Our Utah Vacation

The kids really wanted to roast marshmallows.  I didn't think it would work on an electric stove, but it did!

At the end of June/beginning of July, the boys and I went to visit my sister in Utah.  We were there for almost two weeks, and Max was able to meet us for the 4th of July weekend for Archie's birthday and my family reunion.  The boys had so much fun visiting their cousins.  We had fun adventures everyday.  Most days we did water things, like the pool and local reservoir, so I didn't end up getting many pictures, but here are the ones that I did get.

We spent a day in Salt Lake City.  This is the roof of the library.

There are lots of little forts inside the Salt Lake City Library.  So fun for kids!

Mason in the SLC Library.

We also spent a day at the Natural History Museum.  If you know my kids, you know they have a deep love for all things museums!  They really loved this one!

Mason being silly.

He was so happy to see the snakes!

Mason in a dinosaur footprint

Archie looking tough in a dinosaur footprint

This museum had the most dinosaur bones we had ever seen.  It was truly amazing!

The boys were impressed with this wall of dinosaur skulls.

"I didn't know that's how big their heads were!"

Archie with a woolly mammoth

Mason's favorite:  bugs!

Me and the boys on the roof of the museum.

Morro Bay Camping

A few weeks ago, Max had a few days off of work so we decided to go on a mini vacation to Morro Bay.  We were able to get a campsite right on the beach.  The boys loved climbing all of the trees on our site.  It was so nice to be reunited with the ocean!  We miss it where we live.

Mason hanging with his dad

My wild Archie

My wild Mason

Warning to NOEL:  Do not read beyond this point! :)

While we were out exploring Pismo Beach, we found a giant snake (it belonged to a man that was hanging out on the pier).  The boys absolutely loved it and didn't want to leave it!

Archie was getting a little too comfortable with it.

We also went to the Avila Beach Aquarium.  It was a really small, cool place, where they let you touch a lot of different creatures.  The boys were in heaven!

They were even able to pet a shark!

You can't tell in the picture, but he is actually pretty high up in the tree.  He was freaking us out a little.

Shimmying

Swim Lessons

Mason diving for a toy

At the beginning of June, the boys took swim lessons.  We went to my friend, Kassy, from swimtolive.org.  She is amazing!  They were week-long lessons and at the beginning of the week the boys wouldn't even put their faces in the water.  By the second day of lessons, they were diving under the water and swimming across the pool!  It was amazing to see.  

Archie patiently waiting for his turn.

Mason

Mason

Mason

Archie diving for a toy

Archie floating it out

Mason learning to dive

This is Mason diving for a toy, on his own, while Archie was doing his lesson.

Kassy taught Archie to flip onto his back if he needed air.  I love the peace of mind I have now, knowing they can save themselves, if they need to.

Random Cuteness

Mason is an amazing reader.  The other night he offered to read Archie his bedtime story.

Archie's preschool picture

Preschoolers are so cute

We finally got a Berkey Water Filter!  We've wanted one since we were married and I finally found one at a garage sale for $20!

We have been loving our summer already!  This is my friend's family lake.  So amazing!

Sacramento Train Museum

About a month ago, we had the opportunity to go to the Sacramento Train Museum.  I wasn't really expecting much, but it was so amazing!  There were real trains that we were able to tour and toy trains for the boys to play with.  There was even a train that, when you stepped into it, it felt like it was moving.  It was so cool!  It was a really fun afternoon and we can't wait to go back.

We were so impressed with these HUGE trains!

Archie was looking at his map the whole time, telling us where to go next. :)

So many trains!

Mason in the conductor seat

Archie in the conductor seat