Happy Birthday, Mr. President...

Since we had a 3 day weekend for Presidents Day, we decided to head on down to San Diego for some fun. David and Melissa and the boys decided to join us too. Sunday, after church, we drove to San Diego and checked into the hotel. We had a room right next to David's and Melissa's, which was cool because it meant that we could hang out without having to go all over the place. Also, the boys thought it was way cool to go back and forth between the two rooms. After we checked in, we went down to Old Town to tour the Mormon Battalion Visitor Center. My parents and I had been there before, but David and Melissa had not. It is way cool now that they've changed it up. After the presentation, we went to the back courtyard where the boys got to pan for gold and use an old fashioned well water pump. The boys loved it! Cy got super soaked and it was freezing cold, so we went back to the hotel when they had had their fun. Here we are at the visitor center:

You can tell how much fun they had by how soaked they are!

The next morning, we had breakfast at the hotel and then went to the zoo. We, of course, saw a bunch of animals. However, it was the big fake animals that seemed to capture the boys' attention the most.

After several hours in the zoo, we went to Balboa Park, which is pretty much right outside the zoo. David, Melissa, and the boys went on the little railroad train that was there. My dad rode that train when he was a little boy, and so did David, so it was cool that David got to take his own kids on it.

My dad said it was painted exactly the same even when he was a kid.

The boys also went on a little flying swing ride and enjoyed themselves.

They also rode the carousel, which has also been there since my dad was little.

I love the way the carousel is painted. I'll bet the pictures drawn and painted on the carousel are original because they look like something straight out of the era. I love it when history (even little paintings on a kiddie ride) is preserved! I think it's even cooler that they even still had the brass ring! Way cool!

After that, we decided to go to a place called Phil's BBQ for dinner; it was recommended to David by some co-workers and we wanted to try it out. We drove all the way there, only to find a sign that said, "Closed Mondays". Seriously!?!?!
We ended up going to Old Town to eat and we had some amazing Mexican food at a restaurant that was in the courtyard right next to Geppetto's.

***Side Note: Geppetto's toy shoppe is BACK!!! It's a little toy store that we used to go to every time we went to Old Town throughout my entire childhood, which was very often. We used to have a shelf in our house that held a bunch of little cartoon figures and it was quite a conversation piece. Many of those little figures came from Geppetto's. Sadly, we went to Old Town about a year ago and it was closed and completely empty. Sad, sad day. This time, I looked, longingly, over to where it had been all those years and was amazed to see that the beautiful Geppeto's sign had returned! Of course we went in. It isn't quite the same as it had been before...not as well stocked, but it was there and that's good enough for my nostalgic self! : )

After that, we headed home to get ready to start the work week. Blah! ; )

Love it!

It's A Jungle Out There!

I can't believe I haven't blogged this until now! Sheesh! A few weeks back, my whole family (all those that live in CA, at least) went to the Wild Animal Park in San Diego together. When I was a kid, we used to get annual passes to there and the San Diego Zoo and we used to go all the time. However, as the years went on, we got passes to other places and took a little break from the San Diego animal scene. It was cool to go back and now we all have passes again. Plus, it was Baby Jonathan's very first major outing!

Here we all are together right before we got on the little tram thing that takes you around to see the animal habitats:

Later, our friend, Anthony, also joined us.

We had a great time together and just took our time going through the park, since we all have passes and can go back anytime to see the things we missed. We spent lots of time in the petting zoo and watching the gorillas. Afterward, we all went to Round Table Pizza in Escondido and enjoyed a yummy dinner. All the little boys (except Baby Jonathan) went and ate in their own little booth. It was cute to see them act like little grown-ups, getting to eat in their own little space.

Then after dinner, the boys enjoyed a nice round of wrestling. Perhaps, I'm a bad auntie for just watching, laughing, and taking pictures, but I don't care! haha! It was awesome!

We had an amazing day!

I Love To See The Temple!

It's true. I really do love the temple. One year ago, yesterday, I went through the temple for the first time. To commemorate it, I decided to go back and do a session in Newport Beach, where I went for my first time through. My dad wasn't feeling so good, so just my mom and I went together. Though I wish that my dad could've gone too, I always enjoy spending quality time with my mamma. : ) Unfortunately, there wasn't anyone else around to get a picture of the two of us together, but we did at least get a couple of solo shots.

