Heather traveled to California with grandma and grandpa for a wedding BUT more important for a visit to
The American Girl Store in Los Angeles. She brought her American Girl dolls with her. She was also excited that her cousins were going to join us for the big shopping trip.
She and her dolls turned in early at the motel in
Temecula so that they would all be well rested for their big day.
The next morning we headed to Grandma Christy's house to connect up with cousins Ruby, Sadie, Kate, and their dolls, plus Grandma
Christy, Amy, and Sally.
The conversation coming from the back during the drive north was delightful. Heather, older and a very competent reader, told the other doll owners the history of their dolls and stories written about them. And then I heard the following:
"You know, it is very interesting. I just noticed that we all have the friends of the main characters and not the main character dolls."
Two little
kindergartners looked a bit puzzled as they wondered what "main characters" might be!
As we left the parking garage at "The Grove" in Los Angeles, excitement was in the air. There had been screams of delight as we passed the store windows on the way in.
Oh my, so much to see and so many things to choose from made things almost over
whelming.
Sadie stuck to her stroller until she found a twins doll she liked with its own
stroller. Then she was ready to do the stroller pushing.
Decisions were made, choices handed off to the grandmas for purchase, and poses made in front of the American Girl Christmas tree.
Grandpa met us in the entrance but did not venture far into the store. Kudos to him for he was the only male family member willing to drive two hours through LA traffic for this unique shopping experience. He told us about a family of four boys who were told by their father to follow their mother inside and to "be nice about it!" as he waited outside for us.
Next stop was the Farmer's Market next door for some lunch.
It was a very busy place (full of Ohio and Oregon fans) so we took turns going for food while holding down our tables.
The girls quickly tore into their shopping bags to try on new outfits.
Comments heard as the crowd swirled around them:
"That's one reason I'm glad that I never had girls."
"Look at those beautiful girls and dolls. I only have sons and grandsons so I feel like I've missed out. Where is that store? I think I would like to take a look."
It was an outing for the memory book and a delightful day with my "American Girls."
Some things don't change much. This is a picture of Ryan taken just before leaving on his mission in January 1997. He just had to have that one last trip to the ski slopes before leaving. 
I first met Jordan Jensen just after Christmas 1974. I just did the math and he would have been 46, soon to be 47. Today would have been his 82nd birthday if he hadn't left us far too soon on January 14, 1991.
Grandpa Glen celebrated his birthday a day late on Monday, a combination family dinner, FHE, and birthday party. I served one of his favorites; spaghetti with meat sauce, salad, and garlic bread. The birthday dessert was a new one, apple pudding cake with caramel sauce. It is prepared much like the chocolate pudding cake that I make. Served with vanilla ice cream, everyone seemed to like it.
Grandpa started a new tradition this birthday. All his grandchildren joined him in a "birthday clap." They clapped 59 times before blowing out the candle!
Ruby and Heather clapped.
Toby clapped. It was a clapping good time. Great idea grandpa!
Then everyone blew as hard as they could from where they sat. I think that TJ probably had the most success.
They then grouped together to watch grandpa open his presents. He also received the best hand decorated birthday cards from his favorite little people.
After presents and dessert they were out the door to play in the leaf pile, another "grandpa birthday tradition."
Before dinner, they had taken turns raking them all into a pile.
Julianna decided to skip the leaf throwing madness and walked around with a jingle bell instead.
Wise move on her part, because it got pretty crazy.
They soon moved from throwing leaves to burying one another in leaves.
Toby talked his dad into coming back the next day, just so he could play in the leaves.
Many thanks to Emilia for getting out her camera and taking these great pictures of my grandchildren's tongues!
Sadie loved being buried in leaves. Much more fun than watching the Fiesta Bowl inside!
Heather traveled to California with grandma and grandpa for a wedding BUT more important for a visit to The American Girl Store in Los Angeles. She brought her American Girl dolls with her. She was also excited that her cousins were going to join us for the big shopping trip.
She and her dolls turned in early at the motel in Temecula so that they would all be well rested for their big day.
As we left the parking garage at "The Grove" in Los Angeles, excitement was in the air. There had been screams of delight as we passed the store windows on the way in.
Oh my, so much to see and so many things to choose from made things almost over whelming.
Sadie stuck to her stroller until she found a twins doll she liked with its own stroller. Then she was ready to do the stroller pushing.
Decisions were made, choices handed off to the grandmas for purchase, and poses made in front of the American Girl Christmas tree.
Grandpa met us in the entrance but did not venture far into the store. Kudos to him for he was the only male family member willing to drive two hours through LA traffic for this unique shopping experience. He told us about a family of four boys who were told by their father to follow their mother inside and to "be nice about it!" as he waited outside for us.
Next stop was the Farmer's Market next door for some lunch.
It was a very busy place (full of Ohio and Oregon fans) so we took turns going for food while holding down our tables.
The girls quickly tore into their shopping bags to try on new outfits.
Comments heard as the crowd swirled around them:
"Look at those beautiful girls and dolls. I only have sons and grandsons so I feel like I've missed out. Where is that store? I think I would like to take a look."
Toby enjoyed an exciting morning of more than enough presents for several 5 year olds.
Heather is showing her most requested gift from Santa. Part of her present from grandma and grandpa was a trip to Los Angeles and other parts of California with her grandparents. Main destination, The American Girl store in LA. That made her scream!
Julianna was a true Santa's helper and slept through all the Santa madness and gift unwrapping. She was pretty tired after spending Christmas Eve at our house eating chimichangas with the extended family members, making bells jingle, trying to make the step down into the living room, and presenting her best dance moves. It was a jolly good time.
Our house guests came with us. Next on the agenda for these proud parents is the San Diego wedding of Kyle and Janae!
Happy Anniversary
