Flowers!

I took the kids to Descanso Gardens this weekend. I have never been there but it was really beautiful. The tulips and lilacs were in bloom. Jessica found poison oak again, but avoided another rash from it. (I realize that poison oak is native to California, but why on earth they would intentionally plant it in the garden is beyond me....it's labeled, with a planter fence around it, but right at the edge of the trail.) It was a nice day!

Cool Jake

I just love this pic of Jake, so I decided to add it to my blog.

Jessie's new bike

Jessica is 5 now- I can't believe it. She got a new bike for her birthday and I finally got around to taking a picture of her riding it today.

I love that New Car Smell!

Here it is Judy- although now you've already seen it. For everyone else that doesn't know, my lease on my Acura is up this month and I'm pretty much out of miles, so Gary and I went car shopping this weekend, after we pawned the kids off on Derek Ballard. We've been researching for awhile and I've had my eye on the BMW X5 ever since they announced the 3rd row... and since a BMW has always been kindof a dream for me. However, on the way to the BMW dealership, we stopped by the Mercedes lot and happened upon the perfect dark blue/tan interior GL450 and fell in love. Here is my new car!

Golf and Grandpa

Gary’s dream is to play all the top golf courses in North America. So last weekend, Gary and I headed off to North Carolina for a golf trip. We stayed at2 beautiful resorts while we were there- The Umstead Resort and The Pinehurst Resort. Pinehurst has been around since 1895. We had a great time. Gary played 3 rounds of golf-including top rated course No.2- which I walked with him (it’s about 3 miles and takes about 4 ½ hours because of the golfing). I played 1 round of golf- It was pretty fun, but I am so bad. The lessons I took last summer were great, but I haven’t practiced. We had some very nice dinners at the resorts—Gary also treated me to Ruth’s Chris. Obviously we hit the spa as well---RELAXING!!!
In case you weren’t paying attention, Gary and I headed off---not the kids. Grandpa took care of the kids for me. They had a great time. I’m sure my dad is exhausted…just getting the kids out of bed in the am is work. He had to do it at least 3 times- 2 for school and 1 for 9am church, pus all the activities: cupcakes to school for Jessica’s birthday celebration, School, Disneyland, Zoo, Jessica’s birthday, Maddie’s birthday party, Horton Hears a Who movie, and Easter Sunday just to name a few!

Hidden Mickeys

We took advantage of a day off last week and headed for an overnight Disney trip with Gary. We spent the night at the Californian. It is such a nice hotel, the kids love the bunkbeds. and so convenient. Our room looked over the private entrance into Disney’s California Park. Within a few hours of arriving, we had done Soarin’, Screamin’, The Carousel, The Tortilla and Bread Factories, Alice, Teacup, Space Mtn, Buzz Lightyear, Thunder Mtn and Nemo. It really is so nice to go when it’s not that crowded. For you Buzz competitors, Gary holds the high score in our family- around 550,000.
My new hobby at Disneyland is looking for Hidden Mickey’s. I actually bought the guide book to help spot them. It’s fun finding them and the kids like looking for them too. We even found a hidden tinker bell.
The "logo" for the Californian hotel includes a hidden Mickey. There are 3 on Pirates! So next time you go to Disneyland, see if you can find them.

I'm sure I forgot something?

What a week! early dismissals, minimum days, no school days, overnight trip to Disneyland with family, parent teacher conferences, PTA, work, park days, school projects, birthday parties, homework....and to top it off Daylight Savings Ended (which I actually remembered). But I did forget a few things.
Rushing around in the morning to get ready for 9a church,because I slept in even though I changed the clocks, Jessica and I finally got in the car to go to church to save a seat for Gary and Jake. Anyway as soon as I set down, I had FORGOTTEN that Jessica was to give the scripture. No big deal, but we needed to practice, so we went to the primary room and practiced. At 9a, we returned to find Gary sitting in our row, but not Jake. I asked "Where's Jake?" and Gary shrugged. I then asked "Did you bring him?" He said "Are you kidding me?...and rushed out of the chapel to get Jake who we had FORGOTTEN to bring to church...I FORGOT my son!!!! I think I in the prize this week for "worst mom." Actually, when Jake realized that both of us had left he was a little surprised, somewhat sad, and than excited that he didn't have to go to church. He also blames Gary so I felt a little better about being a bad mom. It was actually pretty funny!