I am always in awe of how beautiful the temple is!

I never imagined I would be one of those people who would be all into it and excited about going back again and again, but I am! I'm so grateful that my bishop encouraged me to consider going. It really has changed my life for the better and I wonder how I ever lived without the blessing of being able to go there and feel the peace that is always found in the temple. Such a blessing!

Calico Ghost Town

Since we get MLK day off of work, we decided to go someplace fabulous. So, my parents and I took my 3 oldest nephews to Calico Ghost Town for the day. In the summer time, Calico, which is just outside of Barstow, feels like it's actually located on the sun, so this January day was just perfect for our adventure. It was a perfect place to take the boys because they had never been there before (Joey went when he was little, but doesn't remember it well) and it's a place where there's enough to do, but not so much that you have to run around trying to see everything. Also, it wasn't very crowded.

When I was a little girl, I would occasionally get to go on outings with my grandparents, sans my parents, and I remember thinking it was the coolest thing; I still remember those days fondly...even after all of these years. So, I think it's pretty cool that my parents got to give my nephews an experience like that too. Someday, maybe they'll be able to take my kids someplace special too!

Without further adieu, here are some pictures of the day:

Here are my nephews and my parents at the entrance of Calico. They boys were SO excited about the "wetters on the wocks!" as Cy called them. Everytime they came back into view while we drove, the boys would point them out. They're so sweet!

We went into this store and the boys each got to pick out a candy stick. My parents always used to buy those for us when we would go places like Old Town, San Diego, where they sold them. The boys loved them and I think they all actually finished them, rather than abandoning them after just a few licks.

We got to take the train around and they told us a little bit about the old mines that used to be in use at Calico. The boys thought it was cool that the train was bumpy like a real train : ) They laughed and held on tight when it would jolt forward.

This is the Maggie Mine and it...ummm...put the "ghost" in Ghost Town for sure. Call me crazy, but while we were in there, there were lots of uncomfortable spots and footsteps behind us when nobody was there. Calico is famous for its haunts and I guess it completed the experience to get to witness a couple firsthand. : )

While his big brothers were in the bathroom, Cy entertained himself by trying to stack all of these little pebbles. He would gather a pile and then stack them up. He got way into it and, at one point, sat flat on the ground in the dirt to get better leverage. He's so freakin' adorable!

Joey, Aaron, and Cy wanted to play on the stage, so we snapped a picture. After this, Cy ran around it in circles over and over again and then told me how it smelled like poo. Horse poo, to be exact. lol

I just had to include this one; I love my dad! He cracks me up! : )

They had some tables with checker boards painted on them and my dad played with the boys.

This house made out of glass bottles was super cool!

This is one of the last shots of the day. We had a great time and definitely slept well that night after all of that walking! Phew!

In the Air There's a Feeling of Christmas!

First and foremost, I would just like to start off with a couple of pictures of Christmas decorations at my house. Usually, by the time Christmas rolls around, we're all crawling to the finish line, absolutely exhausted, and completely ready for break. So, we don't go all out with our decor, but I love what we do put up. Since this might be my last Christmas in the nursery (see Peter Pan), I was a little more reflective and decided to take a couple of pictures.

This was our tree for the year. My mom and I went and picked it out. We decided that it was the most beautiful tree in all of Lowe's : )

This is one of my Snow White ornaments. Snow White was my camp name and I was way excited to get this ornament a few years ago.

It seems like everyone has that one special ornament on their tree, and this is ours. Growing up, we didn't have lots of ornaments on our tree, other than different colored Christmas balls. This is one of the few and it always held a place of honor on our tree. It was a privilege to get to be the one to put it up. We still stick, primarily, to the classic colored balls and so this ornament still has its time to shine each year. I love it and it will always be a special memory for me.

Flashback: 2010

So, I'm very proud of myself because I did pretty well at keeping up with my blog this year! I consider that a major victory! Also, that means that I can just go back and recap the highlights of 2010 to keep them fresh in my mind, rather than painstakingly trying to piece together all of the year's major goings-on.

