So last week we went with Daddy on his business trip to the bay area. He had to inspect the navy base in Concord since it's shutting down and make sure it didn't have any explosives left on the base. I love going up there! I would love to live in Northern California. It's so green and pretty and there are so many fun things to see. We stayed at the Residence Inn, which is my favorite because it's like a home away from home with a kitchen in all the rooms and a nice breakfast and dinner served every day by the hotel. It's funny because all the guys at David's work call it David's hotel since he's told everyone about it and now they all stay there when they go up for business. It's crazy how much it costs, but since the government was paying for it with their special rate, we stayed for free! 
I had to fly up by myself with the kids since David had to go on a government contracted flight, but he took all the big bags and I just had the kids and the diaper bag. Thanks Daddy! I was sick with a bad cold and was kind of dragging. We missed our flight, but we only had to wait a couple of hours for the next one and the kids were really good in the airport. Once we got on the plane we were fine; Jeremy's a flying professional and Kelsey did great too. She just slept. 
When we got there Daddy took us to In-N-Out and then we headed to the Oakland temple and saw a display of sculptures that were there for a few months. We couldn't take pictures of them, but they were beautiful, depicting Jesus Christ at different times in the scriptures. 
Jeremy loved the statue of Christ in the lobby. The sister missionaries played us the narration of Christ speaking and Jeremy loved it so much he asked for it to be played again. I love the tender enthusiasm for spiritual things when they're little. 
It was nice because no one else was there since the temple is closed on Mondays, so we had the grounds all to ourselves. 
I loved it because the Oakland temple is my favorite next to the Los Angeles temple of course. 
It's so beautiful and the views are amazing. We'll have to go inside someday. 
Tuesday I took Jeremy to a place called the Jungle. It was like Chuck E Cheese times 10. I can't begin to describe it. 
The building is huge and it's two stories almost completely filled with the tubes and tunnels going all over with a million different paths. 
There are games too, which Jeremy wanted to play forever, but of course cost money. That night we went into San Francisco. We hit up the Gap store because for some reason the San Francisco Gaps always have a ton of really great clearance. It's my favorite. I found some really cute things for Kelsey. 
We went to Pier 39 and had clam chowder in a bread bowl, yummy! 
Then we went and got our free chocolate sample at Ghirardelli's. Yummy yummy! We drove around for a while just looking at all the cool stuff that is San Francisco and then we drove back across the bridge. The next day I was so lightheaded that we stayed at the hotel and just went in the pool and the hot tub when Daddy got back from work. 
I totally want a hot tub now; it was so great! Thursday was our last day and we packed up, ate lunch and went to the airport. Daddy got us there 2 hours early in typical Daddy-early-everywhere fashion, so we had fun taking pictures to pass the time. 
It was good to come home, but so fun to be there!
I had to fly up by myself with the kids since David had to go on a government contracted flight, but he took all the big bags and I just had the kids and the diaper bag. Thanks Daddy! I was sick with a bad cold and was kind of dragging. We missed our flight, but we only had to wait a couple of hours for the next one and the kids were really good in the airport. Once we got on the plane we were fine; Jeremy's a flying professional and Kelsey did great too. She just slept. When we got there Daddy took us to In-N-Out and then we headed to the Oakland temple and saw a display of sculptures that were there for a few months. We couldn't take pictures of them, but they were beautiful, depicting Jesus Christ at different times in the scriptures. Jeremy loved the statue of Christ in the lobby. The sister missionaries played us the narration of Christ speaking and Jeremy loved it so much he asked for it to be played again. I love the tender enthusiasm for spiritual things when they're little. It was nice because no one else was there since the temple is closed on Mondays, so we had the grounds all to ourselves. I loved it because the Oakland temple is my favorite next to the Los Angeles temple of course. It's so beautiful and the views are amazing. We'll have to go inside someday. Tuesday I took Jeremy to a place called the Jungle. It was like Chuck E Cheese times 10. I can't begin to describe it. The building is huge and it's two stories almost completely filled with the tubes and tunnels going all over with a million different paths. There are games too, which Jeremy wanted to play forever, but of course cost money. That night we went into San Francisco. We hit up the Gap store because for some reason the San Francisco Gaps always have a ton of really great clearance. It's my favorite. I found some really cute things for Kelsey. We went to Pier 39 and had clam chowder in a bread bowl, yummy! Then we went and got our free chocolate sample at Ghirardelli's. Yummy yummy! We drove around for a while just looking at all the cool stuff that is San Francisco and then we drove back across the bridge. The next day I was so lightheaded that we stayed at the hotel and just went in the pool and the hot tub when Daddy got back from work. I totally want a hot tub now; it was so great! Thursday was our last day and we packed up, ate lunch and went to the airport. Daddy got us there 2 hours early in typical Daddy-early-everywhere fashion, so we had fun taking pictures to pass the time. It was good to come home, but so fun to be there!
