Showing posts with label California. Show all posts
Showing posts with label California. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Catching Up on November

Brian and I recently saw "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty."  So, so good!  But, that's not the point.  There's a line in the movie that I liked.  It's at the very end, and Walter has traveled all over the world in search of a picture (and the photographer).  He finally finds him, high up in the snowy Himalayas, trying to catch a picture of a snow leopard.  When it finally comes out of the cave, the photographer pauses, watches the cat, and never snaps a single photo.  Puzzled, Walter asks him why he didn't take the picture.  Here's his reply (the line I liked): "Sometimes I don't.  If I like a moment, for me, personally, I don't like to have the distraction of the camera.  I just want to stay in it."  

So, sometimes, I take out the camera to get a picture (probably still too often!), but, a lot of times, now, I don't.  I just want to enjoy the moments.  Because, I'm starting to realize, that, as much as I'm excited for them to grow (I'm loving having NO babies around!), my kids are only little for so long.  And, I want to remember getting on the floor and playing games with them.  Not the picture I took of them playing...without me.  


But, these pictures are all from before I saw that movie.  And, they're cute and fun. So, I included them on our blog!  


With both the girls in school, it's usually just Carson and Mommy at Costco.  I can pass on a lot of things at the food court, but not the Churro.  And, Carson also shares my love of Costco churros.  "My Chew-yo!"

I remember this being an especially challenging morning.  My only thoughts were: "He's not the only one praying for a good nap!"

 We will sure miss our Disneyland passes when they expire in April.  It's been such a fun year!

We spent Halloween in AZ.  For Trick or Treating, the kids went with our good friends, the Hursts.  Our kids line up almost perfectly in age and we all have so much fun together!  Wish we lived closer, though.


 Here's Sadie and Grandma Boring cutting the potatoes for hash browns.


 We went to a train park and the kids wanted to ride in the caboose.  After a LONG (wasn't really, but they thought it was) trip around the park, they said next time they'll let someone else have the caboose.


 The high school does a fundraiser each year and the elementary school kids attend a cheer workshop and get to perform at a high school football game.  Here are our cheerleaders and their biggest fans!


Only in California will you find kids playing at the splash pad in November!   

 And, then, sunbathing afterward, because mom didn't bring towels!


 Isn't he so handsome?


 To Sadie, Lulu is more than a stuffed animal.  She's a dear friend.  A comfort and companion.  I love how she makes her bed and makes sure Lulu is comfortable for the day.  Makes my heart smile!  :)

 Oh, you know, just another Disneyland trip!  We've had an exhausting year, but so much fun!

 Stone soup.  Yum.

 Sadie's Thanksgiving pilgrim hat from her Kindergarten feast.

 Because riding a scooter inside is okay if you remember your helmet?


 That boy!  What else can I say?

 Me and my cute girls!


 Love these kiddos!  


 Our rule is if we make it through Disneyland with NO tantrums, we stop for a treat.  This day, they picked ice cream at Ghiradelli.  Excellent choice, but interesting selection of flavors (they chose!).



Our annual "Thankful Tree."

Monday, September 23, 2013

The Color Run 2013

Back in May (you know, LAST school year, before the summer, when all 3 of my kids and I were an entire YEAR younger?), we ran our second Color Run.  This time, we drug along some of our good friends, the Smiths.  We're hoping next year is even more fun (more on that below)!

This time, we participated in the Orange County run, held at the Great Park, not too far from our house.  Not only was it a bonus to drive less than 20 minutes to get there, but it was a double bonus, because the Great Park is flat (unlike Qualcomm Stadium, which, in my opinion, that last stretch uphill, might as well have been a mountain!).    My jog was not easy, though, because all three kids insisted on riding in strollers.  This meant I jogged a 5k whilst pushing a 50lb 6 year old in an umbrella stroller.  We later discovered (during the drive home!) 3 of our 5 family members had the flu.  

Here are a few pictures from the event.  And, other than Carson and I, those are fake smiles in all of our family photos.  (Poor Brian jogged pushing 2 kids, and he got sick!)







As you can see, we got really, really messy!  Thank goodness for the Kia!  

Monday, June 3, 2013

The Next Few Disneyland Trips

Terrible picture, I know.  But, the tram from the parking garage to the park is one of Carson's favorite rides.  I don't know if it's the anticipation for what's ahead, or the fact that he can get in and out all by himself.  Nonetheless, this "ride" tops Carson's list!

Just hanging out by Flo's V8 Cafe!

