Korea House & Flying Airplanes at Liberty Station

For Brian's Birthday (back on June 14th) he wanted to go to Sho Gun. The Japanese restraint with a big grill at the table and the chief comes and does a coking performance throwing food in the air, with big flames coming up, and big knives tossing the food then they chop everything right in front of you. After dinner we were planning on going to go to the Adult Session of Stake Conference, so we could go to dinner for too long. When we got to Sho Gun we realised every time we came before was a weekday and the weekend was too busy to come in a sit right down. So we left and drove down Convoy Dr. where there is a lot of Asian restaurants looking for some good place to eat. I noticed the Korean House and thought the outside looked like a fun place to try out, and it was!

We were able to come in and sit right down. At the table we were surprised to find our own grill in the middle of the table. That was an ironic and pleasant surprise. With you order for dinner comes about 12 small sides. Everything was new to us, pickled jicama, bean sprout salad, fish noodles, spicy cabbage salad (Kimchi), seaweed soup, broccoli and a spicy sauce, and more stuff that we didn't even know. Brian had a great time he got to do the grilling! They put our main dishes on the grill and gave us the tongs then came by every once in a while to help us. It was a fun experience to try so many new foods and cook ourselves. For desert they brought fresh oranges.
The picture is not from us but our dinner looked just like this!

Our Next Date:

I have been trading babysitting with a friend Jen. I watch her kids Mondays and she watched mine Friday afternoons. This Friday (June 20th) we took extra time because I will be watching her kids 2 times next week. Brian and I used the time to go on another date. We This time we went to Liberty Station. It is a neat place. It used to be the Navy recruiting and training Station opened in 1920's that closed in 1997 but had now been reopened and remodeled into a shopping, business center. It is still being remodeled but a few stores are open. Less stores then I thought but it was still neat to walk around. The place is beautiful! We had lunch and Panera Bread Bakery and Deli then waled to Ace Hardware. Because Brian's birthday was Monday it is still his Birthday week I told him that was why it was ok to go to Ace for a date. Really thought Ace Hardware was fun! My favorite part of Ace was in the women's bathroom. What the heck? Why did they do this? Its just so funny to me! Brian called it a Head to Head Toilet face off. I just had to take a picture of this! What other funny captions on this photo?

Next adventure was with the Balsa Wood Airplane. I have never played with one before and was thrilled when it too off! They are light enough that a rubber band twisted to cause tension that powers the propeller is enough to make it fly. It was fun playing right in the middle of the beautiful court yard. The place it still so new half the buildings were vacant and the others open to the street so there was almost nobody there. It was a perfect place to fly! It was fun to be spontanious and enjoy each other on another date.

Clever! Cute. and "Hey blog this!"

I must say I can be pretty darn clever...

Getting my kids and Nephews to clean the carpet and kitchen floor for the reward of an ice cream cone. It worked well enough on the carpet that I noticed a change the next morning. Just rags, warm water and a little soap, lots of scrubbing and rinsing!

..and lets face I can create some cute stuff! I decorated the back of a cheesy duckling puzzle for one of my favorite Primary girls as a get well gift.

I wanted to get her a "feel-better-duck" but couldnt find any toys other then the puzzle of some ducklings (actually I think they might have been chicks) in a super cheesy basket

In the Fuller Family we have a tradition of giving each other "fee-better-duckies" (usually a stuffed toy) my Dad gave Jenny one first after some bad sickness and named it the feel-better-duckie. The cute name and idea stuck . I wanted to share this tradition with Elisabeth and giver her a little get well gift. The puzzle wasn't cute enough for my standard so I decorated and personalised the back. I was happy with how it turned out.

As I finished creating a crayon masterpiece my supportive husband removed a hot dog from the package. He then placed it on a plate then proceeded to to microwave hit the 30 seconds button then enjoyed a late night snack as he mumbled, "Hey Blog this!"

For Fathers day I had another cute idea. I took a regular silk, tie and let the kids decorate the front with fabric paint. I think it turned out very cute. Then I painted the back, that was aslo cute but made it hard to tie.

