Birthdays and Beaches and Princesses, Oh My!

Having our birthdays so close together does have its benefits. On June 25, we headed down to our old stomping grounds in the OC for some birthday fun. We stayed with our wonderful friends, the Merciers and Cooks, who were wonderful hosts and hostesses. Ali loved seeing her buddies, Patrick and Cassidy, and was super excited to have some quality time with Miss Melanie.

However, the main reason the trip occurred when it did was take advantage of the "free ticket on your birthday" at Disneyland. Since kids are free until they turn three, this was the perfect time to go. We felt like quite the rock stars when every employee we ran into wished us happy birthday (after seeing the birthday pin we were given). We rode rides, danced in the parade, and most importantly (in Ali's mind, at least) met SIX princesses (Ariel, Jasmine, Mulan, Snow White, Cinderella, and Belle for you princess lovers out there). We also saw Alice (which Ali was VERY excited about as well). The teacups were a family favorite. And Ali left with a crown that flashes colored lights (leave it to our daughter to pick the tackiest crown of the bunch).

We also spend time at the beach, where we were able to catch up with our friends, the Darts, buying some new Rainbow sandals, eating many meals with great friends, and going to the beautiful wedding of Jenn and Kris (which happened on a great day; July 3--our fifth anniversary!)

All in all, a great vacation. We were sad to leave. Here's a pictorial guide to the trip:

Ali super excited to see her buddy Patrick


Having a blast on the teacups.


Our friends, the Darts (Jason couldn't make it to the beach)



Josiah LOVED the beach. He could have spent days there!


Ali and Cinderella. She was so excited to able to meet and talk to the princesses.



Ali and I "doing the twist" with one of the parade dancers.

They get along so well...

On at least a weekly basis, people remark to me about how well our children are behaved in church. I always wonder where they go to church, because Ali leaves for "Children's Church" for about half the service including the sermon, and Josiah has been preaching about as much as I have lately. This makes for comments from Anna like "I thought the first five minutes of your sermon were good, because that's all I heard before having to take your son outside."

Last weekend, Ali went to Kidfest with Anna on a Mommy date. She met Dora, and enjoyed bouncing in the bounce houses. With all the kids there, Ali got very used to being ushered out of the bounce houses after a couple of minutes of bouncing, which is very sad because she is physically capable of bouncing for upwards of an hour.

Thankfully, Ali got to make up for lost time on Memorial Day. The whole family decided to take a trek down to Mt. Cross Lutheran Camp for their annual barbeque. At the camp, a bounce house was set up where Ali bounced to her hearts delight. This took over an hour, and no one was there to usher her out. Ali, being a conscientous young girl, still ushered herself out every three minutes for the first half hour we were there to ask me if she could bounce more. As I didn't have much else to do and we really wanted her to enjoy her first taste of camp, I let her continue until it was apparent to anyone who saw her that she really needed to take a nap.

Then last week, our dear friends the Berkbiglers came to town. We got to spend some time with them, checking out the sights and sounds of Concord as well as the smells and tastes of the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield. And where else can you find portraits of Elvis and Ronald Reagan made of 10,000 jelly beans. We had much fun, and then shipped them off in Coastal Starlight Express.

Seriously, you're writing about us again?

Crawling?

Not quite, but Josiah would love to be. Here is as close as he gets.

He had his six month check up last week (he was almost seven months, but that's when the doctor wanted to see him. He's 20 pounds, 5 ounces and 27.5 inches tall. He's wonderful, and the doctor would say. Ali is doing well. She has a great time at a birthday party for two of her friends last weekend. She could have bounced all day.

Mother's Day was very nice for us all. I was given a "green thing" (aka I pod). Sunday afternoon we went swimming at our friends house and Monday I was treated to brunch at Panera (yum!)

May is winding down and we are looking forward to a visit with the Berkbiglers and the end of the month. Our doors are always open if anyone wants to come hang out!

Just for Will

My brother was sad because we posted no pictures of him taken during our trip to Kansas. Sorry, Uncle "Wheel" (as Ali says it). We love you and still talk about your big tractors!

Vacation

With Easter over, the family took a vacation to Kansas to catch up with my family and have some relaxing time. We (being Jed) drove all over Kansas and even into Nebraska to see lots of people. We were able to see Gramsie, the Potters, Uncle Will, Nana, Granny, and many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was great to see everyone.

Josiah decided that Nana's house was a great place to get his first tooth. He now has two pearly whites and has lots of fun feeling them with his tongue.

After Kansas we flew to Texas to see our dear friend, Kari marry Jason. The Johnson wedding was beautiful and it was a great chance to see many friends. Ali will still tell people her favorite part was dancing (she LOVED the chicken dance). Good times were had by all.


Now we are home and back the the usual.

Easter in Pictures

I'll give this one to Josiah...since my easter basket is full.

I did pretty well...I made out with a purple bunny, some egg-shaped chalk and I'm safeguarding Josiah's candy. Yeah, that's what I'm doing.

When you wake up and find Easter candy in your basket, it's always a good idea to wash it off in your new toy sink. You never know where that candy has been.

Easter? Cool!

Ali looking stinkin' cute in her dress.

Easter's the best. When can we do it again?

Bubbles and Easter Eggs

Ali loves bubbles. She has just recently really mastered the art of blowing them herself and now wants to teach Sy how to as well. The hat in these pictures is for Uncle Will.

Ali and I also painted Easter Eggs today. We didn't go too fancy since this year she was amazed watching the water change colors and "magically" making the eggs change color. She was very proud that she did it herself (with just a little help from Mom)