A Trip to the Birch Aquarium @ Scripps

Brendan had been asking to go to the Birch Aquarium at Scripps. It's about 20 minutes from our house.


4 year old Kate loves places like this. Actually, she loves any new adventure.




Kate and Dad


Brendan is the man behind the camera. :)
(Colton was at a friend's house and wasn't with us).

After you walk through the huge aquariums, you can walk outside to the tidepools, and the view looks over Scripps Institute of Oceanography and La Jolla Shores.

To the left is La Jolla Shores; this is where we usually go in the summer. It's a nice, clean beach, and the currents don't tend to be as strong as at other beaches.



Kate and Ryan feeling a Sea Cucumber with a Birch employee. They don't really do anything, except feel wet and squishy.
The Sea Cucumber, not the employee! LOL! :)
Kate showing off her little muscular legs, trying to look through the binoculars!



Ryan found another Sea Cucumber and a star fish.
I'm pretty sure Kate is wiping her wet hand on the rock!




What did you say? Somethings behind me?
The hands-on part of the aquarium, teaching about water currents.






Kate and Brendan in the shark's mouth.



So, yes?, we can go to McDonald's or Souplantation when we leave?
I'm hungry.
And I'm thirsty!

Rock On Kate!

Colton had been in the garage,digging through the box of Halloween costumes, and couldn't resist pulling out the 'rocker' wig.

After trying it on Murphy, (which he did not appreciate, and kept trying to roll over to get it off), he put it on Kate, and we could not help laughing.

She is signing 'I love you', popsicle in hand.

SPLASH!

Wanna see what I can do?











First you climb up on the side of the pool.




Stand up and get your balance...








Ready?







and... JUMP!













Weeeee!












Woo-Hoo!





Who says you can't have fun in a blow up pool? :)



Mommy says I'm a natural athlete, and that I'm head-to-toe muscle. She says it's 'cause I never stop moving or dancing.

First Day of School

It's the first day of school, and Kate's in the big kid class for the 4 yr. olds.



It was really warm out, so first order of the day...dress cool and pretty.






I'm excited!!




Hurry up Mama! You're takin' too long!







Okay, one more picture, then let's go!!
Cheese!




This is where we hop.





This looks like a fun table.
Kate's new teachers...Both of these women were just made to be preschool teachers. They're wonderful! The one on the right was Ryan's preschool teacher.

In the background, you can see Kate's new best friend. Her name is Katelyn, and she is a Korean adoptee! Her adoptive parents are also Korean.




At the end of the morning when I pick up Kate, she shows me her picture. (I didn't know she could draw that well!)

I think this picture is so funny. Reminds me of Mr Potato Head and makes me smile when I look at it. Kids are so funny.

A hot, tired and sweaty little girl plops down in the chair at school.

It was a good first day!

A Summer Cutie

As soon as the bow went in her hair, I said, "Oh, we gotta take a picture...you look really cute!"











This picture went on her 'About Me' poster for school, under the heading, 'This Is What I Look Like'.










Kate and Ryan watching a cartoon movie on Netflix on the computer.

A Chance Meeting

Kate's Aunt Shannon and I took the little ones to the Visitor's Center shop, and did a bit of shopping before we left Mammoth, and as we walk out with packages, who is out in front but Kevin and the boys on their bikes.
Oh, uh, hi! Hello.
Shopping again?
Nooooo! Not us. Why would you even think that?

Kate with her new black kitty (she wasn't goin' for the bear I tried to get her), posing with Smokey.


(L-R)Our friend's son Nate, cousins Brian and Evan, Brendan & Bryson.


The guys biked down the mountain...you start at the ski lodge and ride down, then a tram takes you back up and you can do it again. They said it was really fun.





Brendan, Kate, and of course Black Kitty and Smokey the Bear.

Aunt Shannon & Theodore (trying to hold his new bird with his neck), Ryan, Kate, Mom & Brendan.













Colton and cousin Charlton spending a few minutes in front of the Visitor's Center.



Colton & Brendan








Kate holding onto Daddy's hand, smiling up at him.


Ryan conked out in Mom & Dad's bed.



I stuck this picture in just so you can see what it's like to take a picture of Kate! Ryan and cousin Everett are already being silly, and Kate just can't stand it and starts dancing...which she does A LOT!