Idol's Delight!

Every week I look forward to American Idol, and last night, definitely did not disappoint.  5 of the remaining 8 (in my opinion of course) are so amazing--all of them should be named "The Next American Idol."  Usually I am calling and voting for my favorite at this stage of the game, but I am so divided, I couldn't vote for any!!!   You know a performance is especially incredible, however, when you later go watch it on You Tube.  And that is exactly what I did with Adam Lambert's. . . twice:)    I tried to post a link to it, but apparently it has been pulled from You Tube due to copyright claims.  How ruuuude.   Hopefully you caught the live version.   

Twilight

I would have posted more about our trip (still working on Day 2), but I went and saw Twilight instead (I normally post in the evening.) I thought I had missed the theatre-boat on this one as it is already on DVD, but when I saw in the newspaper it was still at our local cheap theatre, I put the kids to bed, ditched Kevin when he got home from work and headed out. At 9:30 on a weeknight I thought I might be the only person in the theatre, but I wasn't so alone as there were 2 other women (of course, women:)). Now, I read the whole Twilight series--loved them for the storyline and not necessarily the fantastic writing--and so had to see the movie. I knew the critics didn't like the low-budget film and there were some things that annoyed me as well, but you have to remember the audience for both the movie and the books: teenagers/young adults. So, still being a teenager at heart:), I liked the movie. I liked seeing some familiar places in our beautiful pacific northwest.  I liked most of the characters except, unfortunately, Bella not as much.   There was something about her personality that irritated me slightly.  I knew the storyline, but that didn't take away from any of the action/suspense and the movie went by quickly.   

I hear the next movie is coming out this fall which I am looking forward to.   We'll see what a bigger budget and different director??? will add.  

First Things First: Day 1 in Ca.

Our mouths have been watering for IN-N-OUT Burger ever since we began planning our trip to California this past Nov.  So. . . . 5 months later, after waking up at 4:45 in the morning, boarding our airplane around 7:30 and arriving in Long Beach at 10:30, our first stop (it was almost 11 by then:)) was IN-N-OUT Burger.  Grilled onions, a stack of lettuce and special sauce--nothing beats an IN-N-OUT Burger (especially when you have missed breakfast.) 

The kids were so busy enjoying their burgers, 

they wouldn't even look up when I took their

picture.
We then walked down to the beach (Seal Beach.)  The clouds hadn't burned off yet and it was a little chilly, but their was a cute little play area where Molly and Dad enjoyed a swing.

The clouds soon burned off and as we drove inland, the day became rather warm.  Here Keenan is enjoying a gigantic slurpee which hit the spot for everyone.  

Then it was to Grandma Helen's house in Banning (she lives about 30 minutes west of Palm Springs), where the kids (and mom and dad too) enjoyed riding/driving Grandma's golf cart around the Sun Lakes community.  Helen's little dog Charlie choo choo (barely seen sitting in the passenger seat) liked to ride too, but juggling him and Keenan was a little too much as they both tried to get out while the cart was in motion.  

Not many pictures our first day--it was mostly traveling.  Day 2 tomorrow (or maybe the next day or the next day  ((I can't guarantee:)):  Joshua Tree and BNP Paribas Tennis Tournament.  

Soaking Up the California Sunshine

It's been a while since I've posted because. . . we've been in California!!! Okay, not the whole time, just the last 7 days.   We had a fantastic time visiting family, the beach, Joshua Tree (3 of 4 of us ((story to come later)), and a well-known tourist attraction in Anaheim.  I've got many pictures to post, but I won't bombard you by posting them all at once.  Stay tuned. . . until tomorrow.   

My Elephant Boy

It's not often that Keenan is in a photo-shoot mood, i.e., willing to sit still AND look at the camera.  So I had to post these cute pictures of him after getting out of the bath and wearing Grandma Helen's elephant towel.  I think he deserves more ooo's and aaaah's than the new baby elephant up at the zoo, don't you?:)

Happy 3rd Birthday Keenan!

I've been a little slow on the posts due to the cumbersome task of downloading photos, but after this one, I should be all caught up.   Keenan turned 3 on Feb. 24th, but we celebrated his birthday on the Saturday before, the 21st.   Grandpa Compton had a bad cold so they couldn't make it, but we were very glad to spend the day with Keenan's uncle Paul, aunt Ellen and cousin Cash. We first went to Big Al's, a state-of-the-art bowling alley in Vancouver, Wa. where Keenan and Molly bowled for the very first time.  It was really cool how the bumper rails would come out for the little kids (programmed that way) and come down for the professional adult bowlers :).  I'm not sure how much the kids liked bowling, but they certainly enjoyed the rootbeer, nachos and chicken quesadilla.  After winning lots of tickets (which we turned in for very small prizes) at the giant arcade, we headed home for games (pin the nose on Elmo) and present-opening.   The party did not end there, however, as we headed out to Bajio's for dinner (yes, more mexican food) and then back home for the traditional chocolate birthday cake.   It was a long day, but very fun-filled--all for my special boy, Keenan.   We love you buddy.  

Oooo!  Strong boy!  

                                            

Posing for the camera

It's  okay if you cross the line a little bit, Cash

Look out Paul and Ellen--better get him a helmet.     

Sorry, no boxing for you Keenan

Family photo outside of Big Al's

No peeking! Yeah, riiiiiight.

Keenan loves cars.

Blowwwww!

Forget the milk, we've got cake!!!

 

Scenic Byways. . . for kids

For parents of young kids, winter time (esp. in Oregon where it rains so much) can be tough for finding indoor places and things to do to keep the kids happy and busy.   So. . . when my parents informed me of a fairly new--FREE--giant indoor play park in McMinnville, we took the long, more scenic drive home from their house in Dallas to check it out.   It's called Scotty's Playhouse and you can look here to read about it's history.  The kids enjoyed climbing, sliding and exploring and then afterwards, since it happened to be an unusually warm and sunny, spring-like day, we drove to a nearby, also new and quite spectacular, community park.  The kids (both big and small:)) had a great time as you can tell from all the smiles. 

Can you see Molly up there in the sun?  

A 30' wall mural

 

If any of you from Oregon know of any other great scenic byways for kids. . . we are always open to new places to explore.