California Adventures....

Where did the early risers come from?  Everyone was up and ready to play by 9:00 so we were off.  The first lesson we learned today is no need to rush the gate with hundreds of others.  If you wait a half hour everyone clears out and you can head where you want to go.  We split up Dave went for Fastpasses and we headed to Soarin over California.  Let the adventures begin....

Finally Grizzly Bear Rapids
No break downs today.

Only wet riders.

Jumpin Jelly Fish x10

Radiator Springs Racers minus Reganne

Bugsland
Being crazy and fighting as soon as the ride started Ryder went flying.
He survived and was as wild.

Monsters Inc.

Let's go to college!!!
Monster's University

What to do next??? Let's watch Aladdin and what a great production.  Sorry Tuacahn this beat you hands down.  Even Ryder sat through it without a problem.

Time for dinner and ice cream.

Spring Break Adventures....

What to do for Spring Break??? Rylee had two days off from the theater so with a little planning we headed towards Disneyland.  We had an extra person in tow this time our friend Dacoda.

First stop breakfast in Barstow Station.

Who is that creepy clown?

Eating in a railroad car @ McDonalds

First stop Pirates of the Caribbean.
The kids informed Dacoda this was a must.

The proof is in the picture.
See Mom I really am in Disneyland.

Autopia
Reganne trying to earn her drivers license.

Once again Rylee is driving slow.
Yet this time it was Dacoda driving and Rylee was only the passenger.

Camera thief with Mickey.
He is a hard character to find.

Toon Town
Such a struggle.

SHHHHHHHH
I am breaking out.

Riding the carousel

One last picture before it was time to leave for the night.

Time for a late dinner and get some sleep.  WHAT!!! Denney's closed sometime that day for renovation.  It was snacks & treats at the hotel.  Everyone was asleep before 10.  It could have been the start of Daylight Savings Time or exhaustion.  We will never know.

Third Grade Project

The favorite 3rd grade project arrived and time to make a 3D Diagram-ma. (sp) what would she pick to do?  She wanted to have a tiger in it since it is her favorite animal.  I got a call from her asking if Rylee could help her and they wanted to get started.  Rylee helped her print pictures off the computer and she ran with the rest.  

5:30 arrived and I was greeted with a done project... Almost she need to make it 3D.  A few more rocks, sand, and plastic animals & trees.  We had to beg and plead with Ryder for the tree and tiger.  She had to agree to return them afterwards.

My picture....Wrong placement.

Reganne's picture....Perfect

Thank goodness for pictures these will go down in history and the project is headed to school project heaven.  Unless she discovers it in the garage.

The Boys are Pooped!!!

After a busy day playing with friends it was time to wind down.  The night starts with showers and then a cuddle on the couch.  However, when I went to sit down for our nightly snuggle this was the sight that greeted me.

This also happens when you have to wait for the sisters.

No blankets only pillows allowed.
Harley, Dexter, and Ryder crashed on the couch.
Dexter sat up just as the flash went off.

Reganne came in and wanted to get into the picture.
Not much of an actress yet.

BEDTIME!!!!!  I didn't hear much complaining except from Harley that hates to sleep in his kennel.

A Dream Come True

This dog love balls and the bigger the better.  He also loves to play fetch with whatever he can.   His dream came true when Dave inflated my yoga ball.

The barking started....

How can I get it?

Reganne, Please help me!!!!

Maybe barking at it will get it to do what I want.
After a lot of barking that ball went in the other room.  Dexter would not give up.

Now that is entertainment and it is cheap.  One problem is I have to hide it from him or the barking starts up again.

Man & His Toys

All is winding down after a busy weekend.  Time to check the camera and download this weeks pictures.  Surprise!!!!!  Another guest photographer....Dave and what would he be taking pictures of???

His toys.....

The corvette is back from the paint shop.
All shiny and ready to drive. 

Another angle

And another....

New toy.....But I got a good deal!!!!!!
Ryder is in heaven and can't wait to take it out and ride it.

Dave is in heaven working on his various projects in the garage.  However, spring is coming and yard work will soon be shouting for attention.  Which will shout louder the toys or the outdoors???

Happy Valentine's Day

This year another holiday is sneaking up and my best laid plans were quickly sidetracked with kids activities.  The love preparations lasted right to the last minute possible.  Reganne decided she didn't want to wait for us to help her with her box.  She completed the whole thing after school and was grinning from ear to ear when I got home.  She made it just as she had planned.  Ryder refused the pink gift bag instead he demanded a smaller blue one.  There were minor squabbles over which valentines to use but eventually they worked it out.

We were ready for the big day....

Due to the late nights I forgot to set it out the surprises before bed.  Thank goodness the kids were moving slow this morning. 

SURPRISE!!!!!
A Heart Attach with chocolate and Disney Infinite Characters.

Discovery, Ryder was so excited breakfast was forgotten.

Valentine Center's Project.
Heart Glasses

The kids had a great day with lot's of treats, pink hearts, and gifts for their special valentine.  I asked Ryder if he would be my valentine.  He promptly replied NO!!! Dad is your Valentine.  I asked him again if he would be my little valentine.  Ok,  if you really want me to be.  He gave me a Heart Bouquet which I took to work for my desk and kisses & hugs to melt a mother's heart.

