Fishing Derby

It sounded like such a good idea---throw in a handful of fish food, fish come swarming to you and you catch one and go home. It didn't exactly work that way when we went to the Fishing Derby Saturday morning at a local park. I guess it's a sign of the recession when 2,000 kids show up for a day of something to do for free. Because of the large crowds we had to wait in a very long line to register and then move to another very long line for a fishing pole for a total of two hours in line. What do you do for two hours in line?

You can fight.

And then get bored and bust out the camera to take pictures of yourself.

Yeah! They finally get to fish. Doug had to bait their hooks with dead fish parts and marshmallows.

Catch of the day is Faith who waited patiently for the brothers.

And after all of that, we went home empty handed. That's OK, we wouldn't have known what to do with the fish if they actually caught one.

Native American Day

Friday I went to help in James' class for Native American Day.

Seems like yesterday I was helping in Spencer's kindergarten class for this event.

What a cute little Indian (oops, I mean Native American).

Just like when I helped in Spencer's class, I was in charge of the station where kids paint a sunset on a pretend buckskin.

Run Boys, Run!

The Jog-a-thon at Spencer and James' school was Thursday, and it was the first time I've gone to watch it. I felt like a bad mom watching it because it really was so cute and I should have gone to watch Spencer the last two years. I'm sure I didn't go because James sleeps in and there was no way I was going to wake him up and drag him over to the school. They both did a great job running around their little track. I think James passed everyone up--his new name is Dash.

Faith's Smile

OK, so maybe she looks like Popeye, but we love her smile!
These pictures were taken on Nov. 16th, and we're pretty sure they are some of her first smiling pictures.

The Protests keep Comin'

I know the people protesting the passing of Pop. 8 are everywhere, here's what's happening in our neck of the woods. Today while we were in church, about 50 or so protesters stood outside with their signs. I heard a few of them were previous members of our ward.

We all especially liked this sign comparing us to the Taliban. Their numbers grew as church went on.

Yes, we got an arial shot! I think it's been a secret wish of Doug to find any reason to climb up into the steeple.

They were very peaceful protesters, but we had our crowd control just in case. The Elder's Quorum had crowd control and patrol duty. They were called roaches, but other than that pretty uneventful.

Soccer Finale

Yesterday ended the boys' soccer season for the year. We had a few celebrations to go to. First off, Spencer's team had an end-of-the-season party at a bar. A first for our kids to be in a bar.

James' last game was cancelled due to the poor air quality and ash floating in the air from all the fires burning around us. His team celebrated with a picnic lunch and trophies. Here's James getting his trophy and year book. James was awarded the longest dribble to score a goal.

Spencer got his trophy and yearbook yesterday after his game. He was awarded the smallest Junkyard Dog. We're just glad Spencer finished the season. I was doubtful if he'd really want to do this, but he did great.

Some highlights of the year: Spencer with his team's banner.

Nice action shot of James. He scored two goals this season.

Their favorite part of every game was the end when they got to run through the tunnel of parents.

Blue doesn't always=Boy

Faith has this darling little outfit from Amy Sue, and because it's blue people assumed she was a boy all day. So while in LA, I made a stop in the fabric district at Michael Levine's and picked up stuff to accessorize her hair do.

Maybe now she'll look more like a girl. Her shirt is wet because she is into throwing up a ton lately.

Hooray for Hollywood

We drug the kids on a hike up to the Hollywood sign on their day off for Veteran's Day.

We like to think that Faith is singing rather than screaming. She's practicing to be the next American Idol.

Cute picture of Cortney.

The Donnelly crew. They were not too thrilled with the hike, but they look pretty good here.

Then we headed to the Griffith Observatory. We recommend it, but make sure you go around 4:00 so you don't have to park a mile away.

View of LA from the Observatory.

Dinner at the Disney Soda Fountain on Hollywood Blvd.

Window display at the Disney store/soda fountain.

What would a trip be to Hollywood without putting your hands down at Grahman's Chinese Theater? The kids are putting their hands on the cast of Harry Potter.

My personal favorite---Julie Andrews.

Doug with his look-alike.

A fun day in Hollywood! Thanks for coming to visit, Donnellys!

Aquarium of the Pacific

We love it when the Donnellys come to town. We got to spend time at the Aquarium with them; the actual Aquarium and not the free Friday night Shark Lagoon, which we have done many times with them. Here's Parker, Doug, James and Spencer in the Lorikeet Forest.

The best part is outside where they spray each other with water.

The shark lagoon.

Here is Faith's one month picture at the Aquarium.

Blakelee, Me, Faith, Spencer, James, Reese and Parker.

It's a miracle we got them looking this good.

The whole gang: Doug, Cortney, Reese, Blakelee, Cara, Me, Faith, Parker, Spencer, James and Jeri.