Happy Easter

I hope everyone had a very happy Easter! We sure did. Granted Cooper was sick, but with four kids I figure it will be years before all of the kids are healthy for any single holiday. I think it was good it was only one out of the four!

The kids woke up in the morning to discover that the Easter Bunny had come and left baskets of goodies. Emma Jo was excited to find the newest Harry Potter movie in her basket!
After church, we came home to an Easter egg hunt. There were over 150 eggs hidden in Grammie's yard. Grace had been very concerned about how many eggs each kid could find so that everything would be fair. Once she realized how many there were she decided they should just go for it! Emma was a great big sister and left the "easy ones" for the little kids. When Grace's basket was full she took over Henry's and filled it for him!

The kids were adorable in their special outfits that Grammie bought. The morning was a little drizzly so I was happy that Henry had the option of black pants even though the overalls were too cute! Grace wore her high heels to church but quickly changed to Crocs when she got home. Emma looked a little too grown up in her sheath dress and leggings. I can't hardly believe she will be 12 in less than two months! Cooper wore his button down shirt and sweater vest. He loves wearing "fancy clothes" and was quite a handsome little guy.


Henry was very happy finding just one egg and trying to eat it!

Can you believe how big he is? He is very fast at crawling but now would prefer to be standing. Henry pulls up on everything and even tries to let go with one hand most of the time. (Emma's a little worried that he is going to take over the early walking record in our family).

Spring Break - Day 5 - Schoolhouse Beach - Bodega Bay

I promised the girls that on our last day of Spring Break we could have a picnic in Bodega. The kids are amazed that the beach is so close to us and yet we never go. After a lazy morning, we headed to the store to pick up a picnic lunch and some sand toys. We took the scenic route along the Russian River and headed towards the ocean. The first glimpse of water near Goat Rock was as magical as ever. It made we wonder why we don't do this more often.

We drove along the coast taking in the crashing waves and blue sky and tried to decide which beach we should visit. We finally settled on Schoolhouse Beach. It had rock that the waves could crash on but the surf was fairly mild where it finally hit the beach. We were very aware of Grampa's worry that someone was going to be swept out to see by a rogue wave.

We set up our blankets, ate our lunch, played in the surf and sorted rocks for the best ones to bring home. I loved how each of the girls personalities shown through how they played on the beach. Emma Jo wanted to be as close to the water as she could without being too close and having Mommy tell her to move. She jumped over the waves and played in the surf. Grace on the other hand would turn and run if the water was within 6 feet of her. She did get wet on the first wave but a couple of drops got on her skirt which signalled the end of her water play.

We had talked so much about how Grampa was worried someone was going to be hurt that on our way home, as soon as we got to Sebastopol and had cell phone service, Grace called Grampa to let him know that we were all safe and on our way home.

Spring Break - Day 3 - Mrs. Grossman's Sticker Factory

I have to admit that this new adventure everyday for a week is beginning to wear me out. Good thing we are half way through...

Today's adventure was a trip to Mrs. Grossman's Sticker Factory. I have loved these stickers since Elementary School and ever since I learned the factory was in Petaluma I've wanted to visit. I was thrilled when I made the suggestion to the girls and they both voted "yes". It meant I finally had an excuse to go.

The tour was about 40 minutes long and included a short movie and a walk through the factory. We got to see the printing presses, assembly line, packaging, and one-of-a-kind laser cut machine. After the tour we were each given a bag of stickers and a postcard to make our creation. The girls worked diligently on their cards but I was a good mom and saved my stickers for Cooper. After the tour we shopped in the "Company Store" and got a good deal on stickers for our house and Connie's house.

Then we headed towards home and made a quick stop at the gym for swimming. Now we are cooking some Carne Asada tacos for dinner and looking forward to Cold Stone for desert.

Spring Break - Day 2

Today we decided to stick close to home. The girls were happy that meant that they could sleep in as late as they wanted this morning. Still they were up by 7am. Cooper was up before the frost alarm went off around midnight. Once he stole my spot in bed he slept soundly until 6:30 (I had to steal Jason's spot since he was off "turning on the vineyard heaters").

