Auntie Jillian has arrived! Now the real family fun can begin! Father’s Day, Anniversary, Recital, Disneyland and much much more. Cant wait but I certainly don’t want the time to go by too fast. Let’s hope it doesn’t get too crazy and we can enjoy the time we have.
Tag: Family
Grandma and Grandpa Taylor Are Here!
Grandma and Grandpa Taylor have arrived here in California! So excited to have them here. What a crazy week we have in store for us, but I am excited. It is a bit bittersweet, as its the last big trip they will make here to visit us. After this we are off to Seattle and while I know they will visit even more there, we wont have places like the Santa Barbara Zoo or Disneyland to go to.
We are still so excited about their visit and the move. This is the last bit of rest and fun before things are in full swing. So, now its time to visit and enjoy the time together!
A Belated Mother’s Day Trip
Happy Belated Mothers Day everyone!
As if we haven’t been sick enough, I ended up with a tummy bug the night before Mother’s Day so all of our plans had to be postponed. So today we celebrated and enjoyed a day in Santa Barbara at the zoo with Grandma Zoe. The weather was beautiful and everything seemed to work out just right for us.
The newest buzz at the zoo was the birth of two baby giraffes. From two different mothers, Sunshine and Dane were born within a week of one another and during the morning hours they were out in the habitat for everyone to see. We had to make sure we caught a glimpse of them before heading to Seattle!
Aside from the baby giraffes, the big excitement for the day was having a chance to feed the giraffes! Knowing Abby’s fear of some animals I thought for sure that she would back out of this. But to my surprise she didn’t. In fact, she loved it and was sad when all of her lettuce was gone! After the feeding she talked all day about how long, slimy and purple the giraffes tongue was. What a fabulous experience!
We had a lot of luck at the zoo and had the chance to see so many animals. All of them were out and moving around which is a rarity. When everything had been seen and we had had enough, we hoped back into the car. As we tried to leave, we were caught in the tail end of the Amgen California bike race. Once through that we took a lovely drive and then headed home.
As a final bit of fun we stopped in Camarillo at Ottavio’s for dinner, which was delicious! It was the perfect close to a great Mother’s Day.
 |
| This Black -crowned Night Heron was very interested in what we had to eat. |
 |
| Big smiles and happy tummies. A little lunch before our trip through the zoo. |
 |
| Ellie is explaining many things… |
 |
| Love baby giraffes! Meet Dane and Sunshine the newest members of the SB Zoo family. |
 |
| Abby feeding Michael the Giraffe. He was one hungry boy! |
 |
| Look at those big lips and tongue! Ellie couldn’t stop giggling! |
 |
| A little love from mama. |
 |
| Neema the lioness was happy as a clam chewing on her bone. Abby and Ellie were so excited the she was this close to them. |
 |
| Beautiful girl. |
 |
| Deep in thought. I love that you can see Ellie’s reflection on the glass . |
 |
| Elephants getting one of their hourly “snacks” |
 |
| Best Buddies! |
 |
| Hiding in the shadows. |
Our Next Chapter… A Big Adventure.
The Wharton’s have BIG news! No this family of four IS NOT becoming a family of five. I know that’s what some of you were thinking though. Nice try!
Our big announcement is that just like Dorothy, we are leaving home and heading to the Emerald City!
Don’t speak code and cliche’? That means we are leaving our home here in Porter Ranch and moving to Seattle (also known as The Emerald City)!
This is a big adventure for us. One that is exciting, scary, sad and happy all at the same time. We are excited about the new changes this will bring, the chances of living in such a beautiful city again, and the closeness it will bring with some of our family. We are happy to give our children the chance at better schools, smaller towns and a better environment for them to grow up in. But we are also sad that we have to leave family and friends that we love and we have to say goodbye to the places we love to travel to like Disneyland, the Santa Barbara Zoo and much more. However, this isn’t a permanent goodbye as there will always be vacations and visits. I love Seattle and its weather but I am sure that every now and then we might need a dose of California sunshine.
