The California Cousins

Yesterday was a very eventful day. Heather (my new SIL) had a doctor's appt, so I took her two boys with me on our daily adventures. First we headed to travel town for playgroup. The weather was nice and it wasn't crowded. So the kids had a fun time running around and then riding on the train. Blaike even got to say "ALL ABOARD" before we left. I think he thought that was pretty cool.

We were only at Travel Town for a short time before heading a few miles away to meet up with Paul for lunch at work. The kids devoured some yummy food, had brownies and ice cream, and then we toured around and took some pictures.

Then we headed back home for nap time for Brandon and relaxation time for me and the rest of the kids. They watched a movie while I worked on my primary sharing time for Sunday.

Heather and Tyler got back about 4pm to tell the kids (her boys especially) that they had found out that morning that they were going to have TWINS!!! We think Blaike already had an idea that his mom was pregnant, but Kamron looked pretty shocked. Talk about a great amount of change going on in their family right now. But it's such a huge blessing for us. We are SO excited to have them here. My girls love playing with Heather's boys. And although I'm not sure the boys are THRILLED about having two little girls tag along after them, they are pretty good sports about it.

So that's us for now. In less than a year, we will go from having NO cousins close by (except for cute little Skyler down in San Diego), to having FOUR cousins less than 10 minutes from away. We have some fun years ahead of us for sure!

Science Center

Took the kids to the CA Science Center yesterday as part of a playgroup day that I organized. Ha....pretty funny to me now, being that I probably had the worst time of anyone. Ah...oh well. You win some, you lose some. I was just far too stressed to be at a place so crowded where I couldn't keep track of my children. I do have more pictures. Maybe I'll post them later. For now, here's a rare picture of me with all my children, even if Brandon isn't too happy to be in it.

(Photo courtesy of Tina of course)

Funny boy

I don't why, but I found this pretty hilarious this morning. I wonder where he learned it from? Probably his sisters.

Yay for my veg (and fruit too)

I'm sorry to keep boring everyone (all four of you that are reading this that is), but I'm so excited for my garden this year. Last year, I really only got tomatoes, which was okay because it was my first year and I was just trying to figure things out. Well, I'm still trying to figure things out, but at least I'm getting more good stuff. Hooray! And hopefully, next year will be even better. Seems the biggest problem I am running into are rabbits, squirrels, and lack of full sunlight all day in the same spot. Don't know if I can do much about those things. I'll just be putting bits and pieces of my garden all over my backyard and then hope for the best.

I had pretty much given up on my two cantaloupe plants. They look pretty pathetic huh?

But then, this evening, while Ashlyn was "watering" my plants for me, she discovered this little beauty. I couldn't believe it. I seriously almost pulled this plant up a couple of weekends ago. I'm anxious to see if anything good comes of this baby cantaloupe. I will keep you posted (cuz I know you care).

I have three bellpepper plants but the only one that has been producing anything good is the one surrounded by my cucumber plant. I think the vermin can't get to it because cucumber leaves are too pokey. Smart mistake I made there huh? I really had NO idea my cucumber plant was going to grow so big and be so spread out. But I have at least 4 bell peppers growing, and some more flowers on their way.

Tomatoes are pretty easy to grow. I'm just waiting for these to turn red and juicy.

And I've gotten about 6 cucumbers off my cucumber plant and am hoping for many more. I guess as long as I see flowers, means there is a chance for more veggies. Yum!

And my apple tree. They are small apples. But they are quite tasty. And I have a whole bunch, which is MUCH better than the TWO whole apples that grew last year and then were snatched up by squirrels before I could taste them. The squirrels are still getting them, but it's okay cuz there's lots!

Baby Shower

Did you know I have two step sisters? Well, I do. And they both live here in Southern CA. Problem is, they live SOUTH of LA and I live NORTH of LA. So getting together is always a problem. But this past Saturday was Laura's baby shower, so I set my mind to it that I was gonna make it down there. Even if it was a two hour drive each way. After all, it's been probably 2 years since I've been down there. And I'm so glad I did. It was so fun to see them and get to celebrate her new little baby that will be here soon. I just wish that darn BIG OLE CITY wasn't in our way of getting together more often.

Aren't these paintings awesome. Her friend actually hand painted them for her. I was so impressed.

Ashton helping his Grandma cut the cake.

