This is Ian and he's having his palate repaired tomorrow. Would you please add him to your prayer list for his surgery to go well. And for his Mommy and Daddy too!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Prayers for Ian
This is Ian and he's having his palate repaired tomorrow. Would you please add him to your prayer list for his surgery to go well. And for his Mommy and Daddy too!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Pool Time Fun
We pulled out the inflatable pool last night and filled it up with air and then water. Rachel was having so much fun holding the hose and making the water dance about and make 'waterfalls'.
This afternoon, the girls dawned their bathing suits and went for a swim. Rachel is wearing a shower cap to prevent any water from getting in her ears. She still has her tubes in from last October and it's recommended you not get excessive amounts of water in your ears with tubes in. I think my Mom has a few pictures of me as a child wearing a shower cap, running through the sprinklers for the same reason.
This afternoon, the girls dawned their bathing suits and went for a swim. Rachel is wearing a shower cap to prevent any water from getting in her ears. She still has her tubes in from last October and it's recommended you not get excessive amounts of water in your ears with tubes in. I think my Mom has a few pictures of me as a child wearing a shower cap, running through the sprinklers for the same reason.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Adventures in Hollywood
We went into Hollywood today to see Pixar's new movie, WALL-E, at the El Capitan. Gramie enjoys seeing movies at this particular theater and sitting in the balcony so today was her treat. The movie ticket includes a reserved seat, a souvenir bucket of popcorn, and a drink.
After the movie, we had lunch and made our way atop the hills of Hollywood. Our plan was to visit The Griffith Observatory as you no longer had to have reservations to visit, however, once atop the mountain, there was no parking in the lot, and people were parking down the hillside and walking up. Therefore, we skipped the observatory. We did however, drive through Griffith Park and found ourselves an area of the park that offered horse rides. Hannah's been wanting to ride a real horse (opposed to that of riding a carrousel horse), once in line, both the girls were excited to ride a horse, we chose the Medium horses. 
The horses had a track that they followed. Some walked very slowly, some trotted. Rachel was a crack up to watch, she had me laughing so hard that I did not get a close up of her riding the horse past me. Both times she passed by me, she was laughing so hard, with the biggest smile from ear to ear. 
When she got off the horse, she became upset because she wanted to keep on riding. Because she'd had so much fun, Gramie bought another ticket and this time Rachel chose the ponies that walked in a circle (BORING!). She still enjoyed that ride nonetheless and riding that pony round and round lasted a heck of a lot longer than the first ride. 
After the horse ride, we headed to the other end of the area where there were miniature trains to ride. But on our way there, there was a group offering free crafts, and Hannah is all about crafts so we stopped and the girls made beautiful butterflies. 
After finishing up at the craft table, we made our way to the train. Gramie and the girls rode, while Mommy and Daddy sat out and watched and waited. Rachel got off the train loving the ride and of course passing by the horses once again. 
We had a great day of adventures in Hollywood with Gramie. It didn't take long this evening for Rachel to fall fast asleep, she was tired!
After the movie, we had lunch and made our way atop the hills of Hollywood. Our plan was to visit The Griffith Observatory as you no longer had to have reservations to visit, however, once atop the mountain, there was no parking in the lot, and people were parking down the hillside and walking up. Therefore, we skipped the observatory. We did however, drive through Griffith Park and found ourselves an area of the park that offered horse rides. Hannah's been wanting to ride a real horse (opposed to that of riding a carrousel horse), once in line, both the girls were excited to ride a horse, we chose the Medium horses. 
The horses had a track that they followed. Some walked very slowly, some trotted. Rachel was a crack up to watch, she had me laughing so hard that I did not get a close up of her riding the horse past me. Both times she passed by me, she was laughing so hard, with the biggest smile from ear to ear. 
When she got off the horse, she became upset because she wanted to keep on riding. Because she'd had so much fun, Gramie bought another ticket and this time Rachel chose the ponies that walked in a circle (BORING!). She still enjoyed that ride nonetheless and riding that pony round and round lasted a heck of a lot longer than the first ride. 
