Summer Vacation 2008 (the 1st half)

We started out our trip with a long stretch of NOTHING. We drove about 10 hours our first day, stopping only once (in Tonopah) before reaching our first of several destinations: LAKE TAHOE

Striking a pose by the fountain in front of our hotel

After lunch (at the Hard Rock, of course) we walked around and checked out a bunch of the little shops, looking for the perfect souvenir.
We spotted a bear and stopped for a photo.
Our hotel had a private beach, just a few blocks away. The kids played around. George found a bottle lid that he carried with him the rest of the night. It was really very cute.
After leaving Tahoe, we headed to Roseville. We stopped to visit some dear friends of mine, Elva and Lou Bosco whom I hadn't seen in 21 years (yikes!) not since their son Robbie's wedding reception. It was so good to see them again and get to show off the kids. Trav couldn't help but give them a hard time BYU since he's anything but a Y fan and they are True Blue (go figure!) We all had a really nice visit.

Simply couldn't resist the Forrest Gump shoes, just begging to be filled.
Man! That was one hungry starfish! (This was at the San Francisco Bay Aquarium)
Outside the Hard Rock in San Fran
(Isn't that a lovely hat Claire has on? Of all the things in a souvenir shop, she has to pick out the sparkly red chauffer hat. Ugh.)

The kids with Scuba Sam (the aquarium mascot)
This has to be my favorite picture of our entire vacation. This was Claire on the boat ride to Alcatraz. What a shot!

The entrance to Alcatraz

Trav and George and the audio tour
View of San Fran from Alcatraz
I so need a sign like this somewhere in my house!

I took these two in the little supply room.

We drove north a bit and went to see Old Faithful and the Petrified Forrest

Natalie Kate, looking awfully sweet
Yep... Old Faithful

Claire and a Petrified Bear (can you blame him?)
at the entrance to the Petrified Forrest, by a ginormous, very old tree

3 out of 4 out on Fisherman's Wharf
Trying thier hands at the pulley lift

Waiting for our boat cruise around the Bay
Claire wanted to take a picture with her and the "Archies". (She call them that since that's what they say... obviously! "Arch! Arch!")

After 5 nights in San Fran, we headed south. On to Santa Cruz,Monterey Bay, and Fontana, before heading home.

Summer Vacation 2008 (the 2nd half)

Our next stop was the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. We played a few games...
and went on a Killer Whale (think "Dumbo") ride...
and then got on the road toward our next stop... Monterey!

Once again we got a hotel with a beach, this one just right outside our door!

George turned 1 the day we got to Monterey, so we went to Safeway, bought him a big piece of cake (and candles... and a lighter) and had watched as the fun began. (There's video in the next entry if you haven't seen it yet.)
He was very neat about it and only got a little bit on his shirt.
He made sure he got plenty in his mouth, that's for sure!
Henry, on the patio, enjoying the view.
The California fires made for some great color in the sunset.

Playing in the sand after sunset
Natalie in action!
Digging their way to China

Next day, same beach. This time, with a little sunlight.

There are few things my kids love more than the beach. (Too bad we live in a desert, huh?)George was a little braver than I wanted him to be. This was taken right before the wave that swept him over (and consequently... under). I grabbed him by the leg as he sputtered. That was the end of his happy times on the beach.

Claire was determined to bury someone.

Ready, set... here comes the WATER!
Natalie was always trying to get the impossible picture. (These were taken at the Monterey Bay Aquarium)
Little George loved to wander around pointing at everything.
Needless to say, the Aquarium at Monterey Bay was a huge hit.

After 2 nights in Monterey, we moved on to Fontana to see G'ma Palmer & Aunt Cheryl's family. We stayed 2 nights with Gramma and just enjoyed seeing our cousins again. and jumping on Uncle Scott's trampoline.

Our last night on vacation was the 4th of July. The Hawkins crew bought some fireworks and we set them off in front of Grandma Palmer's house.
Since we'd be on the road, homeward bound on Natalie's birthday, we decided to buy a cake and celebrate with the cousins the night before. (Sweet little Natalie is now 7.)

OH.....Here's the bay

Happy Birthday George!!!!!

Well here we are a year later and George is 1. What a better way to celebrate your first birthday than with cake at Monterey Bay, CA.