California 2011

This year we went to California with Bryan's entire family. We bought city passes that give you one day at the San Diego Zoo, one day at Sea World, three days at Disneyland/California Adventure, and one day at Universal Studios. We started at the zoo and it luckily wasn't too crowded considering it was on a Saturday. We rode the double decker bus around and then walked to see the animals. Cyndle's favorite animal is the okapi. It is in the background of the first pic in case you aren't sure what that is. (I wasn't sure the first time she told me it was her favorite a year ago.)

Cyndle and the okapi

Chillin' with cousin Lexie

Posing for the camera

Next, we went to Sea World. I have never been before so I was super excited about it. We got to pet the dolphins and feed the rays. They have a little pool of starfish you can pet. Cyndle didn't like any of it! She was perfectly content to watch everyone else petting the animals. She just didn't want to. Sterling was a little skeptical about the whole petting thing too, but he liked it. The kids were afraid of the polar bears and Cyndle was scared of the beluga whales.

Posing with Shamu

JoyAnn and Tevan petting the dolphin

Starfish

Starfish

With the Polar Bears

Kissing the walrus

After San Diego, we drove up to Anaheim. We went to Disneyland, the California Adventure, then back to Disneyland over the course of three days. It was a little cold when we where there but fun just the same. And because it was an off time of year, there were no crowds for the first two days.

Dumbo

Dancing around

Walking with Grampy

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

Minnie Mouse

Teacups

Riding on Uncle Tommy's shoulders

Here's the back view. Hilarious!

Monsters Inc Ride

Jessie and Army Man

Carousel

Carousel

Sleeping Beauty's Castle

Ariel

Tiana

Cinderella

Alice in Wonderland

Giveaway!

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Christmas 2010

Christmas was so fun for us this year! I love that my kids are at such fun ages for Christmas. I must say, I love being the parent at Christmas rather than being the child. It is just so fun to see the excitement when they run in to see what Santa brought for them. We spent most of the holiday with my family because it was their on-year, but still saw the Rudd's (one of the perks of having both families in Mesa). Stephen came home from Hawaii and it was good to have him here. We miss him so much. We always go to the dunes the day after Christmas. Everyone went this year, even David and his family, and it made it that much more fun. Sterling, Dad and I were actually pretty miserable for most of the trip. We all had ear infections and strep throat type stuff going on so we ended up coming home a few days early. Bryan stayed with Cyndle and I was glad they were able to enjoy it.

Halloween 2010

Bryan and I decided to carve a pumpkin this year for the kids. It is the first year that Cyndle is actually old enough to have an idea about what's going on. Sterling, not so much. We also went to a pumpkin patch in Gilbert that was fun. There were some farm animals, bounce houses, and the kids got to pick a pumpkin to decorate with stickers. I had so much fun for Halloween getting everyone's costumes made. I made all but Bryan's and we were that nerdy family that's all matchy-matchy. We went as Peter Pan characters. We didn't go trick-or-treating this year because Halloween was on a Sunday, but our ward had a really fun trunk or treat party.

Cyndle Turns 3

I can't believe Cyndle turned 3 in September! That is just craziness! For her birthday, we had all of our family over for cake and ice cream. She got lots of fun presents and was so excited to be a big girl now. According to her, turning 3 now makes her an adult. Bryan and I are definitely going to be in for it when she's a teenager!