Mid Winter Break

A picture review of our Midwinter trip to Southern California

DISNEYLAND

 First ride at Disneyland was Splash Mountain...we were all soaked especially Katie and Preston...took us all day to dry out.

 Disneyland hotel pools were wonderful!!

 The Hat Shop

 Coolest guy in Autotopia

 At BJ's enjoying rootbeer, on the way to Palm Desert.

 Santa Monica Pier...BEACH TIME

 COLLEGE VISITS TO USC and UCLA

BOB's BIG BOY in BURBANK

 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS was a BLAST

 Preston was a helper at the Animal show!

 LAST STOP

....the Beautiful Los Angeles Temple...It felt like a wonderful peaceful oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle, so lovely! (oh, and we don't want to forget that we attended church in Studio City and Napoleon Dynamite-John Heder-- was there to pass us the Sacrament...very fun!)

California Surprise!

We had planned a fun family trip to Southern California during MidWinter Break....At the last minute Bethany decided to join us.  It was so much fun keeping this a secret from the rest of the family...they thought I was crazy when I told them I misplaced my wallet and the airlines called and said they had found it.   Of course, this was just a way to get everyone back to the airport to pick up Bethany.   We used a visit to Randy's donuts as a way to stall until her flight came in.   So we had a great time together at Disneyland and even squeezing 7 people in a hotel room meant for 5!   Yikes!  

Hannah was the lucky one who got the couch while the older girls squished 3 in a queen bed. Preston slept in a little crib...haha :)  It was an adventure and fun to be at the original Disneyland Hotel.

Another teenager!

Hannah reached a milestone while we were on vacation in California...13 years old!   We love this little girl who is growing up way too fast.   She brings such a happy presence into our home.   She loves to read, visits the public library as often as she can get someone to take her there, loves to bake and work in the kitchen, holding babies and she has a sweetness about her that is wonderful to be around.  She is very compassionate, curious (always asking questions), happy and she loves music.   

We love you Hannah!

 While in Palm Desert we visited the Living Desert Zoo on Hannah's birthday.   

It was quite an experience feeding the giraffe!  

Catching up

This was a first for me....I pulled out 2 of Preston's teeth.   They were really loose and he could hardly eat anything--so with a little courage and a twist we successful pulled them both out.   He is officially on his way to being a big kid now....sigh, sad for a mom.  

                                      Katie trying desperately to stay awake studying for finals..

                Sometimes when it rains hard, the kids can't resist just dancing in the rain together!

Welcome Home Sister Bateman

The past month has been wonderful with Emily returning home February 1st from her 18 month mission on Temple Square.     What a happy reunion at the Seattle Airport!    Having her sweet presence in our home again is like a dream.   First couple highlights after she returned included going straight to the temple, attending a 5th Ave theater production of Oklahoma! (great friend Sonya from high school had a supporting role), reporting to the High Council where we all were able to attend, and listening to her wonderful homecoming talk.   

What a blessing to hear of her faith promoting mission experiences.