Orrin earns his Bear rank in Cub Scouts

Orrin has now earned his Bear rank in Cub Scouts. Way to go, Orrin!




Afterward, the scouts played the infamous pop the balloon game. Someone always gets hurt. Yep. A mother did not invent this game.

BYU v. SDSU Basketball in San Diego

Of course I forgot our good camera for the BYU game. Cell phone pictures will just have to do.

It was a real nail-biter game, but BYU pulled out a win in the end.

Aleya enjoyed cheering . . ." B-Y-U . . . B-Y-U!"

Amara also enjoyed cheering for BYU. Christian was finally happy that BYU was getting into the game.

It was a fun night to share as a family. We should have been attending these games every year.

Rainbows have been plentiful around here!

This delightful shot was taken of our school library. We've had so much rain lately that rainbows have been plentiful in our little valley.

Family Ice Skating at the Ice-o-plex

We took our family ice skating at the local Ice-o-plex. Joseph was off hanging out with a friend, so he missed out.

This was Aleya's first time ice skating on her own skates. She could only watch before.

Orrin zipped off like a bat out of a cave. We forgot to bring our gloves this time, so our hands were pretty cold.

Waiting for the Zamboni to clean the ice.

Aleya had the most fun of the kids. Mom and Dad nearly threw out our backs trying to hold her up.

Finally someone turned in an "easy skater" for Aleya to use. She figured it out pretty quick.

Look at me! I can skate by myself!

Wrestling with Dad on the trampoline.

The kids love to wrestle with Dad on the trampoline. I don't know why, because someone always gets hurt and cries. This time it went pretty well and they got a bonus! Static electric hairstyles!

Aleya's hair was the most dramatic, I think.

Christian's surrounded by a whole lot of electrically shocking love! OUCH!

New Year's Day at JUNGLE BELLS--San Diego Zoo.

We returned to the San Diego Zoo for our second attempt to view JUNGLE BELLS. Typically, the Christmas lights have been at the Wild Animal Park, but they moved it this year to the Zoo.

The red panda was alert and active during this visit.

The otter posed for our pictures.

The male orangutan was entertaining the crowds.

It looks like he's wearing a hairy robe.

Everyone seemed to be having a fun time together.

There was a stunning sunset that evening. We wished we could have viewed it from the sky buckets, but the line was way too long.

They had a special ice sculpting show with a contest, music, and humor.

They used chainsaws, chisels, and shovels.

They also used a blow torch!

Joseph's Christmas hat.

Engery efficient LED Christmas tree.

Amara . . . as Rudolf-ina.

The kids participated in a fun interactive Christmas Caroling show. These are the props for "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."

Aleya took on the role of the fiercesome polar bear.

This little boy stole show as he took on the role of the polar bear's paw. He continuously repeated, "Claw, claw, claw" in a very intense way as he brought the paw to LIFE!

Aleya enjoyed riding the Zoo mini train with me at the end of the night.

New Year's Eve 2009/Happy New Years 2010

Still New Years Eve (the girls are already in bed).

HAPPY NEW YEARS!

This year's party poppers were AWESOME!
(please ignore the embarrassing mess on the floor)

The boys banged pans to wake the neighbors . . . and pretty much DESTROYED the pans. I forgot to tell them not to bang them together or on the ground . . . just hit them with the wooded spoons, duh!