Home for the Holidays

There are few things in life that I really really love.

Ok, I take that back. I do love quite a lot of things.

And easily get excited over things I love.

However, towards the top of the list is California and my nieces and nephews.

Combine those things, and you've got one happy Leigh.

I also love working for a school. Giving me the opportunity to be home with my little California kiddies for a long time.

Upon arrival to Los Angeles, the first thing I ditched were my Uggs.

 No need for those when temps are in the 70s and I need to soak up as much warm weather as much as possible.

The Christmas days were spent at Laura's new home in the OC. Its a little weird that she lives there now. But since I have still seen her everyday since I've been here, it hasn't completely affected me.

 

I love spending Christmas Eve with the kids. I love that as soon as they go to bed so excited, we turn into Santa's Workshop. I really don't do much except watch the real adults put together the toys. But I do love to be Santa and eat his cookies and carrots.

 

I got the privilege of sleeping with Chase on Christmas Eve. He woke up three times in the night in excitement. After the fact, it was really cute and I loved how sweet and excited he was. During the night it wasn't so fun.

 

Christmas morning is always so exciting with the kids. I loved seeing how happy they were. And was perfectly content to hold Lyla throughout most of the morning.

I was able to spend the next few days at Laura's house enjoying time with the kids.

We stayed in our jammies till noon, watched movies and cuddled.

 

Rode bikes and scooters to the park,

swam in the pool

 and even went to the beach.

It was so perfect.

I am still trying to get in as much cuddles, short-wearing and sun soaking in as much as possible.



Viva Los Dodgers

After a week long stay at home with Kelly and the kids, I opted out of driving back to Utah with her. 

It wasn't because the drive was obnoxious with 4 crazy kids...

It was cause the week Kelly came, the Dodgers were out of town. 

But the week after they were playing the Giants. At Home. 

It just wouldn't be right to go to CA and not be able to see the Dodgers. 

I wouldn't be able to handle it. I thought the winters in Utah were gonna be tough, but its actually the summer. No Dodgers and No beach. 

Its rough not being able to go to a game any night I'd like. 

So the first chance I got, I had to go. And especially to as many as possible. 

Luckily, Laura and Matt hooked us up to Monday's night game with some sweet tickets. 

I always say there isn't a bad seat in Dodger Stadium. 

But sitting so close is always so nice. 

All of the expected emotions occurred upon my arrival back to the happiest place on earth: complete glee, hyperventilating and I wouldn't be surprised if I got teary eyed. 

The game was perfect. Family, hot dogs and a W. 

And the cherry on top? Chase got on DodgerVision for the Dance Cam. 

He was so excited and had great dance moves. 

{about 10 mins prior to this he was acting really sad and saying he had never, ever been on the big screen. Ask and ye shall receive!}

Tuesday. Now this game I just HAD to go to. 

It was a Dodger Giveaway! A Beach Towel! 

How could I not get one? 

This time with friends. 

Another hot dog and another win. 

I went home that night debating if I should go again on Wednesday. 

Three games in three days!? 

Is that a bit crazy? 

Possibly. 

But when you don't have the chance every day to go AND when we were on the brink of sweeping the  filthy Giants!?

And to think of missing that!? --now that, would be more crazy. 

Luckily, my friend Mike expressed interest in going and he just made my dreams come true of attending the third game. 

And guess what? 

WE WON. 

A sweep of the Giants. 

And that my friends was the beginning of the Dodgers come back. 

We are back in this. And I wouldn't mind attributing it to my dedication of that series. 

California Livin.

Every summer I look forward to my sister Kelly and her kids coming to CA for a week long summer trip. 

This years visit was a bit different because I got to do the visiting as well. 

I was pretty excited to actually make the drive with Kelly. She probably could see my excitement as she  pulled up to my house at 7:30 am and I was already sitting on the sidewalk waiting for her. 

We had a really great drive and then a great trip. 

I love those little kiddies and love spending time with them. 

We kept really busy and were able to hit lots of fun outings and of course lots of pool time. 

Magic Mountain. 

I instantly regretted not going to Hurricane Harbor. It was so hot. 

And being the youngest of the adults, I feel like I got roped into going on all of the big rides with the big kids. 

Which got me feeling sick. And fretting over my cell phone as I did not leave it when we went on X2. Bad decision. That and flip flops. 

Beach Time. 

Theres nothing much better than the beach in the summer. We got really lucky this year with a great beach day. Since I swear every year past it is cloudy and so cold when we go with Kelly. 

The little kids had so much fun. 

I love silly Mia at the beach. Screaming and jumping into the water. 

I buried all the kids and helped dig a really awesome hole. 

I cant lie though. There was a really big favorite part of this trip. 

Lyla. 

I am pretty sure she is suppose to be my child. Heavenly Father just mixed her up a bit. 

She has blonde hair and blue eyes and just melts my heart. 

I miss her every day (disclaimer: I miss them all, but Lyla....oh Lyla)

Valley Ventures: The Endeavor

I have been back to my Valley hood all week and love being poolside, hanging out with my family, being in traffic and seeing downtown.
While being back home, I thought it fitting to bring back the Valley Ventures.

 This past week we ventured out to the California Science Center to see the retired space shuttle, The Endeavour.

Every since it got retired at brought back to LA in October I have been wanting to go.
Before seeing the ship we went through a short Museum all about space travel and specifically the Endeavor.
I was intrigued with the section on using the restroom while in space.
Never thought about the gravity issue...I thought it was interesting, however my 9 year old niece was pretty grossed out.
These are the tires last worn by the Endeavour. The wear seen here is from just one landing of the ship, and must be changed after each mission. Tires are $5,000...a piece.

One of the coolest parts of the space shuttle coming to LA was the fact that it arrived via an airplane and then was taken throughout the streets of LA to get to the Science Center.

We watched a short film of the time lapse of the shuttles drive through LA.
To see the video, you can go here.
Roads had to be reinforced to support the weight, streets poles had to be moved, electricity needed to be cut and the shuttle had to be carefully maneuvered around trees.

Now on to the Space Shuttle...

The Endeavour is only one of five shuttles built.
It was named after Captain James Cook's ship and his first voyage.
It was built to replace the Challenger, which was lost in 1986.
It's first launch was in 1992 and had a total of 25 missions.
It orbited 4, 671 times.

{photo bombed by Laura & Lyla}
It was really cool to see it up close.
I mean, this thing went into OUTER SPACE!
How mind blowing is that!?