Final Day in D.C.

Today we got all the kids packed and their rooms cleaned. Then off to our Nation's Capitol, which was very cool. We weren't able to have a tour by the intern, but it was still pretty good. After that we were able to walk down one of the tunnels to the National Library. They had many exhibits but best of all we were able to go onto the 2nd story and look down into the library which was very cool. I love all the indention's in the marble stairs from the millions of people who walk on them.

We then were off to the airport for our very long flight home. We were supposed to not have a stop in San Diego but since they could squeeze us onto another flight they did. So instead of getting home at 9:30 pm it moved it to 12:30. Oh well!!!

All in all we had an amazing trip and wouldn't have changed it a bit.

Ahh Day 4 of our DC Trip

Well today my little legs are hurting just a tad. The kids seem to be enjoying themselves, and are really getting into the whole history part of the trip. I am quite glad that they all are really good friends and we haven't had any problems with any of them.

Today we started out going to Mount Vernon "George and Martha Washington's' Plantation. This is Bob and I's 3rd time going and I had never gone down to the river which was so very cool. I love that it is still a working plantation. This time we were able to walk around the property alot more which was cool.

Then off to the Newsmusum which was very cool. It had an outside deck on the top story that you could view all of Pensynvilia Ave. Inside there were exhibits of all kinds of news and how and when it started including papers.

Day 3 of our D.C. Trip

Off to a great start today with a trip to Arlington National Cemetery. We were able to see the change of guards at the tomb of the Unknown Solider. We were told they have about 26 burials a day, and we were able to see the persecution of one where he/she had full honors with the band, horse and carriage and the empty horse with the boot turned around. They also did the 21 cannon blast.

Then we went to the Holocaust Museum which had a new section with stopping the germicide that is going on today in Sudan and other places. We were able to hear from a survivor from the Holocaust and that was extra special.

We also went to Einstein Statue, US Air force Memorial, September 11th Memorial and the White House.

Day 2 of our Washington Adventure

Well today was one of many long and fun filled packed days. We left our hotel in Gettysburg and started the day with the Smithsonian's. We managed to hit 4 of them, the Air and Space, the Arts, the Castle, and the National. In the middle of the National Mall you can take fun pictures of the Washington Monument and the Capitol.





Then off we went the the Washington Monument where we were able to go all the way to the top. We were actually able to see the D.C. Temple which Kate thought was cool and showed it off to all her friends.

We then went to the National Cathedral and had an amazing tour. We were so lucky when the organist came in to practice for that evenings service. It was so amazing to hear him play and the way it carried thru the Cathedral was so amazing. It was very interesting that everything was so different when it came to the architecture. It actually drove Bob crazy that nothing was built or sculpted the same. Oh well





We finished out the day with the Lincoln Memoral, Korean Memorial, and Vietnam Memorial.

Sunday Night/Monday Morning Airport Experience

Well we made it to the San Fransisco Airport and got all the kids unloaded from the bus with about 3 hours to spare. We spent about 1 1/2 hrs in a little corner waiting for our group to be called. We then were able to go upstair get a bite to eat "a bar was the only thing open" and then at 11:57 take our 1st flight to Wesiconson. Then we got off the plane ate some more and borded another plane to Baltimore. On the 1st flight no one was really sitting by anyone they knew which kept the kids pretty quite, since they were scared half to death. Our 2nd flight Bob and I were able to sit together and Kate sat with her friends.

My D.C trip with a bunch of 8th graders

Ok per a suggestion from my amazing mother I am journaling/ blogging our trip to Washington DC. So at this point we are on a bus going to the San Francisco airport. I've been listening to a audio book but haven't heard all that much cuz I can hear Kate's voice over every other 14 year old on this bus. Yea the teacher Mike just told them to lower their voices. Ha ha it just went up even louder. Anyway our flight leaves at 11:58 tonight. I am hoping to get some good pictures and hope you enjoy the ride.

Easter Sunday

Oh how I love Easter Sunday. It is a very relaxing day at home with the kids and all the traditions that both Bob and I family's have had as we were kids. I also love it when our own children add a little of their own traditions. As they get older it really becomes our own Easter and not the one I grew up in. I can say that our girls really know the true meaning of Easter and their love for our Savior Jesus Christ.

Bob's Egg Coloring Techniques

Easter 2011

Our Cute Little Family

Liv Hunting for Eggs

Sonoma Hanging out with her Cousins

Easter Saturday was at Bob's parents house. We had lunch and several activities like coloring eggs, egg toss, launching rockets and of course the Easter Egg Hunt. Luckily we had beautiful weather for the whole day.

Kat and Natalie looking for Eggs in the Big Kid area.

Bob and Gabbie just hanging out.

