Murder Mystery Party

These are the girls!

Lindsay

Sara

Mom

Me

The whole shebang!

For New Year's Eve this year Dad got Mom a murder mystery game. I can't remember what this one is called, obviously something about the old west. I also can't remember our names, which is good, because some of them were a little inappropriate. Anyway, last Thanksgiving we all, except Ry, went down to David and Becky's and played a different one down there. It was so much fun, we decided to play again. This time we let Jaxon play with us, which was really fun, hopefully he didn't get everything that was in the game. Like I said some was a bit risqué. All in all we had a great time, good food, good time, great family!

These are the guys!

Dad

Ryan

Jared

(yep, even Jared plays)

cutie pie

Jaxon

Belle the koala bear

Isn't she adorable even with her crazy hair? Always after we take out her ponytails (which cannot be soon enough for her, she does love them, but she loves them out after about an hour) her hair looks like this. So, after we had been to the zoo, Jaxon decided she looked like a koala bear. Naturally, we all started calling her "baby koala bear." At first she liked it but then it started driving her crazy. In fact, she just saw this picture and said "I hate fooalla bears." I'm afraid we have ruined the cute koala bear forever for Jainie Belle. Oh well, what is life without a little childhood trauma. :)

I love Primary!

PRIMARY!

So I have been slightly ornery about leaving YW and being back in the Primary. Don't get me wrong, I love primary but I had all 5 kids in the primary and felt I needed some time away. Plus, young women are just so darn fun. However, my point of view has changed. I still love YW but I know I am supposed to be in Primary. I love these kids. Look at their faces, they are so sweet, trusting & innocent. I am so grateful to be able to work with them and get to feel of their Spirit's.

Last night we had a big scout meeting, which you should know, is another of my "not-so-favorite" things - scouts, that is, not meetings. I really don't mind meetings, they are fun, usually. Anyway, this was a great meeting and I am so glad that I went. I now have a much greater appreciation for scouts, I have learned that it is a program we as LDS people are supposed to support and participate in. It helps our boys grow into men and prepare to receive the priesthood. So, no more complaining for me. I will accept and be grateful for every calling I receive and do my best to learn what I am supposed to. (Hopefully that doesn't mean I am ready to be released from this one quite yet. I have a theory that just when I start to love and totally embrace my callings, I get a new one. Great! I'll keep you posted - no pun intended.) :)

DISNEYLAND!

