SPRING BREAK 2011- DAY 2

Tuesday, April 19th-

        OK we are really living on the edge now- No Disneyland for us this time! We are breaking away from the norm and visiting Universal Studios Hollywood. I haven't been here since the 80's when Jaws was the big attraction and the kids have never been.

The first attraction we hit was the backlot tour. The King Kong segment on this tour was AMAZING!!

This is Lauren and Jace right before we entered....

The tour also took us to Wisteria Lane where they film Desperate Housewives

Took a drive by the Bates motel....

since Norman is escorting a guest to their car, perhaps there is a vacancy for the night....

Family photo with the Hollywood backdrop

Lauren and Krusty

The Simpsons ride was OK- Jason hated it because it was one of those motion rides that you watch... makes him a wee bit queasy me thinks...

Jurassic Park was good!

Look out Lauren!!

Ahhhh, foot massage

Mel's Diner

Water World show was great!

After we left Universal Studios we went and toured the famous Griffith Observatory in the Hollywood Hills

HOLLYWOOD sign in the distance

We got there right at sunset.... beautiful...

Drove around a bit before heading back to our hotel and snapped a pic of the Capitol Records building!

That about wraps up the highlights of day 2...... day 3 is simmering on the back burner!

SpRINg BreAk 2011- DaY 1

Monday, April 18th:

Spring break usually isn't the time we take our vacations, but this year we decided why not! "Something different" was our vacation theme, we would go somewhere we have never been to or haven't been to for a long time. Our journey started out as a familiar one taking the I-15 out of town past Primm. Then somewhere between Baker and Barstow, the boredom turned to naptime. We stopped in Victorville and had lunch somewhere we'd never been- a hamburger place called Baker's, it was something different and wasn't too bad...

 We finally arrived at our hotel in Marina Del Rey (right next to Santa Monica) and decided to explore Venice Beach. The kids thought we were crazy for taking them there- but it was somewhere they'd never been! It's good to experience all types of people and culture- right?

 Santa Monica Pier was just a little way down from Venice so we went there too. The kids liked this area a lot better! Jace and Jason both attempted to climb the rope- Jace didn't quite make it.....

 but Jason did!!!! (i guess i ought to mention w/o using his feet)

 we checked out the vintage carousel, built in 1922,on Santa Monica Pier

nobody would ride it with me!

 Lauren and Jace got a little crazy on the pier...

 Santa Monica beach

Enjoying the ocean....

I was tempted to get a hot dog on a stick from this cute little original stand....

but instead we ended up at California Pizza Kitchen- which was quite tasty!

Day 1 was a lot of fun! We tried some new things and the kids got to experience a new place...

NEXT- DAY 2

Hey baby it's cold outside.....

.....or better yet, I should say FREEZING!! The weekend of February 18th, we took a little drive to Cedar City to enjoy some peace and quiet. We stayed at Jason's dad's place in town rather than up at our cabin- just in case it snowed we didn't want to get stuck up there.

Well it snowed all right! This is what we woke up to on Saturday morning.

Jace was persistent in his endeavor to go sledding. The cardboard box, however, did not help him fulfill that dream. He scooted himself a foot or two then graciously gave up.

 The kids ran around in the snow covered field- while Jason and I sat in the car with the seat heaters on. Sometimes being old and comfortable is no fun!!

 CAL Ranch had these adorable baby chicks for sale.

 Try #2- maybe the top of the trash can will prove to be a better sled..... umm NOPE!

 On the way home we stopped at the Cedar Pocket exit-

 I love the snow dusted across the desert and mountains.

On February 28th there was no school!!! (well the kids were happy anyway) So we celebrated at Crystal Palace Skating Center- the Skate of the Art (go ahead and sing it, cause I know you know it)

 Jace tearing up the roller rink

 Lauren, Ava and Tiff

 Jace, Clark and Jake

The cousins having fun...

All About Jace.....

Back in January Jace had his Pinewood Derby. Can you guess which of these cars is his??

If you guessed the Hershey's bar, you are correct. Jace chose this design mostly because it's his favorite candy bar and partly because he thought it would look cool.



Brett and Jace watching the races



cookie sundaes for dessert!



Jace getting his award...





at an earlier pack meeting they made these car stands



It was a fun night and all the boys had a great time!!



James Madison- 4th President of the United States...... that is who Jace chose to do his Great American project about. He had to research,  make a poster, a PowerPoint presentation, write a speech and dress in character. Then he set up in the hallways of the school with his peers while other students came around and listened to their presentations. The whole class did a great job!



Ready to present!

We made the wig out of a plastic grocery bag and cotton balls. We had some good laughs making it, especially when the hot glue melted through the plastic and stuck to his hair! No harm done!

Jace in the process of presenting his speech

On March 4, 2011 I had the honor of going with Jace's class to the Atomic Testing Museum. Quite interesting to check out, crazy stuff but I guess necessary to defend our country.

Brett and Jace by the mushroom cloud



This is Knievals motorcycle and jumpsuit..... obviously nothing to do with atomic bombs! There was a portion of the museum that had Vegas memorabilia..



BOMBS AWAY!!!



Just this week Jace had Brett over and they came across this here lizard. This lizard must have fancied them because it would just sit on their finger or shoulder and never tried to escape. They made it a little habitat in a plastic container where it peacefully dwelt.



Brett, Jace and their lizard friend



This little guy just hung out on the front of Jace's shirt!

 Last but not least a quote from Jace that I found quite amusing:

  "Mom, are you sure you can drive in those heels?"