APRIL 2014

MAMA'S AT THE CASTLE:

Aubrey often says, "She's a baby, she's lost her mama."  Then I ask her, "where is mama?"  Aubrey replies, "Mama's at the castle."  I hoped that uncle Kendel's castle would come her fears about where mama is.

THE BOAT TO CATALINA:  It was full and only outdoor seating was available.  However it was a fun trip and no one got sea sick.

AVALON BEACH:   was a perfect wading beach for our kids.  I was so relaxed there lying out and watching our kids play.  I would love go on this vacation again. 

THE WALK TO THE AVALON CASINO:  I thought this was the most scenic walk in Catalina.  I have made this walk many times when coming here for swing dance conventions.

SETH LOVES TO JUMP:  He jumped off this tower many times and never seemed to hurt himself.

WRIGLEY'S MEMORIAL:  I never knew that Wrigley's remains were buried here.  We finally visited the botanical gardens and his memorial.  That was a long 2 mile stroller ride up hill.  I wish I could have ridden in the stroller, too bad I had to push it.

THE BLUE MAN LIPS:  Seth had fun eating something blue before going paddle boating with dad.  I got to take Aubrey paddle boating too.

EASTER DAY PICTURES:  We were all in our finest with new dresses and ties for Easter, but we still couldn't get everyone to look at the camera.

THE EASTER EGG HUNT

TEMECULA WINERY:

THE UTC MALL:  It was lovely to visit the newly remodeled UTC mall, after going to the temple.  I was happy to visit Yogen Fruz  where you choose your frozen fruit and they mix it into frozen yogurt and it comes out with a twist.

THE FAMOUS TABLE:  We inherited the famous glass table from mom when she finally moved after 3 years.  It has taken her a full year to move.  Fortunately the house sold and put a deadline on the process.  This is the same table Marilee fell through in high school.  She received many stitches from that accident.

MARCH 2014

MARCH 2014

HAPPY BIRTHDAY:  A late celebration of Grandma and Grandpa's birthdays with our Alaska cousins

LITERATURE DAY:  Elaina dressed up as Fancy Nancy. Notice her hair.

DISNEYLAND FAMILY REUNION:  We all got to meet up with Liz and the extended family at California Adventure land.  It was fun.

AUBREY ON THE MERRY GO ROUND:  She became a new fan of the little Mermaid after this trip.

 BUGS LIFE THEATER 

CARS RIDE

PIRATE TREASURE:  Elaina got in trouble and sent to time out for knocking another off of the top of the treasure mound.  Maybe Elaina is a priate in training.

SALT CREEK BEACH AT DANA POINT:  Pam and Neil at one of the prettiest beaches in Southern California.

ELAINA AND MAREN

SAN DIEGO ZOO:  We went to the zoo on a Friday afternoon for 3 hours, which is just the right amount of time.

AUBREY POPS ABOVE THE ICE LIKE A SEAL:  She kept climbing on the ice and going down the hole over and over again.

SETH GIVES AUBREY A HUG:  Look Mom, Seth can pick up Aubrey.  That is pretty impressive since there is only a 10 pound difference in their weights.

THE DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE:  Daddy had a great time with his little princess Elaina.

ELISHA AND BEN GET SEALED TO KENNY AND CHLOE:  We all met at the Newport Beach temple to celebrate this big occasion.  After much prayer and a lot of red tape the adoption went through.  We are glad to have 2 more 2nd cousins to play with. 

MASON REGIONAL PARK IRVINE: Batman feeds the birds. Seth enjoyed feeding the ducks. 

ELAINA POSES AS THE LITTLE MERMAID:   We went to the beach and happened to be there when people were participating in a half iron man triathalon.   Aubrey couldn't find me for a minute at the park and, asked a lady to help her find her mother.  The lady asked what does your mother look like?  Aubrey replied, "She's white."

FEBRUARY 2014

FEBRUARY 2014

CALICO :

Seth shoots a gun for the first time.

SETH AND DAD AT CALICO GHOST TOWN AFTER THE ELDER'S QUORUM CAMPOUT:

AUBREY SITS IN THE 2 GALLON MILK BOX:  It is amazing how many different small compartments she can fit in.

 PROGRESS ON THE GARDEN

THE POT GARDEN GETS MORE POTS

THE MAN FROM YUMA:  Or Seth hiding in the grass near the Chipotle in Yuma

 THE GILBERT TEMPLE:  another family picture where not everyone is looking at the camera.  The open house went well, except Aubrey wanted to walk around freely and couldn't.

STANDING IN FRONT OF THE GILBERT TEMPLE:  I have a similar picture of me in front of the Oakland temple when I was Elaina's age.

TEMPE, ARIZONA AND TEMPE TOWN LAKE:  We stopped to check out the civic center and the Valentines day activities.  This was probably our favorite place that we visited.

 THE GRAND CANYON:  We enjoyed looking at it from inside the viewing room.

 SMILES

THE GRAND CANYON:  Elaina and Seth kept saying the same phrase over and over again.  They truly enjoyed the hike.

THE GRAND CANYON

THE COLORADO RIVER AT LAUGHLIN:  Throwing rocks in the river is one of a kids favorite things to do.

JANUARY 2014

JANUARY 2014

VEGAS:  

We always have to visit Vegas on the way back from Utah.  Here is the Paris and the Bellagio fountain.

PICTURES WITH A MINION:

SITTING IN FRONT OF THE PALAZZO FOUNTAIN:  We took this same picture a few years ago.

PLAYING AT MOONLIGHT BEACH PLAYGROUND:  Elaina and Seth play well together.

AT THE GRAND DEL MAR: For my 45th birthday.

NEIL AND I AFTER DINNING AT THE AMAYA:  It is wonderful that my birthday always falls on restaurant week.

 THE ANNUAL COMMEMORATION OF THE MORMON BATTALION ENTERING SAN DIEGO:  Elaina and Seth stand in front of the flagpole in Old Town San Diego.

AUNT KELLY'S TRAIN:    It's my kids' favorite Christmas decoration.  Kelly has to keep it out long past Christmas.