Busy week...

So we finished up a busy week with lots of activities and visits with family and friends. Whew--am I glad it's Sunday and I can justify a 2 hour nap with Hannah to recuperate!

After a fun trip on Monday to Disneyland with Heidi and Co., we met up again on Thursday at the Noah's Ark exhibit. Yes, this is our third time, but the kids really love it and this time Grandma and Grandpa came along too. It was even more fun since Heidi's parents joined us as well--they are currently on a mission in the LA area (Watts is their current area) and they had a free day to spend some time with us. I haven't seen Heidi's mom since Darren and Heidi's wedding almost 13 years ago. I can't believe it's been that long. It was so nice to see them and spend some time together.




Friday my parents were sweet enough to drive into town AGAIN to babysit for me while Heidi and I went a session at the temple in the morning. Her parents joined us since their apartment is on the temple grounds, and we left Scott and Kjersten there with Melanie (her sister). After the session, it was off to Burke Williams (along with Melanie) for some much deserved pampering. It has become our new routine when Heidi comes to visit, we must to go to Burke Williams. It's nice to have some girl time to be pampered and chat and relax without dealing with kids. Yay for grandparents!!

Saturday we headed out to my brother and sister-in-law's house for my nephew Ira's birthday. He and Sammy are 2 months apart and have a great time playing together. The kids had fun and it was nice to hang out with the family.

It was cold and windy, but that didn't stop the kids from playing outside!

Opening presents

The birthday cake!

Blowing out the candles

Hannah was LOVING the cake...and so was I. It was really yummy!

We were home by 8:00pm--Hannah was fast asleep in the carseat and Sammy was ready for bed too. It's been a busy week and my house shows some serious neglect. I have NO plans for this week besides cleaning and laundry.

Return to Disneyland!

My friend Heidi is in town with her family while her husband Darren attends a dental conference at UCLA. We met up at Disneyland on Monday and braved the crowds and the hot weather. (I'm trying NOT to complain since it's been snowing where my sister and cousin live...but it WAS hot!)

It was the most crowded I've seen it in a long time--even the Dumbo ride was a 35 minute wait.

Waiting in line to drive at Auto-topia with Melanie (Heidi's sister). Mel was so helpful with Sammy and Hannah--and Sammy really took to her immediately.

This one is a little hard to see (I was in the car in front of them with Hannah), but Sammy was so excited to drive!

We had such a great time driving the cars, we got back in line and went back again. This time the three of us went in one car, it's hard to see Hannah and Sammy since they are so little.

Sammy ran into Buzz Lightyear again!

We went on the Buzz Lightyear ride which I thought Sammy would enjoy, but it TOTALLY freaked him out. I'm glad he ran into Buzz BEFORE we went on that ride.

Next we headed over to the rocket ride and while the line was still quite long--the kids kept themselves entertained.

This is my favorite picture of the day!

Kjersten and Scott

Hannah warming up to Melanie--thanks to the tickle bug


Melanie and Kjersten on the rocket ride

Hannah took a brief nap while we waited for the parade to start. She actually slept through half of it and probably would have stayed asleep if it hadn't been delayed right in front of us with the music blaring. I was afraid she would wake up startled and crying, but she just sat up and looked at the giant sized Ursula and wasn't even fazed.

After the parade we headed over to Toon Town to let the kids run around.

We were all a bit tired after all the running around in the heat, so we decided to do something low-key and ride the Disney Train ride around the park. Sammy loves trains.

I don't really remember ever going on the train at Disneyland before, so when we started going through tunnels I wasn't concerned. Sammy and Hannah love the tunnels on the 110 freeway, so I figured that they wouldn't be scared. They did fine with the first tunnel. The second tunnel seemed okay--there was a pretty view of the Grand Canyon, some cute animals...you get the picture. Then all of a sudden there were a bunch of scary dinosaurs with glowing eyes--both of my kids FREAKED!! I kept telling Sammy to just close his eyes that we would be out of the tunnel soon and I picked up Hannah and held her against me with her facing the back of the train. Poor thing kept telling me "dinosaurs scary" over and over. Then the train had some random delay right then and stopped in the tunnel--great. I managed to keep everyone calm until we started up again, but they were wary of the next few tunnels until we got off the train.

Everyone was happier after getting a churro.

We headed over to the Princess store that was so super girl-y I LOVED it! Lots of frilly dresses with matching shoes and tiaras--I can't wait until Hannah is excited about this stuff! I'll have to settle for the paper crown for now.


