Tail flipping Weekend....

As promised, I am posting about our weekend in San Diego. It was an awesome trip and well worth the time it took to save up the money to go. It was so well planned and the girls were always busy. This is how our weekend started.

The girls and I woke up about 4:00 a.m. Saturday morning so that we could shower and get ready and be at Sally's house by 5:15. We all met at her house and then drove to the school where the chartered bus would pick us up.

The bus was great and they even had tags labeled with our name so that we could put them on our luggage. Our girls grabbed the seats at the back of the bus and snuggled in for a 6 hour trip. It was a very comfortable ride and the travel agent had prepared activities for the girls to do on their way to San Diego. She had bought and cut flannel material so that they could make scarves to wear on the whale watching boat tour. They loved that and it really kept them busy. They also had lanyards to make and because they were experienced girl scouts, they were able to help the younger girls do their lanyards as well.

We stopped in Yuma and had Burger King for lunch. We arrived in SanDiego about 12:00 and had some time to meandor in the gift shops before getting on the hornblower whale tour. The boat was 3 stories and the girls wanted to sit on the top. During the 3 hour trip we saw many dolphins and many whales. It was so exciting to ride around until you heard someone yell,"There She Blows." Then everyone would run to that side of the ship to see the whale spout up and do a tail flip.

It was so nice to have the cool ocean breeze in our hair and the girls loved getting food from the snack bar.

As soon as we arrived back at the dock we got back on the bus and headed for Adventure Camp at Sea World. When we arrived we all received brightly colored shirts that we had to wear for the duration of the night. It seemed like we walked around SeaWorld for so long that night. We got to feed squid to the Bat Rays, which some of the girls thought was a little gross. Gwen and Makayla really tried to do it but everytime a bat ray would swim over their hand they would get scared and drop the squid. After feeding the bat rays we headed to shipwreck rapids for dinner. We were all so famished since we hadn't had a big meal for about 8 hours. We had a great meal of penne past, marinara sauce, meatballs, breadsticks, salad, hot dogs, chips, and chocolate chip cookies. I had seconds. After dinner we went to the Wild arctic and they dressed one of the girls up like a polar bear and we learned all about why polar bears are made the way they are.

Then we headed over to the penguin encounter to have penguin egg races. Then we went to the education center and made penguin ID bracelets. By the time we were done we were all exhausted and ready for bed. We got to sleep in the Penguin encounter exhibit. It was cold but perfect for sleeping. The lights were on for the Penguins all night because it is summer for them right now. We had a great time. In the morning we saw the Clydesdale horses taking their morning stroll with their trainer around the park. After we got ready we fed the Sea lions. Then we had breakfast with Shamu. All I have to say is, "WOW!!" It was so cool to be up that close to the killer whales oh and the food was awesome. For the rest of the day we were able to do whatever we wanted in the park. For every show the girls wanted to sit in the splash zone so they got really wet. They also rode shipwreck rapids 3 times, so they got really wet. They also got wet at the dolphin encounter when they surprisingly got splashed by the dolphins. Overall, it was a wet day but very enjoyable. We left the park when it closed and Sally and I were ready to head home after the long weekend. We had a great trip and would suggest to all!!!!!

What's up with the Wolfpack????

This year has gone by so quickly already. It's already MLK weekend and the kids will be off school on Monday. The girls and I are getting ready for a trip to San Diego with the girl scout troop. We are very excited because we get to go whale watching and then we spend the night at Sea World. How awesome is that? We get to sleep in the Penguin Encounter. Don't worry. I'll definitely post some pics. Then Sunday we will have breakfast with Shamu and spend the whole day at Sea World. Fun,Fun,Fun!!!

However, I wanted to go back and share some pics of what has been going on here in the last few weeks.

Our whole family went to a christian concert at our church. We saw Nathan Huss, Sean MacDonald, Robbie Seay Band and The David Crowder Band. It was an amazing concert and I have never seen the church so packed. It was a sold out concert. We sat in the balcony with the Children's ministry. This was actually the first concert that Konnor and Carolyn had ever been to but we thought they would do fine because the main bands were very loud and fun and they would be able to jump and scream and other things like that. Unfortunately, the first few acts were very slow and quiet and they just didn't make it. They were laying on the floor and crying about being tired and hungry. Keith just decided to take them home and I stayed with Gwen and Makayla. I don't think Keith minded too much because he was able to go home and watch the Cardinals game which was a great game. Go Cardinals!!! Anyway, we really enjoyed the rest of the concert. I even felt the floor shaking underneath me from all the jumping and such. It was a great time of worship and praising God!!!

