Orange County Fair

Claire, Miles and I went on a quick road trip down to the Orange County Fair, a tradition that had been stalled a bit after having kids. This is the first time I have taken both kids alone on a trip, and they were really good. I just put on a movie and threw food in the back if they got fussy. :)

We went to stay with Stephanie in Calabasas and then drove down to Orange County to meet up for breakfast and the fair with friends. We hadn't all been together in 9 years (since Jenna's wedding). I have known these girls longer than any other friends, and the fact that we still stay in touch, at times in better contact than others, is pretty amazing to me.

From left to right, me, Stephanie (friends since first grade), Denise (Kindergarten), Janel (fifth grade), and Jenna (seventh grade).


And With the Kiddos


Face Painting with Denise and Janel



Ethan and Claire (and Rick)

Working Out

Claire and Easton trying 20 Second Fitness - Claire puts in the DVDs for fun, so visitors beware - you might be asked to do a diamond push up or the cross country skiier at any time. Wish I felt that way about working out.

Pretty in Pink

Kien and Thanh

Serving a Vietnamese mission means you have a Vietnemese name - Matt (Thanh) and James (Kien) were able to hang out recently, something that needs to happen more often - James and Monica would definitely have a house in our dream cul de sac. James lives in Ilinois and is going to law school - he was talking to Matt about becoming a lawyer... hmm, we'll see. James has three kids and you can tell he is a good dad because he would play with Claire when even her own parents were tired of playing.

A side note about this picture - Matt took James to the airport early Sunday morning; we have church at 1 pm so Matt wasn't ready in his church clothes yet, and just grabbed this yellow soccer jersey even though there were several other respectable polo shirts nearby. He said when I took this picture, he felt a little silly to be next to James in his white shirt and tie.

After Matt dropped James off at the airport, he was on his way home via the airport connector tunnel, a section of the 215 freeway that goes underneath the airport and is pretty dark and scary to drive through when traffic is bad. There was a car stalled in one of the lanes - a woman by herself trying unsuccessfully to push the car. Matt pulled over on the side of the tunnel and ran back to help her, just as a car narrowly missed the stalled vehicle as it sped through the tunnel. He was at that moment grateful to be wearing a neon yellow shirt, despite wearing it for the only picture he took with James.

4th of July = Utah Roadtrip

The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays - fireworks, BBQs, hanging out with family and friends, more fireworks in your driveway, and more food. It is also my niece McKinley's birthday and she turned four this year on the fourth - the perfect reason to celebrate!

We took a road trip up to Utah for the long weekend, despite almost not going because Claire had thrown up that morning. After three uneventful hours and the go ahead from my sister, we decided to make the drive and risk it. Especially since Matt and Claire were joining Danny and McKinley for a Real Salt Lake soccer game Friday night along with a fireworks show. It could not be missed! We made it all the way to the exit off the I-15 for the soccer stadium, and while waiting 15+ minutes on the off-ramp in game traffic, Miles threw up all over the place. At least he waited until we were almost in Salt Lake. I dropped Matt and Claire off and then found a place to pull over and clean the poor kid up. It was one of those mom moments where you think, "I can't believe I am doing this." I threw his clothes away in the garbage can at McDonalds. To add insult to injury, Miles chose this weekend to cut FOUR teeth at once, all top teeth, and he was so upset and clingy the whole time (with a fever too!), poor guy. It made for a few rough nights, that's for sure. Just a 24 hour bug, thank goodness.



Other than that, we had a great time and got to see what it would be like to have a fun backyard like Becky does - Claire would be out there every chance she had - driving the Barbie Jeep, chasing bubbles, running through sprinklers, playing with the slip n slide, pushing a baby doll stroller back and forth, kicking around a soccer ball, and generally driving McKinley crazy.


Those girls love each other, but they also push each other's buttons. I know they are friends though - and they will get along better each time we get together. Claire woke up the day after we got home and asked to go to McKinley's house. I know I say this every time, but why can't everyone just move to my dream cul-de-sac so we can all live close to each other?

Purse Contraband

We went to Cafe Rio today (I know, surprise!) for lunch. Matt and Claire were in line and I had Miles, when I hear Matt call my name. I look over and Claire is talking on our cordless phone from the house and people standing next to Matt and Claire are laughing. She had smuggled the phone in her new church bag/purse that she now carries everywhere. It is big enough to hold a set of scriptures, and, we now know, a large phone.