Family Fun Day

I'm going to jump around a little bit in my posting. After I finally downloaded all my pictures from my camera I saw there were many that I still have to do from before our move, that I decided to just post as I can. This one is pretty fresh in my mind because we just went to this place last weekend. A friend here told me about it, and said we would just love it...and we did! Got a family membership and everything :) So here is some more recent pictures of us and the beginning of fun adventures here in California.

The first thing you see when you walk in is this awesome carousel. My sisters and I have this tradition of riding the carousel at Six Flags as our very first ride whenever we go...at least that's how it was back then...it's been years since I've actually been. But I think it's a fun thing to do and you are never too old for the carousel. The kids have been on 3 different ones already here!

There are many different play grounds and areas within the park, and this was one of them, bythe leaping lemur exhibit.

I LOVE these flowers! Soooo big!

There was a little zoo with goats you could go in with and feed, brush, and pet. This water fall was around that exhibit with the birds on top. Then there was a barn area with all kinds of farm animals. The kids loved being around the animals-and I think it helped that a few days prior to this we went to a farm with some friends and had some animal encounters.

So cute, and very goofy boys :)

There was this roller coaster and Aiden wanted to go on it. Yes. You may pick your jaw up from the floor...he really did want to go on it without any persuasion on our part! I said "Let's watch it first" since this was actually a pretty big step up from those Dragon ones at the county fair...and he kind of didn't like at all. So we watched it and I asked him "Do you still want to go?" and he said "YES!" "Ok...who do you want to go with you?" "Mommy!" (secret "woohoo" on my end) haha. So we waited in line while Micah and Devin waited for us. We got on, and he was all smiles until the first drop-and then his face dropped. I thought we were in for it then, but as we rounded the corner to go around for the second time I tried to get him to smile and enjoy it, and he really did. He was very excited when we got off and tell Daddy all about it. I was so thrilled he wasn't scarred for life! I really should have taken a picture of the coaster itself, but maybe next time.

Another play ground area

We then found this dragon train that Devin could go on.

It was cute because we traveled through different fairy tale scenes and forests, and this tunnel.

The kids loved the kiddie rides too, and rode this one twice.

Devin was soooo cute because he would wave at us every time. As a parent that really is such a special moment...at least it was for us!

We ended the day with a puppet show. We'd been there for most of the afternoon and Devin was beginning to get really really tired. We didn't see the whole park, but we're excited to go back soon and take some friends or family with us as we get 2 guests in with us anytime we want with our membership :)
On our way back to the car we asked Aiden what his favorite thing was, and the first thing he said was the roller coaster! Then he went on to basically name everything else we did :) Now he won't stop bugging us to go back and bring his new friends. Glad it was such a hit for them!

Condo Fun

The day after we got everything unloaded, Micah and I were busy trying to make some sense out of all the boxes, so Dan, Sandy, and Larry took the boys to the park and pool that we have. One of the definite draws for us picking this place was that there was a playground on site and it had a great pool and hot tub.

Aiden was very excited to go to the park...it's one of the things he's been talking about since we told him about our new home. He couldn't wait to play on his new playground :)

We put the kids in some swim trunks and they headed out to the pool.

Devin had no fear jumping into the water. He is definitely going to be our water bug...complete opposite of Aiden!

Aiden needs a bit more coaxing to get him in the water. I think he finally saw how much fun Devin was having and decided to join the fun.

Loved having some fun quality time with Uncle Danno before he had to leave and go back home.

They called us and made us take a minute to relax with the family...the unpacking will happen in due time...so we put on our suits and headed on down...I was looking forward to the hot tub. Too bad the jets have been out of working order for a year, and it doesn't seem like the HOA is going to be quick about fixing them either. But at least it's still warm!

Grandpa was taking advantage of the workout facility we have while we were enjoying the water.

It was good to relax for a bit and enjoy the amenities our condo has to offer. We will be taking advantage as often as we can!

More CA fun with Kiki and Grandpa

We really wanted to get the kids out of the condo for some family fun, so Kiki did a little research and found this Children's Museum for us to go to. We enjoyed it so much that we went ahead and got a membership there so we can take the kids whenever. It's big enough that you can spend the whole day there doing different activities, or just go for a few hours and hit up a few areas or attend one of their concerts during the summer concert series. My camera battery pretty much died, so we only have a few pictures, but you get the idea.

They had this fire engine that the kids could sit in and look at all the gears and dress up on the top of it. For some reason Aiden didn't want to go in it...wierd huh?

So Micah got in :)

Aiden and I played with the air balls.

Devin soon joined us

They had a Bob the Builder exhibit traveling through, and it was pretty cute.

Here's the last picture before my camera really called it quits. It was a fun day.

On the last night we decided to christen the Jokers and Marbles board in the new place...and of course the kids had to "play" first.

We put the kiddos to bed and then got to really play. I can't remember who won, but I'm pretty sure the girls did...as usual ;) haha! (we'll see if Larry or Micah actually read this and dispute it). So for now, we'll go with that ;)
We were sad to see them go, and so grateful for all the help and company. But it was time for us to really get settled in as a family and get to unpacking.

San Franscisco

After we got the truck unloaded and some of the essentials unpacked and put together, we really wanted to spend some quality time with Kiki and Grandpa before they had to leave. So we headed up to San Francisco for the day.

Grabbing some breakfast before getting on the road.

Our plan was to go the aquarium for a few hours and then hit up Fisherman's Wharf for lunch. But when we got to the aquarium and saw how expensive it was, we opted not to go since it wouldn't be worth it for the few hours we were planning on spending there. Well, we were in a bit of a pickle since we had been talking about going to see Sea Creatures all morning to Aiden. We HAD to find some sea creatures! So God smiled upon us and brought us to this little pond on the grounds and we made the biggest deal about looking for Sea Creatures. Sooooo lucky for us that there were turtles swimming around and some small fish. We got lucky with that one!

Trying to point out the turtles to us

I've never been so happy to see a turtle in my life! haha :)

The kids really did enjoy themselves, and one day when we have more time we may try the aquarium again...but for now, we're all about the "free" pond and turtles :)

Then we walked some more around the gardens and came across these huge leafy plants. I was hoping for a great picture of them, but they're not always the most cooperative when it comes to taking pictures.

After the pond and the gardens we drove up to Fisherman's Wharf for lunch to the restaurant Micah and I went to when we came out in May looking for housing.

Giving the boys some coins to give the street entertainment. Of course Aiden didn't want to have anything to do with the robot guy. And yes we saw the man scaring people behind the fake bush again! They weren't too keen on him either though...

Our view from Tarantino's Restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf...sooo yummy :)

It was a great day and the boys got to see a little more of what California has to offer. It's definitely different out here! We're really starting to experience new things and having a good time along the way.