Catching Up, Part 2: Gramps' Arrival!

More from August 23rd... Gramps arrives in Burbank after a long I-5 drive!

Catching Up, Part 1: Waiting for Gramps

Sorry about the lack of updates! The kids and I just got back from a great end-of-summer trip to Sacramento.

The fun began last Thursday, the 23rd... Gramps drove down from Sacramento to Burbank in Grammie's brand new car! It was quite a trip for him, since the Toyota people told them not to exceed 65 MPH for the first 1000 miles. On I-5, it's like standing still!

Here are some pictures (and a movie) of the kids as they waited.

The Soundwaves

Nothing says “Burbank” like a free concert at the library!

Derek took the kids to see the Soundwaves surf band at the Burbank Central Library yesterday evening, and they had a great time. Here’s a movie!


(They did check out books, too.)

Long Beach... Again!

Just a picture of the kids outside the Aquarium today... Maren was just about to sneeze!

Power Lunch

Keeping the kids busy in these last days of summer... today we went to IKEA for some ballroom fun and a cheap lunch! 99 cents is a small price to pay for what Deacon called "not only the best mac and cheese in Burbank, but the best mac and cheese in the universe!"

Kids... or fish?

The kids had fun swimming yesterday... here are some pictures!

Aquarium of the Pacific

We went to the Aquarium of the Pacific (a.k.a. the Long Beach Aquarium) yesterday (Saturday, August 11th) with Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Jana and Elias!

The Blue Whale is the largest creature ever to have lived on Earth... the kids love this life-size sculpture!

Deacon and Grandpa...

Enjoying the day...

The shark & ray petting zoo! The rays were so friendly, and seemed to enjoy the interaction.

Snack time!

A 3-D movie: Monsters of the Abyss.

Remember Jaws 3-D? "Nepheeew!"

Maren and Elias...

We didn't take this picture of the Leafy Sea Dragon (found it online), but they have them at the aquarium. They're stunning in person, and I can't wait to go back and see them again!

At the Beach

Catching up on Blog entries!

Grandma, Grandpa, Jana and Elias are visiting this weekend, and we're having a blast. Deacon and Maren are having the time of their lives with cousin Elias, their official favorite person in the world.

Here's a picture from Friday, August 10th -- Grandpa and the kids at the beach.

Panorama Splash Pad

We were in the mood for a new adventure today, so the kids and I went to the Panorama City Recreation Center, where they have an "aquatic playground." Fun -- and free!! Took some pictures with my trusty cell phone cam...

It's a neat place -- they played in the water and then on the regular playground equipment, and then on the swings... lots of stuff to do in a small area.

All of our recent water adventures have ended with a trip to In-N-Out Burger, so today was no exception... the kids even got In-N-Out hats, just like real In-N-Out employees!

Since they both had hats, Deacon wanted to set up a drive-thru at home so they could "work" and wear their hats. Don't they look professional?