Who Said It Never Rains In Southern California?

Well, they were wrong. I would still take a rainy day over a snow storm that dumps inches and created a traffic hazard (over 200 accidents according to the Utah news--suckers!) The rain may have put a damper on our bike riding and hiking adventures, but we still managed to make our own fun. With a quick Google search of fun things to do in the Newport Beach area we found ourselves on a short drive to Balboa to the pier where we dined at Ruby's Diner at the edge of the pier. The combination of comfort food and hanging out watching the storm over the ocean was quite a treat. Romney was thrilled to find a pelican who agreed and was also hanging out on the pier just outside of the diner and they had quite a game of hide and seek going. Who found who first is still up for debate.



After Ruby's we hunted down the entrance for the Balboa Ferry and rode across as pedestrians. The boys walked for over an hour looking in all kinds of fun shops with the bribe of an arcade and a family run candy store serving to keep them moving happily through the drizzle. Watching three boys choose just the right candy was quite entertaining.



Romney took at least 30 minutes making up his mind about his important candy decision. (He settled on a small candy with a toy airplane attached, in case you were wondering.) Bill was first to decide (chocolate covered Oreo) and William came in an impressive second place with 5 smaller candy options.





We wandered around the island exploring for a while when we ran into an orangutan in a tree. Orangutans hanging out in trees is not a sight we see everyday, so we had to stop and let Romney have his photo taken with his new friend. (He was popular with the animals today for some reason. Maybe not the cow he tipped in the video at the bottom of this post).




After a very short ferry ride back to the Balboa peninsula, we played in the promise arcade for a while and then ran out of ideas of indoor options. The boys were dying to go back to the hotel room for a movie, so that is what we did until dinner, when we met with Anne and Q.

It may not have been the sunniest or warmest day of the trip, but when I checked the Utah weather this evening, I appreciated every minute just a little bit more!

Relaxing Vacation

Orange County, California. . . The first thing people ask where you tell them where you are heading on your vacation is "Are you going to Disneyland?" Umm...no. Before you think Bill and I are horrible, incompetent parents, let me assure you that they were given the option (one that does not appeal to Bill or I) and they said "nah, no thanks." We offered Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm and Sea World and Wild Animal Kingdom and the San Diego Zoo. Not interested. They just wanted to go to the beach. Oh yeah, and Legoland for the 3rd time. (Bill and I vetoed that one. We have paid those dues two previous trips. NEVER again.) We all just wanted a relaxing vacation after a hectic December. It is so relaxing, that our boys are falling asleep in the car and in the hotel enough to stay zonked out when a flash fires 3 feet away from them.


What have we been filling our time with without the help of Walt Disney or Danish Toy Companies? We have been "relaxing" along the beach boardwalk on a nice 2 hour bike ride this morning. We rode from Newport Beach up to a pier in some beach city a few miles up the road. (No idea which one). It was interesting how empty the beaches were at the beginning of the ride vs. how crowded they were at turn around point. Wonder what the difference is?

After our watching the tide roll out all along the coast line, we grabbed some lunch and headed out for a non-mountain biker hike. Bill was exempt from this hike being an avid mountain biker with a new bike that was just begging to be ridden with all the trails in the area. The boys and I tried a hike that had been recommended by Anne. It was a bit more challenging than the kids and I were expecting. She later told us she had taken a different route than we did. Even with the incredibly steep up and downs, the boys and I had a blast chatting about all kinds of things (mainly video game related) and getting in some more sunshine and fresh air.

While we hiked, Bill biked. He tried his new ride out in the mountains of Trabuco Canyon. He had a great ride. I could tell from the mud on him and the bike. (He had a dirt unibrow. Pretty sexy!) He also had the back shock completely blow out on him on his very first ride. Thank goodness for warranties. We stopped at a bike shop to see what could/should be done and came out with Romney wanting a new ride as well. It is a red cruiser with a devil monkey painted all over it and also on the saddle. It is perfect and I am going to start saving my pennies to buy it by spring.

With all that relaxing, we needed some good food and went out to eat with Anne and Quentin to refuel. The boys were very disappointed that we weren't able to stay at their home to play games, but with a mother and father who are crazy allergic to the cat (who though absent, had left plenty of dander behind) and had to leave early in order to breath.

Both boys fell asleep in the car again on the way to the hotel. I guess that is what so much relaxing will get ya'.