January
Eh...nothing super special. I did go back to work for the 1st time since I had gotten laid off. I started teaching a math intervention program at the school I had taught at. I learned tons of new skills, including how to stay professional under extreme circumstances and also how to make 1 box of white board markers last until the end of the school year.

February
This was kind of a big month for me. I took a huge step that I had not anticipated taking at this point in my life. I went through the temple for the 1st time. On February 12th, I went through the Newport Beach Temple. I am so grateful that my bishop was inspired to encourage me to go; it has been such a huge blessing in my life. Seriously, I have seen a difference in my everyday life and I really feel that it is because of the peace attending the temple regularly can bring. I also got a new calling to teach Temple Prep class for my ward and was called on Valentine's Day.

March
In March, I got to go to San Francisco for the 1st time. My mom and I went while we were off-track from work and we had a great time. We got to go to a couple of different temples, see downtown San Fran, go to the Winchester Mystery House, and to Solvang too! This was a major trip of firsts. The main perk, however, was that I got to spend some time with my mom, whom I love so, so much.

I also learned something new this year! My sister, Nancy, whose birthday is March 16th had said that she wanted a Madhatter Tea Party for her birthday party, so in preparation, I learned how to make tiered cakes and fondant from scratch. This way, I could make her a way cool birthday cake.
Here are a couple shots of it. It's far from perfect, but I was pretty proud! : ) Not bad for a self-taught newbie!

April
In April, we went up to Utah for General Conference and I got to go into the Salt Lake Temple for the 1st time. One word: Wow. It's so beautiful and it's amazing to think of how the pioneers created the amazing, ornate (but not over the top) decor without all of the technologies we have today. AND it snowed, which was crazy, but still beautiful. Also on this trip, my brother proposed to his girlfriend and they announced their engagement later that day, on Easter Sunday. It sent shockwaves through the family, as it came quite unexpectedly. But...the important thing to note is that my baby brother decided to tell me first, before any parents, friends, or other siblings. I'm just special, I guess! lol ; )

May
In May, my entire family went up to San Francisco for my cousin's wedding. It was awesome to be with so many people that are so important to me and it's always fun to go on a crazy Wheeler family road trip! This one was definitely NOT a disappointment either. Here we are at Alcatraz: Between haunted hotel rooms, incompetent parking attendants, seagulls, Boudin's Bistro, seagulls, kilts, seagulls, trying to caravan in downtown San Fran (key word being TRYING), and seagulls, we had a fantastic trip.

In May, I also went on my 1st fishing excursion! It was all the way across the street from my brother's house! I bought a cute pink pole and my brother showed me how it's done. I still haven't caught anything, but have definitely found a new hobby that helps me to relax a bit.

June
June was QUITE the month. I finished work for the year at the very beginning of the month and then went up to Utah with my parents, my brother, and his girlfriend (now his wife) for my cousin's wedding. However, I drove separately and when they went home, I went farther into Utah and spent a week or so there. I got to go to lots temples I had never been to before, spend time with old friends, visit with my sister, and experience some independence on my very first solo out-of-state venture. I loved it! I ,made sure to do some things that I don't normally do; for example, I stayed a night in St. George and then went to see Brigham Young's Winter Home and Jacob Hamblin's home. What worthwhile things they ended up being!

As soon as I came home, my parents and I went on our big vacay of the summer and we went to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado. All of these were firsts for me. I had only been to Arizona once before and that was only to the River in Parker, which is just on the border. I was reminded, once again, what amazing parents I have, as they really have allowed me some absolutely wonderful, unforgettable experiences. I would include some pictures here, but I wouldn't even know where to begin or where to stop, so if you're interested, refer back to the post where I initially detailed the trip.

July
We came back from our trip during the second week of July and proceeded to sleep until work started again. I also got to do some cool day trips with David and Melissa's family. We went to Griffith Observatory in LA for the first time since it re-opened and then had some fancy cupcakes from Sprinkles in Beverly Hills. They were delish!

