The Lewis Family

First Day of School: Kindergarten

2013-08-01T14:32:00.002-07:00

Legacy Traditional Academy

Mrs. Arellano - Kindergarten

August 1, 2013

First Day of School

Today was such an exciting day for Talmage! He started Kindergarten!!! I can't believe he's in Elementary school! It was an easy transition for him since he did 2 years of preschool, for days a week. He's practically a pro! That also made it lots easier on mommy and daddy to say goodbye.

He is attending Legacy Traditional Academy, a charter school in our neighborhood. Lots of friends from church are in his class, too. Since everyone has to abide by the same uniform rules, Talmage didn't have a problem leaving his superhero shirts at home. Today we chose a red polo and blue for tomorrow.

Isn't he so handsome?!

He's actually one of the younger ones in Kindergarten since he doesn't turn 5 until August 30th.

Walking to the school, from the parking lot

Mascot: The Patriot

Playing with all the Kindergartners

This is the face she made when she found out that she couldn't play

Saying goodbye, so tender

In line with his class

Talmage's teacher: Mrs. Arellano, holding up her sign to line up

Meet the Teacher: Kindergarten

2013-07-31T23:34:00.002-07:00

Legacy Traditional Academy

Mrs. Arellano

July 30, 2013

Meet the Teacher

KINDERGARTEN

Lego Kids Fest

2013-07-31T23:17:00.005-07:00

July 13, 2013

Lego Kids Fest

GIANT pile of Lego!

(more pictures to come)

7 months old

2013-07-31T22:54:00.002-07:00

July 12, 2013

Ellie is 7 months

We just keep falling more and more in love with this gorgeous girl every day! She is so happy and full of personality! The kids love to make her smile, giggle, and scream!

You can tell she loves her brother and sister.

She falls asleep on her own for naps and at night. Most nights, she wakes up once but lately, she's been crying and then falling back to sleep on her own. Her schedule, most of the time is the following:

7am Wake

9:00am nap

1:00pm nap

3:30 nap

7:30pm Bedtime

Crawling is next on her to-do list! She's been rolling, scooting and rocking! She's becoming mobile and we love it! We love our pretty cabbage patch girl!

4th of July

2013-07-31T22:29:00.002-07:00

July 4, 2013

Patriotic Kiddos

All dressed up in classic red, white & blue, ready for fireworks and fun!

Swim Lessons

2013-07-31T21:50:00.002-07:00

Swim Lessons

May 28 - July 18

I signed the Talmage and Emma up for swim lessons at Williamsfield High School, through Gilbert Aquatics. Swim was 4 days a week and we did it for 8 weeks straight. I wanted to make sure the kids had a chance to really learn and become comfortable in the water. It was lots of fun and they thoroughly enjoyed it!

When Talmage started, he was afraid to put his head under the water and could not do a back or front float. When he finished, he had mastered two levels and could swim about 12 feet. He's amazing!

Here's a video of Talmage during his last week of swim lessons:

6 Month Checkup

2013-07-25T22:07:00.002-07:00

June 20, 2013

6 month Dr Appt

Ellie received 4 vaccinations, one as an oral liquid and the other 3 as shots to the thighs. She had a mild fever the next day but other than that, she did great! While the doctor was checking her ears, I mentioned that, a few days earlier, I noticed some drainage in her left ear. He then discovered a small amount of puss inside. As a result, opted to prescribe her only half a dose of antibiotic, since it wasn't a full-blown ear infection. But other than that, she's happy and healthy! She's sitting up very well.

The doctor was surprised at her strength for a 6 month old.

Here's how she's grown!

Weight: 17 lbs 11 oz - 75 %tile

Length: 26 in - 49 %tile

Head Circumference: 17.25 in - 87 %tile

Happy Half Birthday Ellie!

2013-07-25T22:07:00.001-07:00

Ellie Marie

June 12, 2013

Today Ellie is 6 months old, which makes it her half birthday. It's also Emma's half birthday as well. And it top it off, it is their grandma Maren's birthday. She would be 70 years old, but instead she's celebrating in heaven. This is her first birthday not with us. In honor and celebration of mom and the kids' grandma, we made German Chocolate cupcakes. She loved nuts and chocolate so I thought it was a good choice.

6 months old

Memorial Day

2013-07-25T22:07:00.000-07:00

May 27, 2013

Memorial Day

Visiting Gravesides

We celebrated Memorial Day by meeting with the Lewis family to see family members' gravesides at Mesa Cemetery. We ended our visit with Mom's grave. It was a special and tender moment, being the first Memorial without her.