Many of the details are not in place just yet but we will keep you posted as things change. For now our goal is to be moving by mid-July. There is a lot to do before we can say that for sure, like finding a place to live. Until then I will begin the process of packing, which I was a pro at but now that we have two children I have a feeling my packing prowess needs a bit of fine tuning. I guess that is why we will start early!
Stay tuned for more updates from The Whartons. There will be plenty to read over the next few months!
Disneyland, Rain or Shine!
Disneyland, what can I say? We cant seem to get enough. Today we headed to the Magic Kingdom with Grandma Zoe for a day of fun. The weather would be cooler and there was a chance of rain but that didn’t stop us! That’s what our rain jackets and ponchos are for! Besides, rain keeps the crowds away and that is always a plus when visiting Disneyland.
When we arrived the crowds were definitely smaller then normal and the rain seemed to hold off. Right out of the gate the girls ran into a few of their favorite characters like Pluto and Goofy but the highlight of our trip down main street was the one and only, Mickey Mouse. In the spirit of meeting characters we headed over to the old Carnation Plaza and stage that has now been converted into the Princess Faire. There you can watch a show and meet several of your favorite princesses. Abby and Ellie were lucky enough to see Princess Aurora, Ariel and Cinderella Once they had their fill we caught the Tangled stage show and it was adorable. Once again Disney put together something great for kids and adults too!
 |
| Waiting patiently at the trams for a fun day at Disneyland! |
 |
| No biggie… its just Micky Mouse! |
 |
| Little miss cheeser waiting in line to see Pluto! |
 |
| Happy to see Princess Aurora! |
 |
| Its Ariel! Ellie’s favorite princess! |
 |
| Cinderella… |
 |
| Exploring the Big Blue! |
 |
| A little wet from the rain but ready to ride on Winnie the Pooh. |
 |
| Looking cute in her poncho and ready to see Winnie the Pooh! |
After a few rides like Buzz Lightyear, we stopped for some lunch and then continued on our way. We took a journey with the Nemo and the gang and then decided to take a trip down the rabbit hole with Alice. Then Ellie and I took a spin in the tea cups since no one else likes them! As we ended our ride on the tea cups it began to rain. So we put on our rain gear and headed to our next destination. The rain didn’t last long, but it certainly cleared the place out a bit.
The remainder of our day was spent riding Winnie the Pooh and then heading over to California Adventure for a few of the girls favorites. After that it was time to throw in the towel and go home! Once again we had a great time at the Magic Kingdom and we hope to be back again very soon. Until next time Disneyland!
Two Sickies and One Big Sicko!
The month of April was a bit of a bummer. Our activities were pretty limited which is why there aren’t too many posts for you to enjoy. That is all, due in part, to most of us being sick. Shaun has managed to escape it all but the girls and I weren’t so lucky.
It all started with my sinus infection and conjunctivitis that reared its ugly head on Easter. That left me on 10 days of antibiotics, steroids and eye drops. Within those ten days, both Abby and Ellie ended up with pink eye as well. Abby even missed a week of school because it was so aggressive.
Two weeks after my Easter ER trip, I landed there again. This time my throat was so sore I couldn’t even swallow without horrible pain and each time it left me in tears. The odd thing was that my throat wasn’t horribly red or swollen and my tonsils were only slightly inflamed. The ER doc told me it was just irritation from post nasal drip, but I was skeptical. As an allergy sufferer I have nasal drip often and never have a felt like this. So I made an appointment with my ENT and discovered that I had viral tonsillitis. See, sometimes your gut is right.