Our first stop was the Petrified Forest. I've never been there before even though I've driven past it thousands of times. It was pretty neat to learn that the trees were petrified in a volcano explosion 3.5 million years ago. They told us that the volcano knocked the trees over and then covered them in ash. As a result of the explosion, the ocean which had been 3 miles away, moved to over 30 miles away and caused a huge flooding that covered the trees in water. As a result of the lack of oxygen the trees became petrified with minerals that leached out of the ash from the pressure of the water. We went through the half-mile walk and looked at the trees and then headed down to Calistoga to see Old Faithful.

Old Faithful is another of our local "landmarks" that I've never visited despite being born and raised in the valley. I negotiated a "locals rate" at the geyser and we headed out to wait for the eruption. Within minutes we saw water shoot about 5 feet in the air. I was unimpressed but the girl wanted to see it happen again. Since we had about 30 minutes before we were due at lunch we waited. A few minutes later water shot about 12 feet into the air. As we talked to another couple visiting from Connecticut we saw a total of 3 eruptions.

After all that excitement, we headed into St. Helena for lunch at Taylor's Refresher. It may have been re-named Gott's Roadside Tray Gourmet last week, but it still tasted like Taylor's to me. Jason, Grammie and Grampa met us for lunch. The girls loved trying the Black & White Milkshake (much better than regular chocolate they both agreed). The weather was beautiful and it was nice to sit at a picnic table on the lawn and soak in some sunshine.

After a quick trip to the bookstore, we headed to the gym for swimming so Jason could take a nap. I was happy to watch the girls play nicely together while I got to sit in a lounge chair and read my book. There is nothing quite like hearing your children squeal in delight while they are playing together. Makes my heart happy!

Tomorrow we are headed to Mrs. Grossman's and possible a movie...

Spring Break - Day 1 - Jelly Belly Factory

Today was our first official day of Spring Break. This year we decided instead of going on a family vacation we would have a new day trip adventure every day. We planned this even before we knew about the Little Bean but it makes me even more happy now. I don't know if I'd have the energy to go on a family trip right now and I'm really looking forward to spending the days with the girls but being able to sleep in my own bed each night.

The first adventure on the schedule was the Jelly Belly Factory. Jason, Emma and I have been there once before Grace was born. It is an hour and a half drive so we started out early. We dropped Cooper off at Daycare and stopped at Starbucks for some breakfast. Then it was straight to Fairfield. We got there right before 10am and the line for tours was only a couple of minutes long. We browsed the gift shop and then got in line. During our tour we learned that Very Cherry, Buttered Popcorn and Licorice are the most popular flavors of Jelly Bellys. We also learned that the factory goes through over 100,000 pounds of sugar in the average 8 hour shift. After the tour we hit the shop for some souvenirs and treats then headed back towards home.

We decided to stop in Napa at In-N-Out Burger for lunch. After circulating the parking lot we finally found a space right next to Grampa's truck! I figured he must be at In-N-Out since the other closest store was Target. Grampa had just ordered, so we were able to find a table and have lunch together.

Still on the schedule are trips to the Petrified Forest, Old Faithful Geyser, Bodega Bay, and the California Academy of Sciences. We might try to fit in swimming, manicures, a movie and a tour of Mrs. Grossman's sticker factory.

Spring Break

It really does rain just about every day in Oregon.
We picked up the kids from school on Thursday and started the 10+ hour drive to Oregon. We made it to Redding on Thursday and headed up to Corvallis on Friday. The kids were happy to be out of the car and Grandma and Grandpa were happy to see the grandkids.

Cooper was amazed to see the huge "Alli's" at Grandma & Grandpa's House.

There is a park across the street from their house and the kids had fun climbing and burning off some bundled up energy. Cooper amazed Grandma by climbing up to the top of the tallest slide and turning around and sliding down feet-first on his belly.

On Saturday, the whole family headed up to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn. It was beautiful with acres and acres of tulips, daffodils and other flowers. It was a little cold and windy, but it was great to feel the fresh air and enjoy all the flowers.

They are currently hosting the annual Tulip Festival so there are games and activities for the children.

Cooper got to sit in a giant wooden shoe and "drive" a little tractor.

Gracie played in a jumpy house with a giant slide and Emma Jo jumped on a huge trampoline/bungee jump.
Today we celebrated Easter at Stacy & Juancho's house with a neighborhood Easter Egg hunt.