Disneyland

We just got back from our much-awaited trip to Disneyland! We went with Frank and his family who got us an awesome deal on a Marriott hotel room and helped us get around in California. Getting to Disneyland was like an intense rollercoaster ride in itself. If I were to derive the rules for motorized vehicles solely based on those we met on the way there, these would top the list.

1. Blinkers are optional - maybe even frowned upon. (The few times I saw a blinker used it was for less than a second and half the time it happened AFTER the lane change.)

2. The 2 second rule between vehicles is non-existent. Since we were following Frank we wanted to be right behind him so we didn't get lost. If there was more than a 4 foot gap between the back of Frank's van and the front of our car then it was as good as a mile gap. The gap would always be filled by a blinkerless vehicle.

3. Motorcycles can do whatever the heck they want. They can go in between vehicles, lanes, etc. Turns out this is also legal.

4. The speed limit is a number you should always be 15mph over. Otherwise you become a dangerous obstacle for other drivers (not to mention the motorcyclers).

5. Parking spots are never open for more than 30 seconds. In order to park at Laguna beach we had to stake out a spot and wait for someone to leave. Then we were blessed to be able to pay 5.00 for it.

At disneyland we mostly did kid rides with a few exceptions. Molly was just under the 32" height for a few rides. She had a lot of fun at toon town which is where we took these pictures. We discovered that Molly has learned to smile on cue for the camera.


Sunday we hung out with my sister Mern and her family where Molly painted a lovely picture with fingerpaint.

Monday we finished up disneyland and watched the world of color at california adventure. It is music/picture/video show projected on large water fountains with the videos and pictures projected on the mist of the wide fountains. Who'da thought to use mist as a backdrop for pictures?

Tuesday we went to Laguna beach and Molly loved getting in the sand and feeling the waves crash on her feet.


We went to Vegas that night and ate in a casino buffet the next morning with my old buddy who lives there . We made it back Wednesday night about 8 just in time for us all to start our colds.

#2

Here's a summary of what's happenin' around here:

1. Molly loves to wear this backpack that we've had for a while. We may have stolen it from an unsuspecting cousin but we're using it until it's reclaimed. She has us put it on her and wears it around like she's ready for class.

2. We went camping a couple weeks ago with Sara's family and Molly loved hanging out with the cousins and getting very dirty.
3. Fred found a really cool slug in front of our door that he had to take a picture 0f.

4. Sara is pregnant and is due April 6th.

Lagoon

We have been having an awesome summer. In August freds company paid for us to go to lagoon for the day and even fed us dinner, it was awesome. Here are a fews photos to update:

Molly went on the boats and loved it. Especially because she got to ride with a complete stranger.


Molly also loved the Merri go Round. We rode that One a few times

She also discovered how to smile on que and gives us this awesome smile everytime the camera turns on.

We rode the train and had some fun waiting in line.

Molly Loved the train with grandparents:

After about an hour Molly was done and so she left with the grandparents while me and fred enjoyed a nice date night. It was fun to go on the rides without a kid but I have to say that the highlight of the day was seeing Mollys super excited face on the rides.

Update

Wow we are really falling behind on this blog thing. I haven't given it up nor do I plan to give it up soon for something like a book of many faces. Since the last post we bought a new (to us) car! We had been watching for a CR-V for a while and almost bought a 2003 model. One day this 2004 showed up on KSL at a chevy dealer in woods cross. We went down there that day right after work. We had a list of things to check and features that were important to us. When we went to test drive it the salesman wanted to ride with us. I told him it would probably be 45 minutes or so because of my checklist. He was somewhat surprised but came along anyway and was a bit thrown around - literally. Here are some of the items on my checklist:

Performance at 75mph - observe rattling or veering
Air conditioning endurance - 10minutes on max through the front vents
Heater
Child safety lock
Radio (bring CDs)
Reverse
Cruise control uphill, downhill, and find minimum cruise control speed
Brake tests - gradual stops (squeaking), slamming(screeching)
Engine fluid colors or oddities
Idle for 5minutes after the drive

So we did all these tests with the dude in there. We got the car ice cold and then cranked up the heater and did some speeding. Then we got down to 25mphto test the cruise control. Went to a parking lot to drive in reverse (quite rapidly I might add). Then the brakes - that was the best. I announced that I would be testing the brakes and to hold on. Apparently the salesman didn't hear and he went flying into my headrest because he wasn't wearing his seatbelt when I slammed on the brakes. Then we did it again - he was slightly more prepared the second time.

