General Conference Weekend

Chocolate chip pancakes made?

Check.

General Conference Primary Packets printed?

Check.

Dancing to the Mo-Tab?

Check.

Kids engaged for at least an hour?

Check.

Wonderful and inspiring talks heard?

Check.

Other things. . .

Weeds pulled? Check.

Bushes planted? Check.

Drip system installed? Check.

Fertilizer distributed? Check.

Back aches? Check.

Slurpee run? Check.

Lounging in PJ's for most of Sunday? Check.

Sunday walk with friends? Check.

Pictures with Mia? Check.

(You can see some other ones here)

We had a great weekend! How about you?

I'm Not Afraid of Anything. . .Not Even Chucky!

It may be hard to believe that this is a Disneyland entry from the title, but it is. That is what Xander exclaimed after riding all the rides at Disneyland and California Adventure.

How did we get to that point you ask?

Well. . .let's start from the beginning shall we?

We begin with our trip down to Anaheim. We got a late start because I had forgotten to mail Ben's parents birthday package the day before. I wanted to make sure they got their present on time so I made my way to the post office. I had decorated the package with stickers of flowers and sorts. The post office worker admired my work while he typed in the zip code. Seconds later, it came back as invalid.

Invalid? What? Didn't I used to live in the same city for 4 years?

I had to call Ben to get the right zip code and because the post office worker didn't want to ruin such a beautiful package, he so delicately crossed out the zip code making a cris cross design. After making the design, he shuffled through his drawer and pulled out some stickers to place on the crossed out zipcode.

What a nice man! I think this was the same post office worker who told me last Christmas that I needed to refridgerate my stamps. I believed him only to find out he was pulling my leg! Come on, I know what you are thinking. . .but he was pretty convincing.

Back at the house Ben was following his list of things he made the night before. I chuckled when I saw it.

Look at the last thing on the list.

Phew! Good thing that was there.

7 hours later. . .

We arrive at our hotel around the same time as Sarah, Ben's sister. They traveled from Albuquerque. We popped over to their hotel to swim, since their pool was better. I was so surprised at how warm it felt. I think it was in the mid 60's but it felt so much warmer than Concord. I think the sun shines warmer in So Cal.

The next day. . .

Love how Zoey is squirming out of my arms. That was how she was the entire time. She just wanted to run around everywhere and being held was not an option! Mia was slightly disappointed that I had not packed her something green to wear since it was St. Patrick's Day.

Duh! What was I thinking? The Irish in me always forgets this day.

Sarah and Scott's family didn't forget the green. It was a sweet reunion for the cousins. Everyone paired off: Kaitlyn and CJ, Brynn and Mia, Jared and Xander. Waiting in line was never better!

I couldn't believe how many people had decided to come on Disneyland the same day. It always amazes me when I am on vacation how many other people in the world decide to go on vacation too! We didn't have to wait too long on the rides, although, Ben pointed out that several rides were shut down temporary and that each time Sarah was standing in line. I just think he likes picking on Sarah because she is his younger sister which brings me to this next thought.

Ben told Xander that we were going to Disneyland with Sarah and her family and that Sarah was his younger sister. He looked at Ben, and chuckled with disbelief saying, "No she's not, she's a Mom!". We just got a kick out of that and a couple times during the trip we pointed out that Sarah was Ben's sister and he just giggled and shook his head every time!

Sarah and Scott treated us to pizza for dinner and we watched the "World of Color" at California Adventure.

The following day. . .

California Adventure!

The highlight? It was this ride:

Last year when we came, Xander was a quarter of an inch too short. He was so disappointed that the worker gave him a card that he could bring next time when he was taller. Xander was looking forward to this ride since we mentioned coming to Disneyland.

He loved it and got to ride it twice! Notice how Sarah is shivering?

Both Sarah and I got soaked the most!

