Fall Break

Last week the girls were on Fall break so my mom came into town to spend some time with us. The weather was still a little warm we went outside and enjoyed it anyway.

One day we went to Vertuccio Farms. The kids had a great time seeing so many animals (cows, pigs, chickens, goats, etc.) and riding on this cute little train.They were also able to "milk" a cow. The cow was made of cardboard and the milk was water.

It looks like some pictures are out of order. Here's that train again!

They also had this cool bounce thing called an air pillow. It was huge and the girls had a blast jumping on it for the longest time!

Then we had a picnic lunch and played on the playground.

Charis was able to ride on one of these for awhile. She did so great!

One day we had to wait for our new dishwasher to be delivered so we spent the morning painting. The girls love painting! I just don't love cleaning it up.

Out of order again, it looks like.

Another day we wet to Freestone Park. The girls love going there to ride the rides!

The carousel.

We're not in California anymore! There are no seat belts on the carousels here!

Charis' picture from painting day.

On the last day we went to the zoo. We have a season pass but because Summers are so warm we rarely go. Today was beautiful!

We had a picnic by the lake.

On our way out we stopped by the splash pad to cool off a bit. It was all fun and games until Emma took a hard fall right on her head. Then it was time to go home.

On the way home we stopped at "Mind Over Batter" for some ice cream. That made Emma feel much better!

This is from our picnic lunch at Freestone. After eating the girls fed the ducks their leftover turkey sandwiches.

We had such a fun visit with you , Mimi! Thank you for coming!

Last Vacation of the Summer

(Once again all these pictures were stolen from my sister since we still do not have a working camera.)

A few weeks ago the girls & I hopped in the car and drove back out to Southern California. This time we went a little further North from San Diego and ended up in the San Fernando Valley. We had such a fantastic time visiting with Mimi & Papa and the Johnsons. One day we all went to Knotts Berry Farm. We had a blast! The last time we were there Charis was 3 and Emma was 6 months old. This time Charis was 7, Emma was 4, Maddie was 3 and Savannah was 8 months old. Here's Maddie & Charis on the first ride. My dad & I took my girls on the Log Jammer. Charis LOVED it! Emma wasn't so sure about the big drop at the end but the splashing water was so refreshing! I think it was about 90 degrees that day. I thought it best not to complain about the heat seeing that at home it was about 115 that day!
All the ladies waiting for the train ride.

Savannah is such a sweet baby! Everyone wanted to hold and snuggle with her.

Looks like it's Charis' turn.

We also rode a stagecoach. Mimi, Papa, Savannah, Jesse & I were on the inside.

Knotts had the same ride that Legoland did! Once again it was a big hit!

The girls met Snoopy and whoever this other one is. It's pretty sad that I have no idea.

The girls on another ride waiting for instructions.

Sweet Savvy with Mimi.

Emma & Maddie rode on this little one. Charis was so disappointed that she was too tall to ride with them.

I love Emma's face!

My girls wanted to ride the "Carris Wheel" as Charis called it. I think it was a combination of Ferris Wheel and Carousel! Hilarious! Anyway, I didn't realize how high it went and how much I'm afraid of heights! Random strangers were laughing at me from the ground. I'm glad I was so entertaining!

These were the spinning hats. Everyone loved these! After two rides in a row I had to take a break. That chicken dinner was good the first time, I didn't need to taste it again.

The girls had so much fun just being together.

Charis is going to make a great mommy one day, er...how about a great babysitter one day!

Another day we went to the beach. It was COLD!!! But we still had a great time digging in the sand.

See how windy it was? Poor little Savvy was wrapped up in towels just to keep warm. Then the girls decided they wanted to go in the water. I'm not sure how I got stuck with that job.

By the time the sun had started to set I was completely numb from the knees down.

This is the day we went horseback riding.

Emma loved it! The second ride she wanted to go on a bigger horse that wasn't attached to this circle thingy but unfortunately I don't have any pictures of that.

Charis also went on a bigger horse the second time around. She loved it both times!

Then Mimi took us all on a train ride.

Mimi & her girls.

Thank you Mimi for a fun day!

And thank you to everyone (Papa, Mimi, Aunt Deedee, Uncle Jesse, Maddie & Savannah) for such a wonderful trip! We loved spending every minute with you and it was a great end to a great Summer! School starts on Monday!

More San Diego

Here's a few more beach pictures from other days. Over all I think we spent 5 days at the beach! Thank you Grandma & Grandpa for such a wonderful vacation!

And...Emma never got a sunburn! That's an accomplishment!

Legoland

On Thursday Ben's parents took us to Legoland. The girls had the best time! We didn't realize how much they love roller coasters! It was so fun to watch them laugh and scream on all the rides! Ben had fun too since Legoland now has a Star Wars themed area. Here's the Star Wars sand castle.

The first ride of the day.

Emma in the lions mouth.

Emma and Grandpa on a ride.

Charis loved all the Lego statues around the park. She wanted to pose with each one.

Now for all you Star Wars fans...I won't try to explain what each one is because I have no idea.

Enjoy!

Ben found some friends.

So did the girls.

This ride was hilarious. We thought it was going to be like the teacups at Disneyland. It's not. It's much faster and spins a lot more!

This might have been my favorite simply because the girls laughed so hard the whole time!

Then next day Ben, the girls & I returned to Legoland for another day of screaming and laughter! I don't have any pictures of Friday at Legoland but it was filled with roller coasters! Emma was just tall enough (with shoes on) to ride the big coasters. She loved it! Every time we got off a ride she would say, "More, again!"