At the very end of the month, we went back up to Utah, once more, for my cousin Bradley's wedding. It was the first temple marriage I had ever been able to attend. So awesome! While there, we got to attend a session in the Manti Temple and got to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Brigham City Temple.

August
Work started again in August, for which I am very grateful. I had the opportunity to start the year in a long-term sub position at one of my very favorite schools and actually got to team teach with one of my very favorite people! I taught 6th grade math and science at Almeria Middle School and LOVED it! Claudia Payne, who is absolutely wonderful, is a teacher for 6th grade language arts and social studies and we shared the same group of kiddos. It was great and I was sad to see it end at the end of the 6 weeks.

September
The month was mainly full of working (good thing!) and at the end of the month, my little brother married Tyisa McCook at the Redlands Temple on September 24th.

After the wedding, my sister and I went to San Diego and spent the night in the Westgate Hotel. She gets comped a certain amount of nights in the company hotels and she can bring a guest...in this case, me! It was amazingly fancy. Being used to Motel 6 and the like, I was especially awed by the place. Here, I experienced my first room service, fancy bathrobe...just for my convenience, and my first (and probably only) time in such a fancy place.

A few days later, I turned 26...

October
I got to hang out with my nephews alot, especially near the end of the month. I've been trying to do some new stuff with them, so I took them to the Mary Vagle Nature Center in Fontana, which is WAY cool! Then we made a cool chocolate chip cookie pizza which we frosted with orange frosting and then added candy to make a Jack 'O Lantern face on it. Then, we made home made root beer with dry ice! It was the first time I had ever tried it and it turned out delicious, thanks to my three adorable little assistants!


November
On November 3rd, David and Melissa had their 4th baby boy! He was a full 6 weeks early, but only had to spend 1 week in the NICU. What a miracle! He's such a strong little boy and he fits right in with his 3 big brothers!


Also, in November, Daniel announced that he and Tyisa would be adding one more kid (their first) to the mix in early August.

December
I was very fortunate to get a long-term position teaching Art at a high school in my district. That took me from the end of November to Christmas Break in mid-December. I really, really enjoyed it and am grateful for the opportunity I had to work with such a good group of kids!

Christmas Break came quickly and craziness ensued! The whole family was in town and it was awesome! As always, we're all insane, but I think that's what I love most about my family. We really are like a box of chocolates...never know what you're gonna get. : )
We got to:
see the Christmas lights at the Los Angeles Temple,



attend Baby Jonathan's blessing,

go to Sea World,


and to Universal Studios,

and, of course, just spend quality time together as a family. We played games, talked, laughed, caroled, and all of the other stuff we like to do when we get together.

As I look back at the year, I can easily say that it was, perhaps, the hardest year of my life so far. Lots of ups and downs, lots of challenges and triumphs, heartache and joy. Through it all, however, I can say, as I've said in years past, that my family is the reason that I've made it through. I cannot imagine my life without them, nor would I even like to try. I have been truly blessed.

Sea World

For my birthday, my parents got me an annual pass to Sea World, which was way generous of them! I had never been there and have wanted to go for a very long time, so we decided to go on Monday and Tuesday during Thanksgiving Break. On Monday, we just wanted to take it easy and see what there was to do there. We saw some pretty cool dolphins... AND SHAMU!!! We also took some time to check out their Christmas decorations!
We stayed until closing time and then went over to Old Town to see the Mormon Battalion Visitors Center. It recently re-opened after being renovated and it is way different and way cooler! We were super impressed by the presentation and how informative it was. Here we are at the visitors center: At the end they take your picture and you can email it to yourself:
Then, we ate dinner at a place that we often go to on our more recent Old Town San Diego trips. It's just across the street from the Whaley House, which you can see in the background. The fire in the middle of the table kept us cozy and warm since it was super cold out.
We stayed in a hotel that night and then got up the next morning and went back to Sea World.
We got to see a couple more shows and see the penguins! What majestic animals they are! We pretty much just walked around the park and had a leisurely day. We stopped at some of the pretty Christmas decos they had around the park and took some pictures. I love my parents SO much! I'm so grateful that we get along and have such a great time together.




We got to pet stars and urchins in the tide pools!

We got to pet stingrays too!
It was so much fun!