Universal Studios

We needed a day off from school and work, so we ended up at Universal Studios, a place Ladd has been wanting to go for a long time!  I wouldn't recommend it right now because about a third of the park was closed for renovations, but we still had fun.  It was cheaper to get a year pass from Costco than a one day pass, so I guess we will get to go back sometime soon.  The renovation won't be done til long after our passes expire though. :(

 Hanging out in the Dino play land while Ladd and Tanner went on a few rides...

 Dora was the highlight of Charity's day.  There are no little kid rides there and she kept hoping to find a Dora ride.  When we got to the car in the evening, she said, "No!  Go Back!  I want to go on Dora ride."  Sorry to disappoint you Charity!

Waiting for a show...

 Stopping traffic in New York to drill...

My 4 favorite people to hang out with for the day...

Pine Wood Derby

This was Tanner's final year at the Pine Wood Derby!  He won the "sweetest ride" award.  He is doing  a no-sugar challenge this year, but he obviously still has sweets on his mind!  Good job Tanner!

General Washington

We have been learning about the Great and Noble Patriot, General George Washington!  Here are a few things we've been up to…

For Book Club this month, we read George Washington Socks.  We did a tableau of Washington Crossing the Delaware...

 And made these mini-cherry pies.  They were sugar free, because my boys are doing a sugar free challenge this year, but everyone still loved them!

Tanner and Hunter made these adorable portraits of George…

Yesterday we visited with George Washington himself!  

He lives in Tustin, who knew?  He invited our school group in to his home-turned Museum to show us all of the wonderful artifacts he has from the Colonial Times and early America.

Showing us what camp would have looked like for a soldier...

Here is the inside of his little Museum…

George had a lot of currency from early America that he taught us all about.  It was fasinating.

  

 This little Patriot was impressed with George Washington too, but needed a few breaks from his Museum, enjoying the sun in his backyard.

 Holding a real cannon used during the Revolutionary War.

 Practicing his shooting skills, I think this pistol was from the Civil War.

 I loved this quote...

 And had to get a picture of this Romney '68 for Ladd...

 Here is his website for anyone interested in meeting George.  He was a really nice man, very good with the kids, and dedicated to sharing our early heritage with future generations!

Since our group was so large, we had to visit George in 2 shifts.  He lived down the street from a park, so when we weren't meeting living history, we created it ourself!  We surveyed the land, carried a sack of 12 lbs of potatoes to see what Continental Soldiers had to carry, learned to load a musket and a few other activities!  It was a very hands-on day!

Sleeping Beauty

It is a rare occasion when my children just fall asleep wherever they might be, must have been a long hard day for this little sleeping beauty!

More Holiday Traditions...

Here is a picture recap of our 2013 Holiday Traditions…

Christmas Lights on Balboa Island

 

Christmas Caroling on Thoroughbred with Old Friends...

 Christmas Eve Party with Cook Family at our House...

 Chef Monica carving the "roast beast"...

Christmas Morning… Santa Came!

 Charity was a little overwhelmed this year, I think she was a little scared Santa was going to be waiting for her in our house. (she cried when she saw Santa earlier!) But she loved the fishy crackers he brought her and eventually decided it was safe to get out of Mom's lap and go jump on her new trampoline! 

Christmas Brunch at Grandma Cook's!  …And more presents!

Christmas Afternoon at Grandma and Grandpa Hoyals...

Family Pictures on Christmas Day...

All 16 grandkids standing still at the same time, oh my!

We also started a new tradition of a girls trip to Vegas shortly after the holidays, thanks to Ladd's parents new Vegas house!  Lots of fun-nice and quiet- away from the 16 munchkins above!

And, we managed to squeeze in a trip to Big Bear for New Years with the Bishops, our favorite way to ring in the new year!

Happy 2014!  May you keep all your resolutions.   I am still trying to decide what mine should be...