My friend offered to hold Kelsey so I could go on the hike. I was so glad because I really wanted to go. Jeremy and Daddy went too but turned back when Jeremy got scared. Daddy was so nice and took care of Jeremy so I could have fun. He stayed in the tent with him at night so I could socialize by the fire till 1 in the morning, and took him potty in the middle of the night. Thanks Daddy! It was nice to have a break after being alone all week while Daddy was on travel. Thanks Anyway, I wish I had pictures of the hike! The bishop led us through a little ravine up and over to a hill that got increasingly steeper as we went. The dirt was slippery and we had to rely on the trees and bushes around us to pull ourselves up and step on their roots. At the top the Bishop gave us a gospel lesson about how using our flashlights was like relying on the Savior to help us through the tough spots in life. Like the roots we need to rely on the firm foundation of Christ. We can also rely on the priesthood to guide us, just like on the trail. Our bishop's so good like that, always giving us a little learning experience and fun tied together. We went down and that was harder and we got so dirty, but I'm so glad I got to go. 
The kids all hit the sack and some of us adults stayed up around the fire and played catch-phrase and told ghost stories. Finally we realized what time it was and went to bed. 
Alana's awesome bed-head 
Brooke primping in her cell phone
Kelsey is wearing a little outfit that Brooke wore when she was a baby, which was really special to me. Kelsey gives it a thumbs up! 
The wonderful woman who runs the group had a daughter who fell in love with Kelsey and held her for a long time before she tore herself away to play. 
Jeremy ran off and played in the playground and with the kids. 
There was this cool lake with an island. The kids were making a rock bridge to the island. 
On the shore there were these nice young men that let Jeremy check out all their fishing stuff. They even offered to give him some fishing line and bait to tie to his stick, but he was happy with just the stick. Jeremy was so sad to leave and I can't wait to go back!
Today we went to the Aquarium of the Pacific's Homeschool Days. The admission was only $6 per person; what a steal compared to their regular prices! They gave us discounted parking and a discount at the gift shop. 
Jeremy had so much fun with the friendly seal and all the different sea creatures. 
Kelsey was a good girl in her stroller and took it all in. 
We saw a diver cleaning fake coral in one of the tanks. That was weird. 
Jeremy was excited about all the starfish. 
I only took a million pictures of the jellyfish, they're so amazing to me. 
Jeremy got tired of having his picture taken. 
I just love this picture!
Happy Girl! 
We waited 3 days at Uncle Jon's house for a package to come. DHL stinks! But we had fun hanging out at someone else's house. Jeremy loves to pretend he's playing the guitar since we don't let him play Guitar Hero. He's pretty funny to watch!
Love my girl! 
She loves to stick her tongue out. 
We went to the Credit Union carnival on the naval base. The kid mascot was a kangaroo and so we decided Kelsey should try out her pouch.
David found this comic yesterday. It's kind of small print, but hopefully you can read it. It says just what I think. I feel like social skills are more important than math and science, because if you can't get along with other people, life will be hard for you. However I think that school is not the only or best place to develop those skills. There's a lot of sweet children at school, but also some disturbing things that are hard. Bullying, peer pressure, and kids younger and younger expressing their sexuality and getting involved with drugs. I'm excited for all the kids we're going to interact with in the homeschool park days, gymnastics classes, field trips, library days, sports, and church. I hope my kids grow up with a network of wonderful friends. My growing up years in homeschool were kind of lonely since we lived in the country, so I feel very blessed to live in such a great place with lots of people and opportunities for interaction.
