7 Quick Takes Friday - March 27, 2015

--- 1 ---

Whew, what a busy month it's been! I can't believe Lent is almost over.

--- 2 ---

As I mentioned in my QT two weeks ago, we decided to spend a few days in California during the kids' (and Collin's) spring break. The reason we went to California? Well, we had to see a mouse about a car.

--- 3 ---

Yes, that's right, we went to DISNEYLAND! Collin was able to get some discounted two-day Park Hopper tickets through his job, and I sold some stock shares that had vested last November (I get an annual stock award from my company if we meet certain goals during the year). We decided to use half of the proceeds of the sale for a fun family vacation.

Our last trip was three years ago, while I was pregnant with Gabriel, so there were a lot of new rides to experience and new sights to see. The remodeled California Adventure park is beautiful, and Cars Land was fantastic! As you can see above, we very much enjoyed the Radiator Springs Racers ride. I finally was able to go on the revamped Star Tours ride, and it was fabulous.

--- 4 ---

Elanor was chosen for the Jedi Training Academy, and William was chosen by Thor to try and heft Mjölnir (they had a "Meet the Avengers" attraction inside Innoventions). The pictures are fantastic! We're going to order a digital CD, and I'll probably share the photos on Facebook this weekend. (One more week of no Facebook... I'll be honest, I can't wait to get back on.)

--- 5 ---

Once we returned from Disneyland, we had one day at home to do laundry and some yardwork, and the next day we went to my aunt and uncle's new home outside of Maricopa, AZ. We stayed there until Saturday evening. My mother and stepfather had flown in the previous day, and my cousin Kelsey was there too, along with some friends of my aunt's. Their ranch has several horses and Elly was in the seventh heaven of delight.

--- 6 ---

Peter met his stepgrandpa Rod for the first time. They hit it off.

 

--- 7 ---

This weekend my grandmother Violet flies into town for her annual visit, and I'm excited to see her again. Busy busy!

For more Quick Takes, visit This Ain't the Lyceum!

7 Quick Takes Friday - March 6, 2015

Thanks to Kelly at This Ain't the Lyceum for hosting!

1. We had a joint birthday celebration/extended family dinner for William and Violet last Saturday at Golden Corral (their choice of venue; they both love the chocolate fountain), so last night we celebrated Violet's birthday with a dinner of hamburgers with cake for dessert. Violet requested "an Elsa cake" and the local Safeway was able to oblige:

As I mentioned yesterday, our birthday season is finally over. We're almost entirely in odd number territory now; the kids are 10, 7, 5, 3, and 1. Ellie is the "even" man out (instead of the odd man out, haha). 

2. The rest of our month is crazy busy. Tomorrow, Kara, our friend Mary, and I are going to see (and hear!) Abby Johnson speak, and we'll probably do lunch afterwards. I've met Abby before and can't wait to see her again and hear what she has to say. I may try to get another autograph. :) 

3. The kids have spring break March 16-20 (as does Collin - I love that he gets spring break off too, now that he works for a school district! Luckily, his spring break coincided with the kids'). I took the week off of work. We're going to California for a few days (we haven't been there for three years), and the day after we get back my mother and stepfather are flying down. My aunt Sheri (my mother's older sister) and her husband recently purchased a ranch near Maricopa, AZ and we're all going to spend a few days out there. 

4. My grandma Violet flies in for her annual visit the weekend after that, on March 29. I was afraid her health wouldn't allow her to come this year, but she says she's feeling better and wants to come. 

And then it's Holy Week! Whew! 

5. My latest post for Catholic Stand is up: There Is No Pope in Islam. 

6. Please pray for a special intention! St. Francis de Sales, pray for us. St. Joseph the worker, pray for us. St. Therese of Lisieux, pray for us.

7. Did you hear the wonderful news?? Kara and her family have committed to adopting baby Truman! Please consider donating to one of their current fundraisers -- they have a very short time to raise a large amount of money. One of her fundraisers is a raffle for an American Girl doll, so please check that out!! 

Violet is Five!

Five years ago today it was a Friday in Lent, and I had a baby girl. Father Hans came to see us in the hospital, and was very impressed that we had named her after that day's liturgical color. 

I even remembered to have a meatless meal (a tuna sandwich) for lunch!

Violet is exuberant about life and fascinated with everything around her. She's probably going to be reading before kindergarten (which she starts in August!), given her insatiable curiosity with letters and words that has recently developed. She's also a fantastic big sister to Gabriel and Peter.

Happy birthday, Violet Elizabeth!

After today, "birthday season" (in which we have at least one family birthday every month from October to March) is officially over until Peter turns 2 (gulp!) in October.

Happy National Grammar Day!

Let's celebrate!

Sadly, I don't think I'd like this drink -- I'm not a fan of gin and I don't like olives. But I applaud the concept!