Donut Holes to Gardenias

While I now have to officially declare that Utah is my home, California will always occupy such a large place in my heart and with that memories from sights, sounds, smells and even tastes from my childhood that I love to indulge in when I come "home" the two I have enjoyed on the trip down memory lane were donut holes from Yum Yum donuts- truthfully maybe not the best donut in the world, but as a kid my Mom (who really does not remember doing it) would pick them up for special occasions including snack for Brownies. Well, Yum Yum donuts is still there with their sprinkled treats (I fudged on my no sugar rule-hey I am on vacation)and the legacy lives on Sydney loved them too. My other love is the smell in air in the morning the mixture of dew and my Mom's gardenia's ahh. . .home

Here Comes the Sun

So after waiting a few days the sun finally arrived! and to celebrate and bask in its glory we headed to the LA Aroboretum with Johnny's cousin, Kristi, and her two daughters, Charley and Maddie. Growing up here I can honestly say there are many things I have never gone to or experienced, so when my AAA magazine advertised "Catawhompus" a house of twigs at the LA Arboretum I wanted to check it out. We had so much fun in the sun and I cannot wait to go back again.

Footnote: we leave for Florida in around 6 weeks, and I felt I was in pretty decent shape well. . .walking around yesterday I had a slight reality check- so Liberty Park here I come when I get home

The Piano Man

At my Mom's house, the piano is a hot item and this time even Cash got in on the action

Cousin Time

We have been spending the weekend with my sister, Andrea and her family including a birthday breakfast at Ruby's for her daughter, Kaitlyn's, birthday.

And We're Out there having fun in the Warm?California Sun

So-in my mind I was escaping the final bits of Utah winter for some warmth and sunshine, after the haze burned off it was sunny, but not as warm as I was hoping, but it did not stop the kids from playing in the backyard

Let the Fun Begin

Within moments at being at my Mom's, Cash was already catching the California spirit (compliments of Uncle Jeff)

California or Bust

On Friday the kids and I embarked on our trip down to California to see my Mom, sister and family in general, since this was my first trip with two kids by myself I was a little nervous-so with some major prayers in my heart Johnny dropped us off at the airport. . .So picture it (no free hand to capture it) I have on Syd's lavender backpack (too heavy for her), my messenger bag style diaper bag over my shoulder, Cash inside his Bjorn on my chest so that my two hands would be free-one to pull our huge duffel bag and the other to push the stroller which was holding Sydney's toddler seat! with all of this and trying to keep Sydney with me I still had some people not move out of my way and make me move around them! People are classic! So when I went to check in the bag it was of course too heavy and my entourage was joined by our two pillows then placed in the stroller! Security was surprising ok- it was the part I was most concerned about- but as I approached the man announced "family with a stroller" which was code for you get to bypass the regular line and go straight through! So with 4 bins filled with our lap top, shoes, Cash's bottle (which required an additional scan)our stroller and car seat we made it through! Yeah! Overall the plane ride was uneventful and we arrived safe and sound in Long Beach.

Anywhere and Everywhere

On the 6th of March Cash turned 9 months old! I cannot believe how time flies- with two teeth and two legs constantly crawling or walking along furniture he is always on the move- maybe that is why he is only in the 15th% for his weight!

Momma Mia here we go again

Once again the germs of daycare strike and both kids have gross nasty coughs, so we have been laying low at home and watching Sydney's newest favorite movie, "Momma Mia", anyway Sydney loves to dance around and sing the songs, well the songs weren't the only thing that Sydney picked up-she picked up some dialogue as well in the form of a very dramtic "Oh my G --" so when I corrected Sydney and told her that we do not say that, that it hurts Heavenly Father's feelings I prompted her and said instead of saying that we could say. . .(thinking she would say oh my goodness or ofh my gosh) she paused, tilted her head and replied "Oh my dude?" so Mamma Mia here we go again, hopefully this week goes smoother.

Shocker

So. . .I admit there are times as a mother or even a wife that my patience is somewhat lacking-now combine that with lack of sleep (Cash has not been sleeping well), that "time" of the month, no sugar (so far almost 10 pounds lost!) and Sydney being a 3 year old and you have my Wednesday aka a recipe for disaster. So it was one of those days where all I seemed to be doing was redirecting Sydney for one poor choice (Syd don't touch your brother, don't climb on the furniture. . .) anyway so by dinner time (Johnny had to work late) I was done and while my patience was running on empty my sarcasm was on full board. So, when Sydney spilled her peaches all over herself my less than sweet reply was "Shocker-you spilled your peaches, shocker your not sitting up at the table, shocker your not using your spoon" (I know not a nice mom-I later apologized to Sydney and ate a cookie :) Syndey turned around and with equal annoyance in her voice said, "Shocker your a mean Mom!" I didn't know whether to laugh or cry or eat another cookie!

Snoring

Well, I love my daughter- and sometimes she can be such a little lady and other times. . .well not so much so, last night we were all hanging out right before putting the kids to bed and Sydney "tooted"- sort of like a machine gun well (truth be told I thought it was Johnny and I sent him a dirty look) she giggled and said her bum had already fallen asleep and was snoring! Classic Syd.

BOLT

Back in High School-I was introduced to the "Dollar Movie" by Rebecca Greer and we would pile in her Dad's teal car and head to the Seal Beach theater to catch a cheap movie. Well, that theater is long gone, but in Utah the dollar theater still lives on. In the past Johnny and I would dip through our spare change jar to get enough quarters to head to the movies, but with kids our movie going days diminished. Well, on Saturday we decided to give it try since Cash did great on Christmas day when we saw Bedtime Stories we ALL headed to the dollar theater to see Bolt. Armed with our contraband of candy from the store, we headed in to the less than nice theater, but Cash was enthralled, he did not require stadium seating or a reclining seat with movable arm rest-no he was loving life sitting tall on Dad's lap. His enthusiasm nicely carried him through the first half of the movie, then he slept on Johnny the remainder. Sydney loved it and loved laughing out loud with the other kids-and truthfully Johnny and I really enjoyed it. So overall a fun filled family activity for $3.75!