During that time, Ellie ended up sick again. This time with a cough and a very high fever, around 104. She was down about three to four days before returning to her normal, happy go lucky self. Nothing is worse then seeing your little ones sick. Ellie’s cough sounded so horrible and I knew it hurt her, but after several more visits to Dr. Calig, we found that it was just a cough and it needed to run its course. It did, but it was hard, especially since I was even close to being my best.
 |
| My poor little monkey waiting for Dr. Calig to diagnose her pink eye. |
 |
| My little monkey at her worst. This was around the highest point of her fever. For those who know Ellie, just laying there and watching movies is a sure sign shes sick. When healthy I can barely get her to sit still for more then 20 minutes at a time. |
 |
| Her fever was high, close to 105. She slept on the air matress next to mommy’s side of the bed so that I could watch over her. She finally fell asleep and was restful that night. Her fever broke too! |
 |
| Finally up and feeling better. Still a bit feverish but nothing like the few days before. So happy our little monkey is on the mend! |
Both Abby and Ellie are healthy now and mommy is trying her best to be the same. Just as my tonsillitis had run its course, I ended up with a cough. Within a week, maybe less, it had progressed into something nasty. After yet another trip to see my ENT, I discovered it was a bad case of bronchitis. So now I am on a seven day treatment of antibiotics, more steroids and an inhaler. While the cough is still there I am now sleeping through the night again and starting to feel better. Thank goodness!
Through all of this Shaun has been amazing. He took care of the girls, tried his best to keep up with the house and made sure all of the daily routines stayed the same. I truly have an amazing and patient husband and I am so thankful he was here to watch over us. My hope is that he stays healthy after all of this too! Thank you Shaun for all of your love and support. You are amazing and I love you so much!
A Special Baseball Game
Today was a very special baseball game. Uncle James, who plays for Cal State LA, was playing in his final home game of the regular season. Before the game everyone said their official goodbyes to the graduating seniors and their parents and families were honored as well. It was a bittersweet moment. SO glad to see James being honored but also sad to see his time playing college baseball coming to an end.
It was the perfect day for a game, warm but beautiful down in LA. Something must have been in the air though because this time we weren’t a jinx. The team played their final home game and went out with a bang, beating the away team. Afterwards the team invited the families and friends of the players to enjoy pizza and desert on the field. There were lots of hugs, pictures and laughs. The girls even had the chance to play a bit on the field. Both Abby and Ellie seemed pretty excited to play on the pitchers mound. Future softball players, maybe?
What a great way to end the season! Thank you Uncle James for letting us be a part of it!
 |
| Two cuties ready for a great game! |
 |
| Abby is at the mound and ready to pitch her first game. |
 |
| Abby and Ellie with their favorite Uncle! We love you Uncle James! |
 |
| Let’s play some ball! |
Disneyland Time!
Abby and Ellie woke up this morning as if it were any other morning. They headed off into the play room to play, pulling out their princess dresses for dress up. At that moment we pulled them into our room to tell them about the special day they were going to have. Today we were going to Disneyland and Grandma Zoe was going with us! With a lot of energy and excitement we packed up and headed on our way!
 |
| We’re going to Disneyland today! |
After an hour or so we had made it to Disneyland and we were walking through the gates of California Adventure. Abby and Ellie received a lot of attention from many of the Disneyland cast members while they were dressed as Merrida and Rapunzel. One of the Buena Vista Street page’s stopped on her bicycle and made a big deal about being in the presence of “royalty”. The girls got a huge kick out of it and she had them grinning from ear to ear.
 |
| The whole gang and Abby who was not thrilled about being in the picture. |
 |
| “I know something you don’t know” |
 |
| Abby and Grandma Zoe on Luigi’s Flying Tires |
 |
| Churro Sugar Coma |
Our time in California Adventure was a blast. We all rode Luigi’s Flying Tires for the very first time and Shaun and I had the chance to test out Radiator Spings Racers. We had to go as single riders to save time but it was worth it. I can see why the line is so stinking long! We tried to get Abby to go one but she didnt want to. Next time, she said.
From there we made sure Ellie got her chance on the Little Mermaid, a favorite and then headed over to Monster’s Inc. for one last ride in California Adventure. On our way over we ran into Miss Judith! What a coincidence! She went with us on Monster’s and then headed on her way as she only had a little time to herself that day.
