Spring Break (Part 6) : Boating on the Napa River

Friday, April 9th was another gorgeous day in Napa.  We could not have asked for better weather to accompany us on our next adventure...a boat ride on the Napa River.  My Mom and Stepdad own a nice boat and can access the river from their backyard.  It was so enjoyable to be able to spend a nice day with them out on the water.  Christopher and Kennedy thought it was quite exciting to help their Grandpa Lynn drive the boat.  After enduring a long winter in Utah, I thoroughly enjoyed relaxing and absorbing the sunshine.

Kennedy thought it was pretty fun to go to California the week before her birthday.  Between her aunts, uncles and grandma she had three birthday celebrations before her actual birthday occured.  Being the only granddaughter, she did not have any lack of spoiling from Grandma.  My mom got her a tasty cake, as well as, clothes, jewelry and make-up.

Below is a clue that my boys may spend a little too much time watching the Discovery Channel.  After the boat ride, they became engaged in searching the rocks near the park for lizards.  They learned that if you tie a loop on the end of a large piece of grass, it makes a great lizard trap.  I did not believe it....and then they caught three.

Spring Break (Part 5) : Dirt Biking at Napa Marina

Christopher was very excited when he found out that his cousins and Uncle Mike own dirt bikes.  He was even more thrilled when he heard we were going to have the chance to ride them.  On Thursday, April 8th Mike, Steve, Christopher, Kennedy, Samantha, Jeffrey, Alex, and I went out to a track near the Napa Marina.  Kennedy, being a little young to control a bike on her own, had the chance to ride with her cousins and Uncle Mike.  Christopher, despite a nervous mother, drove his cousin's bike solo.  I have to admit, I was impressed with how quickly he learned.  We spent about two hours out at the track.  The time was so enjoyable that we could have easily spent the entire day.

Spring Break (Part 4) : Horses of Course

Wednesday did not end with the walk by the river.  The next activity on the top of Kennedy's list...horses.  Nanci owns two horses, so we took all the kids to the ranch where she boards them.  The kids had a great time playing around and getting dirty, and Kennedy was able to get a preview of the horses she would have a chance to ride the following day.

Ever since Kennedy started horse-riding lessons, she has constantly talked about going to California and riding with Aunt Nanci. On Thursday morning, Steve took Kennedy back to the ranch to meet up with Nanci and fulfill that wish.  Kennedy rode like a natural and really enjoyed the alone time with her Auntsie(her nickname for Aunt Nanci).

Spring Break (Part 3) : Napa, CA (The River Walk)

On Tuesday, April 6th we finally arrived in Napa at 11 pm.  We set up camp at the beautiful home of Steve's sister, Nanci , and the party began.  Six cousins, ages 2 to 15, made a year and a half apart seem like nothing.  The kids were up until 2 am, laughing and playing until they passed out huddled together in front of the television.  The next afternoon, we all headed to Downtown Napa to walk along the river.  It was a perfect, relaxing afternoon watching the kids ride their skate boards and enjoying the California sun.

Christopher and Dominic

Kennedy and Dominic

Kennedy and her Aunt Nanci

Christopher, Samantha, and Dominic

   The Cousins that skate together, stay together. 

Alex, Samantha and Christopher

 Top: Kim, Samantha, Steve, Nanci, Jeffrey

Bottom: Christopher, Alex, Kennedy, Dominic

Spring Break (Part 2) : Vegas

On Monday, April 5th we hit the outskirts of Vegas around 8 pm.  I have to admit we were tired after two days of fun in St. George, but the bright lights were calling our name.  Really....could we have our kids telling everyone that they saw Vegas from the freeway??  We parked at the MGM and walked the strip to the Bellagio and back.  The kids really enjoyed watching the fountain show at the Bellagio, as well as, the M&M store and the mini Statue of Liberty.  I admit that Vegas is not on the top of my "kid friendly" list,  but I do think it is a spectacle worth seeing.

