Jed is 30!!!

Jed officially turned 30 today. We had a fun weekend to celebrate this momentous occasion. Yesterday Jed and I went to San Francisco with my friend Tandra and her husband Mason. We walked around Union Square, ate lunch at the Cheesecake factory on top of Macy's, had Ghiredelli Hot Fudge Sundaes, and saw the sea lions at Pier 39. Jed had never been there before so he was very excited to see all of the "touristy stuff" (as he called it). There were several festivals going on while we were there so it was very crowded. I must say it was definitely an experience riding the public transportation, I was continually amazed at how many people could squeeze on those buses. After our fun time we then went to a Giants game at AT&T park. That was truly a fun experience. We were surrounded by die hard fans who were willing to fill us in on anything we didn't know about. The view was incredible as it sits adjacent to the San Francisco Bay. The big shocker was that the attendance at the game was 37,000 people which is more than the population of my home town!!!! Incredible! Sadly the Giants lost, but it was still fun to sit there and eat the famous Garlic French Fries. We really did enjoy ourselves. Invariably we would see a little girl or little boy and be reminded of our little ones, but it would pass quickly and we were glad we could spend the day together without having to chase after the little ones in all of that chaos.

Sadly I must report one sad thing....I woke up this morning to realize I did not have a cake mix in the house. I was so upset, because I wanted to do something for him. Well after speaking with my sister-in-law, the maker of Jed's very favorite cake (chocolate cake, hot fudge, and Snickers bars), I went to my trusty recipezaar.com and found a recipe for homemade chocolate cake and fudge. As you can see in the pictures the cake didn't quite come out of the bundt pan, but it still tasted good. We all ate it up. Hyrum is definitely a chocoholic!! Anyway - it turned out to be a good birthday for Jed and hopefully the next 30 will be even better!!

It's Circus Time!!

The circus is in town!!!! On Friday we took the opportunity of going to the circus with little Ashlee. We left Hyrum at home with a babysitter tonight so that we could be with Ashlee and not have to fight him at 9:30 that night. Let me tell you as we look at the mom's around us having to fight with their little ones, we were glad we left him at home to sleep. We sure did miss him though. Anyway we went out to dinner with my family and then went to the circus. When we first got there we were able to go down on the floor and see lots of the acts and animals prior to the show starting. Ashlee sat on Daddy's shoulders so she had the best view in the house. She LOVED the elephant and watching it paint was hilarious. We went up to our seats and watched a fabulous show. Jed of course loved the circle of death motorcycle act. (Is it just me, or is anyone automatically reminded of Wild Hearts Can't be Broken when this act is mentioned or shown!!! Maybe I am just a movie junkie but I just can't help it.) Ashlee loved the tigers and the "dancing girls in the sky." The cutest thing was when there were stars lite up on the screens and she started singing twinkle, twinkle, little star. She loved it and was so excited to be there. I loved watching her face light up with each new thing. We did relent and by here one of the severely overpriced elephant snow cones ($10) honestly is the thing made out of gold????? But watching her devour the thing was well worth the price...hahahaha! In the end we all enjoyed our time and had a blast being there. The very next day Ashlee woke up asking "We go to the circus again today?" I guess that means she really, really liked it!

Morro Bay

People may laugh but ever since I was a small child the beach has meant Morro Bay/San Simeon. I don't think of Hawaii or Santa Cruz. I grew up camping in San Simeon and shopping the small town of Cambria. We always go to the Shell Shop in Morro Bay and occasionally visit the small aquarium there. I absolutely love it there and I enjoy being able to take my kids there now too. Jed had to work on a Saturday so my family and I packed up the kids and we drove out there. Funny that we packed coats and blankets and it ended up being the hottest weekend of the summer (well above 90!). The place was packed which made me a little sad because for some dumb reason I always thought it was our families special little place. The rest of the world wasn't supposed to know about it!!! We went to the shell shop and then to the Thomas Kincaid gallery (mom's favorite!). Then we actually went to the beach next to Morro Rock and let the kids play in the sand and ocean. The water was freezing, but with the heat it actually felt really good. Hyrum loved playing in the sand and digging little trenches with Aunt Lena. Ashlee has no fat on her so she was quickly FREEZING and begging me to hold her while I ran out in and out of the water. We had a fun time and ended the day with salt water taffy and ice cream cones in Cambria! It was a fun time for all and I hope to go back someday soon (hopefully when it isn't quite as hot!) By the way - isn't my little Hyrum just too cute for words???