After the horse ride, we headed to the other end of the area where there were miniature trains to ride. But on our way there, there was a group offering free crafts, and Hannah is all about crafts so we stopped and the girls made beautiful butterflies. 
After finishing up at the craft table, we made our way to the train. Gramie and the girls rode, while Mommy and Daddy sat out and watched and waited. Rachel got off the train loving the ride and of course passing by the horses once again. 
We had a great day of adventures in Hollywood with Gramie. It didn't take long this evening for Rachel to fall fast asleep, she was tired!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Rachel Gets Pierced Ears!
Little girls with pierced ears are cute, in my opinion. I've wanted to get Rachel's ears pierced for a while, but the first couple years of her life, I waited because I didn't want to have to take them out for any surgeries, etc. Then, last Fall when I started asking her if she'd like 'holes in her ears', I thought it best to wait because she was getting tubes in her ears and I didn't want to take the chance of her fussing with the earrings if her ears were bothering her, etc, etc.
But the last couple of months, she's been saying she wants 'holes in her ears' like Mommy and Hannah, and even her cousin McKenzie. So tonight, as we were looking for adventures while Daddy waited in line for four hours for an iPhone, I took Rachel to Claire's and got her ears pierced!
She was so excited. She climbed up into the chair, hugged the teddy bear, and sat patiently while the lady cleaned and prepped her ears. I was only going to get her ears pierced if both could be done at the same time. There was no way I was going to take the chance of getting one ear done, and then not the other if they were done one ear at a time. The ladies pierced her ears and she shed no tears, until it was all done and over and the load noise of the piercing guns had scared her. Once calm, she took a look in the mirror and liked what she saw!
She called Gramma and Papa and then we raced back to the Apple Store line to show Daddy and Hannah! Here's hoping she leaves them alone!
But the last couple of months, she's been saying she wants 'holes in her ears' like Mommy and Hannah, and even her cousin McKenzie. So tonight, as we were looking for adventures while Daddy waited in line for four hours for an iPhone, I took Rachel to Claire's and got her ears pierced!
She was so excited. She climbed up into the chair, hugged the teddy bear, and sat patiently while the lady cleaned and prepped her ears. I was only going to get her ears pierced if both could be done at the same time. There was no way I was going to take the chance of getting one ear done, and then not the other if they were done one ear at a time. The ladies pierced her ears and she shed no tears, until it was all done and over and the load noise of the piercing guns had scared her. Once calm, she took a look in the mirror and liked what she saw!
She called Gramma and Papa and then we raced back to the Apple Store line to show Daddy and Hannah! Here's hoping she leaves them alone!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Disneyland with Friends!
It's not often that we can go to Disneyland with Amy and Bethany during the week.
But today was special. Since last weekend, Keith and Amy have had their 2 1/2 year old niece visiting them, and has never been to Disneyland. So Auntie Amy arranged to get off work early this afternoon and a girls trip was arranged to take Alyssa to Disneyland for the very first time!!
We got to the parks about 3:00 and decided that Alyssa would enjoy Playhouse Disney. So we went to the show and she loved it. This is also a favorite of Rachel's as she watches all these shows on Playhouse DIsney. It was sooooo much fun to watch the little girlies filled with excitement. 
Because today was all about Alyssa and keeping to doing things we thought she would like, we headed to Disneyland where there is more for little kids to do, in addition to the fact that Disneyland is just plain more magical. :) We ventured down Main Street, stopping off at City Hall to get Alyssa her official "1st visit' button. Rachel got an "Honorary Citizen" button! However, she's looking forward to coming back next month and getting her special "birthday button".
We ventured through Fantasyland, skipping all of the 'darker' rides. Going to the teacups and then King Arthurs Carousel. Amy took the girls and I waited out with the stroller and our backpacks. Because they were at the front of the line, they had first dibs on which horses they wanted. Rachel got to ride "Jingles" which is the 'lead' horse for the Carousel. Back in April, Julie Andrews rededicated the horse, and with it's most current makeover, the horse has silhouettes of icons famous from the movie Mary Poppins, which has "one of the most famous carousel scenes ever filmed for a motion picture". Riding the special horse meant nothing for Rachel, but I was pretty excited. LOL. 
