Summer Vacation 2010 - Knott's Berry Farm

On Tuesday, Day 3 of our vacation, we went to Knott's Berry Farm. Actually, Guy, Jackie and Caleb went to Magic Mountain while the rest of us with the lil guys went to Knott's. Levi and Salma braved the first ride - while Jacob held back and took a bit to figure out what he wanted to ride. Here they are - holding hands - excited for the ride together :)

This went up and down - jerking to give their tummies a thrill. They both had a great time. Camp Snoopy is great for smaller kids.

Giggling at the fun ride.

Antonio was a bit taller - and excited by some of the bigger rides. Joey, Antonio, and Nana went on this one. Who knew my mom liked roller coasters?

Here is Nana and Joe on one of the fastest ones at the park - near the end of the day. They are both ready for the thrill.

Antonio and Joe - getting ready to swing high.

Another ride - having fun.

Jacob on his first ride - ready to go fast and have a blast.

Salma and Jacob went on this ride together. The cars went in a circle - but whipped around on the corners. Salma makes sure her hat doesn't fly off - as she shifts into Jacob. They were giggling the whole time.

Levi and Salma rode in a basket and Jacob and Holly rode in another. This was the balloon ride - that went up and down. A bit scary for Mommy - seeing Levi ride alone with Salma!

The kids got to manpower their ride - like the old time mine trains around a track. Antonio jammed around.

Salma close behind getting nudged a bit -

Jacob workin in out -

Levi bringing up the rear - but determined to finish strong.

Riding the bus - that went up and around. Levi was too small to ride by himself on a few rides - so one of us adults got to enjoy it too.

Jim rode with the kids on the tugboat ride. Fun that they all got to ride together.

Here they are waving - going up and around.

Riding on the Ferris Wheel. I didn't think too much about it - until we were high up and I realized there wasn't much keeping my lil guys in. Eek! I was ready for this one to be over.

Jacob, Levi and I are in the upper chair - Joey, Salma, and Antonio are in the lower one.

Jacob driving the truck -

Salma and Levi following close behind -

The three younger ones riding on a roller coaster. Every ride - Salma was sometimes apprehensive - but afterwards - she would always say - I want to ride that one again.

It was a great day. The weather was nice. Park wasn't too crowded until it started getting later. The lines early went really quickly. It was a perfect place for the younger four - and even Nana said she could have spent two days here. Can't wait til they are all tall enough to go on even more fun rides.

Summer Vacation 2010 - Miniature Golf

On Day 2 of vacation - we held true to our tradition of going miniature golfing. We went after lunch - so it was a bit hot -but it was a fun family experience with lots of great opportunities for photos. Here is Levi ready to make a hole in one!

Jacob getting ready to play.

Salma and Levi were best of friends this trip. They followed each other around and were pretty inseparable.

Levi swinging - after a little help on how to hold the club. Note his shoes on the wrong feet. Several of us told him - but his independent self didn't want to change them.

Salma looking like a pro.

Jacob needed help holding the putter too. Uncle Joey couldn't hardly stand it - and showed him a few times the proper way to hold the club. Tiger Woods he is not - but he has fun trying. He tried - but got confused on how to hold his hands. He might be a natural lefty though.

Antonio played great this year - and even had a hole in one.

Salma and her bro Caleb.

Brothers Antonio and Caleb -

Jackie and Grandpa -

Jackie with Guy -

Cousins Jackie, Salma, and Caleb - chillin on the benches.

Joey, Antonio, and Grandma posing by the waterfall.

Family picture - Joey, Ofelia, Caleb, Antonio, and Salma.

Ofelia and Joe -

My mom and dad being silly!

Jim and I taking a break from the heat. Whew! We were ready for some air conditioning - that is for sure! We went to a local mall after this and had some cool drinks and did some shopping. It was a fun day.

One of the best parts - was everytime Levi hit the ball in the hole - he would say "I won" and hollered "whoohoo" while holding his arms up. Too cute!

Summer Vacation 2010 - Santa Monica Beach

We went to Santa Monica Beach for a few hours on Sunday, August 1. It was a bit chilly in the shade - and Levi wasn't grooving too much on it. It was nice to be out of the sun - and enjoy watching the kids play.

Antonio was eager to dig a BIG hole - that kept getting soaked by waves and demolished. They had fun with their sand toys.

Jacob loved the ocean - and would say "that was sweet baby" after each crashing waves.

Jim and Caleb braved the cold water and got doused. Jim also slathered lotion over everywhere - but didn't think his legs or feet needed it. By that night - he wished he would have rethought that decision. Ow!

It was a good start to our vacation - with our first real day there checking out the beach. A bit crowded on a Sunday - but it was all good.

Antonio Turns 7

Cousin Antonio turned 7 at the end of July - and celebrated with a pool party at his house. Here he is blowing out his candles.

The kids playing in the pool. Caleb is great with the kids - and keeps them entertained. They are trying to unwrap a game to play. Note Jacob's comfort in the water this year - so much better than last year - hanging out with the boys ready to play.

Levi just hucked the ball towards Caleb. He will be our sportsman for sure!

Levi has no fear - and is eager to jump in to Daddy. Note Jim's face waiting for Levi. Isn't it sweet - waiting for his lil boy to pounce.

Here I come Daddy!

And - he also wanted run "super, duper, duper, duper, duper, duper...duper, duper, duper, duper fast" to jump in the pool. We had to tell him repeatedly that you don't run near the pool. Hard to convince a boy that likes to be "super, duper".

It was a fun day. The boys were all exhausted by the time we got home. Salma stayed in the pool for about 5 hours straight. A sign of things to come - more pool parties - and kids who want to be fish.

4th of July Waterplay

We stayed home and had waterplay on the fourth of July. The boys had a great time! Note Levi's face in most of the pictures - pretty intent on jumping "super, duper, duper, duper, duper...duper, duper, duper, duper high" into the pool.

Here he comes again. Also - his trunks are a bit too big - had trouble keeping them up!

Jacob loves the water - and makes up his own games.

The boys even enjoyed being sprayed with the hose - directly in the face.

Here is Jacob -

And - then cracking up!

Levi tempting his drawers to fall down again!

The culprit who thought it was great fun to spray them with water - and have them actually like it! Not an evil streak here...at all!

In West Sac - we cannot light off fireworks. Maybe next year when the boys are a bit older - we will venture out somewhere where they can see them and experience it - and be old enough to not be afraid. Our last fireworks experience was in Kansas - where we could buy artilleries (loud fireworks that are shot up high in the air - for those who have always been in CA where not many fireworks are allowed). We spent a fair amount - and after the first one - I had to come inside with Jacob (who was deathly afraid of them - I think he was 2 1/2). Halted our firework purchasing for a while!