Family Outings and mini hikes

It has been great enjoying the outdoors with our kids. It really doesn't take much for them to be entertained when we are outside. There are always sticks to play with, bugs, rocks to throw and trails to explore.

phone pictures from Clark's Creek Outing (Puyallup) on March 7, 2015

Flaming Geyser State Park April 17, 2015

We took advantage of a Friday without school for the kids and a day off of work for Scott and practically had the park to ourselves. 

Here are some phone pictures from our outing...

Brandon touched stinging nettle :(

 The boys climbed a pretty step hill - Katelyn and I stayed at the bottom and watched

^ my view from the bottom

 

^Scott's view from the top

the boys had to slide down on their bums because it was so steep

We went to Federation Forest State Park on May 2, 2015

It is fun to have so many great places to explore so close to where we live!

(Yes that is dirt on Brandon's forehead)

fun times!

Disneyland Trip part 7: Northern California

Saturday morning we loaded up the big van and traveled back to my parent's house in Northern California. We arrived with enough time to let the kids enjoy outside and get some energy out before our 12 hour drive home on Sunday.

Brandon helped my dad burn a bunch of brush.

Cameron trying to find treasures exploring down by the creek.

I'm so glad we got to join with my family and go on such a fun trip!!

Disneyland Trip part 6: day at the beach

April 3, 2015
Our last day in Southern California was spent at the beach. It was so fun to get to play in soft sand, enjoy the waves and not be too cold (unlike the beaches in Northern CA and Washington).

building sand castles

Grandpa & Miriam

Brandon enjoyed getting buried

 we found so many fun shells!

It was so great to soak up the sun!

Disneyland Trip part 5: California Adventure

April 2, 2015

On Thursday we went to California Adventures. We were disappointed to find the Cars ride temporarily closed when we first got there - so that threw our schedule off as we planned to grab fast passes and get right in line. Because the ride was closed they wouldn't let us get fast passes, we went to another part of the park to get fast passes/get in line for something else. Well, when we got there, that ride was closed as well. After asking a worker what was actually open that was a fast pass ride we found out that Tower of Terror and Grizzly River Run were open. We sent someone to grab fast passes for the water ride and headed to Tower of Terror (which was back at the beginning of the park). We talked Cameron and Brandon into coming with us (they didn't know what to expect so it wasn't too hard). I don't think Brandon or Cameron really liked the ride. Brandon was so nervous that he slid all the way down in his seat and the seat belt was practically around his neck. He called the ride "the creepy elevator" 

My dad had a talent of making Katelyn cry - haha :)

Brandon spent plenty of time at the Challenge Trail while we rode Grizzly Run (unfortunately they weren't taking fast passes because the line was so short) we didn't get to utilize fast passes as much at California Adventure because of so many rides being closed in the morning and just not planning right on our end. Luckily we were able to snag fast passes to Cars once it opened back up (the wait was about two hours most of the day without a fast pass)

the Newsies show was fun - definitely brought back some memories from watching the movie all the time when I was younger.

the Pixar parade was fun - definitely enjoyed it!

While we were waiting in line for Toy Story Mania - Scott and Tuva and Matthew used the child swap to go on Tower of Terror one more time. Well, Tuva had her I-phone in her shirt pocket and it fell out during the ride. She couldn't find it, so we used an app to find her phone and and when she found it, it was in pretty rough shape. Amazingly it still worked (using Siri and the buttons on her headphones). 

Toy Story Mania - way more fun than the one in Disneyland - I wish I had had a chance to do this one a second time. 

World of Color was pretty amazing - but longer than I expected. Very glad we got to see it, but the kids were ready to be done :)

I was glad to finally get a better feel for California Adventure Park - I definitely think next time we go there I will be more prepared and have a better feel for the rides (and I hope Soarin' will be open). The Aladdin Show was definitely a highlight as well (not pictured).

So fun to get to enjoy Disneyland and California Adventure with my family!!!