Mormon Night @ Angels Stadium

Yep, you read that right. Our stake reserves a section each year.
Go Angels!!!

We thought the Rangers were gonna beat us when the score was 7-0 in the 3rd inning. The Angels didn't disappoint, though. They won the game with some very exciting home runs & great plays.

I didn't have an Angels hat, so I painted my toenails a sassy red instead.

We have never been in a stadium that had such great fans!

The post-game fireworks rocked!!!

New School

The kiddos started school today. A little early, but we're excited to try the year-round school schedule. Miss Courtney--still can't believe she's a 2nd grader!
Xanderman is in his last year of grade school. Hard to believe!

Day Before School Disney

I woke up feeling blue that this was the kids' last day of summer break.

What better to do?

Disneyland!

{we have reached rock star status in our kids' eyes}

She's in the I don't want you to fix my hair, Mom phase.
This boy is getting too grown up!

Courtney's first time through Indiana Jones with her eyes open!

Carlsbad

Sheri's Mom & Dad have a home in Carlsbad, so after our visit, they headed down there. We were happy to meet them for a few more beach days!
Isn't Cole's surfboard cool? Speaking of cool, it was overcast and a little chilly!
Xander really enjoys boogie boarding.
{all except getting a layer of skin sanded off his belly}

There's a lot of rocks @ this beach for the kids to create with.
Loved this. Only in California...
Our little Miss loves to collect, show & tell at the beach.

Jacob--I can't believe how much these kids have grown in a matter of months!

Two peas in a pod, these two!

Thanks for the fun visit, Trimmer family!

Happy Birthday, Baby Sister!

It is tradition for Rebecca to go to Disneyland on her birthday and eat @ the Blue Bayou. The kids and I brought her breakfast in bed

{or breakfast in futon}

Esquelito style--from Nacho Libre.

Off to Disneyland!

{Love the placement of Alexander's celebration buttons:}

I thought this was supposed to be a "silly face" picture we took while waiting for Indiana Jones.

This is the last we saw of her sunglasses. She lost them on the Pirates ride.

{A little memento for Captain Jack}

THIS is the silly face picture.
And this. Cotton candy mustachios--don't ask.
Happy Birthday, my dearest!

My Sister Came!

Rebecca came to celebrate her birthday weekend with us. Hooray! How adoooorable is she?!?

{with her stolen flower from a nearby plant}

On Saturday, we met her friend Mindy @ the Newport Beach temple.
The moment I walked in the front doors, I was overpowered by the feeling that I'd finally come home.
It is breathtakingly beautiful and the spirit is indescribable.

After, we went to In 'N' Out--Rebecca has been going into Animal Fry withdrawals since moving to Utah.

That afternoon, we went to Newport Beach and met up with Rebecca's friend Kristen. Love their sandcastle!
I went boogie boarding for the first time in 6 years.
I could feel my age.
Bruises and sand in every place imaginable.

Xanderman's pit. Did I mention I did not take a single picture with my camera the whole time Rebecca was here? I just borrowed her pics she posted on FB.
I am a rotten sister.

To end the day, the girls went
{in our post-beach loveliness}
to have some lettuce wraps @ Pei Wei and frozen yogurt @ Pinkberry. Mmmm!

All Star Game

We didn't know who to cheer for--our loyalties are divided.

Of COURSE we love the Red Sox.

And the Dodgers.

And, OK, the Diamondbacks {a little}.

Now our local team is the Angels. We had to have a party, being that the game was held in Anaheim.
Xander even got dressed up for the occasion.
{Complete with Dad's BoSox flip flops}

FHE in the Park

Our new ward has a fun tradition.

Every 2nd Monday during the summer months, they meet at a park for ward FHE.

They BBQ burgers & dogs, and the members bring a side or dessert to share. We had a great time! They had an amazing face painter come, and the kiddos loved it.

What a great idea!

Our 1st Visitors!

I can't tell you how excited Xander was for this visit. Cole has been his best bud for years. We were delighted to have the Trimmers come!
We played and played... Sheri & I went to Eclipse {yea!}, took a few trips to the beach, ate yummy food, swam, & the boys did lots of Nerf gun wars.
Saturday morning breakfast on the patio.
On the last evening they spent with us, we stumbled across a benefit concert. Sugar Ray! It was cool to see them live. Love them!

Huntington Beach Fireworks

At this point, I put my camera away, snuggled on the blanket with my family, and watched in awe.

Patriotic Parade

On Saturday, we found a parade in a nearby town. Attending the 4th of July Parade

{or in this case, 3rd of July Parade}

is a long-standing tradition in Darren's family. I still get choked up whenever I see the flag on the 4th.

Most everyone else was seated in the shade. We didn't mind the sun! It's so mild here. Highlights--it was a fun, hometown parade.

There were lots of Scout troops that participated. Xander misses scouting!
Someone who was promoting the new show "Cats & Dogs" handed Courtney one of these masks. As soon as she put it on, the dog next to us started growling and barking at her.
OK, so I thought the Renaissance Fair/D & D people dressing up & fighting was ultra corny.
This is a close second.

An entire section of Star Wars characters!
Light saber duels and all.
Xander thought it was most awesome.
Personally, I think the farmer tan rocks!

This would be Darren's favorite part of the parade. Universal Studios sent down some fun tv/movie cars! The fleet of deloreans was a blast from the past.