Monday, March 31, 2008

Trip to California to see the Grandparents!!!

(Click on pictures to enlarge to 'really' see them. )
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On Tuesday morning Kody and I were off to California on Delta Airlines. Last time we did this trip we used Southwest and had to change planes in Las Vegas. Now it worked out fine but I decided that I would go with Delta with their nonstop flight even if it was more money. I checked and it was less money!! How's that for working out great. Just one time getting on and off the plane, reserved seating so we didn't have to scramble for a seat and about half the time spent on the trip. That is what I call a win-win situation!!

Here he is waiting for the plane. He wasn't as excited as last year. After all he is a seasoned traveler now!!


Inside the plane giving me "are you taking another picture?" look.

The whole trip was cloud cover so didn't get to see much. There was lots of snow on the mountains all through Utah. I think you can see some of it here.


Landing at Bob Hope Airport (Burbank) in wonderfully warm weather!


We got home, had lunch and then went off to do what we did almost every day, play at the park! We were getting ready to go and we both put on our coats because that is what you do in the winter in Utah and went over to the park. We got out of the car and I looked at him and decided neither one of us needed our coats as it must have been 80 out! What a change from the 40's to 80's in a couple of hours!! You can see how red his face is from playing!!

From playing with the ice in the planters at his house to playing in the creek to stay cool!! I took a picture of him in the water with my phone and sent it off to his mommy with only one word, "Hot"!! Okay, I was rubbing it in a little.

I love this picture of him. It looks like he is just sitting there thinking or something. What was really happening was something that happened the whole trip. Just out of sight in the picture is a lady sitting feeding the ducks. He had found someone to talk to. He reminds me so much of his mom at that age, no matter where he goes he finds someone to talk to or makes a friend to play with.
Playing at Conejo Park the same park his mom and uncles played at not that many years ago.

Hiking in the Botanic Gardens. What a great nature trail they have. There was a little too much Nature for Kody at first but he got used to the spider webs and got into looking for lizards and bugs.

A visit down to Great Grandpa's house. Great Grandpa babysat for me one morning when I went to the dentist. He said Kody didn't stop talking the whole time I was gone. They had a great time playing together.
This is a house at the Strathearn Historical Park and Museum in Simi Valley. There are a bunch of old homes and tools from the early years in the area. It wasn't that great a hit but we found somethings that he liked.

Back to the park to play and more "friends".

Grandpa with Kody at the Kids Adventure Garden before going to the movies to see Horton Hears a Who. What a great movie. We loved it!!
A trip to Mattie's wouldn't be complete without some Arts and Crafts time!! Here he is working on a picture frame for his daddy. He also painted and planted flower pots for his sister and mommy.
On Friday his Gramma Becky and Grandpa Andy took him to Disneyland!! (Better them than me!!!! Just looking at those Teacups make me sick!)

Rockets with Grandpa Andy
One of the parks in town now has a small climbing wall. I needed Uncle Jim here to teach him how to do this.

One day his Gramma Carolyn (Beach Gramma) and I took him up to the Santa Barbara Zoo. We had done this last year and when I asked what he wanted to do this year it was, "I want to go back to the Zoo with Beach Gramma". Here they are on the train. He was afraid it was going to turn into a Disneyland ride.

At the playground at the Zoo. They have redone the area and are working on redoing a lot of the zoo. I'm not quite sure what they are putting in but it looks like they are enlarging the displays.

We were walking along and he asked what these things were. I couldn't figure out what he was talking about but he kept asking and I finally found the caterpillars and pupa that he was seeing. I have no idea what kind of butterflies/moths these will be but there were a lot of them. If anyone can tell me please let me know!! I was very impressed that he noticed them. Good spot Kody!!

Here Beach Gramma and Kody are feeding the giraffes!! Those tongues are LONG!!


One of the last days we went over to Underwood Farms in Moorpark for a picnic lunch and play time. It was something from last year that he asked to do again. We took a bunch of quarters this time and he got to feed the animals.