Over at Disneyland the girls ahd a lot of fun. They had the chance to meet Minnie Mouse and the Mad Hatter, who wanted to play a game with them but Abby just wasn’t up for it. We made it to all of the favorites: Buzz Light Year, Winnie the Pooh, Dumbo, and Abby and Grandma went on , Casey Jr., Snow White and Pinocchio together while Ellie slept.
 |
| This is what happens when you have a blonde haired, blue eyed, glass wearing cutie dressed in her princess costumes. This group loved her and was so kind, asking to take a picture. She is famous already! |
 |
| Yay! Its Minnie Mouse! |
 |
| The Mad Hatter wanted us to join his game but Abby wasn’t keen on it. |
 |
| Abby was so excited to see Pluto at Goofy’s Kitchen |
Our last ride of the evening was on the Monorail over to the Disneyland Hotel. Grandma Zoe treated all of us to dinner at Goofy’s Kitchen and even though they were exhausted the girls had a wonderful time. They saw Goofy, Pluto, Chip, Dale, Aladdin, Cinderella and of course Minnie Mouse! Dinner was yummy and the time with the characters was a blast. It was the perfect end to a great night!
Lunch with Everyone!
After a low key day yesterday, we had one final hoorah with all of the family. Auntie Diane, Uncle Barry and Great Grandma Prueter came over from Anaconda to have lunch with all of us at Ted’s. To top the whole afternoon off, my cousin Mike and his beautiful fiance’ Sue came with them! They were up from Arizona to visit for the New Year and we were lucky enough for our trips to overlap. The only thing that would have made the day even better is if my cousin David had been there too. He couldn’t be there physically but as always he was there in thought.
Lunch was delicious as it always is at Ted’s but the best part was all of the conversation and catching up that we were able to do. Growing up Mike, David and myself were very close. As life moved us in different directions the time together became less, so when we have the chance to see each other we enjoy every second of it. I was also very excited to meet Sue and welcome her into this nutty family. Let me just say that she fits right in and I can see why Mike loves her so much. She is beautiful inside and out and has one of the sweetest and warmest personalities. Abby really took a liking to her and I think was a little sad when we had to go. It was such a wonderful lunch and as it always seems to happen, our time together moved too fast.
Before everyone parted ways, we took a moment to get pictures together. Its not often that we get the chance to take a picture with most of the family. Love having the memories like this and to see so many generations of family in one place.
 |
| Ellie is a little unsure about the high fives from Mike. |
 |
| Hanging with Great Grandma Prueter and Auntie Jillian |
 |
| The Wharton Gang with Great Grandma Prueter |
 |
| The Whole Gang minus Grandpa Jerry (the man behind the camera) and David! |
 |
| Cousins! So wish you could have been there with us David! |
After lunch and saying goodbye, we did a little shopping down Main Street. The big girls (me, Jillian and Grandma Denise) took some time looking in the cute boutique shops while Shaun and Grandpa Jerry took the girls to the toy store to play a bit. This made them happy and kept them occupied for quite some time. When all the shopping was done, we headed to the Chocolate Moose which is an old fashion candy shop and soda fountain. We indulged in a little bit of ice cream and candy, some of which were favorites that I have not seen since childhood. Such an awesome place, especially for families. Before long the temperature outside was falling fast so it was time to get back to Grandma and Grandpas house. What a great final adventure before heading back home.
Its Not Montana Without Yellowstone!
Visiting with my parents in Montana always means being tempted with a trip to Yellowstone. Each time, Yellowstone wins. How could it not? Its such a beautiful place and even though the winter keeps all but one road through the park closed, it still holds something magical to all of us.