Then we proceeded to my side of the family at Mariposa Garden cemetery where my grandparents and great aunt/uncle are buried. Afterwards, we enjoyed a tasty breakfast at IHOP.

Our celebrations continued as we headed over to the Boyds' for a family lunch, swimming, and games. Our day was wonderful, as we remembered the those we loved and those who served our country.

Happy Memorial Day!

The following pictures are at Mom/Grandma Maren's graveside.

Banana Pancakes

2013-07-12T21:41:00.000-07:00

June 2, 2013

Sunday Morning Pancakes

Emma decided she wanted to help mommy make banana pancakes!

Vacation: Friday Downtown Disney and Home

2013-07-12T20:21:00.001-07:00

California Vacation

Disneyland

Friday

May 24, 2013

We started our day off right, with an IHOP breakfast and a coupon for a free meal there.

Lucky for us, there was a balloon maker, who could make any Disney character. Talmage chose Mickey Mouse, while Emma chose Minnie Mouse. For some reason, I can only find the picture of Talmage and his Mickey balloon. Emma's was pretty much the same, except pink and he even made a pink bow on top!

After breakfast, we headed off to Downtown Disney. We were done with our vacation but hadn't had a chance to shop around. It was so fun to end our vacation, just casually shopping around without rushing to rides. The Lego Store was the biggest hit of all! They had several large, impressive statues, completely made out of small Lego bricks. As you can tell, that's pretty much all the pictures in this post.

After our morning of browsing, we headed home, back to Arizona! This trip surpassed all our expectations, created wonderful, fond memories, and became our most cherished family vacation so far.

This stain glass art piece was behind the register at World of Disney, one of the Downtown Disney stores.

It was magnificent!

Vacation: Thursday Disneyland 2

2013-07-09T23:26:00.000-07:00

California Vacation

Disneyland

Thursday Part 2

May 23, 2013

Walt Disney Statue

Meeting the Princesses

Tiana

Jasmine

Cinderella

Ariel

Aurora

Snow White

Random pictures...

Ellie's big eyes!

Not quite tall enough for Splash Mountain yet...

Exactly 40 in! Woo hoo!

Aladdin's Lamp

More funny faces from Elle girl

And more ride pictures...

Vacation: Thursday Disneyland: Plaza Inn

2013-07-09T22:16:00.000-07:00

California Vacation

Disneyland

Thursday Part 1

May 23, 2013

Plaza Inn
Character Meet and Greet

This was day four and our last day at the parks. We started off the day right by eating breakfast at Plaza Inn, a character breakfast buffet. It was pricey but worth the money! The characters came to our table individually, to meet the kids, talk, and take pictures!

They absolutely loved the experience! I am so glad we decided to splurge and take them to this breakfast. The excitement on their faces was priceless and made the whole trip just that much more amazing! I just love watching the kids so happy!

Vacation: Wednesday Disneyland

2013-07-01T16:41:00.002-07:00

California Vacation

Disneyland

Wednesday

May 22, 2013

Grandpa and Grandma also joined us. It was our third day and their second and last day.

We spent the day in Disneyland.

I was so tired, but Ellie looks beautiful as ever, as Snow White!

Dumbo

Sword in the Stone

Grandpa bought the kids Mickey hands the day before, at California Adventure

My dad bought Linda and I matching Cars Land shirts at California Adventure the day before.

Another one of our bucket list items was to listen to the

Party Line Telephone inside Market House Deli on Main Street

Ellie was Snow White for the day!

I found this adorable outfit at Babies R Us, before we left.

We got so many compliments! She was the prettiest Snow White!

For lunch, we ate The Golden Horseshoe.

For dessert, we had a Root Beer Float, inside a souvenir boot shaped mug.

Ellie wanted some!

Splash Mountain

Woody and Jessie

Here we all are...at the end of the day and so tired!

Vacation: Tuesday California Adventure

2013-07-01T16:08:00.000-07:00

California Vacation

California Adventure

Tuesday

May 21, 2013

Tuesday, our second day at the park, was spent at California Adventure. We also arrived fairly early before the gates opened. This time, my dad and Linda joined us! The kids were so excited to share these fun memories with grandpa and grandma. Like I mentioned in the last post, I met the wife of the creator of Ridemax. They were also at the opening of California Adventure. Since the opening of Cars Land, it's a mad rush for Radiator Springs Racer. They gave us the tip to stay all the way to the right, since the line narrows until it forms a single file line. They take you straight from the ropes to Radiator Springs Racers. We stayed close to the right and followed them closely. We ended up on the first car of the ride with them! Grandma and Grandpa stayed behind to watch the girls, while Jacob and I went with Talmage.

