How we spend our Fridays...

Ever since buying Knott's Berry Farm season passes, we will go on any given Friday afternoon after I pick Carlee up from school. It's a perfect outing for us... doesn't cost anything (since we have passes and pack a lunch), fun few hours, not crowded at all on a Friday, not far from home, and Carlee is usually passed out before we reach Beach Blvd after leaving. A perfect afternoon!

A couple weeks ago we headed down to Knott's and made our way to Camp Snoopy. It was the first time we've been on a weekday since school is back in session and it was great. No lines at all. Each ride was just waiting for us to walk up and get on. Although Carlee's favorite balloon ride wasn't open and the show she likes wasn't going to be on that day. They were setting up for Halloween and in the transition period. We were a week early for the Halloween decorations. Can't wait to take Carlee back. She loves Halloween!

But a few little closures didn't stop us from having fun! We rode the big rigs, the speedway cars, bounce house, and even the log ride this time!

Weeeeeeee!!

Waiting for the log ride. Carlee had been on the train across from the log ride which is dark and fast but she liked it. So I thought she'd like the log ride (aside from the drop). 

 And here is our picture they captured...

I don't think I stopped laughing for hours! I had to buy it. I feel like such a horrible mom that I have a big smile plastered on my face while Carlee is frightened. But she handled it like a champ. She was just in shock and was more upset about getting her shorts wet. But I don't think she's going to be quick to go on the log ride again.

My Own Punky Brewster

Carlee dresses herself...

She's clearly got her own style. But she's dressed, shoes on, hair combed, teeth brushed, and we made it to school on time. That's a success in my book.

Mud, Music, Family, and Candy

This pretty much sums up my weekend. 

I started my weekend by meeting up with friends to do another mud run! I had so much fun the last time that I was excited I could join this group this time around. It was the Reality Mud Run (I never saw any of the reality stars but whatever) and was to benefit Stand Up to Cancer.

That morning, it was raining, hailing, thunder and lightening. Luckily it cleared up right before our start time. 

Team $how Me The Muddy!

Mid race by the lake.

Slip n Slide...probably the best part of the run.

This mud run was much muddier than the last I thought. Not sure if the rain played a part in that. The mud was thick and there was lots of it. We ran out of pictures on the waterproof cameras so I'll have to wait until the professional event pictures come in to see us crossing the finish line covered in mud. 

After the race it was time to clean up, get something to eat, then head home. It's pretty draining. I was ready for a nap.

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Instead of a nap Saturday afternoon, I had to hurry home and get ready to meet my sister, my brother and his girlfriend to see my cousin's band play at the LA County Fair. 

We got to the fair shortly before the concert was to start so we didn't enjoy any of the fair festivities. (Which is a good thing because I didn't need any fried food) But we did meet everyone at the lounge just outside of the concert area.

Typical Dien

Some pictures of the band (horrible from my point and shoot but they'll have to do)

After the concert, we got to hang out "backstage". (backstage was actually somewhere else since the stage was on the horsetrack and had to be wheeled out).

Cousin Juli with our cousin Eddie, the drummer. She said all she wanted was a hug.

Us with Ryan Tedder. I felt like such a groupie. But he has worked with Beyonce and a ton of other people.

Cousins!

We're saying "Thursday" instead of "cheese". Don't ask.

With another bandmate. Don't know his name but he wasn't too bad to look at. Shortly after this picture someone came out of the trailer announcing that this guy and the lead singer were trying to wear each other's shirt but it wasn't working b/c one is an extra-medium and the other is an extra-large. My sister and I just looked at each other and said "Where were we when this was going on?"

 As everyone was packing up to leave, we were waiting for the shuttle van to come back and take us to where we were picked up. But it never came back. Cousin Eddie said they'd drive us to our car. The only problem was that it was approaching closing time and everything was on lockdown and my car was on the opposite side of the fairgrounds. After driving around the fair a few times and trying every entrance, we finally decided to jump out of the car at a red light and just walk from one of the exits. We didn't want Eddie to have to "make a call" to get us to our car. Next time we will have to stop being groupies at a decent time to get back before everything closes!

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The next day was filled with more cousins and partying. Not quite the same kind though. We had Tristan's 1st birthday party!

Candy Shoppe...so many yummy treats!

Carlee sneaking a licorice.

Playing at the train table.

Bouncer time!

Princess crown...

Don't know what this face is. Can't ever get her to have a normal smile. Its either a full on pose or a funny face.

I didn't get any pictures of Carlee and Austin, Tristan's older brother. But with a bouncer, balloon animal guy, smoothie station, a pinata, and all those treats it's no wonder the kids were a little preoccupied for pictures.

And after the party (and after my whole weekend really), I went home and sat my ass on the couch.

School is in session!

I was excited for Carlee to start school this year. Not only because she can finally stop asking, "Mom, am I ever going back to school?" But because I'm excited for her to learn new things, make new friends, and just have fun. 

The standard First Day of School Picture Out Front. And posing of course.

 This year Carlee's best friend Izzy is in her class. These girls have been friends since birth.

Here they are at 2 months old and Carlee at just days old.

 Now they're 4 and in preschool!

 Decorating their name blocks on the first day.

After class, we went to visit her cousin Syd who is in Carlee's old classroom. Carlee got to see her old teacher and her old toys from the class. 

As soon as we left, Carlee was asking to go back. The next morning at 6:30am she was asking to go to school. Its a good thing she's going every day this year. I just hope she keeps this attitude towards school in the years to come. But I can hear it now, "Mom, do I have to go to school?"