HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNE!!

Anne turned 2 yesterday! No matter how many times we count, she will only say "Twee!!", and even holds up 3 fingers, so at least she'll be very ready for next year.  She's just finished off another batch of stronger antibiotic, and this time her ears AND runny nose all seemed to clear up, so we've been enjoying our much happier toddler the last week or so, and all of her increased attempts to talk and mimic what we say.  Instead of whining, she can now ask for a bowl, water, spoon, apple, orange, cheese, milk, or treat! She loves to say "Li-Li" for Emily, and "See Ya!"

We opened presents Saturday morning (before brushing hair, of course!), and before we all went over to the church to practice our family musical # for Ward Conference today.  (we were asked to sing "Love is Spoken Here"--I was wishing for 10 children today to put b/t me and the microphone, but thanks to lots of practicing and great sports, the children did great, and got us through it!)

Here is Anne w/ all of her gifts--her new outfit from G&G M (she couldn't tear hear pj's of fast enough!-she LOVES getting "JESSED!", a new baby set from us (w/ a stroller, carseat, etc.), and books and a cool glitter ball from G&G D.  (I thought it was such a good idea to ask Emily and Spencer to take some pictures of her while I got the birthday dinner ready--and while they did an excellent job, all of the pictures have a distinct smudge on the left side--to match the lens, I now notice--you still get the idea!).  Oh, and you'll notice the "new" ottoman she's sitting on--a $40 find from KSL.com that we picked up yesterday in SL.  The apt. where we had to go also happened to be a couple of blocks past Siegfried's--our favorite German Deli, so we picked up some meat, cheese, and bread for some DELICIOUS sandwiches on the way home.  Anne gobbled down 3!!

We had our Duncan cousins over for BBQ drumsticks and eclair cake (we missed Masina & Nate, who were at a volleyball tournament)

And while the picture turned out great--she actually coughed these candles out :).  We do love our Anne, though! As a newborn, she was blessed to learn from others around her, and she is definitely quick at picking out everything we're doing and copying it.  She LOVES going bye-bye, playing w/ her babies, finding socks and shoes,  reading stories, taking baths, being "pretty," playing "doggy" and singing her sweet songs--she went to bed singing her own version of "Happy Birthday" and had 3 pieces of cake before that!

40th bday & ER

seaworld and tidepools

Dec 30-31, 2009

For Christmas this year, Santa brought everyone a ticket to SeaWorld, so the morning after the wedding, we loaded up (w/ Scott & Rebekah’s family—all in our limitless van!) for SeaWorld!! Since Grandma & Grandpa were there last year w/ TJ&Kristen (Orlando style), they highly recommended making time for the shows.  We got through the gates w/ our maps and schedules, and realized we were just in time for the first Shamoo show of the day, so found seats as quick as we could.  Brian and Scott sat with the kids in the splash zone, while Becka and I kept the babies dry.  Now, we had watched the online pictures of Shamoo plenty of times in preparation for this trip, but WOW!!!—Nothing compares with being there in person!! Those huge springing whales are spectacular! They rival the views at Yellowstone in grandeur!! My breath was just taken away again and again!! And though I was pretty bummed at not being able to ride ANY of the ride in my “delicate” condition, I was glad the next day, to be able to take Anne and Margot to see the show again while everyone above 48” (and w/o any condition) rode Shipwreck Rapids. 

After doing a huge project on sharks last year, Brent was thrilled at the Shark tanks you got to walk through and under.  Anne could’ve waved at the manatees all day, the penguins had an environment that made you feel like you were IN Antarctica, and the seals, and pets shows were hilariously amazing! Though I again missed the helicopter flight simulation ride (which made all of the Duncan boys sick), the Polar exhibits, where we saw 3 huge polar bears very close up, the ENORMOUS walruses being fed, and gorgeous, almost glowing beluga whales were exhilarating.  I had been so concerned about 2 days being too much there—with only a few rides, and not enough detail in the maps to tell me otherwise, I was just hoping everyone would enjoy it.  I now think I could’ve taken a week to enjoy it all! Especially for my motion-sensitive family (Scott and Rebekah had to take Maddie & Em on the real roller coaster), the rides were just right, and the exhibits and aquariums are all premium quality, with the shows being just the right topper! There was still a lot we didn’t even get to—w/ ice skating always available, a 3D movie, and the kids ALL loved the giant Sesame Street playland w/ a few kid-friendly rides (I STILL wasn’t allowed on), and the biggest playground we’d ever seen.  It wore us all out, but we were so glad we took the chance to go! It was really fun to have cousins to go with too!

The second day, we did only spend half at Seaworld, so we could meet up with a lot of the other family at Point Loma to eat lunch, and see all the tide pools, while it was still low tide.  Those tide pools are like an aquarium to themselves.  Brent got out far enough to see lobsters w/ Grandpa, and Anne and I had fun watching all the sea urchins contract when you poked them.  Quite an amazing terrain!—and another beautifully exhausting day!

And since I'm having issues with labeling my photos again, here's the amazing whales, visiting the shark tank, everyone but me and the babes on Shipwreck Rapids (MUCH wetter than the splash zone!)--where my amazing timing allowed me to not only watch Shamu first, but come back and end up where I could grab a quick picture of them on the ride!; Then, more aquariums, and lots of fun shots at the tide pools.

 

Wedding

Dec. 29, 2009

Well, the big day finally arrived, and our WHOLE family got to be in the temple together to see Nick and Laurie sealed (except dear Rebekah, who stayed out at the last minute to help keep the children alive).  The temple, even after seeing pictures, was AMAZING in person, and so beautiful inside, with light pouring in everywhere.  It was so nice to hear the words of the sealer, reminding us all of the importance in every temple ordinance, and SO good to get Laurie really into the family.  It was fun to be around her family that week, and amazing how natural it all seemed to be together! I always wonder at these events, how long ago things were set into motion to get to this point—esp. when it seems like it’s been this way (or should’ve been!) all along.  Family is SOO fun! We got some family pictures outside the temple after, though none that inspired me to send off Christmas cards like I intended! And a favorite moment—just a week before Brian’s 40^th birthday, was his going into the Distribution Center there, and in his tux and flower, being congratulated as being the father of a bride!! Nick was only 10 when we were married, but it sure made Brian feel grown up! The reception that night was back at the Rane home, and Delicious and lovely, and they were SO hospitable to let the children hang out in a bonus room upstairs, before we all sent them off w/ a trail of sparklers!! I LOVE these family weddings, where you DO know and enjoy a lot of the people there, but where (at least, as a child) the personal stress level is blissfully low! It’s just so good to sit back and enjoy it all!