Here's the picture!
The Ridemax creator is the one with the camera and his wife is next to him.
They were so nice!
Radiator Springs Racers

Here's Grandma and her two girls, waiting for us to get off the ride!

After we got off the ride, Jacob and Talmage went on again
but this time with Grandpa and Grandma.
They used the Rider Switch Pass and two fast passes that were given to us.

Cars Land was amazing and so much fun! It felt like you were walking in the movie! Lightning McQueen and Mater were driving around the whole time.

Luigi's Flying Tires
This was a fun ride! We had to wait a little while but it was worth it! The tires are inflated and air is shot up from the ground to help move the tires. (It's kind of like how air hockey shoots air to help the puck glide.) The only way to move the tire in the direction you'd like it to go, is to lean to one side.
Jacob took Talmage, while I took Emma.

The shops in Cars Land were really neat!
We found Mater teeth and couldn't resist buying them for the kids!

Flo's V8 Cafe for lunch

After Cars Land in the morning, we headed over to Soarin' Over California. Linda had never been to California Adventure so we were so excited for her to ride this ride!

The girls and I watched Minnie and her Fly Girls while they went on the ride. Then Linda and Talmage went on the ride again, but with me this time.

Talmage loved Tower of Terror!

In fact, he loved every single ride he rode on!

He's a little daredevil!

Jacob and I were able to go on a ride, just us, for the first time!

It was so much fun!

California Screamin'

A Bug's Land

Heimlich Chew Chew Train

World of Color

We sat really, really close and got drenched!

In fact, there was so much water, I couldn't even see the show because of water in my eyes.

So we left early!

Vacation: Monday Disneyland

2013-06-30T16:03:00.004-07:00

California Vacation

Disneyland

Monday

May 20, 2013

Monday was our first day of Disneyland. We decided to try and experience as many rides the first day as we could. Ridemax was our helpful guide to fitting it all in during a fairly busy time of year.

Here we all are, minus daddy who's taking the picture, at the opening gate! I purchased Minnie Mouse ears ahead of time, from Babies R Us, for the girls to wear. They were much cheaper than buying them inside the park. Talmage wore his Mickey ears from a few years back, when he visited Disneyland for the first time at 1 1/2 years old.

We made sure to arrive a whole hour before the park opened, to guarantee us first in line. The kids had fun climbing on the gate, anxiously awaiting the moment it opened!

When the gates first opened, Jacob took Talmage to get in line for Space Mountain and Star Tours.
Talmage and Daddy waiting for the rope to drop, in front of Tomorrowland.

Talmage's first ride of Disneyland was Splash Mountain and he loved it! He rode it several time throughout our trip with both mommy and daddy.

Star Tours

I took the girls to start on some rides in Fantasyland. Ellie and Emma began to get fussy and at one moment, I began to think I couldn't take on both girls alone. Right at the moment, a nice lady offered to help hold Emma and then carry the bag, push the stroller and even ride the rides with us. At first I was hesitant to accept help from a stranger but I needed the help. After talking with her, I realized that she was also LDS and was here with her husband, the creator and owner of Ridemax! Crazy! Her husband was off at Cars Land, getting new information for the software. As a result, she stayed with me until Jacob was done with the two rides he took Talmage on.

Dumbo was our first ride, then Storybook Canals, followed by Casey Jr Train...just us girls!

Our first ride together with the whole family, the Teacups!

Ellie never missed a nap!

Talmage got to ride everything twice, once with daddy and then with mommy. Lucky kid!

Gadget's Go Go Coaster with Mommy

Splash Mountain was also another favorite of his! This is his first time on the ride, with daddy! He also rode this ride as many times as he could!

The Shooting Range with Daddy

Talmage wasn't quite tall enough to show so he got creative!

Right before we left on our trip, I found a fan that connects to a car seat or stroller. Perfect for the warm weather we had at Disneyland! Ellie also like to play with it, so it kept her busy!

We made a Disneyland Bucket List of things we wanted to do, see and eat at the park. One of the items on the list was to take a picture next to the Indian. The thought behind it was every time you visit Disneyland, take a picture and see how the kids grow!

Ellie, outside Splash Mountain exit, waiting on Daddy and brother.

We stayed at Best Western Park Place Inn, directly across the street from Disneyland. Our room had two double beds so the kids shared one, while she shared the other. Here they are, all tuckered out, so cute together! Brother-sister love!

Vacation: Sunday Music Box Steps

2013-06-30T14:57:00.000-07:00

California Vacation

Music Box Steps

Sunday

May 19, 2013

When I married Jacob, I entered into a whole new world of media I never knew existed. He's slowly, but surely, helping me along my path to becoming cultured in the art of film. The 30s and 40s are continually drawn upon by producers and directors, as a guide to current movie making. As a result, that era as shown to be the prime, true masters of film.

One of the first films he showed me was a classic Laurel and Hardy short, The Music Box. It has since become a family favorite, even amongst our kids. Both Talmage and Emma love to watch Laurel and Hardy. They laugh and laugh. So naturally, we couldn't go to California without a visit to the original steps.

The Music Box is a Laurel and Hardy short film comedy, released in 1932. The film depicts the pair attempting to move a piano up a large flight of steps,. It won the first Academy Award for Live Action Short Film (Comedy) in 1932. In 1997, this film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

2013

1932

2013

1932

Laurel and Hardy Park, across the street from the steps

Vacation: Sunday Bat Cave

2013-06-17T17:18:00.001-07:00

California Vacation

Bat Cave

Sunday

May 19, 2013

On Sunday, we also explored Bronson Cave (Bat Cave), a section of Griffith Park, in LA.

The cave was used as the entrance to the Bat Cave in the 1960s Batman tv series. that has become famous as a filming location for a large number of movies and TV shows, especially westerns and science fiction, from the early days of motion pictures to the present.

Once you enter the shallow cave, it branches off into two openings. On the other side, as you come out, you can see clearly see the Hollywood sign. It was such an awesome experience, especially since Talmage is a huge fan of Batman.

Vacation: Sunday Griffith Park

2013-06-02T16:38:00.001-07:00

California Vacation

Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round

Sunday

May 19, 2013

Once we arrived in California, around 12 pm, our first destination was Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round. What better way to start off a Disneyland vacation then where Walt Disney, himself, used to take his girls. And what sparked his brilliant idea of creating a family-centered theme park, known as Disneyland.

The kids loved it! Unfortunately, they only took cash, which we didn't have at the time, so the kids resorted to playing, dancing and picture taking instead! The music, on the carousel, was amazing and sounded like what a traditional, vintage carousel would sound like.

Our California Vacation: Ready to Leave

2013-06-02T16:35:00.001-07:00

Vacation: Ready to Leave

Sunday

May 19, 2013

We planned to leave for California on Sunday and visit some sites.

Then Monday was to be spent in Disneyland, Tuesday in California Adventure.

Wednesday and Thursday were dedicated to Disneyland once again.

Friday was our driving home day, accompanied by some light shopping in the morning in Downtown Disney.

We rented a full size car, Hyundai Elantra, to ensure a safe ride to and from California. We also borrowed some DVD players for the backseat to help keep the kids happy during our long drive.

A full month of planning went into this vacation. We researched as much as we could about Disneyland, including tips, fun facts, yummy food, etc.

6:30 am: All ready to go! {minus Ellie in her car seat of course}

Last Day of School

2013-05-29T18:45:00.002-07:00

Last Day as a Preschooler

May 17, 2013

Friday was Talmage's last day of Preschool and last time riding the bus.

It was bittersweet.

I can't believe I have a Kindergartner now!

Urgent Care

2013-05-29T17:07:00.003-07:00

Sick Baby

May 18, 2013

On Saturday, the day before we left for our big trip to Disneyland, Ellie got sick. She had high fevers, a cough, and congestion. I didn't want to travel with a sick baby or have things worse, so we headed to Urgent Care. The doctor put her on an antibiotic, suggested some cold medicine. The next day, she slept almost all of the 6 hour car ride to California and by Monday, she was good to go have fun at Disneyland! Phew!

Waiting to see the doctor in Urgent Care

He's a Preschool Graduate!

2013-05-29T17:02:00.000-07:00

Preschool Graduation

May 16, 2013

Talmage graduated 2 years of preschool from Ranch Elementary.

I'm so proud of how smart he's become and how he's grown.

I'm just sad that my baby is growing up.

He starts Kindergarten on August 1st at Legacy Traditional Academy.

They sang 4 songs and then walked over the bridge

to receive their diploma, when their name was called.

Talmage and his teacher, Ms. Jenny

Napping in the Crib

2013-05-26T17:21:00.001-07:00

1st Nap in Crib

April 25, 2013

I've started putting her down for naps in her crib,

to get used to it, and she loved it!

I was worried she might wake up afraid,

but she was smiley and happy!

Lunchtime Fun

2013-05-26T16:16:00.006-07:00

Cheese Crisp Beds

May 13, 2013

At lunch, the kids decided to use their imagination.

They made beds, out of cheese crisps, for their toys.

Silly kids!