Welcome Home

So ... once a week, we experience snow day. I really don't think it's all that bad. I'm happy to hang with the snow IF the overall temperature remains mild. (not lower than -5 C). Well, I know there are *some* people who attempt to escape winter and return for spring. Here it is! Happy Spring!

This is a picture of my neighbor. I did not receive permission to share this picture.

The forcast is for us to receive 19 cm of snow by the end of Sunday (April 17th).

Welcome home! Mom and Dad! Happy Spring.

16 Days, 6034 kms, 7 Attractions With 5.75 Kids

As we left the Anaheim area I thought it would be great to get a picture of the beautiful street lined with grand Palm Trees. Ryan served his Mission in Los Angeles. So, we decided our next journey should be touring his old stomping grounds.

Surprisingly, he knew exactly where we would find the Ferrari dealership. Even after all these years.

Finally, The Los Angeles Temple. His mission home is located directly behind the temple. He was excited to tour the boys through the office and over to the room where he stayed (the southwest corner of the complex).

Unfortunately, we were quickly informed that we missed the complex by about a month. It has recently been torn down in order to prepare for the construction of a new one.

The complex had an inner courtyard which is memorable to Ryan. He would always walk through the court yard at the end of a long day and enjoy the gardens and palms trees. At least the palm trees are still there to show.

After visiting the Santa Monica area we departed for home. I cannot believe the consistent quantity of vehicles on the freeways. Often 7 lanes, always occupied. This is also a picture of the multi-level freeway exits and entrances. We saw better BUT I didn't think to take a picture until we were leaving.

Difficult to see, but this is a beautiful pass as we climb up from sea level.

Pretty travels through Southern Utah

I love the red rock.

When we ate at fast food restaurants we always ordered individual items (rather than kids meals). We would share the fries and the drink of the two adult meals and let the kids pick from the typical options of cheese burger, nuggets, chicken wraps etc. I felt we were doing pretty good with our dinner cost at $22 for a family of 7. But closer to the end of the trip the boys recognized the offer of receiving a toy. We told them they could have their own meal en route home. And so, they ordered their preferred meal, we exchanged their drink for a milk shake AND they got their toys. The cost: $32. I was thinking the difference would be much more than that.

Here's a picture of the milkshakes. They were massive for accompanying the kids meals. I'm glad we didn't order any for ourselves because we had the opportunity to drink half a cup from 4 of the cups.

This is Mr. Negotiator.

Negotiation #1: We had one full day in Las Vegas en route to California. That day was packed with many must see and must do items. Will really wanted to buy a watch (like his older brother has). We suggested we could fit a quick shopping trip in during afternoon naps OR in the evening after the younger ones are put to bed. Afternoon nap time turned into afternoon swim time and we returned from our evening water show at the Bellagio late enough that everyone had to go straight to bed. Once realizing how late it was Ryan began explaining that we would not be able to get out shopping. Will was very frustrated. He said he would go without sleep to get it, he didn't need to sleep. Ryan told him to just settle into bed and we would stop in the morning on the way out of town. Will was not very accepting.....so Ryan said he would pay for half the watch if Will would just postpone the shopping until the morning. Will responded with, "We can go in the morning but you need to pay for the whole cost of the watch."

And we did.

Negotiation #2: Colby and Quinten faught Darth Vader in the Jedi training at Disneyland. Will REALLY wanted to train as well. At the beginning of the show Luke picks from the audience. We dressed will in bright clothing in hopes of him getting recognized. The kids are encouraged to jump and wave and show excitement to participate. Will is more of the reserved type. He tried his best, he had kids push in front of him and completely block him from the view of Luke making his selections. We told Quinten and Colby they were permitted to try again....why not right? Quinten is on the timid side BUT Colby is assertive. When a space came open on the front line he slipped right up - and - was selected. Will was disappointed. Ryan walked up to Colby in position for training and asked if he would mind trading with Will. Of course, a 5 year old boy excited for his own opportunity could not see through to the disappointment of his brother.

