England and Scotland Trip

Nic and I are putting together a trip to England and Scotland for the end of summer.  We picked the UK  for several reasons. 

1. We speak english, they sort of do.

2. Driving on the wrong side of the road sounds exciting, plus Nic is cool with it from his days in Japan.

3. No swimsuit weather. 

4. We will get passports.

5. My ancestors are from there, and France.

6. We can chunnel it over to Paris.

7.  We need a trip to motivate us/we need a break.

8. I want to see Nic in a kilt.

So, I know Katie Elaine just got back, and several of you who actually read this (all two-thanks Chelle and Alicia) have been there.  Any insider tips? Any thing you loved or could have skipped?  

I have been watching Rick Steves on OPB for years, so I think I'll be reading his books before we go.  The shows are the best, he is a total goober, but seems to have a good time.

Now, Leave Me Alone

I was trying to get CC to retell the story about how she was crying at Club Sports(the gym) because a little boy wouldn't play with her. I thought it was so cute, I tried to get her to say it again, but it's never quite as cute. Except, I like this ending better. There's nothing like being told off by a 3 year old. I love the hand motions.  Ohhh Mmoooomm. 

Jim Gaffigan on Easter

Here's the Easter sketch from Jim Gaffigan.  I made Chelle listen to it on my ipod the other day, this guy cracks me up.  Nic took me to his concert here in Portland last year for my birthday.

Easter Bunny On Strike?

So, I bought the goodies, the toys, the peeps...and forgot to be the bunny.  Isn't that sad?  Kennedy was the only one that noticed, and so I told her the truth.  Nic thinks I'm a killjoy, but really, a bunny bringing eggs to celebrate the Savior's Resurrection? If any of you have ever heard of the comedian Jim Gaffigan, he's got a sketch about it.  He also has a sketch about Hot Pockets that will have you thinking twice about eating those.

Long story short, the Easter Bunny a.k.a. Mom and Kennedy is going to come to the Vial household around noon today.  Why?  Because I'm the Mom.  (This is one of those perks to parenting.)

Kid Theodore

My step bro Ryan Darton is in a band called Kid Theodore. They are awesome. Bunch of very talented rm's from Sandy, Utah, great guys. So, here's a clip of them on a show in Utah. They tour through the west coast and I try and see them when I can, if you like it, check out their website www.kidtheodore.com

Ryan plays the upright bass and sings in this clip, but he is a master of instruments and can sing your socks off.  Isn't he a cutie!

Ransom Note to Anders

Dear Anders of the Lollipop Guild:
We have your inja turtles (that's how CC says it.)
If you want them back, give us your little sister, in an unmarked stroller, at the corner of Grandama's house and the barn.
If we don't hear back from you in 24 hours, Michaelangelo's toes get painted pink.
Signed,
The Lullabye League

More Wedding Pix

Here's some more of the family.

Did we come to see animals - or did we bring them with us?

Before Chelle and her family went back to Vermont, we sqeezed in a trip to the Oregon Zoo. They have a new North American exhibit that was awesome, black bears, bald eagles, and Beavers! Go Beavs!
We were quite the sight with four strollers and ten kids under 7. Luckily, for the first time ever, we had seven adults with us. Manageable! Good times had by all.
p.s. just bought the "Once" soundtrack on itunes - loving it! Kennedy just came up to me and asked if this was from "Once," yeah, I'm starting them young.

What A Wedding!

Christian, my brother in law, is now a happily married man. His beautiful bride Kenne is very photogenic, so I just have to share a few pictures with you. The twins would not cooperate, true two year olds, so we never did get that photo of the matching dresses, no matter. Nic and I got to dance together for hours and that was priceless.
They were married in a the Portland Temple and had their reception in a barn, beautifully decorated by Merrilee (you are amazing!). The photos say it all, but I will too - this was a pretty special wedding.

Dove Campaign

I've got four girls, four times the drama, four times the self esteem issues in the future. I'm happy that Dove is changing their ad campaigns and focusing on real beauty. Here's some of their new commercials.

New Mac No Pix

My incredibly sexy husband got me a new computer this week, a mac book. I need to get tutored on macs, because every time I try to copy (control C) nothing happens. I just learned it's now the funky flower sign C. Wow, I've got a lot to learn.
I'll post some more pictures and stories after I get my computer switched over to this bad boy. Nic's brother Chris' wedding is this weekend, so I'll have lots to show, especially all those stinkin' matching dresses.

Pham's in Vietnam

Nic's twin brother (Ha Ha!) Hoa Pham is in Vietnam visiting his mom and family. He took his beautiful wife Thuy and their 3 oldest Liyann, Vivian, and Dillian, leaving behind baby Mia. They are doing some much needed service while there, buying rice and giving it to the poor in Hoa's village. I can't get the pictures to work yet, I haven't done my mac tutoring yet, but you can check out the pictures on Alicia's blog http://aliciakaevial.blogspot.com/.