Family Hike

Just a few picts from a fun family hike we took last week. We wanted to go somewhere new, so we ventured up the coast to Crystal Cove State Park just south of Newport Beach.


It was so fun to be in the hills with deer running around, but have a beautiful view of the ocean....


We hiked back down at sunset, it was gorgeous! Hope you can come an join us sometime:)

George Washington Carver

Sam had a big class project called "African American Wax Museum". They had to pick a famous African American and do a report on them. Then they dressed like the person, made a presentation board and stood in front like a wax figure. They had to make some kind of button that people could push and then they would give an oral report on that person. Whew! A lot of work. Sam chose George Washington Carver because he invented peanut butter and Sam loves it. Well it turns out he didn't create peanut butter but did come up with over 300 uses for peanuts! It was very interesting to learn about him. He was a wonderful man-spent his whole life trying to help people. So here he is!

Sam wore a lab coat with a name tag and we got him a salt & pepper mustache. He also had a bowl of peanuts that people could shuck and eat. We tried to make it a multi-sensory experience. The kids loved it.

Here is his presentation board that included his typed report and a time line.

The other kids in the classroom. Sophie came to check it out too. She is the same size as the 4th grader-yikes!
It was a fun experience and he did a really good job. We're proud of you Sam!

Sea World!

Maggie's Preschool took an "educational" trip to Sea World. It only cost us $5.00 to get in. We went down with Abi Wilson (and baby Kate!) and her daughter Taylor that is in Maggie's class. It was a warm, uncrowded day. The girls didn't last long, but we had a great time:).

Checking out Shamu...


Miss Taylor


What a cutie!! Love the hawk!


Look out!

Sam's Blue & Gold Scout Dinner

Sam had his annual Blue & Gold Scout Dinner. The theme was Aloha! He got his Pinewood Derby wood for the Derby in April. We had to bring a cake to fit the theme. Just when you think you have an original idea....

Mine is the far right, next to it is Natalie Afflecks and next to that is Patience Roney. We all did a beach with sand and water. Natalie and I even used the same boy Polly Pocket! Scary.Maggie & Madison Roney checking out the cakes.

Little Trip to D-Land

We hadn't been to Disneyland for a few months and we finally took a trip! We forgot how much fun it is (seriously, sad eh?)! Sophie got her license to drive-look out!

Visiting the Cooks!

We had such a wonderful time in the Bay Area over the last weekend. The kids had Friday & Monday off of school, so we ventured out solo (without Chris) and cruised on up! It was SOOOO good to see the family and made us realize again how much we miss them. The kids are more like siblings than cousins (in all ways-good and bad;) and it's just fun to have them together.

In the hotel bed...the kids love hotels! But we actually had the nicest time when we stayed at the Cooks. Here's Brookie reading to the kids after the girls had a bath.

Maya is the cutest, most sweetly mellow baby ever! We could not believe how much she loved the wind in her sails-darling!Sophie and Maggie among the flowers.....love San Francisco. It was such a beautiful day.


Little monkeys at the Rainforest Cafe....


Having fun a the playground near their house. Do Sam and Sophie look like twins or what???
Our favorite little piggy:)


On our way home we stopped at Casa de Fruta- a huge fruit stand with a train, merry-go-round and even a Casa de Sweets. We got supplies for the road and had a little fun. Wish I had one of these at home:

A peacock that walked right up to us....

It was a great, relaxing trip...thank you Brookie and Dave!

Valentines Day Fun

I have figured out that Valentines Day is not for lovebirds but for children. V-day at school is a BIG deal. The kids get so excited to give and get valentines and we had special Valentine centers in Sophie's classroom.
This is Maggie before her preschool Valentine party with her gift for her teacher and for her friends.

Our annual Valentines Day breakfast (that we now have at dinnertime:).








Sophie and Maggie in Sophie's classroom for the Valentine centers. So fun!
Hope you all had a good day. Chris and I did sealings at the temple and went out to eat. It was a very nice day. XXXOOO