Spring Break 2009 Continued

First we went to Du-Par's for lunch!  The kids absolutely love it!!!  If you haven't been there, you should try it.  Their pancakes are amazing, and everything is made from scratch.  The kids especially love the fresh fruit!!!

And, they LOVE the dessert!

After lunch, we came home and went on a bike ride along the paseo behind out house.  I really need to get back to exercising more regularly as this kicked my booootay as the kids would say.

I don't feel too bad though cause even the dog was exhausted!

Zack and Sophia love Gracie.  When we stopped to take a small breather, they were all over her kissing and hugging.  I don't get it, but I'm glad they love her.  I am a fuddy dud when it comes to pets.  I figure I have enough trouble cleaning up after humans w/o an animal added to the bunch.  However, I did have a good time riding the bike while watching her run her little legs off.  The Dog Whisperer would be so proud!

I love this next picture of two kids and their dog.  Isn't it precious?  Zack is really good about taking her out to go potty several times a day.  We're still working on a schedule that works well for all of us, but we're getting closer to eliminating potty frustrations.  And, technically, Gracie belongs to Auntie Gina, BUT I think the kids have taken over.  Shhhhh. Don't tell.

A little off roading...

Looks like we were riding in the wilderness when really McDonalds was just a stones throw away.  I love this city!!!

That's my crazy boy.  I love him so much.  Seven - not cool.  So not cool!

Spring Break 2009 Cont.

Disneyland (again)!!


Auntie Gina, be very jealous!!!

Crazy kids having fun in Toon Town.

Another classic Sophia face!

Pluto is so cuddly!

What, we have to leave before night time?!!!

Spring Break 2009

We started the day a little late because I let the kids burn the midnight oil last night! We decided to meet Auntie Gina at Du-Par's for lunch. The kids beg to eat there, but I think it is because the people who work there spoil them with things like extra crayons and fresh fruit!

Afterwards, we were going to go see Monsters vs. Aliens, but the timing didn't work out. So, we "went" to the lake for some outdoor fun. The kids had so much fun just picking up sticks and pretending to fish. They were running all over and jumping up and down in the middle of the ducks. Zack kept saying that it was so beautiful, and that it looked like spring. He is such a romantic. Sophia just kept telling me that the fish were hiding because it was cold outside. She thinks she has life figured out!

I couln't resist posting this picture! This is a face we see oh so often! Usually she is reprimanding someone for being "in EEEE pope ree et"!

Taken from afar...

Today I saw a crane. Now, I am not superstitous but in the past, when I've seen a crane, good things have happened. I have a feeling that in the next couple of days, I'll have some super good news. Think me crazy if you must, I just may have to agree!

Contemplating life...

"fishing"

This is the "punk rock" duck that was chasing Sophia! It was hilarious!

Two kids and a duck in flight!

No stopping! Well, we paused...

Bridgeport Clubhouse

Home sweet home - Zack, Sophie, and Chloe

Did you know that Moon Sand is all the rage??? The kids LOVE it! I highly recommend it! Zack bought it for Sophia with one of his birthday gift cards. He is a cool little giving dude!

Those who know me will be very proud to see the mess below! With the exception of the glasses left on the table, the rest was approved by me! OMW - crazy mess will go away when spring break ends! I am just so thankful the kids have a place to make a big mess and enjoy it!

Officially Home Two Years

Random Pictures from two years ago... Boy do they grow fast!

Disneyland

Pony rides

Zack's 5th Birthday

At the baby home a little more than 2 years ago

In Moscow

At the hotel in Nizhny Novgorod

At Hard Rock Cafe in Moscow

Hangin' in the hotel in Russia

Our first morning as a fam in Russia

Red Square

No words can express how happy we are to be a family so I'm not even going to try. I just know that while 2 years seems like a long time, I can't believe it has ONLY been 2 years! It seems like we have been a family forever, and today reminds us that we are a FOREVER family - no matter when it began, it will never end. We are thankful to God for that!

Disneyland for Zack's Bday

This is Sophia right off of Tower of Terror for her first ride! She balled! However, by the end of the day, she was asking to go on it again!

Zack and Gina went on Buzz Lightyear together.

I got to go on the rockets with Zack this time around! Last time we went Sophia was bouncing the rocket up and down and I tugged on her pigtail to get her to stop. She remembered that, and dramatically stated that she was going on the rocket with Gina! So I got to go with the birthday boy!

Here is the 7 year-old with his Happy Birthday Button. Everywhere we went, people were telling Zack happy birthday, and Auntie Gina taught him how to respond politely by looking the person in the eye, smiling, and saying thanks.

Crazy fam!

It was getting chili out!

Zack learning about how tortillas are made before he got his whole package of birthday tortillas!

How much do you weigh in tortillas?

Going on the new It's a Small World. I liked it.

Our fam right before we left for Disneyland!