Welcome to the Hotel (in) California

We found it. It does exist! Sunshine. SWEET, sweet Sunshine! We did have to drive through hell to get to it, but like most everything, after the hell comes the reward. The drive to it was not pretty and not fun. -4 degrees Fahrenheit for a good hour of the drive. Brrrrr... The drive from Nevada to California was so crowded I may have nightmares to process after the experience. But ahhh... sweet reward. SUN and WARMTH. (What am I doing living in Utah?)
Our first order of the day--family bike ride. We rode along the coast line for about a mile up to Huntington Beach where we then rode along the Santa Ana river (which looks like a viaduct as do most California rivers). We crossed some wonderful old rickety wood bridges into Fairview park in Costa Mesa where we found some great dirt trails that roamed around in circles (probably a couple of miles worth) all over the park/nature preserve. What a treat after sitting in the car for 14 hours!
We stopped and goofed off and enjoyed the view looking over the valley and out to the ocean, and decided we had better grab some lunch before we all passed out from hunger. Romney hung in there like a champ with his little legs and single geared tiny little bike for 11 miles. William inherited his father's biking gene and can outlast the energizer bunny when it comes to our family rides. I have decided biking is so much easier at sea level I should just stay here to exercise all winter, and well, Bill is Bill and I don't think even warmed up on our family ride.
After a wonderful lunch break, we hit the beach for some sun and sand action. The sun sets early here (before 5 p.m) and it was chilly after our late lunch. It didn't seem to deter our boys who stripped down to their suits and went into the freezing water to do their annual battle with the ocean. This year they battled both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans on our coast to coast journey across the states. Not bad in a year.
After the beach and a post-beach warming up, we headed out to a sushi dinner with Anne (all 3 of my boys were such great sports for this!) and then to a California staple-- Trader Joe's for some groceries for the next few days. I think we are now set (and recovered from the drive) for a few more days of the same theme. It is like heaven to be outside without a coat, glove, hat, scarf and snow boots. I say this every year, but this time I just might act on it "I am NOT coming back until May!"

Old School Christmas

If you asked my children what they were wishing they would receive this Christmas, the answer would have been an overwhelming "a Wii!!!" Poor kids, they were cursed with evil parents who are holding off as long as humanly possible from buying any real gaming system. That being said-- they were, however, blessed with parents with an appreciation of all things 80's. What that means to them-- no Wii, yes Atari. Not any Atari, but one preloaded with 40 classic pixel ridden games. If you think they were disappointed, think again. They were thrilled and played for hours! They love the silly thing. Wii smeee.

Romney at the last minute also added a guitar to his list. Bill ran out to the store to find one and came back totally successful. Romney was so excited to see the guitar, he immediately started playing and making up songs. He single-handedly created the soundtrack to our Christmas morning. I arranged to have William's piano teacher spend a few minutes with Romney after William's lesson teaching Romney some guitar. He loves William's piano teacher almost as much as William does, and is so excited to have her teaching him too.

All in all it was one of our most enjoyable Christmas mornings. The boys were so happy and content and it was rewarding to see them enjoying their goods so much.

Now before you go feeling too sorry for the two boys who got an Atari instead of a Wii for Christmas, the big family present was a trip to Newport Beach California for some much needed sunshine and rest and relaxation! The best gift of all!

Party with the Unsociable

6 months ago, Bill surprised me by saying "I think when I graduate, I want to have a party." I say surprised because Bill has never ever mentioned throwing a shin-dig of any proportions. He was pretty clear that he didn't want to have it just at our home, but wanted to rent a place. The hunt for the perfect place (at the perfect price) commenced and just a few months ago, we found a spot. He picked out food and I hunted down rentals we would need. He loaded up his ipod with graduation party music to be played over the sound system and I secured festive and comfortable furniture and decorations. The plan was perfect...



But as any good party planner will tell you, nothing ever runs as smoothly as you think it will. The weather did not get a party invitation and rebelled by storming keeping half of the confirmed RSVPs away that night. A flight snafu kept Anne from arriving until the last 30 minutes of our clean-up time and icy roads made pick up and delivery of party paraphernalia challenging to say the least.


However, challenges aside-- the party was lovely. Bill's family (minus Anne and Quentin) made it in and had a nice chance to celebrate with him. We had some great loyal friends make the trek to join us and we enjoyed a fun night of music and food and visiting. Bill loved having this opportunity to celebrate the past two years of hard work.

Welcome to the House of Fun

Sugar! The sweet rush of sugar has been running through my 3 boys veins for the past 2 days. Saturday we had a wonderful time enjoying a sugar cookie decorating tradition with our friends. This year, being sugar free and since I am a classic kitchenaphobe, it was difficult to get motivated to do the baking of the cookies, but with the help from a mix purchased at the ol' Costco, they got done. The only problem hosting this event is the hosts always get stuck with (Or are lucky enough to get to keep, depending on your perspective.) the bulk of the extra cookies. After letting everyone pick out their favorite 2 or 3, I finally just had to throw the extras into the trash (So they would stop staring at me, calling my name! Darn those stinking gingerbread men!)

