Brentwood and movie stars

We drove through the cute shopping district in Brentwood on our way to Santa Monica. Isn't this shoe store so adorable? I'm sure I couldn't even afford one shoe. We went to Soup Plantation and Zachary found a $50 bill on the street. Then we walked into the restaurant and I took Carina to the restroom and we saw Courtney Thorne-Smith. I didn't know her name either. I had to look her up. She is on that show with Jim Belushi called "Life according to Jim" or something. She used to be on Melrose Place if any of you remember that show.
Anyway, not that I really care, but, it was kinda fun to see a movie star. Our first sighting!

Santa Monica Beach

We finally took the kids to the beach. It was our first time since moving here. It's been too cold to go and today was no exception. But the kids swam anyway of course. Carina didn't enjoy the cold water as much as the other kids. Uncle David came along and spent the day with us. We were so glad he stayed a little longer so he could come see us. We also had Marshall with us. He is Wesley's new friend. He is in 8th grade and is in our ward. They have been having so much fun together. He is such an easygoing and good kid. We enjoy taking him along places with our family. I think this place is called Will Rogers state beach or something like that. We could see the amusement park on the pier, but we weren't right at that beach.

I got to go jogging on the beach while Willie and Dave watched the kids. I hadn't done that in over 15 years. Every time we go, I am with the kids, so I never take off by myself. That short time was so invigorating. There is something so amazing about the ocean. The smell, the breeze in your face, the grandeur. I love the beach!

First Place Winners

Aren't Dads amazing? Willie and David worked for a couple of hours on these. Strudel has a home away from home now and the kids can come to the beach in their very own volkswagen bug. So stylish!

Primary Drive-In Activity

Last week our ward held a fun primary activity. Our family had a great time making these cars. We were especially grateful to have Dad and Uncle Dave help with the creations. Maddie had a corvette, Zach a John Deere tractor, and Carina a Hummer. The kids rotated stations and drove their cars around while they learned to follow the path of Jesus Christ. Then they gathered in the cultural hall for a movie and popcorn and juice boxes. It was super cute! Maddie says it was her favorite primary activity ever. Sometimes simple things make the biggest impressions on kids. We are grateful for our Primary leaders.

Father/Son Golf Day

Grandma and Grandpa came up for Willie's birthday and we went out to dinner and to the planeterium. It was a great night. Saturday morning Willie and Wayne went to De Bell Golf Course. It is about a mile from here just up the street from the church. It is gorgeous! Willie also scored some drivers from grandpa for his birthday, so he was able to try them out. They had a great time together!

Dave was here last week and the three of them golfed together. What a special time to be able to spend with family.

Happy Spring

This the the azalea bush in my front yard. It has gone crazy! It's so gorgeous! The smells are unreal outdoors right now. We have a lemon tree behind our patio and it smells amazing. Star jasmine is all over the place in Burbank. It's just amazing the way everything grows with a little water and morning dew. Wow! This street is Alameda and it is my view from my living room window. There are so many beautiful tree-lined streets in Burbank. You can't even see the sky. I love all the shade.

I also get great workouts because it 's so hilly!

Twins?

This is Carina with her new friend Annabelle. They are in the same primary class at church. They have the same exact hair color and length. They have cute little cheeks and pouty lips. People mistake them for each other all the time. Annabelle has brown eyes though and Carina has blue. They are both such sweet girls and I love being their primary teacher. They get along really well and are already good friends.

Family Photos

These were our last professional family photos. I think it's time for a new one. Don't you agree? I can hardly believe my baby just turned six. I love these pictures!

Where's Waldo

Wesley went to a super fun "Tri-ward" activity tonight for mutual. They met at the church and then headed to the mall for "Where's Waldo." They had to find people dressed in green from the ward throughout the mall. Just so you know, our mall is huge. It's three stories and always busy, making it more challenging and fun.
Wes said he had fun walking around the mall with his friends. He'd never done that before. Uh-Oh! It begins. The teenage years of walking around the mall.

Sunday Outing

A few weeks ago we went to the Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn cemetery. It is only a few miles from our house. We see it on the hill all the time as we are driving places. It is a pretty amazing place. This isn't the one where Willie works. This one is smaller. The mosaic patriotic mural is pretty awesome. The kids really enjoyed walking around and seeing beautiful statues, murals, and vast land.
It may seem like a strange thing to do on Sunday, but it was pretty neat. I really felt the spirit walking around the cemetery. It is such a beautiful and peaceful place. We drove up to the top of the cemetery and took a picture of the valley and it made me feel so grateful for this beautiful world that Heavenly Father created for us.

Wilcox Kids Corner

I just wanted to let you know about this link on the top of our blog. Please feel free to check it out and make comments. The kids want to have their own "Kid" section, so look for fun kid stuff in the future. Kid's drawings, puzzles, mazes, joke.s, photos, etc

Parent-Teacher Conferences

This week we had conferences for Maddie, Zachary, and Carina. I was so happy to hear how well they are doing in class and how well they are adjusting. All three are making new friends and are great examples to other students.
We are very fortunate to have such great teachers. I feel they are genuinely concerned about my children and work hard at their jobs.

Homesick

I guess I am missing my friends, ward, and home tons this week. The kids are starting to adjust and make friends in their school and ward and things are going fine, but I miss the familiarity of it all. I have met some nice moms at the park after school and I know it takes time, but I just miss my friends. I miss working with the Young Women in our ward. Those girls are so AMAZING!

Yes, believe it or not, I miss Sierra Vista. I miss looking out the window and seeing the mountains and the waterfall after the rain or snow. I miss seeing deer on my morning walks and sometimes javelina. I don't miss snakes, scorpions, or vinagaroons. Yuk!! I don't miss cacti either or the dryness of my skin.

I know I need to give it time, but I just want to send a big hug to all my friends in Arizona. Please come see us anytime.

Nice Smile

L.A. Style

Los Feliz is the name of the neighborhood around Griffith Park. The homes and architecture are really amazing. There are traditional, arts and crafts, Art Deco, Old Spanish Style, and others. It is so fun to drive around here and check out these homes. I'm sure they are worth millions.

Beware of Fine-toothed Combs

I got home from Enrichment night on Thursday and Carina had a bandanna tied around her head. She says, "Hi mom, don't touch my head." I did touch it and removed the bandana( kitchen towel) and found Carina's hair wrapped as tight as can be around a comb. She was trying to comb her hair after her bath and wound her hair all up instead. Willie had vegetable oil in it, hence, the bandana. I made many attempts with shampoo and conditioner and was only able to unwind some of it. So we cut it. I really din't want to cut her bangs because it took so long to grow them out, but I was able to unwind enough to manage to keep it long enough to tuck behind her ears. It turned out fine. I washed it and brushed it and put clips in it. So cute!

Reading Machine

Our little Carina has become quite the reader lately. She has been reading sight words and simple books that she brings home from Kindergarten, but something just clicked suddenly. She read her first two "real" books from the library last week. For those of you looking for a fun book, Sally goes to the Mountains, is adorable. Carina was all smiles after reading these books for me. She of course got many hugs and cheers from the whole family. We sure love her.

Isn't it so amazing when kids learn to read? It's like a miracle. Letters that are meaningless one moment, are magic the next.