As I was getting out the camera Katie kept complaining about the invisible ouwie on her foot. When she saw the camera she asked me to take a picture. She brobably would have said "Blog this!" If she knew thats what I do with the pictures.

What the kids have been up to, Graduation, Sports day, Beach with Browns

Preschool Graduation was actually before our camping trip (June 2nd just for posterity.) We have truly enjoyed 0ur preschool ,and graduation was just as great. Brian and Katie got to preform. Brian went first, he sang, "This is the Season" Right before he went on he said to me, "Mom, I love taking into a microphone." I hope he never grows out of that! He did a great job, he forgot how the last two verses begin and leaned over to me to say, "mom, whats next?" it was sweet. He did very well and looked very handsome in his Sunday best.

This year Katie also got to preform. Last year she was too scared the only thing she said into the microphone was "NO!" This year she was so good! She sang "If You Chance To Meet A Frown" I had to tell her every line even though she has it memorised. Then she would sing very clearly into the microphone. She was very well liked. She also likes to be on stage and perform. The video camera stopped working during Brian's performance and the camera didn't pick up Katie's singing very well.

The Graduation ceremony was sweet. Teacher Marina has never had such a big graduating class so it was a little crazy with 19, 5 and 6 year olds on the stage then adding 10 or more to that with the younger kids. Still thought it was sweet and the children's performances were fun to watch.

We we were able to get a couple pictures of the kids friends. One of Brian's pictures is with Tally a girl who he told the whole class he loves on Valentines Day, In front of everybody she said, "I don't love you." I guess he didn't believe her because they still play together. One of Katie Bella's pictures is with her friend Bella. I made her shirt for a service trade with Bella's mom for Acupuncture!

The Saturday after camping was the primary Sports Day. Brian thought it was a holiday and wanted to decorate for it. He was so exited! He practiced running and really wanted to win a trophy. The activity was a success! Brian and Katie had lots of fun, they did not to a race like Brian wanted, but he had fun with all the other games. He was in the group with one of his favorite teachers, Sister Richie. We love the Richies. Brian (Sr.) and I agreed soon after we moved here that Brother Richie remind us more of Daddy then anybody I know. Sister Richie and Brother Richie taught Nursery when we first moved here and now she teaches Music in Primary. The kids love her! She is so comfortable with them and they genuinely feel like she loves them.

At the activity Susan got to socialise with lots of her friends. She especially enjoyed Pam. Another teacher in primary who loves the babies in the ward. Susan was drawn to Pam from the first time we sat next to her. Pam is so friendly and animated she and also genuinely loves Susan. Pam, and Susan's other good friend Cindy, used to watch Susan every Sunday while Brian and I taught primary. Susan and all my kids love Pam. Pam teaches Elementary School and she is such a good teacher, she treats kids like they are her friends in the way she talks and disciplines them, it is very effective she is awesome.

Brian did not get a trophy at the activity but he did get a gold medal and they everybody had a great time.

On Friday we had another Beach day. This time it was with the Browns. Jenny, my sister and brother in law Shawn Brown and this was with his extended family family. They are very welcoming always lots of fun and great food! They invited us to Huntington Beach for a bonfire and cook-out. The beach we went to was a state park which means, it was clean, there was lots of fire pits, not too many people, great parking all worth the fee to get in.

Brian and Katie fit in so well with them! I think there was 10 kids all under 10 (or just barley? under?) That sounds crazy but they all played together well and kept each other busy enough that the parents could relax. Soon after we got there Alex one of the little Brown cousins ran up to me and said "Katie is my new friend." Brian played well with the boys there were 4 of them and they all like to play the same way he does. Digging, running, throwing stuff into the fire. After the kids played in the Ocean they all wrap ed themselves up in towels and 6 of them snuggled next to each other, it was very cute!

Aunt Jenny is always fun. She took the kids to fly a kite. She told them to yell up! up! up! When the kite would start to go down. In this video the kids are yelling and jumping up to get the kite up. The camera picked up more wind noise then anything but its still cute. They had a lot of fun with Jenny, Shawn, Lacy and the Browns! Thanks for inviting us!