Ryan pushed and pushed ... almost demanding .... but Colby would not budge and he started to tear up. Now I felt bad for both boys. Ryan took Will away from the show to ride one of his favorite rides in an attempt to reduce the suffering. Colby fulfilled the training (rarely looking over at me for approval ... I think he was feeling guilty for being up there - poor thing) and the first thing he said to me when his traning was complete is: "Mom, Will didn't want to go up, he wasn't even trying." I was sad the Jedi training had provided such a complex for everyone involved.

Onto the negotiation. While away riding The Matterhorn Bobsled ride Will suggested they try again at another Jedi training show. Ryan, understanding that we were now becoming limited on time, replied with the fact that this was not possible. Will somehow displayed enough disappointment that his Dad felt it necessary to promise him a Lollipop. Not just any lollipop BUT a large one! (Picture displayed above).

These are not necessarily recommended Parenting strategies BUT the story lends itself to the need for memorabilia.

We stopped in Lehi Utah to visit GREAT Aunt Wendy and Uncle Mark. They had heard about digging for fossils being the boys favorite activity to do in Legoland and so they pulled some strings to get us all admission into the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point.

Ryan's cousin Bradley and the boys worked together to build this fossil puzzle.

The kids also had a lesson on erosion. Which was basically an oversized Sand and Water table.

The Dinosaur Museum was very interactive and entertaining.

We are hoping this exhibit is NOT interactive.

Thank you to Wendy for pulling some strings to make a memorable evening for us. Thank you to Mark for treating us to the best burger dinner we had while we were away. It's not something we would have selected without your recommendation. JCW's burgers are delicious. Finally, thank you to Amber and Bradley for having the enthusiasm to join our crew in an evening of fun.

All Boxed In

Now selling in toy stores everywhere. All boxed up for a great price with free shipping. Went to Disneyland ... got the souvenir.

In the bag, a Princess can be found (of course).

R2D2 can be found under the shining spinning top.

A funny storey with these souvenirs is that they don't stop making loud, slightly obnoxious R2D2 sounds. En route home Ryan asked the boys to put their toys away (and threatened to throw them out the window) as it was distracting while driving in the dark. (Honestly, while driving we kept thinking a Police officer was in our rear view mirror).

Well, as is commonly the case lately; Colby did not hear the request. Ryan called to pass the toy up. He opened the window and gave a toss, accidentally pressed the button, and we heard R2D2 seemingly scream "Waaaaaa"

When I repeated my comical thoughts on R2D2 actually screaming as he exited the vehicle ... the car errupted in laughter. - Except for Colby who was totally distraught. We let him suffer for about a minute before the news was given that R2D2 was sitting in the front of the car. Ryan had only faked the toss.

Here's a picture of where we stayed.

A super spacious place. But ... still ... not as good as Vegas. King bed at the entrance.

Little office, fridge and TV space.

Back room with TV for the kids.

Bunk beds and a fold out sofa. We rotated each boy through so they each had a turn in each space.

This little lady deserved an award for the hours of waiting she endured.

Off the boys go again. They jumped on a river raft with teenagers. These teenagers did NOT want to get wet as they all sported the latest in cell phone technology.

It turns out after making the big drop, the teenagers received the majority of the splash. That kind of irony set Will for a major case of gut laughing.

I am in awe of the amazing creativity in creating such a rustic/natural looking scene. As she waits for the boys to take their river rafting trip she waves .... and likely secretly hopes they will GET what the ride has in store for them.

But all that waiting does pay off. Wednesday morning I made sure that Sadie spent some quality time with a Princess.

A few times in the park strangers would ask her how old she was. To which her response: "I'm a Princess"

Sadie greeting Belle

And visiting with Tiana

Both Princesses commented on how Sadie resembled their good friend Ariel.

And wouldn't you know it: Guess who was around the next corner? Sadie's Princess twin perhaps.

We then went on to attend storytelling with Snow White.

Finally, our evening performance brought a positive reaction from Sadie when she saw her princess friends dancing in the performance.

FANTASMIC. A show where we experience Mickey's Imagination.

At one point, a dragon appears towering over the trees and hills in the background. Mickey defeats the dragon after a few minutes of gripping music and sounds.

Sadie turned to me and said, "Mickey killed the dragon. He IS AWESOME!"

World of Colors was a beautiful evening presentation. But Fantasmic was Magical, Memorable and a great Finale to our Disneyland visit.