Santa Monica Morning

Lucas woke up and announced that he is never sleeping with 2 girls again. I look over and see what he is talking about...
I promised him that I would fix the situation with Bridget and Brenda (Bridget named her baby that) and he said he didn't want to nap with them today so I said he could nap in our bed.

We got dressed and headed out to the Temple.  The Los Angeles Temple is such a neat Temple and I am glad that we took them there.
the fountains
Lucas started singing his favorite Primary song "I belong to the church..."
It was cute!
I told the kids that Keegan's mommy and daddy were married here AND Grandma and Grandpa Witte.
They thought this was so cool.
The Temple is on the top of this hill, it is really cool to look down.
Lucas wanted to take a picture of how tall the Temple was.  He did a good job showing it!
There are some really interesting trees at the temple. This is one.
Here is another. Speaking of interesting...there were 9 of these all around the building...
Its funny to me.
Here is the Family Statue.
It is really a nice place. The kids were running towards a bride...there were 2 weddings today!
After that I picked up some G's and they have several different options now that I didn't know about!  You should check it out! Since we were down that way we headed to the beach!
Santa Monica is a fun place for kids.
Lucas was checking out some 5 year olds.
We walked along the pier and checked out the vendors.
I am so lucky I married this hottie! hehe
Bridget found the must have hat of the season.
Lucas insisted this was the correct way to wear the hat.
-then-
Bridget found the Macaws, wanted to try and hold one and if you know how she is with dogs this will make you laugh so hard...
He let her pet it and it flapped its wings and Bridget SCREAMED SOOO LOUD the police on bikes came over to see what was going on.

She thinks she likes animals until they get close to her.
Lucas is indifferent with animals but he told me he thought he could be brave for the police.
What a stud! 
*P.S. When did this boy grow up...look at him he looks huge right?* 
(Check out terrified Bridget in the back) HAHAHAHAHA

The wind was blowing a nice cool breeze and we thought we would walk a little bit more before playing in the sand.
My bebe is so cute!
The kids noticed all by themselves that there is water under the pier!
Me and my 3!

-okay beach time-
Seriously, I love this man!
Scarlett's first experience with sand...she liked it!
They all did really.
I look over and Nathan is so funny writing "I love Val" in the sand
We decided to put our tootsies in the water and where the water ended there was a trail of ladybugs.
We also found butterfly shells.
Lucas wanted to send some to his cousins.
More ladybugs.

The kids are napping and we are going to be out late tonight so I thought I would post our adventure of a day right now before we leave.

It was so much fun today!

GiGi Saves the Day!

We got the card issues settled and have a rental car! Hip Hip Horray!

We woke up early and decided to walk around the beautiful valley. Hahaha.  I need to mention that we took a walk at 7:45am and it was already 60! Here they are having a fantastic time!
These two have become best friends on this trip! I love it!
Bridget and her typical "What chu talkin bout" pose.
These two are going to have a hard time when Daddy goes back to work.  They are like bread and butter lately.
On the hotel property, enjoying the fountains.
Lucas took it easy.

-then-
We met up with GiGi and she took us to...
Toys R Us!!!
Lucas picked out a Buzz Lightyear and a Fire and Rescue Station (wow something different)
Bridget picked out a Strawberry Shortcake Travel Case that is like Polly Pockets and a Car to go with the Strawberry Pals
Scarlett picked out some Little People things and a Pink Ball.
Lucas thanked Grandma only a few times! :)

-then-
I dropped Nathan and the kids back at the hotel for nap and GiGi and I went to the mall to shop.
3 hours later...

We headed out to my parents for the Rehearsal 
(I need to add that I had a run in my stockings, and my spare pair where black so I couldn't wear them)
(I also need to include that my bra broke on our way out the door and it took 3 safety pins to piece me back together)
The kids were happy to see Chris and his trains.
Then they practiced walking together.
Time to mingle and eat.
All of this is my Dad's pad...pretty amazing huh? 
*except that is the caterer not my dad! hehehe*
Gwamma and Bridgey
Uncle Fio and Scarley
This is what sour grapes look like!

Then it happened...Bridget convinced GiGi that she needed some make up
She was in heaven, I wasn't... but she was.
It was a great day with GiGi!

Aggravated at 6:41am

We wake up get everyone ready  - rush rush rush.
Load the car with kids, grab breakfast to go (from home) - rush rush rush
Get to the airport, check in (6:41) - realize there is no debit card.
(we matched and got 1000+ comments on our beautiful kids)

Get angry, freak out a little, realize we need to transfer monies to a card and do so.
Get through security, still angry - rush rush rush
Board plane 1 - Valerie, Lucas, Bridget.

Talk to rental car company and find out money won't post to card till midnight - must turn off cell phone
Nathan finds out we can't get the rental car because of midnight posting issue - rush to other side of airport
Can't contact each other Board plane 2 - Nathan, Scarlett

The ROCKIEST airplane ride of my life - Bump Bump Bump
For 40 minutes it felt like we were 4 wheeling over rocks.  Every passenger had lids on their drink.
Land.
Get Luggage.
Nathan Lands, Scarlett falls head first off the stroller into the street...yes it left a mark.

Take a deep breath. Take a deep breath.
Take a shuttle to hotel.
Shuttle weighs Bridget she is 40 pounds gives her this seat.
effective right?

Minor issue at check-in but...we are noticing its a trend today.
Relax and Unpack.

Then a Knock, Knock.  Its Grandpa Horn and GiGi!
Off to the Mall to get ice cream (the mall is across the street...I LOVE CA)
Then we played a bit.

Back to the hotel to wait for a fitting.
Then it's Chris, Theo, Stephanie who knocks at the door.
Lucas believes himself to be a break dancer.
Playtime!
Then we went to dinner. PF Changs! Mmmmm!
Lucas loving the attention.

Back to the room for a bath and a flying wombat jumping contest!  Wahoo!

We still have no debit card, and are a little worried about tomorrow and the rental issue but we are here, loving the fact that we are around family and we are all asleep at 8:30! Wahoo!

I know tomorrow will be better, it has to be! :)

Facebook Message to the Bride

It is 11:15 we have loaded the car, made a breakfast on the go and the kids are dressed for tomorrow and sleeping in their car seats to save time tomorrow morning.


Nathan