I went to the park today with my sister Natalie and her two little girls, Kara and Katie. It was such a nice day today. I love it when the weather is like this. I could have stayed there all day. Evan let us know when it was time to leave though. He is good at that. It was nice to see her and her cute little ones since she lives in Michigan. She is really the only one of my siblings who have even tryed to bridge the gap that was made 5 years ago. I appreciate that so much. She might not understand or agree with me, but I am her sister, and that is what is most important.


Lauren and Katie

Evan is so stinkin' cute. I can't believe how big he is getting. He is turning into this little man. He is no longer my baby boy.

And Lauren, to me, just keeps getting more mature and grown up. She is such a good big sister and such a little crack-up! She is always surprising me by the things that come out of her mouth.




Maybe it is because Natalie lives in an other state, but it is still so crazy to me to see my little sister in the role of mother (which she does very well. She is a cute mommy). I just keep thinking of the days in the basement room, sitting on our beds and talking until 2. I guess that that is the real kicker about time. You can't go back, only in your memory. You can't erase mistakes or take back words. All you can do is move forward and learn from things or be doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over again. I feel grateful that my sister and I have chosen to move forward instead of looking back. I love you Nat.

Mimi and Pop Pop's, Toys R Us, and In N' Out

Our last day in California, Mimi wanted to take the kids to Toys R Us and spoil them a bit.


Lauren got a toy mixer, microwave, plastic food and a tea set which she has been playing with non stop since we have been home. And Evan got some Buzz Lightyear toys. Which is actually perfect for him since he has been obsessed with Buzz for a while now. He calls him Buzz 'ight-ear.

I love this kid! He is so stinkin' cute! After shopping, we went to a true California gem. In N' Out. Before I met Chad, I would hang out at my friend Greg's house after church. Sometimes with other people, but most of the time, just us. We would wait until 12:01 and then get in the car and drive to In N' Out for a Double Double and fries. We did wait until it was technically Monday. I love that place! It is so yummy!! I always think that maybe it isn't as good as I remember, that it is just all the good memories that make me think the food is so good. But then I take a bite of that yummy cheeseburger and I remember that yes, it is that good.


That night, Chad's dad went to a piano bar and Chad went to Fry's (which is an electronics super store) while I stayed home with Mimi and the kids to get some packing done. Which might sound boring, but it was nice and relaxing after going all week long.



We left the next day to drive back to Utah. Hopefully we will be out again soon this year. Chad's cousin is getting married in October, which I think is a great reason to make the trip out there again.

And here is one last video clip of out trip, just because Lauren is so dang cute. This is the last tunnel through Malibu Canyon on the way to the beach.

Knott's Berry Farm

On Thursday, we were able to take the kids to Knott's Berry Farm (thanks to Pop Pop). It was a lot of fun for the kids to spend all day with Mimi and Pop Pop. We started the day out just like we do everyday when we go to California, we went to Millie's for breakfast.


After breakfast, we all piled into Pop Pop's van and made the trip down to Buena Park. And what did we do once we got there? Well, we ate dinner of course!

They have this yummy Chicken Dinner restaurant right by the park that has been doing business since like 1939. And the chicken dinners there are so delicious! Every time we get a chance to go to Knott's, we make sure we also go there.

There is a little pond in the restaurant that Lauren and Evan love to look at and throw coins into.



I love that a simple pond could bring so much joy to my kids. I will be sad the day that they think something like that is just there-and not magical anymore. One funny thing that they really thought was magical was a phone booth! We were waiting until 4:00 to go into the park itself because then all the adult admission prices were cut in half by then. Outside of the park was a phone booth. Lauren and Evan were fascinated by it. Lauren thought it was so curious that they would have a big phone like that outside and how come people just don't use there cell phone. Ha ha, she is so funny. Something that was so ubiquitous for us growing up has turned out to be a fascinating relic to our kids.


We finally made it into the park and the kids we off and running.







While we were there, Chad gave Evan a mini snickers still in the wrapping for him to hold, not thinking that he would be able to get into it. Before Evan even walked a couple of feet, he had that wrapper opened and the snickers already in his stomache. If you remember, Evan is allergic to peanuts. He ended up throwing up all over himself. Poor kid! He looked at me and said "Ought Ohh Mommy. I better now though." He is so funny! We had to buy him a new t-shirt.






We then had dinner in a little 50s diner in Knott's.


This video cracks me up. It's of Mimi "sharing" her shake with Lauren and Evan.

After playing so hard all day, it took no time at all for them to fall asleep. (Isn't she so stinkin' cute!)

Thanks Mimi and Pop Pop for the great day!

Fun At Mimi and Pop Pop's Shop

Chad's Dad ownes his own business and Chad did some work for him while we were out here. Lauren and Evan always find something fun to do while they are there. It is amazing the things that kids can make into toys. For example, shredded paper:


Old C.D holders:



And nothing beats a big peice of paper and markers: