Niagara

Since we are going back to the West Coast, we decided to take a trip up to Niagara Falls.

Being that it is the end of a very cold winter, Ice covered huge portions of the falls. The boats and the tours were all closed for the season, but we still got to walk around and see Niagara. This is the view from the US side of the falls. The mist in the farthest part of the picture is from Horseshoe section of the falls.

This is the Horseshoe Falls from the US side. It is pretty unspectacular compared to the view from Canada, but it was still amazing.

This is the view from the Canadian side. The sun was really bright, and with the sun gleaming off of the mist it was hard to get a good picture.

This is what happens when we ask a fellow tourist to take our picture. I think they left out a huge portion of what we wanted in the picture. Where are the falls? If you are touring somewhere that has significance and someone asks you to take their picture, please try to get the important background INTO the picture!

This last picture was just cute and funny. We went to the zoo after I got back from Brazil, and Ali got kind of grumpy and tired quickly, but when we came to these cut-outs she just HAD to put her head through, so Nick snapped a couple photos.

Brazil Part 2

Once we picked up my sister, we went to an island and enjoyed one more day of the beach. It was a large island that we drove to, and it was pretty beautiful.

We went out to the water and found that the water was PACKED with jellyfish. Luckily they didn't sting us, and it was fun to be able to hold one. Not sure if you can see it too well, but it is the clear blob in my hand.

One great part of Brazil was the food. There were lots of things that I had never tried or even heard of, but the beans were particularly amazing. My sister took us to some member's houses and it was hard to not stuff my face. Luckily they encouraged us to eat about 4 helpings.


My sister took us to the interior of Brazil where we saw some waterfalls. We actually convinced my mom to go into one, which is a pretty big deal.


This is all 5 of us at the bottom of one of the waterfalls.


In Recife the crossing guards dress up like clowns. I am not sure exactly why they do it, but we had to take a picture with them.

Brazil Part 1

For those who don't know, I had the opportunity to go to Brazil to pick up my sister who is serving a mission in Recife. Since Nick's mom was so wonderful to stay with the girls so Nick wouldn't have to take off, I went for 10 days! My sister, Lynette, was going to be sent home on the 18th, so two of my sisters and I decided to spend a couple of days at the beach before going to pick her up. We stayed in a small beach town called Porto de Galinhas. We just had lots of fun and got some much needed sun.

This is a picture of my two sisters and me on our way out one morning.


We rented a surf board and this is me showing off my skills. Just for Caleb's sake, I won't show the picture of Jen surfing, (she is 3 months pregnant).

Galinhas means chicken, and there were these wooden sculptures of chickens everywhere.

We went on a banana boat, which was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. We got thrown every couple of minutes, and I think I drank more salt water than is healthy for any human.


The beaches there in Brazil are just so beautiful. People there would ask me if I missed my girls, and while I admit that by the end I did, places like this just make me forget that I have any other responsibilities but to get tan and warm.

CALIFORNIA HERE I COME!!!!

I just got back from Brazil, and I had a wonderful trip. Since Nick is not prone to posts, he waited for me to tell everyone the news. We are going back to California, and I am really excited! Warmth and sun, and the beach! Why did I ever leave?

The beginning, hopefully

Now that Ali is 3 years old she seems to be so mature. In reality she looks the same, but for some reason now that she knows she is 3, she is trying to be a big girl. When I try to explain things to her she actually TRIES to understand. She also doesn't whine nearly as much, nor does she throw tantrums as often. It is great! I hope it lasts, at least until her teenage years.

Here are a few picture of this week. This is a picture of her clay creation. In case you cannot tell what it is, I will tell you. It is Mickey Mouse. You can see the BIG blue eyes and the long legs, clear characteristics of Mickey.


Tia Gaby got her this baby and me outfit that Ali loves to wear.


This is Kat's version of early crawling.

A Birthday! and more

Alicia turned three today. It seems like just yesterday she was our little baby. This is her one day old.

On Saturday we had some friends come over and help us celebrate. Ali is a bit shy, so for the first hour she was clingy and withdrawn. By the end of the party when it was time to open presents she was having much more fun. The cake was somewhere in the middle. Being the center of attention is NOT one of her comfort zones. She must have just been over the moon with excitement since she actually blew out candles and sat without being held by someone.


The little girl next to Alicia is a friend named Abby. She was obviously very happy for Ali, plus candles are just so much fun to blow out that who wouldn't celebrate the success of such a mission.


One of Ali's favorite presents (Thanks to Abuelita and Abuelito). It could be that it was the biggest present, or that she loves to paint, who knows. She clearly loves to write A's.


This was from today. I just had to post this picture because I love it. Alicia is concentrating so hard on playing and Kat looks like she is mischievously going to "get" Ali.


Just a cute picture to show how chubby and big our baby is getting.