MLK Weekend in Newport

We spent this Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend with Eric's dad and aunt. We usually go up to Arrowhead to celebrate Laurie's birthday over the long weekend, but this year, Laurie decided to try out Marriott's Newport Coast Villas. The place is wonderful and the beautiful weather made it even better.
There are a number of pools. Carter and Ashlynn had the most fun in the kiddie wadding pool.






There was a huge spa tub


We attempted to go out to dinner on Saturday night but the restaurant we were planning to eat at had a 2 1/2 hour wait. We tried another place (and made a reservation for the following night at our first choice place). Ashlynn did get to try out a fancy "throne" at the place where we actually ate.
On Sunday we went to the tide pools. (I learned that it is kind of tricky to climb on tide pool rocks with a 2 1/2 year old. Well, we tried!) We found plenty of barnacles, mussels, hermit crabs and sea anemones (mostly covered with shell pieces to protect them). And, we found a lobster! We're not sure how it got there, but it was a pretty cool "find".





We found a lobster (or is it a lobsister?)

Two-and-a-half-year-old temper tantrums don't take a vacation
Carter's pants after his little temper tantrum






After a nap, Ashlynn and I walked around the Marriott property. Her favorite parts were the fountains and koi fish.


What a view!
We watched some beautiful sunsets!
Dinner at Javier's Mexican Restaurant



Enjoying the view during breakfast on our last morning


We had a fun weekend! Thanks, Auntie Laurie!

Learning About Martin Luther King, Jr.

Here's a conversation I just had with Ashlynn:

Ashlynn: Martin Luther King Jr. was killed by a white person.

Me: What’s a “white person”?

A: Someone who wears a white shirt. Martin Luther King Jr. was a black person.

Me: What’s a “black person”?

A: Someone who wears a black shirt. A white person shot Martin Luther King because they didn't like him. I think they shot him that way. (She points west.)

Me: Really?

A: He was born in Georgia. He went to college when he was 15 because he was such a good high school student. If you go to Georgia and can read, you can read a sign about Martin Luther King. A long time ago white people went to one school and black people had to go to a different school. Martin Luther King made it so they can be at the same school.

Me: You sure know a lot about Martin Luther King Jr.

A: His dad had the same name but I think he had a different middle name. He tried to get bad people to be a little nicer and not hit people and to get good people to not hit the bad people back.

(Ashlynn starts coloring a coin/ “peace medal” for a homework assignment.)

A: How long ago was he born? Like hundreds and hundreds of years ago?

H: No, I think more like one hundred years ago.

A: Oh, so I should color the coin like beige with some dark browns because it is really old.

(coloring)

A: He did a very famous speech a little before he died.

Me: Do you know where he made his speech?

A: Outside. There were lots of people.

(more coloring)

A: His skin was brown. For real.

Me: Yep.

(more coloring)

A: Some people in the world are just not good, are they?

Me: Yes.

Busy Winter Days

We've had some fun and busy winter days lately!

Last Thursday while Eric and Ashlynn were in school, Carter and I went with Gretchen and Josiah to Travel Town in Griffith Park. That is obviously *the place* for 2 and 3 year old boys because we saw a bunch of little boys there that day.




On Friday I hosted a tea at our house for the upper grade teachers at my school. I had wanted to have the team (there's only 6 upper grade classrooms, so we really function like a team) over for tea years ago. Now that I'm back with these ladies after 4 years in primary, I decided to go for it!
It was so nice to just sit and chat and not have to worry about the bell ringing or what needed to be done in our classrooms!
*Photo credit goes to Kristie Colgate : )
On Saturday morning we celebrated the birthday of our dear friends' 2 year old, Jakie.

I had planned to keep my camera in my purse that day... but between the sweet moments, bounce house fun and blue frosting, I couldn't resist!

Ahh! Love that the girls can just sit and eat on their own!
They had sooo much fun in the bounce house. I think it helped that there weren't any crazy big kids in there to make it too wild and unsafe (well, unless you count the dads).
The birthday boy!




Dads and boys


On Saturday night, Eric and I went with my dad, my brother, Dave, and Eric's brother, Brian, to the Kings hockey game at the Staples Center. (I got to go because Eric's dad was out of state.) We had super nose-bleed seats but we still had fun!
** Thanks to my mom for watching the kids!

There were a few fights

The Kings won!
On Saturday night, we hosted Eric's old UCLA crew for our annual holiday dinner. The group has grown over the years (baby Grant and Dale's girlfriend were new this year) and we ended up with 10 adults, 2 kids and one baby around our table.
Here's the annual picture:
This morning (Monday), Carter and I went walking with Katie and Jakie around the Rose Bowl and Brookside golf course. After, the boys played at the park.


Okay three more from today...
Here's Ashlynn and her buddy Evan. They were in preschool together for 2 years and are now next door neighbors in kindergarten. Evan's mom, Holly, gives Ashlynn a ride home from school 4 days a week, so she is one of my heros.

I think I'm too tired to go back to work tomorrow! : )

Rose Parade

This New Years Day we joined our friends, the Mountains, for some Rose Parade festivities. We took the Gold Line train into Pasadena, saw some floats, and came home for lunch and naps. Just what a family with a 2 and a half year old (and 5 1/4 year old) can handle after ringing in the New Year the night before (with the East Coast people, so 9 pm).

It was a cold but very beautiful New Years Day!
The ride on a train is always a hit

Checking out the floats along Orange Grove

One of our favorites was the float from Sierra Madre. It was beautiful. (It was a shame that it broke down during the parade.)

Eric's favorite part was this guy riding a huge bull. Okay, I think later we heard that it is a steer, not technically a "bull", but with that nose ring and horns I'm going to call it a bull.


I thought this shot turned out pretty cool
Katie and I had to go against our normal mom rules and let the girls have cotton candy. They were thrilled!

There were many cool airplanes and blimps for the boys to watch.
After the parade we walked back to the station and rode back to the cars with the Mountains.


The little boys
The big boys
Thanks for a fun time, Mountains!