Brian's 29th

Brian turns 29 today. I kinda loose track of my age (I am 26) because I don't really think about it very much. Most of my friends now are older then me, some are younger, it doesn't really matter to me. With one year till 30 it has me thinking and I hope I do not offend anybody when I say I am scared to turn 30. I think 40 will be great, 50, 60 and so on will be great, but 30 just scares me. I know 30 is the new 20, but not really. For me I am not afraid that I will feel like I haven't accomplished enough to be 30, but I am afraid of looking old, feeling old, getting fat, having bad hair,...(not that women in their 30's are that way! just I am afraid I will be)

Brian just turned 29 he has one short year left to be young, live it up, be in college, be spontaneous then he will have to grow up. Get serious about a career, a stable place to raise the kids, pay off the debt of Law School. We have always been very responsible with raising a family, attending the temple, paying tithing, paying bills., all the serious stuff. But we still act young we stayed up till 2:00am for no good reason last night! We go on dates every other weekend! We are totally spontaneous. We move every year or every 2 years. We have been very blessed with great health, healthy kids, cute kids, 2 cars, and so much more. Sure we have had trials but in the end we have been very blessed. Now I just hope things will keep flowing nicely the way always they have. I hope we can take on the next responsibilities and bear the weight well. Enough of that! back to the Birthday Boy.

Let me tell you why I love Brian. He makes me laugh. We have so much fun together! He laughs at my jokes, (except when I am sarcastic, he taught me to be sarcastic but can't seem to read my sarcasm!) and I love his laugh, Its so genuine and doesnt hold back when something makes him laugh. He is very sweet to the kids very gentile and loving when they were new born babies, he was a natural from the start.. He wants to take Brian Jr on trips, and teach him about cars, tools and everything he does, he is so exited for Father and Son's camping trips. Brian is so thoughtful when someone is having a problem he is always very concerned for them and wants to make it all better. Brian loves for everyone to be together and feels bad when someone is left out. Everyone loves Brian he is a loyal friend. I love that Brian always wants to Choose the Right. He is very sensitive to the spirit of discernment and makes righteous choices. Brian is so smart! He is the know-it-all! He knows so much about so many things! He loves to tell stories, I often have to ask him to get back to the first story because he gets side traced with other stories but he is a great story teller! Brian never says another girl is pretty, hot or cute, even if he thinks it, and that makes me feel so confident. He loves his family so much, and mine too! He is so supportive of family gatherings with my family and from the first time he met my family he fir right in. Brian loves me so much and wants to be a better person. He is a faithful priesthood holder. He is everything I thought I wanted in a husband and so much more I didn't know I need! I think I married a great man and am lucky to be with him for many more Birthdays! Happy Birthday Babe!

Lessons My Daddy has Taught me

1."Don't forget to say your prayers." My Dad would always remind us at bed time. Often those words come to my mind still.

2. How to be humble. My dad has been very blesses in his life with work, home, health, and family but does not show pride in his blessings from Heavenly Father.

3. Take care of your things.

4. Recycle. My dad always sorts out the recycling sometimes even after it is in the grabage,and loves to keep boxes that he can use later.

5. By example My Dad taught me to love your spouse. Care for them, make him happy, put their desires above your oven and you will both be happy.

6. Read your scriptures.

7. Set goals.

8. Become a Zion People, a Zion family, a Zion person. My Dad has given us more then 150 awsome pages of FHE lessons on establishing Zion.

9. My Dad has taught us how to Choose the Right. Brian Said that Daddy has been the most perfect example of Christ like love he knows.

10. From my Dad's love he has taught me of my Heavenly Fathers Love for me, and that Heavenly Father loves me more then I can understand.

11. My dad has taught me to assume and see the best in others.

12. Share. My dad loves to be generous.

13. My dad has a great sense of Humor. and doesnt get embarrassed, even on stage at girls camp doing the "tootie-tot" (really getting into it) in front of 50 laughing girls and leaders. He is always the star of the show.

