San Diego Zoo

The new koala exhibit

Katie is still in love with giraffes.

The baby giraffe, Penelope, was just born in May.

Our friend, Laurie, and her two kids, Colton and Calla, joined us at the zoo for a good portion of the day.  Abby and Sarah really enjoyed hanging out with Colton.

Colton and Sarah

This polar bear put on quite the show for us, but with the crowds of people around it was hard to get a decent picture.

After doing a research project on the red panda last year, Sarah was excited to see one in person even if it was sleeping.

Katie, Sarah, and Abby at the giant panda exhibit.

Abby is in love with giant pandas and did her research project on them last year.  This was definitely the highlight of her day, but we probably should have done it earlier in the day.

Thebaby panda, Xiao Liwu or "Little Gift",  celebrated his first birthday yesterday.

Sarah and Jess on the "Skyfari"

Sarah getting up close to an orangutan

Katie went into one of her delirious moods towards the end of the day.

Hike to Flat Rock

Sarah, Katie, and Abby during our hike

We started our adventure at Aunt Lorraine's house off in the distance.

With our favorite tour guide, Aunt Lorraine

Katie celebrating that we are almost there

After hitting the sand the shoes came off and they headed straight for the water.





Great family time!  :)

Sarah "helping" the fisherman

The catch on the other end!

Sand Antra

Back in Our Favorite Vacation Spot

After a late night (actually early morning) drive and some necessary grocery shopping this morning, we made it to the beach for a bit this afternoon.  Looking forward to a full beach day tomorrow!

Ready for the beach!

Abby (a.k.a. The Sand Monster)

Sarah

Watermark Tees

The girls and I spent a couple days working on changing plain white t-shirts to these fun watermark tees.  It was a learning experience though, so we just might have to try it again now that we have a better idea of what we are doing.

Abby working on her panda design

Abby's panda, Katie's giraffe, and Sarah's heart

Clear Creek

We had fun using Kyle's new underwater camera.

Sarah

Abby

Katie

Sarah had NO fear of heights and insisted on jumping from every spot that Kyle jumped from.

 



A Fun Art Project

Although this art project required multiple steps and a lot of patience, I had fun doing it with the girls and we all think the results are pretty cool.  It isn't evident in the pictures, but we actually painted on wax paper and then "peeled" the paint off of the wax paper at the very end, transferring it to card stock.

Abby

Sarah

Katie

Another Project Completed

Kyle's handiwork 

Tennis

The girls are all taking tennis lessons for the first time this summer, and they are enjoying it very much.  Sarah frequently tells me, "Tennis is fun!"  (Although I have learned that it is not as much fun for her when I am the coach.)  And I love the smile that Katie always has on her face, even when she misses a ball and has to chase it down.

Abby, Katie, and Sarah

Sarah's First Fish

Kyle took the girls fishing with some friends this afternoon, and Sarah caught her first AND SECOND fish.  Way to go Sarah!

Avery, Abby, Katie, and Sarah

Another Lost Tooth

Just the other day this tooth had only a hint of a wiggle, but much to our surprise it popped right out this morning.  Katie is thrilled to be finally collecting a "gold coin" from the tooth fairy for each tooth that falls out.

Smile!

Katie lost her first tooth tonight!

BBQ Project

Our patio BBQ project is finally complete.  Just in time for a July 4th cookout!