Aquarium of the Pacific

Even though it appears from first glance that we are attempting to establish residency at Disneyland, there are actually lots of other things we like to do too. One thing we like alot is going to Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. There is so much to do there - pet the rays, pet the sharks, touch all kinds of tide pool dwelling creatures like starfish, sea cucumbers, and other things with long names I cannot spell. A couple of years ago for Paul's birthday he and Savannah the were able to go "behind the scenes" and learn all about taking care of Sea Otters, which was really cool! They even got to feed them!





Another fun activity at the aquarium (for some of us at least) is the Lorikeet Forest, which is a huge enclosed area where you get to feed the lorikeets. This may sound exciting, and the kids & Paul really love it, but for anyone who does not know this about me... I am terrified of birds. Really hate them, I can't help it - they completely creep me out. I'm not really bothered by any of the normal things - reptiles, rodents, whatever, but birds - YIKES! So, in an effort to raise well rounded children I brave the forest ducking & bobbing to avoid the birds zooming past my head on a mission (I'm sure) to peck my eyes out. This time I had to add protecting the baby to the equation and it was quiet an exhausting event for me, but the kids all had fun...



Scary - you can't convince me otherwise.

Wrapping up Christmas vacation

Christmas vacation is now over - sob - and the kids go back to school on Monday. Not wanting to waste any of those last, precious moments we headed out again! One more trip to Disneyland, followed by our first trip to Legoland. We stopped for a moment to bond with the rabbit from Alice in Wonderland and told him that we too are always late for our important dates!









We were cruising through the park we ran into Woody & Jessie from Toy Story! While Shelby & Reagan were there to get their autographs, Woody & Jessie played with Small Paul's spikey hair. The girls are on a mission to get EVERYONE'S autograph.






How cute are the Pauls? Small Paul LOVES the Small World ride, so we never miss it. I am not a huge fan of this ride, but I'm working on it for his sake. I used to like it, but I think I hit my limit on the song somewhere in my teens and haven't been able to re-embrace it quite yet. Luckily it is really cute right now because it is still decorated for Christmas and they also change up the song a bit.





On to Legoland where Savannah met a really nice guy! We explained to both of them that she can't date for 3 1/2 more years, and I think he will wait!






Sadly, a land shark tried to eat Shelby, but Superhero Shawn-E-Boy and his faithful sidekick Savannah were able to pull her out in the nick of time!


Legoland was very cool, much more so than Paul or I expected. We have had the tickets for quite awhile, and they were going to expire so we figured we should go, hoping to just have a nice day. I have to say that all of the gagillion lego structures, people, animals, cars (a full sized volvo suv) and artwork throughout the park were utterly amazing. I personally am limited to building simple boxes and calling them a house, or a garage - so I was especially impressed! We were there all day & only got to hit MAYBE half of the rides, but we only had to wait in one line, there was just alot to see & do. There is an aquarium next door and a water park too - maybe next time we will go for two days so we can do it all. We are able to get tickets through a friend and they are actually good for two days, but we had to get the kids back. The whole family had alot of fun & we are so glad we went. We were talking on the way home and thought that Liam & Drew would have a blast here if it could be squeezed in next time they are out. We all had alot of fun, but it is totally a busy little boy's dream destination!

The past two weeks or so...

We always celebrate Christmas separately with a big dinner with our good friends the Morris family, and with the kids' Grandpa Gabriel. This year, due to scheduling changes we decided to have a Christmas breakfast party instead, and it was a blast! I think it was more fun than just another big dinner, so we might just do it this way from now on!


On Christmas Eve we had a visit from Santa himself, and apparently we have all been very good this year! Aunt Kathy & family sent us a ton of new board games, which we were in desperate need of - we had quite the collection of incomplete board games before, and now we are ready for lots of fun family game nights. Thanks Kathy! Santa must have really loved the cookies because he brought me a new professional model Kitchenaid mixer which I have wanted for awhile now!



The kids held off on their attack till about 8:15 or so, and then there was no holding them back!



Savannah was very excited that she will now be playing her new electric guitar for her biggest fans at our house! She and Shelby have been taking acoustic guitar lessons lately & it's really fun for them, but Savannah wanted to make the jump to an electric guitar. Future rock star? We will all be able to say we knew her when...




Small Paul's favorite gift may have been his stuffed Elmo that he can chew on, but Mommy's favorite was this "bumbo" chair... I can put him down!!!! He was so happy sitting in the middle of the chaos watching the insanity of Christmas morning & has been sitting & watching me do lots of other things ever since. This is my new "go to gift" for all future baby showers - what a life saver! Why didn't they have these things 19 years ago when I started the mommy game??? And speaking of 19 years ago.....





