August 2008 - Walking with Dinosaurs

We got to take the kids to the "Walking with Dinosaurs" show (http://www.dinosaurlive.com/). It was really well put together, and the kids enjoyed it. Here they are with their friend Zoe who went with her family and us.

August 2008 - Wild Rivers

My friend Suzanne, and her 2 kids Ava and Rex, and Nicole, Tyler and I took a drive down to Irvine and enjoyed a day at Wild Rivers Water Park. It was so much fun!

Here are Tyler and Rex having a snack

While Nicole and Ava lounge in the sun

August 2008 - Disneyland Monorail Mark VII

Our Disneyland passesd are valid again, and before we took the summer off the Monorail that we frequently rode between Downtown Disney and Tomorrowland looked like this..

On our first time back after the summer blackout we got to ride on the new Monorail Mark VII which looks like this...

It's good to be back :)

August 2008 - Power Wheels

I have wanted to buy the kids a Fisher Price Power Wheels Jeep for the longest time! I was presented with a great opportunity when Mattel, which is just down the street, had a Power Wheels safety event where the kids could drive the cars around the track on the Mattel property.

August 2008 - First Sleepover

Nicole had India over for her first sleepover. We set up the air mattress in the living room for the girls.

They had swam, and played all day long, so shortly after 10 pm this is how the evening ended...

August 2008 - Chuch-E-Cheese

Tyler's friend Colin had his 3rd Birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese - a kids idea of HEAVEN, and a parents NIGHTMARE in terms of GERM INFESTATION!!!!!!!

Tyler was so in LOVE with Chuck-E-Cheese

Tyler and The Birthday Boy Colin

August 2008 - Mark and Maria

We have two WONDERFUL neighbors, Mark and Maria. The kids love them!!

M&M made us some cupcakes, so Nicole made a Thank You card for them on which she drew M&M. The resemblance is uncanny :)

August 2008 - The In-n-Out Truck

One of the great things about living in California is a chain restaurant called In-n-Out Burger. Our family enjoys going there, but you gotta love the USA even more when something as great as In-n-Out comes to you!!! Talk about the land of convenience!

Tyler's pre-school had a movie night, complete with fresh made In-n-Out burgers...YUMMY!!

August 2008 - Friends Celebrating Together

My friend and Neighbor Heather is having her 5th baby, so a group of friends got together to celebrate with her. What a cute group of mommies we make :)

July 2008 - New friends

We have some new neighbors, The Maugere/Larsen family. They have a daughter, India who Nicole has played with almost every day since they moved in.

Here are Tyler, Nicole & India on a hike in Tememscal Canyon

Here are the girls at the Aquarium of the Pacific

The kids at the Greystone Mansion Koi pond

July 2008 - A Day in Washington DC

Our kind friends Erin & Carey and their 2 kids Ander & Hadyn were kind enough to be our hosts and tour guides during our stay in the Washington DC area. Our day started off with a ride on the Metro. The kids loved being together!

First stop - The White House

Erin made a great suggestion, to view the city from the Old Post Office Tower. It is an AMAZING way to see the whole city!

Here is the view of the Capitol from the Old Post Office Tower

Pass by the Washington Monument

The Smithsonian - we went to the Air & Space Museum

Final Stop - The Jefferson Memorial

The kids found some great sticks to play with at the Jefferson Memorial. Nicole and Ander were such troopers about walking all day long. I was glad that they got to take a break!

Erin, Hadyn and Tyler taking a break

We decided to have dinner in DC, but trying to find a restaurant without a lengthy wait proved difficult. Carey did us proud and found a great little place, but here is a picture of the tired crowd

We had a great time, DC is an amazing city. Thanks Carey, Erin, Ander & Hadyn for being so hospitable!!

July 2008 - 4th of July in Washington DC

It isn't every year that you get to spend the 4th of July on the National Mall in Washington DC, but we got to this year! The weather was pretty dreary, but it was so worth it. Thanks to Carey and Erin for taking us!!

This was Mike's first trip to Washington DC, and the kid's too. I had to laugh when Mike said to Tyler "you better remember his, because it took me 35 years to get here " :)

July 2008 - Miniature Golf

What family vacation would be complete without a game of miniature golf?? There was a little course at the resort, and Mike and the kids played several times during our stay. The kids LOVED it!!

July 2008 - Colonial Williamsburg

We spent the day in Colonial Williamsburg, and it is definitely worth the visit! It is like stepping back in time, and it is so great to walk where the early US presidents and leaders walked.

The place the intrigued me the most was the Governers Palace. The Palace is really beautiful, with so much detail and craftsmanship!

Here are the kids playing in the gardens