We finally decided to take a day and use our annual passes to Knott's.
We got off to a later than expected start because I realized my car charger wasn't working and it needed a new fuse. If you have an IPhone, you know the battery stinks and you can't travel without a charger.
(I know.....first world probs.)
A few minutes after getting into the park we search for churros. We end up at some joint that charged $5 per churro.
What the heck?! I had to take a picture of us getting robbed blind...with our little churros in hand.
Our first (and favorite) rides involved water and were the rides we could all ride on. One was a roaring rapids type ride and another was a log-ride.
After being in the park for four hours we decide we are hungry and drive to Costa Mesa. We grab lunch at Cafe Rio and head next door to Bruxie's Waffles. I found them a few months ago online, subscribed to their website and they send me a gift card! Score! So we went to buy $25 in sweet waffles!
I think we tried four different sweet waffles, but Bubba wanted the fried chicken breast and original waffle. All of them were TASTY. We were fans!
This sweet waffle had chucks of pearl sugar and a Belgian chocolate dipping sauce. Ohhhhhhh yeah.
I had to catpure Tubbs' sleepy mug on the drive home!
This little biscuit of love is supposed to start Kindergarten in August. The doctor said she was in the "greater than 97 percentile" which came as no shock.
She is about 44 inches and weighs 63 pounds.
There is a whole lot to love here! :)
I guess I was a year (or two) behind on vaccinations because she ended up needing five shots....in addition to getting her TB test and finger pricked for testing her iron levels.
She didn't leave a very happy girl!
I guess her last two were pretty painful and that's when the tears flowed. Her leg had a red welt for about a week. Ouch!
After we were done torturing this little princess we went to Target to pick out a treat. Target soothes all wounds! We had some time before picking up the boys from the bus, so we decided to go get manicures and pedicures.
Later that afternoon was also Wiggy's first dance class at the Judd's house. Two of the Judd girls are teaching a four session dance class to earn money for summer camps. This girl was so excited to go do something in her new dance outfit.
Bubba's Scout den went on a 10-mile hike a few weeks ago, on a overnight camp out to Windwolves Preserve. It's about 20 miles from Bakersfield, at the base of the mountains, southwest of town.
Bubba isn't really too much into "exercise" or activities that take endurance. TO be blunt, he is my lazier child. I was interested to see how he fared on the hike.
I took this photo when he got into the car. Let's just say....he was tired.
I tuck my wittle men into their beds each night, they read for 20-30 minutes and then I come into their room to check on them. I found big Bubba snuggled in with one of his Build-a-Bear animals. I couldn't resist taking a photo because he is my gentle giant. Oh Bubbaaaaaaaaaa.
Bubba made Honor Roll again. His end of quarter award's assemblies are always on Fridays, so that means little sis gets to attend too.
That makes Bubba happy!
Bubba has been in speech therapy since he was three and a half years old. When he started pre-school the fall of 2005, I would pick him up twice a week after lunch time and take him to Laurelglen school for 20 minute therapy sessions. Once he started Kindergarten at BV, he started receiving therapy during school time. Last May (2013) we made the decision to put him in private speech therapy, with Miss Margie. It's been almost a year and I can't say enough wonderful things about this lady who absolutely LOVES helping people. She goes above and beyond and always gives 200%. Before Christmas we made the decision to pull Bubba out of speech therapy at school and just have him see Miss Margie twice a week. Bubba was missing class time and would get behind on assignments when he left for speech. We also weren't seeing any benefit for the missed class time.
A few weeks ago we brought Tubbs along to speech with us for the first time, so Miss Margie could do some special exercises. Tubbs was very willing to give up his hour after school, to help Bubba out. Miss Margie probably thinks our family is nutballs because she laughs an awful lots when she hears one of us share one of our interesting family adventures. She asks a lot of questions amongst all of her exercises...so she hears a lot. It's funny to watch her laugh. She says she wants to meet Wiggy next. Haha.
I am just thankful for wonderful people in this world who love doing what they do...especially when people like me reap those benefits.
Bubba-lish is twelve and was interviewed by our Bishop on Bubba's birthday. (It was also his first official Mutual activity since it fell on a Wednesday)
The week after his birthday, Bubba was sustained in Sacrament meeting and Grandpa Baer ordained him during Deacon's Quorum. It was definitely a very special day for me and our family. Can't really find the perfect words to explain all of the emotions.
During Sacrament meeting, the Bishop called him up to the stand to give him his certificate of advancement from primary. I had tears in my eyes as Bishop Bell put his arms around Bubba's shoulders and spoke about him. Luke looks over at me and just smiles.
During Deacon's Quorum I am sitting next to Tubbs and Luke. My mom is across the room and as my dad lays his hands on Bubba's head, to begins his blessing, I think the tears are going to start flowing AGAIN.... but they don't. A very peaceful feeling came over me and there were no tears. (Didn't know I was such a crier) :)
I am so proud of the young man Bubba is and for his decision to become a Deacon. The following Sunday Bubba passed the Sacrament bread and water during the Sacrament portion of church. He was nervous when he sat down with the other Young Men and his buddies were explaining what he needed to do. Luke and I watched him intently after the Sacrament prayer was said, as he passed the bread on the other side of the aisle. A few moments later as Bubba was closer to us, he turned and whispered, "This is easy." Oh Bubba.
We did manage to squeeze in a few photos before church. We were mellow yellow today!
Sunday morning breakfast meant Wiggy had a new victim...I mean opponent, for the game "Headbands." Grandpa like Wiggy's version of clue-giving. :)
I had to take a picture of this one..."I am Money!"
Saying goodbye after church.
A quick trip down for Grandma and Grandpa. We are so happy they came!
Luke had a conference in downtown Sacramento so we had a great excuse to visit our northern California family.
We drove up Thursday evening after work and got to the hotel around 10pm.
Friday morning we hit up "Bacon and Butter" for breakfast. It was our first time and since it was only two blocks away, we were very pleased.
After breakfast we dropped Luke off at the hotel and we drove to Roseville to see Grandma.
Grandma and I went shopping with Wiggy, while the boys stayed and played at Grandma's with Holden and Uncle Bert.
For dinner we had pizza and hung out.
Saturday we shopped for Bubba's birthday party. Costco was a madhouse. I have never been in a Costco that's as hard to get around as this one. While the girls shopped Grandpa took Luke and the boys shopping for a new suit for Bubba.
Bubba requested birthday dinner for his party. It's one of our favorite meals. Luke made omelets and Grandpa made bacon, sausage and pancakes.
Sunday morning we were up before 8am and on the road home! So nice to see family!
This is my matching pigtail hair for Wiggy. :)
That Stop Wasn't On My Itinerary....
So the Hogue's made it to Florida for our first official family vacation. It was Sawyer's first plane ride....and Simon's first plane ride that he can remember. We were excited....the boys were stoked. We had everything we needed! But it seems that Sawyer packed something with him that wasn't on our checklist: a big case of pneumonia. Yes, the little fella made it almost one whole day in Florida before he started heading downhill fast. Our 2nd day in Orlando we were in the Urgent Care south of Cocoa Beach. (By the way, to see a doctor more quickly, it helps if you vomit all over the waiting room in front of the receptionist. Little tip for ya) After chest x-rays they advised us to head to the ER in Melbourne, where they eventually admitted him to the hospital. So, we had 3 night deluxe accommadations at the Holmes Regional Medical Center. The little whipper snapper was a trooper though! The nurses loved him, thankfully, and made us all feel right at home. We were going to send postcards out with pictures of the hospital since we spent 40% of our trip there...but they didn't have any. Imagine that!Hmmm.....maybe its something they should consider.
