This past month has just flown by. Joel had his first trip and went to Alaska. He said it was beautiful and perfect weather. He even got the chance to get in some fishing and caught almost 30. He went there to bring back some F-18’s to Mirimar (the Top Gun school). The kids and I have stayed very busy doing projects, swimming and going to many places. Just recently I took them to the Exploratorium in San Francisco and they had a great time playing with all that science crud.

This 4th of July we decided on going to the Fairfield parade. I guess the theme was “emergency vehicles” or something along those lines, because that’s about all there was. Still, the kids loved watching it. The only really odd thing was this guy behind us sitting on a bicycle. Every few minutes he would chant loudly L-O-O-I-E! For two and a half hours Joel and I sat there listening to this and racking our brains trying to figure out what the heck it meant. Finally we just decided that he might have been better off in a straight jacket than riding a bike. After the show of force…I mean parade we went home and spent some time together as a family. Later that night we barbequed some hamburgers and left the house to watch the fireworks in nearby Vacaville. We were going to just buy them at the store and do them in front of our house, but we found out it is illegal here, even possessing them is illegal. We found a really good spot at a high school which ended up perfect. It was also fun to watch all the biker cops speeding around writing tickets to anyone who wanted to “augment” the city’s fireworks. They were serious about that stuff.

Yesterday we took the kids to the San Francisco Zoo and had a blast. We were so used the Hogle Zoo in Utah were the animals pride themselves in seeing how long they can remain motionless. This Zoo was great! When we first got there we saw a mommy and baby giraffe get bumped by an antelope and the giraffes began chasing around the antelope for about 10 minutes. The Zebra and a couple other African animals even got involved and joined the chase. It finally got out of hand when Joel jumped the fence and started headbutting the giraffe too. The Zoo here had just about every kind of animal we could think of except Elephants, which we thought was weird. They did have three tiger cubs which played around with each other and jumped all over their mommy. It was vaguely familiar how all the cubs were jumping all over the mother and she just sat there taking it, looking very annoyed. We rode a little train ride which they kids liked. When Joel asked Lily what she thought of the train she said “I didn’t like it.” Joel asked her why not and she replied “it was pretty hanus.” We laughed our heads off, and we have absolutely no idea where she got that word.

The kids are all doing very well. They are enjoying their summer and are still growing like crazy. They are so interested in the daily things I do and always want to help. Sometimes they help just a bit too much. Their favorite thing to help with is the cooking. The other day I was making Fettuccini Alfredo, Lily was right by my side as usual standing on her princess chair watching my every move. I was making the sauce and had just finished putting the salt in. I accidentally left the salt on the counter in her reach and as I turned around to grab the next ingredient she poured about half the container in the pan. Of course I only had enough whipping cream to make that one batch, so I spooned out as much as I could and we ate it anyway. She just wanted to help and its so cute, but its so hard to hold in your frustration. I love her so much!

A Kindergartner' No More

So, my kids are growing up right in front of me...doesn't that just blow! It seems just like yesterday that she was Clark's age and now she is going to be a 1st grader. Anywho, as you might have guessed, Kalee graduated Kindergarten on friday. Joel and I were so proud! Tears of joy and pride were running down our faces as pomp and circumstance was played for the entrance of the graduating class. Kalee's name was announced and she proudly walked up and said "the thing I liked most about kindergarten was the centers." She had been rehearsing that all week. It was cute how they did it, but I am still am not sure it was necessary. I did not think that the move from kindergarten to 1st was that big of a deal. and I really did not think that the president was going to show up and give the congradulatory speech, j/k. Oh, yeah, and we were crying because Clark had just dropped one of the stinkiest gut bomb in his diaper, and not because of the graduation.

Kalee has really enjoyed these past few weeks of school. Recently the school (and I) took the kids to a farm in a nearby county. Although, I am really not sure you could call 2 cats a dog a farm. Seriously, it only had a few animals and a field of something none of the kids cared about. But, I guess they liked being together and not being in school. On thursday this week Kalee and Lily were fighting by the door and Kalee's fingers were shut in the door. So, Joel had to pull Kalee out of her field day a little early for the doctor to tell him that if gets worse just bring her back. What a waste of time that was. I really do not like this hospital on base.