All in all we had a great time, despite how tired I was from chasing kids around and pushing the stroller with both kids and lots of snacks.

As a side note, for the past three days Hannah will randomly tell me "dinosaurs scary". Great, now she is scarred for life. I just hope they don't have nightmares about it.

Happy Easter!

The holidays are really starting to get fun as Sammy understands more and more of what is going on (and remembers from last year), which in turn seems to hep Hannah get more excited as well. She didn't really "get" Christmas, but she had so much fun with Easter!

Saturday we went to the breakfast and egg hunt at church...well, we didn't get there in time for breakfast so just the egg hunt. Sammy remembered hunting for eggs last year so he was really excited--and Hannah was just excited to carry around a basket. I think it reminded her of a purse and we all know how much she loves accessories!

Hannah was obsessed with opening the eggs and taking out the candy and then putting the candy back in and trying to close the egg. Seriously, this went on for quite a while...LOVE those pants!!

All the kids camped on out on the sidewalk to eat candy

That night we dyed Easter eggs. I wanted to do it earlier it the week, but with Samuel's crazy work schedule Saturday was the soonest we could get to it.

After church on Sunday we had an impromptu hunt outside.

The kids had to stop and pick dandelions of course. It's their new favorite thing to do.

Just look at that sweet face.

Oh, and this one too...

Picture time!!

It WAS hot enough to play with the hose (86 degrees today!!), but not in church clothes...sorry.

She really CAN sit still...but only when she wants to.

Today was a lot of fun and the kids have been talking about Easter eggs and the Easter bunny non-stop for the past two days. It's really cute to see them get excited and making memories.

The End of an Era

So today my dear sweet friend Valerie moved away to Utah. It goes without being said that I will miss her dearly. She is the one person whom I tell EVERYTHING to—the good and the bad. There are no pretenses between us—we are who we are. She is the one person whom I can turn to when I need ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING no matter how big (or tiny) the favor and she is willing to drop (or juggle) everything to help me out. All I have to do is ask. Sometimes, I don’t even have to ask, she just volunteers before I can even think about what I need.

She has been there as my doula for the birth of my two children--I could never have done it without her. She is so willing to listen to my complaints and commiserate--all while helping me to see the positive side in all things. She encourages me to try new things that I never would have considered, and has been instrumental in making me into the person whom I am today.

We always laugh when people ask if we are sisters (we do look a bit alike) because we call each other that and feel like we truly are—even if it’s not by blood.

So I say goodbye to my loving sister Valerie and her sweet family. The era of you and I in Pasadena has ended, but I know that we will always be this close—even if we are states apart. I’ll miss our chaotic (yet yummy) lunches at Souplantation with the two of us and 6 kids (and all the crazy stares we got), trips to the Arboretum and the zoo, hanging out at the park while the kids play, and passing each other in the halls at church.

Someone who recently met Valerie made the comment to me that there is something about Valerie that just makes you feel like she genuinely wants to get to know you better and wants to be your friend. I have been fortunate enough to have been her friend for 12 years now and am truly a better person for it.

St. Patrick's Day at the zoo

My nephew Jonathan is visiting my parents for Spring Break from high school and we all went to the zoo on Monday (well, all except for my mom who does volunteer work in Burbank every Monday).

It was a beautiful day in the mid-70s--you've gotta love Southern California! Sammy was thrilled that the kettle korn guy was back in business by the flamingos! What is a visit to the zoo without kettle korn? We got our bag and headed off. We were a little slow going since both Hannah and Sammy wanted to walk and not sit in the stroller. It was so nice to have Jon around to put Sammy on his shoulders.

And nice to have Grandpa to help me corral Hannah. Hannah loves her Grandpa!

Our visit wouldn't be complete without yet ANOTHER visit to Spider City! I've actually lost track of how many times we've been there...it's at least 9.

Sammy just loves spending time with his cousin Jon and will talk about him for days after we see him. Jon, who is 15, is always so helpful whenever he comes to visit--he always takes over the role of Sammy's buddy for the day and watches out for him and keeps him entertained. I wish he didn't live so far away or he'd be my permanent babysitter...lucky for him I guess.

We left just before 1:00pm--time for lunch! In-n-Out was the choice for everyone.

Hannah was worn out and fell asleep on the way home. She easily transferred from car to bed without waking up. YAY for me!!