Irvine Regional Park

 We went to Irvine Regional Park, which was a day of endless fun, we rode the train, visited the Orange County Zoo, and rode the ponies.  We plan to go back soon to rent their new surrey bikes and ride around.

Irvine Park Railroad

Riding the train

Stalking a peacock

Seth didn't want to say goodbye

Stuck between two goats

Brushing a goat

A pea chick

Davis riding Echo

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Happy 35th Birthday Jeff!

We celebrated Jeff's birthday a little late, as he turned 35 while we were driving to Yosemite.  But we finally got around to making cupcakes (Seth helped) and singing the song.  Happy Birthday!

The Reptile Zoo

Last week we visited the Reptile Zoo, which is in a store on Brookhurst.  They really do have a wide assortment of reptiles, and you can always feed the turtles, and we got a special treat of getting to hold a gecko as well.  Yes those are live meal worms they are feeding to the turtles.  When we got to hold the gecko, Davis was extremely interested, and then was very careful (hard to believe)  He was really transformed, kept saying "gentle,gentle" and telling everyone to just use one finger to pet it.  Audrey on the other hand would freak out, she wanted to hold it, but then would shriek and I was afraid she was going to fling the thing across the room.  Seth didn't want to hold it at all.  But clearly Davis needs a pet, so someday, he will have a lizard of his own.

Pinky checking in

Yosemite 2010 - Last day, I swear

Our last full day, all of our friends packed up and go.  One of our Daddy friends read a final story, Nature's Yucky: Gross Stuff That Helps Nature Work to the kids before they left. We stayed one more day/night on our own.  We went to the lower falls again, as Audrey kept asking to go back, and we really didn't have anything else to do.  Then we spent a large part of the day down by the river.  After several days of changing pants socks and shoes every time we visited the river, I finally got (relatively) smart and had the kids take them off before they got wet.  That evening we went to the lodge to eat, which produced Jeff's favorite story of the whole week.  This was the first time our kids had stepped indoors for four days.  Before we went in I told them we would be going through the line to get our food and not to touch anything.  We walked in the door and all three of them spontaneously through themselves on the ground and started writhing and wiggling and giggling hysterically.  It was quite a sight to see.

The next morning we woke up, packed and headed home, getting out just before the rain started pouring down.  Until next year Yosemite!

Yosemite 2010 - Day 3

As you can see from the pics below, we spent most of our time near our tent, playing at the river's edge.  The lovely beach spot, with the sideways tree and roots (perfect for climbing in) was literally 30 yards from our tent.  We also made a brief visit to Curry Village to buy our souvenir T-Shirts, which involved a very exciting bus ride.

Sunrise

Waiting for the bus

Waiting

On the bus

I see you...

Fire!