Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday

For my Christmas present this year Brian bought me a trip to New York to visit one of my dearest friends Erin. It was something I will never forget. First of all, I have never done so much walking in my entire life... which was great because most of our day revolved around food. We fit about a week's worth of activities in about 2 and a half days...a concert at Julliard (with a lot of inappropriate giggling), Cafe Lalo, Central Park, FAO Schwartz, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Alice's Tea Cup, Patsy's Pizza, shopping in the West Village and SoHo, Magnolia's Bakery, Times Square, and dinner at the Ocean Grill. It was enchanting but the best part was spending time with a friend who is about as amazing as they come. I am so thankful for our friendship and so thankful not to be in cold weather anymore. I don't remember Idaho being that cold. Holy crap!


Jonah and I at the most romantic part in Central Park. I'm pretty sure I kissed him more than he would have liked but look at his face...I couldn't resist.

Some of my favorite pieces at the Met.

Our stroll in Central Park. We wanted to take a carriage ride together but ran out of time. Erin says her husband refuses to do this with her...that reminds me of someone I know.

Time Square was crazy and had such a cool energy. We were lucky enough to be the recipients of a free gift from a music group called the Self Made Husslers who were handing out there cd trying to "live the dream." Classic.

Ella decided for her birthday she wanted to go to the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique at Disneyland. We took her friend Natalie and after much deliberation, both girls decided to be transformed into twin sister Ariels...of course. It was a lot of fun and the girls got to pick out everything from nail polish to their crown. I will never forget the look on Ella's face when they turned her around to look at herself in the mirror. It was like she had never seen anything more beautiful in her life...I can't believe she is 5!





Ella with our landlords who our kids love. Papa and Peggy.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

The Ultimate Sword Fight

I don't want to hear it!

You do not have to tell me I am a lousy blogger, I already know. But you are going to appreciate this one because not only did I post a photo journal of summer 2009 but I also included a video that is truly for your entertainment. I almost feel bad posting it because everytime we watch it, we laugh hysterically at our little girl who has been living in LA for a little too long. Enjoy... Hope everyone is doing well.

Of course, life would not go on in our house without our visits to the see the Princesses...my children will happily wait in the 10 hour line it takes to get to them. (Cole is in love with Jasmine!) However, trying to get them to sit through a 1 hour sacrament meeting on Sunday is almost cruel and unusual torture.

We had some visitors this summer...My brother and his kids, Maddy and Luke and cousin Lydia came to spend a week with us.

Seth came too! He flew all by himself...we picked him up at the airport and after a few days of nonstop entertainment, we sent him back home to Utah. Brian says if anybody needs a little break from their kids, just send them up...we would be happy to take them.  Brian just told me not to write that...people might think I am serious. 

The animals at the LA zoo are really friendly!  

Are you kidding me?!   The apple doesn't fall far from the tree in this family.  Hopefully he gets Brian's temperament too.



So this is my one and only picture that I got from going to the finals of So You Think You Can Dance at the Kodak Theater...the sign says no cameras!? What!?  And I was so excited to get a shot of me and Nigel...how disappointing. But what really ticked me off is when I got into the theater I found out everyone except me had smuggled their cameras in and where snapping shots left and right.

Ella learned how to swim this summer thanks to Tami!  She loves her green googles.

The next series of picture took place within a time span of about 2 hours.

Ella's end of the year Preschool Party.

Owen, one of Ella's best buds...don't be decieved by the cute faces.  They are Bonnie and Clyde when you turn your back.

How we do weddings here in California.  After the ceremony, everyone was invited to strip down to their swimsuits for some sweet volleyball.  Awesome!

Our summer gym class...Superkids.  Cole's favorite thing to do was swing on the rings and give no one else a turn.  It was awesome!

So You Think You Can Dance!

This year's dance recital theme was "Toyland."  Miss Cari went all out as she does every year...her opening speech was done in a full sized barbie box!....it was out of control.  Definitely a crazy week but so much fun.  I was so proud of my students and especially little Ella who thought she was the queen of the recital.  The kids were so happy...it was a great night.  Thanks to everyone who came and supported me.  Here are some of the pictures.  

The "Wind it Up" dolls

Backstage at dress rehearsal...Ella got to watch from the side and get out of the kid's room for a couple hours...200 hundred kids...those poor volunteers...usually to never volunteer again.

p.s. This is the first picture I think we actually look alike??


This is Ella and Bailey...she was a jump rope girl.  I love her!

This is me attempting to take a picture with Ella and Cole after the show.



The teacher dance this year was Pinnochio's I've Got No Strings.  I was a dutch puppet with Miss Sabrina, Miss Carina was the russian, Miss Courtney and Nastasha were the can can puppets and Miss Cari was of course Pinnochio.  We laughed so hard choreographing this dance...Cari was hysterical.  She is now 5 months pregnant...is that carma or what?!!!!  Ella got to be the fairy who turned her into a real boy.

By the way, in case you are wondering, this is the lipstick I wear on a daily basis....



Ella awaiting her big moment.

This was the boys Power Ranger break dance.  They are actually really good...the little one is so cute...his name is Dunkin and I want to take him home.  I told Brian I wanted to put Cole in something like this one day...pretty sure that's not happening.

The Rainbow Bright girls

Ella was a Jack-in-the-box this year.  I loved this class and the song.  I got it off Party like a Preschooler...so funny, you have to check it out.