Go: The Bay Area Discovery Museum

At an activity in our ward, a sister shared some of her family's favorite spots to visit in the Bay Area.  She mentioned The Bay Area Discovery Museum as being a must visit for families with small children, and as you can see...she was right!

This place, put quite simply, is magic!

There are caves to explore...

...tide pools that gush...

...and even several shipwrecks!

You can SEE though things...

...climb THROUGH things...

...go UP things...

...stand IN things...

...get LOST in things...

...scramble ON things...

...and even, 

GONG things!

There are number of crafts to do...

...things to create...

...and blocks with which to build!

But perhaps our favorite of all...

...was the PAINTING!

Have you ever seen anything like this?

They went CRAZY having so much fun!

Moving along,
there were some incredible hands on learning stations-
this one taught about floating and waves!

There was even a full-on mini-Fisherman's Wharf
featuring crabbing and fishing!

Owen and I spend some time in a magical place designed for 2 years old and under-it nearly killed his siblings who couldn't join us (it's strictly enforced)!

And true to form, it was a great place for the tinier tots to roam, and play, and spent some amazing one-on-one time with mom or dad!

I will cherish our time together, Owen!

Playing with the rubber steel head in the river bed...

...exploring a Peter-pan like houseboat...

...running free...

...disappearing down a hole like the white rabbit...

...and playing house!

We caught up with the big kids later...

...and lo and behold,
there were no brothers and sisters to be found...

only chipmunks!

We had a grand time, and of all things, we ended up arriving on a special FREE SATURDAY!  For a family of seven that is an incredible savings!  Woo hoo!

If you're interested in attending, visit the website and make sure you sign up for the emails.  You'll receive a discount on admission, and stay updated on special promotions.

Really, truly, you must go!

It is AMAZING!

A Grand Excuse to Play

We invited some families from our ward for dinner, and the kids could not have been happier!

{Note: Of course, we were happy too!}

It was a grand excuse to play, and it was fun watching their adventures!

{Can't you just hear them shouting?}

Count your lucky stars you didn't hear this!

Just kidding!

These girls put on a wonderful show...

And they were so pleased with themselves!

There was a roaring hot fire...

which was a perfect ending...

to a perfect night!

2010 Easter

Yes, it's embarrassingly late to post about Easter, but really, what's new!

Our annual Easter dinner was delicious!  We had all the usual suspects, and I couldn't have been happier!

What with our crazy weather patterns, our Easter Hunt was held indoors this year.  

The troops took it in stride!

Dessert was Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes inspired by my friend Angie.  One bite of hers and I knew what I'd serve at my Easter table.

No complaints!

Later, we joined Samuel family for a dessert bar of:

Mexican Wedding Cookies,

Congo Bars,

And

Mini Lemon Meringue Tarts

We are so blessed with:

Food
Family
Love
Life

And a testimony of
The Savior,
Jesus Christ!

Happy Easter!

April Hail?

Only in California!

Carving Out a Garden

 

Where there's a will...

there's a way!

Scardy Cats

Owen and Gabriel are so funny.

They are both terrified of swings!

Samuel and I are only allowed to push them very softly, and even still, after a few minutes, they're ready to move on.

I love my little scardy cats!