Harpers in California!

So, I am finally adding some pictures from our super-d-duper trip to California! Ya Hoo!!! The only problem is that there are so many pictures that I didn't know which ones to post. So I have attempted to do some slideshows. They are backwards on here from the way we took the pictures on our trip. I did try to split them up into theme parks. So, I think you'll find us in Hollywood on the walk of fame first and the flight home. The next set is of SeaWorld. Then you will find us at the San Diego temple and at La Jolla Beach. Then we will be at Universal Studios (I some how posted that twice, sorry!)

And then finally you will find us at Disney land. We actually started our trip in the LA area and spent our first three days at Disney and
California Adventure. We loved it!!! Rae was in princess heaven. It was really fun for her because we were there on her birthday. They gave her a badge to wear and everywhere we went the employees wished her "Happy Birthday" including all the princesses. The boys all had perma grins, unless I asked them to pose for a picture. We all had a great time. Then we went to Universal. It was cool to check out the back lots and of course, the boys loved the few rides and Rae loved the characters. We drove down to San Diego and spent the last three days there. The beach was super fun for the kids and by the time we finished Sea World, we were ready to come home. The day we flew home, we drove up to Hollywood to check out the stars. What an incredible fun time for our family. Hope you like the pictures below!

Hollywood Walk of Fame slideshow

SeaWorld slideshow

The beach slideshow

Universal Studios Slideshow

Disneyland slideshow

Rae's 5th Birthday!

Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Rae who was going to turn 5. She wanted to have a party. She decided to have a fairy tale party and invited her 20 friends to dress up in costumes and come to her party. They all had a lot of fun and lived happily ever after.

Yes.... I am crazy! But thanks to awesome friends and the best mother in the whole wide world... (yes, thats you Grandma Doris), the party was a total success.

Rae wanted to be a mermaid, it is hard to tell how cute her costume turned out in these pictures. We had a lot of fun just making her costume!

When the children all arrived, we split them up into 6 groups of 3-4 kids. Then, we rotated them through the different "stories" where they did crafts or activities.

At "Cinderella", they made wands and crowns. At "Hansel and Grettle" they made gingerbread houses. At "Jack and the Beanstalk", they planted their own bean and decorated their plant pot. At "Peter Pan" they made telescopes and eye patches. Jason played "Granny... granny.... granny....WOLF" after the Red Riding Hood story. And Vincent had the kids act out "The Three Little Pigs" and "Goldie Locks".

It seem like opening presents took forever. Imagine that! She is lucky to have such sweet and thoughtful friends. Her favorite gifts are her digital camera and her MP3 player. Thank you Grandmas and Grandpas!
All in all, it was semi-organized madness. The kids all had a super fun time and I think the adults are just happy that we survived it. Most importantly, Rae had a blast!!! Thank you all so much for your help!