Fall Break 2014- Southern California

California…knows how to party… California… know how to partya…

Oh yeah had a fun time for fall break in California! We hadn't been to California since 2006 or so, the first time we lived in AZ. It did not disappoint this time either!! We left Sunday morning- Ethan had Order of the Arrow Ordeal until Saturday night. We arrived at the Gray's house for lunch and had an awesome time catching up with them.

Kids on the stairs!

 We went to the Mormon Battalion Visitors Center which was so much fun. I wish I had a few more pictures but it got dark quickly!

Monday: SeaWorld

The Bat Rays were so fun. The clambered around us ( at least a few times) looking for food. Kind of like a slippery version of Cougar. A wet, slimy, non furry, puppy.

 Sadie could have stayed here all day!

 Getting soaked in the soak zone!

 Peace out Eth.

 Started out as 3 sets of puffs...

 Then went to 4!

 Jo and Eli.



Got some Chinese for dinner, and then saw the San Diego temple and stopped there.

 My favourite peeps in the whole world!

 American flag at the San Diego temple.

Tuesday: Hotel del Coronado and beach

 Couldn't get enough of the beach at Coronado. So beautiful.

 Stopped at LaJolla Cove to see the seals.

 It was funny- walking back to our car from the cove we ran into the Smith family- some friends from our ISU days. So fun to catch up with them!

 Whip? nae nae? We drove south and stopped at a Mexican restaurant. Then we headed over to La Jolla beach.

 Rinsing off in the hot tub.

Wednesday morning we drove up to the LA temple visitors centre when the Gollahers are serving. It was so much fun to chat with them! Pres and Jill have had a huge impact on Curtis from his mission in Brazil forward. They are so willing to serve and happy as they do it! Plus super cool.

 Temple Grounds.

LA Temple exterior

Kids in a tree… how can that be...

Typical.

 Cute girls in a tree

Dang that flag pole.

That's better...

Janie is getting pretty good with my camera!

 I like this one.

 Janie took this one.

 Sadie at Nancy and Jack's house! We left the LA temple and made it to the Pratt's home around 7. Traffic was bad but I guess that is normal.

Thursday we drove to Oxnard and drove past all the old family places- This is at Channel Islands which used to be Camarillo State Mental Hospital where Grandma Tanner worked for 17 years.

 The ward building that Grandpa Tanner built.

 205 Hemolck- where my dad and Aunt Nancy grew up.

 We got to see my cousin Ken, who I haven't seen for many years. Where is that picture of Janine. So fun to see my cousins.

Janie and Jack.

Janie and Nancy.

 Sad to say goodbye! A nice visit with special people. So grateful for a wonderful family!

On the way home Ethan wanted to see the Hollywood letters, so we drove up to the Griffith Observatory.

 What a neat building. We didn't stay long but glad we stopped.

 And home! Getting out of LA was no fun, I am grateful that Curtis was driving. A stop at Von's for some Ritz and easy cheese ( wish I was kidding) and then 6 hours in the car. A great fall break for the books.

September 28-Oct 4 2015

A good busy week at the LaClaire house! This week's pictures are going from Sunday backwards:

We went to Fountain Hills in between conference sessions Sunday, it was a little hot but great to get out and have a walk together.

 Curtis helped Janie and Sadie pose like the little statue.

Watching conference sometimes turns into this...

Earlier this month the girls and I made some snicker doodles together and it was fun.

Ethan, Eli and Jonah are all playing flag football and having a really good time. Ethan with Kenyon and Quinton. red cheeks. It is still hot!!!

 Janie and Sadie are taking a ballet/tap class at the the Dance Barn.

 Janie makes the sweetest notes! She has so much love in her heart!

I randomly went and pick up Ethan from school Thursday for lunch. We went to Smashburger. That was so good and so fun!

Janie Kate turns 7!!!

Janie was so so so excited for her Birthday. She wanted a fish. Not a fish dinner (although she loves to eat salmon when I make it). No, she wanted a pet and was not going to stop asking, reminding, hinting, until she had a fish in a bowl in her room! So Saturday morning we went to her soccer game, and then to petco where we she found him, her dream fish! He is purple and blue with reddish coloured fins- and I think she settled on the name Chancho although Violet and Ken were up there too. This year was family birthday party so we waited for Ethan and Eli to get home from their camporee, and then we went to eat at Freddy's! But first we had to stop at Krispy Kreme dressed up as pirates to get a dozen free doughnuts! Super fun! After dinner we dropped off the boys to see Maze runner 2, and Janie and Sadie and I went to see Inside Out. We almost ate a large popcorn between the 3 of us!

7 great things about Janie:

1- Janie is kind and considerate. Today we were saying her prayers and I asked her who she wanted to pray- me or her? She said you pick. I said ok I will pray. She said no it's ok I'll pray and you can- you know- just relax.
2- Janie says  -you know- as an add on to many of her sentences. Its- you know- very cute and fun to hear her use this alot.
3- Janie is super affectionate and LOVES to give kisses on the lips. I mean closes her eyes and gets into it. Worried about this! haha!
4- Janie gave her friend Kelly a Book of Mormon a few weeks ago. She told Kelly and her dad that you have to read it EVERYDAY. EVERY MORNING. Kelly didn't know about Jesus (I guess they had this conversation on the bus a few times) and Janie couldn't believe that. She told me a few times that she had to teach Kelly about Jesus because Kelly didn't know. Fearless testimony that Janie.
5- Janie by nature is a caretaker of people. Even at her young age she often will see a need that someone else has and will take care of it right away. She covers me up with blankies if I fall asleep on the couch. She would try to change Sadie's diaper before Sadie was potty trained. She is very capable and get things done. I am excited for her to developed this talent.
6- When Janie grows up she wants to be a Doctor and a Mom. She drew a picture for Mrs. Knoles and I think those things would suit her.
7-Janie loves to sing and will walk around the house singing with a little vibrato. She also loves to play mine craft on the iPad.