Let me count the ways

Last year for Christmas my in laws bought the kids Disneyland passes - it was our first time ever having them. We had so much fun all year and definitely got way more than our moneys worth, we loved it! Because it is Disneyland we were very careful to go on certain days when it wasn't too busy and not on blackout days, which limited us for sure. This year when my parents came we all went to Sea World, they were offering the fun pass, which for one paid entrance you get in free through the remainder of 2008 - how cool is that! So I would like to tell you what I enjoy about this place. Sea world - how do I love you? Let me count the ways.
1. FOUR days of blackout for the whole stinkin year, yep that means we will be going all summer long and staying into the night for the rockin summer nights!
2. We went on Monday, being Presidents day you would think it would be extremely busy, yes it was more crowded than usual. The wonderful thing about Sea World is that you barley have to wait in any lines and you dont really notice the amount of people. We got to do and see everything that we wanted!
3. My kids and I could be happy to sit and watch the dolphins or play with the sting rays for hours on end and not even have to go to any shows to make the trip worth it.
4. I know that one day one of us will be picked for something and be in one of the shows. I might just be asked to be a dolphin trainer too because they could tell I would be so good at it!
5. Cant wait for the kids to wear their swimsuits and be at the bottom of the splash zone for Shamu and dolphins and get completely soaked and not worry about getting cold.
6. I love Disneyland, but it was always a whole days trip and quite exhausting, Sea World is so relaxing and I feel like I dont need a day to recover after I have been.

Abby feeding the dolphins -they loved us!

Trent had a turn too!

After the Shamu show - do you see Shamu behind them in the tank?

Another fave is watching the walruses they are so very cool

We are looking forward to many a fun day at Sea World this year. We haven't had passes since we moved from San Diego when I went on a weekly basis, so my poor younger kids have been deprived like they so kindly remind me quite regularly. So - Sea World anyone?

It WAS Heaven!

This is the view from my balcony this afternoon - CRAZY!

I am just in complete shock. Today it is cold and rainy, this wouldn't be so bad seeing it is the middle of winter! However rewind to just 3 days ago, when it was 50 degrees warmer (yes I saw 35 on my car today and on Monday it was 85 in Temecula), the kids had the day off school and we took a little trip to the beach. I cant even explain how magical the day was, perfect weather, blue skies, no one was there, great waves, great company and plenty of sun to get some color! It seemed unreal that in the middle of winter the kids were swimming, yes the water was too cold for me, and we were laying out and loving every second - thinking it doesn't get much better than this! I was so ready for summer and then all of a sudden we are thrown right back into winter! AAAAH. We were given this wonderful little taste and now its gone - at least I now am not completely white and we have the pictures to dream. I am now so excited for the long days of summer - but I also love love love the spring, so all this rain is good for our gardens!





Dreaming of our next beach trip!

A few of my favorite things!

I was inspired by Theresa's blog where she listed things that she loved in honor of valentines day. I have decided to copy her, keeping the same rules, those being - all parts of the gospel, my family and my friends all being a given that I love! Therefore they will not be included in my little ditty, but let it be known that I do love and adore those things and people!

To put my own spin on it I decided to put it to the tune of My favorite Things from the sound of Music, so would you please sing in your head or out loud as you read -that would be very much appreciated.

Pinkberry, Toblerones and French onion sun chips,
Thai food and Swedish fish and Us magazine,
Summertime and Dolphins, Sunsets, and the Beach!
These are a few of my favorite things.

American Idol and Survivor, of course the Amazing Race,
So you think you can dance and Dancing with the stars,
Target, Cheesecake factory, Singing out loud and Musicals!

O.k that was fun how about another verse!

a Clean house and Clean sheets and Laundry thats done and put away,
my Cul de sac, Hot baths, Sunny blue skies and a Good book,
Swimming and Laughing and Dates with my husband
These are a few of my fave things

Rainy nights when I'm snug in bed,
Springtime and Being in my yard,
my rockband Waaanted, being done Working out,
Action movies, Chick flicks and Chocolate!

So thank you for indulging me and the things that I LOVE! (let it be known that there could be many more verses but I used restraint and tried to limit it purely for the sake of getting sick of that dang song!



My very favorite things!

Pretty darn close!

I often am asked questions about different foods that we have in Australia. Besides the more well known ones of vegemite and meat pies, I consider fish and chips to be very dinky di Aussie. There are many foods that I miss but fish and chips is one than I can actually get over here, so I have tried them at many places and many restaurants just trying to find some that taste like the ones at home. So far I haven't done too well. Chad doesn't like this habit because I enjoy them drenched in malt vinegar and he literally wants to throw up at the smell of it, so the whole restaurant thing is kind of hard when I am trying them with him. When we go home to visit every second year, we almost have a little tradition of having fish and chips the first night we get there and my whole family (grandparents, cousins, you name it)come over to see us and to partake. This works for Chad because I dont have to be sitting next to him, he can just smother his in lemons and be happy not to smell the delicious smell of vinegar while catching up with my family - in another room!
Well my mother in law has been telling me about Killarneys Irish pub on highway 79 that has good fish and chips, so yesterday in celebration of my sister in law Brittanys bday we decided to try it out. Not too shabby - I actually was quite impressed and quite enjoyed them smothered in malt vinegar and all, Chad was no where to be seen. I think they probably taste the closest to home that I have found (and I have searched - we are talking San Francisco, Monterey, San Diego, Oceanside!) - yay and it is so close to home! So the next time I get the urge I am so excited that all I have to do is drive down the street! I love Temecula!