Spring Break (Part 1) : St. George, UT

This year, we could not have created a more memorable Spring Break.  2,000 miles, by car, was well worth the family visited and memories made.  Our first stop....St. George, UT.  Why St. George?  Well, it's a long story, but my sister's vacation home just ended up being the perfect spot for a Kennedy family reunion.  Dad and Irene flew from Washington State, Chris(my brother) arrived from Northern California, Kathy and Rick(my sister and brother-in-law) drove from Wyoming,  and Krissy and Karen(my other two sisters) came with their families from Salt Lake City.  Together we made a fun group of about fifteen.  It really meant a lot to be with everyone, especially my Dad who I have not seen for three long years.  The weekend was filled with laughter, great stories, and delicious food.  An excellent start to our vacation.  Now on to the next stop.....

Wax Museum

Every year, the fifth grade does a wax museum.  The kids are required to choose an American hero and write a two page report about the accomplishments of that person.  On the day of the wax museum, they dress up like the person and give a 30 second life history to each visitor that comes to their desk.  Families and students file through to see the wax museum throughout the day.  It is a lot of work for the students, but it is also quite fun.  The American hero that Christopher chose was Joseph Smith.  He was so cute in his outfit and did an excellent job on his report and presentation.  I am proud to say all his hard work paid off.  His grade: A+ 

Graduating Weeblos

On February 23rd, Christopher received his Weeblos badge.  This is the final badge that can be earned as a Cub Scout before moving on to Boy Scouts.  We are so proud of him for working incredibly hard to fulfill the requirements to complete Cub Scouts.  He has also earned his Arrow of Light, but the ceremony will not be held until next month due to scheduling.  We will take plenty of pictures and post them when that occurs, because it is a quite a special event.  Now that Christopher is eleven, he has  attended his first Boy Scout den meeting and absolutely loves it.  He is looking forward to the Boy Scout adventures that await him.

Christopher placing the Weeblo pin on me.  He had to complete a

good deed before it could be removed.

Christopher getting his face painted, which is tradition after receiving a new badge.

Sweet Valentine

I am not one to get hyped about Valentine's Day, but this Valentine's was special. Steve and the kids went out of their way to create a wonderful memory. I knew something was in the making, because Kennedy was having a difficult time containing herself. I am proud of her though, because she held on tight to the secret and did not let the surprise leak.

On Valentine's night I was ordered to my room for over an hour. Before being allowed to exit, I was instructed to put on my Sunday best. I walked out of my room and was greeted by a candlelight dinner for two and Valentine's decorations. Steve and I were seated and the kids took over as our waiters. As you can see in the pictures, they were dressed in cute little black and white outfits. We were then offered menus, and told the specials of the night. Steve and the kids had made a delicious dinner of shrimp, salad, salmon, potatoes, vegetables and cheesecake. The dinner was then followed by slow dancing. The kids got such a thrill out of helping cook the dinner and playing restaurant. I thought the whole night was beautiful. Steve, Kennedy and Christopher put so much effort in to expressing their love. I feel truly blessed.

The kids preparing dinner

Creating the menus

Romantic dinner for two

Kennedy taking our order

Our excellent wait staff

The team who made it all possible

New Year's Day

Right before New Year's we received quite a bit of snow. We thought it would be fun to take the kids somewhere new to sled, so we decided to go up the canyon to a place called Jolley's Ranch. We all had a blast, including the times we crashed or ended up on the wrong side of the barriers. It is amazing the amount of cold you are able to endure when you're having a lot of fun.

After returning home, we warmed up with mint hot chocolate and cooked a tasty salmon dinner. Believe it, or not, the kids love salmon. We also got to share the experience of watching The Wizard of Oz with Kennedy for the first time. She is now fascinated with Dorothy and Toto. Kennedy was not happy to find out that I once had the complete Wizard of Oz doll collection when I was little, and no longer own it.

A Christmas Story

Both of our children love to create and use their imagination. Kennedy spends a large portion of her time drawing and writing cute little pictures and sayings. I must have a hundred pieces of paper adorn with little hearts and the phrase "I love you Mom". The other night, Kennedy decided she wanted to write something to share with her class. She would randomly ask how to spell a word, but created the following book on her own. She calls it her "Christmas Book". I call it "Priceless".