for the local ladies...

There is going to be a big consignment sale in March and i think it looks really fun. Click here to get all the information for shopping or selling.

A Day in Long Beach

We loved the Aquarium of the Pacific! We had never visited before, so it was really fun! Again, it was a BEAUTIFUL weather day. It was my mom and dad's idea, so I will give them credit for the good time. We will definitely have to go back again!

the kids loved the jellyfish. they had so many different kinds there.

HUGE Spider Crabs... Kinda creepy


Halle touching the rays




eating lunch


gavin on the pier

oooh baby.. are you surprised I talked my mom into this?!

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At the aquarium, they had lots of baby shark eggs that they had removed part of the hard outer casing (I have no idea what this is called) and you could see the little tiny shark's heart beating in there. Before I took the video, it was swimming in circles! It ws so neat to see! I couldn't help but think about little unborn babies. I can bet that it would be highly illegal to harm this unborn baby shark, but yet still okay to kill little babies whose hearts are unquestionably beating.

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I had to include this little clip of Isaac in all his 2 year old bliss. He is wandering around while we are walking along the ocean in LB. He is so cute right now!

(Sorry about the video quality, they were take with my camera)

ISSSSAAAAAAACCC!!!!!!!!

I was in computerland while eric and gavin were deep into an xbox trance. Isaac sat right on the bed with everyone no more than a foot away and managed to create this lovely work of art on my PB duvet cover!! I hope the cleaners can get it out wothout taking me to the cleaners!!!!

~~When i get out the camera, he is suddenly ashamed of his masterpiece and will not pose near his creation!

No-School Monday

We headed to the Wild Animal Park to take advantage of there being no school on Monday. It was a such a nice day; it was so warm for January!

At the gorilla exhibit, Isaac decided he was "afraid of the galillas" after about 30 seconds he said, "I am done, where's the giraffes?" Those were his favorite as well as the ducks and flamingos (always a big hit with our kids).

Gavin thought the gorilla's butts to most humerous. That's a four year old boy right there.

Halle really enjoyed her slushie from the wall of slushies... and she better have, for each of the kids to have one it was 20 bucks! Gotta love amusement park deals, huh?Watching the ducks

... and the flamingos

the gorillas

isaac will not even look toward the "gallilas"


a gorilla behind for Gavin (kind of, he moved)

checking out the giraffes




halle helping isaac see the meerkats (she is such the big sister) enjoying her slushie of many colors

on a rainy saturday...

waiting in the line to get into the lot at 7am


feeling a little nervous!

We finally had our long awaited marathon day! It has been raining off and on for the last few days, and we were bummed to hear it coming down when we woke up at 6 am. But thankfully, by race time it had cleared and the weather was pretty nice for running. So... here's the low down on our efforts:

Eric: Full Marathon: 26.2 miles, 4:05:33, 9:22 pace

(this is actually incredible considering his longest run ever was 16 miles and that was 2 wks ago)

Kristen: Half Marathon: 13.1 miles, 2:05:44, 9:36 pace

It was really fun and we are already looking forward to the next one, the Rock'n Roll Marathon in San Diego June 1st!

9 years, if that's even possible!

...which I am pretty sure isn't since I am not that old! We celebrated by going to Ruth's Chris for dinner. It was yummy as always and so nice to have an evening alone. My mom also let us go on a run together in the morning- actually our first time running together EVER. So all in all, we had a great day! It's been a fun 9 years, not without ups and downs, thant's for sure, but definitly everything I ever really wanted! Okay... no more mushy!!

January 22, 2009

to whom it may concern...

Halle wrote this letter to Gavin in response to Webkinz that were in their Christmas stockings. FYI, Webkinz are little stuffed animals that come with online codes that you play in a virtual world. Each month, there is a pet-of-the-month which receives extras when logged in. Gavin's pet happened to be the pet-of-the-month.

an army-pirate-daddy

Isaac is so cute! He is obsessed with wearing Gavin's rainboots and this pirate hat from Halloween. I thought it looked so funny to see him taking care of the baby in this getup!

National Bankruptcy Day

This is sooo frustrating for me! I am so upset that I cannot turn on the tv without hearing about Oprah's shocking weight gain (how awful!) but have heard nothing about this issue that actually matters and will hurt all of us!

Here is all the info regarding National Bankruptcy Day

Please go here to sign a petition to fight this!

Please, Please, Please sign the petition and write to your Congressmen!! This is really going to hurt!

Help! I'm reliving Twilight!!!

I am having Flashbacks! There are piles of laundry, stacks of dirty dishes (when I do actually manage to feed people here), blood-shot eyes from little or no sleep, constant distraction, neglect in all forms and on many different levels...

I AM ADDICTED TO GUITAR HERO!!!

I need help! I am soo far gone! I got it for Eric for Christmas. I never even considered liking it, I was totally clueless. But nonetheless, I tried it and that was that.

So, apparently I've been nagging about curtains...

For Family Home Evening on Monday night, we had a little New Years themed lesson. We talked about the New Year and Resolutions. We each went around and I wrote down our resolutions. When it was Eric's turn, he was thinking and Gavin leaned over and whispered in his ear, "hang up the curtains!" I love it!

Ok, I know this is totally inappropriate, but....

my brother Chad and Eric were sharing a sausage link! My Dad said, "Look it's Brokeback Station!"

I know, not appropriate, but so funny!!!

Christmas Morning

I must have been burnt out on pictures, or maybe was just enjoying seeing the kids open their gifts too much because I have very few pics from Christmas morning.

Gavin got a scooter (thanks Grandma Pam)

Halle was so excited to get a DS

Isaac and his bike... which he is now pedalling like a pro

Halle picked out this truly amazing gift for Eric... Mighty Putty! It is a joke in our family that my daughter is the "As Seen on TV" Queen! She retains all the pertinent facts from these little commercials and is always telling us how they can improve our lives. She saw this in line (right next to the Aquaglobes) and just had to get it for Daddy.

The kids got PB Anywhere chairs and some other goodies. We got a Wii for the whole family and have really been enjoying it!! Christmas Morning was really fun this year. The kids were all old enough to really be caught up in the magic of the season.

We were doubly blessed this year to have Steve, Suzanne, Zachary, and Emmalynn here from GA before leaving for Germany for 3 long years. We spent Christmas afternoon and evening at Eric's parents. The kids really enjoy playing and we will miss them dearly! Isaac got a beloved noisy gun from Grammy as well that he LOVES. He lays down and puts it directly on his ear. This is very strange. I will have to get a picture. I am sad that I didn't take any photos there, please send them if you have them so I can update!! (that's you Marty & Suzanne)

Christmas Eve

We had lots of fun on Christmas Eve!Growing up in Utah, we always went to my Grandma & Grandpa Williams' house for dinner and a party where we played a game with a crape paper ball. It has changed a bit over the years, but there is still a ball and the kids really love it. So, per tradition, we spent Christmas Eve eating dinner at my Mom and Dad's, we played the game, and then we go to Menifee Lakes to see Christmas Lights. We had the added bonus of my bro and his family this year!

Here we are at the lights...

and my Mom and Dad at the lights (wow... haven't seen too many weird pics from Dad lately, glad to see he is back!)

Buddies: Gavin & Lillian

All the kidlets by a winning home

Little Cleo... isn't she a doll!!! She ALMOST makes me want one!



Giving Jackie a tutorial on self-portraiting

Self Portraits 101: How to aviod double, triple, and in some severe cases (ahem... CHAD) even the quadruple chin

The kids opening their traditional Christmas Eve gift

... of new pajamas!