Hard to believe that May is almost over and I hardly remember it starting! We have been busy with visitors and that has made for an enjoyable month. The month started with the visit from my cousin Danina and her husband Brandon. Next we were off to Palm Desert to catch up with Adam's brother Danny and his wife Heather and little boy, Brayden, while they were out this way vacationing. We had a great time with them. The girls loved feeding the ducks and geese at the condo and were ecstatic to spend time in the swimming pool. We also spent a day out at the beach and even found a Cafe Rio in L.A. -oh, happy day! That is one of our favorites and was a very welcome taste of home. On our way back from L.A., Alexis wanted to stop in Hollywood with hopes of catching a glimpse of a Rock Star, specifically Hannah Montana. All we found was a picture but had a fun time wandering along the shops just outside of Universal Studios.
Next came the Kindergarten Hat Parade. Alexis class all had the opportunity to decorate a "hat" to wear while they performed a few songs for their parents. It was a fun evening. Alexis chose to decorate her hat with flowers and a butterfly...where you find one person decorating a hat at our house, you will likely find another. Aubrey designed her own version of a flower hat as well.
The very next day, we took off for Santa Clara where we met up with my parents and younger brothers. We spent the day at the Great America theme park, Alexis' activity of choice for her birthday. It was a great day and a lot of fun. I got pee-d on (not a first) and got to try my first Funnel Cake. We got home late that night and had just a few hours to sleep before getting up for church early the next morning where we felt a bit like the VonTrap family singers. We were asked to perform both a prelude song as well as a special musical number for Sacrament Meeting. Our family sang "Teach Me to Walk in the Light" for the prelude (Alexis was the star of that number) and was so excited to play a duet with my dad. He played the clarinet and I, the piano. It was just like old times. We used to play together late into the night and had so much fun (he holds the record for the person who can say "let's play it just one more time" the most times). It was really nice to get to do it again. Thanks dad! You're awesome!
With little recovery time, it was time to start baking cakes...and cupcakes for the birthday girl (and let's not forget the cookies for Bacca -aka cookie monster)! Alexis turned six! We took cupcakes to her class to celebrate her special day in conjunction with a friend of hers that happens to have been born the same day. They have been planning for this day since the school year began! Later that night we had a "beach party" and served Alexis' favorite meal, lemon chicken prepared by Grandma Carolee. We used sand pails for the serving dishes enjoyed a brightly colored array of decoartions. My mom knows how to throw a party! After cake and ice cream, it was time for a sad farewell to my family. It's always fun to have them come, but sad to see them go.
Now, we rest and recover...whew! A great month of May indeed!
