Summer Family Trip - Continued

We started our second day at Sea World by going to the dolphin show again. I was really glad we did because this time they brought out pilot whales which they hadn't done the day before. It was even better that my family was there and the kids had extra people to hang out with. (I think they were getting a little tired of just mom and dad.)

We did go back to everything we saw the day before but you wouldn't have know from the kids' reactions. Everything was a favorite! We also got to make it to a few things we hadn't seen the day before like the penguins and the sea lion show. (I was too busy holding kids or pointing things out to take pictures of those things. Sometimes the camera just needs to be put away.)

(We tried to pet the dolphins, but they didn't cooperate, so we attempted a family picture.)

(This is where Beckam spent most of the time, riding on daddy's shoulders.)

We saved the Shamu show until the night show since after the last Shamu show they did fireworks. I actually liked the night show better then the day show. The kids were troopers and didn't fall asleep until we were in the car. It was a great day and we really loved having my family along and the kids loved hanging out with them. (Beckam can now say Lindsday and Shelby...well kind of, we know what he's saying.)

Summer Family Trip

This summer's family trip took us to Sea World. Sea World's deal of adults pay kids price and get a second day free was just too good to pass up and I knew the kids would love it. We, I know we're crazy, drove to San Diego. It does help having family in Las Vegas where we stopped for one night going down and one night going back. I don't think we would have survived without those stops. We spent our first day in San Diego at Sea World and the kids loved it. We started out at the tide pool where the kids got to touch star fish and whatever else they could reach. Beckam just liked sticking his hand in the water, but Brylie was really into it and mesmerized by everything. We say tons of fish, sea turtles, and sharks. Brylie kept asking to see the sharks and she wasn't disappointed. At the shark exhibit is where Beckam really got into seeing all of the animals, fish, etc. (Sorry no pictures of the sharks, there was no room and kids had to be held to see stuff.)

During the afternoon we saw the Shamu show. I think that was the favorite thing for the day. The kids loved it and Beckam wouldn't stop saying Shamu. Another hit for Beckam was the walrus in the polar exhibit. He just sat and watched the walrus swim around. He would have stayed longer if we would have let him.

(Beckam with his Shamu hat. This is the first hat he's actually left on. He wants to wear it all the time now.)

(The best picture of Beckam with "Shamu")

After the polar exhibit we needed the kids to let off some energy so we headed over to the Sesame Street themed kids play area. Brandon was trooper and took the kids up in the rope climb area. I don't know how he got the kids to finally come out. They went on one of the rides and then Brylie wanted to see the characters that were taking pictures. Beckam kept saying he wanted to see Elmo but when it came time, he wanted nothing to do with any of the characters. He held on to Brandon for dear life while we were around them.

We finished off our day by feeding the bat rays and making promises to the kids to do it all again and more the next day.

Then it was back to the hotel to order a pizza and rest up for the next day at Sea World this time with my parents and sisters included.

He's 2!!

Happy Birthday Little Man!

Beckam turned two while we were on our family vacation. To help celebrate the day he got the chance to look at airplanes and helicopters, two of his loves right now. We love this little guy to bits. He may drive us crazy and challenge us almost everyday, but the funny things he does and the joy he brings more then make up for it. We're so glad you're part of our family Beckam!!

At two Beckam:

- Is finally starting to talk and put multiple words together.

- Goes no where with at least one of his blankets.

- Uses his own words for common items (good luck to anyone who isn't around him constantly in understanding what he means)

- Is Brylie's shadow. Wherever she is, he isn't far behind

- Unlocks both locks and the front and back door and goes outside by himself, not always with me knowing.

- Loves trains (choo-choo as he calls it), cars, airplanes and helicopters

- Is quite the monkey - He'll swing from anything

- Loves to wrestle and ruff house

- Can put on his crocs by himself

- Loves to play outside and "ride" his bike

- Is becoming more independent every day

- Is starting to watch videos (yeah for me!)

- Is in the 60% for height and weight - If he keeps on the same curve he'll be 5'10" as an adult.

- Gets into everything he shouldn't - nothing is safe!

- Cracks me up everyday and is very often my comic relief

I love this little guy and can't imagine my life or little family without him.

Dinosaur Outing

Earlier this week we took advantage of $2 Tuesday at Thanksgiving Point. Brandon got home from a work a little early so we headed on down to the Dinosaur Museum (Museum of Ancient Life). We were so glad that Brandon's dad and sister were able to come. It was great having the extra sets of eyes to watch the kids, and boy did they need watching. The kids just ran from exhibit to exhibit. Dinosaurs had been a topic in our house for a little while and Brylie liked seeing how big they had been. We all had a lot of fun and look forward to going again.

Family Reunion 2009

Last week was my family's every two year gigantic family reunion. Every couple of years my grandpa (on my dad's side), his siblings, and their families get together to have some major fun! We were really lucky that it was held in Utah so we were able to make most of the festivities. Friday was the first day. The kids and I didn't make it to lunch but we made it for the traditional fried chicken dinner. (The Dahl's love fried chicken. It's always part of any gathering that is more then a day.) After dinner we headed to a pool that had been reserved and Brandon met us there. The kids loved the water and Brylie especially liked that she could touch the bottom when she wanted to. Beckam was brave and went on the big water slide with Brandon a couple of times.

Saturday was a full day at the park. There was plenty of food (and candy for the kids), people to talk to and kids to play with, football games, and of course a water fight (another reunion tradition). I had run to the store really quickly and returned to a water fight in full swing. Somehow Brandon stayed safe through the whole thing, I on the other hand was included by my cousin. Once your wet it's fair game so I got soaked after that and did my fair share of retaliating. When Brandon left to go play football I got him just so he wouldn't feel excluded (at least that's my reasoning). Brylie had to be convinced it was o.k. to get wet, but once she warmed up to the idea she only had one target, Brandon. He was a sport and let her throw water on him whenever she wanted. We just need to work on her sneaking up skills.

(The newest member of our extended family with her dad.)

After Brylie got out of her wet clothes she got Brandon to take her down to the river. When they got back we decided to take Beckam down but first he wanted to have some fun in the mud.

After dinner my dad did a little geneology activity and told the famous water balloons in Waterton story. There were also other stories shared and I once again realized what a great family I'm part of.

(Jack Dahl Family - And at least 17 people had left before this picture was taken.)

It was great seeing everyone again and we can't wait for Canada in 2011. See you there!