We had fun going on Midway Mania, Soarin' over California, Turtle Talk, Monsters Inc, the swings, and the rides in Bug's life but the highlight of the day for the kids was. . .

Cracker Jacks and Disney Channel back at the hotel!

The kids were pretty exhausted from two days of walking everywhere!

We said our goodbyes to Scott and Sarah who were off to visit Scott's brother.

Our last day in the parks was packed! We didn't mind because we were taking it easy.

Finally the part where the title comes from. . .

We headed to the "Tower of Terror" because we didn't ride it the day before. I took the girls and Xander while Ben waited with Zoey. The "Tower of Terror" is a hotel. You sit in the elevator that takes you to the top and drops you while bounce up and down a couple of times.

I heard screams from the girls, but nothing from Xander. I couldn't tell if he was scared or if he was just fine.

After the ride, the girls had no interest in riding the ride again. I asked Xander if he would go with his Dad and he said, "OK I will go."

Let's rewind a little. . .

Recently, Ben had shown an image of Chucky to CJ and Xander happen to glance at the picture. From that day on, Xander was scared of everything and scared to go to bed at night. He continued to say that he was scared and so we didn't let him watch anything that could be scary.

Ben and Xander went on the ride and after, Ben talked to him about being brave. He told Ben that he wasn't afraid of anything, not even Chucky.

Since returning from Disneyland, Xander reminds me that he's not scared of anything and can watch his favorite shows again.

Apparently Disneyland cures scaredy cat-ness.

All in all, a wonderful trip! The weather was great and didn't start to rain until the day we left. Thanks Sarah and Scott for inviting us to come with you!

OK family, who's next??

The Incredible Bendable Girl

Ben stayed home from work yesterday and so I got to take Mia to gymnastics all by myself. Normally, while Mia is doing gymnastics I'll take the little ones for a walk or go to a nearby store because Zoey wants to run around on the mats.

I was so excited that I brought my camera. I was having tons of fun taking pictures from the sidelines until one of the teachers told me I couldn't use my flash. Dang it! I still got some good ones though.

They sort of do this circuit training where they go to different stations. Today Mia jumped on the trampoline, dove into the pit (a hole filled with cubed foam), practiced handstands and doing a backbend using the wall.

On the other side of the gym, they practiced balance on various balance beams. You know how you watch someone do something and for so reason, you have the foolish notion that you can do it too? I went home and tried to do a back bend because back in the day, that was cake for me. We almost had to call 911! It was so tough and my body was so stiff. I couldn't even go half way!

SCIENCE FAIR

I love to give Ben the assignment of helping the kids with Science Projects. He always does such a good job and the kids love doing it with him. Mia chose to do her project on fingerprints. She learned about the different types of fingerprints. Then, she took each member of the family's fingerprints except Zoey's. We did try to get one from her, but it was almost non-existent.

After taking everyone's fingerprint, she practiced her skill of identifying each one as an arch, whorl. double loop or loop. Our house then turned into a crime scene where each member of the family touched an identical mug. Ben put the person's name on a folded piece of paper inside the cup so Mia wouldn't know whose was whose.

Mia then dusted the fingerprints with graphite and using packaging tape they removed the fingerprint. Ben laid out the fingerprint from each cup as well as the fingerprints from the very beginning. Mia then guessed whose fingerprints were on each cup. She got all of them right!

Mia was so excited to take her Dad to the Science Fair. On the way she told him, "My teacher is a fan of you and so is Ava and. . .she went on listing everyone." Apparently, Mia told her class that Ben works at Pixar.

We had told Mia beforehand that she may not win anything and to not be upset because she did a wonderful job. We hoped that preparing her beforehand would help any disappointment that may come. Mia has a hard time losing. We've been trying to work with her on that.

We enjoyed walking around with her and especially looking at her project. The moment came where they had all the kids and parents gather around the stage because they were going to award ribbons to the science projects.

