Fullerton Train Expo

A few weeks ago (or maybe more) we took the boys to the Fullerton Train Expo. I didn't know what to expect but we were all pleasantly surprised to find this was a really big deal with so much for all of us to enjoy. Cause come on, the parents enjoy whatever puts a huge smile on their kids' faces. ;)

We watched little trains and big ones (in the background) go by at this spot for quite a while.

Kyle and I took a tour of this engine.

The boys are nuts about the Metrolink and therefore really loved seeing this model go by.

This booth allowed for kids to push buttons and manipulate the figurines and tracks.

Then, we just had to tour the bus.

And tour it, we did ...Rudy style.

This picture is in honor of my Great Grandpa Thune who helped build the railroad across South Dakota. We have a picture of him and his brother on one of these exact things.

And really, would the visit be complete without a ride on one? :)

Mother's Day Love

Well hello! It's been a while. I am two weeks out from finishing school and though I need to be grading the mound of papers that sits next to me, blogging is way more fun at the moment. Ha. Well, I thought I'd share about Mother's Day before it quickly becomes June.

First up was a super fun Mother's Day Tea that Kyle's TK class put on for their mommies. It was tricky getting someone to cover my class for over an hour, but thankfully I was able to get that taken care of and with a happy heart, I was simply Mommy to a certain little boy who cared very much that his mother was there.

Kyle's teacher is such a gift to the profession. We have been so pleased this year. She read the kids a book called, No Matter What (ie. we always love you no matter what you do) and the class sang the mommies some songs they had learned just for us.

Then we got to have some cookies and tea on a mat each student had painted for their mom. Kyle was my little waiter and loved being able to surprise me/serve me with some tasty food. 

 All the mommies opened their hand-made presents. I didn't get a picture of mine, but this was the card on top! ;)

On Sunday, we went out to breakfast to a place that has outdoor seating right next to some train tracks. The boys loved hearing the "ding-dingers" go down (the guard rails) and making guesses whether or not the train would be a Metrolink or an Amtrack! :) Either made them squeal/shout with delight.

 Had to snap this picture as Kyle is totally Rudy's kid here... Rudy has taught them well and can entertain the boys with just about anything or virtually nothing. :)

 Gavin was way into eating "ice-cream" though it looked a lot like butter to me.

 After breakfast we sat and watched for trains...

 Or, we sat for 1 minute and then found amazing ways of entertaining ourselves.

 The boys could have spent an hour (or more!) throwing rocks through the fence into the water below.

 Back at the house, Mommy got a present of shampooed carpets!! Hooray! They look and feel amazing!!! Gavin and Kyle were very "helpful!" :)

During Gavin's nap, I enjoyed this...

 ...with this amazing friend of mine. :)

Then, for dinner, my parents and sister came over for a puzzle, movie, and dinner. It was a great, relaxing day that filled my spirit with joy! Grateful to be blessed so richly. 

Rudy's Surprise Birthday Party!

So last weekend, while sitting with our neighbors at our block garage sale, the ladies suggested that while I took Rudy out for his birthday, they could come over and decorate the place for a surprise birthday party. Just for Rudy, they decorated the place in all pink, over the hill, congrats grad, and happy 40th material! :) They know their neighbor and how much he'd appreciate the randomness as well as alllll the pink!! Haha:)

The neighbors rallied together and each brought over one thing after the other.... all the while, we were out to dinner and a movie. Rudy didn't suspect a thing! It was awesome! :) Here are some pics and a little video for ya.

These are our friends and my sister, who pulled it all off in about 20 minutes!

The group gift was a gathering of the random things left over from the garage sale. :)

And here's his surprised reaction:
http://youtu.be/YlX_WjEs9MI

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Rudy celebrated another birthday yesterday. The boys were so excited to decorate the house and sing to their daddy. Kyle made these headbands for us. 

 Waving good-bye to Daddy as he left for work.

 We "surprised" Rudy at work with some real, authentic deep dish Chicago pizza from this place... a new patient of Rudy's had recommended it as being the only deep dish pizza in SoCal worthy of being called "Chicago deep dish." This patient had walked in and within a few seconds they each recognized the other was from Chicago.  (I love that! :) After the guy had recommended this place and Rudy hadn't immediately gone to check it out, the patient "was personally offended!" and so we just had to see if this was the real deal...

We picked up some balloons and all of us wore our Bears shirts in honor of the deep dish/Chicago/Daddy's birthday.

 Surprise!!! Happy Birthday!!!!!

 Daddy's work is just so much fun!

And then... the presentation of the pizza pie!!! :)

And the verdict? It was AMAZING!!!!!!! True, Chicago pizza and the only place in SoCal worthy of the comparison. The owner of the Italian place invited us to come back to watch any of the Chicago sports teams play, saying that the house is full of Chicago spirit. We will definitely be visiting that place again and again. :) 

Later that night, Ru thought we were just going to have a quiet night at home, but I had invited the family over for dinner and dessert. They also loved the deep dish.

Happy 35th, Rudy!!

Later today, Michelle is coming over so I can take Ru out. She's even coming earlier in the afternoon so we can see daylight alone together. We've got the whole night!! Woot woot! And then ... another special surprise I will have to blog about later, just in case he reads this before it happens. :) 

San Diego Safari Park

My friend Tiffany invited us to join her and her boys for a little zoo time in San Diego. Because of her generosity in sharing passes with us, we were able to go without breaking the bank! :) Thank you, Tiff!! We decided to go to the Safari Park instead of the general zoo because we'd never been to this one and wanted to check it out. It was really fun.

A hit for the boys was this merry-go-round. This was a first for Gavin and he just loved it.

I love the way Gavin is looking up at his brother! True bliss!

Happy, happy boys!

"Mommy, it's going up and down!!!!" says Gavin.

I didn't get a shot of all of us, but here are our boys running a muck once we finally let them out of the stroller. :)

We rode on a tram through the safari part of the park. I don't know what Gavie's thinking here, but it was too cute/hilarious not to include.

We rode in the caboose which the boys loved.

It wasn't so fun for me as I was spending 95% of the time keeping Gavin from falling and staying inside the tram.

We ate lunch in this little playground area. Highlights of the day were visiting the elephants (and seeing "Dumbo") and the gorillas (and seeing an adorable baby "Curious George").

Thank you, Tiffany!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)