HALLOWEEN!!

Well, my kids were lucky and got to dress up 3 times this year. The first was a party my parents gave. They had all of their grandchildren come and had tons of games and prizes for them. They also got to spend the night with Grandma and Grandpa and all their cousins. Poor Elli was the only girl, but I heard she held her own the whole time. She's a pretty tough girl. I don't have any pictures of that though. I have to get it from my parent's camera.

Then our ward had a Trunk or Treat. That was fun for them because they got to play with their friends in the ward. This is one of Elli's friends, Kylee. She looked so adorable in her costume. You can't see but Kylee had a major wedgie all night. I just love her chubby body.

This is our cute little friend Chloe. Elli and her are so cute together. I just love the conversations they have with each other. Such cute kids.

Here they are waiting to play some games they had for the kids.

Then Braeden's school had a little parade and after that I went to help in his classroom for their Halloween Party. Elli was a big hit with all of the girls in his class. They were being so cute with her. But it was a fun party and it's fun to see how he interacts with his friends in his class.

Then that night, we headed to my brother in law's house to go trick or treating with them. Their kids were so adorable. The 2 girls were Little Bo Beep and her missing sheep. It was cute because Braeden was the college Matt Leinart and their son was the Pro player Matt Leinart. So we had to get them pictured together.

It was cute because Braeden was the college Matt Leinart and their son was the Pro player Matt Leinart. So we had to get them pictured together.

Mark and Elli always cute together. You would think Elli has her Daddy wrapped her finger or something. I think Mark has completely fallen in love with this girl!!

We were eating a chili dinner with their ward and they had some games and Elli got to chose a prize for winning and this is what she chose. She has this funny personality that I can't get enough of.

DAY 6: TEMPLE AND BEACH (again)

Oct. 19, 2007

Mark and I were lucky to get a chance to go through a seesion at the San Diego Temple. My parents and Kara watched our kids for us. This temple has always been my favorite temple and I am so glad we got to do that. When I was 16, my family went to this temple dedication and I remembered walking through not really understanding what each room was or what people did in there but going through a session made me remember going through it years ago. Mark obviously got a better picture of me in front of the temple. You can barely see him. OOoooops.

After we got back from the temple, my parents were packed and ready to head home. So it was just us, Kara and Cody. So we sat at the beach to hopefully get some sun on our legs. Cody decided he wanted to learn how to surf so Mark tried to teach him. It was fun for Cody but he said after 20 minutes he was done for the day.

More cute pictures!

Ok, so everytime I go to watch Mark surf, I always lose where he is in the water. Every surfer looks the same and it is hard to keep track of him. But I actually got a picture of him. Even though it is at the end of his ride, I got him in the water.

After we got cleaned up after the beach we took my brother and sister to the airport. So Mark and I had the whole condo to ourselves. So Mark invited one of his childhood friend and his wife to come stay with us since we don't get to see them that much. They got there really late Friday night.

DAY 7: HANGING WITH FRIENDS

Oct 20, 2007

I didn't get many pictures that day but I did get a picture of my silly boy. He was playing outside with Elli and he said he saw a bird fly by and hit a window. The bird then hit the ground and he watched it for a while. He said the bird was sitting there so he picked it up to try and help it. Well, he was so sweet but we told him he can get really sick from touching birds and not to do that again. Mark helped him put it on the ground and Braeden watched it for a little bit then it flew away. Pretty crazy.

We walked the pier near our condo at the perfect time. We didn't realize it until we got there, but the sun was setting and we got to watch it go down. It's so cute all the questions little kids ask about things like that. Braeden told us that the sun goes in the water every night. This day was actually our anniversary but we forgot about it all day. But it actually turned out to be a fun relazing day. After walking the pier, we went to Starbucks and got hot chocolate and then put the kids to bed and watched a movie.

DAY 8: THE DRIVE HOME!

Oct 21, 2007

Well, we drove home during the Santa Ana winds. We saw several fires while we were driving and our car was swirving back and forth a lot. The winds were so powerful. It was pretty scary. But we made it home safe and this trip was a much needed vacation and was very fun. It was fun hanging with my family and am so glad we all got together!!

DAY 4: ANOTHER LAZY DAY ON THE BEACH

Oct. 17, 2007

This was the view from our backyard. So beautiful. I didn't get a picture from the balcony in the front, but it was a great view too. It was fun for Mark to see the ocean from the house so he knew whether it was good surfing waves or just a day to play in the sand and water with the kids.

The babies playing on the balcony.

You know... I really love the beach. But it's only fun without kids. They always end up looking like this with sand stuck to their bugers, sand in their food, sand stuck in their bum, endless possibilities of where sand can go. Luckily the condo had a nice shower outside for the kids to clean up in.

