Presidential Saturday

Saturday we drove up to Simi Valley for the Reagan Presidential Library.

Doug is a big Reagan fan, so while he went through the museum...

and hung out with him...

the kids and I took advantage of the fun activities going on for Colonial Days.

Spencer and James learned to write with a feather and ink.

They made a pomander, which is an orange with cloves stuck in it to make their clothes smell nice. I like how they're plugging their noses for this nice smelling craft.

They punched some tin...

and were recruited in the Colonial army. That's not a salute; the sun was in their eyes.

They played Colonial games....

and were put to work doing laundry. I wish they worked that hard for me.

The soldiers' tents.

After the games and crafts, we got to see the museum. Here is a replica of Reagan's oval office.

Part of the Berlin Wall.

I think the highlight of the day was going inside Air Force One.

FYI: President Reagan always had a chocolate cake aboard every flight of Air Force One so in the event it was someone's birthday on the flight, he'd have a cake to celebrate. What a guy.

Part of the motorcade.

Marine One.

We took the scenic Mulholland Drive on the way home so we could look out over Los Angeles. What a great view, and now we know why they have the ride Mulholland Madness at California Adventure. Of course our camera didn't capture the view, but it really was awesome.

What a great day! Thank heavens for Colonial Days!

Dino Day

Friday Spencer's class had a big dinosaur day to end their fossils unit. They worked on this poster, dug for bones and other stuff.

Here Spencer is working on making his own fossils out of plaster. I'm the lucky Mom who got to mix up the plaster and dump it in the kids' bowls. I have no idea how I got that job, but I can tell you that at the end of the day, I was the only one covered in a thick, cakey mess. Oh well, a little price to pay to spend time with Spencer at school.

The great palentologists.

Spring has Sprung!

Rancho Los Alamitos

Saturday we took the kids to the Rancho for a tour of the old house and the grounds. James said the tour was boring, and if I was his age listening to an old lady go on about an old house and old people, I'd probably be bored too. We all loved the gardens around the house, though.

This flower smelled like licorice.

Our favorite plant was this tequila plant.

But our very favorite part of this place is this cool fig tree. We couldn't get enough pictures around it. You gotta admit, it's a pretty awesome tree.

Next time we'll skip the tour and head straight for the trees.

Golf Field Trip

The cub scouts took to the golf course last Thursday to try out their skills.

Faith watches from the stroller.

James and Spencer trying to hit the ball. I wouldn't say they're Tiger Woods by any means, but they had fun.

Polygamy + St. Paddy's = One Great Party

The Challenge: Host the best St. Paddy's Party Ever
The Competition: Gallagher's Irish Pub
Every year we have to listen to their drums, bagpipes, fun bus and drunks. This year I had to give them a run for their money.

The guests: my book club
The book: Escape by Carolyn Jessop
Yes, we might not have the booze, but we have the women. I dressed as a polygamist for the night and Genie won the prize for the best use of green. Anyone who dressed like a polygamist or did her hair like one, won a Big Hunk candy bar with a new name, Big Love.

The gals in green never fail me on a great party night.

The food: OK, we did actually have corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and vegetables, but I loved it all!!

Stephanie made this scrumptious cake and look how cute the insides are!

I made these shamrock breads. Yum.

Now that's something you don't see everyday, a polygamist chug-a-lugging a punch bowl. I can't help it. I love limeaid. Good thing I didn't have to drive myself home. I think there is plenty of "proof" from this picture that hands down, our party was better. Yeah!! I think this is my new favorite holiday.