This trip found us taking a day trip to Yellowstone. Once again we couldn’t resist. Luckily my dad was able to rent a car large enough for all us. This meant that we didn’t have to travel separately and we could enjoy the time together. The one perk for Abby and Ellie is that the rental had DVD players and screens in the backs of the seats. They could enjoy movies when boredom struck and as much as they love Yellowstone, boredom strikes fast with them. So, with DVD’s playing and the car all packed up, we took off early in the morning for Yellowstone. Luckily for us the weather was gorgeous and perfect for a drive through the park.
 |
| On the road and almost there. As you can tell the DVD player is keeping Ellie so happy. |
 |
| Overlook from Upper Mammoth Terrace looking down at the Gardner River |
 |
| Steam and frost along Mammoth Terrace. Picture courtesy of Jerry Taylor |
 |
| Its amazing what the steam from the nearby geysers and hot springs can create when its so cold out. |
When we arrived we headed up to Mammoth and the upper terraces. From there we had a beautiful view over Mammoth Hot Springs and out towards the Gardner River. We couldn’t go to far so we turned around and headed out the only way we could go, to Lamar Valley. We kept our eyes peeled for animals. People were stopped along the way looking with spotting scopes. The wolves were out but off in the distance and too far for us to see. We did see bison along the way, mostly the big males who were out sunning alone. We did see a lone coyote hunting mice and voles in the snow. We watched as he patiently listened but kept a sharp eye on us. Eventually he jumped into the air, pounced and pulled a tasty snack out of the snow. Once he had it, he continued on his way trying to find a place to stop and eat.
 |
| Relaxing and sunning in the snow. |
 |
| Carefully watching us as he or she hunts for a snack. |
 |
| Afternoon Sun on the Snow |
 |
| A long day in the fresh mountain air means sleepy children. |
We continued through Lamar Valley, enjoying the snowy landscape and taking in as much as possible. We stopped for a bit of a lunch break and then made our way back to Mammoth. In Mammoth we did a bit of shopping at the General Store (a few snacks and little souvenirs for the girls) and then said goodbye to Yellowstone.
That night on the way home, Grandma and Grandpa treated us to dinner at the Rib and Chop House. I was in heaven. I love the food there, especially the stuffing! We each enjoyed a yummy dinner after a gorgeous day in Yellowstone. That night we all slept well and maybe even had a few dreams about our next visit to Yellowstone, whenever that might be.
Museum Time!
After a relaxing New Year celebration, we thought it would be nice to get out of the house and do something for Abby and Ellie. While playing in the snow would keep them happy for hours, they have also continuously asked to go to the Museum of the Rockies. Since Grandma, Grandpa and Auntie Jillian all had the afternoon off we headed for one of their favorite spots.
On the way there we did stop for lunch at Rosie’s pizza. I just had to mention that because it was our first time eating there and boy was it yummy! It was there that Abby discovered the yummy goodness of Parmesan cheese on her Pizza.
Time at the museum was pretty simple. We headed up to the play area first so that the girls had the chance to run out some of their craziness and we wanted to make sure that we didn’t miss it. We might not hear the end of it if we did.
 |
| Doing a little bit of fishing… |
 |
| I caught one! Grandpa Jerry and Grandpa Pat would be proud! |
 |
| Taking a break from cooking and other fun things. |
 |
| I’m an Eagle! |
 |
| I am Abby the Eagle! |
After the play area we headed out to see some of the new exhibits. The first was all about building and engineering. At the front of the exhibit was a low table covered in wood building pieces. Museum patrons were invited to add on to the structures already created by others or start one of their own. Abby, Ellie, Daddy and Auntie Jillian did just that and had a blast doing so. Shaun’s structure looked pretty cool by the time he was finished with it.
 |
| A Family that builds together… well… has fun together! |
After construction was completed we moved on to the next exhibit. This one showcased Montana artists and their furniture and woodworking. What beautiful and amazing pieces of work. I found myself saying that if I had a big beautiful cabin in Montana somewhere, I would want everything on display. From dining room tables and clocks to drafting tables and wet bars that looked like a train caboose, I wanted them all. I also wished that I had a skill like that that I was good at, but that’s another story.