14. My Dad has taught me I can have whatever I want. He did not spoil me bu taught me to be happy with what I have been blessed with. To always be grateful and thank the Lord. He taught me that any righteous desire that is the lords will is possible.

Glow Stick Fight, Hike to Scott's Toilet, falling down and The Plague

Our next family outing was a Camp out to Palomar Mountain State Park. On Tuesday we drove about an hour and half away. The camp site was nice, not too overrun with nature and not too established with concrete and paved roads. Every once in a while we felt all alone. Then a car would circle our camp and reminded us where we where.

Its not easy to do outings with the kids. At first it was hard for Brian and I to just be alone with them. It was boring, we did not know what to do with them. As the kids have gotten older that got better. We can play with them and enjoy their different stages Brian is so full of curiosity and wanting to try new things. Susan always makes us laugh and Katie teaches us a lot.

We still have the getting along problems, I don't think Brian and Katie will ever grow out of, the constant name calling, fighting, arguing.. "He called me Cake-ie!" or "She looked at me funny!". I really hope (and so does Brian sr.) that I will get over my constant nagging occasionally yelling at the kids, "Stop looking at her, don't call names, don't throw that, stop hitting, don't...No!...Stop!...Now!..AAhhhhhh!...etc..." Our outings are not perfect but we are trying, and as we do, the good times have outweighed the bad. So now let me highlight the good and bad of our camp out. The kids finally fell asleep after I told them (maybe even yelled) a dozen times. After I washed there hands and faces with warm water from a pot on the stove; And after we decided they need to sleep in our tent. Once they were asleep Brian and I could be alone by the fire. Very romantic, except that Brian was feeling home sick for camping with the Scouts and other rowdy boys. Camping reminded him too much of, jumping over the fire, getting all dirty, eating all the unhealthy food so the chance for romance was shot...for a while

That went on until the glow stick I was swinging over the fire (after I read that is was not flammable) melted a hole and sprayed glowing liquid on the rocks by the fire. Brian thought that looked fun so the took the glow stick and swung it around. We had fun playing with the glowing liquid throwing it all over each other and the ground. Covering everything with glowing dots. That satisfied both being a little rowdy and flirty he was so fun after that!

In the morning we went for some nature walks. First was Scott's Cabin, and Doane Pond. (Brian's younger brother is named Scott and the kids liked the idea of finding a cabbing for Uncle Scott) From the Pond "Scott's Cabin" was 1.2 miles. We took Susan along in the stroller. When it got to hard to push her Brian lifted the front and I held the back. After thinking we should turn around about 3 times we finally did. The path was covered with ferns and some other kind of green plant and not being botanists and the possibility of poison ivy we thought we should turn around. (After we got home we looked up poison Ivy and as it turns out, it does not grow in CA). As we walked to the car we passed the bathrooms and decided that was Scott's Cabin.

The pond was neat, we talked to a man who said he comes every 2 weeks to fish in the small lake. He said they keep the lake stocked with trout every few weeks. The fisherman pulled the fish he caught out of the water and let the kids touch them. Brian (Jr) has been begging to go fishing we told he he can only go if he will eat some fish. He has not tried any yet so it was good to show him how alive the fish are and what it would look like to catch one. At the lake there was a loud moaning sound, I thought it might be a cow but lower pitched, Brian thought it was a locus. The trail led us next to the lake and closer to the loud moaning. We were cautious as we walked pass, but could not see any animal. Then we saw in the lake there were huge frogs! The moaning was the big frogs in the lake.

Our next hike was a much easier stroll or nature walk to an open meadow. This time we left the stroller. Susan loved the freedom and ran most of the way. She did not want to hold anybody's hand and often tripped and fell. She never fell hard but every time she fell she would land on her chest and put her hands up trying not to get them dirty or touch the ground. While she waited for Brian or I to pick her up. Every time she fell we laughed, she was so tough not to hold our hand and not slow down. When she wanted to run faster she raised her shoulders like a football line backer ready to charge, but if she fell she was too dainty to let her hands get dirty! She caught on that falling down was making us laugh so she started falling it on purpose. Once we got to the open meadow we could see a fog coming through the trees quickly. We walked back to the car to end our outing.

