Universal Studios Hollywood

Today was the first time that me or Brett have ever been to Universal Studios. It is fun going on rides that you have no idea about what is going to happen or anything. There was this trolley tour that took us behind the scenes to look at all of the sets that they have and where they make movies. We saw scenes that were in Jaws, War of the Worlds, Nacho Libre, King Kong, The Incredible Hulk, and lots more. It was really cool. There was also a haunted house that scared the crap out of me. I really hated it. Brett thought it was funny and was laughing at the scary people inside.

There was this water world show too. It was basically acted out like a play with all of these water effects and pyrotechnics.

Highlights of today:

Brett's:
#1: The Simpsons Ride. It is a virtual roller coaster ride-- kind of like star tours at Disneyland but funnier because its in Krustyland.. It was a lot of fun.

#2: Mist Fans-- While we waited in line at every ride and on the sidewalks of the walkways there were these fans that blew cold mist at you. Every amusement park should have these. They kept us nice and cool.

#3: Jurassic Park ride-- It was a hot day.. we got soaked.

Cali's:
#1: The Mummy Ride-- It is an indoor roller coaster that goes backwards and forwards...

#2: Shrek 4D-- it is a 3D movie plus the seats move.. and they shoot water at you from the back of the seat in front of you... it was cute.

#3: Our adventure to find the Hollywood sign. We found a way up so that we were really close to the sign.. it was the furthest we could go with out trespassing.. Their house was still in the way of the view.

Redondo Beach

Today was another rest day for us. We woke up and had a relaxing morning. We left Aliso Viejo around 1 to head up to Los Angeles, where Brett's cousin Cheryl and her husband Kirk live. They live a lot closer to Universal Studios and we didn't want to risk getting into bad traffic in the morning. We stopped in Redondo Beach and walked up and down the pier for a while. That is where we found Jade. Last year while we were in Mexico we bought a wooden turtle. I love turtles so we thought that on every big trip that we take together we will find a really cool turtle and add it to the collection.

After that, we went up to Cheryl and Kirks house, had a nice dinner and played hand and foot with them. We love to play that game with other couples.. They had a different way of playing that game so we taught them ours... Cheryl and I beat the boys :) in a comeback victory in the last round. It was a lot of fun hanging out with them.

reunião familiar

Today Brett and I drove and hour up to Ontario for a Quillan (Nana's family) Reunion. It was entertaining. It was just a bunch of Brazilians and most of the family was drinking and pretty loud and there a a couple of people that are just crazy. But it was fun... There is an annual ping pong tournament in which my mom's cousin Rick has been reigning champ of for years until this year Brett beat him twice.. it was pretty funny because Rick got pretty upset. The trophy was a little stuffed rabbit with a ping pong ball and paper paddle Velcroed to the hands... We didn't bring it home with us.. it stays there every year so they can have it for the next year. They all said that Brett will have to come back next year to defend his title... we will see about that. It was fun to see my Mom and Alyssa and Nana and Papa.

We made plans earlier in the week to have dinner with Tim Vidmar-- One of Brett's mission companions-- and his family. So we went to Macaroni Grill and got to meet his parents and brother. So that was fun.

I forgot to bring my camera with me today so I have no pictures... :(

23rd Birthday at Disney's California Adventure

Today is my 23rd Happy Birthday. My mom called me this morning so I got to talk to her or a while-- I miss her. She will be here tomorrow with my sisters and Nana and Papa-- Nana's family reunion is tomorrow in Ontario which isn't too far so we are going up there to see them since we are taking a break from the amusement parks till Monday. I also got a call from Brett's mom and Gramma and Grampa Jewkes and messages from Leslie, Adam, Aunt Sandi and Alyssa saying happy birthday-- so thanks guys!

Today we went to California Adventure Park. It is such a fun theme park!! We stayed there for about 8 hours and then decided to leave early so Brett could take me out for my birthday dinner. We went to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner which was fabulous. Neither of us had been there before but it was definitely a good choice for my birthday dinner.

Highlights of the day:

Brett's:
#1: Turkey leg lunch-- we found this place that sells full turkey legs and that is what we had for lunch (and what we will be having for lunch tomorrow since they were so huge) He was really excited. They were amazing..



#2: Soarin' Over California ride

#3: Grizzly Rapids ride-- I had my poncho in my bag from Sea World and was able to keep my pants dry both times we went on this... its a pain to walk around in wet jeans. Brett on the the other hand got soaked both times ...


