California McMillans

Danny and I have been wanting to get a bike hitch for about 2 months so a month or so ago he put a trailer hitch on the van. We were at the temple last week and it was closed for maintenance so we hung out on the temple ground and enjoyed the nice weather.  Blake got a laser gun with chest pads and the kids had a blast playing laser tag on the temple grounds.  It was so nice.  I love hanging out there. It is so pretty with the beautiful flowers and the calm spirit that is there.  After we went to the visitors center and listened to the plan of salvation walk through, little videos and missionary stories which was fun.  The kids last about an hour and then Danny found a nice mount for sale about 30 minutes away so we decided to go and get it.  I was pumped because I have been wanting one for a while.  It was perfect.  Even though Danny and I couldn't go in the temple, I told him it ended up being a great day. We were blessed for just trying to go.  Holds 5 bikes and I was excited t

Grammy and Grampy were in San Francisco for a dental conference.  They took the Bart out to visit on Saturday for a quick trip.  It was only a couple hours but was so great to see them.  The kids all fought over there time.  Kira wanted to show them her gymnastics moves on the bar, Scott wanted to do dry ice bombs (which we spent about an hour looking for in the morning) , Parker play Monopoly Junior and then all the kids played on the trampoline.  It was a gorgeous day and it was so great to see them.  Grateful they took a couple hours to come visit us!! It made the kids day. Scott worked on making dry ice bombs.  We went to the neighbors to get some plastic bottles.  The first attempt failed.  After some modification, he got it to work and it was really loud and a great explosion.  Glad nobody called the cops. The kids have been working on getting Bessy, the lawnmower to run.  It leaks gas so needs some modifications but they have fun on it.  The bottom pic is form another day bu

Angie, Hyrum and their sweet little boy Isaac came to visit for work and we met them for a day in San Francisco.  It was a beautiful day and we had fun going to Pier 39 to watch the sea lions.  We then walked to Ghiradelli for some yummy ice cream and spent the afternoon hanging out at Ghiradelli Square.  It was fun for the kids to roll down the hill and just enjoy the sunshine.  On our way back the kids had fun playing in a fountain.  It was a great day except for sitting in traffic for 2 hours on our way home and getting a migraine.

My kids have spring break for 2 weeks in March.  I decided to stop Aquabears mid March so I could enjoy the time with them and have a break before Rec starts. I have been looking at the weather and was so bummed that essentially everywhere was supposed to rain the first week of break. We managed to have some nice days and made the most of them around Brentwood.  As soon as I saw that it was supposed to be high 70's the second week, I booked a hotel in Los Angeles and decided to give Knotts Berry Farm a try.  I really had no idea what to expect, but my kids and I are so over Disney.  Last time we went in October was not fun.  Well, it was pretty fun, but sitting in hour long rides for everything with 5 kids just didn't seem fun to me.  The boys just went to Universal Studios and I think my little kids are too little. My mom would love getting up at the crack of dawn to get a full day of adventure in on vacation.  I have realized, it is kind of nice to get up leisurely and ou

I got to chaperone Tyler's class to the John Muir House in Martinez which was another nice day.  I went with Phylene and one other mom and we had a great time.  The tour guides talked about how John Muir was a pioneer in conservation.  His efforts were really what started the national park service.  Inspired me to go and adventure the National Parks with the kids.  I am hoping to go to Yosemite with the kids over break if the rain takes a break.  They did a presentation with guessing what National park belonged to the clue.  They then went on a mini hike and visited a building about Mexican pioneers.  Lastly, they visited his home and talked about his life.  We had a great lunch outdoors and it is always fun to see Tyler interact with his peers.  He is so calm and well behaved at school.  Hoping we get to see that Tyler at home someday.  He likes to yell, anger people and is never calm at home.  We had so much fun, I decided to bring Scott, Blake, Parker and one of Blakes friend th

With all the of the rain, the hills are green and gorgeous.  Weeks and weeks of rain has flooded a lot of california and made me somewhat depressed of not being able to get out and get sun.  It has however brought us out of a huge drought that we have been in for years. As soon as the sun was out, we took advantage of being out and went hiking.  It was muddy but so nice to see sun again. Shawna and I went to Borges Ranch in Walnut Creek. It was so fun!  The kids ran ahead, we found a small stream and then the kids went back while we got to leisurely walk with the little ones.  It is so great getting out. We probably hiked 4 miles.  Even better when it is with friends because then my kids don't fight with each other for some reason.  Instead they play nicely with friends.  Here are some pics.