Karen and Leah looking for falling rockets

Olivia's Gold Rush Play

Olivia's 4th grade class put on a very cute play about the California Gold Rush. It was very cute!

AHH The Ocean!

For those of you who know Bob and I this is our favorite place to be with our kids or with out them.

Last month Bob and I were able to do a quick get away. We have a great friend from work who owns a beach house right on the Ocean in Cambria which is about 10 miles south of Hertz Castle. We had an amazing time just relaxing, seeing the local sights, and taking a drive down to Moro Bay, and enjoying all the local restaurants. I love little towns and is one of Cambria those cute little towns on the Central California Coast. You could almost drive right by it and not even see all the great shops. I loved all the little antique stores, I had to help myself from purchasing a beautiful baby white Christing Gown which was probably made in the 1930's. Its a good thing it had a little stain or else I would have come home with it. It would have looked beautiful on my wall.

Thanks Jim and Vicki for the amazing gift of your home away from home!

Sonoma's Drawing Video "Fireflies"

Sonoma made this video of our family to one of my favorite songs. Love It!!!

Kate's Video "Touchin on my 3OH!3"

Here's a video that Kate and her best friend Katie made. For 30 Sec of video it took them a whole day. Kinda of fun.

Sutters Fort with Olivia

Waggon Ride Into The Fort
The Whole Group

Olivia Being a Fur Trader

Our Pioneer Day Picture

Our Modern Day Picture

This year is our last year at Sutters Fort. We have had the opportunity to come and participate in an amazing program. Both Sonoma and Katelyn were able to go when they were in 4th grade and now it was Olivia's turn. This year since Bob and I had done it 3 other times they concerned us experienced. So we had the duties of Coordinator, Photographer and Personal Assistant to Mrs Bales. Bob also had the duty of making sure all the fires were cared for.

The experience at Sutters Fort was to recreating a 2 day 1 night day in the life of a pioneer that lived at the fort. The kids were able to ride in waggons from old down town Sacramento to the Fort which is about 6 miles. Then they were greeted by John Sutter (which was played by a boy in Olivia class). After that the Pioneers moved into their groups and went to different stations. Some of the Stations were candle making, blacksmith, making corn husk dolls, bakery, fur trappers, rope making, kitchen, and carpentry (they get to make a square stool that is branded with the Sutter Fort brand, we have 3 of them and they are very handy).

We also make all of our meals there over fires and in dutch oven. This year we had Deer, Boor, and Bear stew for dinner. I must say it was so amazing, thanks to Nathans dad TY who is the owner of a local restaurant Bootleggers. After dinner we had the Amazing Harmonica's and the kids were able to square dance and listen to some old time music.

The kids all slept in tents as Bob and I headed to the local Hyatt (I learned after we went with Sonomas class that there was no way I was tenting if I was going to be coherent the next day for clean up). During the night the kids all do Night Watch were the get the chance to walk around the fort in the dark and make sure they are not being invaded.

The following morning after a great nights sleep, we cleaned up and cleared out. It does make me sad that we most likely will be our last chance of going on this field trip, but I am so glad that we were able to especially with the talk of the State of California closing it due money issues.

The End Of Another Year

We have at least 15+ pairs of Converse, are we addicted or what?

As we move into yet another year, I love to take pictures of the girls as a tribute to the year that has gone and the growth of my girls. I love to go back and see all of the pictures of them and how different they are every year. To Sonoma, Katelyn, and Olivia we are proud that you are ours. Love Mom and Dad

Sonoma's Choir Concert

This year is Sonoma's 3 year of performing in the High School Choir. Since the school only does the Cabaret 1 time a year Sonoma has been lucky enough to have choir that semester. This year the main theme was Broadway. They did a couple of songs from Lion King. What an amazing production!

Christmas 2010

It was a hard getting into the swing of things for Christmas. This year I didn't do the whole Black Friday shopping. Bob and I decided that the girls only got 1 Santa Gift, and that we would all pick each others names for their other gift. So really I had no shopping since most of the deals were online. But as I think back I could have done the white elephant, christmas socks, and dresses. Oh well enough about shopping. We kept it on the down low this year since Bob was still recovering from his hand surgery and I was just tired from a year and a half of 4 of mine own. All in all we did have a great time with our simple christmas.

Thanksgiving 2010

This is one of my cooking day. I try to always do at least 1 thing diffrent every year. Every year that goes buy it is nice to have the girls in the kitchen more and more. I can't wait for the day when they feed Bob and I and we get to come as guests. It will be cool to see what they have on their Thanksgiving table.

Fort Bragg

If you haven't noticed our favorite vacation spot is the beach, especially in Fort Bragg. We were able to take our one and only vacation in 2010 to fort bragg for 2 days. Of corse our main stopping place is glass beach were we of corse read our newest book and pick thru all the old blue, green, and brown glass washed up on shore.