Mark and my brothers made this deep hole in the sand and and made a slide for the kids. It was really fun for the kids and a great babysitter for us. Thanks for making that guys!!

This is a video of the kids going down the slide. Quite cute!

Elli at the bottom of the slide!

At the end of the day eating ice cream with Grandpa!

DAY 5: SEA WORLD

Oct. 18, 2007

We woke up this morning not knowing exactly what we were going to do. Mark all of a sudden decided to go to Sea World. Ryan and Melissa and their kids had already gone home and Lisa and Paul were packing up to leave today. So it was just my parents and younger brother and sister Cody and Kara with us. My parents and Cody decided they didn't want to go to Sea World, so they went to the temple. Kara wanted to come with us, so we got ready and headed to Sea World. I knew Braeden would love it there.

Pretty huge water turtles.

We through this big huge shark tank. They had some pretty interesting looking sharks there.

These guys were the highlight for all of us. They were so loud and so ready for anyone to feed them. Mark bought some little fish to feed them and when they were trying to feed one, a seagull swooped down and swiped our fish. It was funny. But we enjoyed watching them.

But the real highlightwas SHAMU, of course. This was the very first appearance he made. I got lucky and had my camera ready for that. It was so neat watching this show. I haven't been to Sea World since I was 10 or so.

This is how close we sat to everything. This picture isn't zoomed in or cropped. And the best part was, we didn't get a single drop of water on us. We were very lucky. He's even trying to get us wet. But no luck for him.

This walrus just sat their chewing on something. All I know whatever it was, it looked gross. The kids just sat there trying to figure out what he was doing.

The kids in an ice sculpture thingy.

Looking at the penguins! He was looking for CODY from the Surf's Up Movie!

More penguins!

We went to a nice restaurant that night with all of us by Sea Port Village. I couldn't help but take a picture of this little girl with her hand under her chin being so adorable while she colored.

What a fun day!! I'm glad Mark made the final decision to go.

San Diego!!

My whole family spent a week in San Diego together. We stayed in a nice beach house just seconds away from the beach. It was quite nice. We didn't want to come home. All the kids had so much fun being kids and getting dirty in the sand.

DAY 1: THE DRIVE THERE

Oct. 14, 2007

I am not sure why it took us 8 hours to get to San Diego, but it was the longest ride to San Diego I have ever driven. We still can't figure out why it took us that long. We didn't take any long breaks or anything. Our kids were amazing in the car. They always seem to amaze me when we drive for so long. They talk a lot but they are definietly cute!!


DAY 2: THE BEACH

Oct. 15, 2007

The other 2 kids are my brother Ryan's kids, Drake and Blayke.

The first day we spent at the beach was really cold. My kids spent more time bundled in towels than playing in the sand.

Mark and my brothers in their wetsuits attempting to catch some waves.

My cute little nephews, my sister Lisa's kids, Cole, Clayton, Caden & Crew.

DAY 3: DISNEYLAND!!

Oct. 16, 2007

We drove up to Disneyland to spend the day there!! That was a fun day! And lucky for everyone, my pregnant sister-in-law Melissa and I were the ones that got to stay behind and entertain the little ones while everyone else got to go on the big rides.

It was decorated so cute with Halloween things and colors! I love Disneyland for all the fun things they do.

Dad and Elli on the Mr. Toad ride. She way too excited to drive the car.

Braeden and I on Dumbo!

Elli and I were waiting in line to see Ariel and she was posing for me so I had to take pictures. We were waiting in an hour long line for the new Nemo ride so Elli and I decided to let them stand in line for us while we went to see Ariel.

The highlight of the day was when Elli talked to Ariel. Ariel actually took the time to ask Elli questions and ask her about her hair, painted fingernails, and other things. It was quite delicious. Elli stood in the same position and answered YES to every question that Ariel asked. She was in awe of her. Ariel made Elli's day. That is all she talked about the rest of the day. I'm glad I stood in line for that. Definitely a fun thing for little girls!

The Buzz Lightyear ride. Elli and I went on this ride about 8 times while everyone else went to space mountain and other rides.

Another ride Elli and I went on A LOT while everyone went on Splash Mountain. Winnie the Pooh is probably my favorite kids ride right now!! SOOO CUTE!! This is Ryan's younger kids, Blayke and Brock. We hung with them a lot!!

My sister Kara and I !

Elli fell asleep at the end of the day!! Yippee! She sleeps with her eyes open. You can barely tell in this picture, but they were open. So adorable when they sleep!

The last ride of the day! Mark and Braeden went on Autopia. Braeden was so tired and not himself or else he would be in the driver's seat.

The last picture of the day!! Braeden and his cousins in front of the cute pumkin!

It is taking me FOREVER to post about our little trip, but I will finish later!!