Pile up

PJ likes to come up with new games to play with the kids. The latest is called "Pile Up." He started this a couple of years ago, but has perfected it since acquiring this huge box from a moving van last week.

First the kids climb inside the box, and then PJ starts throwing pillows, stuffed animals, anything soft on top of them.
The kids get all covered up and squeal in delight.

He keeps throwing things on them and yelling, "AAAAAHHH it's all starting to pile up! I can't take it any more!!" Etc.

When everything is on top of them and they're good and covered....

...he starts yelling, "Oh no! Oh no!!!!" and tipping the box over.

The game ends when the box, toys and children come crashing down on the floor. They love this game and beg for it every day.

Obviously, based on this and countless other fun games he comes up with, the children have decided that dad is way more fun than mom!

Triathlon Day

Another fun thing that PJ planned for Brianna's trip out here was a sprint triathlon. He and I participated in this tri last year, but for obvious reasons I was not competing this year!

This was Brianna's first triathlon and she had been training for it since coming home from her mission to Thailand in June.

One of the young women in our ward came with PJ, Brie, Avery and Alex and she watched the kiddos while the adults ran the race.

It took place at Castaic Lake Park, where there are tons of playgrounds and grass and plenty of fun outdoor things to keep kids busy.
They swam 400 m in the lake, then rode 10 miles on the bike, and finished with a 5K run.
Here's Brie!!!! Coming in for the finish!!!

Look at those amazing triathletes!

PJ believes in starting our kids on triathlon young, so he set up a mini-tri for Avery and Alex later that morning. They swam three laps in a friend's pool, then Avery triked while Alex rode on the kid's seat on PJ's bike, then they each ran the last few blocks home.

They chose their race numbers: Avery's was sponsored by Yo Gabba Gabba and Alex's was sponsored by Toy Story 3

They received ribbons for completing the race. So cute.

I have a goal of doing the reverse sprint tri at the Rose Bowl in March. It will be a good "get back in shape" goal for me. Apparently we are becoming a triathlon family.

Chinese Theater and Beach Party

After Brittany went home, her twin Brianna helped us out for another week.

She and PJ took the kids to Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood to look at the Walk of Fame and the famous hand and footprints.

They also joined the youth of our church at a beach party.

I think this was their first s'mores experience.

Yum!

These guys have all the fun!

Alex's Birthday Party

With my due date falling on Alex's birthday, we didn't want to take the chance that I would be in the hospital for his birthday party, so we chose to put it off for 2 weeks.

We had a very fun, albeit very small, party for him on July 31.

We went to the kids' favorite park and just played and ate goldfish, watermelon, cake, and popsicles (because I didn't want to deal with melting ice cream).

The theme was Toy Story 3, which is the kids' favorite movie right now.

Love those frosting faces.
Mmmmm....popsicles

My amazing helpers, Brittany and Brianna, holding baby Clara

Our former upstairs neighbors, Mike and Amelia, came with their 20 month old boy. She's expecting their second baby in 3 weeks!

Mike coralling the kids on the playground

More pictures of the birthday boy and the food

Say Cheese!

Playing with new sand toys.

We had a great time clebrating with friends and family. I love this little monster of a two-year-old!

Brittany's Visit

My two youngest sisters have come to help out with the new baby. Brittany came first. Basically she goes out with PJ and the older kiddos every day and keeps them occupied and happy while I nurse, change, and rock baby Clarissa.

This first picture has nothing to do with the kids' adventures, but rather with the AMAZING meals we've been given this week. We received fixings for incredible sandwiches a few days ago, and here's PJ's creation. He thinks the photo belongs in a food magazine and I agree.

On to the adventures: The kids went to La Brea Tar Pits and had a great time looking at all the fossils.

No dinosaurs here, but lots of mammoths and other cool creatures.
It's crazy to me that these tar pits are in downtown LA.

Brittany with the kids and their stickers in the museum.

PJ reading to them about the tar pits.

Not sure what this winged thing is. (I obviously have not been to see La Brea myself yet...)

Self-portrait

TAR PITS, which are apparently smelly, and where they are currently doing excavation.

After the tar pits, they went to this nearby market for lunch.

Back at home, holding a YAWN-y baby girl.

Britt did tons of fun things with the kids all week, but I don't think there are pictures from all of their adventures. We loved having her here and we're so grateful for wonderful aunties who can come and help with this new transition.

We love you Brittany!