Working her muscles in hopes of pulling the sword out! 
After Fantasyland, we headed back to Toontown, where we thought Alyssa would enjoy touring Minnie's house and playing about in the cars on the street. Exploring Toontown is also a favorite thing for Rachel to do.
After that, we did the Tiki Room and then headed down Main Street in search and shared in some ice cream and then went on search for the perfect "1st visit' souvenir, a stuffed Minnie Mouse! After that, we headed for the trams and parking structure before it got too crazy following the fireworks!
We had a great afternoon/evening with Amy and the girls. It was fun watching Alyssa's expressions and excitement. Kinda gave me a clue of what taking my kids at 2 1/2 years old would have been like, if I had waited. LOL. Thanks Amy for letting us share in Alyssa's special day!
But today was special. Since last weekend, Keith and Amy have had their 2 1/2 year old niece visiting them, and has never been to Disneyland. So Auntie Amy arranged to get off work early this afternoon and a girls trip was arranged to take Alyssa to Disneyland for the very first time!!
We got to the parks about 3:00 and decided that Alyssa would enjoy Playhouse Disney. So we went to the show and she loved it. This is also a favorite of Rachel's as she watches all these shows on Playhouse DIsney. It was sooooo much fun to watch the little girlies filled with excitement. 
Because today was all about Alyssa and keeping to doing things we thought she would like, we headed to Disneyland where there is more for little kids to do, in addition to the fact that Disneyland is just plain more magical. :) We ventured down Main Street, stopping off at City Hall to get Alyssa her official "1st visit' button. Rachel got an "Honorary Citizen" button! However, she's looking forward to coming back next month and getting her special "birthday button". 
We ventured through Fantasyland, skipping all of the 'darker' rides. Going to the teacups and then King Arthurs Carousel. Amy took the girls and I waited out with the stroller and our backpacks. Because they were at the front of the line, they had first dibs on which horses they wanted. Rachel got to ride "Jingles" which is the 'lead' horse for the Carousel. Back in April, Julie Andrews rededicated the horse, and with it's most current makeover, the horse has silhouettes of icons famous from the movie Mary Poppins, which has "one of the most famous carousel scenes ever filmed for a motion picture". Riding the special horse meant nothing for Rachel, but I was pretty excited. LOL. 
After Fantasyland, we headed back to Toontown, where we thought Alyssa would enjoy touring Minnie's house and playing about in the cars on the street. Exploring Toontown is also a favorite thing for Rachel to do.
After that, we did the Tiki Room and then headed down Main Street in search and shared in some ice cream and then went on search for the perfect "1st visit' souvenir, a stuffed Minnie Mouse! After that, we headed for the trams and parking structure before it got too crazy following the fireworks!We had a great afternoon/evening with Amy and the girls. It was fun watching Alyssa's expressions and excitement. Kinda gave me a clue of what taking my kids at 2 1/2 years old would have been like, if I had waited. LOL. Thanks Amy for letting us share in Alyssa's special day!
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Prayers for Drew
Remember Drew?? I introduced him about a month ago.
Drew and his Mommy and Daddy need your prayers. Tomorrow, Thursday, Drew will have his palate repaired. This is a pretty big surgery.
Please prayer that the surgery goes well, without complications, remember the complication with Rachel's tongue?? We don't want that for Drew, or his parents, so please add them to your prayer lists, I KNOW they will appreciate all the prayers that will be said on their behalf.
Drew and his Mommy and Daddy need your prayers. Tomorrow, Thursday, Drew will have his palate repaired. This is a pretty big surgery. Please prayer that the surgery goes well, without complications, remember the complication with Rachel's tongue?? We don't want that for Drew, or his parents, so please add them to your prayer lists, I KNOW they will appreciate all the prayers that will be said on their behalf.
