Hanging with the Police

For Blake's Cub Scout Den Meeting this week we were talking about Law Enforcement. So I asked a friend who is a police officer if he would come and talk to the boys. Blake and his friends loved it. Our friend Ryan works with a K9 so he brought the dog along with him. Blake wasn't so excited about the dog but loved the car.

They wanted to see everything on the officer's uniform and in the car. They were all so curious. They even asked to see the engine, which they were fascinated by. We thought it was so funny how they were so into the engine. I guess are next field trip will have to be with the at a mechanic's shop. Boys will be boys!

Griffith's Park

After seeing Dinosaur's Live and having lunch we drove the kids through Beverly Hill's a little to check out the huge mansions and then we stopped of at Griffith's Park to get some of their energy out. The Observatory was packed because they were filming a Muppet's Movie so we decided to take one of their trails and hike a little. I forget how much the kids love to go on hikes. Hailey especially loves it.

There was a little stream we followed with lots of bridges and little waterfalls.

In one spot the kids found fish that they we determined to catch with sticks.

Roaring like dinosaurs in a little cave we found.

We stopped down the road before we left for a potty break and found the little smoothie/coffee shop they used to film a part of Brothers and Sisters TV show that Todd and I recognized.

What a cool spot in hangout in the big city.

Dino-mite time!

Some amazingly sweet friends took us to see Dinosaur's Live at the Staples Center. Christine's Dad's company has box seats there and so she got us in for the show. The box seating was behind the big screen so they put us other seats which were great! We thought it would be fun for the kids. Madison was so exciting to be going with her buddy Noah.

Blake was able to bring a friend along with us. Blake has always liked dinosaurs and we watched a documentary on the making of the show. I thought it was very cool and interesting myself.

They made them look so realistic!

The T-Rex roar at the end of the show was the biggest hit!

Because of technical difficulties the show was 45 minutes late, but the kids did pretty well considering the hour drive and then the wait. After we went to the Farmer's Market by the Grove for lunch. Thanks guys for the show!

Palm Springs

For Labor Day weekend we decided to take a little vacation and headed to Palm Springs for some rest and relaxation. The kids were very excited to spend almost the whole time in the pool. They got geared up and ready to go as soon as we got to the resort. Right outside our room was a duck pond. The kids were lined up with the ducks one by one.

We stayed at an amazing resort. They had a lazy river. Blake and Hailey loved that the most and spend the day swimming together instead of fighting all day. There was also a splash zone to keep them cool.

It was perfect being by the pool and having no where to go and nothing that had to be done.
That night we went out to dinner and then did a little dancing at the disco party

the resort put on.

Here is a video of Abby strutting her stuff.

Palm Springs Part 2

Here is some video of Abby swimming at the pool. She loved it and swam back and forth all day long. She would stop and go introduce herself to all the kids and then she was back to her swimming. She is not timid at all!

Palm Springs Part 3

The next day of our vacation we spent swimming again. We couldn't get enough of having a pool so convenient. The girls strolling the resort in their sun glasses looking for the snack bar.

They found the perfect afternoon snack to cool off with, ice cream!

Outside our room we found a turkey in a van. We thought it was pretty odd. Later we found out it was for the petting zoo for that nights festivities. The kids though it was pretty funny.

In the evening the kids had a blast running around and playing on the golf course. It was so cute watching Madison and Todd just hanging out and talking.Later that night they resort threw a carnival for Labor Day and the kids played some games and pet the animals at the petting zoo. After dark they had a drive in movie on the screen. They were showing Sandlot. They kids watched a little but decided they wanted to take a late night swim instead.

Here is Abby wearing her headband she won at one of the games.The kids really wanted to use their last ticket for cotton candy.

It was so fun to relax and be together. What a great way to end the summer.

Super excited about Silly Sock Day

Madison loves kindergarten and cannot get enough of it. She loves her teachers but refuses to talk to them still. Luckly she has very loving and understanding teachers. She communicates in every other way them though and loves to give them hugs and high fives. She is doing great in school and loves to learn. I can't give her enough homework to do afterschool. She loves writing her letters and reading her sight words. She was so excited for silly sock day at school that they do when they learn the letter S. Before school she gaves us a litte runway show of her sporting her silly socks.

She is one silly and silent girl with some seriously silly socks!

Day at Disneyland with Grandpa Ryan

For Grandpa Ryan's Birthday present this year we took him Disneyland. He had not been in over ten years and was anxious to see all the changes. He brought along Pat and Christopher. The kids were so excited to take him on some of the fast rides.

Abby and I were busy meeting all the characters. As soon as we walked into main street she was so excited to be able to talk to all of them. Mickey was so sweet with her. She had so give him a great big kiss! Minnie must of thought she was pretty cute too, because she took her by the hand and walked with her for a little bit. Too cute! Abby was loving every minute of it.

Pinocchio and Japedo were the characters that Abby did not like. I think she was afraid Pinocchio,s nose might grow and poke her so Hailey stepped in for her last minute.Madison and Abby waiting with Pooh Bear while the others rode Splash Mountain three times in a row. There were hardly any lines today.
Madison and Abby also went to see Tinkerbell. Tinkerbell told Madison she was worried that Ursula from the Little Mermaid had taken her voice. Abby however needed Tinkerbell to give her a tour and tell her all about everything. Who need to talk when you have a super chatty sister who wont stop.

The girls with Princess Jasmine.

Madison loves Minnie so much!

Hailey, Christopher and Blake conquering Splash Mountain again!

Thanks for going with us Grandpa Ryan and acting like a kid again :)

Notice Hailey pouting face towards the end of the night when we decided to go to a small world which she thought was a baby ride. There is always a time when the happy runs out at the happiest place on earth.