Town was packed to I missed most of my Valentine lunch with Dave.  We spent the evening watching Rylee's play with a quick dinner at McDonald's.  Not very romantic but no crowds.  We will try again after the crowds leave town.

The Ringlet Mystery

Rylee has discovered a new passion the theater.  She loves performing and being on stage.  In January a new theater company started in Washington City with open auditions for their first play.  Rylee begged and pleaded with us to let her tryout.  She worked really hard on her audition and surprised me when the director asked her to start.  There was a little hesitation she started and did really well.  The play changed to Little Woman and she got a call back.  While she didn't get a main part she was part of the ensemble cast and the work soon started.  

Practices started from 7:30 to 10:30 most nights.  Dave & I begged and pleaded with her to wait for the next production which would be more kid friendly.  Nope!!!! She committed to the play and wanted to stay.  My own words were coming back to haunt me.  We endured and she worked hard.  Her grades have stayed up so we are willing to see this through.

Next came the instructions for hair.  RINGLETS!!!!!!!  I started asking around for advice on the best way to accomplish  them.

First attempt....Sponge Rollers + Hairspray

Not so successful.
Before we could make it practice they had fallen out.  I made another attempt with the curling iron.
These too fell out before practice could start.

Day #5
SUCCESS!!!!!!
Spray hair first, hot curling iron, spray some more, release, and spray again.
When finished spray one last time with Aussie Freeze Spray.
Don't sit too close to her the fumes will kill you.  Please don't light a match it will most likely go up in flames.

Opening Night
There is a good crowd and all the hard work with the remodel looks great.

Official Meet & Greet
The cast all eagerly awaited the audience as they left the theater.
They were all smiles and eager to hear what we thought of their performance.
They did a good job for the first night.

There are only 6 more weeks or like Rylee says 30 performance before the end of the run.  She was really tired by Saturday night but the one thing remains in place and that is her smile.

Update on the ringlets for opening night they lasted until Sunday night when she finally showered them out.  I will become a pro by March 29th.

It's Not Broken Just Bent

Rylee was off to play practice, Reganne was playing with the dogs, and Ryder was outside playing with friends.  It was a peaceful Saturday afternoon.....Until the doorbell rang and a couple of girls from the ward were carrying Ryder.  He was crying that his arm hurt really, really, really bad.  We tried ice packs, wiggling his fingers, and just resting.  Nothing helped he still was crying and holding his arm.  Dave asked him if he wanted a shot?  NO!!! he screamed and went on crying.

Dave decided we had probably need to visit InstaCare.  So off we went.

Waiting for the Dr.

A forced smile, still waiting.

A splint and wrapped arm, a few Frozen stickers, and a promise to visit our Dr on Monday.
We were headed home.

The diagnosis...A bent bone.
It's not broken just bent a lot.  Isn't that a song by Pink?

The treatment was to splint it and wear the sling until we can visit Dr. Twiggs and most likely a cast in the near future.

Stay Tuned for updates.

Basketball Tournament

We go a surprise call from Rylee's basketball coach  that their team were invited to play in the Finals Tournament this Saturday.  The play of emotions across her face I wasn't sure if she would even want to go.  Play practice was delayed til afternoon so she was free to play.

She jumped right into game play.

Look at that dribble.
She was in the groove.

SCORE!!!

The lost this game to come in 3rd overall in this age group.  She still doesn't want to play next year but enjoyed playing today.

No time to rest she was off to play practice.

Super Bowl Party

Was there a game going on??  Dave & Blake were all for the game.  However, the rest of us it was all about the food and commercials.  I tried new recipes Cafe Rio Pork & Lime Rice but everyone basically went for the hot dogs and chips.  Everyone was full and we sat down to watch the game.

The kids started begging for chocolate or should I say Chocolate Fountain!!!!  This was my Christmas present from the kids.  I promised we would get it out and try it.  Ryder wouldn't let me forget.

It's Time!!!
Came the cry as I got the stuff out.

Amazement blazing in the big eyes!!!
Bananas, Oreo, Brownies which do I grab first?

YUMMY!!!

Everyone dug in and soon most of the goodies were drenched in chocolate and in our bellies.  Reganne decided to forgo the treats and tried sticking her mouth under the flow.  We quickly stopped her and everyone was done.

Now what do I do with the leftovers??? Any ideas??

Last Game Part 2

After a scheduling conflict Rylee's game was moved back to 7:00pm.  We had plenty of time to go home an relax before her game.  We got back early enough to watch Angel play her last game.  

Defense....

Basket!!!!

This was a tough game but they hung in there.  Rylee was so glad that this was the final game.  She could now focus on her play.  However, she played really good defense and scrambled for the ball whenever it was near.  I threatened to sign her up next year.  The response I got was a glare.  If looks could kill I would not be writing right now.

Last Game of the Season Part 1

We are already for this final game except for Reganne.  She was so ready to play this game and wanted it to start.  The whistle blew and the ball was in play.  The team we were playing was undefeated and had twice the skill level our girls did.  However, that didn't stop our girls from trying.

And trying.

YEAH a basket!!!!
I am not sure which made it but by judging their faces they were waiting for it to drop.

I am not going to touch it!!!  Was all I could guess running
through Reganne's head.

Go Reganne!!!
Her dribbling has improved greatly.

The game was over and the girls were sad that it came to an end.  However, there were still treats and congratulations from the crowd.  Reganne informed me that she is playing next year.  This is a game she loves.