Southern California Trip - Part 1

The first stop on our trip to Southern California

was at the Mormon Battalion Center, in San Deigo.

After an informative and fun presentation of what the battalion went through and what they accomplished, the kids (and parents) got to pan for gold.

 

 Then the kids climbed all over this pioneer wagon.  Posing and requesting photos be taken.  I was happy to oblige.

 My oldest two decided to play in what they called the "holy water",

and then we ended up across the street where the kids got to just run and play.  A necessity when traveling in the car for hours and hours and hours and hours and hours.

And that was Day 1.

Day 2 was spent at SeaWorld.

 Here dolphins and orcas and all kinds of sea creatures entertained us as we observed and oohhed and aawwed.

 Here a few chosen kids got drenched and enjoyed every minute of it.  Thank goodness for beautiful warm weather.

We witnessed sharks swimming just above our heads, which was a little nerve-racking despite having a thick piece of glass between us and them.

We touched and examined star fish that are really, really hard (seemingly impossible) to actually see moving around in the water.

 And we finished the day off with a family photo to document that yes, we were all here together!

Designer Shirts

It is becoming a tradition.
Whenever we head out on a vacation to a popular, crowded, fun park,
I tend to buy the kids shirts in the same color
and then let them add their own special touches.

This time around her post was the inspiration.

Here is the proof of our shirt designing adventure
and some of the kid-approved results.

And speaking of our family vacation trip-
my front room has been over taken the past few days with piles.
Laundry piles and packing piles.
I think we are about ready to go.

 

California Here We Come!

The First Snowfall

 The first SNOWFALL

 of the Season

 is the BEST

and the YUMMIEST

 is the most DANGEROUS

 and the best for SNOW ANGELS

 is the COOLEST

 and great for AMBUSHES

and just the most FUN.

Our Halloween 2012

Our Halloween Kids

They had a long but wonderful day

I know I am going to miss this someday...

because I already miss this.

Halloween 2006