Balloon Fest

The kids and I did the balloon fest the Saturday before the 4th of July. I have been doing this since Easton was just a baby. We missed last year because we were out of town, and it just didn't seem like the 4th of July to me. So glad to get back to our tradition.

Even though it was super early, the kids were excited to be there.

This year the Darth Vader balloon made it's first appearance in our balloon fest. Easton was so excited to see it. And there were Star Wars characters walking around the festival, which was even more exciting.

There was a huge line to see Darth Vader, but we were able to squeeze in and take a picture. One of the storm troopers put his hand on Easton's shoulder and Easton said afterward, "He was squeezing my neck!" He was so excited.

The Coke bottle was a first this year too. 180 feet tall. It was cool to see it go up, even if it was only for a minute.

June 25...

ICE CREAM!!

We always have ice cream on June 25th to celebrate Parker's sister's birthday. Ice cream was one of her favorites, so all around the country, the family does ice cream on June 25.

Happy Birthday, Abbey!

California, part 4

My last California post, until next time.

One day we went to the OC Great Park. It is an old Naval base that the county wanted to turn into an airport, but the residents didn't want another airport, so they are turning it into a park. There was a carousel, which the kids loved, and a hot-air balloon that you can go up in. Everything is free, which is awesome. We couldn't do the balloon, because they said there was too much wind (which there wasn't....) but we did the carousel twice and walked around the farmer's market that they have.

pretty awesome bike rack

There was a little park for kids to play at, so we took a little break after lunch to let the kids play.

King of the mountain.

Keagan wanted a unicorn, but they didn't have any, so she had to settle for a "pony with jewels."

Buddies.

This was our last day. We were so sad to leave. We can't wait to visit again.

California, part 3

We went to the aquarium one day. The kids loved it.

trying to touch a sting ray

touching sea urchins and starfish

HUGE crabs

the clown fish exhibit. The kids loved this one and kept saying it was Dory and Nemo.

At the seal and sea lion show

Keagan, Shelley, and Kasen

I thought it was funny how one of the sea lions was named Parker and one of the seals was named Troy (one of Parker's best friends). I had to get a picture to document it for Parker.

Strike a pose.

And here is Parker, the sea lion. He was a show-off and the star of the show. Sounds familiar. :)

California, part 2

My mom had gotten my dad a golf round in California for his birthday, so the 2nd day we were there, they went golfing in the afternoon. Shelley, the kids, and I played in the backyard and did sidewalk chalk.

Keagan loved Remy and Kasen. She was a big helper.

Keagan and I were happily surprised that Remy has red hair. We hope it stays red. Power in numbers.

Kasen was a little more shy towards us, but a sweetheart when you got him to smile.

Easton trying to whistle through a blade of grass.

We did the beach one day. We walked from the condo we rented. It was a good little walk, but a pain to get two double strollers and a wagon full of beach chairs down the sand. I was sweating by the time we got there.

Shelley took my kids down to the waves while I played with the babies.

We built a 4 tower sandcastle and buried Easton's and Keagan's legs in the sand. Keagan was in heaven, saying she was Ariel.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's day to my amazing husband! We love you to pieces.

and you do awesome funny faces.

California, part 1

We left for California on a Monday, stopped for a night in Las Vegas (because of the cheap prices for hotels) and got to California on Tuesday. The kids were a bit demanding on the car ride and I am so thankful I had my mom with me.

My dad actually flew in on Tuesday night and we were kind of jealous that he didn't have to drive 10 hours with two kids.

On Wednesday we went to a local city park that my sister found one day. It has been named the turtle park--can you find out why? It was an awesome city park.

There was a little rock wall that my dad helped Easton with.

the stone turtles--hence the turtle park

Cove Fort

2 weeks ago the kids, my mom, and I took a trip down to California to visit the beach bum sister.

The ride down was long, but the ride back was LONGER.

On the way down, we stopped at Cove Fort to have lunch and take a tour.

It was so windy--65 mph winds. At one point the wind was coming from both directions and my hair was blowing straight into the air. So sad I didn't get a picture of that one.

looking at the garden

smile!

The sister missionary that was showing us around was really sweet and didn't mind that my kids were obsessed with the pots that the pioneers used the bathroom for. "Pee-pots." Every room we would go in, Easton would look around and then whisper to me, "There's the pee-pot."

It was a good little break for a long drive.

happy birthday, cha-cha-cha!

Yesterday was my birthday. It started awesome, with the kids letting me sleep in til 10. Then I got up and there was a message on the answering machine--from the pedicure place I like saying I had a gift certificate from my mother-in-law to come pick up. Score!

My mom called and said my sisters were going to her house for lunch, so I packed up the kids and we went over for the afternoon.

Parker took me to dinner at a nice French restaurant. So yummy, and it was one of those places where the food is so pretty, you aren't sure if you want to eat it and ruin it. We started with mussels for an appetizer and the hostess brought out a mushroom tarte for us to try for free. Awesome! Then Parker ordered the chef's famous meatloaf while I got the pork tenderloin. So good. The evening finished off with a birthday chocolate raspberry creme brulee (holy cow, good!) and we ordered the fanciest carrot cake I have ever seen. Parker always has to have milk when he is eating desserts, so he ordered a glass and the waitress laughed and said he was the first person she has ever heard of that ordered milk.

my pork tenderloin
Parker's fancy meatloaf on top of mashed potatoes

This isn't a very good picture of the carrot cake, but it was gorgeous! It was wrapped in a white and milk chocolate shell.

To finish off an awesome night, Parker got me a new camera and the kids were asleep when we got home.

(to come, pictures from my and the kids trip to California!)