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:

Third Street

An other thing we always do when we go to California is walk down Third Street in Santa Monica. They have stores like Disel and Armani Exchange (which, btw are run by gay arabs-not that there is anything wronge with that) on the same street that they have a Cat who tells your future or a rollerblade-wearing-guitar-struming-guy in a turban. At night time, there are always street preformers out there with a hat for change and a microphone just hoping to get discovered. It is a mash up of California's riches and poorest, all walking on the same side of the street.

Mimi had taken Lauren to play with her cousin Taylor and her Auntie Dawn, so Chad and I took Evan to Third Street. And third street did not disapoint. From the gay arabs to the crazy talking bums, third street remained the same since the last time we were out here.

Here are pictures of Lauren and Taylor. Lauren loves Taylor and will often say that she misses her friend Taylor in California.




And here are some pictures from Third Street:


Right after I took this picture, the stroller tiped over and Evan fell down. I felt kind of bad about that, but what a cute picture!


We had fun at the Sunglass Hut. They had this computer that will take you picture of the sunglass that you try on and it will e mail it your e mail address so you can see which one looks better on you. We were trying on a bunch of sunglasses and sending to pictures to us. Its the little things that make life fun.

These are $200.00 Ralph Lauren sunglasses.

These are $250.00 Oakleys. I like them both. Now all I need is a little mula to get them.



And here is Chad in $600.00 Oakleys. Yep, you read that right. $600.00, and they weren't the most expensive ones. We had fun, but Evan let us know when it was time to go. (he has good melt-downs when he is tired). But we will be back the on the next visit to California, and just like this time, I am sure that Third Street will be just the same.

I heart the Beach!

First of all, I got a new camera. Nothing to exciting or expensive, just a small Cannon point and shoot camera. I love my SLR, but I never really took it anywhere because it isn't very portable, and this camera fits nicely into my pocket. Lauren and I broke it in the day we got it.




I love that girl! She is so entertaining :)

We are now in California! I love the air here. That might sound crazy, but I do. I love how the air smells and feels. I love that at night time, it smells like it is going to rain-even though it never really does. But most of all, I love the family I get to hang out with while I am out here. That is why we are here, just for family. Chad's dad had some work for him and I was able to get work off, so it was perfect. Yesterday, we went to Pointe Dume, which has to be the best beach in California. I love it. We had lots of fun while we were there.








Lauren was loving running from the waves. But at one point, a wave caught her before she could run away and it swept her feet out from under her. The rest of the day, she was telling us how she "almost drowned". Evan would say "see bird mommy!" and Lauren would answer back, "Yes, Evan. But I almost drowned today." We would say,"Hey guys are you hungry?" and Lauren would answer, "Yes, because I almost drowned today." Here is a video of Lauren telling us of her harrowing drowning experience.




And here are pictures of Chad saving her. I joke, but it was sad, and it really scared her.



Then Chad buried the kids in the sand. They loved it.

While we were at the beach, we saw some awesome animals. We were watching pelicans dive into the ocean when I saw a couple of fins pop out of the water. There were a couple of dolphins right near the beach! I have never seen that before. It was awesome. I got it on camera, but you have to watch closely to see it. It was pretty cool.

Ok, I have been trying for awhile now to upload the video of the dolphin's to no avail. I will try to do it again tomarow because it is pretty cool.

We also saw a cute little baby seal on the beach. I hope that it found it's mommy because the poor thing looked so lost.






I love the beach. It was so nice to be there and feel the ocean air. A visit to California wouldn't be complete without it.

Backyard Drama

If you have been on facebook in the last couple of days, then you have already seen this. But because I have no life lately and therefore am at a loss as to what to blog about-I am blogging about it too. We have some lovely neighbors. These lovely neighbors of ours are at it again. Apperently, when they decided to buy a house in a neighborhood, they failed to realized that in suburbia, there are many dogs and children who love to play outdoors when the weather is nice. Chad was outside in our backyard when he noticed this little kind sign from our sweet next door neighbors. It was at the top of our hill, nailed to a tree, high above the fence, facing our yard. They must think highly of us to go to so much trouble in sending us a message.

I don't know weather to laugh at the absurdity of the effort that they took in finding the wood and spray paint, painting the sign, getting a step ladder and nailing it to the top of a tree, or to be flattered that I have so much influence in their lives. And before you ask, no..they do not have any children. So I can only assume that along with their childish behavior, they also need naps like children. My only advice to them is to either get a sound machine (like we have for our children's naps) or move to a city where no child is allowed to enter..or dogs for that matter. Needless to say, I have not stopped my super cute, and noisy kids from enjoying our backyard.



Sooo...I was thinking, just as soon as Chad gets the branches cleaned up and hauled away..I am planing on having lots of giggly little kids over to jump around in our bouncy house. I haven't yet picked a day, but I know the time...between 2 and 5.