Bodega Bay Trip Part II - The Winery

On the way to Bodega Bay, while Mom was working in the big city, Dad and the kids decided to stop at one of the interesting wineries in Napa Valley to break up the drive.  This winery has a gondola that will whisk you from the parking lot straight to the winery perched on top of a large hill.  From there, you can see the entire valley for miles.  The kids were so good, Dad was able to take a few photos during the excursion.

A very nice patron was kind enough to take this photo of the kids and dad.

However, the most exciting part of the trip is the gondola ride.  Natalie and Amanda rode this gondola when they were infants, but they were equally excited as if they were this were their first trip.  Here, we are about to take off and head up the hill side.

Everyone is so excited!

Amanda cannot believe how steep the climb is ahead.

Amanda poses for a beautiful shot

Will is next.

Now Natalie.  Wow, we are really high!

Dad, this is fun!

Amanda and Will share the experience.

Natalie and Amanda say this is almost as fun as Funderland!

Will smiling big! 

Amanda loves big smiles as well!

Once at the top, we toured around the winery and marveled at the wine processing equipment and huge tanks used to store all of Mom and Dad's wine! 

Also at the top, they just happen to pour a few tastings for Dad.  Yummy!

The ride down was equally as thrilling!

 Looks like it was a great time.  Mom was definitely jealous! 

Bodega Bay Beach Trip

This past weekend, we took our annual trek to Bodega Bay with our wonderful friends and lots of kids!  The weather was beautiful as you will see from the photos and bathing suits.  This is a picture of the beach we visited on Sunday afternoon.

The beach has a small creek that runs into the ocean, and on heavy rainfall days carves out a channel in the sand, just perfect for jumping and running from side to side.

We followed the small creek back to its source and Will explored the surrounding area for shells.

Amanda poses next to the small waterfall and lagoon in search of small creatures.  

Natalie is ready to snatch up her prey into her bag.  Fortunately for Natalie, she did not find a single living creature!

There were many fisherman on this beach trying to catch the day's meal.  This angler caught Amanda and Will's attention as he was reeling in a big fish!  They were so excited to see the big shark!

Uh oh!  Only seaweed!

Here are a few shots of the kids...no way to get everyone to cooperate, but as you can see...all had a  a great time.  This is the "acting crazy" picture.

Here is the "serious, with attitude" photo!

We have more from our trip that we will share in the near future...stay tuned!

Another Sunny Day in the Park

The 2013/2014 Sacramento winter has been like spring instead of winter and we have been enjoying every minute of it!  The winter rains came this past week, but we were able to sneak in a visit to the playground before they hit.  Our kids are all monkey bar aficionados and, as a result, have tremendous upper body strength.  They have now transferred their monkey bar skills over to climbing poles.  None of them can pass by a pole without wanting to climb up it!  

Here, Natalie and Amanda race to the top of the swing climber! 

Once you race up, you slide back down and start all over again.

There is the occasional stop to hang from the very top beam.  Wow, this is high!

Next is Will's turn at the balance bar.   He loves to hang upside down and turn flips all around.   

Once you spin, you can hang on for a very long time.

Natalie poses as she climbs for the top.

Natalie then heads over to the high balance bar and begins to swing wildly back and forth.  Although she appears that she will fly off in an instant, she is very coordinated and able to hold on very well.

Natalie takes a quick break to show off the results of her climb.

Will shows us he can do everything his big sisters can do!

Right before we leave, we try riding around the kids playground.  Here, Will demonstrates how to ride a two wheel scooter that lights up as you increase your speed!

Last week we showed videos of the girls 1st ride.  Here are a few stills of them practicing for the big ride.

Amanda in deep concentration.

Natalie is just plain happy!

Bike Riding...Without Training Wheels!

A few years ago, Santa brought the girls new bicycles. Both girls have been riding with training wheels ever since and have been getting more and more confident over time.  Then, a friend recommended that we have them go back to glider bicycles (no pedals as the rider only pushes with their feet) to practice the balancing so they would feel more comfortable on the real thing.  Well, they were right.  After 1 week of practice the girls gave it their best shot at our neighboring schoolyard.  The video speaks for themselves (as there is very little sound), but they took off as if they had been riding for months.  We are so proud of both Natalie and Amanda and can't believe how mature they are becoming.  

Here is Natalie's first Ride!

Congratulations Natalie!

An here is Amanda!

Congratulations Amanda!

And here is a picture of King Will, who built this magnolia leaf crown in celebration of the girls bike riding accomplishment!  Thanks Will, you are a very special brother and a wonderful son!