Day at the zoo

A week or so ago I just got the hankering to get out of Bakersfield with my girls.  We love the zoo, but the one closest to us can hardly be considered a zoo and so I wanted to try out a new one.  I'd heard good things about the Fresno zoo and so off we went.  We don't leave Bakersfield very often unless we are going to the Temple or on a family trip, so it was a fun adventure.  It was about an hour and a half away, which isn't too bad since everything is about 2 hours from us. It was a beautiful day, the zoo wasn't very busy, it was small enough that we didn't get too tired out, but had plenty of wonderful animals to see.  We have been to the la zoo and I liked this one so much more.  We had a wonderful time and spent a good 3 hours there.  Vivians favorite thing was the giraffes, they even got to feed one.  Emmas favorite part was taking pictures on all the animal statues, and digging for dinosaur bones:-)  I had too many favorites to just pick one.  I loved the multi colored tree frogs, the tiger cubs, the orangutan who wanted Emmas fruit snacks and the sea lion exhibit, which was great.  Luckily they both eventually crashed on the way home.  We loved it so much we got a season pass.  Hope to make it up there again soon  (O.K., as usual when I put up a post from my phone it cuts off half the pictures.  To see ALL of the photos just click on them)

2013 end of a great year

It is crazy how bad I've been at blogging.  So, going back to Christmas, we had a wonderful day, the girls were very exited and pleased with their gifts.  Emma is so sweet, she kept asking Santa for a doll house, but "Santa" had already got her a bike.  By the time Santa thought to look for said doll house it was too late.  She was so good about it and was just as excited to get her bike.  Mommy got the best present of all, a whole day off, from before the kids woke up to after they went to bed, included was some money to go shopping, as well as a movie ticket.  It was weird taking my day off, but so nice to go shopping by myself, had lunch with some ladies from the ward and went to a movie.  My sweet hubby also got the house clean so we could have friends over to play games that night.  Nice present.  Unfortunately mike came down with the flu on  Christmas.  He had the whole weekend off and was sick for all of it.  Poor boy.  He's feeling much better now.  For new years we kept our tradition of going to Mikes sisters in Vegas.  We went on a fun hike to red rock, ate way too much good and just had a good time with family.  Mike turned a whooping 31 last week.  It was funny when the relief society president called and asked if he was turning 21.  He's a pretty young bishop either way. :-)  it was a fun day and Emma sure gets into our parties.  WE always have to have balloons.  Today was a crazy day at church.  Vivian is in her terrible twos and is overly independent.  She obsesses over doing everything herself and will pitch a fit if you help her at all.  She pretty much just threw fits for most of the day.  Mommy had to put herself in time out.  Tomorrow Emma will go in for another evaluation and hopefully we'll get some more information and get a game plan.  Once I know more I will let you know.  Baby #3 is plugging along and will be 15 weeks.  I am just taking it a week at a time.  I sure haven't missed the crazy pregnant dreams.  Yikes, last night was awful. :-)  anyway life is busy but good.

Unmotivated Catch up Post:)

O.K. so the past month or so I have been COMPLETELY unmotivated to do anything let alone write my blog so for those who actually check, ....sorry. My family has been lucky to get dinner. Oh boy, thankfully my hubby loves me. So here is a quick update of the past couple of months. We had a fun Halloween. We went to a party at a friends home in our ward. They went ALL out with bounce house, mechanical bull and all. Fun family. Emma was so excited about the trunker treat this year. They sang the "chicken dance" and she has been singing it and dancing it ever since. She was a beautiful Cinderella and I was happy that my last minute Minnie mouse ears for Vivian actually turned out. I won an award for "practically perfect in every way". Ha Ha, glad I could get some more use out of my costumes from last year.

For Thanksgiving we went to Las Vegas and spent it with the Andals again. It's nice to have family at least a little bit close by. They were wonderful hosts as usual and were patient with our crazy brood. Emma was having an extra rough week and week prior so it was interesting. Luckily she began to behave more like herself once we got to San Diego so that was a blessing. She had just been so defiant and emotional. Not a good phase. Anyway, after visiting with the Andals and the happy chance of having the Greens in Vegas as well. Woo Hoo getting to see 2 families, we headed down to San Diego. The first day was wonderful. We just walked along the "beach" of a little inlet, we also went to a pier, rode the merry go round and watched the surfers. It was such a nice day and we wished we would have brought the swimsuits to the beach with us since Vivian got soaked by a wave. That night we went to Old Town and had some good food. The best thing there was the Mormon Battalion visitors center. It has changed so much over the years and they completely renovated it. It was amazing. They had these talking "video" pictures that told the story and then you moved from room to room. It was super interactive for both parents and kids. At the end they took an old time photo of the families and then you could also "Pan" for gold. It was so well done and a nice place to feel the spirit of the pioneers. The next day we met up with Mike's brother Matt and his wife Evelyn to go to Sea World. Mike and the girls had never been so it was fun. Things had changed since the last time I had been, but it was still wonderful seeing the animals and the amazing shows.

