Kennecott Copper Mine

My parents and the girls in front of a really big tire...

that goes on a really big dump truck.





This is blogworthy...right? We took my parents up to the copper mine on Friday. It was pretty interesting. Did you know you can see the mine from space? Next time you're in space, look out your window and see if you can see it.

Remembering

September 11, 2001, was one of those days in history where everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing when the attacks happened. I remember I had just gone jogging, came back to my apartment and turned on the news (just like every other day) and was absolutely horrified at what I was seeing. I watched the first tower fall and was talking on the phone to Leer when the second tower fell. I have never felt so shocked and helpless. I just sat there and sobbed. Those images are forever ingrained in my memory. I think maybe the next day was even worse though when I woke up and realized it wasn't some horrible nightmare. Plus, that's when the media started playing all the recorded messages that the victims had left for their families and loved ones. I didn't personally know anyone, even remotely, who died that day, but I sure felt an overwhelming sadness for all those who were directly affected by the attack. I still feel sad for them. That is why I go to the Healing Fields every year. Myah and I took my parents over there this year to look at all the flags. Each flag represents either someone who was killed on 9/11 or a soldier that has been killed fighting in The War on Terror. There are thousands of flags. I think Myah said it best. When we turned the corner and she saw all the flags, she said, "Mom, there's too many flags". I wish there were no flags to go look at but as long as there are, I will go and walk around with a lump in my throat, trying to hold back the tears. I don't want the soldiers who have died for America, or those who were killed on 9/11 to be forgotten. I will never forget.

American Girl Place

This was so fun! If you have a little girl, this is a must-see, must-do!
We had a wonderful time.

Frivolities included:
A fancy four course lunch with dolls
A personal shopper
Finding just the right doll
Matching outfits for the dolls and girls
Photo shoot with the dolls
Picture on the cover of their own magazine


Look how cute the cafe is! So girly!

Pure enjoyment

They even bring plates and cups for the dolls.

My girls with their girls.

Myah chose Kit Kittredge.

Chloe chose Felicity Merriman.

Thanks Aunt Amy for the fabulous day!

Santa Monica Pier

(Quick apology for the bad picture quality, not sure what happened.) Here we are at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. on the Santa Monica Pier. Remember, this is where Forrest Gump turned around after running across the country. My sister, Amy from Los Angeles, met us for dinner with her boys Lucky and Tanyon. It was great to see them. After dinner, we enjoyed a walk on the pier and a ride on the Ferris Wheel (no pic).


Chloe even got to wear Forrest's shoes. Run Chloe! Run!

Lucky, Amy, Tanyon, Chloe, Myah, Leer, Me.

Cousins - Tanyon, Chloe, Lucky, Myah

La Brea Tar Pits

I thought a little education might be good for us on our vacation. Actually, my girls really love this kind of thing. La Brea Tar Pits are naturally occurring pools of tar. Scientists have found bones of ancient animals and people preserved in the tar pits. It was pretty interesting to see the all the bones they've discovered there like, Sloths, Saber-Tooth Cats and Mastodons. Apparently what happened is an animal such as a Mastodon would get stuck in the tar and become an easy target to prey upon. However, whatever animal thought it would be a good idea to feast on the Mastodon would also get stuck, then they became the prey and so on and so forth. They've discovered almost entire food chains through this process.


A Mastodon skeleton.

These are hundreds of wolf skulls that have been recovered from the tar pits.

Examining the laboratory where they clean all the bones.

An actual tar pit. Those aren't real Mastodons (of course) but if they were they would be stuck.

Laguna Beach

The Beach
a Haiku Poem
by Chloe Childs

It is very fun
Playing in the sun all day
Collecting seashells











Dear Chloe,

I've noticed something happens to you when we go to the beach. You are somehow transformed before my very eyes. It's as though the ocean washes away all your worries. You become carefree. It brings me true joy...bliss even, to watch you play there. The beach has given me some of my favorite and most special memories of you.

Love,
Mom

The Happiest Place On Earth

Laughter is timeless,
Imagination has no age,
And dreams are forever!
-Walt Disney-

Some highlights from our trip to Disneyland.

Goodbye seems forever

Farewell, the end

But in my hearts a memory

And there you'll always be.""

-From: Disney's The Fox and the Hound -