$2 Tuesdays

We went to the Dinosaur museum at thanksgiving point today with our good friends the cook's. We didn't know quite what to expect, but the line even before 10 am when it was to open was rather long. I was impressed with how quickly we got into the museum though.

Replicas of the sea creatures during dinosaur times.
Zach is really into these types of museums. He was on cloud nine.
Some of the creatures seemed to resemble now a day creature combos. One of these was the shell creature at the left. Zach said it was one of his favorites.
Then there were the actual fossil replicas...they really looked like sticks.
The caves that the kids crawled through...
More fossils
Bigger fossils
This is a miniature setting with dinosaurs in realistic scenes. Then you could try to find things that were shown on the bottom display. Zach was in heaven.
More of the display...
Meanwhile, Kirsten and Aspen were doing an art project. The idea was to copy a tile then put it up for display.
The finished copy. Great job Kirsten!
Make a dinosaur of your own with velcro parts.
Where did the dinosaur live?...
Push the button and find the light-up location.

Sitting on the big dinosaur feet.

Caleb was really getting tired of all the bones. He just wanted to go to the "stars." It is a dark room that had twinkley lights like the galaxy. Not dinosaur related at all.
The sand and water area where there where dinosaurs and trees to play with.
Dinosaur eggs...
Giant turtle fossil
taking a break on the rock sofa under the fish
Caleb in a real smile teasing me because he sat on the turtle shell enstead of beside it for the picture.
Just another cool fossil of a dino
HUGE shark...Caleb wasn't all that thrilled...
Just a reminder if you don't keep your kids off the exhibits the wandering employees will help you out...oops!
A real baby mammoth fossil... way cool!
The discovery area was one of the kids favorites...hands on always are.
The huge pterodactyl hanging from the ceiling.
We had a little picnic under a tree near the car. The day was getting hot and still it was comfortable in the shade.
A kid pile is always a good way to end a great adventure with friends.

Saturday bike ride

Now that all of our family can ride bikes, we decided it was time to go for a extended ride beyond the neighborhood. We went our of the neighborhood, down the road going south, across the railroad tracks and down the path by the river. It was so much fun and so beautiful. It's like a whole different world that is secluded from the rush of life.
Caleb taking up the rear on the way home after being the leader to start. He was getting alittle tired, but was a great sport and kept up with everyone.

All good things come to an end!

We enjoyed our adventure to California and seeing all our loved ones. We will miss our visits to the bank to see "Gaga." (notice hunter's plug and Caleb's)
Hunter's plug is gone. The kids got specially treats everytime they visited Gaga. Thanks you! We love you.
Chris and Melissa were great sports coming to see us at Lisa's house even though they worked all day in the sun before. We loved seeing you both.
Adam and Jessica came to hang out too. Jessica took the girls to the "spa" as Kirsten called it and got their nails done. She had a blast! Thanks Jessica for spoiling her in "girlie ways." She also gave us a much needed break by coming over and watching the kids while we went to soak in the hot tub at Chris and Melissa. It was nice to talk "adult" for awhile.
Hunter looking cool borrowing Adam's shades.
The last photo shoot before we take off for home. I love how Hunter is looking guilty notice the hand position to the left.
Now notice the smile on Hunter's face because he got Jessie's hair. Jessie's smile...not so much from enjoyment of the moment. Kirsten cheesarama. Zach and Caleb, " are we don't smiling yet." Tanner, "another one, really how many do you need aunt Kathryn?"
I love you Lisa! You're one of the my best friends and I'll miss being there with you doing the mothering together. Till next time...

Swimming at Uncle Chris and Melissa's

We enjoyed the use of Chris' and Melissa's pool to cool off in the hot California sun. Kirsten's enjoying a free ride on dad.
Zach took some lessons from Uncle Chris on swimming and became more confident and fishlike in the water. He's practicing some more.
We got these cool squirt guns from the dollar store and took them to the pool. The littler boys had fun on the sidelines aiming at the sitting ducks in the pool. Watch out aunt melissa and Chris.
Time to refill.
Hunter can't wait to get into the pool too.
I love this picture! I just wish it wasn't blurry.
"Watch out Zach, we've both got you as our next target!" I love their expressions...priceless.

Beautiful Seacliff state park Beach, CA

It was a beautiful friday afternoon, when we headed out to go to the beach. The water was a little chilly, but the kids didn't seem to mind as they made trips with full buckets of water back to our stake out place to make sand castles. Notice the boys head sticking out of the hole on the right of the screen. This was a huge pit that these kids made. We got to enjoy their labors later after they left. Watch the video at the end.
The boys were up closer to the water making their own hole to capture the waves as they left some water behind.
So far this is the depth of the water catching hole. We've got a long way to go boys...keep digging.
"okay"...
The chair sitters back in the shade of the umbrellas. Notice baby Hunter, 9months in heaven in the sand totally covered in clothes. He later had to return to the blanket when he nose dived into the sand. Poor little guy he just wanted to play in the sand like everyone else.

These two munchkins positioned themselves behind this log thinking that they would be safe from the water. Caleb had fallen into the swimming pool earlier in the week and was a little afraid of anything water. They were so funny coming up with their own sings and singing away together.
Caleb belting out his own lyrics.

Look what I found mom..a crab! He's so proud of himself, but really he didn't find it some older boys out in the water would bring him the ones that they would catch. He was delighted all the same.


After the real diggers left their pit we took ownership and took turns jumping in and over.