Spelling Bee Report

Our Northern California Travelogue will continue after this report on the WELS Spelling Bee, April 25, 2009!
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California Lutheran High School, Wildomar, CA.

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Ready to spell.

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Deacon came in 3rd!

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Then, we went to nearby Tom's Farms! There were tractor rides...

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A coin-operated digger thing...

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Boat rides...

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A train...

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A carousel (Derek was pleased with this Citizen Kane-ish shot)...
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A free magic show...

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...and a petting zoo!

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Deacon spent a lot of time talking to the lady who was tending the chicks and pigs.
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Kids in a candy store!!

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The final ride of the day... Cinderella's Carriage.

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The end of a great day.

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Next we'll have Part 2 of our Chico trip... and check back soon for full coverage of Deacon's school musical, Bugz!

Easter Break Road Trip: Chico, Part 1

Continuing our Northern California travelogue...
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Chico is a fantastic town which has a little bit of everything: a world-famous park, artisans, historic sites, movie locations, and a scenic university (which somehow survived my father's attendance there).
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Whether we're in Chico or at Disneyland, the kids' favorite part of any vacation is always the hotel stay. Their ride on the luggage cart was the icing on the cake.

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Our first stop: the Orient & Flume glass factory.

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Deacon was thrilled to know that this oven was 2000 degrees.

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We sat on a bench right outside the studio and watched them work.

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Then we went in to visit the showroom!

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We didn't see a single piece under $100.

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The more we implored the kids not to touch...

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...the more they slowly snuck their fingers in to touch the glass pieces.

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Fortunately the tall bamboo in the parking lot took their minds off the fact that they didn't get a souvenir.

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On the way to Bidwell Park, which will be featured in our next installment, we stopped to see Grammie's former family home, where she lived as a teenager, on Citrus Avenue. Grammie was surprised and delighted to also see her former next-door neighbor, Barbara, who happened to be coming out to her car as we pulled up! As always, Derek had his camera ready. Here are Barbara and Grammie in front of Grammie's former home.

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Come back soon as we wrap up our coverage of our trip to Chico!

Easter Break Road Trip: Orland

While in Sacramento, we took a vacation within a vacation to see the sights further up Interstate 5! First stop: Orland, CA, April 16th.
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Orland.

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At the famous Berry Patch Restaurant.

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Then we stopped at Lollipop Land Park! It's not quite Disneyland, but the kids loved it!

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Playing on the giant slice of cheese.

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Deacon on a pile of rocks.

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Watch out for those Orland ladybugs.

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Come back soon for the next exciting stop as we continue our Easter Break Road Trip!!

Spring Pictures

Our coverage of our trip up north will continue in a bit...
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We received prints of the kids' spring pictures today. Here they are!

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Easter 2009

Catching up on the events of the past week!
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We celebrated Easter Sunday in Burbank.
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Before heading off to church... the jack-o-lantern is a bit out of place.

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Maren was SO excited about her high heels!!

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At Chevy's for the traditional Easter tacos!

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A new nose.

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Later... look who was in Deacon's Easter basket -- all-new Uglydoll Trunko!

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Time for an egg hunt!

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Eggs were everywhere...

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...but eventually they were all found (including one from last year's egg hunt!!)

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Putting all their eggs in one basket... counting chickens before they've hatched...

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Deacon won the official egg count, but there were no hard feelings.

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Next, we'll catch up on all the events in Northern California!

Happy Birthday Chris!

My brother (aka Uncle Chris) is celebrating the big 4-2 today!
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Here are some pictures from his party yesterday in Fair Oaks...
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Chris didn't mind the flowery cake...

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...because the rest of the party had a Spiderman theme (thanks to Deacon).

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Grammie and the kids prepare the cake...

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A talking Spiderman card!

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Helping to blow out all those candles...

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What's in the bag???

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Big Toe! After Uncle Chris showed some interest in their Uglydolls during our visit this week, the kids decided he should have one of his own. Here's Big Toe.

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Happy birthday, Chris!! We love you!

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Check back soon as we continue our AFB Road Trip to historic (and scenic) Chico, California!