The Zoo

Okay so we have a really cool zoo here. We bought season tickets (you can't beat $50 for the year) so that I can take the kids to go see the animals and to run and play. Last week we took my niece Brianna and my mother with us to the zoo. The kids loved going and had a ball playing together. They were even good about posing for pictures for me. They really enjoyed their time. Ashlee loves to go and look at the stingray bay and to see the turtles. It was a fun time had by all!

Amtrak

Okay so this week a group of us moms thought it would be a great idea to take a day trip on the train to a little town called Hanford. There is a cute ice cream place there called Superior Dairy and a fun court yard for the kids to play in. We ventured out with high hopes at around 9:00 a.m., but whoever thought seven woman could handle 15 kids on a packed Amtrak must of been a little loco!!! Don't get me wrong - things went actually very well, but the moms were definitely pooped by the end. We started out with a race to the train that arrived early then a mad dash to find seats on an already packed train! The kids were so excited jumping up and down looking out the windows at all of the cows and trees and cows!After the train ride we walked over to the court yard for the kids to play. Ashlee climbed on an old firetruck and got to pull the bell! They got bored quickly (no play equipment) so some of us ran back to the McDonalds we spotted (I have been to McDonalds more times than I care to admit since Ashlee reached age!) thinking there would be a play place. Sadly no playland was found so the kids turned the seating area into their own version! We headed back to the courtyard and then over to the Dairy. The kids loved the ice cream and ate with glee. Back at the courtyard the kids made up games of run around the tree and chase each other with sticks while the moms sat on the grass asking each every 2 minutes "Is it time to catch the train yet??" Finally it was time and we headed back to the station only to have to wait for a delayed train. As we cleared out the waiting area (don't forget how loud 15 kids can be!) we all waited anxiously for the choo choo. The ride home was fairly uneventful and I really must give a shout out to all of the lovely passengers from our trip. Most people were so nice and helpful to us all. They were willing to move to allow us to sit together with our children and they put up with the endless screams for milk and home and food and just whatever! Another shout out goes to my friend Angie. Ashlee just loves to hang out with Zach and so the entire trip she was basically attached to him at the hip. If he was in the stroller she was walking next to it. If he was by mom she was next to him. No matter where he went she was there. Angie already has 3 kids so I added one more to her little load. I definitely owe her a plate of brownies or something like that. The best part was when I finally reached home around 4:00 in the afternoon both kids fell instantly asleep and where out for 2 hours!! I told Jed about the late nap and then informed him that he would be up with them as I gleefully went to bed at 9:30! He is such a good sport!

New Favorite Things

Okay, I must share my new favorite things. It seems as if every so often you come across things that you realize "Wow, how did I miss this!" The first is a fabulous new spaghetti sauce. Jed will eat just about anything, however, he is a little picky about spaghetti sauce. We have tried many kinds. One day at the grocery store I saw some on sale for $.95. I snapped it up and it was the best sauce we have ever had!!! It is called Francesco Rinaldi Sweet & Tasty Tomato - Hearty pasta sauce and it is killer!!! Try it you'll like it! It is thick and savory. My second favorite thing is a new discovery for me and old one for the world "Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer." Anyone who knows me knows that I hate being white in the summer! I always say fat just looks better in color. So I kept hearing about this fabulous stuff, but was never willing to give up my smelling lotions from Bath and Body - well I finally gave it a try and I love it!!! It looks natural and gives me just enough color so I don't look pasty white. I also haven't had to worry about the short tan lines or the farmers tanned arms. I must say again how much I L-O-V-E it. Please give it a try and let me know!!! So anyone else??? What are your new discoveries?

Ballerina

Ashlee has started taking dance lessons. I must confess that I wanted nothing more than to see my little girl in a black leotard, pink tights, a little pink skirt, and ballet shoes! I have been waiting for this for a very, very long time. Well she started last week and loves it. She is in a class with her friend Celeste. This morning I told her it was ballet day and she ran and put on her "outfit" she then wore it for the next two hours before we went to class. She loves to walk on her toes like Barbie Nutcracker! I bought her these supposed ballet slippers (Walmart) and she put them on and immediately said "But Mommy, these shoes don't work!!" This was said as she tried to keep up on her tippy toes! It is a dream come true for me and for her as well. Of course I plan on her becoming a Prima Ballerina or a dancer on my new favorite show - So You Think You Can Dance...do you think it will be around long enough??? Dreams.......