We're in the Money

I wish this was a post about all the money we now have... but lets face it, we are not the people who win the lottery.  I think you actually have to buy a ticket first and that defeats the whole use every dollars for its best good ideas I have.  Instead it is a post about Ali's dance recital.  Ali is taking Jazz dance and did a dance number called, "We're in the money."  The girls started out in worn trench coats and then threw those off to wear the gold sequin dresses.  Here are some pictures of them.  Ali is with her friend, Isabella, who is also in the same class.  

I woul

Disneyland

We finally got to take the kids to Disneyland again!   It was a lot of fun.  We woke up at 5 am because we wanted to get there, park, get our annual passes (lots of paper work) and then be in the park when it opened.  We mostly made it on time.  I am not sure why the pictures are somewhat out of order but I am too lazy to try and fix it.  

The first stop in the park is always the bathroom and this time was no exception!  But after the bathroom we were able to get to the rides pretty quickly!  I love having big kids!

 The first ride we went on was the rockets.  I figured we should have something easy for Annika's first time at Disneyland.  She thought they were a little scary anyways.

 The first ride we went on was the rockets.  I figured we should have something easy for Annika's first time at Disneyland.  She thought they were a little scary anyways.

 Cameron took Ali and Ashling on Space mountain and I took Annika on Buzz Lightyear.  Then I went with Ali again on Space Mountain.  We then went on Buzz with everyone because we had a little time to wait for Star Tours.

 After Star Tours we met up with the Sampson's on Thunder Mountain.  We then rode a few rides in fantasy land.  My favorite thing was seeing how my friend's kids played so well with my own kids.

 We then went all the way over to Thunder Mountain only to find it closed.  We walked back over to the Jungle Cruise and went on that and then took some time for lunch.  We went on Pirates of the Carribean and shopped around a little.  Finally it was time for our Indiana Jones ride.  The little kids went through the tree house while we rode it.  After that we did Tom Sawyers Island (or whatever they call it now.)   The last rides at Disneyland were Spash Mountain and Winnie the Pooh.

After that we went to California Adventures and managed to get California Screaming, The swings,  the merry go round, Soaring over California and Tower of Terror.  The night ended with a great firework show from the Plaza.  We were very tired but we are very glad we have passes and can go back when we want.  

Happy Birthday Ali

My Ali turned 10 this year!  I can't believe I have such a big girl but I love having a 10 year old.  They can do so much and are so fun to talk to.  For her 10th birthday we decided to have an evening up on Keller Peak and play outside camp games and climb the rocks.  The party was a huge success and everyone had a great time including the parents.  (This rarely happens at kids birthday parties... see why I like 10 year olds?)  

 We had hot dogs and played sardines, hide and seek, tag and some other games along with playing on the rocks.  We also had smores around the campfire.

Big Bear Zoo

I went on a field trip with Ashling to the Big Bear zoo.  The zoo is little but they do a good job of allowing you to see the animals up close and personal.  Ashling too a million pictures of each animal but I am just gracing you with a picture of the grizzly bear that I was very impressed with.  The size of the claws on that thing make me certain I never want to see one in the wild.  And I mean never!  This is Ashling's friend, Emily, with her in the pictures.  It is fun to go on field trips with the girls and get some one on one time.  

Piano Recital

Ali has been taking piano lessons from Jane Garvin in our branch for about a year.  Ashling started taking lessons in January.  They are both doing great and were very excited to perform at the recital on May 12th.  Ashling played her songs very well and when she made a mistake she felt bad but her teacher assured her she was fine and she kept right on going.  Ali performed well too.  We are very proud of how hard they work and how much they practice their music.  I think piano lessons are very worthwhile and hope they will continue for a long time!

My gym field trip with Annika

Annika's preschool went on a field trip to a My Gym where the kids can play around on all the equipment meant to help develop their muscles.  Annika loved it.  It was a very cold and drizzly day and so it was a perfect day to be inside.  She tried everything and liked it all.  Afterwards we went out to eat at Chick fil A which is one of my favorite fast food restaurants.  

Happy Birthday Ashling

For Ashling's birthday we went roller skating with a few friends.  I don't know why but I didn't get pictures of all the girls.  We went to Wendy's first and had chicken nuggets and milk shakes.  Then we went skating.  It was so much fun for Ashling and her friends and I tried it out although I was pretty scared of falling and unwilling to go very fast.  Ashling is a pretty good roller skater though and she loved it.  

 We bought her a new bike for her birthday with gears!  It is such a nice looking bike!