Friday, July 04, 2008
4th of July
We had a great 4th of July, spending the afternoon and evening in celebration with church family. There were about 100 people if not a little more and we had a wonderful time of fun, laughter, and fellowship, oh and tons of food!
"Happy 4th of July!" from our little firecracker. 
The girls were so excited to have their church friends to play with all day long, even more excited that there was a giant inflatable waterslide and a pool in the backyard, with a little slip n slide in the front. 
It was pretty funny, Rachel kept using the slip n slide to get drinks of water. But what was even more funnier was when we were standing in line for food, and Rachel said she had to go potty, and Steven jokingly inquired as to why she just didn't go while she was in the pool, Rachel disappeared and Steven turned to see Rachel standing in the middle of the slip n slide, pulling her bathing suit down and going potty. LOL. Don't worry, the slip n slide was constantly getting straightened and water splashed off. 
This is a great close up of Rachel and how awesome her lip looks!
~click on picture to enlarge~ 
This is Caleb, Rachel refers to him as her 'boyfriend'. 
Rachel had so much and it didn't take long before she was fast asleep in her car seat on our way home.
The girls were so excited to have their church friends to play with all day long, even more excited that there was a giant inflatable waterslide and a pool in the backyard, with a little slip n slide in the front. 
It was pretty funny, Rachel kept using the slip n slide to get drinks of water. But what was even more funnier was when we were standing in line for food, and Rachel said she had to go potty, and Steven jokingly inquired as to why she just didn't go while she was in the pool, Rachel disappeared and Steven turned to see Rachel standing in the middle of the slip n slide, pulling her bathing suit down and going potty. LOL. Don't worry, the slip n slide was constantly getting straightened and water splashed off. 
~click on picture to enlarge~
Rachel had so much and it didn't take long before she was fast asleep in her car seat on our way home.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Who Came to My Door Today...
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
To the Library
The summer reading programs at the local libraries started two weeks ago, but because we were heading out of town for Mammoth and then last week we were out of town to San Diego, and then the girls off to Gramie's, there hasn't been any time for making a trip to the library until today.
We went to our downtown library and Rachel got to sign up for the "Read to Me" program whereas she can earn prizes by others reading to her and filling in her card. That library has some cool prizes to work towards. We checked out a few books for Rachel and played in the play room for a bit before leaving.
Seeing how the girls are already getting credit for reading at one library, why not sign them up for the summer reading program in the next county, where the library is only four miles away?!?! So that's where we went next, to another library where Rachel signed up for another "Read to Me" program. This library has better prizes in my opinion. We arrived to that library just in time for story time and craft time. Rachel had so much fun doing the caterpillar craft. After spending time at this library, we headed home for lunch and reading of course!
We went to our downtown library and Rachel got to sign up for the "Read to Me" program whereas she can earn prizes by others reading to her and filling in her card. That library has some cool prizes to work towards. We checked out a few books for Rachel and played in the play room for a bit before leaving.
Seeing how the girls are already getting credit for reading at one library, why not sign them up for the summer reading program in the next county, where the library is only four miles away?!?! So that's where we went next, to another library where Rachel signed up for another "Read to Me" program. This library has better prizes in my opinion. We arrived to that library just in time for story time and craft time. Rachel had so much fun doing the caterpillar craft. After spending time at this library, we headed home for lunch and reading of course!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
SeaWorld - Wednesday, June 25th
We've been talking about going to SeaWorld for months and now our trip has come and gone and the girls can't wait to go back again. I had found a coupon months ago in anticipation of this trip, that not only saved us $10 each, but it also gets us one more trip into the park before 2008 ends. SCORE!
The girls were so excited! Rachel and I check out Shamu on the webcam several times a week and she was excited to get to see him in person. I thought she'd be a little overwhelmed by his size, but it didn't seem to phase her. We went to the first Shamu show and then later in the day we went to the underwater viewing area and then the Shamu skyway, where we got to see Shamu up close.
