Aquarium of the Pacific

For our last year in California, Grandma Jensen gave us a membership to the Aquarium of the Pacific.  The kids loved looking at all the fish and learning about marine life.  We went almost as often as we went to Disneyland.  A few days before our pass expired, R and I took all three kids for one last visit so we could do all our favorite things.

We pet the sharks and the stingrays...

...and the jellyfish...

...and the sea stars.

(The hands-on exhibits are their favorites, obviously.)

We also just walked around and enjoyed all the fish and other sea life.

We'll miss having access to a great aquarium now that our passes are expired.  Thanks for the great gift, Grandma!

A1 Explains Spring Break

A1 learned how to write sentences in Kindergarten.  Her teacher gave her lots of chances to practice, with writing assignments about Spring Break.  Here's A1's take on the best parts of spending vacation with our families.

On skiing:



{Grandma taught my brother and me how to ski. My dad had to run to catch up.}

On camping:

{My dad taught me how to roast marshmallows over the fire. They taste delicious.}

On the Easter egg hunt:

{I painted eggs for the Easter Bunny to hide. Grandpa Blackburn helped me find the eggs.}

I think she does a better job than I do with her descriptions.  Maybe I should let her take over the blog!

Hairstyle #23

For every great adventure, you need a great hairdo.  So I present Easter Hair, for all your egg hunting adventures.  A1 and her cousin Carmen loved having funky hair for a long-standing family tradition.

Easter Egg Hunt 2012

The Easter Egg Hunt is the best part about our camping trip to Zion.  The kids start thinking about who their hunting partner will be months in advance.  There is still no question in A1's mind who is the best partner: Grandpa, of course!  Look at that enthusiasm!

And there's no question in A2's mind: Aunt Meggie (will any girl ever live up to Aunt Meggie?)!  Look at all those eggs!

For right now L2 will settle with me; I'm the one with the good blankets, after all!

What is the best part about hunting?  The prizes at the end?

Or hanging out with the coolest people in the world?

Or maybe a little of both.

Camping at Zion 2012

The camping tradition continued this year over Easter.  We go every year, and this year - for the first time in eight years - R was able to go with us!  We loved finally having him as part of the group; we've missed him while he's been working over the Easter holiday.  The kids were very excited to show him all the important camping activities.

First they had to teach him how to set up the trailer.

Second came the correct procedure for hiking at Weeping Rock (you have to kick the rock hard enough so that it will continue to cry until next year when you can kick it again).

Third they showed him the joy of camping with family - you always have someone to chase...

...and catch, if they don't run fast enough!  Thanks, Aunt Megan, for entertaining our children for three full days.

A1 and A2 are old enough now that they enjoy more than just sitting around the campground, so R and my sister took them (and her kids) hiking.  Thanks for the lift, Aunt Alison!

Isn't my nephew so adorable when he's "hiking"?

L2 and I were able to join for about half an hour of hiking before he had enough.

The rest of the time, he and I sat around and enjoyed good company and some awesome games with the rest of my family!  I love camping with these people.  You guys are the best.