Birthday Girl(s)

Rowan and I had wonderful birthdays this year.
Here are some pictures from those days.

Road Trip 2015: Vegas

Back in August we took a fun trip through Las Vegas to Utah. I fondly remember my first visit to Vegas, and a later road trip with my family to Utah, when I was a teenager. I was excited to take my kids to some of the same spots.

On the way to Vegas we stopped in for some classic diner food at Bob's Big Boy.

We stayed at the Luxor. Afton was very excited to be staying in a pyramid, and a corner room with a huge jacuzzi in the bedroom too!

We walked over to Mandalay Bay to see the Shark Reef exhibit. The kids always have a good time at aquariums. They especially enjoyed seeing the Sawfish,  Bowmouth Guitarfish,  and the Arapaima (one of the worlds largest fresh water fish).

Neither Nippon nor I are fond of gambling but if I was required to waste money on one machine,  it would be this D&D monstrosity.

We only stayed one night, but we packed a lot in. We were able to eat at a buffet and check out the Strip. What more could you ask for?! 

(I will answer that....a show! I really wanted to take the kids to see The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil. Maybe when they are older. )

First of 1st

These are pictures from Afton's first day of 1st grade.

Such a handsome scholar!

Caren and The Airport

My beautiful friend Caren invited the kids and I up to Los Angeles to visit her. She had several ideas on what we could do, taking note as to all the wonderful things available in her area as well as the likes and dislikes of my children. She knows us well, and we decided on visiting the Santa Monica Airport. We ate lunch and headed over to the Museum of Flying. Unfortunately it was closed that day, but it ended up giving us more time to watch the planes take off and land...and the kids were thrilled!

After all that excitement, we decided to pile on some more with a stop at the park.

I must have been having too much fun because I didn't get a picture of Caren and/or I, but the memories are crystal clear. Thanks for a fabulous day, darling!

In the Backyard

Check out our amazing backyard. It's the perfect spot for bird watching, camp outs, soccer matches, meditative hammocking, and general shenanigans. We are the luckiest kids in Artesia! 

Curtis Visit

Some of my most favorite people in the world, The Curtis Family, came to visit San Diego this summer, and we got to spend loads of time with them. Aren't we the luckiest!?

They stayed at Campland, so we stopped on over for some chatting and park time. My bestie Jaime of course was there too, as Danielle (the mom) is her eldest sister. I've known them since before time...which is to say since I moved across the street from them when I was 6 years old. They are basically my sisters.

Afton and Trajen are just 6 months apart. They share a love of Lego, super heroes, running around like wild men, and (I'm sure) lots more. Afton tends to be shy, so I love that Trajen is consistent with his friendship to the point where he would not let Afton wriggle his way into the comfort of the sidelines.

The San Diego Zoo was our next stop. I just love how much this family enjoys being together. I still am in disbelief that Courtney is an adult, has graduated high school, and is heading to BYU Idaho to attend college this year. It seems like only yesterday that I was holding her as a newborn.

A bit of a drizzle turned into rain, so we picked up some super hip clear plastic rain ponchos. I'm positive that anytime rain and ponchos are involved, you're guaranteed a good time.

Don't we girls have style?!

I love the Disney Vans that Jaime picked out to give to Danielle. I also love that she instantly put them on.

There are a bunch of baby animals at the zoo, and this little jaguar was one of the cuties we spotted.

This shot of Chloe on an ancient extinct raptor makes me happy.

The next day we headed to La Jolla Shores for surfing and sunshine. The kids became mermaids, built sand castles, searched for sand crabs, and giggled the day away.

To finish off their visit, we checked out the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. What can I say, we like animals. *grin*

For some crazy reason I have no pictures of Danielle (other than feet) or Richard. I could have swore I had a family group picture, but for the life of me I cannot find it. Regardless of pictorial proof, they were there and we had a blast! 

Summertime Fun!

We had a blast this summer!

Started it off right with Bill Nye the Science Guy.

A trip or two to the Air & Space Museum

Attended a farewell party for one of Afton's classmates, Tayton.

Went to the movies and saw Inside Out, which the kids throughly enjoyed and I cried throughout, basically starting with the Pixar film, Lava, before the movie even started.

Joined in celebrating another classmate, Mili's, birthday. We found out upon arrival that it was also a farewell party since she and her family were moving to Seattle that week!

It rained! And we rode bikes, stomped in puddles, and smiled from ear to ear...even though Afton did have to bust out the ear covers to keep the thundering noises at bay.

We made art!

Afton got a much needed haircut.

I have yet to take Rowan for her first cut. Should probably remedy that soon.

Made science experiments. Unfortunately I didn't get any shots of the baking soda/vinegar volcano.

Went swimming. LOTS! This time at Nina's.

Relaxed.

Visited the library at least once a week, and enjoyed music time with Little Red Riding Hood on one of those occasions. 

Hung out with friends, Sultan and Mariam, at McD's.

Went on a bike riding play date with Afton's friend Kevin and his little brother Danny. Apparently the shade of the car trunk was the only way to stay cool. It was a hot one! I mean, not Arizona hot, but it was pretty humid. We ended up in the pool. Ha!

And hit the theatre again with our friend Viviana to see The Minions. Nina and her dad met up with us too. The kids loved it!

Twas a might fine summer, if I do say so myself.

(My mother's words coming out of me...love it!)