A week in California!
We left the on a beautiful 80 degree Sunday after church and drove across Nevada and into California. I was very annoyed when it was snowing in Wells and then required chains over Donner Pass – IS THIS NOT MAY?! I was bugged because I had just had our snow tires taken off of the van the week before. We do have all wheel drive on the van and we made our way to the checkpoint and went on through without chains. We LOVE having all wheel drive. It did slow us down a good hour and a half but we got to my parents home in Oroville at Midnight.
On Monday we got to play with my sister-in-law Liz and her kids. I went to Yogurts with my mom for lunch and that night we ALL went over to Chico for a womens over 30 indoor soccer game – It was an AWESOME game with some GREAT players – -, Liz is on a team with our friend Tiffany and they let me play with them :), we tied 7 to 7. And then we went to McDonalds to let the kids run around and eat a late dinner. Benji said it was THE BEST McDonalds EVER – it had a play place AND VIDEO GAMES!! We put kids to bed and played NERTZ with Mom, Dad, Michael, Shannon and Kelsey.

Hide and Go Seek: Maddy, Packer and Lilly

Video Games: Benji and Jaydn they did play other things as well like creating the break dance club, this is just what they happened to be doing when I remembered I didn't have any pictures yet.

On Tuesday I took the kids down to visit my mom at the office and pick out prizes, Benji looks forward to this every visit now. Then we came back home at lunchtime for a get together with some of my bestest friends :), Angelee and Katie and Raeanne and Liz and I grabbed Taco Tuesday for lunch and hung out at my parents house while the kids,13 of them, ran around playing. It was tons of fun to catch up with everyone. That evening we stayed for dinner and brownies with the family and then we left at 8pm and headed for San Francisco. I dropped Ben off at the Hilton for his work conference and then I drove to Walnut Creek to Erica’s house. The kids were exhausted and asleep, we transferred them from the car and crashed for the night.

My Friends! Me, Katie, Angelee, Liz and Raeanne

Our 2 Year Olds! Cali (Dec), Ella (Jan), Charlee (Mar), Lacie (May)

Wednesday the kids woke up to play with their long lost friends 🙂 Erica’s sister Emily came over and Erica was babysitting for a friend so we had a busy morning. Then Erica made me salsa and Guac and I ate chips the rest of the afternoon. My Sister-in-law Mal came over around 3:30 with her 2 kids and we played and ate dinner and got ready to go to the A’s game. We drove down to the game and met up with Ben and my brother Josh at the BART station and then met up with my sister Christy and Rob and three of their boys. So we had a super fun time in the 2$ seats with the sun in our eyes and kids all over our laps. I love that everyone made the effort to come and I got to spend that time with family and friends. Erica came with her 4 kids and no husband – she really is amazing and a little crazy but she pulled it off as well as any of us did. We got home late again – put the kids in bed and crashed.

Most of the A's Game crew.

Benji in the middle of the fun

The Eggers helping with baby Rose

It was fun to meet up with Ben instead of being apart for the conference

Mal and her babies

still best buds

Erica being super mom.

Thursday we finally got to play Boggle and it was fun even though I lost. The kids just played and played. We went to the park for a little bit and Erica spoiled them with the icecream truck. I went and picked Ben up from the BART station because he was done with his work conference (the reason that we got to take this trip was because he was going to the San Fran conference) and then we ate some yummy Erica food, enchiladas and salad. And put the kids to bed so that they wouldn’t be too grumpy for Friday.

Rose loved the Jumperoo (?)

and Rose and Gentry were SOO cute together.

Yummy Over Priced Popscicles 🙂

Packer picked the coolest ice cream!

Friday was so much fun. We took the kids to Six Flags Animal Kingdom in Vallejo and it was just perfect for our kids. They had tons of kid rides that were just right. And we got to see Shouka’s whale show, the dolphin show and Elephant show. Plus they have Giraffes and Tigers, sharks and a walrus… the kids LOVED the animals and LOVED the rides. They seemed to be the perfect age and just loved every minute that we were there. Benji said it was ” The Best Day Ever”. That made it so worth it. It was extra fun because we had the Hancock’s with us and a bunch of my family was able to come. Kevin and Liz brought their 4 kids and my parents, Michael, Shannon and Kelsey all came!! It was FUN. That night Than was finally home so we ate pizza and let the kids watch a movie until late and just hung out.

Cali and Claira - ready for Six Flags

Benji and Ben - 1st roller coaster

drink break cause we're too little for this ride.

On Saturday we drove home – NOT SO FUN, but a necessary part of travel and we made it in a timely manner so I will not complain. Today was a good Sunday. It is good to be home. Rose has a little cold and is fussy. Cali loved being back in the new playroom. Packer and Benji were excited to get the computer set up downstairs FINALLY. We had Joel and Brady and T-Money over for dinner and dominion. Good Times. I must still be on California time cause it is way too late to be blogging but here I am … and IT IS WAY TO LATE… perhaps this will be continued tomorrow. Good Night.