The next day, our lovely neighbors brought us a gingerbread house they had baked and assembled for us. Not only did they bring the house, they brought the candies, the stuff to make the frosting/glue and helped my children decorate their own personalized home. I am worried we may have permanently scared them off, after watching William and Romney impale gummy Santas and gummy bears repeatedly, while laughing maniacally, for about an hour. Then the sugar rush kicked in and running around the house in circles, laughing maniacally began. Let's just say, they slept well that night after burning that much energy being spastic.

We love our traditions...

Holiday Cookies, Gingerbread houses (granted a new tradition) and Sugar-hyped kids.

Holiday Concert

Learning happens in a myriad of mysterious ways...
Our non-lime-light-loving son had his holiday concert tonight. Yesterday he begged me to get him a Santa hat to wear for the occasion. Today, he begged me not to make him wear it. (Too late Mr. I hunted one down for you and now you will wear it!) Yesterday he was all excitement about the concert. This morning, the gravity of "being in front of people" must have hit him as he was almost in tears over his toast realizing today was the day.

He survived the experience feeling proud (and a little bit shell-shocked!) afterwards. He did a great job as a beginning band student-- in tune and actually playing recognizable notes and rhythm. When you see the video and hear the sound of the rest of the crew-- you will understand our pride.

Kanab (So Long, Farewell)

It seems like I just wrote the last Kanab post yesterday, but it has been two weeks and so much has changed. Bill's Grandmother passed away on Monday and the funeral was in Kanab this weekend. Losing someone you love is never easy. But I do think it is easier when they have lived a full life (91 years) and relief from pain would be welcome.
The challenge: Finding something to do in Kanab during a weekend filled with rain and snow, after having been there just two short weeks ago. Solutions: Denny's Wigwam. Denny's Wigwam had posted a billboard we read on our way into town that promised "Denny's Wigwam: It's fun!" I had my doubts! How much fun can a wigwam in Kanab be? Let me tell you after a long funeral afternoon, it can be a LOT of fun! Denny's delivered on it's promise and gave us two hours of "F.U.N." (and we are a family that is constantly in search of that!)
Stetson cowboys hats right by the door were calling our name right from the start! And with an iphone camera handy, we had ourselves some Kanab style dress-up fun.
It soon became my mission to not leave the wigwam without out one fun photo from all those who braved the wigwam with us. (Anne, Quentin and David-- the other "losers"-err, I mean family members-- missed out on the experience.) Probably nappin' (as they would say in Kanab). We wielded guns, held scorpions with our bare hands, found a bear that pointed our way to the restrooms, tried on some "shit-kickers"--i.e. cowboy boots, shot some already dead animals, and learned about immigration politics from a poster. Anne also talked us all into dressing up for one of them Ol' Time Photos. It was the highlight of the wigwam experience and worth every penny. The boys talked us into letting them put money into an Ol' Fashioned Shootin' Gallery. Can you tell we were wiped out by the funeral and had no resistance left.













All of the Great Grandkids (and one younger Grandchild) sang a song that Bill's Grandmother used to sing with Anne. It turned out pretty cute. (William elected not to go into the room with the viewing going on. We totally let him off the hook for the singing.)

Sitting on the Fat Man's Lap (Spoiler Alert)

Your resident Scrooge here, checking in with a report from the trenches. December has arrived, and so did our annual ward Christmas party. This is a party that we, as a family, try to plan something to do during, so that we can be guiltlessly excused from attending. Not so this year, since as part of the primary, I had to go and help out with wrangling the cats (uh, I mean kids) on stage during the reenacting of the Christmas Story. (And I don't mean the funny one that involves a Red Rider B.B. gun.) As a person who would regularly say "Bah, Humbug" during this 25 days of torture out-loud if I didn't get reprimanded by strangers when I did, you can imagine that my children have been told the truth about the fat man that steals the glory from parents who braved crowded shopping centers all over the Christian world from day one. William finds the myth disturbing (being quite the literal human being he is, he doesn't understand the draw). But in order to claim his goody bag full of treats and toys, he had to sit on the fat man's lap and pretend to care. See the smirk-- I think it says it all.


Romney on the other hand knows the truth, but still likes to play along and "believe". You can't tell from this photo, but he happily will climb up and tell the "actor" in the red suit what he wants. I think he might hope that the "actor" will find him so adorable, he will rush out and get him his wishes. I am not sure. It is Romney after all, and what is going through that hilarious mind of his is often a mystery. Whatever he is thinking, he will happily play along for a chance of candy and toys.

Bill and I couldn't help but enjoy (while shaking our heads at the whole farce) watching the two act out this Christmas ritual like two true "believers". (or not!)