The BIG 1-2!!

April 28, 2011

If the saying is true that "time flies when you're having fun", I must be experiencing an immense amount of fun in my life. After all, it's pretty much inconceivable that my sweet little Lauren is turning 12 years old. Where once a bright eyed little girl with golden locks asking endless questions stood, now stands a fashion savvy young woman with endless complaints.

As luck would have it "Take your Child to Work" day fell smack dab on her birthday. Now we have never really participated in this before- I mean who wants to hang out at a dirty construction shop- but this year Lauren was bound and determined to participate. I'm sure it had nothing to do with having a day off from school for your birthday! So rather than spend the entire day there, we both stopped by for about an hour.

 Lauren at Jason's desk learning the ropes

 Lauren and the AP-1000D

 Later Grandma Nelson stopped by with Lauren's birthday gift....

Lots of goodies and some cash!

 Later when we were all home she got to open her gifts from us

 and make a birthday wish!!

In lieu of a party, Lauren chose to have an outing with her friend Shelby.

 The first stop was lunch at Steak and Shake

Then it was a shopping marathon at Town Square

 

HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY LAUREN!!!!

EASTER 2011

April 23-24,2011

Tradition. I suppose that is why our family joins together for lunch, easter egg hunt and a visit from the Easter Bunny every year on the day before Easter. 

All the grandkids along with my cousin Rachel's two kids with the Easter Bunny!

 Lauren and Jace with the Easter Bunny (a.k.a.grandma)

note that Jace is giving the Easter Bunny, bunny ears 

wow the Easter Bunny sure is strong!

Jake and Lauren- both wearing Lauren's glasses!

waiting patiently while all the goods are hidden- or better yet- scattered around the yard...

Lauren on the hunt

 Jace hunting with his fancy Easter basket

Lauren on a roll in the big ball

Wheelbarrow races.....

 more whellbarrow races!

the water fights have begun....

 as usual we had a fun time. Traditions are not lack of imagination, but rather, knowing what works and continuing to do it!!

EASTER SUNDAY

The kids woke up to find a few Easter treasures hidden around the house- then it was off to church.

That night we went over to my parents house for a big Easter dinner.

Then Jaxon put on a fashion show for eveyone.....

We'll call this one "little angel"

and we have "arabian princess"
his future wife is going to adore these pics!!

and so ends our Easter weekend! Full of family,fun and faith- what more could you ask for!

Spring Break 2011- Final installment, finally!

April 20, 2011

                          Hollywood Boulevard. The place to see and be seen. We found a few stars belonging to some famous folk.

 Lauren and Jace spotted Walt Disney's star

 and his famous friend Mickey Mouse

 and who could pass up the "king of pop" Michael Jackson



in front of the legendary "Grauman's Chinese Theatre"



The Chinese Theatre was built by showman Sid Grauman in 1927, For a while, the theatre was renamed "Mann's Chinese Theatre" (which I always knew it as) after it was purchased by Ted Mann in 1973, the owner of the Mann's Theatre chain. It later regained its original name of "Grauman's Chinese Theatre" in 2002.

 Lauren and Jace in front of the El Capitan, which was built in 1926 and is currently operated by Disney-hence the Disney Soda Fountain right next door!

 After our Hollywood Boulevard visit we spent the rest of the day back at Universal Studios.

 This time Norman nearly got Lauren!

 Jace and Lauren on a mock scooter ride

 and Dracula trying to have his way with me.... seriously it was creepy..

April 21, 2011

Not much time to do anything today but drive home since I had to be to school that night. We did make one stop though and that was at the Eames house.

 Yep this is it.

 Charles and Ray Eames designed it then moved in on Christmas Eve 1949 and lived there until they died.

 Jason said it looked like a tin shanty to him.....

I said, well it's not my first choice of architectural styles, but I can appreciate it for what it is....

The courtyard.

                 the location is quite ideal. It sits in a cozy neighborhood on a bluff overlooking the ocean.

The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman.

You may not recognize the Eames house but I'm sure you've seen this chair before.

You can own one for about $4,500.00

 

Another sampling of their designs. The Eames DAR molded plastic arm chair, a bargain at $349.00!!

And that, my friends, ends our spring break adventure!!