing up.  That is one of the hardest things about growing up, not being able to visit as often.

Sophie loves Grandma Penny.  She still talks about her all the time.  She would crawl up in her chair and snuggle her.  She followed her around the house.  Grandma now uses a cane, so Sophie found the umbrella stand and found herself a "cane" and walked around.  It was hilarious, and something you can get away with when you are two years old.  Because it comes from love.  Grandma and I had a great visit, and I always long to go back.  This trip my uncle took us to Tilden Park, which is filled with memories and nostalgia.  We rode the carousel and the little train.  We ate lunch at the club, the same waiter has been there as far back as I remember.  Sophie and I wandered around the yard and looked at all the flowers and fruit trees.  And best of all, Grandma told me stories about my family.  Some things I had never heard before.  I wanted to hear more.  I love our visits and can't wait for the next one.