WHAT A MONTH

It all started with a wonderful trip to Utah for Ambrea (my sister’s) wedding. We started our grand adventure on Tuesday the 28th of April. The drive was pretty uneventful and we made excellent time. Joel found a way to augment his “stomach problems” into the car’s combustion chamber creating a virtual “afterburner.” I had no idea our van was capable of those speeds. The only downside was the potent exhaust. Joel’s family hosted an ice cream party for the extended family to come and say hi to us all that night. For the next few days we ran around preparing for the upcoming wedding, and in our off time we had fun with my family. Joel had the opportunity to go and lose some golf balls in a nicely mowed grassy area, and I got to go shopping with my mom and sister. We went to a home décor store and I found some great items that help fill up all the empty voids in the house. On Friday night we attended the Wedding dinner. It was great seeing all my family there and a couple of Derek’s. It was fun seeing how Ambrea meshed with the Walkingeagle’s (Derek’s family, from the name I am sure you have deduced that they are Native American). Saturday was the big day. It came and went way to quick. We went to the temple that morning with Katrina, Mom and Dad, and Brandon and Janelle. The wedding was held at Cedar Hills Golf Course which overlooks the valley below. The scene was beautiful as was the decorations and my sister. It was great seeing the crowd of people gathered on top of the hill. Some had a hard time finding the course, so I told Derek to start a smoke signal then everyone came. The music started and the family began walking down the isle. I sent then my cute little flower girls and then my cute little ring boy. Joel escorted me, and finally Ambrea came. The ceremony was beautiful and everything was perfect…it just seemed a little awkward when the golf carts drove by and occasional scream of “fore!” and I really wish my dad would have not tried to tee off to the first hole from the stage during the ceremony. The reception directly followed and went really good. I was a little taken back when the wedding dance consisted of drums, big feathers, and chanting though j/k.

The next day we traveled to Disneyland with Joel’s family. Again the ride down was uneventful, which is a very good thing. Disneyland was great. The weather was nice and cool and my kids really enjoyed themselves. We also made some unforgettable memories, which is the whole reason we go. The sights there are so pretty, with the awesome castle, mountains, wonderfully themed areas, beautiful ships, characters, and the best sight of all…my throw up floating down the rivers of America. Leave it to me to get sick (and then Kalee and Joel) during a vacation. Luckily I felt better after. We had a 3 day park hopper, and really did have a good time regardless of the way our stomach’s felt. I was very impressed with all the rides the girls were brave enough to go on. Kalee loved the Indiana Jones ride, and I just could not believe that Lily went on Tower of Terror! Her face was priceless. She did make the comment that she did not want to go on it again though. We spent the next few days touring L.A.. We went to the beach, saw some famous people’s houses, saw Biff’s, Lorains, and George’s house from Back to the Future, the walk of fame, Kodak theater, and the Chinese theater. On Saturday we drove the 6 hours back to our house, which was a good feeling. Vacations are awesome, but for some reason it just always feels so good to be home.

Lily had her Birthday on the 16th. She had a great birthday surprise from our good friends the Hansen’s. They decided to come and visit us on their way to Disneyland. Lily decided that she wanted to have her birthday at Chuck-e-cheese. The kids loved playing together and I loved seeing my friend kris. I really wish they lived here too. Lily also got to celebrate her birthday at Great Grandma Bragg’s house. She put on a great party for the girls, with fishing for presents, pin the tail on the donkey, and other fun games. The girls really like going to see Grandma, we are lucky she is so close.

Yesterday Joel and I had our first date in almost a year and a half. It was great for about 30 minutes until we got a call from the babysitter saying that Lily tripped and knocked out her front tooth. She is sooooo out of control. We felt so bad for her.

This month has really just flown by. I am really looking forward to this summer when I can relax more during the day and not have to play school bus for Kalee. I am looking forward to all the fun games and activities I get to do with my kids.

Hope all is well with everyone, and sorry about the million pictures.