On Tuesday, Konnor's first grade class went on a field trip to Burton Barr Library. I went as a parent chaperon and had a wonderful time getting to know a few more of his classmates. They all got to check out a book and receive their own library card. It was a lot of Fun.

Wednesday Night was Crazy hat/hair night at Anchor Broadcast(that is the choir program for children at our church). The kids had a half day on Wednesday so they came home and started preparing for choir. Gwen made a flower pot hat and Makayla put crazy things in her hair like wire and flowers and foam stickers. At the end of the night I found out that Gwen took first place in her class and Makayla received runner-up. They really had a great time and they love to sing. La,La,La,La,Laaaaaaa!!!

Konnor also started Basketball practice. He has had 2 practices so far and his first game is tomorrow. He loves Basketball, but he especially loves the uniforms. He wears them all year long. He also loves getting his CD with new scripture songs on it. He loves to jam out to those upward tunes. They are actually called Script Tunes. Cute Huh?


I also started making more Buckeye watches. If your interested, let me know. It's my own creation using the russian spiral beading pattern.

Well that is all that is going on with the Wolf's.

I'll Blog again soon.

WHAT A GAME!!!

O.K.. They didn't win. But all I have to say is WOW!!! That was truly an amazing game. If there was a Fiesta Bowl to go to, this was definitely the one.. I truly feel blessed that we were able to be there.

We started out the day just like normal getting the kids ready for school, making lunches, dropping off kids and going to work. Keith got off early so that he could go down to the stadium and buy a parking pass. Funny thing happened though. He went to will call to buy the $30 parking pass. When he got there they said they only take cash and directed him to the nearest ATM . When he got to the ATM it was out of order. He went back to will call and they almost sent him to another ATM but I think they saw that he was out of breath from all the walking. The guy just handed him a green pass for free and said," Have fun at the game." It was Awesome. We got to park right next to the stadium for free. Ahhhh!

We arrived at the stadium about 2:00 and headed over to the great lawn where they were supposed to have lots of vendors and such. However, when we got there this is what we saw.

It was so weird. It was already 2:30 and no one was there. There was only 1 vendor and 1 food stand set up on the great lawn. This was definitely not a national championship Fiesta Bowl celebration. So we headed over to College Football's biggest Tailgate party. When we got there we enjoyed some free food and necklaces. We even stood in line for 15 minutes to fill out a survey so that we could get a free blanket. Overall kind of boring.

Then we heard the best news ever. Shucking Bubba was playing at Westgate down the street. We were so excited to see them since it's been about 10 years. And yes, for all those buckeye fans from Columbus Ohio, it was Shucking Bubba Deluxe from the Hineygate. Keith used to hang out with the band back in the day, but we'll tell you about that another time. When we finally made the 20 minute walk over there It was about 4:00. For the next hour we had the best time singing and dancing with the huge crowd at Westgate. This was definitely the place to be to get hyped up for the game.

At 5:00 we headed over to the stadium and to what would be the best game ever, almost. We were 18 rows up from the field in the end zone. It was so cool and we had the best time.

My sister and her friend Nan went to the game with us.

This was the awesome flag they roll out during the Star Spangled Banner.

At the end of the first quarter I took this picture with the Texas fans in front of us.

We were tied 3 to 3.

As most of you know, it was an amazing game and the Buckeyes were awesome.

The 4th quarter was a real nail biter.

With it's ups and downs and it's gut wrenching 3rd quarter and it's 4th quarter come back and even it's Texas touchdown in the last 20 seconds of the game, it was hands down the best game I can remember being at, almost. Of course, I could have planned a better ending but we don't always get what we want. Overall, it was an unforgettable day. And The Buckeyes are still #1 in our family.

GO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone Loves a Parade

Every year our family looks forward to going to the Fiesta Bowl Parade. We have gone every year since we moved to Arizona except for the year 2000. I think we were afraid something was going to happen with Y2K or something. I know that seems so silly 9 years later. Anyway, we love to go to the parade since it is literally 1 mile from our house. The parade actually starts at the North Phoenix Baptist Church where I work. Our favorite years have been when OSU is playing so this year was another great parade.