The rest of our day had us relying on the map as to where to go, what we wanted to see, etc. By the end of the day, we saw everything at least once and some shows we saw twice because at night time they do a different show.
SeaWorld has a Sesame Street Bay of Play with rope bridges and bounce houses and tunnels as well as a few things to get you wet. Having come prepared with their crocs and a change of clothes, the girls went to town and got absolutely soaked! Once they'd had their fun, we made our way into the nearest restroom and used paper towels to dry off and change their clothes and back into their socks and shoes. They had sooo much fun and I'm really glad I came prepared so they could do that.
We saw and did so much, it's hard to remember in what order we did things. At the Rocky Point Reserve, where you can feed and touch the dolphins, we bought a tray of fish and Steven fed the dolphins all the while trying to hold Rachel so she could pet the dolphin. I believe she ended up touching ones nose. But just being that close to the dolphins was enough excitement for her.
After walking all day the day before at the zoo, and then walking the majority of the day at SeaWorld, Rachel was plum worn out. She fell asleep shortly before the night time Shamu show and remained asleep as we made our way to the car, slipping her into her jammies and made the long drive home.
We had such a great day! The girls really loved SeaWorld and asked continually the day after when it is that we can go back, Hannah actually started asking before we even left the park!
Take a look at more of our SeaWorld pictures.
The girls were so excited! Rachel and I check out Shamu on the webcam several times a week and she was excited to get to see him in person. I thought she'd be a little overwhelmed by his size, but it didn't seem to phase her. We went to the first Shamu show and then later in the day we went to the underwater viewing area and then the Shamu skyway, where we got to see Shamu up close.
The rest of our day had us relying on the map as to where to go, what we wanted to see, etc. By the end of the day, we saw everything at least once and some shows we saw twice because at night time they do a different show.
SeaWorld has a Sesame Street Bay of Play with rope bridges and bounce houses and tunnels as well as a few things to get you wet. Having come prepared with their crocs and a change of clothes, the girls went to town and got absolutely soaked! Once they'd had their fun, we made our way into the nearest restroom and used paper towels to dry off and change their clothes and back into their socks and shoes. They had sooo much fun and I'm really glad I came prepared so they could do that.
We saw and did so much, it's hard to remember in what order we did things. At the Rocky Point Reserve, where you can feed and touch the dolphins, we bought a tray of fish and Steven fed the dolphins all the while trying to hold Rachel so she could pet the dolphin. I believe she ended up touching ones nose. But just being that close to the dolphins was enough excitement for her.
After walking all day the day before at the zoo, and then walking the majority of the day at SeaWorld, Rachel was plum worn out. She fell asleep shortly before the night time Shamu show and remained asleep as we made our way to the car, slipping her into her jammies and made the long drive home.
We had such a great day! The girls really loved SeaWorld and asked continually the day after when it is that we can go back, Hannah actually started asking before we even left the park!Friday, June 27, 2008
Staying in a Hotel - Tuesday, June 24th
We made reservations and stayed at the Days Inn and get a really good deal on a suite that had a living room with a sofa bed, a bedroom with a king size bed, two televisions, and it included breakfast!
It was a little noisy at times as it was in the fly over path of the planes taking off at the San Diego Airport, but they stopped flights around 10:00 pm and didn't start up again til 6:30 am. So it was quiet when it needed to be.
I packed the swimsuits, just in case. And once we returned from having dinner at our favorite Mexican food place in San Diego, Steven and the girls made their way into the pool and enjoyed the nighttime swim.
It wasn't too long, and the girls were fast asleep and plain worn out from all the walking we did at the zoo, and the playing they did in the pool.
Morning came and we were hungry! We were excited to get on to our next adventure of going to SeaWorld and we were afraid Rachel would dilly dally her way through breakfast like she does most meals. But she was relatively quick and soon we were on our way.
It was a little noisy at times as it was in the fly over path of the planes taking off at the San Diego Airport, but they stopped flights around 10:00 pm and didn't start up again til 6:30 am. So it was quiet when it needed to be.
