Still having some summer fun

Today Intel treated us to a day at GolfLand Sunsplash in Roseville. It was a great day for it because it turned out to be almost 100 degrees. We originally were just planning on doing some gocarts and minigolf, but the warm weather really made us want to hit the water especially since our free lunch was right next to the wave pool. So here we are having probably the last summer fun of this year.

Our little golfer

Our little golfer

The wave pool

The wave pool

Waiting for the gocarts

Waiting for the gocarts

Playing some racing video games

Playing some racing video games

Let the Fall Festivities begin!

I'm so excited for fall. I used to hate fall; the start of school and football season (yuck!), but now I love it and I think it's because of all the fun activities: pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and apple picking! We headed up to Apple Hill today for some apple picking (and raspberry picking) and to much on some yummy apple donuts, get some apple cider, and some apple wine! And when we got home I made an apple crisp. And it was more enjoyable because Mimi got to join us on this fun outing.

Although the trees were all low and easy for the kids to pick there were a few high ones to get too.

Got it!

On the way to pick raspberries. The view was spectacular.

And the raspberries were yummy!

There were some other fun things to do at the farm too!

3rd grade

I forgot to post that JR has started 3rd grade. He started the second week of August, so I know this post is past due (maybe I'll just fudge the posting date). But he is in a 3rd/4th grade split class and is liking it. I was really excited about it because he will get exposed to some 4th grade stuff and I'm sure will do really well. He didn't like it at first because he doesn't get to have lunch with the other 3rd graders, he lunch hour is with the 4th and 5th graders, but he has adapted well. He is playing kickball every lunch hour and is making some 4th/5th grade friends. He is also excited that he gets to start music classes in his class which is reserved for 4th grade and above.

Our 3rd grader

It's that time of year again for cowboy hats

Every year since JR has been born, we have gone to Old Sacramento for Gold Rush Days. The city covers the streets in dirt, don't allow in cars, and everyone dresses in 1850's period clothing. There are activities such as gold panning and gun fight re-enactments. We love the free taffy samples at the candy store and the all you can eat pizza buffet.

Goodbye Nick, we'll miss you!

After 2 1/2 years of living with us, Nick decided he belonged back in Kansas. As the cake says: Good luck Nick, we'll miss you!

Nine Years!

We celebrated our nine year anniversary last week with a trip to a local wine bar to make some wine and a weekend trip to Sonoma with the family. It was a great way to celebrate!

Going out for our date

Tasting the wine to see which one we want to make

The family at the Sonoma Mission where we got married.

At Castello di Amorosa

JR's picture of us at Castello di Amorosa

More adventures at Mimi's and GrandDad's

Tether ball

Paddle boating

Treasure hunting

Sword fighting


Tractor riding

Sleep overs

Tire swinging

More tractor riding

Milking a fake cow at a children's farm

ATVs and humidity

While we were in Kansas, we went to visit a good friend of James' parents, Terri. She's a neighbor and as we were headed out the door she met us to surprise the kids with a ride on her ATV. JR had a great time riding up to her house and she took us to the barn to see and help feed her horses. After that we rode over to her house and the kids got to explore her magnificent house and ride the elevator. It was quite an adventure for just a visit to the neighbors house. Not only does Terri have horses, ATVs, and a very cool house, she is also a great photographer and took some wonderful pictures of us and the kids.

JR's GQ pose

Happy Independence Day!

We had a fun filled Independence Day weekend. We started with the rodeo on Saturday night that began with a parachuter jumping from a plane with the flag and ended with fireworks and a laser light show. On Sunday we headed to our old neighborhood for a block party followed by a great viewing of the fireworks show on the grass at the greenbelt at the end of the cul-de-sac.

Rodeo parachuter

Had to wear cowboy hats to the rodeo

Laying on the blanket on the greenbelt getting ready for the fireworks show.