Huntington Beach

So our first day to go out and venture into Cali was a blast! Saturday evening we went to Huntington Beach. It was my kids 1st time to see the ocean up close (they saw it on the plane and at the aquarium earlier that day). I had put my legs in the ocean once, so it was our first time playing in the ocean, even though ShyShy wanted nothing to do with it. Rayce has been to Hawaii and Australia, so this was no new game for him, so he was teaching us the ropes. We had a BLAST!

Rayce teaching us how to body surf the waves!

The four of us having fun!

Icee wasn't so sure she liked being that deep, she would cry when she saw the wave coming, then she would laugh as soon as it passed.

Rayce trying to convince Cayge that it's okay being in the water that deep. Cayge loves sharks, so in return he has watched JAWS and other shark attack shows, so he was SURE that because we were going out that deep we were going to get attacked by sharks!

Shylee and Katlin wanted NOTING to do with the water. But they sure were cute sitting there being sun babies!

Aunt Beckie helping Icee and Naomi find sea shells.

Our new friends Oliver and Amanda. They were friends with Rayce's mom but we now LOVE them! They are awesome! Oliver showed us around all day! And Shylee fell in love with him. Amanda made us dinner 2 nights while we were in town. They are the BEST Californian's that I know!!

Our First Day in Cali

So, I know, it's been a month since we went on our trip, so I will FINALLY start posting so picks. This first set is pretty much our first day we landed in LA. It was CRAZY hot! When we flew out of Spokane, WA it was about 55 degrees, when we landed in L.A. it was about 70, not bad. But by the time we made it to Anaheim around two o'clock, it was already 102 degrees!!!! We didn't even want to get out of the car. To top it all off, we actually had to stay in our car because the hotel wouldn't let us check in for another 45 minutes. Then when we finally did get to check in, out AC unit didn't work in our room and it took them 6 hours to finally get it fixed!! We spent some time in the pool, so it wasn't to bad.

In the van on the way to Spokane Airport at like 5 in the morning!

The girls checking out the planes at the airport.

Cayge was so excited he could hardly stand himself!!!

Cayge loves Star Wars (notice the shirt!) so what better toy to get him than some new Star War's Legos.

Mommy and Icelynn enjoying some time on our 2 1/2 hour flight.

No that's not a growth in his armpit, it is Icee and Daddy getting ready for take-off.

Shylee and I on the her first airplane ride! (It was all of their first time flying!)

She seemed so tiny in those seats (even though they are tiny themselves!)

So, most people probably think this is kind of corny, but Rayce and I thought it was really special! Our kids did great. Shylee got a little stir crazy, but literally the second the plane landed, she was OUT! She slept all through LAX and actually made it much easier on us. The flight home was not so promising. She napped on the way to the airport, so by the time we took off she had just hit her second wind. She wanted to RUN. It was really hard containing her and not bugging other people. But I think we landed with success. Even the pilots said they were good.

Happy Father's Day!

Well, to the men that I am writing this for, I know you won't read this, mostly because it's on a computer, and secondly, because it's on a blog. But I'll write it anyway.

First of all to my husband, Rayce. You are the best dad I could ever ask for for my children. I love it EVERY day when you walk in the door and all three kids come running at you full bore! They love you with every stitch of their being, and I know that because they talk about you all day. Things like: "When is Daddy going to be home? Mom, your so boring, when is Dad going to be done with his work so he can play with us!" Ya, I know, I must be pretty pathetic! Rayce, you are a great dad and a wonderful husband. I am truely blessed to have you in my life!

To my Dad. I love you. What a shinning example of a man! You always did your best for me and my brothers and sister. Even though sometimes we didn't agree, it always seemed to work out! You have been such a great example to me in so many ways. You taught me how to be a hard worker, a good person, and most of all, a good mother. (Cause you know as well as I did, you got to celebrate both Mother's Day and Father's Day! He He!) I will never forget when Cayge was born and you were by my side most of the time! (Meaning, I didn't want you to see EVERYTHING! EWE!!) You were just as eager to see the kids as Rayce and I were. You are also a great Grandpa! My kids love you as much as I do! You have always been there for us and we love you so much!

Hope all the dad's can have a very Happy Father's Day! (Even though I bet only girls are going to read this!!!!)

Really cute Backgrounds

Just a heads up. I have been looking for a really cute theme for my blog. I FINALLY found some really cute ones. They talk you through it step by step so your links don't get erased. Go to:

www.leeloublogs.blogspot.com

Icee's last day of School

So I am like a month late on this one, but this was Icelynn's last day of Preschool. She loved school and was kindof sad that it was her last day.


This is her head teacher Miss Allison (now Icee thinks that the movie is Miss Allison Wonderland!)


This is the Family Advocate Miss Jess



This was Miss Heidi, a student teacher. Icee LOVED her!


Icee's school best friend Noelani (Noe) Allison (yes, the same name as their teacher)

I got Tagged

Okay here it is, my first time getting tagged. Here is what your supposed to do. List your 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself. Then you need to tag 5 other people and let them know by commenting on their blog comments. So here we go....

3 joys...
My first and major joys to me are my children. They are the best thing that has ever happened to me. Life is 10 billion times better with them around.
My second joy is my husband. Even though he is cranky right now, he is still a joy to be with.
My third joy is my extended family. I love my family, and with out their never-ending support, our life up in Moscow would probably not be as smooth for us.

3 fears...
I really don't have very many fears. I am deathly terrified of anything happening to my children, husband, or family.

3 goals...
My first goal is to make myself lose weight!!! I have a big number set for myself. I want to be 130 pounds by Christmas. Even less than that would be nice, but I'll take what I can get. I have lost about 15 pounds so far, so I'm on the right track.
My second goal is just to have my little family happy. Which is a constant goal, minute by minute. But as long as they are not bickering, or crying, I feel confidant that I am doing a good job on that goal.
My third goal is to have a good attitude. Some times I really struggle with that. But I am trying hard.

3 current obsessions/collections...
My newest obsession is the Twilight book series by Stephanie Meyer. It is actually three books, Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse. I just started the third book, and have a really hard time putting it down. I read the first two in a total of 5 days. I have only ever read one book front to back, and that was way back in high school. So I am kind of geeking out on myself. I love it thought.
Another obsession I have is blogging. Even though I haven't posted for I while (1which I will get our Disneyland picks up ASAP), I love doing it. I check my friends blogs alot too!
Another obsession is clothes for my kids. We don't have money currently to just go out and buy them the name brand clothes that I want to. But I have always believed that a first impression on a mother is the way her children look. My favorite clothes usually come from second hand or even thrift stores! I love it. I don't care what the tag says, as long as my children look nice when we walk out the door.

3 random facts about myself...
I guess the first is I am actually really shy! Most people don't believe that, but I really hate being in a croud of people. The last thing I want is for the attention on me!!!!!!
Another fact about me is I LOVE the show Dexter. It's so cooky, but I love it! He is such a cutie, and yet he is a serial killer!
One more random fact about me is I hate wearing makeup! I really hate the time it takes to put it on and make it look good! I am horrible at putting on make up, so I usually just wear mascara!

Alright, I did it! So I am now tagging
Brianna
Jamie
Nikki
Chelsea
Valerie