Silly Myles

Myles and I had a "date" on Tuesday evening. A co-worker of Bjorn's gave us some great tickets to the Barnum and Bailey Circus that is in town. As we were walking into the arena I said: "do you want to hold hands?" He said: "Why mom?" and I said: "Because we are on a date and that's what you do." He said: "Sure mom, I'd love to." Then he said: "I think we should bring dad on our date next time."

We watched the whole circus and had a great time. I asked him the following day what his favorite part of the circus was and he said: "when the lady pushed the button to get your Coke into your cup." Translation, when we went to get snacks I got a Coke from the bar because the line was much shorter than the other food lines. So the bar tender had a soda fountain that was handheld. She pushed one button for the Coke to come out and he thought that was the best things since sliced bread. The things he says make me laugh all the time. I think he's going to have such a dry sense of humor. It sure is funny to watch their little personalities unfold before you.

Trip to Utah 2011

The kids and I took a trip to Utah for the 24th of July. There is always a lot going on that time of year and everyone tends to be around. This was the second time we have gone and it was just as fun as last year. The kids love to stay with Grandma and Papa. Heck I do too. Who wouldn't, it's like staying at a B&B. You get all your meals, local travel info, even free babysitting. Who wouldn't love that! Anyway we packed a lot into our short week and a half.

A big Thanks to Dad who flew out and drove with me to Utah. I don't think it was quite like our road trips of yore, but it was fun all the same.

We visited the Hoggle Zoo with Some of Kristin's kids as well as some of Leslie's kids. The weather couldn't have been better. Not to hot and overcast most of the day. A perfect day I would say. We visited most everything on display, but there was construction so some of the animals are not there. Not to worry though, we still got to see plenty. The bird show was great! A little long and I could have done without the hawk trying to eat the Parrot, but otherwise really good.

Next it was bowling with the kids. Myles had his first time bowling and he loved it. Tess and Graham were very patient with him and his wanting to go all the time. They kept their cool and told him when to go.

We didn't make the parade this year, mom and dad where in-charge, but it was too hot and I didn't want to sit with the kids for that long. So we went to the Park for the carnival while the parade was en route. It wasn't crowded and we had a great dinner of pulled pork, corn on the

cob and fry bread and creamies. Well I did at least, the kids just ate junk. They loved the rides and the games and we came home with quite a haul of carnival trinkets.

I got together with my Kindergarten friends who all happened to be in town too. With all six of us there and all of are kids there were 23 kids and 6 mommas. What a great time we had at the Blanchard's pool. Thanks Kristin for letting us come and invade your space.

Winnie the Pooh was out so I thought it was time for Myles to take in his first ever movie. He loved it. He even sat through the whole show. I had six kids in tow and everyone was great. A little candy and popcorn goes a long way with this crowd!

A quick trip Paces Dairy Ann and Salt Lake with my friend Michelle turned me on to all kinds of wooden crafts to do. I have now completed all my projects and need to return to get more supplies. Maybe it's a good thing I don't live closer...

Then Saturday after Bjorn got in we went to the Church Museum in Salt Lake. Mom is a Docent there and she knows just about everything about that place. We saw a lot that I had never seen before and it was very interesting. They have a great area for kids too so they could blow off some steam after being bribed to be quiet for about an hour and a half. Thanks mom, what a great tour. I would recommend your services to anyone! This was followed by a scrumptious lunch at Hires in downtown Salt Lake. This was the place Bjorn and I went to eat lunch following our pictures on our wedding day. Mom had taken all my things home and thus I had to eat lunch dressed in my wedding dress. The lady who was our car hop thought I was crazy to eat a burger and fries in my wedding dress, I just told her I was supper hungry. She brought me back about 10 bar towels to lay across my dress so I would drip anything on me. How nice. It's still the best place for a root beer float.

Sunday was the day to head out of town. It was a fast trip, too bad getting home wasn't just as fast. We forgot about Sunday Vegas to Cali traffic. It took us 15 hours to get home. Oh well, we won't make that mistake again...

Thanks everyone for a great trip. It's always fun to see you and we love coming to play. See you next year!

burrito kids

Would anyone like a "bubba and bean" burrito? My kids beg me to make them into burritos everyday. They think it's really funny. I think that it all started when the girls were little and we would wrap them up tight like this. Myles, ever the memories, hasn't forgotten and now the girls think it's fun too.

4th of July 2011

Myles learned how to balance with his floating ring and could kick and get around the pool quite well.

This year for our 4th of July Celebration we got together with our friends the Larsens. They moved last year to Glendora, a neighboring town to Monrovia. We were sad to see them go, but they found a great house for them, and lucky for us they have a great pool. We ate a BBQ dinner full of fun 4th red, white, and blue themed items and then we all took a dip in the pool. After swimming we ate dessert and did a few fireworks and sparklers with the kids. It was a great time had by all, especially the kids!

Lydia still a little shy about the water wanted nothing to do with her ring, but would be fitted with water wings. Not that she was going to drowned. She had a death grip on me the entire time.

Audrey loved to use the ring upside down as it didn't ride her as much. She especially loved the warm hot tub.

Myles with two fists. One full of ice cream sandwich, the other with California's version of a "sparkler". Not much spark, just flame at the end of the stick. I don't get it.

Even Audrey joined in the sparkler fun.

Daddy with the kids. Can you see how Lydia didn't really like the ring. She cried till I took it off.

Thanks Larsens for your hospitality. We always have a great time when you are around!

Dodd Family Reunion 2011

Our family reunion was held in Solvang, California this year. It was attended by about 50 members of the Dodd family, with Thora having most of her children and grandchildren there. We visited Legoland with Andrew and Lydia and their children just a few days before the reunion started and then we headed north for the big gathering. Her is Myles on the nights joust ride.

All my monkeys sitting atop the camel in Legoland. It appears harder that I thought to get everyone to look at the camera at the same time. Who knew?!

Maggie on the knights ride.

Lydia the "little Angel".

Myles the "Biggest Angel".

Here we are with Tommy, Carolyn, Aunt Kalite and Uncle Byron.

My very first picture of Audrey and Lydia on the slide together. I have so few pictures of the two of them together looking in the same direction.

Aunt Kalite playing cars in the sand with Myles. He was in total heaven to have someone give him so much attention.

Katharine Driving her Volvo at Legoland.

Myles and Daddy going on the big slide. Myles first attempt at the slide was without his sack, and it didn't go over so well with the employee's of the park. Oh well, better luck next time. He must have gone on this ride about ten times in a row.

The wild and crazy ride with all the kids. It was quite funny to see all of us riding this bike.

The rest of the "Crazy Danes" on bikes. We had a total of 5 bikes for everyone. The largest of the bikes held 11 people.

Esther, Wyatt and their kids.

Andrew, Lydia and kids, along with Heather and Adam and kids.

All the cuzzies.

Mommy, Myles and Audrey who never got off my lap to get into the water.

Audrey, Lydia and I sitting on the rock and cooling our feet on a hot day.

A cold day on Gaviota State beach. We found lots of great big sea shells and I had a great time "hunting" for them. Audrey was her honery self that morning. Lydia just had fun walking up and down the beach with her little bag. Myles just kept up with me and would hold all the fun shells I found. While adding his own collection of rocks along the way.

Lydia looking like quite a little girl and not a baby any longer. It was fun to see everyone!

Big girl beds

Audrey and Lydia are officially girls and and not babies. It's one of the sad things about not having any more kids. I almost hate to see specific stages come to an end. Don't get me wrong. It was well time. The girls had been climbing out of their cribs for about a month when I finally bit the bullet and put them into the toddler beds. This was them on the second night. At least they were both in their beds. Lydia is kinda in between two beds, while Audrey still looks like she is sleeping in a crib. I have now decorated the room and it looks really cute. We framed a picture and put up their initials on the wall above their bed. We got a toy bin for the other side of Lydia's bed and a book shelf and lamp for Audrey's side. I painted a mirror that my Uncle Hal and Auntie Carol gave me when they moved away a few years back. It all came together and when I get their curtains finished I will photograph it and let you all see.

For the most part it hasn't been a big deal. I now have to sit with them to get them to take a nap. Usually about 10-15 min. is all it will take. For bedtime we just read a story and put them down. They do the rest. I think it helps that it's dark. We have found them in each others beds a lot, on the floor a few times, but mostly just in their own big girl beds.

Tour of California 2011

This was us waiting for the riders to come past us. It was a good thing we didn't have to wait too long there as there was only the sidewalk and then the road. The girls didn't want to sit in their chairs and kept walking into the street. See the look on Bjorn's face, what a nightmare to keep them all in their chairs. There is the ring leader herself right in front, Miss Audrey.

We had a great time seeing all the riders and even scored a water bottle from one of the riders who was off loading it as he past our section. Having a friend who lives right across the street of this stage was really nice. We stayed in her home till about 10 min. before they got there and then ran across the street to check it all out.

The only thing about seeing it live is that you don't know who is in front, who just passed you, or how well your team is doing. It's not the same as having Paul Sherwin and Phil Liggiot in your ear, but a fun day non the less.