As we drove through the mountain and out of the camping site it was foggy everywhere! Brian had to drive extra slow because he could not see more than a few car lengths ahead.
The kids all fell asleep in the back of the car as we drove home. At the campsite there were signs posted warning that squirrels might have the plague. On the drive home I had a bad head ache that lead to nausea shortly later Brian pulled over to let me throw up. He got me a blanket and my pillow and I eventually fell asleep. When I woke up I felt better and decided it was not the plague.

On the way home we stopped for lupper (lunch-supper) at KFC. This is blog-worthy because of Brian jr's reaction to Brian Sr's order of a "Buffalo Snacker" he laughed hard and looked so cute!

When we got home it was cloudy and rainy, for some reason all my memories of camping as a kid we come home to a thunder storm so the clouds and rain felt right.

Sweet Water, The Shores, and Exploring San Diego

The Team Jones just wont stop! As we drove home from Arizona we planned out next outing...camping. Somewhere close by, simple and with just the kids, but before we went camping we did some more exploring San Diego.

We decided to go when the kids were telling us how cool the babysitters were while we were cruisin' because they took them to Chucky-Cheese. Brian wasn't about to be out done by the baby sitters, and didn't want to spoil the kids that way. So instead we got them exited for exploring, campfires, cooking over a fire, hiking etc...and set off.
As usual Brian got out the map, foud a new spot called Sweet water, North of Choula Vista south of Bonita. looked up some new place, we packed the car and stopped by the store then we were off. The weather was nice, the spot wasn't too far but still felt far enough away from the city. The kids had fun exploring and tried out their mini camping chairs. In the photo Katie is holding one on her back, like a bcak pack. Brian and I got the chairs as a wedding gift that were way too small for us but just right for the kids. After dinner we went for a little nature hike.

When we got back to the car we saw 7 missed calls from Kace Wenger. He missed us a lot while we were in Arizona and he wanted to play with Brian badly. We told him they could come over, and spend the rest of the evening hanging out with Mardell and the kids, while Kaimi finished grading finals.

The next day, Saturday, (now a week ago) Brian and I took advantage of the free baby sitting and went to the Temple first thing in the morning. That was such a nice way to start the day! It set then mood for the rest of the day. We have been lucky to have the chance to go 2 times in 2 weeks! and free babysitters!

On the way home from the Temple Kace called and wanted us to go to the beach with him and his family. Brian's school doesn't start for a week so our schedule has been pretty open. We said sure, picked up the kids, changed and met at "The Shores." (Local talk for La Jolla Shores Beach)

For a Saturday is was pretty open. Parking was usual, but the beach was pleasant.

Brian, Brian and Kace ran for the water as soon as we got there. Those 3 boys are so much a like! They played hard, pushing themselves for as long as they could enjoying the water and caching waves. After they wore themselves out they curled up with a towel and rested under our small tent.

The girls stayed closer to the shore, splashing in the pools, and digging with sturdy shovels. Mardell watched the girls for a while so I could go out and play. She is always so helpful!

Susan was so fun to watch in the pools. Sullivan noticed the tide was rising and we might need to move away from the waves. He decided to dig a trench a few feet away from us to catch the water and give us time to move. Susan loves Sullivan because he is so helpful with her, he gets her what she wants, she follows him around and talks to him. After he dug the long trench she walked in in then crawled in it. Mardell and I thought she was so funny when she would crawl she was on her knees and arms, army crawling but keeping her hands up out of the sand.
Sullivans trench worked. As the tide came up everybody next to us scrampled to jump out of the water. As we clamly watched to water stop and fill up then move after the wave went out. After the beach the Wenger came over again for dinner and cooking over a fire. at the end of the day Brian (Sr) Said what a nice day it had been.