As we were walking along Paradise Pier, there were a bunch of street games laid out for the kids to play!  So, we stopped and the girls unscrambled a few Disney words and hula hooped!


Carson is exactly 32 inches right now.  So, he's just tall enough for a handful of rides.  Here he is on Mater's Junkyard Jamboree.  He really does enjoy this ride, despite the look on his face!

Auntie Logan, Carson, and Mommy (Mackenzie) on Mater's Junkyard Jamboree!

Of course, we couldn't be lucky enough for everyone to be looking at the camera, but, here were on Main Street with Auntie Logan!  We are so glad you came down for a visit!  We can't wait for you to come back!

The following week, Daddy's exam was FINALLY over!  So, we celebrated with a trip to Disneyland!  We happened upon Pooh Corner at the right time for a picture!

This was Carson's first trip on Autopia.  And, just because he's tall enough (exactly 32 inches!), it doesn't mean he can see over the steering wheel!  What a wild ride!

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Carson's FIRST Disneyland Trip!

This is how far behind I am.  Carson experienced his first trip to Disneyland over 10 visits ago! When you live 32 minutes away (from our garage to the parking garage!), you can't help but visit regularly.  Especially when your kids are still young.  Not only are you not tied down to loads of homework every night, but, as a parent, it's so fun to watch your kids experience the same magic that captivated you during childhood.  And our kids are the perfect ages for that!  Not to mention, we needed to start our year before Carson turned two, so at least one of us could enjoy a year for free!


We arrived right at nap time.  Morgan and Sadie wanted to take Carson to City Hall to get his "First Visit" pin, which, he wouldn't wear, anyway.  So, we stuck it on the stroller.


We started out in Disneyland.  We took the kids on the Jungle Cruise and Carson was fascinated by all the "animals."  Even while waiting in line, he loved watching all the boats come in.


After a ride or two, Carson started to get the hang of things and enjoy the magic!  Here he is, just chilling in the stroller with his buddy, Declan! 



The girls had never been to California Adventure (and I hadn't been since our honeymoon nearly 10 years ago!), so we cruised on over to check it out!

Morgan and Sadie strolling through Cars Land.

We went on ToyStory Mania! and had a great time!

Next, we visited Bug's Land,  and went on Flik's Flyers.  Not my cup of tea, but Sadie and Braden loved it!


 As you can tell, by the end of our visit, Carson was having a blast!

Monday, April 15, 2013

The Orange Balloon!!

While it's expensive to live in California, it does have its perks.  Like, when your friends from Colorado  come out to Disneyland for a few days and meet you for dinner!

After dinner, we took them to the Orange County Great Park for a balloon ride!

Five of the six kids on the balloon!  Maisy was super tired after a long day, so she's not in the picture.


Our family on the balloon.  Complete with Carson's signature, "scrunchy face".

All of us after our great balloon ride!

Thanks for coming to visit, Wrights!  We had a great evening!

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Feeding the Missionaries

When asked about her favorite Christmas tradition, Morgan responded simply, "Feeding the Missionaries."

Last year (2011), my parents were asked by the Carlsbad Mission President if they would help provide a nice Christmas Dinner for ALL of the missionaries in the mission.  So, on Christmas Eve, we helped serve Lunch/Dinner to about 200 missionaries.  The girls absolutely loved it!  

So, when Papa Dale was asked again for 2012, the girls were ecstatic!  

Despite our preceding weekend (Poinsettia Bowl, Great Park Balloon, Boat Parade), we felt rested enough to come help out.  The truth?  The girls wouldn't have it any other way.  

The girls love setting out drinks (water bottles) for the missionaries.  They have the missionaries collect all the empty water bottles for recycling and donate the money to the mission fund.  This year's donation: $7.00!  (random fact: CRV is 5 cents per bottle...)




And, per tradition, the missionaries sang Called to Serve just before we served the meal.  There aren't really any words to describe the power behind missionaries singing this, other than awesome. Such an incredible feeling!



Since Brian was at home (my parents live about 2 minutes away) working while Carson napped, I was nominated as the second meat carver.  A more appropriate term would be "meat hacker", because I do NOT carve meat!  Nonetheless, the new elder in our ward politely said to me on Sunday, "I recognize you--you sliced my meat at the Christmas Dinner."  

And, although I don't have any pictures, we loved watching the mission talent show afterward.  The girls just can't get enough of the singing, (appropriate) dancing, and musical instruments!  They can't wait to serve missions of their own! 

We sure hope this tradition continues for many years to come!