Our last 3 days were spent at Disneyland - the happiest place on earth! It was great. We met Grandpa, Grandma, Ryan, Sara & Lindsay there, which is always wonderful. We were definitely ready for more adults by the time we got to this point. Divide and conquer. This is us walking to the park - so excited! Both for Disney and to find the family!Hello Disneyland!!! Outside Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. So fun, we didn't coordinate too well. Maybe I'll have to start packing for everyone.
Every time we go we take a picture of the kids by the White Rabbit's door. Jaxon is getting too big!
You spin me right round baby right round, like a record player, right round, right round. Jared & I refuse to ride the teacups, luckily Ry and Linds like it. So the kids got to go with them. Yippee!
I never did get a full group shot, unfortunately, but this has a few. We were patiently waiting for our Peter Pan ride. Woohoo!
Jainie was posing in this one with her hand in the "5" position so Grandpa posed with her. We were eating across from Pirates. I had a cheese Monte Cristo - yum! Who knew? Jaxon and Josh had turkey legs. Jaxon ate his all by himself, then declared himself a man because he could! I wish that were all it took, there would be a lot more men around - Sara and Linds would appreciate that.
Josie (Jasmine) was the hit of the parade - she was the belle of the ball - the wonder of the road (I just made that one up:)). She was in the parade, she and Jake, it was darling. Bee Bopping away. Jake was great too. Jainie refused to participate.
Jaxon got his birthday call from Goofy. Are you ever too old for that? I think NOT!
Grandpa & Grandma gave Jaxon this birthday breakfast for his present this year. It was wonderful!!! Daisy kept following Jaxi around and giving him kisses, he would ignore her. So funny - 12 years old - finally Lilo made him lean over and give Daisy a kiss. Happy 12th sweetie! What a handsome boy. Thanks M&D for the fun present. It was delicious!
Jainie's first character!!! We were so proud of her. You can see she is posing - bending her knees - she is usually quite the poser, but I think she was too nervous. She decided to meet her because she was in Minnie's dress. Luckily, after that, she would meet any princess, or girl - still no BOYS!
Ah - a beautiful Christmas tree and the Matterhorn - bliss!
Poor Sara was sick again! It happens all too frequently. Anyway, she finally consented to get a wheelchair on the 2nd day, the kids loved it! Free rides. She still only lasted until about noon maybe 1:00, with the promise she'd sleep a few hours and come back. FYI: she never did. Oh, and she is giving this sick look on purpose, she really didn't look sick at all!
Jake wouldn't take time for most characters, too busy going on rides, but when we saw Woody, he decided to take some time to say "howdy."
This is Jake so excited because he is tall enough to go on "Mulholland Madness". I think because he doesn't know what he is in for. Anyway, he went and LOVED it. In fact, he is a thrill seeker, he loves the big rides the best. This time he even got to go on Indiana, thanks to his dad's quick thinking, so now the only ride he hasn't gone on is California Screamin' and he is counting down the days. Crazy boy.
Belle was so excited when she was tall enough for Jumpin' Jellyfish. You can see how long that lasted. This is the end of the ride. She was all smiles before it started. Luckily, Josie helped her out. She vows to never go on that ride again. We'll see.
California Adventure had Santa sitting here during the day but no one at night, just a line of people taking pics. Normally, we wouldn't have stopped, who has the time, we have rides to go on. But, there was no line so we got our family picture. As you can see, Josh is a bit grumpy, but what would a family picture be without at least one person looking unhappy?
We found Mickey right when we walked in early morning one day. It was perfect, no line! However, I use that line time to make sure I can find autograph books, figure out who is willing to be in the picture, and check the camera's functions. Obviously, no time to do this here. Thus, the picture was on the wrong setting and is over-exposed. Bummer - still I like it!
Jainie came alive in Disneyland, she made up for all of her orneriness & crabbiness when we walked into the park. This is in Small World which you can see Josie loved as well. I just had to get their expressions, so innocent & full of wonder & joy. I was right there with them. This was my favorite ride this year! And the boys, well, they will tell you it's horrible, but they couldn't take their eyes away from all the things to see. I know they secretly loved it too. The magic of Disney!
Jainie loved Minnie's house, she tried every piece of furniture there. She thought the bed was ultra-comfortable, it was made of hard concrete, the fridge was delightful, Minnie's chair - she could read books in all day long, and the stove and dishwasher were great as well. She wanted the Christmas tree that was in Minnie's front yard. To put it plainly, Jainie wants Minnie's house. And who can blame her, she does get to live in Disneyland!!! (The other kids were all riding "Goofy's Go-Coaster"? over and over. It gave Jainie time to explore).
WOW! Aren't Disney faces the best. Josie has found this tradition delightful. Every time we go she chooses a different way to paint her face. I think it is so darn cute. Jainie decided she wanted to do it this year and loved it as well. Jake did it because he wanted to be chosen for Star Wars (more about that on next paragraph). Thanks Grandma for making our dreams come true!
Jake is the biggest 5yr old Star Wars fanatic alive, I am convinced. He knows everyone's name, what color lightsaber they use, if they have other weapons, their relationships with each other, etc. You name it, he knows it. So when we saw that he could become a Jedi, we had to do it. Grandma took him to get his face painted, which he requested to look like Darth Maul (who in their right mind would want to look like that?), and he was set. Ready for his training. He was chosen very 1st to be a Jedi. It was great - he loved it and was totally absorbed. And, even better, Josh was chosen as well. Josie did NOT want to be chosen and so hid behind me, as did Jaxon. Funny.

Jake got to fight Darth Vadar - it was great. He still is asking if that is the "real" one. We insist he is.
Joshua fought Darth Maul - Josh was awesome and won, of course.
We waited to meet Alice on this day because Jainie had her Alice dress on. She loved her. She still wants to name every baby doll she has "Alice in Wonderland" and if I ever have another baby - girl or boy - she wants him/her named not just Alice but "Alice in Wonderland." Funny girl. Josie had to hold out her shirt since she didn't have a dress on.
After we went to Jaxon's birthday breakfast luau, Grandma decided Jainie was loving it so much that we should go to the princess luncheon with the girls. So, just us girls - Josie, Jainie, Grandma, Sara, Lindsay, & me went to meet the princesses at Ariel's Grotto. It was so fun. Both Jainie and Josie absolutely loved it - it was hands down Jainie's favorite part of the trip. And, Ariel was her favorite at the time, we had to back and watch her several times. Good thing she left or Jainie would have never eaten!
Well, we won't say good-bye, simply "See ya lator, alligator" to my beautiful Disneyland. Until next time - all swathed in lights.
All in all a great vacation! In fact, posting this late, really makes me want to go back. Jared said I could take the kids and go whenever but he won't be able to for awhile. Bummer - why do dads have to work? I'm sure in the celestial kingdom I will get to play in Disneyland all day long! I am so excited!!!

Universal Studios

Woohoo! I haven't been to U.S. for a long time. The kids had never been here and I thought Jaxon would particularly like it since it has "big-kid" rides. He did enjoy it - a lot. However, we are still true Disney fanatics - it just can't be helped, we are true disney through and through. But, this was a nice change. Jake and Jainie's favorite part was the extremely long escalator that hooked the top and the bottom of the park together. It really was pretty cool.