Mikey came home to visit! He is here this week, then Saturday he flies back to Maryland where he is playing soldier for real! It is so much fun to see him, although he's changed alot! He looks great! It's been awhile since we've seen him so we are all really enjoying our time with him. He looks so grown up! Now, speaking of grown up...



Look at this handsome boy! Shawn turned 7 yesterday, so we celebrated with the Morris family, a couple of Shawn's friends, his Uncle Berk, Aunt Erica, Auntie Anita, and his cousins Cami and Tanner. It was alot of fun. Shawn is such a great boy, and this past year he has really grown up so much in so many ways! He is enjoying school so much more this year, he just loves his teacher Mrs. Knittle, and really likes to read to his Grandma Mathews every time we go have Sunday dinner with her.


We've been so blessed this year, and have had such an amazing holiday season so far. We love all of the great family time we've been able to get in, it's been such a happy time. We are looking forward to all that 2010 holds for us. We are so blessed as a family and are so greatful to have each other. Life is good!

Small Paul's Starring role!

Grandma came to visit!!




....................................................Mommy & Daddy were all smiles!!




We even caught one on Small Paul!!



Why so many smiles??? Small Paul's blessing day was today! He was absolutely perfect, not a hint of crying, he just looked up into Daddy's face the whole time! Afterwards we had lots of friends & family over and it was so much fun. We had lots of food, and everyone seemed to have a great time. I love having the house filled with people we love all year long, but it's especially nice when it's for a special day like today, and even more so around the holidays. We had a great time getting to know the Castillo family better, they are so nice, have really fun kids, and are Zoila's brother and his wife! We've been meaning to have them over and today was the perfect opportunity. They are great, just like Zoila! We're glad to have them in our ward and as part of the family!

Now, here's my handsome boy in his blessing suit that he outgrew about 3 lbs ago, but we squeezed him into it anyway...

Busy Times...

Wow - This past week or so has brought us... super fun times at Universal Citywalk with Kathy & part of the Tervort gang, Turkey with the family at Grandma's, Black Friday - an all-nighter thanks to Toys R Us opening at midnight, decorating the house, our wedding anniversary (that was fast), and this weekend we are blessing Small Paul!

Yikes - no wonder I'm tired! Oh well, I'll sleep in January, right now there are presents to wrap & cookies to bake!!!

Reagan's big day...

So, today was a busy one, Reagan had her baptism! She looked so beautiful (if I do say so myself), so grown up, and look at the AMAZING dress that her AMAZING and TALENTED Aunt Debbie made for her - we love you Debbie - thank you again! Grandma made a great DVD featuring Reagan from day one to the present in photos, so beautiful - thanks Grandma! It was lots of fun - Grandma came out with Aunt Chris & Uncle Darren, Uncle Curtis, Aunt Leanne & their kids, Uncle Dick & Jennalynn, and our good friends, the Morris' family. We will be dragging everyone back out here on the 29th to bless Small Paul. We had a wonderful, spiritual day, and I'm once again reminded of how blessed I am in so many ways. Reagan of course had to show her high spirited trademark energy, but all went off without a hitch.

Four kids down, two more to go - next year it'll be Shawn's turn already, then we'll have a break for a bit before it's Small Paul's time.

It's only 7:45 and I'm exhausted already. If I convince Small Paul to go to sleep now I run the risk of him thinking that it's time to be awake for the day way too early. His new favorite thing to do is to take a shower with one of us before bed - it totally relaxes him & send him off into a deep sleep. He's so funny, he loves the water (although he screams in the bath tub like I'm dipping him in lava), and he throws his head back & forth smiling as the water runs down his back. If I add sunglasses the little Stevie Wonder impression will be just about perfect! Paul has a gig tonight, so I'm flying solo on the parenting detail. I normally hand a slippery Small Paul off to Paul's towel covered waiting arms & he warms him up while I get out of the shower - not sure if I want to attempt it on my own, so sorry Small Paul, no shower tonight...

Itty Bitty Small Paul

Little monkey face with the great stand up hair. People are asking me if I use gel to make it that way - like I have the time to give my 6 week old a sideways mohawk? I love the standy-up hair, the grumpy eyebrows (just like Daddy's) and the little boy attached! I'm so grateful to have him and to be able to stay home and watch him grow! I love my family so much everyday, but am overwhelmed with just how much they all mean to me this morning. I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful husband, a pack of great kids to fill our home & hearts, and such an amazing extended family. I love you all!