Our tests were pretty exhaustive but I felt like we had a good vehicle. They let us take it home that night and had us bring it back in the morning for a checkup (the dealership had only got it that day). For the time they were doing the checkup they gave Sara this gangsta Cadillac to drive around.

The cadillac was cool but we were glad to get back to our new CR-V. It has a lot more room than the accord (which we kept) and is much more off-road worthy. The back seats tumble forward so we can fit long things even with Molly in the car because the back seat is split. It also has a fold out picnic table in the back. The only problem we are having with the car now is coming up with distinguishing names for the two vehicles. My accord has always been known as "the Honda". Now we have 2 hondas. Jury is still out on what to call the CR-V. All we know is that "the Honda" is out.

We have been spending a lot of time on our balcony. It fits 3 camp chairs nicely and is a good place to relax after work.
We spent some time with Becky and her kids catching carp by Willis's Pond and going to the lake. At the pond we hooked 7 nasty carp. Brayden and Ethan both caught 5 pounders (relatively big for the pond). I had forgot to bring my net so we had to use a pitchfork to get the fish out of the water once we brought them in. I think we all increased our spearfishing skills as well as our angling skills. Tons of fun.

Easter, Graduation, and fun with Molly

We have a bunch of pictures that I have been meaning to post for a while.

FIRST: Easter Pictures
Our church starts at 9 am. This year because I was so excited for easter we got Molly up 5 mins earlier than her regular wake up time. This picture shows how she felt about that decision.

After a little bit she did warm up to the idea of cool presents.

This is Molly's Easter dress. The bunny she is holding was in last years easter picture when she was 1 week old. I thought it would be cute to continue the tradition.

Molly has started to like tv. We have one channel called baby first tv. Its great, and has a bunch of developmental programs for babies. It was created by the same people who made the baby Einstien videos. Molly loves it and its the only time in the day when she will sit down without being restrained.

SECOND: Graduation
Here is our happy family at fred's graduation. It was a great day.

Molly loved the end of the graduation when they called the names one by one. Everyone clapped over and over and she got a real kick out of clapping a bunch.

Here is fred and his parents. We were so glad to have them there to watch him graduate.

THIRD: Mothers day
We spent mothers day up in laketown with Keith and Danielle. Kathryn gave me and Danielle a pair of socks she got but didnt want. They were so soft I wanted to put them on molly so she could feel them. One thing led to another and thats hows this picture happened:

Molly loved those socks and kept them on most of the afternoon. There was a bunch of sliding. But that did not stop her.

Your might think Molly is mad in the picture. For those who see Molly a lot you know that she has many fake smiles that she uses. But this is her super happy genuine smile. It looks much cuter in real life.

Molly's Haircut

Here is a picture of the after math of Molly's Haircut. It was intense because I wasnt really sure I wanted to cut it until afterwards. Plus Molly never sat long even to even up all of the edges. I do love it now because it really was a mullet before. Now its a cute little bob.

Picture Post of Molly's Birthday!

Here is a picture summary of Mollys birthday. For her Birthday this year we took advantage of her interest in animals and had a zoo theme. As part of the birthday on saturday we went to the Hogle Zoo. It was so much fun and Molly loved every minute of it.

Here is Molly with her Cousins: Weston, Braxton, Boston, and Savannah with my Dad

Here is Molly and Fred Checking out the Giraffes. I love the way Hogle Zoo is designed. Almost all of the Habitats having an indoor viewing area. The zoo really seems get Utahs crazy weather.

Here is Molly playing in a giant egg at the zoo playground with her friend Kelby. They are really cute together. Me and fred always tell his mother how lucky she is to have a redhead.

Here is Molly with her aunt Katie playing the piano just before her birthday party. She had a blast at that piano and was very upset when her mean mom turned off the piano and forced her to a have a birthday party. But she did seem to get over it after she opened the presents.

Here is Molly's birthday outfit. I completely forgot to get a picture of the cake. But it was awesome and delicious.

This is the after party when molly got a chance to go wild with all of her presents. It was a great birthday! And I will make sure to tell her how much fun she had when she is old enough to understand the concept of a birthday.