Spectrum's Ferris Wheel

I'm not sure if you're aware, but I have a fear of heights, and the idea of going on a Ferris Wheel scares me to no end. So the boys went up on one at an outdoor mall they have in Irvine called "Spectrum". They had fun while I took pictures from below. :)



They also have a Merry-Go-Round, which Liam of course loves too.


A fun Family Fun Day all around at the mall. :)

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!! Today was a great day to live in SoCal. After church, we went out for fish and then to Laguna Beach. But first, the two most beautiful men (on earth) must pose for the camera.


Laguna was fun. My brother's family and a family from church joined us to the caravan to the sand. I didn't take a lot of pictures, as I didn't want my camera wet. But it was a blast. I participated in my very first valet parking experience. Sad I know, but I'm cheap. I didn't really have a choice as I couldn't find parking. So my little blue xB pulled up next to the Mercedes, Beamers, and Rolls....a bit out of it's league. LOL. I felt a little funny asking them to park my car, but I'm sure they've seen worse. I love my car, don't get me wrong. But it was a kinda funny having it valet parked.

We brought our beach tent for those who burn (i.e. Christian)...it was a big hit.


The waves were huge, and the rock caves were awesome (Liam loved it in particular). The only bad thing - the water was 32.1 degrees Fahrenheit I think. Okay, maybe not that cold...maybe 32.2 degrees. LOL. It was FREEEEEEZING!!! Yet both Luke and Liam dove in head first (sigh). Crazy!! No doubt, this picture is of Christian, Anne, and Trinity watching the insanity of my family diving in the water.



Overall it was a great day, and a wonderful reminder of how blessed I am to have the best daddy for my boys. Declan is just getting taken care of by his heavenly Father. Luke's still got plenty of work to do on Liam. LOL

A big love and hug to my precious papa. I love you and wouldn't be who I was if it weren't for you. God blesses me everyday with the love and faith we share. Love you!!!

Discovery Children's Science Center

We had fun today at a children's museum called the "Discovery Cube" in Orange (it looks like a giant cube on one of its points).

I have always been hesitant to go to it because it lies right near CHOC (where Declan was hospitalized and where he went to heaven for his stay here in California). I've avoided it for obvious reasons for a while now, but felt courageous to be near the hospital again. I have to work my way up to actually stepping foot in it as I am 99% sure I will have one of my clinicals at CHOC at some point in the next 3 years (especially since I want to specialize in Pediatrics..).

Anyway, we had a great time, and only thought of the obvious CHOC eyesore when we pulled in and when we left. They had a whole "Bob the Builder", a dinosaur exhibit, and an "Animal Grossology" theme going on. Here are some pics from the day:



Liam pulled his own weight up a rope in a chair. He is one strong boy!!




"Fixing" a sink.



Liam did AWESOME on climbing the rock wall - I was totally impressed!!






Luke and Liam laid on a bed of nails. Liam wasn't too thrilled about it and wanted off right away (LOL). I don't blame him!! But Luke toughed it out.





There were plenty of characters to have his picture taken with....of course Bob.




I know we'll go back soon! :)

Trinity's Graduation

Trinity's Kindergarten graduation was today. It was a beautiful ceremony, far exceeding anything I ever had for passing into the first grade. I don't even remember having a graduation, but that's not saying much as my memory is pretty darn horrible.

Anyway, from the multiple speeches of praises to the kids, staff, and teachers, it was beautifully done. The whole thing. Congrats Trinity!! We love you and are very proud of you!!



As a side note, I had fun doing a pedicure the night before. LOL.


The proud sister, papa, grandpa, and grandma beaming


Trinity looks way too excited to be heading in with her class. LOL



Anne (president of the parent's association) gave her two cents of admiration at the ceremony. Nicely done Anne!




Diploma time!! YAHOO!!!



What could be better than getting your medal from your mom?!? How cool is that?!?









The kids even sang (one of the songs to the tune of "Heaven is a wonderful place"), which I thought was a nice closing touch!



Cheese!!




Dinner at a fun interactive Japanese restaurant. Liam throughly enjoyed himself beyond words. He kept requesting for "fire". (sigh) Just what we need...

