Christmas Eve 2013

We were invited to have Christmas Eve dinner with families from church.  They are families we know, but don't socialize with very often.  It was great to get to know them better. We had a wonderful dinner and a wonderful time.  Before we left, one of them said he had packages for us to take home.  He had quite a few packages for the kids.

We got home and opened one present.  Following my family's tradition, the kids got pjs.  They put them on and quickly got ready for bed.  My kids are not horrible about going to bed, but they were very excited about it.  Lexi was so excited she could not contain herself.  I took a video of her silliness.  It took a while for her to fall asleep.  It was after 10 pm.

Too Excited

Red Ribbon Week

In our area, the schools aren't allowed to celebrate "holidays," but they find ways around it.  Some school lets the kids dress up as characters from a book on the day of Halloween.  Lexi & Jordan's school isn't quite that exciting, but they do have fun things all week with the theme of "red ribbon say no to drugs."  Monday, they had wear red day.  

Tuesday was wear slippers day.

Wednesday was hat day.

I didn't take a picture on Thursday or Friday.  Thursday was silly sock day.  Friday was school spirit day.  

Columbus Day at the Park

The kids didn't have school today.  The school district likes to make Columbus Day a teacher prep day so the kids can have it off.  I took Lexi and Jordan to a park in Old Katy.  We walked around the lake and then played.

Pioneer Day

In Utah, the 24th of July is a holiday called Pioneer Day.  It commemorates the arrival of the first group of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley.  It is a great day with fireworks, parades, rodeos, and barbecues.  Lexi & Jordan have never had a chance to celebrate it, but many of our friends are there this summer.  I didn't make a big deal of it, but I decided to buy a few extra sparklers on the 4th and save them for tonight.    

Happy 4th of July

We had a fun-filled 4th of July here in California.  The morning started off with a flag raising ceremony and breakfast at Grandma's church.  Of course, it was quite chilly for us.  It was probably the first time I’ve had the Declaration of Independence read to me. 

Mid-morning, we headed to Grandma’s work to watch a little local parade.  The neighbors around the facility dressed up patriotically and paraded through the grounds.  There were adults, kids and dogs all decked out.  Some of the kids were on bikes others were on skateboards and scooters.  When it was over, we went for a walk along the beach.  We happened to walk behind Mitt Romney’s house.  He goes to church with my mom, so we've seen him quite a few times.  Of course, we didn't see him or his family.  He is out campaigning.

That afternoon, we headed out to the desert for a pool party at Aunt Vicky’s house (Papa’s daughter).  It was warmer out there, but still a little nippy for a pleasant swim.  The kids jumped in though.  We also had picnic/bbq food.  The kids and Papa got temporary patriotic tattoos.  That might have been their favorite part of the party.

Later, we headed to the San Diego Zoo to watch Paige’s boyfriend and his band perform.  They have a contract to play every day this summer.  I’m sure we’ll see them quite a few times during this trip.  For today, I’ll just post pictures.  By the way, they are a steam punk band, which is why they are wearing robot costumes.  

Lexi was able to get in on the zoo's hula hoop contest.  It wasn't an easy task for her since her pants kept slipping.  She continually had to slow a little to pull them up without missing a beat.  There were quite a few kids & adults that got cut.  Lexi made it down to the final 2 and was keeping up with the tricks until her hoop dropped.  It was just too difficult to pull her pants up, do the tricks, walk around and hula hoop all at the same time.  She won the same prize as the first placed girl though.  I'm sure Lexi will get more chances to win the zoo hula hoop contest while we're here.  

We ended the night with dinner at the Big Kahunas, which is one of our favorite spots here.  The kids were quite exhausted though.  They had little pizzas.  We headed home and they were asleep before we arrived.  

Temporary Tattoo

San Diego Zoo

Hula Hoop Practice

Hula Hoop Contest

Final 2

Father's Day Presents

This week, Lexi and Jordan Lexi worked on art projects for the fathers and grandfathers in their lives.  I have heard that their dad doesn't have very much on his walls, so I bought canvases for the kids to decorate for him.  As you can see, I used painter's tape to make a big L on the one Lexi was making.  She also drew the pictures below for her grandfathers and great grandfather.  This morning, the kids' dad came to pick them up and they presented him with their creations.  Steve is very excited about hanging their artwork up.  

My grandfather (my dad's dad) who is a cowboy & lives on a ranch

Travis, Papa Malcolm, and Lexi on the dog beach in California - top says Papa backwards check mark smiley face, check mark, smiley face

Lexi and Granddad (George) on a boat (heads peaking out of the windows)

Lexi, Papa Malcolm, and Travis at the park

Lexi doing a painting for her dad

Jordan, Steve & Lexi

Cards for Granny Lou & Grandma Margie

I had the kids create Mother's Day cards for their Grandmothers tonight.  Unfortunately, we did not get an early start. I had to divide up the assignment between Lexi & Jordan.  Lexi started with Granny Lou.  She drew a picture of herself with Granny Lou and Granddad in Granny's garden.  Next, she worked on a picture for my mom.  It was getting late, so I was trying to rush her.  We quickly talked about what Grandma would like.  I mentioned a drawing of her 5 five kids.  Lexi got right to work and had no other input from me.  I was completely amazed at the accurate details that she added especially since she hasn't seen my brothers in a few years.  She asked me if it was ok that Paul (labeled Poll) had his hands in his pocket.  That is exactly what my dad & Paul do quite often.  Then, I noticed that Alma (labeled Allmo) had bare feet.  He is a legend for his bare feet.  People around here still comment on them.  Yes - he even has bare feet in the snowy cold weather of Wyoming/Montana/Colorado & all those cold places he has lived.  Then there is Clayton doing bunny ears on Paige.  Of course, that is what he'd do in a real picture.  This is quite a realistic depiction of a crazy group of siblings.  I’m sure my mom will love it.  

President Picnic

Today was a bit of a crazy day. Besides the fact that I have to work and it is a holiday for the kids, a friend asked me to watch his kids. Fortunately, some of my other friends asked us to meet them at a park to play and have a picnic. We got to go there and have fun before coming back to the house for quiet/work time.

Lexi was extra helpful with the little ones today. She stuck close to them and helped them play.