I was all prepared mentally on how I would console Mia when she didn't win because, really, what are the chances? I thought to myself that this would be a great opportunity to teach Mia about being a good sport.

Then, all of a sudden I got really nervous because, deep down, I really wanted her to win! I hoped that she would just get an honorable mention. She has talked and talked about the Science Fair and was anticipating this night for days.

Her friend Mason's name was called and he got a 3rd place ribbon. And I got even more anxious for Mia! Why was I feeling this way? What is wrong with me. . .? Am I becoming an obnoxious parent??

Then, they called Mia's name for second place! I was so happy for her!

I guess we'll teach Mia how to deal with disappointment and being a good sport another day.

If she would only stop winning. . .

Zoey and her Best Bud

Our Gifts for Val-Day

Ben and I have made the tradition of making gifts for each other for Valentine's Day. Last year you may remember the tie cake I made for him:

Not straying much off that path, I decided to turn this mess:

Into this:

I made everything myself. I even used the drill press for the first time with success! I organized Ben's ties by putting the ones that I thought were ugly up high hoping that he will just grab the ones that are easier to get to!

Ben was hoping that he could use the Anniversary music video as my Valentine gift too. No such luck is what I told him. No rollover gifts! Here is what he made me:

Check out the heart:

He also included a ticket for a free day where I can do anything I want! I love making gifts for Valentine's Day!

Goals

Along with millions of others, Januarys get me into the mood for setting family and individual goals.

The mark of a new beginning.

A time to start over, to start anew.

Ben and I were discussing goals that we would like to set with the family. One of mine is to read a General Conference talk with Ben every Sunday when the kids go down. I feel like I miss quite a few talks while tending the kids during Conference and thought this would be good time for us to catch up. We've done it for a few weeks now and I really enjoy it.

Ben wanted to have the family write in their journals together. Sarah's family does it every Sunday and I've always thought it was neat. Ben said that his family used to do it when he was younger and that the only journal entries he has are from those times.

We've tried it a couple of weeks now and I hope we get into the habit. It always seems hard at first but if we can do it consistently, we can make it stick.

One of my personal goals is to read my scriptures better. I always read it at night and I am always tired. One thing I have tried is reading my scriptures out loud at lunch time to Xander. It's been hard to remember to do it, but when I have, it has been so much better.

Watch out 2011, here come the Porters! We will be triumphant!

Photo Blunders

Ben and I celebrated our 9th anniversary by going on an Alcatraz Cruise. We listened to an auto tour while wandering around the cell house. The escape stories and history of the island were fascinating. I brought the big mama camera because I wanted to get some good pictures. I normally leave it home when I am on an outing with the kids and need all hands on deck. It's giant and too hard to carry and take care of kids at the same time.

I put it in my smaller camera case, checked the battery which was fully charged and giggled with excitement.

I took some beautiful pictures of the outside of the buildings which were aged perfectly, the cells, San Francisco at night, and anything else that stuck out to me. Half way through the tour, my camera died. I didn't have the spare battery because I left it in the giant bag. I thought I would turn the camera off and on and see what would happen. I did it and it battery came back to life.

I took more pictures and then we were on the boat to go back to San Fran when the screen went black with the words, "CF card unformatted." Unfortunately, when I switched the on/off switch I unformatted the card and lost ALL of the pictures! AHHHH! I was so sad.

No pictures to document our fun date. Bummer!

I was using my new flash and I think that drained the battery faster than I expected.

We still had a great time and tried out this diner off of the Embarcadero called Fog City Diner. The food was good but way overpriced for what was served. Ben ate his first 17.00 burger! It was fun to just go out. We don't do that very much.

I commented towards the end of our date, that Ben and I hardly talked during most of the date's activity. Ben says it is sign that we are comfortable with each other.

Since, I have no pictures from Alcatraz, I thought I would leave one with you that might make you pee your pants. Ben may kill me for posting this, but I'm willing to take the chance.