One of th perks of CA

One of the great perks to living in California is that there is a lot to do without having to fly somewhere. We spent a few days in San Francisco a fwe weeks ago before the kids head back to school (in the morning). The kids loved getting to go to the Exploratorium and the science academy place. Their favorite was the exploratorium because they got to do so much stuff. THey were so busy that RYan and I were juggling to keep up with all three of them. My favorite part was that it is much cooler in SanFran than it is in Fresno. I loved just walking around the streets near our hotel and enjoying the cool weather.

Other than that trip, we have not done much since the trip to the beach with mom and dad. THe kdis did swim lessons and loved them. JOnathan is now a really good swimmer and gets himself all over the pool. He likes to scare me by jumping in and then sinking himself to the bottom and sitting there until he can't hold his breathe any longer. I really do not like that game. Robert is learning that the floaties are really not that cool and he can have a lot of fun without them.The poor kid sinks like a weight so he is working hard to stay up. Katelyn is insane. That girl has no fear. She was by far the bravest kid in her little beginner class. She has no fear when it comes to the water. I think it is because she always had floaties on and did not need to fear, but now she does not want the floaties because she wants to dunk and swim. She can dunk or "swim" a little bit and then push her head up to breathe but only once before she needs help. She likes to be a Starfish where she lays on her tummy and spreads her legs and arms out and puts her face in the water. I am glad she loves the water and is not scared but seriously, her teacher may call it a starfish but I call it the dead man's float and she just makes me nervous because she will hold her breathe for quite some time.

Anyway, that is about all there is to report. Like I said, the boys start school in the morning and they are excited with the mixture of nervousness. They both have teachers that I have heard a lot of good things about so I think all will go really well.

I love you all.

Megan

Summer in bakersfield

We had a little different summer where for the first time we did not leave California. Mark worked all but two weeks and spent 4 weeks at the University of California Santa Barbara- not a bad place to be! Then, he taught a class at the local university and loved it.

So, we hung around here with lots of swimming and popsicles to keep us cool!

Some of the highlights of our summer in pictures:Christian played t-ball. He was a natural and loved it. Elijah did basketball camp, but I can't seem to find the pictures!We went up to Fresno for Jonathan's baptism, which coincided with a visit from Mom and Dad and a few days at the beach all together. Thanks mom and dad for making the effort to come!

Before heading back to work, we snuck in a few days in San Francisco- hiking in the Redwoods, the Exploratorium, wandering the city, and touring the jelly belly factory. It was a fun few days.

Caleb turned 2! We can't believe it, but our baby is now officially in his terrible twos. He is an absolute joy.

Tomorrow is the first day of school and the kids are all in bed- too excited and nervous to sleep, but they are there! Can't wait until next summer when we get to see everyone.

Love you all.