Climb the haystack and jump down.
Stand up and talk about important things with his new friend. Don't you wish you knew what they were talking about? It must have been important they stood up there a long time.


I thought this looked like a good advertisement for these drinks. He loved them!!

Kody and his Mattie

Two of my silly boys, Uncle Jim and Kody.

At the end of the trip we drove up to Cedar City and met Darcy and family to drop Kody off. Here Scott and Jessy are playing in the motel pool. They stayed in there forever. And Kody and Scott went back after dinner.

Kody jumping in and swimming.
Mommy "forgot" her bathing suit so she had to sit out with the old folks who also "forgot" their suits.
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It was another wonderful visit with the Kody monster who was wonderful the whole time!!!! I love you so much, Kody!!

Kody's Birthday Part 2

I know I am very late on this post but here goes.... finally!!
On Sunday, Kody's birthday, Shannen came up after church and we all went out to Chili's for a birthday dinner. It is where Kody wanted to go.

The Parents waiting for the food and doing the games in the kids menu.

Aunt Shannen giving the birthday boy a big Birthday Kiss!

They were out of kids ice cream so they gave Kody one of these instead!! Enough dessert for several people! He did share it with Shannen.

Jessy and Shannen at home.

Family present time. Guess what he got ...... more Transformers!!!!

He also got the greatest little personal tents with a sleeping bag and flashlight and backpack!! Everything folds down and stores in the backpack. Well, that is the idea. If anyone can get it all back in I will be surprised!!
Even if he just keeps it inside I think he will like it a lot. I would have when I was his age! Grab a bunch of books and crayons and paper and head inside and spend the afternoon. How great does that sound?
Two days later we headed out to California. More on that tomorrow. (I hope!)

Saturday, March 08, 2008

Kody's 5th Birthday Part 1

Last night I gave Kody his present from Grandpa and I. Well, I gave him a card telling about the present. Before this he didn't know he was coming back with me for two weeks. So he got a little Delta Airplane and a card telling him that he was going to California. I don't think it really sunk in until this morning when he starting asking more questions about it. So come Tuesday the two of us will be on the airplane winging our way to warmer weather!!!


Today, Saturday Kody had a few of his friends come over for his kids party. This is his cake. The candles were a big hit with all the kids!! You never know what will catch a kids eye.


The whole party, and I think Kody's whole life, revolves around Transformers so of course he had a transformer party!!



Eating pizza. Pizza always seems to be a hit with kids.


The whole group.


The boys playing pin the tail on the donkey. More to the right, no your other right!!


Blowing out the candles

Listening to us sing was painful but that's what you have to put up with on Birthdays!!

You would think they just couldn't wait for cake. Well, you would be wrong, they had the ice cream cups and passed on the cake. You never know.

Oh, wow another Transformer!! How cool!!


Playing with the new toys after the party was over. A good time was had by all, even the parents!
Party's done and so are the Parents!!!!


Poem for Jake and his parents

Day Bath
for my son
Last night I walked him back and forth,
his small head heavy against my chest,
round eyes watching me in the dark,
his body a sandbag in my arms.
I longed for sleep but couldn't bear his crying
so bore him back and forth until the sun rose
and he slept. Now the doors are open,
noon sunlight coming in,
and I can see fuchsias opening.
Now we bathe. I hold him, the soap
makes our skins glide past each other.
I lay him wet on my thighs,
his head on my knees,
his feet dancing against my chest,
and I rinse him, pouring water
from my cupped hand.
No matter how I feel, he's the same,
eyes expectant, mouth ready,
with his fat legs and arms,
his belly, his small solid back.
Last night I wanted nothing more
than to get him out of my arms.
Today he fits neatly
along the hollow my thighs make,
and with his fragrant skin against mine
I feel brash, like a sunflower.
"Day Bath" by Debra Spencer from Pomegranate. © Hummingbird Press, 2004.
(Used without permission but with gratitude!)