She's Back!!!

For some people, three days went by in a flash! For others, it seemed like a very, very, very long three days!! We could hardly wait for Ashley to get home. On Friday night, she called us at 10:15 from the bus. Through all of the noise, she told us to meet her at her school at 11:00. We hurried over, just a little bit early, to make sure we were there when she arrived. Finally, we saw the bus pulling in. It was a happy reunion! (Morgan was getting tired of hanging out with old people by herself!)

We headed home with Ashley and all of her stuff around 11:15. Everything made it back home safely...some things a little dirtier than when they left.

And a few new things came home, too. This took all of her money, but it was worth it! (She's been asking for a sweatshirt without a zipper for awhile!)

What's a trip to the beach without seashells?

I made her try on the poncho for me. She really didn't appreciate it, but she was a good sport! ☺

I figured 11:45 p.m. was a perfectly good time to start unpacking and washing! (Starting with those shoes!!)


Ashley thought it was a great time to show Morgan her shells...

...and all of her notes from labs! (Also known as "Fish Massacres.")

By midnight, most people were probably off to bed. Not the Browns! We were off to Wal-Mart to drop off Ashley's cameras. We couldn't wait to see her pictures! (At the end of this post.)

Finally, around 12:30, it was time for a snack...
**Retainer courtesy of Dave Smith Orthodontics**

...and bed!

No seriously! Can I sleep now???

Wait? Why do I have a hole in my heel?

Oh well! This was a great experience for Ashley! Thanks to everyone who helped her to go.

Enjoy her pictures below! (In no particular order...mostly because I HATE Blogger sometimes...oh yeah...don't mind the quality...disposables ya know...and she wasn't sure how to work the flash!)

What's all over her face you ask? Oh, that's just squid ink. That she cut out of a squid. A real one. Gross!

Beautiful underwater photography. I believe this is called grass.

The cutest toes on a bed of algae. She was taking a picture of an anemone.

A glimpse into the girls dorm.

Ashley and friend, Sydney--or Squidney, on snorkeling day.

Ashley and bus buddy, Lexi.

A few girls got seasick on the boat ride. (Not Ashley!)



One of the highlights of the trip: seeing these white bellied dolphins while hanging out on the boat.
On the last day of the trip, they were supposed to go boogie-boarding, but they got rained out. Instead, they got to go "The Children's Beach" and check out the seals that had beached there.


It was also very cool to see this sea lion. It barked a lot, but it didn't clap its flippers.

Beautiful ocean scenery.

Some sort of creatures from the floating marine lab. (A snake-like thing that is actually from the seahorse family, and a lobster!)

Ashley's Pacific Mackerel "Pac Mack,"--Freddy--before the massacre. Poor Freddy!

R.I.P.

Sea Camp

Today we arrived early at school to see Ashley off to Sea Camp. She was so excited for her trip. I was feeling a bit nauseous! Either way, she jumped on the bus and headed to San Diego...without us!

The kids had to turn in their cell phones when they got on the bus. We were told they would call us after they arrived and got settled in their rooms.

The funny little man driving the bus assured the horde of waiting parents that he would deliver our children safely to their destination. (He then laughed maniacally, rubbed his hands together, displayed his winged-devil tattoo and said his grand kids wanted to see him again. Imagine my relief...NOT!)

TEN HOURS LATER, Ashley called. She was absolutely ecstatic. She told us she was too busy being oriented, dissecting a "Pac Mac", petting strange creatures, and eating buffets to call sooner. She loved riding on the bus, and has friends in her bunk arrangement. Oh yeah, and they are showering in bathing suits because six girls have to shower at a time. She had to hurry off the phone to go to another lab. She wanted me to tell everyone she loves them.........and that she's snorkeling tomorrow!

(She'll also be on a floating marine lab, whale watching, and net-fishing!)

Only 48 more hours until she comes home!!!

Aladdin Performances: Pictures and Videos

Just a few pics and videos from performance nights. The girls were AMAZING. We are so proud of them both!!!

Getting ready....What a beauty!

Ashley's cast getting silly after the show!

Morgan's Cast

Genie and Jasmine (A.K.A. Ashley and Kenna)

Friends make everything fun! (Morgan, Sam, Ashley)

Alex and Morgan

We have great directors! (Morgan and Ms. G)

Ashley, Ms. Chalice, Morgan

No one is better than a sister!

We also have awesome fans! (Grandpa, Brett, and Cole)

Morgan with Grandma Darlene and Grandma Chris

Grandma and Grandpa Brown even came!

Ashley as Genie doing "Friend Like Me." (Notice that awesome dancer doing fortes!)

Aladdin Jr.--It's Showtime!

I know, I know...I'm waaaaaaay behind! I will someday post our Christmas/New Year's pics and change my background. (Maybe before Valentine's day.)

Announcing the opening night of Aladdin Jr.--Tuesday, January 13th at 7:00. (Both girls will be in that show.) Morgan will also be appearing on Monday, January 19th.

Tonight was our first dress rehearsal. Everything looked so cute. The girls did an amazing job, and their costumes ROCKED! (Thanks Grandma Darlene!!) They have one more rehearsal on Saturday, and then it's lights, camera, action! I'm so proud of my little characters. Here are some pictures from tonight's rehearsal:

Ready for my close-up!

Ashley and friends

Morgan looking GOOD! (and Aladdin)

Partial Cast

Morgan and Friend

Mic Check Check Check--This is serious business!

After Jasmine and Aladdin juuuuuuuuump!

Excuse me? Did you rub my lamp? Did I not offer you the standard three-wish package?

You ain't never had a friend like Ashley!