California Trip (Part 1)

California Trip (Part 1)
Traveling, Peter Pan Play, Visit to Folsom

We had such a fun couple of weeks on our annual trip to visit Grandma Karen and other friends and family in California.  It was an especially good trip this year!  Here are some pictures from our first week:

 The first half of our drive was in our car.  Matt drove us to Winnemucca, and then we switched to my mom's car, and she drove us the rest of the way.  We appreciate our drivers!  The three kids in a row in my mom's car was extra exciting.  They couldn't keep their hands off of each other!

 The day after we arrived we had a girls only outing.  Uncle Chunk watched Lucas and my mom and I took the girls to see a Peter Pan play.  It was really good, and both girls loved it, especially Matisyn.

 Now that we have discovered that there is a Ghirardelli ice cream shop a few minutes from where my mom lives, we can't resist!  Emilyn loves chocolate ice cream!

 On Tuesday we headed up to Folsom to visit the Helquist's.  We always enjoy our time with them, and so appreciate them taking care of us for a couple of days.  The first day we just let the kids play at home, and they were just happy to be together.  The second day we took them to the Folsom Zoo and rode the little steam train.  That afternoon the big kids played in the backyard with water guns and water balloons.  We left to go back to Grandma's that night because poor Sylvie had been pretty sick all day.  We didn't want to push our luck with getting sick, and we wanted all the kids to get a good rest.  They tend to stay up VERY late talking when we stay the night!  We're not sure when Jens and Matisyn hiding under the covers with flashlights and the door closed is going to become a concern!!!

 You can tell Lucas was pretty happy to see the animals!

 My best buddy, Alison!  I wish we lived closer!

 Lucas says, "show me the bears!"

 All our kiddos in one spot!

 The steam train was a highlight.  Lucas LOVES "choo choos" right now.  He yelled "mama, mama, choo choo, choo choo" all the way to California and home again if he saw anything that resembled a train!  He was so excited to go on a real train.  He got a little nervous when it started moving, but then so happy again when the steam started going and he realized everything was alright.  It's been a while since the girls have been on this train, so they loved it too.

 Now that is a happy face!

 Water time!  We also did the ivory soap experiment so the girls could show Jens and Sylvie how cool it is!

 Tired, happy kids arriving back at Grandma's house!

 Since we came home a day early, we fit in a trip to Chuck E Cheese's, one of the girls' favorite places.  I think they find it especially great with Grandma Karen!  There are a lot more yeses than nos with Grandma than with mom and dad!

 Lucas loved the rides!  The girls loved any game that gave them tickets!

 They enjoyed some rides too though!

 Checking out their winnings!

 On Friday we spent most of the day with my friend Laura and her kids (and a cousin), swimming and visiting.  I love that we are still so connected even though we don't get to talk very often anymore.  I love getting to spend time and catch up with her.  It's fun that the kids get along too!

Friday night we had our friend Jeanette over for dinner.  My kids call her "Grandma Jeanette" because she is always sending them cards and special treats and presents in the mail for each holiday.  She is one of my dad's clients from years ago, that became a great friend of his and now our family too.  She was so much fun with them, and the girls fought over who got to sit next to her at dinner!  They also played a few games of "Old Maid" that she brought them.  Aunt Linda, "Nini," came for dinner too.  It was a fun night.