Happy Birthday, Gammie!

We got to stop by and see Grandma LL and Grandpa Rey on our way home for Christmas vacation. And it just happened to be right before my mom's birthday. I love explaining to my kids who everyone is. Gammie is my mommy and Grandma Laura Lee is Gammie's mommy! They are always so shocked at first and then they repeat these geneological facts to me later to confirm that they have understood. "Gammie is your mommy?" "Yes, and Beal is my sister!"

We got Gammie a surprise for her birthday this year. We just gave her the address and the phone number and let her know that even if she picked out the most expensive thing in the store, it was still in our birthday budget. So Gammie texted me to let me know that she googled the address of the place and she was a little bit nervous because it came up as a tattoo parlor and were we really thinking of going that direction for her birthday??? HA! Love it. However, we did NOT get my mother a tattoo for her birthday.

You've got something in your teeth

My kids love to eat raw broccoli. How can I complain about this? Well, because it makes their breath stink, that's how. I'm totally happy they eat something so awesome. But please do not breathe in your mother's face while you are eating it, after you have eaten it or when you are ever thinking about eating it. Thank you! Oh, and that is how the mirror always looks except for the first 15 minutes of Saturday cleaning when Johnny and Evelyn have polished it right before they put their hands on it again.

Seaport Village, San Diego, CA

We enjoyed walking around Seaport Village. My kids go coo-coo for carousels. And hula-hoops decorated with lovely stickers. And cows. And pirates. And dancing metallic spray painted mimes. Especially when their dad breaks it down right along with the street performer. Forget the book tour. I think we really could make it on the streets with our dad, the dancer.

Pie Ohne Ears

We told Johnny we were going to a place to learn about pioneers. And he grabbed his ears and said, "Pie Ohne Ears?" Yes, darlin'.

What a cool visitor center! Kids got to watch great depictions of the history of the 500 members of the battalion and dress up as soldiers and pan for gold. It was inspiring - Heavenly Father provided a way to provide for the pioneers, even though the way looked incredibly risky by sending off lots of their men to go fight. Yet, Brigham Young promised the soldiers if they would remain true to their religion, they would not have to fight. And they didn't! Miraculous. Great stop and glad we went.

TKO

Evelyn head butted me in the middle of the night. She had no idea what she was doing and she said, "Sorry, sorry, sorry. Issokay, issokay." She is adorable. Lethal, but adorable.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa Dee!

Thanks to the Davis' for hosting all of us for Grandpa's birthday party. Evelyn loved the cupcakes. Johnny boy loved the pie. And we all got to enjoy being together. Grandpa has 3 boys. I grew up always thinking I would have all boys and always thinking that they would all be blonde. I'm good on the blondies and pretty even on the boys and the girls. It's funny how you picture what you think your family will be and then you actually grow up and have them and you have nothing to say about what they look like or their sweet personalities. Grandpa Dee is a good man. He will sing to you with all he's got on your birthday. He plays peanuckle once a week with his cronies. He is quick to laugh and share a joke. I remember going to his house as a little girl and having cousin gatherings. I remember being shocked when I went to his backyard and his pool was no longer there. I remember his neighbor boy that chased me with dog poo on a shovel because he knew I would run. I remember white trees in his front yard and the skin peeled off in a lovely way. I remember his car that talked to you and said, "Your door is ajar. Your door is ajar." And I thought they meant the door was a jar...

Happy Birthday, Grandpa! Thanks for a fun party.

Happy Birthday, Nana!

We got to be home for the celebration of Nana's birthday. Johnny actually helped Katie to make the cake. He was asleep when we actually cut into the cake but he didn't even notice the big gaping hole when we put candles on it again and had some for breakfast. Happy Birthday, Nana! We love you!

California Science Center

This place was a fun way to spend two days while our dad was at Tony Robbins Conference in Los Angeles. Entrance was free. The exhibits were awesome. But the secret score was the little playstations specifically for little kids. They went crazy. And I found Johnny's Christmas present - a bird building set. I can't wait for him to open it up!

Happy Birthday Johnny!

We celebrated Johnny's birthday early while we were still visiting Utah. Van suggested Thanksgiving Point Farm so we could see all the animals, get faces painted, ride horses and eat birthday cake with candles that Johnny is STILL talking about. Thanks, Nana & Papa!

Love this girl