 |
| Beautiful wood carved clock. Love the wolf on it! |
 |
| Beautiful carved table top with the Teton range. Love this one! |
When we were done wishing we had everything in the exhibit, we moved on to Abby’s favorite place… The Dinosaurs! Abby sat with daddy and watched a video about how birds are related to dinosaurs, which had Abby completely fascinated. We saw the “living” Triceratops as well as all the fossils of triceratops at different stages in life. This time around, Ellie seemed even more excited and interested in the dinosaurs. I love the enthusiasm she shows now!
 |
| Abby and Daddy watching a video about birds and their connections to dinosaurs. |
 |
| Sunset at Museum of the Rockies |
After our walk through the dinosaurs it was time to go. We really didn’t want to leave, but it was getting late and the museum was closing. As always we had a blast and the girls learned a lot. All Abby could talk about the rest of the day were the building blocks and of course, the dinosaurs. You know you have had a good day when all your kiddos can talk about are the things they did!
Celebrating the New Year
New Years Eve
New Years Eve was another quiet and relaxing day. Shaun and I slept in as best we could, although the girls pretty much keep to a schedule which means being up by 7 (even in another time zone). We did some more shopping and outings around town. In the evening we picked up our traditional Chinese food dinner and enjoyed every bite of it. After dinner we played games with the girls, had long conversations and passed the time until we rang in the New Year. Almost all of us made it to midnight, except Ellie. She was the smart one and passed out cold on cozy blankets in front of the fire.
We hope that everyone had a safe and fun New Year. We hope that 2013 brings happiness, prosperity and wonderful things for you and your family. Enjoy the year and don’t let it slip by too fast! I know we plan to try and make it last for as long as we can.
 |
| Happy New Year from dream land! |
 |
| Happy New Year from Abby! Dont worry, its only Martinelli’s Sparkling Apple Cider in her cup |
 |
| Auntie Jillian enjoys a bit of the bubbly to ring in the New Year. |
New Years Day
New Years Day was once again full of tradition. We slept in a bit and then headed back over to Grandpa and Grandma’s house for our traditional Eggs Benedict brunch. We were lucky the weather was beautiful too. This allowed for Aunt Diane, Uncle Barry and Grandma Prueter to come over and join us for brunch. As always, brunch was wonderful and I was amazed to watch Ellie, my picky eater, shovel down nearly two helpings of poached eggs, ham, olives and English muffin. Kudos to you Grandpa Jerry!
New Years Day was once again full of tradition. We slept in a bit and then headed back over to Grandpa and Grandma’s house for our traditional Eggs Benedict brunch. We were lucky the weather was beautiful too. This allowed for Aunt Diane, Uncle Barry and Grandma Prueter to come over and join us for brunch. As always, brunch was wonderful and I was amazed to watch Ellie, my picky eater, shovel down nearly two helpings of poached eggs, ham, olives and English muffin. Kudos to you Grandpa Jerry!
After brunch we sat down for another belated Christmas and opened presents from Grandpa Prueter and the gang. The girls loved their presents! They each received a tie-dyed stuffed moose and new pillow cases and a doll that keeps the monsters out from under the bed. However, in true child fashion, the hit of the day were their cards from Diane and Barry. Nothing beats a card that sings and dances! I think those will be hidden in a box on the way home.
 |
| A little snuggle time before having some yummy food. |
 |
| Opening presents with Great Grandma Laura. Sorry about the game on TV Shaun. Just pretend the score isn’t visible. |
 |
| Great Grandma Laura opening up her present from the girls. |
 |
| Ellie really loves her moose! |
 |
| Their Christmas cards were the hit of the day… As you can tell. |
 |
| Opening presents with Auntie Diane. |
 |
| When all was said and done, Abby was back to her “Reader Book” |
The remainder of the day was occupied with family and football. We enjoyed one anothers company and spent time catching up. Once again it was a simple day but it was nice to do simple things with family. I know we were sad to see Barry, Diane and Grandma leave but the good news is that we will be having dinner with them in just a few days! Better yet, my awesome cousin Mike and his fiance’ will be there too! So much to look forward to.
The Wharton Adventures 