Camping

This weekend we went "camping" in Cloverdale about two hours north of San Francisco in the Alexander Valley wine region. The landscape was amazing and we had a little cabin complete with bunk beds for the kids and a water spigot at our campsite. My kind of camping! The kids loved all the activities at the campgrounds which included their first ever fishing experience. There was also a great pool to swim in. Most of all they loved the ability to roam around the campgrounds freely along with a pack of little boys (all brothers aged 3 and 5) from the three neighboring cabins. We just sat back at our campsite along with some of the other parents and watched the boys running, scooting and riding their bikes in and out of sight. By 9 pm, mid-smore making, they both asked to go to sleep. They are really growing up fast!

County Fair Season

Its our favorite time of year again, county fair season. We made our annual trek to the Sonoma/Marin Fair in Petaluma and this year we also checked out the San Mateo County Fair. The kids are loving the fair as much as us now - Wyatt's favorites are the scrambler and cotton candy and Malcolm loves the pony rides. Both love getting to spend the day with their buddy Dottie and baby sister Esther.

Tarantulas!

Wyatt has been learning all about the rain forest at school. Of all the wonderful things in the rain forest he seems most interested in tarantulas so, when the new spiders of South America exhibit opened up at the SF Zoo a few weeks ago, we had to go. We were not disappointed by the size and selection of spiders - especially giant tarantulas - they had on display. Yes, that is real life a big spider in the photo of the tank above Wyatt's head. Amazing! They boys loved it and they want to go back soon with Uncle Sean. Also, they had their first taste of cotton candy - pure love.

Picking Out Ice Cream

Picking out their very favorite flavors at Ben and Jerry's -- Vanilla for Wyatt (just like his mama) chocolate for Moosey (just like his papa).

More Casinos

For a couple that's not that big on gambling we sure have spent our share of time dragging our kids to casinos this year. This time we went to Reno to visit with Aunt Peggy and Uncle Mark, Uncle Dennis and Giggen. We had a great time at the pool party at the Peppermill - let's just say that Malcolm was most likely not the only guy there passed out poolside in his underwear, though he was the cutest. And he did rally in time to have a great meal at the amazing underwater looking seafood restaurant complete with giant killer whales, jellyfish and sharks hanging from the ceiling. The kids are really loving the casino life. Today Malcolm said, "When are we going back to Las Vegas, I've been waiting very patiently for that!"

Father's Day in Tahoe

This year for Father's Day we headed to Tahoe for a weekend of relaxation. We spent lots of time throwing rocks in Donner Lake and hiking down by the lake side. The boys even braved a dip in the lake which, given all the snow they've had this year, definitely felt like brisk, fresh snow melt. Too cold for the adults.