Summer activities

It has been an interesting summer here. We have not gone on one vacation...which is weird for me because I grew up with plenty of summer vacations (thanks Mom and Dad for making those a priority!). With Cory being new at his job and having limited vacation days, and me keeping busy with managing the building, we just haven't been able to get away. We hope to do some trips in the fall and I am determined to get us camping up at Seqouia National Park in August...

That being said, we have been up to some pretty fun things. Each Friday in the summer, a group of moms in the area do something organized, like going to children's museums, aquariums, etc. The kids have enjoyed going on train and pony rides, exploring the aquarium at the California Science Center, playing Red Rover in the mountains, and picking strawberries at a farm. Here are a few pics:

Ponies at Griffith Park (she looks like a natural)
Ethan waving

First time with braids (she definitely got Cory's fine hair)

On the Ferris Wheel at the Pier with cousin Ava

Exploring tide pools in Malibu- we saw lots of hermit crabs

Painting- illustrates each of their personalites- Ethan- meticulous and full of concentration, Annalisa- just having fun making dots

I love these little painting bibs from IKEA!

The kids played in this IKEA kid's display for almost 45 min.- pretending to sleep in all the beds

Picking strawberries at Underwood Farms...well, Annalisa ate as she went;-)

All Aboard!

Another pony ride at the farm

Ethan pulling his friend Weston

Annalisa enjoying the ride

We also got to go to the Barnum and Bailey's circus yesterday courtesy of Cory's boss. I have always wanted to go and the kids really enjoyed it. And with that, I will leave you with one of my dumb jokes- Have you seen the circus yet? I hear it's intense...(in tents, he he he...;)