Little farm activites

We've had some fun little actives this last couple weeks. Even between the April/snow showers.

Wheeler Farms

Etta was learning about farm animals in preschool and going to Wheeler Farms was a fun little field trip. Wheeler Farms is a great little state park with many fun farm animals. There were little baby animals hanging around their mothers and loved the little visitors. Etta enjoyed chasing after the ducks and hiding in the tree house. She told me her favorite animals were the pigs and baby pigs. They were darling. Gibson loved watching the horses and riding the wagon.

Etta was sad that all the ducks wanted to run away from her.


Hiding from Gibby and Mommy. Gut little piggies.

They couldn't take their eyes off the big horse.

Fun little Tractor ride.

Gibby laughing at all the funny animals.

After seeing all the darling animals and tractor ride we ate a small lunch and headed home for naps. Perfect little day.

They didn't even make it home.

Part Four: Last Day

Our last day in California. We picked up Grandma Etta for breakfast to say "Good Bye, hope to see ya soon." We have been eating at a little shop on Murtal in Monrovia for 6 years. It is so tasty. Etta had to have French toast and Bacon, so we shared a large plate. Delicious!
It was now off to the Race Track. I love going to the Santa Anita Race Track. The horses are gorgeous and it is fun to see and feel the excitement off the crowd when the horses are racing to the finish line. They were also having a little family carnival. After watching one race we headed to the inside of the track for some little kid fun. It was a very warm day and the lines were pretty long. We took Etta and Gibson to the pony rides so they could be little Jockey's. Gibby didn't like it at first but then loved touching the ponies hair. By the end of the ride he was giggling. Etta was a pro. She has been on horsey rides before and liked going by herself. We hit the bouncy toys for Etta and then went back to the bleachers to see one more race. I wanted to get to the beach before our flight so we headed to Santa Monica Beach. We unloaded the kids, changed into our suits and rubbed on the sunscreen. I love the beach and Etta was really excited to "go swimming". Of course she just played, splashed and laughed instead of swam but had tons of fun. Gibby didn't quite know what to think about the sand. He of course tried to eat it. And then came the water. Oh, did he hate that. I was a little mean and sat him down for a few waves. He screamed and flared his arms so I picked him up. Didn't want to scar him for life again. I held him for a little while we played than daddy took him back to play in the sand with him. Etta and I played for a long time jumping over the waves, trying to catch them and just enjoying the water. She told me that she LOVES the ocean too.

We just had to go walk the pier. When we reached the top of the stairs I noticed a recognizable face. We watched the Biggest Loser Show for the first time this season and there sanding just a few feet from us was Mark. I of course wanted a picture so we went up and asked him. He was really nice and said "What about Curtis". Yep, there was Curtis who go booted off the 2nd week. He looked great and was wearing sunglasses so he wasn't as noticeable. I got my five minutes and picture with semi-famous people. I was happy, we can go know. We walked around a bit more than said "good bye" to California.

What a wonderful Family Vacation. Not to long but just perfect. I will have great memories of Disneyland, a dodger game and the beach in 2008 with my perfect family. I hope Etta and Gibson will enjoy reading and seeing the fun they had.

Part Three: Grandma and the Dodgers

(2nd Day of Vacation- long post with lots of pictures- again memories for Gibby and Etta)

We woke up and showered and got dressed. We were so happy to have our suitcase. Andy went out back and picked some oranges to make us all freshed squeezed orange juice. The best juice ever. We jumped in the car stopped for a quick dough nut(only on vacation) and headed to see Great Grandma Etta.

Waiting for my dough nut, please.

Nothing is better with dough nuts.

Grandma Etta May is living in a darling Senior Assisted Living. She has a gorgeous top floor room, great view and she is so happy. She took us for a tour and wanted to show off her darling great grandchildren. They had an activity going on that we watched her play for a while, Wii bowling. Then Etta spilled her milk, Gibby was fussing and Grandma was not use to the ruckus and didn't want to bother the other people there. So we left and headed off to lunch.

Great Grandma Etta with her first Great Grandson Gibson.

Instead of "Cheese" Grandma said to say "Gobble, Gobble"

We went to my favorite restaurant the North Woods. They have the best cheese bread, red cabbage salad and clam chowder. They let you eat peanuts and drop the shells on the ground and their lights are turned down low. The atmosphere is just great. It is the only place in California with snow on it's roof top all year long. We had a great time there with Grandma. Etta ate a little and Gibby slept the whole time.

This is Mommy's Favorite Restaurant.

Snow year round.

Grandma and Grandson

Just to tired to eat

After lunch we dropped Grandma back off at her new place and went to see Aunt Linda and Uncle Hans. They own a Cake and Candy story called A & J Cake and Candy Supplies .
We chatted and ate some delicious candies. Aunt Linda sent us home with some chocolates and treats to make. They melted a bit but made it home. It is great to see family and eat yummy chocolate.

Aunt Linda and Uncle Hans with Etta and Gibby

It was now Dodger time. We headed over to Dodger stadium for our first game of the season(at least for me, Etta and Gibson). The early evening air was perfect, the field was gorgeous and the company was the best. Etta wanted a hot dog so Daddy got her, her very own dodgerdog and she ate the whole thing. Both kids were perfect. Gibby hated when everyone would yell and Andy would jump up, but he soon got use to it and fell asleep. Etta watched the whole game. Dodgers won and we had fun!

Excited to go to her first Dodger game of the season

Just a beautiful baseball field
Gibby's very First Dodger game, already a dodger fan

Can I please have a Hot Dog?

Eating a very long Dodger Dog (foot long)

Go Dodgers, Go

Even more beautiful with the sun setting


Gibby enjoying the game or eating the fence.

Etta wanted to watch the game closer too

Family pic between innings


Happy Daddy with his son at a Dodger Game!

Watching the last inning

Made it through the whole game.

What a great game/night. Of course Andy and I hit In and Out Burgers on the way home and then we all went to sleep.