Snorkeling at La Jolla Cove

I was so excited to take my boys snorkeling for the first time at La Jolla Cove. Unfortunately, it was a little overcast and cold when we arrived (although it was in the 90s inland, back by our house). Sometimes San Diego can vary 20 degrees or more from coast to inland to mountains.
The tide was low when we arrived and the kids had fun bouncing all over the rocks. Soon the tide came in and covered most of the areas they were playing in.


Aleya played on the rocks under Dad's supervision.

The kids loved the tunnel that was filled with tide pools.

Joseph took to snorkeling like it was second nature. With our new diving snorkels, he was diving all over the place trying to catch the fish. The visability was surprisingly good, despite it being overcast.

We ventured out pretty far with Joseph and his friend, Nigel, whom we brought along. Orrin was a little more timid and so Christian stuck closer to the shore with him. I wished I had a wetsuit because the water was a bit frosty (only 68 degrees).


If you look in the back of the photo, you'll see a couple of sea lions that we were snorkeling with . . . though they were at least 30 feet away at all times.

Annual Ward Pinewood Derby and Chili Cook-off

We entered 4 cars and one pot of chili in this year's annual Ward Pinewood Derby and Chili cook-off. Men, women, and girls can enter the race, right alongside the boys.
Joseph had a friend, Sam, who lives up the street join us in making a car and racing it. He's in the #12 shirt.

Joseph made an old fashioned Rolls Royce looking car.

Guess who nearly won again? You guessed it. AMARA! She took second this year. She lost by an inch. It came down to the coin toss and lane choice. The winner, Haley Bone, won the coin toss and lane choice. We won lane choice last year and Amara won, with Haley taking 2nd last year. WOW! Was it close!

Christian made sure all the cars were aligned properly on the tracks, to give the cars the best shot at winning. Christian and I stayed up until 2 in the morning for several nights to get everything ready: wheels, axels, and paint. If you are at all into the Pinewood Derby scene, you should rent "DOWN 'N DERBY." We rented it again an watched it that night, after the races. It reminded us about the 5 most competitive families in our neighborhood that compete in the race each year. HILARIOUS! It's funnier the second time you watch, I think.

Joseph's first overnight Scout Camp.

Joseph had to gear up to go on his first overnight Scout Camp with his troop and a 5 mile hike.

It was at the Slagel Farm in San Marcos.
They built a huge bonfire in true Boy Scout fashion. "Bigger is better."

They passed off several requirements and earned a merit badge or two.

Orrin's Cub Scout Raingutter Regatta

There was a lot of tough competition this year at our Raingutter Regatta.

Every competition needs some cheerleaders!
We usually go online to get the latest and greatest tricks to win the Pinewood Derby, but we never thought of doing that for the Raingutter Regatta, until now! I got a great tip to glue the rudder on upside down. It makes it so the boat doesn't tip very much. As a result, Orrin WON!

The finals! Orrin vs. Walker. Orrin's boat never tipped once, and that clinched his victory.

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.