Olympics

 A few weeks ago, I went down to my parent's house because Kim, Wendy and crew were there visiting. I couldn't miss an opportunity to have some major fun. So Luke and I packed up the car/I did while Luke did his best to make it not so easy for me, and we hugged Daddy goodbye and headed to crazy town.

While we were there, we decided to celebrate the Olympics and get ready for the Opening Ceremonies that Saturday night. So we were very multicultural.  We decided to kick off the Olympics this year in a new way.  Each day we recognized a different country or countries.  We had different activities and foods to make the days fun.  Monday started out with Great Britain and Europe in general.  We had crepes for breakfast, fondue for lunch, and went boating on the Riviera.  Really, it was Lake Mission Viejo, but still, homes on a lake/river...Just like Venice!

 Luke didn't like wearing his life jacket and just as we reached the furthest part of the lake, he decided to have a serious melt down. As we were driving back in our max speed, 14 party boat, Megan said after about 5 minutes of intense screaming and crying, "Can't he go on the other boat?" I feel you Megan.

 Tuesday was Asia day.  We went to the beach, don't know how "Asian" that was but that night we sat on the ground around very low tables and ate dumplings, won tons, rice, honey seared shrimp, and fortune cookies.  All the kids tried their hands, or I should say...fingers, at chop sticks. 

Luke and Liz were best of buds. He would follow her around and copy everything she did. He's way into that right now. He thinks he's a big kid, like his cousins.

 Wednesday was Italy, and Mexico?  We ate yummy lasagna, but spent the day at the Mormon Battalion and Old Town San Diego. Go figure...  Cole was selected to be our brave Mormon soldier, everyone got their lot in gold, we washed clothes and pumped our own water.  In Old Town, we found a quaint candy shoppe just for us!  Cousins Candy Shoppe, of course we had to get some and eat it and get some more.  Then we all tried some sarsaparilla and lavender ginger soda (gross), saw the very first school house and found a jail cell that I would like to have as a time out room!

 

Hasn't anyone ever told these two not to look down the wrong end of a canon? I guess they never got the memo. 

 

 Thursday was Mexico, so of course we went to Irvine....I know, I know, but you've got to get creative when you are dealing with 10 kids and 4 adults, naps, weather and attraction schedules!  Anyway, Thursday we went to ride in the worlds LARGEST helium balloon.  That's right, not hot air balloon,  but HELIUM balloon.  The Big Orange Balloon to be exact.  It goes up 400 feet and you can see forever.  It's totally free to ride up in, as is the carousel next to it.  We went up, we saw, my knees went weak, the kids loved it!  We also rode the carousel and played at the Kid's Rock park.  Did I mention it's all FREE!!! 

 That night we ate enchiladas, wore sombreros and did our version of the Mexican hat dance.

 

Friday was all American day.  We spent the day trying our hand at the paddle board and had hamburgers and hot dogs at the beach.  Paige, Nathan and Cole really got good at the paddle boards. Cole and Kate both took me for rides on the paddle board. It was really fun.

It was a great way to end our Olympic week, and while some of our foods and activities may have been stretching it a bit, the kids got excited for the Olympics and learned a little bit more about some of the participating countries.  Did I mention that we also made flags from each of the countries and had them hanging around the house as a decoration?

It was really fun week, I love spending time with my family and only wish we lived closer so everyday could be action packed. I miss my sisters so much and am so grateful to have a family that loves to spend time together and do silly activties for these crazy kids.