Saturday Fun

Wow did we have one of the most exciting days. Saturday morning we woke up early to get ready. We thought it would be a good day to take the boys back to the Scripps Acquarium located just slightly north of San Diego. They are so good about recalling things that when they woke up Saturday Jack was pointing to the hall. I asked him if he was ready to go see fishes and sharks and he got the biggest grin on his face and from that moment they were in 100% listening mode. Timing worked out and we were out of the house by 8:45am. Amazing. We made a pit stop at a rest station because it smelled like one of the boys went poopie. Steve checked and nope...to both of them. Interesting. Might it been a case of gas. Nope. Little did we know that we were miles from what we call the "poop plant". Alrighty! I guess all you can do is laugh. While parked at the rest station I was able to snap a pic of a Naval ship.

Naval Ship at sea

Just passed Camp Penelton

We got to Scripps and it was a little crowded but not where it was difficult to move around. I guess kids are free the month of October so perfect timing on our part. The boys had a blast as we did. The last time we went the shark exhibit was under construction. This time it was open--really cool! They also had all these stations around to help learn about energy. The boys loved the station with the water current and boats. They played so hard they were a little drenched. Just outside the of the shark exhibit there was a shark cage and shark's mouth that you could stand in and take pictures. I captured some of the best smiles.

Zach in the shark cage

Jack in the shark cage

Jack, Mommy, and Zach...eaten by a shark

Water energy station

Pretending to be news broadcasters

The newsroom

Fish and more fish

cute moment...it looks like they are talking to each other

Eventually we made our way back home. The boys must have been exhausted because they fell asleep on the way home, which is uncommon. We didn't mind and thought sometimes the best naps are short cat naps. They woke up just as we were almost home. I made some lunch and figured it might be useless for us to try an afternoon nap because they slept hard for about 30 minutes. We then decided to take them on our weekend run to Costco! They love to show our memebership card and then hand the receipt over when we leave. This time we got twin smiley faces on the back.

Once we got home and unpacked, they played for a little bit outside. Shortly after we made our way to Tustin to see Steve's Cousin Brian. He is remodeling the kitchen and bathroom of the house he and his wife just bought. It looks great and cannot wait to see the finished product. I give them a lot of credit; baby Reese is about a month old, new house, working day in and day out, and not getting home until late.

We were not there very long. We left his house around 4:15 and decided to take the boys to Los Patios for Mexican Dinner. Yummy. I was getting nervous because it was a long day of traveling in the car and then having them sit for dinner. But why was I so worried...they were amazing as they generally are when we go to Los Patios. We thought it would be fun to sit outside this time. The weather had turned around as earlier last week it was rainy and crisp. We didn't mind because it really reminded us of the Fall season in Chicago. Now we are back to our normal temps, perfect climate. The boys had taquitos this time and loved them. I got some cute pics of the boys. In addition the server was so kind to take a family photo. We don't have many because I am always too uncomfortable asking others to take photos of us, but it was great when he did. AND he got one with both boys looking. Awesome. After dinner we went down to San Clemente Pier to walk around for a little bit. The boys got to see a Firetruck on the move and were excited. There were a ton of surfers out this time as there was a surf competition today. It was fun watching them hang loose! :)

Zacharoo

Baby blues...I love you

Jack and Mommy

Daddy and Zach

Family Photo w/ a dirty mess of dishes HA.. (Mommy, Jack, Daddy, Zach)

Zach, licking the ketchup off his thumb

Jack...yum

Zach, Mommy, and Jack...San Clemente Beach

We started to make our way home and thought we better let them get rid of some energy. We sat in our backyard with the heaters on and the boys played all the way up until it was time to go nighty night. They DID SO WELL all day and we are SOOO proud of them.

Zach playing with Daddy's trucks from when he was a little boy

Jack

They love their "new" toys

Play, play, play

The boys are seeking more freedom these days and so we let them walk as much as possible vs us pushing them in the stroller. The only stipulation was they had to hold our hands, which they did. There was a moment when Steve was looking up something on his phone and he told Zach to hold his shirt. Zach was a little confused and was trying to find an area where he could. He then looked at me and said Mama and reached for my hand. How nifty. He knew he had to hold hands and was not going to settle holding on to Dada's shirt.


They were so exhausted from their exciting day that they fell right to sleep and slept in this morning. Lovely!! They woke up to have morning milk w/ Grandma Smith via Skype! I cannot believe we go back to Chicago in two and a half weeks. Before you know it my mom will be out the first week in December! Time to start planning for her trip back out to Cali.

Love,

Julie