Happy Birthday Paige!

Yesterday we went to Pump it up to celebrate My niece Paige's 6th birthday. She is actually four days older than Lily but because both of their birthdays are so close to each other and the start of school we never end up having their parties on their actual birthdays. The kids all had a blast!

We were also extra excited that Jeff's brother Scott was able to come home from China in time for the party. Scott was in China doing translation to English for a Chinese author. Scott brought home some beautiful Chinese outfits for Paige and Lily and t-shirts for the younger girls. Thank you Uncle Scott!!!!

What happened???

Today when I got home from school my eye looked like this. It doesn't itch or hurt but my whole face feels tingly. I think I may have gotten bit by something. If it doesn't get better in the next couple hours I'm calling the Dr.

YUCK!

Around the World in 80 Minutes

Lily's birthday was fabulous! Thanks to all who came!

We sent out invitations that looked like airplane tickets and when the guests arrived we had passports complete with photos for them.
Flight attendant Alyssa took them through airplane procedurs and they landed in France where they had a fashion show.

They then went to China for picking up jellybeans with chop sticks and Australia for a Kangaroo Hop race.

They went to Idia to have thier hands painted with "henna", actually a washable marker. Then they went to Hawaii where they made bubble gum leis. They finnished up with Mexico and the pinata and then gifts and cake!



It was my favorite birthday party yet! Lily is still reeling in the excitement! Alison had so much fun that she came down with a fever of 104 last night so today we are getting a much needed rest!

L.A. Adventure

We finally went on our trip down to see my family in LA. It seemed like we were talking about it all Summer! We had so much fun! First of all my sister, Connie flew up to Sacramento and we picked her up at the airport and immediately started driving back down the 5 fwy. She has been trying to talk me into reading the Twilight book series for a long time but since she had a captive audience she read the first several chapters to me in the car while I drove. I am so hooked!!! I read the rest of the book the next day and now I'm almost done with the second, New Moon. The drive went really fast because of the reading.

The next day we went to the LA ZOO. Alison was in heaven with all those animals and she keeps looking at the map and talking about what we saw and didn't see. My niece, Meshell and her baby, Cosette came al0ng as well as my sister. It was hot but we still had lots of fun! Thanks to Meshell for the free Zoo passes!

We rested and I read the whole next day at my parents house and we went to church with them there. It was nice to see some of the people I grew up with and visit.

On Monday we went to the Long Beach Aquarium with my mom and my friend Lisa, who lives quite close to the Aquarium. We say lots of beautiful fish and even got to touch sharks and rays! Then we went to Bubba Gumps for lunch and it was super yummy! Thanks Mom!!!

We visited with Aunt Susie and Gio for a bit on Tuesday then we drove out to Corona to help prepare for my nephew, Clint's arrival home from his mission in Arizona, Tempe mission.

He came home on Wednesday and my sister's house was filled to the rafters with family to welcome him home. The kids had a great time playing with all their "almost cousins" from my sister's husband's side of the family. We were so excited to see Clint and we are so proud of him and just know that the next year will be filled with even more adventures for him!

On Thursday we picked up my mom and headed back north. She read to me in the car too and helped me get a little more than half way through the New Moon book. My mom stayed at my house for a few days to help us prepare for Lily's party...to be continued...