The Beach

This was Anabelle's first trip to the beach and she loved it! She had a great time playing in the sand and dipping her toes in the water.

Gabby also had a great time. She would go play in the water and come back freezing cold, but happy. After she warmed herself up in a towel she was ready to go back to the water. This is her new swimming suit this year. Not only does it keep her more protected from the sun, I think it's super cute. She calls herself a surfer girl while she's wearing it. 

Disneyland!

We were so lucky to be able to go to Disneyland while we were out in California visiting my dad. Gabby was so excited, and we had so much fun. It was a very long day, but it was very fun. One of the first things we were able to see were some of the characters that were out greeting kids as they came into the park. Gabby was able to say hi to Goofy. 

Anabelle was SO GOOD! She spent almost the whole day in her stroller and she handled it so well. What a cutie!

Gabby and I went on the Dumbo ride together, she had a great time pulling the lever and making the elephant go up and down.

We had to go on the tea cups. Gabby seemed to be having a great time as we made the tea cup spin faster and faster. Then all of a sudden she leaned over and started looking a little sick so we made sure to stop spinning. That didn't stop her from saying she wanted to go on the tea cups again later that day.

I think the highlight of Gabby's day was being able to meet the princesses. We had to wait in line for quite a while, but for Gabby it was totally worth it. It was really cute the way they had it set up. There were three princesses there and each had their own little area. The girls got to go in one at a time and talk to each princess individually. It was very cute. Gabby got to meet and talk to Belle, Ariel and Jasmine.

This is Gabby sitting on a chair in Mickey's house. Funny Story: As we were walking into Toontown (if you're not familiar with Disneyland that's where all the characters "live.") Minnie came out of her house accompanied by a Disneyland worker. Gabby was shouting "Minnie, Minnie!" but Minnie didn't hear her. Minnie and the worker walked down a little side street and disappeared behind a door. All the other kids were happy to stand back and watch Minne walk away, but not Gabby. She took off down the street at fast as she could trying to get to the door, all the time yelling "Minnie, Minnie!" It was so funny and so cute!

Just another example of how great Annie was. I made sure to have her blanket and her monkey that she always sleeps with. I just laid the stroller back and she went right to sleep, she took a great nap.

Over in California Adventure they had "Dot's Puddle Park." Gabby was starting to drag by this time of the day, but after a few minutes playing in the water she was re energized and ready to go. Anabelle enjoyed the water also.

Gabby and Bubba (my dad) driving the bumper cars. 

California Here We Come!

We left for California at 1:00 this morning. Our hope was that the kids would sleep and we could get the first half of our drive done before they woke up, for the most part it worked. They did wake up when we put them in the car, and it took about an hour and a half for them to go back to sleep, but they were very good during that time. Then they slept all the way to St. George. After that there was a lot of movie watching for Gabby, and toy playing for Annie. I was a little nervous about how Annie would handle the trip, but she was excellent! I packed a bag full of toys for her and when she wasn't sleeping she was happy to play with her toys one at a time. About 8 hours into our trip we stopped at a place called Calico. It's an old ghost town that is now a tourist trap, but it was a fun place for the kids, and Darren, to take a break. 

She missed it!

So on Mothers Day all the primary kids were going to sing in sacrament meeting. We were running a tiny bit late and got there just as sacrament was starting so we didn't get a program. A ways into the first talk Gabby said she had to go potty, so we went potty and just as we were coming back into the chapel the kids were singing the last note of their song. Gabby was so upset she stood in the middle of the aisle and said (pretty loudly) "I missed it! I missed it" It was so sad! I have to say I was disappointed too, I was looking forward to being able to see and hear her sing. This isn't the first time the primary kids have sung in sacrament meeting since Gabby became a Sunbeam, but the last time I was up there with them playing the piano so I didn't get to see. I would have loved to see Gabby up there singing on Mothers Day. I guess there's always next year right?

Party Time!!

Annie's first birthday is on Monday so we had her party today. I can't believe my little girl is one. This year has gone by so fast!

We got Annie to show us how old she is, it took a lot of coaxing to get this shot!

Her big sister and cousins were more then happy to help open the presents.

And the best part.....THE CAKE! This was her first ever taste of cake, and she loved it!