40-38

Joseph was in charge of dessert for Family Home Evening this week,

so he made our birthday cake.

I know it doesn't have 78 candles, for our combined ages.

We just decided to do 4 candles and 0 candles for Erik's BIG 40.

Jalen Andrew was very helpful in blowing out the candles,

as well as unwrapping the presents.

He also took time to model the earrings just like he had seen me do.

Shhh. It's been a long day - not because he's 40 now, but because it was another full Sunday. Let the poor Bishop sleep.

Thanks for the surprise chiffon cake, Mom.

I decided I should take a picture, but didn't think of it until after I had already eaten a slice, and suffered my yearly hiccups.

Newport Beach, California

Crystal Cove at Newport Beach.

So fun!

When I go to the beach AFTER Disneyland, I often wonder

why we as humans spend so much money, time & effort to go to man-made entertainment,

when Heavenly Father has given us these great outdoors for free!

Jalen Andrew was attempting to write his name in the sand,

just like his big brother, James.

The rock behind was huge, and it was covered in this vibrantly green algae.

It was beautiful!

Mr. Stud Muffin, himself.

Our Beach Babes.

Jalen Andrew had a great time throwing rocks into the ocean,

and running around on the sand,

but when I would start walking in the water, he would get nervous.

He would call out to me, run over, grab my hand, and then would lead me

over to Erik for safety.

We found all kinds of beautiful shells and rocks there,

and the sound of the ocean was so relaxing.

We also saw a couple of dolphins jump out of the water and back in.

James as KING OF THE BEACH. He has been saying King of the Beach since he was 3 -

nobody knows where he got it from - so we've been anxiously awaiting the day when he

could finally know what a beach was.

The kids were ready to go home.

Joseph was hungry.

Christine was tired.

And James just wanted to play on the computer.

Erik and I, however, wished that we had a few extra days to spend there.

It was so relaxing and calming.

Loved the breeze, loved the sand, loved the coolness of the water,

loved getting away from everything with the family!

Quick Trip to Disneyland

"Happiest Place on Earth?"

Yes, if you're there with your family.

We had a great time together!

The weather was absolutely gorgeous,

although I did manage to get a sunburn.

(Rebekah now calls me "Redneck.")

By the end of the day,

we had plenty of tired feet,

but all in all, everyone had a good time.

Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blaster ride was . . . well, a BLAST!

The kids really enjoyed this one, and we went on it several times.

Another favorite?

Autotopia!

We went on this one several times too.

It was a crack up to be driven around by the boys -

my head was flopping this way and that,

and we all did a great deal of laughing.

Look - the teenagers are even smiling!

My favorite ride, of course, was It's a Small World.

Everyone humored me by going on it,

and to my heart's delight I could hear James and Jalen Andrew

singing the song throughout the ride.

Because nobody really caused a stink about MY ride,

I decided to not be a party pooper,

and consented to go on the tea cups with Erik and the two younger boys.

Big mistake! Still hate that ride. Jalen Andrew did fine, and everyone else enjoyed it.

Me? I could hardly walk out of the place, and my kids, I think, were worried that I was going to black out. (This smile is BEFORE the ride began).

The carousel is also a must when we go to Disneyland.

Our princesses . . .

and princes . . .

upon their noble steeds.

Before the haunted mansion - well, Joseph's look says it all.

And after? James immediately said "Can we go again? I LIKED that one!"

Autotopia again? Absolutely.

Jalen Andrew was clamoring to see Mickey Mouse when he

walked by as we were eating dinner,

but when he had the chance to meet him finally,

he really wasn't all that sure about it.

Toon Town - I should have taken the boys there a lot earlier,

and let Rebekah and Erik have all the rides on Space Mountain that they wanted.

It was nice to get away for a little while, and just "goof" around.

"Knock, knock."

"The Toads!"

*The boys did surprisingly well. Jalen Andrew was scared on his very first ride, the rockets that you fly around, and he was calling to me, "Mama.Mama." and trying to climb into my arms, but I was able to settle him down quickly.

*Space Mountain was a hit with Rebekah. She went on it twice, and was all set to go a 3rd time, but the ride broke down. Erik convinced us that if we could handle the Indiana Jones ride, that Space Mountain would be a piece of cake. I, in turn, convinced Joseph to try it. I learned 2 things on that ride: 1. Erik is a liar, and 2. Joseph's face and voice freeze when he's petrified - he couldn't even scream.

*The two younger boys did GREAT, and there was no change of clothes necessary. Wow! That's about all I can say. Wow!

Give a Day, Get a Day

In conjunction with Disney's Give a Day, Get a Day offer,

our family made fleece blankets for a hospital.

They will be given to children, having to stay in the hospital,

to help them have something comforting to hold onto.

We wrapped them in our love, and attached a "hug" from each of the kids

(a ribbon wrapped around the blanket, with a message on each of the kids' hands)

We learned some things in the process:

1. Even small hands can do some big work

2. If it inolves scissors, then Jalen Andrew MUST be a part of it

3. There are 2 sides of the fleece that are easy to cut and tie,

and 2 sides that are harder to stretch

4. Sometimes modifications have to be made -

the blue fleece was a MESS to work with, so we skipped the ties

on that one, and bound it with a different fleece -

it ended up being my favorite

5. Working together is fun

6. Working together to serve others, is even better.