Another trip to SEA WORLD

About a month ago we got a notice in the mail that Sea World is having their annual start to summer night for card holders only with fireworks and all. I don't think I've ever been there at night, so we decided to do it as a surprise. I went to get Justin out a school early. Boy was he surprised! Kirk had an estimate on the way there, so by the time we got going, stopped for that and the traffic, we made it there around 6:00. Perfect. Come to find out we didn't even have to pay for parking. Even more perfect! With the cost of gas ($4.19/gal today - yikes!) every bit helps! They just opened the Bay of Play area and Avery's been begging to go check that out. This is a picture of Devin watching the tea cup type ride that they were in line for. He wanted to go on so bad, but he's too small. So, he and I went over to the Sea Lion and Otter show to save some spots until Kirk and the kids were done with their rides. That was an entertaining show before it even got started! I remember going as a kid and there was a mime that would go around mimicking unsuspecting guests. This show had the same type of thing. So funny!After that, we got some dessert and walked over to the penguin and polar bear area for a bit.Then it was off to the main event of the night - Shamu Rocks followed by the fireworks display. Here we are at about 9:15 waiting for it to start. Boy we are excited!

And here is only 20 minutes later. Poor little Avery just couldn't take any more. The Shamu show had started, but she couldn't keep her eyes open for it. Devin conked out on me only about 5 minutes later. At least Avery woke up enough to watch the fireworks, but Devin just wouldn't have anything to do with it. He was just too beat.

We had a very nice time together. I love times like these that bring us closer as a family. I always feel rejuvinated even if there were times that were hectic or maddening. We made memories and spent time together and that's what really counts.

My cute Beehives

Let me introduce you to the cute Beehives that I teach every Sunday (minus a few). On Wednesday we had a spa night activity with just our class. It was a lot of fun. The girls got really into it. We did manicures and face masks. The face masks were quite the hit. Here we all are with our shiney faces before peeling them off. Aren't we attractive? Well, I know it's hard to see since it's clear, but it was very shiny.
And this was our reward - peeling it off. I'd forgotten how much fun it is to peel that stuff off...
The first picture is of me peeling off Cassidy Scott's mask. The second is evidently our alien councilor, Missi Waldron. Kind of scary! Anyway, it was a fun and silly night. Those girls are darling!

Wild and crazy weather

Okay, I know that only in Southern California would this be big news...news enough to deserve it's own entry into a blog, but our weather today was quite remarkable. Monday was so hot we could barely breath and today, only 3 days later, we had quite the storm! We are back in jeans and jackets and enjoying the winter like conditions of the day. When I was picking Avery up from preschool the sky was pretty dark and it was thundering in the distance and starting to sprinkle. By the time we got home it was pouring and thundering and even hailing. Avery had 2 friends over and they were all going ape over the 'ice falling from the sky'. It was a fun hour and a half. I'm sure Justin will have some stories for us when he gets home from school. His class is in a portable. That had to be loud! If you look closely at the pictures you can see the hail actually falling. It came down really good!

Father's and Son's Campout

This weekend was our ward's Father/Son's campout. Kirk borrowed a tent and supplies from our friends that just had a baby on Wednesday, so they couldn't make it this year. Is the tent huge enough for just the 2 of them? He says that everyone referred to it as the spacious building. Ha! They left home at about 4:00 and stopped to get some dinner (no cooking over a camp fire for the Sumida guys!) and pick up some treats. After putting camp together Justin met up with his friends and played some baseball and I heard they had a great time.

After dark they had smores at one of the camps. I can see in Justin's eyes how much he's enjoying himself.

Then it was time for bed in their hotel size tent. Kirk said they laid there and ate chips and visited before finally going to sleep at 11:30.

They woke up at a very early 5:00 or so in the morning (ugh!) and waited for a bit until others were out and about and then the kids were able to go play at the play around for a bit. Only men would let kids go play at 6:00 in the morning hoping they don't wake up other campers! Glad it wasn't me. I'd feel too quilty.

Look at my guys. Aren't they handsome? This was taken before leaving camp this morning. It was a short trip, but they had a very good time. It was Justin's first time camping and I do believe he loves it!

Avery's lesson and Devin's session

Avery started swimming lessons this week. She's 5 now and it's time that she learns to swim without floaty's if I'm ever going to be able to take them all to our pool this summer. I just don't feel comfortable having 2 non-swimmers. She's in level 1 right now and is doing great and having a ball. We signed her up for level 2 in mid June when school is out so that she can get it down pat at the beginning of summer. Justin is also signed up in a refresher course in Level 3 after school is out. He swims, but it's always good to be reminded of the correct strokes and all that. :-)

I also wanted to put these pictures of Devin in here. This morning I was up watching his session and I always get such warm fuzzies when the therapist tells him "let's have quiet hands" before she begins the next task and this is his response. I don't know too many 2 years olds that have such compliance. It's just so darling to watch and he looks so grown up to me today! Gosh, I love this little boy of ours!

Happy Mother's Day

Well, this was a nice weekend. Kirk and I decided to make it a weekend at my parents in Huntington Beach instead of just a day. So, Saturday straight after lunch we headed over. The kids were so excited to spend the weekend at Grandma and Grandpa Winn's. We haven't done it in a very long time. When we got there they went straight out to the sun room and it quickly became a toy store with toys scattered all over. We visited and had a very nice time. Kirk had a gift certificate to PF Chang's that his brother had given him for his birthday, so we took advantage of my parents and left the kids and had a nice date night. A yummy one too! We got done with dinner a little early and headed over to Target to buy Avery some much needed new shirts that fit. That night after everyone was in bed my mom and I stayed up and visited. I love those times when it's quiet and it's just the two of us. I will remember them for years to come. Sunday we went to their ward. It's not only the ward I grew up in, but also the one Kirk and I attended when we were first married. So many great people. I always feel so at home and such love when we go back to visit. We miss it a lot. They gave us lei's and Dove candy bars for Mother's Day. After Sacrament we headed back to my parents and the guys barbecued steaks for lunch. They were so good! We visited all afternoon and then left about 4:30. It was a great Mother's Day! Thanks for having us, Mom. And thanks for being MY mom! I love you!

My girls

Sunday was Allyson's birthday (in red), so it was out to dinner for us on Saturday night. I didn't take any pictures of that night and I never do, but I do have this picture taken 4 years ago of the four of us. I've known these girls for about 10 years now...maybe 11. Time does fly. I am so lucky to have them as some of my closest friends! We usually have dinner and stay for dessert losing track of time and staying for about 5 hours or more. Then when we figure out the place is closing we move to one of our cars in the parking lot to talk some more. Oh how I love these girls. Unfortunately Charity (far right) moved to CO last year, so we don't get together with her quite as often, but we make it a priority if she's in town and we still chat. These girls know my life. It's such a wonderful thing to have women to confide in, get advice from and just be silly with! Even though Colleen won't see this post (she's pretty anti-internet) and Allyson won't post a comment because she's too concerned with people reading what she wrote and Charity is so busy she can't even update her own blog let alone check mine I just wanted to write about them and tell them each I love them dearly!