February 2010

We didn't really travel anywhere in February, but we did enjoy the benefits of living in one of America's premier vacation destinations. We started running to train for a 10K race, and those runs included running on the beach and other scenic destinations. Here is a flock of ducks that we saw while running at Mission Bay Park.

Both my mom and dad have birthdays in February, hence the twin birthday cakes. With 22 of our family members living in Southern California, we have birthday celebrations nearly every month.

Elaina got to ride the statue of a giant bird at the prehistoric animal exhibit at the San Diego Zoo. That's really how big these birds were, apparently.

Seth enjoyed riding the zoo's sky tram ride with Mama. Can you tell we have zoo passes?

Lainie has always enjoyed having Daddy read books to her, and fortunately, Seth is starting to get into it too.

We had to get our Sunday picture with Daddy and Lainie dressed up in her pretty "princess" dress. She'd probably wear a dress every day if we let her. She's definitely a girly girl when it comes to clothes.

Neil and I got to spend Valentine's Day at Mr. A's restaurant, one of the fanciest, schmanziest restaurants in San Diego. Actually, it was the Monday after Valentine's Day, which was on Sunday this year. We didn't want to break the Sabbath , even to celebrate Valentine's Day.

Lainie loves Balboa Park, especially this fountain. We had to fight hard to keep her from jumping right into the water, though.

My nephew Geoff finally got his eagle scout award this month, and none too soon. His parents had a deal that he couldn't drive until he got his eagle. His mom looks pretty proud, doesn't she? Not sure what Seth thinks about it. Hopefully he's thinking "I want to be an eagle scout when I grow up".

Seth got his first carousel ride on the merry-go-round at Seaport Village. We did this as a family home evening activity. I'm not sure who's having more fun, Seth or his mom!

Cabo San Lucas January 2010

In January, we finally got around to using our timeshare at the Hacienda Encantada resort, Punta Ballena, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It was an awesome trip! This resort is about the nicest place we've ever stayed anywhere. Here is a shot of the little beach at our resort. These cactus are everywhere in this part of Mexico.

Here is Elaina at our little beach.

The pool at sunset. We had a nightly ritual of swimming till the sun set.

Here we are on our snorkeling/whale-watching boat ride. Doesn't Seth have a cute smile?

Elaina meets the soda-drinking donkey. She loved this show, which also featured dances from every state in Mexico.

Here is Elaina showing off her new bathing suit at Lovers' beach near El Arco. We should have stayed longer. Unlike most beaches in Mexico, there are no sales people on this beach.

Pamela, Seth, and Elaina at the pool right after sunset. This is the life!

Neil and Seth at the pool. Thank you, Wendy McHood, for giving us the little hat for Seth.

Elaina playing at the playground at the resort. Isn't her hat cute?

The view from our balcony. This was my favorite feature of the Hacienda Encantada Resort.

Going to church in Mexico. It was great to practice my Spanish and I had to pay close attention to understand what was being said and how to comment back in Spanish. I learned a new word: "Satanas" (Satan). It seems wrong because it sounds so much like Santa Ana. However, those from the Alamo would probably agree on the similarity. I also wanted to go to Priesthood meeting because they got to have class outside in the courtyard, as seen behind us in the picture.

The view from our hotel looking toward San Jose Del Cabo.

The view from our balcony looking down at the pool. There were clouds the first day after we got here. It had been raining all week in San Diego and we could see snow on the mountains when we flew out of California.

January 2010

Seth is a flirty babe. Look at that smile! He has given me many hours of entertainment and joy with that smile. By the way, Grandpa likes him too.

My 41st birthday dinner at the Rancho Valencia Restaurant in Rancho Santa Fe. Fortunately, my birthday falls on Restaurant Week. Unfortunately, this means bye-bye to the Cheesecake Factory tradition.

The January birthday bash for Shawn, Kendell, Denise and I. Here you see 16 year old Shawn holding his buddy Seth, who likes Eskimo kisses, according to Shawn.

Elaina likes playing with the big girls, Haylee, Rachel, and Katie on the trampoline. The dachshunds, Ryder and Freckles, came along too.

January is the month we committed with my sister Liz to run 3 times a week. Two short runs on Monday and Wednesday and one long run on the weekend. Liz is training for a marathon. I just want to fulfill my birthday wish of getting back in shape. I get my birthday wishes. Seth is evidence of that. Here you see me pushing the double wide stroller along the bayside of Coronado Island with the bridge in the background. I am waiting for Neil to take the 2nd shift with the stroller. I enjoy running on Monday and Wednesday mornings without the kids.

This is why they call this place Sunset Cliffs, because of the awesome sunsets.

WHEN TODDLERS ATTACK!!! Elaina was not in a good mood that day. However, I did find out that it can actually feel good to have your hair pulled.

Looking at that early morning sunrise out of our bedroom window before that morning run. You can see the Redonda Mesa, a mountain in Mexico, in the background.

Seth taking a bath in a sink at the Circus Circus hotel in Las Vegas.

New Years Day at the Gateway mall in Salt Lake City with Pam, Seth, Lauren Anderle, Maddie, Lisa, Paul and Lauren and Elaina. We had corned beef and cabbage that night for dinner. This is supposed to bring the good luck of the Irish. I had rutabagas for the first time, and all I can say is, corned beef makes vegetables taste good.

2nd Christmas in Utah 2009

Gardner Village and the snow.

Neil is standing next to the elves and holding Seth in the back pack.

Elaina's big present from her aunt and uncle in Sandy.

"What's all that white stuff?" Elaina enjoyed touching the snow, but immediately tried to shake it off when she found out how cold it was.

Temple square my mission has changed so much.

Elaina finds it is much more fun to have Uncle Paul and cousin Lauren carry her around temple square.

Seth the red teddy bear.

Elaina at my neice Elisha's house under construction in Logan. It was in the single digits there.

Elaina sitting with her aunt Leslie in Ogden.

Christmas village in down town Ogden. Elaina didn't understand how useful mittens are in cold weather. We put them on her anyway. She did seem to cry when she got cold.

Walking to church in the snow, good thing it was only 2 blocks away from aunt Leslie's house.

Christmas Day 2009

Christmas day at Grandpa's house.

La la la, la la la la Elmo's world. Elmo loves babies.

Seth gets a toy for his car seat. Grandpa got him a remote control car that scared Elaina to tears.

Grandma and Grandpa have the neatest merry -go-round.

Christmas Eve 2009

Angels in lab coats, acting out the nativity.

The 2nd cousins came to visit: Falene, Gavan, Aiden, And Denise.

Grandpa holds Seth, the Ho Ho Santa. We celebrate Christmas Eve by eating Sandwiches and junk food. This was a real treat growing up, because we never got to eat junk food. Of course we credit this tradition to Grandpa who was given the task of buying food, one Christmas Eve.

Rachel holds Elaina wearing the scarf from Rachel's Aeropostal teddy bear.