Never ending summer!

We just couldn't let the summer end yet, so we headed off to Wild Rivers up in Irvine, CA . . . about an hour away. We had a spectacular day.

This is our favorite waterpark in Southern California. It almost closed last year, but thankfully, it didn't. Orrin brought his friend, Isaac, along for the fun.

Aleya was finally big enough to ride the kiddie tube slide.

She had fun winding down the slide, gliding on the tube.

Amara could ride both the kiddie slides AND the big slides this year. She rode several of the rides with mom on the double tube.

The kids generally just had a lot of fun getting as wet as possible.

Orrin and Isaac race across the ropes.

Amara and Aleya race down the double-headed dragon slide.

Aleya made an amazing splash landing.

First Day of School 2008

I think this is the first year I wish school didn't start yet. We didn't finish getting in our summer fun!


Off to 1st grade (Amara), 3rd grade (Orrin), and 6th grade (Joseph). Our middle school is at the same place as our elementary, which is nice. I can't believe Joseph is in middle school now!

Orrin gets to ride his bike to school with Joseph, since he is now in 3rd Grade.

We survived the first day of school!

This is Amara with her friend, Andie. You know how you sometimes try to pick the cutest new school outfit for your daughter to wear on the first day of school? Well, Amara wore this the 2nd day of school, and darn it . . . she should've worn it on the 1st day.

Jumping into infinity!

We went swimming with Amara's friend, Sophia and her cousins at their grandmas infinity pool. Her yard overlooks a canyon, so it kind of looks like you are jumping off into the canyon.

Of course the boys kept jumping over and over. Orrin got some good air here.

Joseph leaps out ahead of everyone. (They were supposed to all jump together)

Our annual summer trip to the San Diego Zoo

Although we have year-round passes, we always try to go as a family to the San Diego Zoo in the summer because they have extra nighttime shows and entertainment. When we go we always do these important things:

#1 Visit the pettting zoo

I know, I know . . . it is the world famous San Diego Zoo with all the extotic animals you desire and we have to go and see the goats and sheep. Well, you can't touch the exotic animals!(although Orrin pet a porcupine a few years ago.)

Aleya adopted this goat as her companion and followed it around for about 10 minutes.


#2: See the new baby animals!

Can you see the 1 day old baby giraffe off to the right of his mom?

#3: Volunteer in the shows.

Orrin is hamming it up in the show, with Amara also wanting a piece of the action.

Amara and Aleya dance in the Storytime show.

Joseph always likes to be in the the bug eating contest. Which brings me to my next item . . .

#4 Eat bugs at the zoo.

Joseph decided to go beyond the usual BBQ beetle larvae and this time eat a ranch-seasoned grasshopper. Orrin, Amara, and mom just ate the BBQ beetle larvae.

#5 See the nighttime shows!
The evening show this year was "Talamasca: the Storytellers." We enjoyed acrobatics as well as fun stories about the keepers at the zoo and the animals they care for.

Our Mini-Vacation to Big Bear--Day 1

When we arrived at Big Bear, we decided to get out on the lake right away. We rented the pontoon boat from the MCCS cabins for only $90 for a half day.

A mini pirate ship trolled by while we were on the lake.


Aleya loves boating!

Yeah, baby!
All the kids wanted a turn to drive the pontoon boat. Watch where you're going!

We anchored and the kids took turns jumping out of the boat and swimming around.

It was a little chilly with the wind.
The kids huddled behind the seats to keep out of the wind.


We ate at Jack in the Box and camped that night at MCCS Campgrounds.

Mini Vacation to Big Bear--Day 2

We sure had a nice time camping . . . especially because they had bathrooms with sinks, toliets, and showers at the campground. Not bad. It was too warm for a fire, really, so we didn't bother. We didn't even have to bring camping food and equipment because the restaurants are so close by.

The kids made their own rock computer stations and "Rock Phone 3Gs" (iPhone 3G knock-off).

We broke down our campsite and headed off for some more fun.

The kids wanted to do the Alpine Slide again. Christian and Amara ZOOMED down the hill the fastest.

Aleya loved going fast, just like the other kids.


Next we went biking on the Alpine pedal path alongside the lake. I think I enjoyed it the most. I had looked forward biking on this path for more than a year. The last time we came, we only brought the kids' bikes.


Next we headed down to play in the water by the shore. It was pretty rocky.

Aleya had fun chasing dogs and ducks.
The boys tried snorkeling, but said it was too cold and too cloudy to see any fish.

We stayed in a MCCS cabin this night. We ate bbq hamburgers, hot dogs, and corn for dinner. Next we watched the Olympics and the kids finally hit the sack. The kids were wiped out after a full day of play. Mom and dad stayed up too late to watch the women's gymnastics team finals.