We had a busy weekend because we turned right back around and headed home so Mike could be there to be sustained and set apart as the new bishop in our ward. It has been an interesting experience from his first promptings that this call was going to come to the blessings he's received since. He is so humbled by this call, but trusts that the Lord will help him. It will be an interesting journey for our family. When I first told Emma that her Dad was going to be the Bishop she just started laughing and then she started to cry. When I asked her why she was sad she said, "I don't want Daddy to be the Bishop because then he will stop making ice cream". It was funny that she thought this would be his new "full time" job. It sure adds a second, but her logic made me laugh. The month of December is always wonderful yet so exhausting. I normally have desires to get out and do, but we have become wimps and it has been so cold here.:) Ha Ha, for most of you the low 20's probably sounds nice, but it is a record cold here. The other day our pipes froze which I thought was unheard of. Too funny. The Christmas party and Christmas concert will be this weekend and I am in charge of the program so it will be nice to get those things over with. Well, that about covers what we have been doing. Oh, Emma has also done some fun things with her preschool, here are some photos of the annual fire station trip. Vivian is old enough to get into this stuff as well.

Temple Work

I had an amazing experience yesterday, I was able to go to the temple and do the work for my Aunt Margene. I don't remember ever meeting her in my life, so this opportunity has helped me to feel some kind of a connection to her. This was the first time that I took all the steps to prepare the name and get it ready for the temple. I was also able to prepare another family name as well further down the line. The spirit was so strong as I heard the words of the blessings that we receive in the temple. I am grateful to know that we have a loving Father in Heaven who knows our hearts and has provided us with multiple ways to accept Him and the truths of the gospel. Our Saviors sacrifice allows us to repent not only in this life, but in the spirit world as well. So thankful I could participate in His work in such a special way. I love the temple and the peace that I feel there.

Another wonderful part of the day is that I was able to have one of my dearest friends Irene come with me. She joined the church about 3 years ago and went to the temple last year. She had not been back to do any work for her family members, but this time we were able to prepare her parents and grandparents names. I will never forget the beautiful spirit that filled our hearts as she was baptized for her mother and grandmother. I was honored to be able to be there with her for such a special experience. We are so loved and blessed. I haven't commented on conference yet, but I just LOVED every minute. I was reminded again of how prayers are answered as everything I had prayed to learn more about was covered, and within the very first session. There were many powerful talks and I'm thankful for the men and women who sacrifice to serve the Lord and sought the Lord's inspiration to guide them in knowing what to share with ALL of us. Everyone I have talked to seems to have connected in a profound way with one or more of the talks. So this Sabbath day I am just thankful for the blessings that come from the gospel, and I hope that I can do better at sharing those blessings and this knowledge with more people that I come in contact with, whether they are not currently members of our Church, or those who need a little love and encouragement to come back or continue to come. P.S. This beautiful weather can't ever hurt to lift our spirits as well. I LOVE the Fall!

Cool weather

I love fall weather and especially when it starts to cool off here in Bakersfield.  I went through the girls clothes and I always get sentimental when I bring out clothes for Vivian that Emma used to wear.  It doesn't seen like it was that long ago that Emma wore them, and then Vivian is getting so much older.  My little girls are growing up too fast.  Today I Brooke out the cocoa motion and we had a hot cocoa party.  The girls lived it and you can't best Stephens mint truffle.

Recipe group

For the past year and a half or so we have been having a recipe group each month. It has been a nice opportunity to generate new recipes but mostly to have a girls night out. This past week we had it at my house and the theme was Halloween. We had an awesome turn out, I was able to use my outdoor fire pit for the first time this season, and hopefully everyone had a good time. I enjoy getting to know more of the sisters in our ward, but it is also a great format for people to invite their friends and neighbors. It's a wonderful break to my month.

Preschool 2013

After a long search we finally found some people to people to participate in a preschool Co OP this school year.  It is interesting how everything turned out.  Well see how it goes, but I am hopeful that it will be great.  I am actually going to be teaching twice a month, but I'm looking forward to my girls having the structure again.  They really enjoy it so that is good for me as well.  For our first field trip we went to the country fair, saw the animals, clown and fire safety puppet show.  This past week I taught.  The first day went well, but since they are just starting out it is a struggle trying to get them used to a schedule.  It is good for me to learn patience and being flexible.  Wish us luck for the rest of the year. :-)