Science Center and more...

Yesterday we went to the Science Center in Orange County, Me and my kids, Sophi and her kids and our mom. We all hopped in mom's car and headed down the 5 at about 10:15am, we sat in traffic for 2 1/2 hours-what the...? The science center was very cool, very hands-on and my kids had a great time (it was their first time). The highlight of the day though was the Bubblefest show. OH MY!! This guy was so cool and was doing like magic tricks with the bubbles, using a smoke machine to put smoke in the bubbles, putting kids inside a giant bubble. I was so proud of my kids and Lincoln because before the show started they told the kids that they had to stay on their bottoms and stay inside the yellow box (there was a yellow box made with tape right in front of the stage for the kids to sit in). I had to reinforce the rules and remind them one more time before the show started, they stayed on their bottoms the entire show, what great listeners- I was so proud!!! Most of the other kids kept getting up and trying to pop the bubbles and the workers kept having to seat them back down, it was very distracting and annoying. GREAT TIME!!!!
Sierra is laying on a bed of nails! Ashton would not do this one.:)

Ashton is the Weather Man!

Sierra made this snowflake!

Ashton made this one!

The wind was blowing and circling around them at 78.4 mph.

Sierra is playing virtual volleyball! Her team kept winning, she was having so much fun!!!


This is them on the TV screen. Her team is on the left. She is toward the back and has her hands up.
You could hear the dinosaur's heart beating as the kids would turn this crank.

We then went to Briana's and hung out there for a little bit and then we went to Sharky's for dinner, got a fish taco-YUMMY!!! We were outside eating and a Firetruck pulled up, the kids were all waving at the Fireman and he waved back and then turned on the lights for the kids. He then came over to our table with a Junior Fireman hat for each of the kids and a Fireman sticker badge. WOW- so fun and so nice!!! We then went to Tutti Fruiti-so FUN! You get to squirt the frozen yogurt in your cup yourself and whatever flavors you want and put whatever toppings on that you want.

Horses, Kitties and Poppy Fields, OH MY!

Yesterday I was babysitting. Uncle Bob and his new wife were visiting from Michigan so everyone got together at Aunt Ruthie's house, and we went too!!!

Feeding the Horse carrots...

Ava was loving the doggies!

These baby kitties were 2 days old!

Getting Jessica's horse ready to ride...

Ava still loving the doggies!

Rocky loving too!

Poppy Fields!I had never been to the Poppy Fields before but I had heard about them. I was very disappointed! Not to many Poppies, maybe we'll try again next year.


Uncle Shane is so FUN!!!

Conference Weekend

General Conference was this weekend and I always love listening to our leaders, I always learn so much!
Some points that stuck out that I want to remember...
Have Faith and do not Fear...if you have faith there is no reason to fear. (message just for me :))
Stay within your budget...don't buy what you don't need.
You are never lost when you can see the temple.
Keep a house of order...a house of God.
In between sessions today we went to go see Nana. When we got there she was eating her lunch, not really she was drinking her drink and pushing her food away. She stared and smiled at me and even offered me her plate of food. The caregiver said that she was not having a good day and fighting with them. The whole time we were there with her she seemed happy. I hope that maybe we lifted her spirits a bit. The lady sitting next to Nana at lunch had a sippy cup and Ashton whispered to me, "Why does she have a sippy cup?" I said "I'll tell you later" then he whispered "is it because she is old?" Yes, good job figuring it out. The caregiver was trying to feed Nana her broccoli and she was not having it. Then she asked Nana "do you want some icecream?" Nana says "yes". That's Nana for you, she has always had a sweet tooth!
We then went in Nana's room with her while she layed in her bed we visited with her. We told her what we've been up to and then we asked her questions. Jake asked her "what year were you born?" she said "1925, I think". She is so cute! We had a nice visit and then we were leaving and each giving her hugs and kisses and when it was Jake's turn she said "don't squish me". Funny!! She loves Jake, she has always told me "he's a keeper".

What was I thinking?!?

Yesterday my mom and Briana were running 12 miles (training for LA marathon) and I watched her kids. Sophi shows up at my house with her kids a couple of hours later. She was going to run it by herself. I could tell she didn't want to go by herself. I wouldn't want to run that far by myself. I asked, "do you want me to go with you?" She said, "yes". What was I thinking? I haven't been running for a few months. I ran about 1/2 and walked about 1/2. On our way back my body was hurting so bad, I would keep running and just concentrate and my legs would get a numbing sensation and then pain! We did it in 2 hours 15 mins. I paid for it last night. My knees were killing, my right one specifically, I was walking around the house dragging my right leg behind me. I spent most of my afternoon in bed. I feel better today, I can at least walk and bend my knees. Every muscle hurts, my legs especially but my back, my ribs, my stomach, my butt. How sad to be so out of shape, but how crazy of me to think that I could run 12 miles. Great to be outside and a great learning experience.

The kids were so cute! They played Cowboy's and Cowgirl and they were galloping around the house with Sierra's stuffed animal horses between their legs.

Tino took a nap on my couch sucking his thumb. He is so cute!

Placerita Canyon Natural Area

My cousin, Amanda and her two kiddos were in town and my sister Briana came into town so we went on a hike in Placerita Canyon. We had tons of fun!!! The boys were running the whole time and throwing rocks at any chance they got and Sierra was helping with the babies, Rocky and Rossi. It's so beautiful through there, I love it!!!

Getting ready to hike...

The Park Ranger had a display of a snake skeleton-cool!

We're hiking...

Stopped to play in the stream...

There's a bench, okay take a short break, Briana was handing out two grapes each. :)

Boy's found rocks and of course they have to throw them down the cliff into the stream, they loved it, we were there for a while before we convinced them all to keep hiking.

Girl's joined in too...Even baby Tino was loving the rocks...and Grammy!

Then we have to climb up the mountain instead of just walking on the well graded path. :)

JR had enough and just sat down while we were all still hiking...

Too much fun playing in the water...
We were all so dirty, one of the boys put their cute little handprints on Sierra's back.

After we turned around and we were hiking back Sierra was making Tino laugh! So CUTE!!!

Just Reporting!

Today was a good day. Got some things accomplished. We babysat Gracie and Ava today and it was very fun for Sierra to have her friend here for the whole day. Started off the morning by making yummy whole wheat pancakes. Right after Gracie and Ava came Ava bit Ashton, oh man!!! That is not a good way to start the day however the day was not tainted like I thought it might be. We (me, Ashton and Ava) made towers with the blocks and knocked them over, great FUN!!! Sierra and Gracie had moments of not being nice to Ashton and I had to get a bit angry and tell Sierra maybe Gracie couldn't come anymore and then they were overly nice to him! :) Funny how that works! We met Melissa and kiddos over at McDonald's to eat lunch and play. We got home and Ashton and I washed the car (gross with smooshed bug guts all over the front from our trip to Sacramento) while all the kids took turns riding in the Power Wheels Expedition. Gracie and Ava got picked up and then we went to the tennis courts for Cubscouts. My mom was great and taught our 4 cubs how to play tennis so they can earn the tennis Belt Loop. We all had tons of fun. Finished the night off with pizza from Guido's and the kids played games and Sierra read books to Ashton while Jake and I got all of our tax paperwork together (not one of our favorite things to do, but so so so happy it is done until next year!) Now the kids are sleeping and Jake and I are going to enjoy one of our most favorite shows LOST! Happy watching!

Sierra took these pics, Thanks Si! Nice job, great photographer!