We went back to Sea World today and had a great time. We got to dine with Shamu which was really cool to see an animal of that magnitude so close. We got to watch the Shamu show believe and the dolphin show. They were both amazing. After the day at Sea World we headed to a grocery store for snacks then hit the beach to watch the sunset. It was beautiful and fun. The only bad part is I dropped my phone in the ocean whick is so cold. That has been the biggest suprise. I thought it would be warmer. Anyway, it was great. We came back to the hotel for a quick swim and now we are a tired group headed to bed. Other than no phone -life is good.

Our California Adventure

After a really long flight and hassel of luggage and rent car (oh to be rich and have a private jet!) we arrived at our hotel at midnight California time -Two Arkansas time. Needless to say we were tired. At the airport in Arkansas Brodie randomly asked "Mommy, where is Kris Allen?" A girl sitting behind us turned around and looked at Brodie. I responded with, "I have no idea." The girl, Katy Allen, said, "He took a different flight to California." After looking at her I asked if she was Kris's wife and she confirmed that to be true. I was so shocked. She talked to us a long time and then signed Brodie's notebook he brought in case we saw someone famous. Then Brodie wanted to ask her a question. He said, "Do you know Sadie and Stella?" Sadie and Stella are his counsins - three and five - who live in Conway. She was so sweet. She said, "I don't think I do? How old are they?" It was really fun and she was very kind. Upon arrival at LAX she was escorted to a private room while someone waited on her luggage. Then they took her to a waiting car. On the way out she came by and said goodnight to Brodie which I thought was really kind of her.
The next morning we headed to Santa Monica and Malibu. We hung out on the beach for a while and had so much fun we ended up renting bikes and riding to Venice Beach. That is where we saw many of the Freaks I spoke of on Facebook. It is very cool here and the water was freezing. We did have fun running in the water and playing, but I don't plan on swimming in it anytime soon. I was thankful that I threw in a jacket for Brodie and my sweater. I wore the sweater all day even when we were riding bikes. We rode the ferris wheel and a roller coaster too. Around 2:00 we headed to San Diego. It was a beautiful drive by the ocean and through lots of nice towns. Ben was amazed at the extremely expensive cars that were driving around. I really couldn't tell you the name of any, but some were 200,000 dollar cars.
At the beach Brodie wanted to take pictures to send to his friends at New School. He wanted to write Hi, Ms Natalie, I love you and I miss you. I wish David, Xavier, and JC were here. I love all my friends....... I thought we could accomplish all that with Hello New School.
Last night we went to Sea World for a few hours and stayed for the fireworks. We headed back to the hotel and got to sleep as quickly as we could. We were all tired. Brodie got so mad at us he said he was sleeping in the chair. That changed when we turned out the lights! This morning we have had a great breakfast and our attitudes are much improved.

Five years old!

We had pictures taken of Brodie recently by our good friend Kevin Thiessen. He is now five and it is so hard to believe. He can be so grown up looking and acting, but he still loves hugs and kisses from his parents. It really is a fun time. I keep thinking we will reach a stage that is hard or not so much fun, but really it has all been good and each stage of his life brings new joys and surprises. He really is a joy in our lives.

This fall Brodie starts kindergarten. That has so many conflicting emotions for me. I'm so proud of Brodie and the way he is growing up, but I also want to hold him tight and keep him just as he is forever. I look at grown men now and think they used to be a sweet little boy like Brodie at one time. I wonder if I will always think of Brodie as a little boy!

Power Ranger

Brodie bought a Power Ranger costume with some of his birthday money. When we got home today he was soooo excited. He said, "This is the happiest day of my life!" I think the birthday money was worth it!

Brodie and Si Si. They sure love each other

Easter Weekend 2009

Easter Weekend 2009 started out beautiful. Saturday morning we went to an Easter Egg hunt. It was at the Banks' family farm and it was such a beautiful place. The afternoon was filled with dying, hiding, and hunting eggs with JC. It was a blast. Sunday we went to church at Fellowship and did the family worship and then went to Buddy and Barbara's for a delicious lunch. It was a cold rainy day so we didn't do any egg hunting. Brodie did get a guitar lesson from Mr. Buddy. It was a nice day.

Happy 5th birthday Brodie

Today we celebrated Brodie's 5th birthday. We had lots of fun, but it is very sad to think about him growing up so fast. We had the Mad Science Guy come for the entertainment. He is so much fun! We were so happy that Michael, Edie, Sadie, Stella, and Sarah Lynn came for the party. They came on Saturday so we had the Zhus over for dinner and then we all went to the hotel to swim. Church was awesome this morning and then we had a great lunch at the CC. I hope they had as much fun as we did.