Two First Place Winners

Both of the girls recently entered the Reflections contest sponsored by the PTA at their Elementary School. The theme this year was "Magic of the Moment". It was really fun to see what the theme represented for them. They both made films. I'll admit that I prompted them to enter the category, since we had done something similar before as a family. However, this time they would have to do it on their own.

In April this year we took a family vacation to San Francisco. While there we went to the Children's Museum Downtown. At the museum your can create clay characters and film your characters in a stop motion film. We ran out of time at the museum and decided to finish our film at the park. The girls really had fun putting together the film with their dad and I.

So here is the film.

Lil Sis created the following film entitled "The Air Balloon". She ended up winning first place, in the Primary grade category.

Big Sis created the following film entitled "Little Garden". She also won first place, in the Intermediate grade category.

We are so proud of them!

Halloween Haunting

They each decided on what to dress up as. Here are my gnome and baby doll.

We are alive ...

... and doing well. Check out what Big Sis and Lil Sis did on their day off school yesterday. Awesome. I can brag because I'm the mom, it's what I do!

It's about time!

It's been a long time since I've posted anything. A lot has happened. M and I have done a lot of this...

While the girls were at school this year we found time to spend together either going to the temple or to the beach.

Big Sis was baptized this year.

M and I rocked it 80's style!

We enjoyed a super fun trip as a family to San Francisco. Lil Sis loved riding the cable car.

The girls finished another year of school and will soon be off on an adventure with their Oma and Opa.

Sledding

For Thanksgiving we got together with my family in the mountains. We stayed in a lodge and had access to an industrial kitchen. It was actually super nice to be able to cook in such a big kitchen, it never felt crowded when there were 4 or more people in there. We had a fire blazing the entire time in a huge fireplace. Which led to some smoky rooms upstairs, but we lived. The best part was that it was only 2 hours from home.

The guys also made us a sledding trail. They had to build up some snow since there wasn't much on the ground. To those of you who live in the snow this must look pathetic, for us in California it was awesome! Enjoy the photos.

They had just gotten in trouble. Can you tell?

Huge shocker, my mom took a turn.

My brother and his wife and kids had already left. Just as last minute thought before we locked up the lodge.

Saturday's Bike Ride

We love when Onkel A comes to visit. This weekend we went on a bike ride together up two brutal hills and ended up at the lake. Lil Sis was miserable. At one point she stopped to tell us, "I can't bear it. I need a picnic." Funny how once we got to our destination her mood did a 180'.

Misery!

Happiness!

Now we are happy.

Post Halloween

Last night the girls and I had a great time. A Halloween party at our neighbors/friends, then on to Trick or Treating. I find it kind of sad that not many more kids go Trick or Treating now, like I did when I was young. I have fond memories of going with my brother and friends.

Our Princess Leia and Pippi Longstocking.

Lil Sis' costume kind of fits her personality to a "T". Rather than take the normal route off the porch, she needed to leap over the bushes.

Big Sis is more of a rule follower.

Fall adventures

It has taken me forever to post. Can I blame it on the fact that I am the PTA president this year? Probably not! The girls have both been in school for almost a month now, so I really do have a lot more time during the day. I think I'll stick with that excuse though.

The girls are doing really well. About a week ago they had a random day off school in the middle of the week. We took some time to be together as a family and thought we'd go apple picking in Oak Glen. Sadly there weren't enough apples this year, so we didn't get to pick any. We did however find a great nature preserve with a comfortable trail. I think the girls favorite part was picking wild blackberries.

Finding notes

Big Sis loves to write notes and draw pictures. Often M and I are the recipients of her work. Just a day ago I found this on my desk.

Translation: You are in danger.

M found it disturbing and was very concerned. I of course laughed like crazy. Big Sis later told me that she thought it would be funny to leave me threatening notes. I wonder where Big Sis gets her sense of humor? At times my humor is a bit irreverent. I wonder where I got it, Dad?

Here was today's threatening message.

Holiday Location

M and I have found a hotel we would love to try, check it out...

We may however be harming some innocent creatures. See statement on web page regarding the safety of the birds for a good laugh!

Happy Easter ... Frohe Ostern

We had a great uplifting day at church, remembering our Savior. Now we are off to play and eat with family!

Whale Watching

This past Saturday we went whale watching with my dad and brother. While we didn't see any whales we did get up close to some seals and dolphins. It was a great time. I expected it to rain and be miserably cold, but as soon as we left the Long Beach Harbor we left the rain behind. We even caught moments of sunshine.