Beaulieu Update

It's been a month or so since I've updated the blog so I'll do a reader's digest version of life in the Beaulieu household.

 

Taylor turned 17 recently.

 

Jeff and I were going to be in New York on his birthday so we took him out a week early to celebrate. Famous Dave's is now the kid's new favorite restaurant.

 

 

 

 

 

Just a tip they bring you a really big dessert when it's your birthday.

 

 

The next day we went to Ramona to support Liesl in her color guard competition and then we stayed to see Kelzey. We didn't see either one of the girls long, enough to perform and then to say hi afterwards but they both seemed to appreciate it.

 (Ashley got a lot of hugs from Liesl and her friends ;)

 

 

That night we got a text from Tahna that she thought they had our camera.

Yay! It was brand new after our other one got stolen and it had been lost for months! She didn't know how it got there but it was in one of her bags.

 We got it back a few days before leaving for New York.

 

Then with Dairy Queen ice cream melting Taylor decided to do a good deed to go back to Steve and Tahna's again and bring Liesl her sister's phone that she had left at their house. He got back to the school just as they were giving out awards but couldn't see Liesl in the crowd very well, he felt conspicuous but got the phone delivered.

 

 

 

Oh while we were waiting for Kelzey to perform her mom slipped in to watch her and Taylor thought he'd be funny. He snuck behind her mom and started playing with her hair. It backfired on him though when Kelzey's mom didn't turn around. Then it was getting akward...so he started tugging on her hair. Eventually she turned around. She hadn't turned around before because she saw a toddler close by and thought the toddler was doing it and didn't want to get her in trouble, instead Taylor was feeling weird as it was going on longer and longer. Hee hee.

 

 

Taylor also hacked Kelzey's mom's phone earlier in the week and had me thinking that I was going to have to scold Taylor for doing something unacceptable (never knew what he was supposed to have done). I realized pretty quick that they were joking and all in on it though. Whew! He got me that time.

 

 

While we were in New York Kelzey covered Taylor's car with decorations to surprise him for his birthday.

 

 

 

 

 

He was on a campout (bouldering at Joshua Tree) when she decorated so all the balloons that she had spent lots of time blowing up to fill the back of the truck had all had popped and were scattered down the street :)

 

But these decorations remained. I was glad someone could do something for his birthday that day.

 

 

 

Once we were back in town we took Kelsey rock climbing for the first time. She did pretty good.

 

 

 

 

 

Taylor also passed his driving test and now has his license! (Here is the instructor). He has been enjoying his freedom some this last week and is getting more use of his car. There has been more than once this week that I wouldn't have been able to drive him somewhere and he was able to drive himself. Sweet! I'm think I'm going to like this

(but I do breathe a sigh of relief when he's back home safe)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And for Jacob...he finally finished his plant project that I've been stressing about (more than him probably). We went all over Riverside and probably went to 6 or 7 locations to get all of his plants, but we got them all.

(Some of them thanks to the help of fellow moms texting the locations of some of the plants)

 

 

We found the majority of them in Sycamore Canyon on the last couple of days before it was due.

 

 

 

This plant needed a cutting from it but it was buzzing. Jacob noticed the bee hive and didn't want to go anywhere near it. (It's in the middle)

 

 

We didn't find any other plants like it and so I knew I would have to go in for the cutting. Ashley was sure I was going to get stung by lots of bees and they might even kill me. I told her it was OK but I have to admit I was a little skittish by the end. Of course I got my cutting just fine without being stung.

 

 

 

 

 

The night before his project was due there was a lot of finish work. His plants weren't flat enough to put in a book like everyone else's so we did a display. He said it actually worked out because nobody else had a display like this and his stood out. He ended up getting a little extra credit because we had found all the required plants and a couple more. Sweet! Good job Jacob.

 

 

 

 

Jacob has also been on a baking fix. Every time he wants to treat his friends (or impress a girl) he wants to bring them brownies. I've made a lot of brownies this year.

 

The last time he wanted brownies and I was busy so he volunteered to make them from scratch himself.

 

Really?

Well OK.

 

Of course he couldn't really do it completely by himself but he hasn't been interested in cooking in a long time so I worked with him.

 

The first recipe turned out OK, but wasn't our favorite. 

 

I asked him how the girl liked them the next day.

 

He said "Well she is in 5th period and my 2nd period class heard I had brownies and they were all gone before 5th period..."

 

So he decided to make brownies the next night too. This time he got a different recipe and these were better.  This set of brownies ended up making it to his friend.  :)

 

 

 

As Jeff and I were getting ready to leave for the airport for New York we were packing up the boys for campouts. While Taylor was in Joshua Tree bouldering Jacob got to go black powder shooting.

Fun. Since we were gone and the boys were gone Ashley ended up having Jared and Vanessa all to herself.

 

 

 

 

And Ashley's update

 

Ashley was working on an installment of her State Project at the same time as I was helping Jacob with his plant project. That was a crazy night...and though she got it done there was some weeping and wailing. Of course waiting until the last minute causes some of this and I was trying to point out to Ashley that if she had listened to me the rest of the week when I encouraged her to work on it a little at a time then she wouldn't be stressed now. I told her maybe she would learn.

She said "I wont learn." (She wanted me to email the teacher to extend her time)

 

In the end she got it done, but woke up sick the next morning. (Could've been why she was so emotional about it) I went and put it in the teacher's box anyway that day because she had worked so hard on it.

 

 

 

 

One morning Ashley came to me with a magazine and wanted me to make tuxedo nails for her.

 

I did the best I could. Even thought they aren't as perfect as they were in the magazine she was happy with them. A few days later she was saying she was about ready to take them off. I asked why.

 

She said she was getting too much attention for them. People kept coming up to her and saying they liked her nails, even perfect strangers in public.

 

I didn't think that was a bad thing but I think because she already gets a lot of attention she doesn't want something to draw more attention to herself. So maybe no more tuxedo nails,  ha ha  :)

 

 

 

 

This last weekend were all busy and Ashley gets bored and wishes she had another sister. So  we borrow one for the day. Today we had her friend Jenna come down from Murrieta. We have found a good 1/2 way point to do pick up and drops offs but since it's still quite an ordeal getting them back and forth it usually ends up being an overnight stay. So Jenna got to stay the night at our house and go to church with us the next day.

 

Here they are taking the dog to the park to throw a ball for her. She only got to stay a couple hours after church and then we took her home. I thought it probably wasn't a very fun weekend for her but she assured us she had a good time. People at church even remembered her and her sisters from when they used to live in the area. She told Ashley she wishes she could go to church every Sunday (probably because sleeping over comes with it ;)

 

Ashley wouldn't let me get a picture of them in their cute dresses so this picture is all I have. 

 

 

 

 

 As for me I've been busy doing my normal stuff. Still selling snacks for 6th grade science camp. I made this poster for Book Fair because that was running while we were in New York. I did all the flyers and helped a little bit with Book Fair but basically I missed most of it this time.

 

 

 

We've had some celebrations...a bridal shower for Natalia Gardner and another one next week for Jared and Vanessa.

 

 

 

 

We also just went to Clair Bradford and Conrad's wedding reception. They did a beautiful job and I loved all the details in the decorations. There was a lot of thought and prep work that went into it!

 

 

 

 

 

They even had a candy bar to bring treats home at the end. They made an adorable couple and we wish them all the best.

 

 

 

 

Jeff and I just celebrated our 20th anniversary. 

 

 

It seems like we were so young...

 

 

 

Everyone else looked young too:)

 

 

But the years have gone by fast but I couldn't imagine life any other way.

 

Jeff bought me flowers that day.

 

Since it was on a school night we just decided to make a nice dinner and eat it by candlelight along with the kids.

 

However it wasn't too much of a celebration that day because the kids had too many snacks after school so they weren't too interested in the dinner and Jeff wasn't feeling good so he went to bed at 6:30.

 

 

 

 

 

Good thing we had already decided to celebrate it together on Saturday.

 

We went to Summit House in Fullerton to have a nice dinner.

 

They said they were booked and didn't have any room but when Jeff told them of the occasion they got us in at a decent time and even sat us next to the window.

 

 

 

 

They even had a special dessert for us.

 

Afterwards we drove to the beach and walked on New Port pier. We had our first date down there and it was nice to reminisce and enjoy the night together.

 

It's been a great 20 years and we're ready for many more!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Break Week, San Diego

Most of our Spring Break was me doing normal every stuff like wash, errands and house cleaning and trying to get the kids to work on school projects. Not so fun. 

At the end of the week we tried to make it feel like Spring Break.

We actually own a couple of jet skis with a friend that I've never seen and we've never used. They've needed to be serviced and we rely on our friend to store them since we don't have a spot. Well he was out on the lake with them along with his family on Thursday so we went down for the last hour they were there so we could try them out. 

The rest of us didn't get in the water much because it was late afternoon and kinda chilly.

The boys did get to try the jet skis though and Taylor was thrilled that he can ride them himself now (you are supposed to be 16). 

We'll be looking forward to warmer days and more times to be able to take them out on the lake. 

The next morning as we were packing up to go to San Diego for a couple of days we found a little "present" on the lawn. 

Since hearts were involved we thought it might be Kelzey...she said it wasn't her so right now it's a mystery. 

(We told Jacob it might be for him but he insists it wasn't ;)

Whoever it was used the good kind of toilet paper...and left a lot of rolls almost full...they were dry so I'm thinking we'll probably use them. Ha ha ha! 

After we cleaned up the yard we headed to Sea World. 

We haven't been there in a few years and the kids were open to going. Ashley got to go on journey to Atlantis. She was scared at first but then realized it wasn't bad and she's ready to go again. 

I liked being back after not going in a long time...

But the kids acted almost bored. They felt like they've been there a lot of times in the past and had seen everything. They wouldn't do the dolphin show, the touch pools, the aquariums, or look at the sharks they would'nt even check out the flamingos that were right next to us walking around free or pet the hedgehog that was 2 feet away that a trainer was holding. 

"Eeeehh", they said and walked on.

Wow!

How could you get tired of seeing this??

Well even though Shamu was impressive and I love the part where everyone gets splashed the show isn't as exciting as it used to be. The trainers are never in the water anymore and they don't even talk during the show to explain about them or tell you any facts even. 

Basically it's just a bunch of music playing while the whales are swimming around doing tricks. 

No more petting the orcas to see what they feel like, no trainers in the water and now there is a railing so the kids can't even come right up to the glass to get soaked. 

Maybe it would've been better if I didn't remember the shows in the past. 

We did like the new Manta roller coaster and here are the boys enjoying getting wet on the water ride but by 3:00 the kids were done and wanted to leave. 

That was an expensive few hours. 

Wow since it's buy a day, get the year free, we now have passes to a place that the kids act like they never want to come back to!

Well this summer I think I'll plan to go and I'll take whoever wants to come and whoever doesn't can stay home bored that day. I'll go see all the shows and look in the aquariums!

What DID the kids want to do instead of Sea World???

Check into the hotel and do this...

Welcome to "Spring Break" Jeff. 

After some down time the kids were ready to check out the downtown and get some dinner. 

We booked the Hilton Gaslamp through hotwire..pretty decent deal until you realize that parking is valet only and $40 a night. (That's almost 1/2 the rate of the room) Luckily Jeff found free parking the first night and parked in a $22 lot the next.

The good part was it was right in the heart of the gaslamp district and there were cool places to see and a mall right near us. 

Jeff and I were in the mood for a really good fish restaurant or at least something different, but since we have one child that hates fish and even the smell of it and is very vocal about it we ended up settling for a TGIFridays. Boring but at least we knew what we were going to get. 

We hit the mall afterwards and did a little shopping. That was interesting since 1/2 the mall is demolished for some kind of renovation project even though the rest of it is still open. 

Breakfast the next morning was at Denny's. Our favorite when we are traveling, their $2 and $4 breakfasts are the best. 

Taylor demonstrating his newest trick. 3 knives in a triangle holding a glass of water. This worked great until he started making it more and more precarious by moving the knives around and the glass slipped and sloshed water all over the table. Nice try. 

Our first stop of the morning while the kids were still fresh was the Mormon Battalion historic site. 

They've renovated it since I've been there last and I was impressed with the upgrades. 

We start in this courtyard where the pictures on the wall talk and start telling us the stories we then follow them from room to room as if we were going on the march with the mormon battalion members. 

Here we are stopping in the supply house to get our soldier's gear. 

Taylor getting outfitted. These rifles were a lot heavier than you would think and I couldn't imagine carrying them across the plains. 

The money from their uniform allowance (they were actually allowed to wear their own clothes) helped the rest of the saints as they were coming across the plains. 

Here they are at the outdoor campfire...looking exited ;)

At the end they could pan for gold and see molds of the bricks that they helped the San Diego residents make. 

I liked that we ended the tour in a replica of the first courthouse made out of bricks that the Mormon Battalion trained the residents to make....then 

We went over to the Old Town State Historic Park and 

Saw the actual brick courthouse that they helped make. Inside of it they talked again about the Mormon Battalion. 

You can tell that the kids were thrilled to be visiting more historic sites. 

A stop in the candy store helped them to be convinced to stop some of the complaining...

But eventually Jeff and I left them to hang out in the park as we walked into the historical buildings around the square. 

Since it was Saturday there was a lot going on like an art fair, a dance in the park and these dancers performing. 

Our last stop was this adobe house that was owned by a prominent San Diego family. The courtyard and garden was beautiful.

All the rooms were decorated in period pieces and you can tell that the adobe walls made it cooler for the people who lived in the house. 

After Old Town we drove up to La Jolla to possibly go to the beach. 

It took us about 30 minutes to find parking because there was an event they were setting up for and there wasn't anything open. 

We finally parked and the kids refuse to get out of the car. 

After trying and trying we said fine and Jeff and I got out and walked along the beach. 

We packed their swim stuff or even just flip flops if they wanted to go in the sand. 

It was a beautiful day.

People enjoying the tide pools (our kids still in the car)

Jeff and I walked to the children's beach and saw the seals. 

They look like a pile of rocks!

Then we walked back and took the kids to Seaport Village to look for some lunch. 

We ended up watching a couple of street performers, one juggling fire and another as an escape artist...and then ate the cheesiest calzone I've ever had. 

We then learned the kids do better with a break so we went back to the hotel to relax for a bit. 

The kids got in their suits and wanted to go swimming. It was still chilly for me so I just watched. 

Even though the pool was supposed to be heated it was pretty cold and they didn't stay in it long before they headed to the Jacuzzi. 

Much better (notice how they are refusing to look at the camera)

After swimming we got everyone dressed and we drove out to see Cheri and Ryan and the girls. We haven't see their new house yet. It's an adorable house in a great location in walking distance of the beach, the library and even the store. 

Ashley said that Olive talked to her more than she's ever heard before and they had fun hanging out together. 

When she walked in the door Olive said "I want to play with YOU" and pointed at Ashley. 

How cute!

After hanging out a bit we went to a great Mexican restaurant and ate with the Grovers. 

Olive sat on our side of the table and Jeff and Ashley hung out with her helping her eat her food and talking to her. 

My favorite was when a mariachi band came around and played children's songs and Olive was quietly singing "Twinkle twinkle, little star" with them.

The next morning we drove back home and tried to get ready to go back to school and work. Luckily it was conference weekend so church was TIVOed and we watched it when we got home.

Later when I asked Taylor how he liked our trip he didn't seem like he was that excited about it. He said Sea World is for little kids (OK that would've been nice to know he thought that before we went) and when I asked him what he would've rather done he said "Like go to the beach or something" Funny we took you to the beach, you wouldn't get out of the car!

Now this week I'm trying to start getting ready for Jeff and I to go to New York with his company and I'm making stuff for a craft show in May...