Sand in the City

I took the girls to an event in Olympia today called Sand in the City. It's put on by the Hands-On Children's museum and is a fun/free sand castle building event for families to enjoy. The sand sculptures are done by teams, then the public can view and vote for their favorite. They were amazing to say the least, and so fun to see and appreciate the hard work that was put into making them.

I had a great day, it was so nice to just enjoy the sun, and spend the day with my girls doing something so fun with no time schedule, just enjoying being together. I posted a lot of pictures of the sand sculptures, but try to notice the detail on some of these, they were just really neat.

Although we had a great time, I often thought about my dear husband who is studying SO HARD for the NCLEX test he will be taking next week. We missed him today, but we know his sacrifices are for us and we love, love, love him.

It was fun to actually watch them working on this one. I helped the girls notice all their very cool and unique tools they were using. It was like a construction workers belt full of paint brushes and many other tools they use to create the scene.

The guy on the right was working on the boys hair, very tedious work that takes patience, especially in the very hot, bright sun!

This was a favorite of the day... Angry Birds!

More of the Angry Bird Scene.

Oh oh.. an unhappy pig that an angry bird needs to kill.

Yup, Kung Fu Panda.

This one was done by REI. It's hard to get the entire scene in my camera picture, but it was a whale, octopus, canoe, and people in the water.

The girls also really liked this Winnie the Pooh one. Roo is on the end pulling Eor, Kanga, Christopher Robin, then Pooh Bear. On the other side of the hole was Rabbit. So, so cute.

Notice how they really made the sand look like spilled milk.

It was a very hot and bright day, so Kai had to take turns using my sun glasses. You see, these kids aren't used to the bright sun in their eyes too often out here in the NW.

Face Painting is always a favorite and they made themselves kitty's.

Playing in the giant sand boxes. Making their own sand sculptures was lots of fun!

There was a rock climbing wall for kids to do and the girls really wanted to try it, so we stood in line. We watched many other kids try and enjoy their rock climbing attempts, and I observed that the kids about Tyler's age and even older would make it a few feet up, then the instructor would pull their foot or leg back down if they weren't heavy enough for their own body weight to bring them back down (it was a weight bearing type of rope/belay that would allow you to come back down and take the slack as you climbed up). When it was Tylers turn, she got in her harness and started to climb the wall. She climbed, and climbed all the way to the top in a matter of a minute with no problem at all, she was a total natural climber and pretty strong for a small little girl (her uncles would be SO proud), BUT when she was at the top, she didn't weight enough to pull herself down, she just dangled at the top. The instructor tried to climb the wall a little to see if he could reach her, but he wasn't even close. Tyler just waited at the top patiently, and I think she just enjoyed being up so high and hanging out. The crowd was very impressed that she made it to the top. She was eventually rescued.

This was Tyler's "rescue mission attempt" from one of the employees, but he couldn't reach her and ended up putting a harness on and going up on the rope next to her in order to pull her down. As he was pulling her to safety, the crowd all cheered, Tyler thought it was all great fun and I was very impressed with her climbing skills! Sister, on the other hand, could use a little practice.. cute little Kai, Kai.

After the fun with the sand, we decided to cool off at the plash park in Olympia. It was a hot day here in WA, so the water was great!

This was our view from the slpash park, with the state capital building in the background... such a beautiful place we live! See Kai wrapped in the blanket on the ground?

We had a wonderful day and enjoyed seeing the sand, playing in the water, and just hanging out together. We really, really missed Austin, but sent him lots of pictures and we know he is doing what is best for our family. Good luck my dear, we love, and appreciate your determination and hard work. We believe in you!

Disneyland!!!

The day after graduation, we were OFF on a much needed family vacation and we went to Disneyland! The girls talked and talked about it for months. Of course, the main talk was about seeing the princess castle and meeting the princesses. Kai really loves Ariel and was just so excited to see her. They really had no idea what to expect and Austin and I were so excited to take them. Grosi, Vati, Jesse, Tara, Bella, and JJ drove from Utah and we all met up at the Hotel.

It was a faced paced, busy 3 days and we all had an amazing time! The kids were so happy and just had the time of their little lives. I post A LOT of pictures (hope your happy, Mom), along with descriptions of where we were and what we were doing.

This is the group! We loved being with all of them and it was fun to have Bella, Tyler and Kai together.

This was the rafting ride in Disneyland. I especially liked this ride because we could all go, even JJ! This ride was all powered by us... no motor, no track.. just our own rowing speed, and we had a lot of children in our canoe. It was a nice arm workout, that is for sure!

The roller coaster in Toon Town. Tyler really wanted to go on a roller coaster, so this made her especially happy. Kai was pretty excited, but during the ride she was scared and nervous, so she didn't want to go again, but Tyler went a second time with Austin.

Second time around with Dad!

The Dumbo ride in Fantasy Land!

Grosi brought all these fun Disney books, so the girls could read lots of Disney stories to go along with their Disney fun!

This was our first evening at Disneyland, shortly after we got there. We went to Goofy's Kitchen Restaurant for dinner. The dinner was so much fun because we saw so many Disney characters during dinner. They come right up to your table and dance, blow kisses, give hugs... the girls just LOVED this dinner.

It's a small world after all! The three girls enjoying it's a small world ride. I think they look so cute holding on and watching all the dancing figures.

Waiting in line for it's a small world ride.

Austin got this special treat for having just graduated!

Tyler really loves Mini Mouse, and she was the very first Disney Character we saw. She held Tyler's hand and skipped her to our table where we were going to sit for dinner, it was so adorable.

Do you notice Austin?

Tyler with her Grosi and Grosvati.

Mary Poppins was one of Grosi's favorite characters we saw, so she wanted a picture too.

This is Kai coloring a picture for Sleeping Beauty. She was very serious about the picture and worked hard on it during the meal, then Sleeping Beauty came back to our table to get it from Kai.

And the Princess visiting/pictures begin... al their favorites.

Snow White

Belle

And Kai's favorite moment of Disneyland... meeting Ariel. Just notice how tall and proud Kai is standing next to her... SO stinknin cute!!

Lunch at Ariel's Grotto.

At the ropes course at Disney Adventure. A place that the kids played for a very long time and really enjoyed.

Mickey Mouse!

For anyone that really knows Franklin and/or Austin, this picture says it all.

The next few pictures are from Cali Adventure in Bug's Life world.

THE princess castle!

Love for the Grosi!

This was our bed in the hotel. The headboard lit up and sang a song. It was very fun and the girls really loved it. They feel asleep to the "nightlight" of the lights.

Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse.