Z Beach

Since three of our children have never really seen or been to a beach, we thought we better make it a priority on this trip. Now you think when you go to the bay area, you can just drive west and end up at a beach, not true. Because we have become wise over the years we decided to ask a local where to go and 1/2 hour from our hotel was Newport Beach, right at the end of Newport street, weird. We arrived at about 4:00pm and it was already starting to get cold, so with coats and bare feet we slowly inched our way in. By the end some went all out. Olivia loved running from the waves and Kristen was  ready to body surf.

 

It's funny how your forget that you are all wet and your feet are covered with sand. We were originally going to do this part on our drive out of California. It was so nice to drive to our hotel and take showers. Bye, bye beach, we'll have to be content with the sand dunes.

Makeover

Two years ago right before leaving for Disneyland, the kids were just sitting around waiting for Jeff to come home, so we could leave. Kristen was bored and rubbed her head on the carpet. Don't ask why, she doesn't really remember, just a random kid thing. Next thing I notice a big red mark on her forehead and a big scab by the next day. So in every picture, which we took a lot, she had this cute little reminder of the carpet incident. Since she needed a haircut anyway we decided that for the next trip to Disneyland and hundreds of pictures, she was going to get a new haircut and look great. She did have her traditional injury, but luckily it was a scab on her back and ear.

 This year on our way to Disneyland, Jeff and Kristen collided racing around a building. Jeff tried to protect Kristen, so she came out with minor injuries, but Jeff hit the pavement without catching himself and scraped his face pretty bad. It was so red that I thought he had a bloody nose from far away. He bruised his chest and tore a tendon. we think on his finger. His teeth hit his upper lip, so it was pretty much hamburger. The finger didn't hurt, but wouldn't work and was permantly bent at the tip. He's going to the orthopedic surgeon to find out what to do. He was still the most fun person at Disneyland.

Birthdays!

One of the reasons we as a family love the Fall season is because it is literally one party after another. October 15th is Natalie's birthday. October 21st is mine, then Halloween. Then Kyle's is Nov. 5. . 

The Candy Land cake has become a favorite and is really easy to assemble. I remember the day when I used to spend hours on the cake. Now I just hope the kids don't notice that I'm not offering the same kind of decorating. Then if someone asks it's only once in a while.

  Kyle had a family party this year. We ordered pizza at his request and he still has a little on his face. He's not really worried about impressing girls yet, so we just left it on. He usually has a koolaid mustache to boot. How do they get those? I mean you really have to drink it fast or hard or whatever to get such a big mustache.

 I was running a little late on Kyle's birthday, so when I asked hem what color he wanted he kept changing and said rainbow, then settled on green. I decided to go rainbowish. Like I said I'm into speed these days.

Kyle's ordination

Kyle was ordained a Deacon yesterday. It was so fun to watch him go up and shake the Bishop's hand to let everyone know. He looked sharp with his suit on and I can't wait for him to pass the sacrament. He is such a good boy and I'm so proud of him and his desire to do what is right. I am privileged to have him as my son.

Trick or Treating according to Olivia

Here are the trick or treaters. It's actually weird to only have four this year. Annalisa went to a Halloween party at her friend Lindsey's and Kate was at State still. 

This is actually Olivia trick or treating at the Library with this cute costume thanks to my sweet neighbor Amberly.

After about one culdesac, ours, Kyle was ready for a new, less cumbersome costume that had more speed and agility.

At the very beginnning of Trick or treating Olivia picked up a saying from our neighbor Kami and said it to everyone she met for the next few days. After they would give her candy she would say loudly, "Happy Halloween!!" It was really cute and even if she forgot to say, "Trick or Treat or thank you," She'd always remember , "Happy Halloween!" She actually held out for a long time for a three year old. Kid's sure know how to bring back the magic in life.