Staycation Part 3~

The weather was cool and cloudy most of the week so at the last minute we decided it would be ok to get tickets that weren't in the shade for a midday midweek Dodgers game. The weather turned out to be great and Landen made it through over 10 innings before we left. Zach had his glove all ready!

Everyone got new hats except Jeff because he is a Reds fan.

Landen is the cutest little Dodger!!

He watched "Dora Dora Boots" (as he says) on the ipad to stay entertained and loved eating nachos and Dodgers dogs.

Andre something?? I guess he's popular???

This is what Landen does when he's tired. Sucks his left thumb and rubs his right ear. Me in a hat!

We all had a great time and the Dodgers won in the 11th inning. It was a really fun day!

Staycation Part 2~

In all my years of living in Cali I don't think I have ever even driven down Hollywood Blvd. We decided to take the kids to the see the stars on the walk of fame. I knew it wasn't the best neighborhood, but I guess I imagined it being more glamorous or exciting or something?? A lot of fuss about something not that great, but now we can say we have been there, done that.

You can't really see it, but it says Big Bird.

The only ones the kids knew, the harry potter kids, even though I have never let them read the books or watch the movies.=(

My feet are about the same size as Jimmy Stewart's. Kinda surprising.

Mikayla's feet are the same size as Meryl Streep's.

Mann's Chinese Theater

I thought the coolest ones were Amy Grant and Billy Graham, but everyone else was gathered around 2 that have been in the news a lot lately, I'll just say Charlie and Nicholas.

Landen got really shy once we got close to "Elmo."

Mikayla and I on the stairs of the theater where they have the Oscars. She might get one someday and can look back at this picture. Seriously though she would rather be on Broadway, that is her new goal. So maybe she'll get a Tony.

Zach didn't want to stand by Elvis even though he still loves him!

Mikayla by Tinkerbell.

Lady Gaga has nothing on Cher.

I have always thought my mom looks like Sophia Loren, so this was the perfect ending.

The kids thought it was pretty cool and now we can say we did it. We didn't do the wax museum or guiness world record musem, so maybe we'll have to go back and do that someday.

Staycation ~Part 1

~Ronald Reagan Museum~

We decided that after the craziness of the past 6 months(can't believe it's been that long since this whole moving process started) we would just stay in town for spring break. Most people come to socal for spring break so it was very easy to stay busy. We had a lot of fun and always stayed within an hour of "home."

The Ronald Reagan Museum is probably only 10 minutes from our house. I pass it everytime I go to my new Target. They just did a huge renovation and even though it is a very educational experience the kids did enjoy it. He was pretty tall! I never knew how influencial Reagan was in peace relations. It was very eye opening for me since I tend to avoid all things political.

Replica of the Reagan oval office above, Air Force One below.

No pictures allowed inside, but it was pretty cool.

One of several motorcades.

Jelly bean mural someone made for him. Really amazing! I guess Reagan really loved jelly beans.

Absolutely love this picture! My new favorite. The museum is on top of a hill in this beautiful area between T.O. and Simi. Just a really breathtaking view.

I was home sick the day the challenger exploded so I actually was watching the launch when it happened. I remember thinking it just didn't seem real. Still makes me tear up.

The kids were old enough to appreciate the history and Landen just liked that they had a snack bar. A definite must see if you are in the area. I promise the rest of our staycation will be more exciting!

She got the Golden Ticket~

Well not technically, but she was an Oompa Loompa! Our new church has an amazing theater program and every spring they do a production. I think 75 tried out and only 45 made it and Mikayla got cast as an Oompa Loompa/Cooks. Which basiclly meant she was on stage almost the whole show. She absolutely loved it and it was such an amazing experience for her. I can only imagine that she would have been even more homesick and miserable if she hadn't been in this show. She has definitely found her niche. She is not nervous at all on stage, she thinks it is really fun. She was so animated and did such a good job. The Oompa Loompas made the show! They have to react to what is going on correctly and they did it really well. Here she is as an Oompa loompa cook at the beginning of the show. She's the tall one in the middle.

She was also one of the gate keepers. Here she is by Willy Wonka.(the tall one)

She's not in this picture, but I just thought the backdrop was so beautiful! The whole set was amazing! The main guy who built it is a professional set builder who goes to our church and volunteers his time and talent to all the shows. You can also see the boy who played Augustus in the fat suit, he sang with Josh Groban and the girl who played Mrs. Bucket was in the recent Miley/ Ordinary girl video. This is just normal for this area, but it's all new to us.

They didn't allow video or flash photography so most pictures look like this, but I thought the orange wigs looked cool here.

There she is in the middle again.

You can see how animated she was. She has always been like this on stage even in preschool. She's just a natural. I love to see her perform!

Everyone was so proud of her!

Zach, Chase, Mikayla, Jake

A family pic!

With RuthAnn and Papa

Nikki, Mikayla, Bryson, and Chase( not sure where Austin and Cameron were)

Grammie, Mikayla, Bryson

With the Thiesens~Dallas, Gramma Barb, Mikayla, and Grampa Tim

Since we had to cancel Zachary's birthday party everyone came over to our new house after the show for a belated 9th birthday party!

Star Wars cupcakes made by me and Zach. He did a lot of the work!

The two 9 year olds, born just 11 days apart!

Silly faces!

Bryson and Landen playing bubbles. Landen just absolutely loved having the house full of noisy people! Bryson was so good with Landen.

And Zach got even more presents! I guess that's one good thing about having to celebrate your birthday a month late.

Zachary just adores his cousins. You can just see it on his face. It made his day to have them here!

Thanks to everyone for sharing this special day with our family!