Food, Family and Fireworks = Fourth of July FUN!!!

I Love Holidays....All Holidays, on July 4th I was originally planning on going to the "Hot Rockin' 4th, but well, our plans changed...So instead our family had a little party.
I love decorating for Birthdays, and Holiday Parties....that is my secret passion, so of course, any chance I get I take full advantage!

~Here is my Red, white and blue, table scape.
I love how it turned out.  I of course, being the O.C.D. person that I am, had to match the food for the table too. 

**These are the best little cheesecakes, and they are soooo easy to make too.
  I think they were a hit!

The rest of my table :) :)

I loved my fruit plate.

The fruit was yummy too!

****Uncle Gary, Jake, James and Ashlee.

I love these guys****

James and Ashlee

****

James and his fireworks

He was so happy to have them, and we were all happy that they were legal. haha

After all what would Independence day be without FIREWORKS!!!

We had a fabulous time.

Food+Family+Fireworks=FUN!!!

Happy 4th of July!

 

Beach....BABY!!

We loved spending time on the BEAUTIFUL beaches in California. There is just something that is so relaxing about being at the beach..... listening to the waves and feeling  the sand between your toes.  It was such amazing weather while we were there. It was an overcast day and we all got sun burned, even with sunscreen...except for Ashlee. The sun in California is sooooo HOT!! 

Malibu Beach. 
My cousins Carolina and Craig took James and I to Malibu beach.  On the way they showed us all of these fancy beach houses.  WOW...they were SO  beautiful, but of course very pricey.  I think we may have even driven past Mel Gibson's house!   We loved spending time with them.  They showed us a good time and were very hospitable!!

Seagulls "looking for lunch"

Laguna Beach :
also courtesy of Craig and Carolina. After we went to the beach we went to Joe's Crab Shack.  It was so yummy and so so fun.  I went alone since the rest of the family decided on  something else. 
I loved it!!

James chillin' on Malibu beach

We heart California?
Or at least that's what it's supposed to say.  Oh well, you get the idea!

Huntington Beach:
with the Family!!

It was a beautiful day to relax on the beach!  Ashlee was all set with her snacks and a book!  Here she is all cozy ready to read!!!!

The pier at Huntington Beach!

Writing in the sand, as soon as we would write something the water washed it away.  I just love leaving my mark, ya know, it's kinda like proof we were there  haha

We saw this CUTE pelican @ Malibu beach begging for food......he didn't even care that people were up close to him and taking pictures of him :)..

~~~James~~~

The boys played some frisbee as well.  

We miss the beach already!

Hot dogs & corn dogs MUST taste better in Disneyland

Hot dogs & Corn dogs........

apples and chips.........&

DRINKS.....

*and the grand total was.........
too much!

***We should've gone to a sit down restaurant, it would have been cheaper.
  At least we have a souvenir!

~Livin' it up at the HAPPIEST place on Earth!!!

Our family went toDisneyland YAY!!!
June, 21st, 22nd & 23rd 2011

Getting ready to spend the day "where dreams come true!"

Day 1

Ashlee and her daddy

Walkin' through California Adventure, for what seemed like the hundredth time. ha ha

James, Jake and Don

Ahhh, refreshing!  Ashlee cooling off.  it was a nice day.. really not that hot...but the mist feels sooo good

The favorite RIDE......
The Tower of Terror.
We always go on it way too much, but we love it!!

Day 2

~~  the traditional DISNEY picture :)

Tower of Terror

We lost track of which time this was..

Day 3
The kids at the entrance to Disneyland!!!

It was an amazing trip.  We always have so much fun there. Well, almost all of us ;)

An evening SWIM***

And.....a soak in the hot tub!!!
We had such a fun time that we really hated to leave, I guess we'll just have to come back next year.
If you want to see more of the pictures you are welcome to go here!

~19 on the 19th~

James had his 19th birthday on the 19th of June!!  He is such a remarkable young man and we are so proud of him.  He is working so hard @ Zion's bank to save up $$$ for his mission that he will be serving very soon!

As I was looking through some pictures, I felt a little sad, that he is growing sooooo  fast, but I am also happy at the same time for the amazing person he is growing up to be!  His birthday fell on Father's day this year, so he shared his birthday with his dad!  They both wanted Banana Cream pie, so that is what they got!

Happy Birthday Jamers!!!  We love you!!

 

BEFORE!!

 I loved these candles, however they melted before James was able to blow them out!!

James loves beef Jerky....he also got an Oil vile and some ties for his mission.

AFTER!!!
Thanks for 19 fun filled years :)

"He is 17 going on........ 18."

Jacob had his 17th Birthday,  he had a fun day of school ;) and then went with James later that night to a Bees game.  We actually celebrated on Sunday with the family.  His special dinner consisted of.......

 *Dutch oven Pork ribs

and Potatoes with onions and bacon  and of course veggies.

We played a good game of 5 crowns

 Jacob loves "Chocolate cake"

I even used my cute birthday decorations.

"17"

James, Ashlee and Jake!

"Fancy Dancer"

Ashlee had her end of the year recital on Saturday night.  She has worked SO hard and has waited So long for it.  She was absolutely amazing (no Bias here) ;).  We spent ALL morning at her dress rehearsal, which is always the not so fun part....it takes so long....But we managed  to get through it. 

She was in 2 dances, Jazz and Ballet.. and she nailed them both.  I couldn't have been happier than to see my (not so) little girl do such a great job after working so hard.

Love you ASH!!!!

The Fray & U2

~May 24, 2011~

Last night  Don,James,Jake and I went to the U2 concert.  WOW!!  We were so close to Bono at times we could have touched him.  I think I enjoyed it more than anyone.  It was such a GREAT show.

I got tickets last year and wasn't able to use them because they cancelled it due to Bono's back injury/surgery.  We actually got a refund for them, and then when we were sure they were going to reschedule, we bought more.  It was a "beautiful day" and night.  There was no rain whatsoever, and we could even see the stars....ha ha!  Anyway, it was an AMAZING show, so glad that we went! . 

"The Fray"

another one of my favorite bands!

**I loved the claw and the effects were amazing**

Love the mountains behind them.....

I love this picture, there was just so much smoke that it looks foggy.

this was during the song "City of blinding lights" very cool.  

********

Today my ears are still ringing and I am so tired because we didn't get home until after 1 a.m.!!!  BUT it was so worth it! 

****