This pic is when we first got there, these two were the only ones who would get their pics with Curious George. Crazy kids. This is also where we found out that Jainie was going to have nothing to do with the characters. She would scream and jump out of her stroller onto either Jared or I. She is much like a monkey herself with all of jumping on people, so sorry George, you only get two Thalman fans today.
Oh, I love Audrey Hepburn. I have every movie - thanks mom - at least a 1/2 dozen books and just think she is the cutest, sweetest person ever. I can't wait to convert her. :)
Jake was still not interested in getting his picture taken, but in front of the Hollywood sign, who could resist.
Even Jaxon got in this one. I think this is his only character picture this trip, except for his birthday breakfast, he must like Frankenstein. Jainie was still too scared. (He is kind of scary, but kind of cute too?)
Sad to say Jared & I are not quite the ride officienados that we once were. We both took some motion sickness pills, but I took mine before he took his. So, I was fine where he was queasy. When you have older children it is very important to not get sick so someone can go on the ride. However, it was also kind of nice that Jared could stay out with Jake and Jainie. I think this is Jainie when Jaxon, Josie, Joshua, & I were on "The Mummy" ride. She was thrilled to NOT be on it. Plus, Jared obviously bribed her with gum - her favorite treat. (which is evident if you come to our house and see chewed gum in the carpet of every room).
"The Simpsons" was our 2nd ride of the day. Everyone meet the height requirement so we all went. I loved it. It was so great and unexpected. Jaxon, Josie, & Joshua loved it too. Jacob pretended to love it but then wouldn't go on it again. It made Jared sick and Jainie didn't even try to hide her disgust of having to go on this ride. Funny! I hate the Simpsons, I find them vulgar & distasteful, but it was a fun ride. This is Jake when the 4 of us who liked it went a 2nd time.
Aaaahhh downtown LA. Isn't it pretty. It was a beautiful view from Universal. This is from the middle part of the uber-long escalator I mentioned earlier.

All in all a fun day! I enjoyed Universal, I would definitely go again. Jake and Jainie didn't really find too much to do though. So, I would say, mostly for older kids.

The Beach & San Diego Temple

So, I put that the temple was yesterday, but it wasn't I was just getting ahead of myself. The temple was actually today.
This was our free day, just make it to L.A. area. So, we slept in, drove slowly and stopped at a couple different beaches. It was great. The first one we went to was Coronado, which was beautiful. The hotel was wonderful as well. The kids had so much fun playing in the ocean. Keep in mind it was November, so pretty chilly. Good thing kids are so resilient.
Jaxon shouting to the entire Pacific Ocean, "I'm the King of the World."
These next two are Jake being oh so brave. Jaxon would challenge he and Josh to go out with him, not realizing that they are shorter and so the ocean is a lot higher on them than him. Anyway, Jake went out and then decided he was cold so he would outrun the waves. Fun, fun until. . .
Kaboom! down he went! A mouthful of seawater, yum yum. He was a bit more cautious afterward. I think the other boys also went all the way under, but on purpose. Jared & I got up to about mid-thigh. Josie was pretty wet and Jainie, well, she liked the sand best.
I love his face in this pic - shows Joshua's sheer determination.
I couldn't find anything in Utah to make sandcastles in Nov. but I thought for sure California would have supplies. FYI: Californians also think beaches are not to be used in Nov apparently. They had no beach toys either. We stopped at probably 6+ stores looking for even a bucket and a shovel. Nope, nothing. Finally, when I decided to quit it was because when I asked the lady in Target, she said "That is a summer item, Ma'am, we wouldn't have any at this time of year." Like it isn't always summer in CA!!! The nerve of some people. So, we compromised with spoons, cups, & bowls! Not quite the same, I learned my lesson.
Josie is always a trooper - ready for whatever we have planned. She loved both the ocean and the beach. She is leaning over her sandcastle. (Is that one word?)
Jared getting creative with the camera. I enjoyed sitting by our stuff, protecting it from the crazy seagulls, relaxing, entertaining children, Jared enjoyed walking around taking pics. Some people just don't know how to sit. I am an expert at it!
We have about 20 pics of this pose, but in every one someone is either not looking or grumpy, this is as good as it gets. But I really like it. Such cute kids.
You can see us straggling along getting ready to leave Coronado, I would definitely go again.
I am glad we stopped at the temple, even though we were very inappropriately dressed in our swimsuit attire. Beautiful!

Funny, I accidentally deleted the picture for right here and the bottom one is not the one I wanted since you can tell my perfect little family is fighting. Yes, it happens on minute to minute basis. This is why I snap at least 3-4 pics of every picture I take. I figure there has to be one where they are distracted enough by me to not be bugging anyone by them. This is NOT that picture!

Jainie is a flower lover. Do not try to take her on a walk without realizing she will try to smell every single flower she walks past. I think she gets it from my mom!
We stopped at one other beach, which was fun, but windy before getting to LA and going to Balboa Island. I love it here. It was obviously really dark at this point so no getting in water. But there were some sand hills the boys loved playing spy or something on. I thought I had lost them for a minute, it was pretty scary. Boys!
We decided to eat dinner at Ruby's on the pier. It was great. I had the best french fries ever, they had specialty fries, I think mine were garlic. Notice how the girls pose, & the boys, well, they are boys.