Avery's Disney Day

So, at the beginning of our passes I said I'd take each kid on a date with just me to Disneyland (Justin opted out. By the time it was his turn he had had enough) and/or a friend.  For Avery's turn we chose her birthday month.  So, the last week of February her good friends and our neighbors, Carly and Ella and their mom, Melissa went with us. The below picture is in line for Screamin'. Avery didn't want to go on, but she waited in line with us.  Good sport!

 And because we are always cheap and bring our own lunch, here we are eating our packed lunches. 

 The girls all went on Grizzly River Rapids a few times without us.

 Space Mountain - another ride Avery waited in line with us, but didn't want to go on.

 For dinner the girls all got their own turkey legs.  Yum!

 Out of order, but Melissa sent this picture of us on the swings.  There is Avery with her arms stretched out to the right.  :)

 It was a super fun day!

Arizona, Gilbert temple/Aki's fall

Over Valentine's Weekend (Avery's birthday weekend) we decided to head to Arizona to go through the open house of the Gilbert, AZ temple because it was a 4 day weekend.  We got hotel reservations for Friday night and then planned on staying with our friends, Lori and Kyle on Saturday night.  It would be a quick trip, then returning on Sunday morning, after stopping for brunch with Matthew and Steven.  We left Friday morning and headed over.  Checked into our hotel (the hotel was....eek!  Less than ideal), then headed over to Bass Pro Shops to kill some time.

Did the shooting range there, which is always fun.

Then headed over to the Mesa Temple.  Was a beautiful evening.

Went in the visitor's center and looked around and then decided to watch a 15 minute movie.  It was so long ago now (I really should blog quicker), that I can't remember the name.

Our ghetto hotel room.  Doesn't look too bad in the picture.  Whatever.  It suited it's purpose.

Saturday morning, while we were getting ready for the temple, I got a call from our next door neighbor, who we had watching Haley and checking in on Kirk's mom.  When she came over at 9:00 am, she found Ann on the floor in the family room, not able to get up! She had been there all night.  Andrea said she had come at 7:00 the previous evening and Ann was fine, so sometime between that time and 9:00 the next morning, she got up and went to the kitchen for a snack and fell.  :(  She ended up calling 911 and we called Mark and we decided to end our trip right then.  Luckily, our reservations for the temple were right then, so we made a quick stop and saw the temple before heading home.  It was/is absolutely breath taking inside! So grateful we got to do it before heading home, but very sad we didn't get to see Steven and Matthew or see our friends.

It turned out she broke her hip and to this day (June 9) she is in an assisted living place, although we are hopeful she will come back soon to live with us because it sounds like she is just miserable in the place she is at.  Who wouldn't be? Living with strangers, without your own tv and comforts.  Poor thing.  It will very difficult if she comes back to live with us, but that's what you do for family, especially your parent.  It's the right thing to do. We will see.

These are pictures of her early physical therapy in the hospital. She's come a long way since this. :)

Visit with old co-workers

Kirk and I worked with these ladies for years and year (and in my case...years!). In mid February I drove over to San Clemente, stopped in to see the new office they've moved to, visited with some old co-workers and then Sally, Kathy and I went to lunch.  It was sooooo much fun seeing them again and catching up.  We have some really fun memories together!

Avery's turning 11!

We were going to be gone the weekend of Avery's actual birthday, so we celebrated the week before. It was just a few of us, but we are a small bunch. Devin and Justin gave her some presents too.  So sweet of them!

 Grandpa and Grandma Winn (and Teddy) added to her money stash. She saved for a motorized scooter.

 Avery with Grandma Sumida

 Money from Uncle Dave and Aunt Sandi. (and Uncle Mark and Aunt Sylvia later sent money.  Lucky girl!)

 She's not a big fan of cake, so she chose to have me make her a sherbet ice cream cake.  Yep!  Homemade is preferred by her.  

 Me and my girl.

 Later in the week I brought Fudgicles to her class to help her celebrate.

And here she is after her money was all saved up.  Happy as can be.  :)

February Disneyland

At the beginning of February we skipped school and went to Disneyland.  It was great weather and a good time!  It was also Devin's first time on Matterhorn and he loved it!

Justin and me on Screamin'

On the swings...

 Kirk and I on Screamin'

Awards

First semester awards were given out in January and both Devin and Avery were chosen. (not all kids get awards anymore).  Devin's was for 'Spectacular Citizenship' (our little rule follower....at school, anyway...:)   ) and Avery got Principal's Honor Roll - all A's!  Smart girl!  So proud of our munkins!

Devin with Mrs. Hayes

Avery with Mrs. Dietterle

 Both grandma's came to support them.  Lucky kids!

Bobcat

At the end of January Devin earned his Bobcat!