CA- Part 2 Zoo

We had an absolutely perfect day at the Santa Barbara Zoo.  The weather was warm and sunny.  The big bonus was being related to one of the keepers (sometimes part time, sometimes volunteer), Kris, who got us "behind the scenes".  We got to go into the back of the reptile room and touch some more snakes and see some kinda gross creatures:).  But the best part was after we watched the Elephant keeper give a quick talk, she invited us in the back to feed them (again, since she knows Kris).  They have 2 there and they're so neat.  It was really cool to get to see the one so up close and feed her.  She was on her best behavior!

There was nothing in the tree, Aliyah started refusing to be in pictures so Nate tricked her to be somewhat facing forward and holding still:).

This play place was neat.  You just slide down the hill on trash pieces of cardboard!

CA - Part 1

We are forever thankful for my mom using inheritance money for a "family reunion" trip to CA.  She flew the 5 of us out to visit Kris and Wendy and we had the best time.  We were blessed with beautiful weather, we made very comfortable in Kris and Wendy's home, enjoyed lots of great food and just a a really nice visit. 

Off we go!  (Kids did great on all the plane rides!)

Kris and Wendy's townhouse and complex is beautiful.  And so was the weather so any chance we got, we headed outside.  The fountain was a favorite place to walk to!

While we were there, Nate celebrated a birthday with home made ice cream cake, yum!

Did a little shopping:)

We enjoyed the local playgrounds and being outside, especially seeing GRASS, which we hadn't seen much of in months!

Enjoyed a trip to the cute town of Solvang too.

 We took a few trips to the beach.  It was nice to see a beautiful sunset, something we don't see often on the east coast.  We took a picnic dinner and bundled up.  The kids liked the rocky beach cause they got to throw the rocks into the ocean:).

Our family also visited a different beach another morning when it was a little warmer.  Max was brave enough to splash in the freezing water a little but it was rough so it made me nervous for him to get close.  The air was warm that day though and they enjoyed playing in the sand.

More snow

I write this post on the night before we could get up to 18 inches (I'll believe it when I see it) but we had such a pretty snow last week.  The kids were also excited because despite the several snow storms we have had this winter, this was the first with the heavy wet snow that you can make a snowman out of.  Aliyah was very excited to make her snow friends finally!  And it was so pretty!

We've sure not seen a lot of grass this winter....

Winter Visit to Luke and Emma's

Since we only had a short visit with them at Christmas when they came up for the day, and it was a long holiday weekend, we decided to venture down to VA to spend some time with the cousins.  The kids were beyond excited and had a blast of course.  We had some fun eating lots of good food, doing a Wi dance off, riding bikes and really enjoyed some time swimming at the local fitness center.  It was great to get the kids in the water again to keep up with how well they were doing by the end of summer.  Aliyah had gotten a swim thing like Max for Christmas and they both just got right in and did so well with it.  I did have to ask Max to let go of Luke a few times of course.  He basically hung on him the whole weekend:).  Luke is such a sweetheart he never asks him to stop but I know it must get a little annoying!

Harold Swanson

He put up a good fight after being given 3 days to 3 weeks back in October.  We're really glad again that Nate and Max made it out to visit him a few months ago.  It will be something I know Nate will always be thankful for, to have seen him once again and for have Max to see him now that he's old enough to hopefully remember the trip.  We were lucky to have spent his 97th birthday with him 2 years ago in MN and then we spent it via I-Pad last year while the kids sang him a song.  What a wonderful family man to have had influenced all the Swanson family.  He was loved and will be truly missed...

Random winter fun

Most of the posts are always events/trips/gatherings, but I know some day I'll be happy to remember a random old Thursday when we're all just at home.  As much fun as we have doing special things, I very much cherish the few days I get alone at home with the kids, and will forever be grateful for these less 'exciting' memories.  As I watch how fast they grow and realize it's the last year Max isn't in school every day all day, it really makes me want to hold tight to these kind of pictures as well.:)

This was Aliyah setting up a bible study in her room for all her "friends"!

This was Max's 5 year, 3 month and 2 day birthday party, with gifts, lego cake (and real cookies), hats and decorations.... hey, it's been too cold to go outside most of the time so we have to do something!

And one day this January when it actually went into the 30's (maybe) we took advantage.  How do you get a 3 and 5 year old to ride in a stroller (so mom can get a work out in)?  Give them road detectors (aka: sticks) and tell them we're searching for snow piles and puddles to drive through!

And then let them run around in the back yard, getting all muddy, just cause they sure miss playing out there!

Mogel Family Reunion

We once again held the post-Christmas Mogel family reunion.  Luckily the weather held out and almost everyone was able to make it.  Friday evening all the out of staters got in town.  The kids and I went to my mom's to have pizza with Uncle Ron, Aunt Anne, Ryan and Uncle Jim (who was out for the farm show).  Then we went home to wait for our guests.  The kids had a blast with the VA kids!  The sad part was that Nate had to head into town to care for Diana (while Ken was in MN) because of her having some bad back pain.  He was really sad he missed everyone, but the Scott/Michelle Mogel clan was a HUGE help in his absence.  Saturday we had the church again while the rest of the PA family came out for a yummy soup lunch, this worked out wonderfully.  Then most came back to our house for a "picnic dinner" and more time together.  We enjoyed brunch at my mom's before everyone headed home and we all crashed!

 I feel like I'm way too short for this family!

 Karen/Michelle selfie!

 Max learning some moves from G & D!