Last one of the year

Last dance of the year and she went out with a bang!

California LOVE

We had been talking about going to California for a long time and sadly didn't make it before Brent was deployed. But I am glad that we got to distract Errin for a few days.

We arrived at 4 in the morning, definitely recommend night travel, and slept until 8 (soooo nice, usually the kids wake up around 6). We took a morning walk to a yummy doughnut shop. Errin's mom was there also.

Then we all got lathered up to go to the beach. It is only about a mile away from Errin's house so we decided to walk. Gwen spent most of the time in the stroller, she wasn't a huge fan of sand.

Jone's had a great time running around being a boy.

Max wouldn't sit still for a picture.

Here is my oldest child playing in the sand.

Briant loved playing with Jones and Jones loved that Briant would play with him.

I pretty much sat around with Gwen just enjoying the fabulous weather.

Can't leave the beach without burying someone!

or some one's

Later that evening Errin took her mom to the airport and my mom, Shauna, and her kids came to visit for a day.

The next day was Sunday. Thanks to Errin's iphone and a lot of snacks the cousins did really well during sacrament meeting.

Errin taught the relief society lesson and it was emotional and wonderful.

The cuties in their Sunday best.
After church I did Shauna's hair while the kids played. We had a yummy lunch of pasta, meatballs, bread, salad, fruit and homemade lemonade. I highly recommend the butternut squash pasta sauce from Costco. I could have had it plain it was so good! Sadly my mom, Shauna and kids had to be on their way to stop in Mesa before her move to Texas.

Sunday evening Errin and the boys made cupcakes.

The next day was DISNEY LAND! Toy Story was the first ride we went on and we were all so excited we were jumping up and down. (It really is a happy place).

Max and I got soaked on this one!

Goofy was one of only two characters we stopped to take a picture with, we had a lot of rides to ride in only one day.

A much needed nap.

On Pirates of the Caribbean (sp?). It felt good to sit for a long ride.

Waiting in line for Indiana Jones.

Jared took all the kids on It's a Small World while Errin and I did Space Mountain. I am surprised none of the kids ended up in the water.

So flattering huh? I love taking pictures of pictures.

We spotted the Mad Hatter.

Briant's good friend Gray was there with his family. They got to go on Space Mountain together. It's fun to see people there that you know.

The fireworks were amazing! It was the perfect end to the perfect day. MANY thanks to Errin for taking the little ones so many time so we could take the boys on the bigger rides. Really it was a huge sacrifice for her and it wouldn't have been as fun without her there.

We are the white trash family that dresses, brushes teeth and distributes medicine in the parking lot at Disney Land so that after the hour ride home we can put the kids straight to bed.
They didn't make it ten minutes in the car before ending up like this. Max is under the blanket.

The next morning Gwen found her way to the cupcakes, apparently the wrapper tastes just as good!

On to the beach again.

Gwen was a little more adventurous this time.

Errin blowing bubbles. I loved Jones' hat.

Surfing in California with a small board is not quite as easy as surfing in Hawaii with a huge board. Maybe next time!

I love this sight.

So precious.

These two little grumps had had enough sun, they were ready to go.

I know I look good.

Could be at the beach all day!

Jared and Jones relaxing before our drive home.
Thanks Errin and Jones.
What a wonderful vacation it was indeed!

And yes Mom and Shauna, we did get to Mexico before realizing we went the wrong way home.

Good Friday

I know this is long overdue, but that's how I work. On Good Friday we continued the tradition of going to the cemetery to visit my Grandma's and Alice's grave. Gwen wanted to play with all the toys left on graves and was not excited to sit still for a picture. I always get such a peaceful feeling at the cemetery, never sad, just peaceful. p.s. I look like a giant in my shadow.

After the cemetery we headed over to a park for breakfast and an Easter egg hunt.
Yes we had cupcakes for breakfast! I was glad that Errin and Jones could join us again this year!

Max's Random Comments

Max has said some interesting things lately....

Everyone that knows me knows that I am obsessed with trying to get Gwen to stop twirling her hair, she is creating bare patches. The other day in the car she was twirling and I was trying to get her to stop and Max said in all seriousness, "Mom, it's ok we can just take her to Bosley!" Gotta love commercials!

When we were at my parent's house for my Dad's birthday, Gwen, Rachel and I went to Target to pick some things up and I left Max with my Mom. My Mom was preparing a big dinner and Max was playing Wii. He put down his controller and said, "Grandma you've been working really hard, what can I do to help?" Sooo sweet!

And not so sweet...
Another car conversation... "Mom won't it be cool when you die I can have all your money!"
Um first of all I have no idea what money he is talking about and second I will be sleeping with one eye open!