Saturday, December 31, 2011

BALBOA PARK

On Friday we went to Balboa Park to check out the sites and enjoy another beautiful day!

We started at one of the Art Museums (the free one!) and then moved onto a botanical garden. Here's Cameron inbetween the two still having fun....

After the Botanical Garden we stopped to watch this street magician. This guy was so annoying - first he gathered everyone together then he spent about 5 minutes talking to dad and Jeff about why they were being rude and not moving forward to watch the show. Once he finally started the show he needed a couple of volunteers and Rena was more than willing and happy to be chosen.....

After the show we did some more exploring. The fountain is always an attraction to check out......

After the fountain we grabbed a bite to eat and then moved onto a little shopping area. It's the Spanish Village Art Center and had a lot of different shops to look in with handmade things. It also had a very bright, colorful, fun floor. Jeff and the kids made a game out of it.....

After the shops we walked through the Desert Garden and the Rose Garden before ending at The Model Railroad Museum......

Cameron and the Holiday Lego Train Exhibit.....

YES - another fun day! :)

MOONLIGHT BEACH

On Thursday we spent a few hours at the beach doing what we do best -- hunting for sea shells, digging holes, throwing a football and relaxing in the sun! :)

The kids started with a run.....

Rena, Maleah and Bonnie searching for sea shells.....

Time to dig - I think this was the deepest hole yet!.....

Once the hole attracted a bunch of other kids on the beach Cameron moved on to some football with Jeff.....

On our way out of the parking lot we ran into this poor little lost seal. Another woman was trying to get it back down to the beach, but it got scared and hid under this car. We stayed and watched until the lifeguards captured it. According to the lifeguards the next stop for this seal was going to be SeaWorld to make sure he was healthy enough to be released back into the ocean....

Another fun day in the sun!

SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK

On Tuesday we spent the day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. It was a beautiful day and we had fun just walking around seeing the animals and plants.

Here we are eating lunch right when we got there -- before we ever made it into to park. WHY did we take a break so soon? That would be because Jeff left all of the tickets in the car and we rode the tram from the parking lot to the front gate before he realized it. So while Jeff was riding the tram back to the car to get the tickets we decided to have a snack! (Sorry Jeff - I might still be reminding you about this in 20 years!)

Inside the park.....

Inside the petting area......

Do you think Cameron is ready to go?

Back outside waiting for the tram to go back to the car.

Like Maleah's outfit? All new clothes with pieces from different people, but she put them all together and came up with this.....isn't she cute??? :) .....

We also did see some animals while we were there.....

This is a momma gorilla holding her baby.....

Friday, December 30, 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We had a great Christmas day and Santa was definitely very (very, very, very) good to all of us!

The day started at 5:30 am when we woke up to the kids playing around in the girls room (where they all slept). They came in to get Jeff & I at about 5:45 and being the mean parents that we are we told them they had to wait 15 more minutes. At exactly 5:55 (we gave in 5 minutes!) we headed downstairs.....

While the girls were waking up Grandma and Grandpa (we warned them the night before that it would be 6am) Cameron checked out his stocking.....

Once everyone was up and the adults had their coffee in hand it was time to open......

Cameron was eyeing this present under the tree for the past week and was all prepared to open this one first.......

He was definitely NOT disappointed when he opened it and found a new ripstik from Grandma and Grandpa Keyes......

Maleah got this cute unicorn stuffed animal/blanket from Peggy......

Rena got this awesome hat from The McCullough's -- they know what Rena likes! :) ......

Rena in-action opening new black Converse hightops......

More action opening.......

New rollerblades that fit......

Gotta wear a helmet with those rollerblades!......

Cameron with a new Star Wars book.......

......and a new football......

Even the adults got presents!......

Once all of the opening was done it was time to play!

Maleah and Rena both got these walking dogs from Grandma Lynne and Grandpa Joel. It barks and walks and it's the closest thing to a dog that my kids are probably ever going to get!......

Cameron got some laser fighter remote control trucks -- should provide hours of entertainment for both Cameron and Jeff.....

Rena got a new guitar......

Jeff, Maleah and Rena decided to put on a show outside with the guitar and new microphones that the girls got......

Jeff wasn't very good so we kicked him off the stage......

Yeah! The rollerblades fit!.....

We moved indoors and decided to work on some puzzles. Maleah started hers and grandpa joined in to help......

Time for dinner! Jeff used the new barbeque and rotisseried our prime rib -- it was delicious!!!!

We had a really great day and feel very thankful that dad and Bonnie were able to be here and spend it with us. We all also got so many great gifts that we are very thankful for all of our family and all that we have!