We finally made it to Alcatraz!

Jon, Sheree, Joanna, Katelynn, Carson, Paul and Nate at the end of a long day touring Alcatraz and San Francisco.

Katelynn enjoying the boatride back to the city, letting the wind blow through her hair.

Carson showing us that we have arrived.

For those of you who have ever gone to San Francisco on vacation and were unable to visit Alcatraz...we understand. Paul and I have made several trips to San Francisco over the years of our relationship, but due to timing constraints or sell-outs, we were never able to make it to "The Rock." My loving husband was always willing to hand me a quarter so that I could check out the island from the viewfinder. Thanks a lot. So, when our friends Jon & Sheree were coming to town, we planned ahead, started researching our trip and bought our tickets several days in advance. Of course the trip would have been a bit easier a few years ago before we had to carry a diaper bag and two kids on a boat, and up the hills of this previous penitentary. We would have been able to listen to the headphone guided tour, if we were not tending to a toddler and hungry, tired baby. At least most of the tourists were wearing headphones and did not seem to mind the echoed screams of Katelynn as she fought falling asleep. Finally, Katelynn fell asleep and Carson got tired of running though the cell blocks,so I was able to hear a bit of the tour and history of the island. It was a beautiful and clear day (somewhat rare for SF) and we enjoyed the city views of San Francisco from Alcatraz. It was tiring, but a lot of fun to spend the day in the city with our friends.

Froggy flop & caterpillar crawl.

Katelynn has started movin'! She can make her way around the room, which means we have to keep the floor free of small pieces, shoes and dog toys. Of course, we can put a perimeter of baby-safe toys around her and she will make her way over them, and head straight for Carson's shoe to suck on...gross! She has not mastered the "conventional crawl". Sometimes she gets up on all fours, rocks back and forth for a bit and then lunges with her arms toward the item she wants (The Froggy Flop). She does this move in combination with the Caterpillar Crawl, in which she reaches and stretches with her arms and drags her body behind her. Basically, she looks like a bad actor in a war movie that has been shot in the leg and has to use all of her strength and endure the pain , just to drag herself to safety.

Road Trip

We drove back from San Diego last Sunday. Reggie and the kids were snuggled in the backseat and slept for most of the 7 hour drive. We stopped for a short break for dinner and diaper changes about half way through the trip. Carson was happy to have his dog close to him in the car, except when Reggie put his head on the DVD player and blocked the movie. We were very luck that everyone did a great job and was in a good mood during the long trip home.

Katelynn's 1st USC Football Game

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Fight On!

First of all, I have to apologize for the video at the top facing the wrong way...I am new at this blogging thing and not very good with computers, so I couldn't figure out how to rotate it! So, here are a couple of videos of Carson at the end of the USC football game. He tried to put up the "victory sign" like Daddy. He had a great time doing a victory dance with the band at the end of the game. Go SC!

Legoland Fun!

Carson, Katelynn and Mommy went to Legoland with Gran while we were in San Diego. Carson has such a great time walking around an checking out all the legos. His favorite part this trip was the Lego Farm. He danced to the blue grass band and had fun pushing the buttons to make the animals sing along with their sounds.

Carson's Playhouse.

Carson was so excited to see his new playhouse in Nana and Grandpa Tom's backyard. It is in a perfect spot, just under the shade of their big pepper tree (the same pepper tree that Mommy and Uncle Jason had a tree house in when they were little). Carson had a lot of fun playing with his cousins in the house and of course, his dog after everyone went home.

Gardening with Grandpa Mitch

Carson's favorite activity when we go to Grandpa Mitch and Grandma Gretchen's house is yardwork. He can't wait to run in the backyard and help Grandpa water the plants, pick up the leaves and dig in the mud. Carson was a little confused and disappointed this time when the orange tree was bare. He loved to pick as many oranges as his little arms could carry. He would bring them inside the house and then go back for more. This visit he watered not only the lawn, but the patio furniture, the windows and a little bit of Grandpa too!

Wild Adventures.

Carson, Katelynn and Mommy went to the Wild Animal Park last week while we were visiting family in San Diego. We invited Nana, Grandpa Tom, Gran and Grandpa Bill to join us in celebration of grandparent's day. We all had a great time, even though it was over 90 degrees! Carson had fun looking at the animals and called most of them "Cow....Moo" (Ever since we went to The Little Farm and fed the cows, every large animal with four legs is a cow) We even got to see a baby rhino and baby giraffes. What a great day!

Sitting Pretty.

Katelynn was sitting in the front yard a couple of weeks ago with Mommy, watching brother and Daddy ride bikes. She decided she was ready to sit up all by herself! So, here she is on her first night of sitting up like a big girl. Doesn't she look proud of herself?!?

The Sweet Taste of Summer.

Carson loves watermelon! He also makes a big, drippy mess when he eats it and refuses to eat it as little, cut up pieces. So, we have found the best way to enjoy his wedge of watermelon is outside, with only a diaper on. Afterwards he also enjoys playing with the hose to wash off his sticky snack.