Really?

The other day Wynden had a chili cook off at work for his Tuesday meeting.  They do it every year.  Wynden didn't think it would be a good turnout, so he made a ton of chili using the pot you see in the picture above.  After I washed it, I had it on the counter to dry.  After a couple of days, of course it was dry I asked him to go put it away (I think it was out in the shop).  He right away took it and headed it outside.  I was like wow that is amazing.  And....this is where I found it the next day.  It's still there.  I think there was an Everyone Loves Raymond episode like this.  I don't want to put it away, but I'm thinking that it will be there until next year's chili cook off if I don't.

The California Finale

Lexi and Hunter got to try out my brother in laws snorkeling equipment oxygen and all.  It was in a pool, so no tropical fish to see or anything.

Hallie spent a ton of time on the counter.  She was deathly afraid of my sisters 3 lb dog.  The last day she finally realized there was nothing to be afraid of, Mercedes was not going to get her.

Lexi got a few highlights in her hair by my niece, who is going to beauty school.

I am so glad that I took the kids to California again this year.  We had a good time.  On the way back I got a  little confused on directions and ended up taking highway 101 to Lincoln City where I met Wynden.  Highway 101 is beautiful.  There are huge redwood trees along the roads.  You get to see the coast, which is amazing.  It was a very windy day, so the waves were crashing up against the rocks and it looked so cool, but it is the windiest road you will ever be on.  Originally I was going to go this way home, but then I saw how curvy it was and was like no way.  My kids get too carsick.  It was torturous.  Hunter, Lexi, and Hallie all got sick.  I was prepared with Ziploc bags though, they are the best for car sickies.  Even though the ride was awful the ten hours to our destination went really fast thank goodness.  We were really excited to see Wynden.  Jonathan and Suzanne came with Wynden too, so we had a nice time with them.  It is always nice to get home after being gone for over a week, but I'm so glad we went.

Tourists in San Francisco

Alkatraz Island

We went to San Francisco on Tuesday.  We were going to go to the science center there, but when we got there they were closed because they were moving to the pier.  So instead we went downtown and wondered around.  We went to the Musée Mécanique or nickel arcade, but I think that it has been a while since the games were a nickel.  I was excited to see the arm wrestling one.  I will give a special prize to whoever can comment first on what movie that was seen on.  The kids spent the money that the Easter Bunny had left them on sweatshirts and animal hats.  They had fun shopping and spending their own money, which they never usually get to do.  We ate at In N Out burger for lunch.  On the way home we shopped a little at an outlet mall.  It was a really fun day.

Back to our California trip :)

 On Monday after Easter, we went to Six Flags (my sister has season passes there and can get us a good coupons)

 The thing I love about this amusement park is that it is a zoo as well.

 Waiting for the elephant show (we were sitting on the front row).  I've never been so close to an elephant before and let me tell you they stink!

 Karlee and Hallie's favorite ride....Diesel was too short again this year, but Hallie was tall enough.

 This is Diesel and me on the kid's roller coaster and at the end it whiplashes you to a stop.

 The girl's were so cute together.  It was mostly the three youngest and me while the older two went on the big rides with their cousins.

Always a favorite.  This ride soaks all those on it.  Thanks to Lacey and Brock for suffering through about 10 times.


We had a great time again this year.  When we first got there it was raining, but we had to wait for my sister to get her season pass, so by the time we got in the gate it had stopped.  The weather was perfect and we stayed until almost closing.  The kids were good and we can't wait until next year...

Diesel had a birthday!

Diesel had a wonderful birthday this year.  He picked going to the wave pool for his special day (with a little help from his sister).  We went to dinner after and then came home where he was showered with gifts from his siblings.  I love how the kids start a couple of weeks before the birthdays making and figuring out the best thing that they can give the birthday boy/girl.. My kids are very thoughtful when it comes to birthdays.  The younger girls colored and beaded so many things for him and could hardly wait until the day to give them all to him.  He had a really good day.

 

I will probably say this every year for Diesel, but I can't believe my youngest is four.  The time has gone so quickly.  A lady the other day told me something like, oh your youngest is four, it will definitely get easier for you.  I have to agree a little not that I have ever had it so bad, but naps are no longer controlling our days, he can sit through a movie at the theater (if he can sit through the three little pigs at the Mt Baker theater he can sit through anything), he is close to an all night sleeper, he is really pretty easy.  I take the kids and go and do whatever and I don't really worry anymore about things going terribly wrong, so I am really looking forward to the summer and our many adventures.

Happy Mother's Day

Breakfast in bed and great kids, what more could a girl ask for.   Happy Mother's Day!