We also sang "happy birthday" to Joy




And congrats to Trinity for her graduation

Kenan's Graduation and Grandma J's Funeral

Last Thursday I flew out to Wisconsin to surprise Deb. Her son Kenan was graduating on Friday and I wanted to be there for her on that hard day that she'd be accepting his diploma. I wish I took my camera with me that day, because it would just move you to tears. The hollers, screams, and applause for Deb and Brain as they walked across the stage to accept his diploma was simply amazing. I cried like a baby! :) It went on for a solid minute or two. JUST AWESOME!!!

I also found out that as I sat down on the plane in L.A., Luke's grandma (also from Wisconsin) met her heavenly father that day. Needless to say it's been an emotional roller coaster of a week. Please keep Deb's family and ous in your prayers as another reminder of Declan's absence looms around us. We miss him more than words!!

Joy's Birthday and Trinity's Kindergarten Graduation

Christian and Anne provided flowers for church in honor of Joy's birthday. They are so pretty, and they gave us one of the two arrangements - thanks guys!! It brightens up our dining area, and we think of Joy when we see them.



Joy's party was at the same location as Trinity's last year. Liam insisted on NOT dressing up this year, but somehow allowed the assistant to draw a goatee on him - probably wanted to look like daddy - LOL. Trinity sure had a great time celebrating her Kindergarten graduation with her sister's birthday. Of course she was a knight and Joy was a princess. The world would be in chaos if they ever switched roles. :)

Boxes Can Be Fun

For some reason, my husband decided it would be fun to take pictures of me sleeping...not a nice man. At the same time, Liam was playing "robot" with the spare boxes we have laying around from the move. Toys can come in all different shapes and sizes...didn't realize a box could be so entertaining. :)

Liam is in that stack of boxes!!




Would you just stop taking pictures Lukas!?!?!



Cool shot Luke!!

Deb's Trip to California

What a great present to the end of A&P class!!! My bestest friend in the whole wide world came to visit me from Wisconsin. She'd never been so far west as Fargo, North Dakota, and obviously never seen the ocean. So what did we do first? We went and saw the ocean!! It was a shame that it was so overcast that day.


Liam dove right in eventhough the water was INSANELY cold!!!



The next day we went to our favorite place to get martinis, and had an awesome time!!! My favorite is still the Key Lime Pie Martini!! :) As you can tell, we enjoyed them thoroughly!!




We then went to the San Diego Zoo the following day. It was awesome!! Liam and I have never been there, so it was a real treat for all of us.






































Can you find where the insect is?





The petting zoo was a big hit.







Deb and I got matching henna tattoos...don't worry they aren't real. Gave my parents a real scare though!! LOL




We then went to SeaWorld the next day. They had their grand opening of their Sesame Street Playplace, which I will never return to if I have my way!! LOL. But you know who makes those decisions most of the time!! It sure aint me!!











No rest for the weary...the next day was Legoland!! We HAD to show Deb one of Luke's and Liam's favorite destinations!!








We then went to the famous, yet horribly yucky old Hollywood. I've never been there, nor will I go back. It was fun to see all the stars that make the entertainment news so often. The Chinese Theater...very neat. But again, not going back! LOL






Last stop on Deb's journey, a trip to the beach...on a nice day!! :) Laguna Beach to be exact:




This is too funny...a meter at Laguna Beach for parking that takes credit cards - LOL


We had an awesome time, and I want her back!!

MISS YOU DEB!!!!

Hair Cut Time

As you can see by the mop on my son's head, Liam needed a hair cut. As you may or may not know, Liam is terrified to have his hair cut which is why we generally get a buzz cut so the torture isn't so often (at most every 6 months). I have to say, he did very well and screamed minimally at the salon. JK, he actually didn't cry at all. Hopefully this stage is over?!?! Dare I say the words?!?

Liam before:


Liam after:


Liam looking so studly with his studly daddy:

I got a B!!

YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I got a B in Anatomy and Physiology!! I can't tell you how happy I am!! What a tough yet fascinating class. I know I'm going toward the right direction since I already miss it. :) I started my summer school class this week, but it's just a boring computer class I need to take for my degree....blah blah blah. A great class to take over the summer....quick and painless. I'm sure Luke is just hanging his head, but I'll leave the exciting tech-y stuff to him. :)

This is the "I don't want my picture taken" look, taken the day of my last final in A&P: