Some birthday pictures

Maddie's favorite thing -- CUPCAKES! We had some help decorating them!

We had some friends over as well as Maddie's grandmother, aunt, and cousins from KY.

She got some nice gifts. We had to find a bigger Elmo jacket since she still wears the 12 month sized one and it's a "little" small. She loves the chalkboard. They have them at her doctor's office and she's always enjoyed writing on it. Daddy needed help putting together the trike.

Another one of Maddie's favorite things -- M & Ms. Can you tell who's on the shell?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADDIE!!!!

Well, it's the big 2 today! I can't believe it myself. Maddie's cousins, aunt, and grandma are here to celebrate. We're going to have cupcakes (Maddie's favorite things) and ice cream. Some of the neighbors are going to come over after dinner time and help us celebrate as well. I'll post some pictures later.

Earthquake

Just in case you heard about the earthquake near L.A., we're fine. We felt it somewhat, but nothing terrible.

Life experiences:

Live in California --- X

Experience earthquake ---- X

Never thought I would do either!

L.A. Zoo & Seaside Lagoon

We visited the Los Angeles Zoo on July 6th. Maddie really liked the flamingos. She has a picture of them in one of her word books and she's always liked looking at them.




The giraffes were awful cute. There were two babies and two adults.




These guys cracked us up! Both were lounging in the sun.





Maddie and I went to the "Seaside Lagoon" last week. "The Seaside Lagoon is a salt water facility. Water for seaside lagoon comes from the other side of the breakwater, at about 50 feet deep, travels to the near by steam generating plant where they use it to cool the turbines. The water then travels under the street in large pipes to the Seaside Lagoon where it is chlorinated when entering the lagoon and de-chlorinated when leaving the lagoon back into the harbor. The Seaside Lagoon has approximately 1.5 million gallons of water and has a flow through rate of approximately 200,000 gallons per hour." (this is from their website)

KY and CA

We visited KY this last month and Grammy also came back with us for a continuing visit. We got to see our cousins. We also learned that if you eat cupcakes with blue icing, it stays blue FOREVER. I don't just mean on your skin either.... lesson learned!












I didn't really take many pictures in KY as I should. Maddie had her first bought of strep throat while there. Every single time we go there she gets something. I hope that isn't foreshadowing for when we move back home!!!!!

We visited "Hollywood Forever" cemetery off of Santa Monica Blvd. This is our second visit. We also went in October of 2006. Grammy's favorite star, Tyrone Power, is buried there along with many other good ol' Hollywood stars.

This is Douglas Fairbanks (Sr. and Jr.) grave. You can tell how huge it is with Grammy standing in front of it. The pond that leads up to it sure needs some cleaning. The whole cemetery has some very beautiful monuments.

The mausoleum where Rudolf Valentino is buried is very ornate. Check out the statues of the Saints. Jason is 6'4" so you can imagine how completely overwhelming these were.

We're not sure who is in the grave in the middle of the pond, but it's so breathtaking. Maddie and Jason are sitting next to it to give some perspective.

This is where John Ramone is buried as well. This cemetery has been used in t.v. shows and movies. We saw an episode of "Supernatural" last season that was taped there. If you look in the distance you can see the Hollywood sign.





As many of you are sick of hearing me say, "I wish Maddie would let me put her hair up," you won't have to hear it anymore!!! It's not easy and I have to move really quick~thus the messiness of the do~but she's letting me put "pretties" in her hair. Thanks Dr. Nicole for the idea!





On Grammy's last full day here in sunny CA, we went to Hermosa Beach so she could put her feet in the Pacific ocean. It's quite cold, but the native Californians don't seem to mind. Maddie's favorite is the sand. It's everywhere, diaper, shoes, car seat, etc........

Now that's sleepy......

Maddie's 1st Pony Ride

Friday we went to an equestrian center in northern Long Beach. Candy was off work so she went with us and had told us about it in the first place. Maddie loves to hang with Candy whenever possible!

This place had pony rides, petting zoo, stables for many horses, and a larger horse riding ring. Maddie loves horsies so she really enjoyed it. It was pretty hot, 102 degrees, but a "dry heat." Maddie was a little concerned when put on the pony, but when they got going, she loved it. She rode twice and the second time, when the man unbuckled her and took her off the pony, she said, "Ta-da!" He got a big kick out of that!




Another one of the ponies. They took breaks and got water. It really wasn't that bad in the shade.


Ah, my favorite, SHEEPIES!!!!

Maddie in the petting zoo area. They had a lot of goats, a pig, a miniature horse, chickens, lots of brightly colored birds, and bunnies.

This horse got a shower to cool off. He seemed to really enjoy it!

Last but not least, a little video of Maddie's 1st pony ride!

Talk to you soon!!!