Santa Barbara Natual History Museum

I got to go on a field trip with Anna's third grade class to the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum.  They are learning about the Chumash Indians this year so the field trip focused on that. 

 

 

 

 

Here they are making acorn mush.  The Chumash lived on that stuff.

Anna and Shea grinding their acorns.  It was a fun field trip.  We did have a little mishap on the way home though.  One of the girls in my van got carsick and threw up everywhere!  We still had about 30 minutes of the drive left so it was an incredibly smelly ride!  I wasn't sure what to do so I just drove as fast as I possibly could!  We took the car straight to the car wash - I just couldn't clean up another child's throw up!  I felt bad for the girl.  I also told my kids that if they are feeling sick to just say something!  Much better that way, even if it is hard to admit you aren't feeling great. Ahhh... Definitely a field trip I won't forget!

The happiest place on Earth!

This was definitely our busiest day at Disneyland but that didn't stop us from having a great time.  It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed each other's company.
 

This is the inside of Space Mountain.  It got stopped while we were on it and the kids thought that was sooo cool to see what it looks like in the light.  Plus we got to go on the ride again!  Pretty lucky day.

Mac's favorite ride is Star Tours.  He hasn't been exposed to Star Wars yet but he thinks they are really cool.  Boys must be born with a love for all things Star Wars!

 

Anna, Brooklynn, and Carly.  They are such good friends!

Mac and Derek fighting with their licorice after watching the Jedi Training.  Boys! :)

All of the kids in front of small world.  We love small world.  It is such a great ride to relax and regroup for more WALKING.  You can even rest your eyes if needed.  One of these times I am going to bring my Garmin and see exactly how many miles we walk in a day.   

 

 

We left the happiest place on Earth as happy people!  Thanks Stirlings for a fun day!

California Adventure!

Our friends the Stirlings have Disneyland Season passes as well.  We went down on a Thursday night and went to California Adventure with them.  We stayed in Anaheim and went to Disneyland the next day.  It was so fun and the kids loved being there with friends. 


Midway Mania is one of our favorite rides!  We love to shoot the guns and see who gets the most points.

Here we are on the Tower of Terror!  It is such a fun ride - and a little scary.  Anna is our amusement park queen and always keeps her hands up.   

 

 

Nothing like a little ladybug twirlin'! 

 

 

All the cuties in the hotel right before bed.  We slept great and got up ready for more fun at the big D!
Brad, Derek, Mac, Brooklynn, Makayla, Carly, and Anna

Happy Birthday McKay!

McKay turned the big 37!  We had not gone back to Disneyland since Christmas and we were dying to go!  Here is the obligatory birthday shirt.  I kind of struggled on what to get him since he wants techy stuff that he likes to purchase to make sure he gets the right thing.  He picked out the shoes as well.  He has started playing soccer at the church on Thursday nights and decided he needed real soccer shoes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Autotopia was a bit dramatic for us!  Anna and Carly drove together and the pedals are quite hard to push.  By the time they got done Carly was in tears!  They made it though by now we make sure to have an adult with the kids.  We ride 3 in each car then do a driver switch.  Much better... no tears!

 

 

Toone Town

Tarzan's Treehouse

 

We had a blast!  It was a beautiful day and the weather was perfect.  Happy Birthday McKay! 

Sugar Cookies

We missed the Christmas cookie boat so we tried to redeem ourselves at Valentine's Day.  We had lots of fun and enjoyed these cookies for awhile.  I think I like doing Valentine's cookies because you can get away with just one color of frosting and one shape.  As much as I love to cook I am not really one who likes to make a huge mess on a dessert that also takes a long time to throw together.  However, the memories will be worth it right?

 

 

 

 

Vacation on Mars

Anna's third grade class put on the play "Vacation on Mars."  It is a fun story about a family who wants to go to Mars on vacation but keeps getting stopped at different planets instead.  They learn lots about the other planets on their way.  Anna got the part of the mother in the play.  She was excited about this because it was a long speaking part.  Mrs. Martin did a great job directing.  The kids sang loud and you could actually hear them while they were talking. 

 

 

 

A funny part of the play was that Anna, as the mother, kept offering people food!  Here she is offering some poptarts. 

Carly's Reflection Award

Carly turned in a poem for the reflection contest.  Her poem made it all the way to the district level where she received an honorable mention.  She was honored at an awards assembly at the district office.  Good job Cars!