I packed the swimsuits, just in case. And once we returned from having dinner at our favorite Mexican food place in San Diego, Steven and the girls made their way into the pool and enjoyed the nighttime swim.
It wasn't too long, and the girls were fast asleep and plain worn out from all the walking we did at the zoo, and the playing they did in the pool.
Morning came and we were hungry! We were excited to get on to our next adventure of going to SeaWorld and we were afraid Rachel would dilly dally her way through breakfast like she does most meals. But she was relatively quick and soon we were on our way.
San Diego Zoo - Tuesday June 24th
Our camping trip was over, but our adventures in San Diego were just beginning. When we went to the Zoo this time last year, it had been Rachel's first time to the zoo. Since then, we've gone to the San Diego Wild Animal Park, aka 'the zoo park' a couple of times and therefore, Rachel knew exactly what to expect in going to the zoo. That we would see lots of animals! And Rachel LOVES animals!
Knowing we were heading to the zoo, I picked up these cute parrot hats at the Dollar Tree and tucked them away for our trip. The were cute, but as the day worn on, I got tired of seeing these obnoxious colored hats in every picture and started having them take their hats off for some pictures. LOL.
Several times throughout the week Rachel and I will check the webcams of the apes, the polar bears, the pandas, and the elephants. It was so much fun to get to see the animals in person, especially the pandas. We've been watching Zhen Zhen, the baby panda born last August since she was born, and it was so exciting to get to see her out on exhibit with her Mommy. She was sleeping up in the tree both times we visited the exhibit, but at least she was out.
Rachel and Hannah shared a drink at lunch, here Rachel is being a goofball using both the straws. 
The hippos were actually up and about this time. Last year they were hovering off to one end of their exhibit. Not this guy, he kept going round and round in circles. He was definitely fun to watch.
Did you know flamingoes aren't born pink?? They get their coloring from the crustaceans they eat. The zoo had quite a few baby flamingoes born this last Spring. Aren't they cute???
The San Diego Zoo has a skyway that takes you from one end of the zoo to the other. They used to have one at Disneyland, but it's been gone for years. Rachel kept pointing to the buckets high in the sky, saying she wanted to ride them. She was so happy when we took the skyway from the polar bears to the other side of the park. 
After what seemed like walking miles and miles at the zoo, we arrive to our car. Where Rachel, after sitting still for just a few minutes, fell asleep. The girl had walked ALL DAY and kept up like a real trooper.
Knowing we were heading to the zoo, I picked up these cute parrot hats at the Dollar Tree and tucked them away for our trip. The were cute, but as the day worn on, I got tired of seeing these obnoxious colored hats in every picture and started having them take their hats off for some pictures. LOL.
Several times throughout the week Rachel and I will check the webcams of the apes, the polar bears, the pandas, and the elephants. It was so much fun to get to see the animals in person, especially the pandas. We've been watching Zhen Zhen, the baby panda born last August since she was born, and it was so exciting to get to see her out on exhibit with her Mommy. She was sleeping up in the tree both times we visited the exhibit, but at least she was out.
Rachel and Hannah shared a drink at lunch, here Rachel is being a goofball using both the straws. 
The hippos were actually up and about this time. Last year they were hovering off to one end of their exhibit. Not this guy, he kept going round and round in circles. He was definitely fun to watch.
Did you know flamingoes aren't born pink?? They get their coloring from the crustaceans they eat. The zoo had quite a few baby flamingoes born this last Spring. Aren't they cute???
The San Diego Zoo has a skyway that takes you from one end of the zoo to the other. They used to have one at Disneyland, but it's been gone for years. Rachel kept pointing to the buckets high in the sky, saying she wanted to ride them. She was so happy when we took the skyway from the polar bears to the other side of the park. 
After what seemed like walking miles and miles at the zoo, we arrive to our car. Where Rachel, after sitting still for just a few minutes, fell asleep. The girl had walked ALL DAY and kept up like a real trooper.
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