Tide Pools

One morning at low tide we went out to some tide pools to see what we could find. There were tons of little crabs, sea anemones and sea snails. And lots of surfers too! This was a beautiful but more rocky area of beach and a beautiful day.

USS Midway

We spent a very interesting afternoon aboard the USS Midway, a retired aircraft carrier that is now a museum. It was unbelievably huge, and quite an experience exploring the labyrinth of the lower decks! On the main deck (4 acres!) they had about 20 old war planes...

Spencer explores a real cockpit...

The boys get debriefed on the next mission...

And somehow they all ended up in the brig! Maybe we should have left them there.

Sea World

At Sea World, the boys liked the shark exhibit the best. We went in this giant tube under the water, and the sharks were swimming all over above us. It was awesome!

This was the new ride, "Atlantis." It's a cross between a roller coaster and a log flume. It was very awesome. The kids rode it several times in a row--until they had the stop the ride for Aubree, who got in trouble for switching seats in mid-ride! Oh Aubree, how embarrassing!



Aubree and Adam got to feed and pet the dolphins. Aubree said this was the very best part of the whole trip.

Ew! Sardines!

Beach Day

Thursday was our beach day. Well, we went to the beach EVERY day, but we spent the WHOLE day at the beach this time. Everyone wore wetsuits and they boogie boarded for hours. They came out looking like a cross between a raisin and a lobster! They had a blast though.

Okay this was our lovely beach house, or beach "shack." If any of you saw our first apartment after we were married, think of that and you will get a feel for our 4-star accommodations on this trip! The kids thought it was awesome though. It was RIGHT BY the beach!! What else could you want!

Ben and Spencer buried in the sand

Cam rides a wave "all the way in!"

Adam's Iguana Boogie Board--his favorite souvenir from the trip

Wild Animal Park

The last day of our trip we went to the Wild Animal Park. By then, everyone was exhausted and sunburned and they were REALLY dragging! We dragged them around anyway and saw lots of awesome animals and gorgeous birds that we had never seen before. On the tram ride, we figured Spencer was actually listening to the guide, because he pointed to a group of antelope and said "Mom, are those species?"

By far the kids' favorite part was the Lorikeet exhibit, where you went in with cups of nectar and the Lorikeets landed all over you. They were so pretty and it's quite an experience to be covered with birds!

Ben, Spencer and Adam loved the monkeys. Wonder why. Maybe because you're the same SPECIES, Spencer?

The petting zoo

Not Fun!

Two days out from our trip to Disneyland, this is what Spencer looks like: He has hives all over his body from head to toe. I thought he was getting better yesterday but he woke up in the middle of the night and they were worse. So I guess I'll have to haul him to the doctor in the morning and see what they can do for him. It's SO sad! He keeps saying, "I don't want to be me! I want to be somebody else! These beehives are no fun!"

Spring Recital

My two budding pianists

Fancy treats - cookies baked on a stick...Mmmm.

So, last week I had my spring recital. I decided we would just have it at my house, because last year I rented a recital hall and about, oh, 10 people showed up. Awkward! So I decided I would never do that again. This year, my entire front room was chuck full of families, grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles, and we kept pulling out chairs and more chairs...you can't win! But I was glad there were so many people there! Adam and Aubree did AWESOME!