My parents always arrive early so that they can get a good spot on the parade route with a lot of space. They arrive about 7:30 and start setting up.

This year we had about 25 of us there including family and friends. We all bring food to share and my Mom makes her famous chili.

My sister brings her propane grill and we eat all morning while we are waiting for the parade to start at 11:00. This year my sister made breakfast burritos and my dad made hot chocolate. I made a bowl full of buckeyes and a special pasta salad made with OSU pasta. Then my brother grilled hot dogs for the kids for lunch.

We gave this big blow up guy a breakfast burrito. It was so weird because he put it in his side to eat it and then he hopped down the street, kicking up his heels and his right arm went limp. Hmmmmmm.......

While we eat and hang out we also are riding bikes, scooters, roller blades, skateboards, and whatever else we can find, up and down Central Avenue. Keith and Konnor threw the football a bit. It is always beautiful and this year was no different. The weather was sunny and mid 60's. It is so fun yelling "Go Bucks" and O-H" while someone else replies "I-O". It's like the Hineygate in Arizona.

Our friends down the street joined us for the parade. Konnor and Josh are the best of friends...

When the parade started we all settled down into our chairs and enjoyed the Twirlers and horses and marching bands and balloons and motorcycles and clowns and floats and many other fantastical sights. The balloons are really neat and every time they come by everyone yells,"Spin It, Spin It, Spin It" and we keep yelling that until they run in a circle and make the balloon spin around. I think we were sitting in a good spot this year because we had 4 balloons spin in front of us. Carolyn loves to yell at them.

The Sun City Poms are always one of our favorite groups. I hope my legs look that good when I'm that age.

Gwen, Makayla, Ashley and Hannah were almost drooling when they saw David Henry from Wizards of Waverly Place. He was the Honorary Grand Marshall.

The oddest band that we saw was this band. I don't remember the name of the band or where they were from, but I do remember that they were all wearing wooden shoes from Holland. Yes, you read that right, wooden shoes. You could hear them coming a mile away and they couldn't even march. They were almost scooting their feet down the street. I can't even imagine how many blisters they must have after marching a 2 1/2 mile parade in wooden clogs. Owwww!!!

Carolyn's favorite part was the princess float with the large white unicorn on the front.

The best part of the parade of course was the Ohio State Marching Band. They were awesome. Brutus came over to fall down at the feet of my friend Gail who was dressed in her Michigan garb. It was hilarious and she loved it. Then Brutus jumped up and I got to take my picture with him. It was the highlight of my day.

I think the highlight of Konnors day was the Star Wars Group. It was so cool when we saw Darth Vader walking down the street heading up a large group of storm troopers. We also saw chewbakka and wooky's, princes Leah and R2D2. The best part was when one of the guys acted like they were shooting Konnor. When he realized it Konnor grabbed his chest and fell to the ground. He was loving it!!!!

Overall, it was another great Fiesta Bowl Parade.

.

How Firm Thy Friendship.............

Today started our four day Fiesta Bowl Extravaganza. For those of you who may not know, The Ohio State Buckeyes are playing in the Fiesta Bowl this year. This is so great for us OSU fans who live in Arizona because Phoenix basically turns into Columbus Ohio for the few days that lead up to the game. We love it and have been able to celebrate with the bucks every time they come. For us it has been 4 out of the last 10 years that we have lived here. It's awesome!!!!!

This morning Keith and my Dad attended the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Fiesta Bowl Breakfast. This was my gift to them this Christmas. It is an awesome time because all the players from both teams are there and the coaches. They heard from many speakers and got to hear their testimonies.

The program speakers were:

OSU -Jim Tressel, Marcus Freeman #1 and James Laurinaitis #33

Texas- Mark Brown, Chris Hall #71 and Colt McCoy #12

Keynote Speaker- Aeneas Williams

They had a delicious breakfast and an outstanding time.

This afternoon we went to see The Ohio State Marching Band practice at a local high school in Scottsdale. My parents went the last time they were here at the Fiesta Bowl and said it was amazing. They were right. It was so great to be able to hear all the OSU songs live and watch them perform script ohio and their halftime show.

The kids loved it too. They have never seen them perform before. They really couldn't understand how they moved their bodies to make such cool formations. Here is a peak at what we saw and heard.

Enjoy and remember.....

Goooooooo Buckeyes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVx_jdE-pbw&eurl=http://www.youtube.com/my_videos_edit2&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vvf0Wy2TJxU