Laura and her cake (made by her very talented sister, Jeanette).

Ashton, the big brother!

Chuck and Laura

Me and my two step sisters, Jeanette and Laura

Laura's niece, Emily, who was by far the youngest guest there, won the "Guess how big Laura's belly is" game.

Goggles

If you have seen Brandon lately, he has probably had these little beauties on his head, and perhaps some kind of action figure in his hand. He's so funny! He attaches himself to a new toy every few weeks. But this goggle attachment is SO bad, that he wouldn't even share them at the pool today with his cousin, EVEN though he wasn't wearing them. They were just in his hand. And when I "tried" to take them away anyway, he went into ALL out meltdown mode. I wonder what his next attachment will be.

Santa Barbara Zoo

It may have been super hot here in our Valley today, but Santa Barbara was BEAUTIFUL! We had the most perfect day at the zoo. The kids had fun, there was lots to see, and we even stopped for ice cream on the way home. I'm so glad we made the trek out there. It's a bit of a drive, but in the summer, it's the best zoo to be at.

Sliding down the hill and playing on the spider web.

Little buddies.

This gorilla literally walked right past us, looked us in the face, and then turned his butt on us. Seriously, I felt like he knew EXACTLY what he was doing!

Momma Lion taking a little nap.

I LOVE giraffes. They're my favorite stop at the zoo. Would have fed them if it wasn't $4.00 a person. Maybe one day.

Lunch break

Snow leopard.

Just a shot of my cute girls! Who were really good today, by the way. They even remembered to thank me for taking them to the zoo. I was very proud of them. It's amazing how far a little "thank you" can go, when it's coming from your kids.

Brandon looked at the alligator and then turns to me and says, "chomp, chomp, ka-zzz, ka-zzz". Translation- That's an alligator and he's sleeping. He's hilarious with his sound effects!

I can see them as teenagers here. Maybe it's Ashlynn's purse.

I can't get over it. When did Brandon get so BIG? I thought I wasn't suppose to feel like he was BIG until the baby got here.

I'm SO excited

Do you see that beauty? Yeah, it's a cucumber. And I GREW IT!!! Yay. I was SO excited when I found it this evening. I had been watching my plant grow and grow and grow, but had only ever found little cucumbers in the beginning stages. Then BAM....all of a sudden, this beauty was sitting there staring me right in the face. Waiting for me to pick it. I can't wait to taste it. I hope it's as yummy as it looks.

Double Date

Last night Paul and I went on a Double date with one of our favorite couples, Tina and Danny. First we had ourselves a "little" CPK (in quotes because really there was nothing LITTLE about our meal. It was DELICIOUS). Then we went over to Mountasia for some mini-golfing. We ran into some youth from our ward, who I think thought it was quite strange that we were there withOUT our children. Yes, I guess "old folks" can still go out and mini golf from time to time.

Anyway, it was a great night full of laughs (thanks to Tina). And yes, I walked away victorious, by a whopping ONE stroke. Hahaha.....

We each took turns hitting our ball.

Do you notice something about the difference between the way the three of us (above) hit our ball, and how Tina hit her ball? The girl has some moves. And was even the only person to hit a hole in one.

Girls Night Out

Went to see "Eclipse" last night. I felt like the LAST person in the world to see it. And it hadn't even been out a week. It was so fun! I had a blast. I'm so grateful for all my wonderful friends. I'm such a lucky girl!

More than an hour of fun...

All for $2.24 (and a good idea from Beth).

Supplies:

one water hose

2 cans of shaving cream

and a swimsuit for each kid (optional in Brandon's case)

a kid size table helps too, but not essential

Spray a little on the table and then let the kids go to town. It didn't take them long to figure out how to have fun with the shaving cream. Leah was the first to realize she could "attack" Ashlyn with it. Ashlyn squealed and ran away for a bit and then decided she could fight back. haha....it was pretty hilarious. Brandon was my main water rinser. He had more fun rinsing the girls creations off (along with their bodies), than playing in the shaving cream himself. Although, he did get a bit on him too!

The girls are already asking when we can get some more. Thanks for the fun idea Beth. Anyone else have some cheap summer fun ideas? Send them my way.

The best part was, clean up was a breeze. Just spray down the patio, turn the sprinkler on for the girls and you're back to your sparkling clean self. Now that's my kind of fun!