This is my pathetic attempt to capture the rainbow 'halo' around the sun this afternoon. Kevin noticed it first and then the kids all took turns looking through my polarized sunglasses to see the colors better. It was a complete circle rainbow in the haze of the very high, thin clouds with the colors reversed-red on the inside progressing out to blue and then white on the outside edge. Not something we see everyday....

Wildlife news...

Our new feeder is a big hit with the local flock of Lazuli Buntings. They crowd around in numbers of up to 10 or so. We also have a regular pair-male and female- of Black-Headed Grosbeaks, a pair of Doves, some very pretty House Finches, and assorted sparrows and other as-yet-to-be-identified specimens. Thankfully, the annoying Black Beak Magpies are not interested. We have seen, and heard, the Raven a number of times-but, also thankfully, not in our backyard. It occurred to Niall that the Raven might threaten our squirrel. She seems to have had her babies and we will be watching to see if we can witness them emerging from the burrow in the garden. The weather has not been conducive to planting the garden which has given me more time to ponder ways to do it without disturbing our neighbor.

Spring Soccer

Leith is playing his third season of soccer with the same group of little guys. While their skills are improving, they are still young enough for us to enjoy some hilarious moments. And, we are always happy to have at least one of our 'ringers' in the game-especially Karim, whose parents are Egyptian, and who seems to be genetically programmed to play soccer at a different level than the American kids. Leith has had some great plays and a couple of goals so far this season.

We had a tasty Cinqo de Mayo dinner with the Larsens and the Astles on May 2. I have no pictures to post- I was too busy cooking way too much food. I felt like I had to make all my usual stuff-red and green enchiladas, and carnitas tacos with all the garnishes. But, I have been craving new flavors. So, I also made two Rick Bayless recipes: the shrimp with green sauce that my Mother served at Casey and Charlie's wedding dinner on the porch of their ranch house, and a taco filling comprised of chard, roasted chiles, chicken and crema. I really enjoyed the new dishes.
Mostly, however, it is just great to have an excuse to put everything else aside and seriously cook for a few days and then enjoy the food in the company of great friends who insist on doing the dishes!

Disneyland, April 2010

Early morning on Main Street

Sleeping Beauty Castle

Coral and I sat this one out.

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride-Leith informed me that it wasn't 'wild'.

Storybook Land was really lovely-amazing plants!

It's A Small World-with a lot more Disney characters than in the past.

The girls and I pose-JK! The boys were not into 'characters', but the girls definitely were!

We stopped in the Mad Hatter store...

White water rafting in California Adventure

The landscaping was amazing in both parks!

Leith tried cotton candy for the first time.

Taking it easy in Mickey's house...

and in Minnie's kitchen.

The man, err, MOUSE, himself!

And, Minnie!

We saw several duck families in the park.

Mint Julep break-with live jazz in the background

Waiting in line for Big Thunder Mtn Railroad

We could live like Jack & Sally....

Or just like Jack!

Near Indiana Jones

'ToonTown

These pictures don't really capture our Disneyland experience which consisted of riding as many roller-coasters as possible. Leith was a thrill-seeking maniac. He rode every fast ride numerous times, exclaiming, "That was awesome!" after each one. Niall was only interested in fast rides and complained about all the 'kiddie' rides. He did discover, however, that he doesn't like open air roller-coasters. One trip on CA Screamin' was more than enough for him. Not for Leith, though! The boys are fortunate that Kevin is a 'process' obsessed, energetic leader. He maximized the fast pass system and other tricks to make sure we rode all the crowded rides multiple times with minimal waiting. We were on a serious 'schedule' and were nearly dead with fatigue each night.

We 'did' CA Adventure for the first time. Highlights included the fast rides, of course, and Muppetvision 3-D.

At times, we did enjoy some of the more relaxing parts of the park. We ate in the fancy Blue Bayou restaurant, located inside the Pirates of the Caribbean. We heard live jazz and blue grass in other restaurants. We admired the beautiful, imaginative gardens. And, we had the most ideal spot possible-right in front of the castle on a bench-for enjoying the amazing fireworks show.

Coral and India, while enjoying fast rides, were dedicated to a more well rounded experience. They hung out with all the characters they could find, they shopped, and looked through an exhibit on the history of the park. And, they appreciated the 'kiddie' rides.

Actually, we all enjoyed all of it, even if Niall can't admit that he liked Small World!

It was a great vacation-Niall told me a few days later that he missed 'the Frosted Flake lifestyle' of the hotel breakfast buffet. The girls have spent countless hours sorting, editing and posting photos. And, Leith has been so cute as he relives all the experiences he had.

Disneyland-Jedi Training

We have not been to Disneyland for over 6 years. The 'magic' is definitely still there in the familiar attractions as well as in those that were new to us this time-like Jedi Training Academy.

Niall was chosen from the large group of children to participate.

I was dying of suspense until Leith was finally chosen.
The Jedis taught the kids a lightsaber sequence.

Then, with great dramatic flare, Darth Vader appeared....

followed by Darth Maul and several Storm Troopers.

The kids were warned of the danger.

Leith was anxious to fight and took an unscheduled swing at Darth Maul.

Darth Vader tried to turn them all to the dark side. I could tell that Niall was considering it. Vader declared that if they wouldn't join him, they would have to fight.

Both boys had to fight Darth Maul.

Afterwards, they took the Jedi Oath....

and received a diploma!

While India took photos, I was able to film the fighting:

Quoth the raven, "Nevermore...will I see the pigeon I was carrying!"

I was trying to get myself ready for church(actually Stake Conference) on Sunday, between trips out into the hall to shout at my children to get dressed, stop fighting, etc, when Niall started crying out in distress. Leith assured me that Niall was playing a trick and that I should ignore him. I understood his suspicion, but when Niall came and begged me to follow him, I was too curious to resist. He led me to his window to show me a giant black bird on the roof across the street. The bird's size, relative to the birds we see commonly, was alarming. But, to add to the drama, Niall had seen it fly into view carrying a pigeon in its "talons"-his description- which it had dropped into the bushes.
I decided to skip doing my hair in favor of watching out the window as long as possible. Niall ran for the field guide and Leith raced for the binoculars. We alternated between watching it look for its prey while fending off the attacks of two of our neighborhood magpies and turning the pages of the guide looking for a match.
I knew its beak and coloring were not those of any bird of prey I had ever seen. But, its wing span, appearance when flying, and choice of breakfast seemed very predatory.
Apparently, it was a 'common raven'. I had no idea they were that big, 27" tall and "hawklike in flight", eating anything edible-including peaceful pigeons for Sunday brunch. Fascinating!