San Fransisco, CA

Thursday we headed to San Fransisco with the entire crew.

We were going to go to the Exploratorium but the line was way too long.

So we explored around the city instead.

The Golden Gate Bridge.Running down Lombard Street.It is amazing we didn't lose anyone. Parking is always fun here. Clam Chowder in a sour dough bread bowl for lunch at Fisherman's Wharf.

Rebecca had a sour dough pizza and the other two had McDonalds!

Free Samples at Ghirardelli Square.Walking along the water. A nice shot of Tyler's face.

He had been in a pedal car accident the day before and his face had broken every one's fall.

Vasona Park

One of our favorite things to do in CA is to have a Togo's picnic at the park.

Erin's favorite pasttime at the park.The kids spent a ton of time playing in the creek.I don't know why we didn't just come in our swimsuits!How many times have I said, "next time we will come better prepared for this."

I am sure not being prepared for this is part of the fun.The annual pictures on the firetruck. All the grandkids with Grandpa.

The Pedal Car

Grandpa Anderson's creation.

Meagan and Erin didn't want to be left out of the fun.

Santa Cruz, CA

Monday we explored Santa Cruz.

We started at the Natural Bridges State Park.

There was a cold wind coming off the ocean.

By the way our kids are dressed you would think we had gone to the Arctic and those were penguins instead of birds behind them.
It was a beautiful day.We checked out the Santa Cruz Lighthouse and the Surfing Museum.

It is not as picturesque as Janet's East Coast Lighthouses she blogs about!

Especially when this guy pulled up.

The things you see at the beach!

We finished with a seafood lunch out on the pier.

Rebecca and Tyler were brave and tried some new things. Meagan ordered pasta off the kid's menu and her plate could have fed four of us.

Grandma's Counter

I don't know how many pictures of our kids we have around this age sitting on Grandma's counter eating something. Its funny how that happens.

Here Erin is eating garlic bread - inspired by our drive through Gilroy, CA.

Good Stuff.

California - Perk Ponds

We drove up on a Friday and spent Saturday morning relaxing.

By the afternoon the kids were ready to explore, so we headed to the perk ponds. Erin began with a nap.

The weather was beautiful.
It's a nice place to get some energy out. This is Erin's favorite way to travel. She will even ask me to ride on my shoulders at church, the grocery store, and even sometimes at home.
Silly kid.
It didn't take long for Erin to warm up to Grandpa Anderson.

Grandpa Hatch's Visit

Grandpa swung by for a visit on his way home from Southern California.

We did our best to torture him with our heat and humidity.

A short hike with snacks and good rocks to climb on.Followed by a trip to the pool . . . where the kids kept him busy throwing torpedoes and rockets.Since that wasn't enough toil and sweat, we drug him to the Stake Pioneer Breakfast.

The kids loved the dunking booth.
They just tried to ignore the muddy, grassy water!

Sorry about the heat Grandpa. Come again - in the winter!