Cali's:

#1: Califonia Screamin'-- I love that roller coaster-- by far my favorite ride all day.


#2: Tower of Terror ride

#3: The fact that I could say-- "Its my birthday, that's why" or "but its my birthday." not that Brett doesn't spoil me on every other day because he does, but he always makes sure my birthday is extra special.

Happy Birthday Cali!!

Today is Cali's 23rd birthday. We are going to the California Adventure Park at Disneyland. It's going to be really fun. I've only been there once before, so I'm excited. There is tons of cool rides and fun stuff to do.

Today is also our 2 1/2 year wedding anniversary. 30 months together. It's been great. She is a really great person and I love her more everyday. I'm so glad to have her in my life. In a lot of ways we are two very different people, which can make it challenging at times, but more often it keeps things exciting. She has strengths that I don't, and I am able to help her in other ways. We are really great together, and I'm so happy to call her mine forever.

Happy Birthday Sweetie!!

Disneyland

Today we were at Disneyland. I made the mistake of wearing flip flops today and my blister was killing me-- so we barely got through 2 rides before we went back to get my tennis shoes. After I had those, the day was really fun. Again we did a lot of walking and our feet are hurting...

Highlights of today:

Brett's:
#1: Space Mountain Evacuation-- It was 10pm and we were had been waiting in line for an hour to ride space mountain. We finally got on and were at the top of the ride about to start going when the lights turned on and we were stuck. They came up to where we were and got us out of the car and we hiked all the way down the ride-- It was pretty cool... although we didn't get to ride it. They did give us a pass to jump to the front of any line so we went over to Indiana Jones and rode that one last time before we left for the day.

#2: Fast Passes-- The greatest idea in Disneyland history!! So-- if the line is long and you don't want to wait, you scan your ticket at the fast pass station and it gives you a ticket to come back to the ride at a certain time and you skip the line.. you have to wait a certain amount of time in between getting these but if used wisely, they will increase the number of rides you can go on in a day.

#3: Indiana Jones ride.

Cali's:
#1: The new Finding Nemo Submarine Ride-- I really loved it-- we did have to wait over an hour to ride it but it was worth it...

#2: Splash Mountain-- I brought along my poncho that I got in Sea World and put it across my lap.. We got fast passes for Splash at 3 in the afternoon but couldn't come back till 8:00 pm so it was a bit chilly-- so I'm glad i was able to keep dry.

San Diego Zoo

Today we went to the San Diego Zoo. I love the zoo and I had never been to this one before and it was by far the best zoo i have ever been to.. well I have only been to 2 other ones... We stopped at the pharmacy this morning to get some mole skin for my blister which made the day a lot more enjoyable plus I wore my tennis shoes which are more comfortable. After the zoo we found a Cold Stone and got some ice cream and then drove back up to Aliso Viejo where we will stay the next 4 nights.

Highlights of the day:


Brett's:


#1: Polar Bears: The bears jumped into the water and were playing with this ball-- they were pushing it under the water and chasing it and putting it on their heads and throwing it up above water. We sat there and watched them for about 20 mins. They were so cute!






#2: The SkyFari-- This ride took us over the whole park. We decided to ride it first to the other side and then make our way back. Good thing we did because it was all down hill and I wouldn't have wanted to hike all that way.


Cali's:


#1: Panda Bears-- There was a baby that was about 10 months old and about 40 lbs-- he was so cute.







#2: Orangutans-- There were a lot of them. The dad and a little baby were wrestling fro a while and biting each others hands.. it was funny. And the mom sat and watched while playing with a piece of PVC pipe.



#3: Burmese Python--I have always loved these snakes.. I would love to hold one some day :)

Sea World

Today, Brett and I were at Sea World. I had never been before and Brett hadn't been since he was 15. We had a lot of fun. We saw the shows and all the animals. We did a behind the scenes tour that took us to the animal care unit- they showed us where they take the animals that they bring in from the wild to rehabilitate. We got to pet some sharks and then we went over to where the birds are rehabilitated. It was pretty cool. We had so much fun.... We must have walked a million miles today and I ended up getting a blister on the bottom of my foot from my flip flops. I will be wearing my tennis shoes tomorrow.

Highlights of the day...

Cali's
#1: Shamu Shows-- (day and night)
#2: Touching the Bat Rays
#3: Arctic Animal Exhibit-- (especially the Beluga Whales)

Brett's
#1: Journey to Atlantis (roller coaster-splash mountain like ride)
#2: Sea Lion Show
#3: Cirque de la Mer

Day at the Beach

Brett and I have made it to California! We drove all day Sunday and arrived in Orange County around 8:30 pm. We slept the night at Brett's uncle Greg and aunt Elaine's house. They are currently in Omaha so we had the house to ourselves.

Today was officially the first day of our vacation-- we drove down the road to Laguna Beach and walked along the beach for a while, and then we drove down to a San Clemente beach to meet up with Tim Vidmar, one of Brett's mission companions. We had fun at the beach but we stayed way too long and we both got pretty bad sunburns.
After that, we drove down to San Diego, where we have a hotel for the next 2 nights. We went to the mall and bought a]Aloe Vera gel and went to Hard Rock Cafe for dinner.

I hope that the sunburns don't ruin our week. Its no fun at all to have a sunburn!

Go Owlz!

Last night was opening day for the Orem Owls!! I went with Leslie and Dallin... Brett met us there after work. The game started at 7 and ended up going into extra innings. At the start of the top of the 12th inning, the power went out... So they started the fireworks early! The game went on to a 13th inning before we finally pulled the win off. My brother Dallin is crazy-- he spent most of the game rolling down a hill in the outfield.. He just wanted to see the fireworks. But it was really fun.

Fathers

Fathers day is a hard day for me. Every year I think it will get better and it is always sad. For those who do not know already, my dad drowned up at Deer Creek Reservoir when I was in High School. I spent a good time of the day thinking about my dad and what I would be like or where I would be if he was still here. I miss him a lot.
He was a great dad and I will always love him and appreciate what he did for me and what he taught me and the fun we had while he was here.

I am very grateful for my father in law. Especially for raising such a wonderful son. I look up to Brett's dad and love him very much. He is a great man.

And also for my mom's husband Jerry. He works really hard to support her and the kids and he has been good for my mom.

On Saturday, our adoption papers came in the mail. We have set up August 6th as our day to go to our first meeting and meet with our social worker. That gives us time to get our recommendation letters together and get the loads of paperwork filled out. So yesterday was special to Brett as well. We hope that by next year he will be a daddy. The waiting list is anywhere from 6 months up to 2 years, though there is never a certainty with this process. We wanted a family early in our marriage and have been trying for a little over 2 years with what the doctors call "unexplained infertility", but we know that we have been blessed to get to spend this time together as a couple, to do things that we wouldn't otherwise been able to do, and to get to the point where we feel we will be financially ready when a baby does get placed with us.

Mandi, Brett's sister had her 2nd baby today. its our very first nephew on the Smith side. They named him Cameron Michael. Brett and I went to the hospital after work to see him. He is so little. He was born around 7:30 this morning. He weighed 6 lbs 2 oz & 20 inches.
He is grandma and grandpa Smith's 5th grand baby-- and all born with in 2 & 1/2 years of each other. I'm lucky to have such cute nieces and nephews.. they are a great blessing.

I hope all the fathers and future fathers had a great fathers day and know how much they are appreciated.

Summerfest

Summer fest is always fun... The rides, the fireworks and family.

But yesterday was... well interesting.
Roclistic has a booth there at Summerfest this year. It was really great for our business and we more than doubled our profit for those two days. Friday Tyler sat at the booth for 12-10. And Saturday was Brett's turn and I wanted to hang out with him so we both were there from 9am-10pm... it was the longest day ever. But we had as much fun as we could i guess...

My brother Brian came to see us there with his wife and 3 kids. It had been a while since we had seen them so it was good to get to play with them for a while. They stayed and the kids played with the dog for a bit and i got to talk to Brian and his wife Nadia. We planned a BBQ at their house this Wed.

I was looking forward to the fireworks but about an hour or two before there was constant business and there wasn't even a second to rest.. I knew Mimi would get scared by the fireworks but I had no idea what she was going to do. Her leash was staked to the ground and all the sudden the fireworks started and she took off so fast, pulling the steaks out of the ground. She ran in front of a car that barely missed her and then continued for about a mile down the road and all the while she is yelping really loud. I was running like crazy after her and finally, there was a guy that had caught her leash which was being dragged behind her. She was scared to death, poor thing. I felt so bad. So I walked back with her watching the fireworks as I walked and covered her ears.

By the time we got back the fireworks were about over, but Trevor, Brett's brother has shown up with his daughter Tori. She was scared of the fireworks too. But I got to play with her for a while while the cars were being brought in to pack everything up.

So, business was great, the day was long and I will never take my dog to see the fireworks again.