A Trip to Disneyland

We took a trip to Disneyland on Saturday. The park was really crowded, but we all had a good time.


Ben got chosen to participate in the Jedi Training show. It was a really good show. The kids got to have a lightsaber duel with either Darth Maul or Darth Vader. Here's Ben dressed up in Jedi Garb.


At the end he got a certificate.


We all dressed in red so that we matched and would stand out as a family. We thought it might make it a little less difficult for the kids to get lost in the crowd.


What we didn't realize is that it was "Gay Day" at Disneyland. Everyone who was there to celebrate Gay Day was also dressed in red. So, we were pretty much surrounded by red shirts. So much for standing out!


Sarah at New Orleans Square.


Emily looking across the water to the Mark Twain steamboat.


Brandon on board the Mark Twain!

Trustworthiness and Trains

Friday, Sarah won an award at her school for trustworthiness. Apparently each teacher picked two students from their classroom and Sarah was one of the two chosen from her class.


After the awards Sarah showed me her classroom.


Sunday we had a house full of Cub Scouts. Ben's Wolf Scout pack came over to see the train set and do some train related activities. Each kid got a chance to drive the trains.

The Cannon at Ft. Tejon

We took a trip up the freeway again to attend another civil war re-enactment at Ft. Tejon. We stayed long enough to watch two separate re-enactments.


We got to see the Cannon!


Sarah, Emily and Sarah's friend pose with the cannon.


Ben and his friends pose with the cannon as well. The boys picked up cap guns at the souvenir shop.


Emily found a pretty bonnet that she liked.


Brandon has a great time as well. He did lots of exploring.


Emily enjoyed seeing the cavalry horse.

Labor Day Weekend Party

The temperatures were in the triple digits this weekend with daytime around 110 degrees. Sunday we had a block party. Since the weather was so warm, we pitched together and rented a giant water slide!

It was quite crowded for a while as all the kids couldn't wait to get their turn.


Matt went down the slide quite a few times. Sarah and Ben thought that was quite funny.


Between trips down the water slide, kids feasted on chips and juice. Here is Emily enjoying the festivities.


The street was full of kids and parents having a good time.


As things started to cool dowin into the high 90's, we started preparing the projector for video games and a movie. Though, the kids continued to play on the slide to many hours after dark. I think the lowest temperature that evening was probably in the 80's.


We have used the screen in years past. We made it from scratch.


Instead of using a modern radio, I pressed my old Fisher 800 into service. It was amazing how well the 45 year old radio performed. Nothing like the warm glow of vacum tubes in a summer evening... ahhh...



When it was dark, we were able to fire up a projector and project the Sony Playstation on the front of the house. The kids (and adults) played Dance Dance Revolution.

We kept the projector going till 1 AM Monday morning with movies.

Busy, Busy Brandon

With all the hot weather we have been having recently, the kids have been spending a lot of time inside. Brandon, has been especially busy. He loves the kitchen. He especially loves to pretend that he is "cooking". The coffee pot, serving spoons, spatulas, cups and pots are his favorites.


Recently, he found a loaf of rasin bread on the counter and pulled out some pieces. He then sprinkled garlic powder on a slice and rolled with a rolling pin. He took a second piece and covered it with Cream Of Tartar. Here he is standing on a chair at his work space.


He then put the bread on a plate and brought it to the table. There was also a pitcher of ice tea on the counter. That disappeared, but the coffee pot and several cups were wet. I think he poured the tea into the coffee pot, and then into the cups.


While I was cleaning up, he promptly headed up stairs and started searching desk drawers. He was getting ready to make a phone call when I got back up stairs. He moves very quick.

Fort Tejon

Sunday, we drove up to Fort Tejon where they were doing a civil war re-enactment. It took about half an hour for the short drive up the 5 freeway. Here's Brandon at the entrance.



We toured the camp sites of the Union and Confederate sides.


The mock battle was fun to watch. The confederates were hanging out in the old officer's quarters.


The northern infantry attacked and got them to surrender.


The Confederate doctor was really good. He did a real good job of explaining how the field hospitals worked.


They had a store inside the old Adobe army barracks with period garments and items for sale. We got hats for the kids.

Sarah and Ruby

Shannon and Sarah visted a friend on Saturday morning where Sarah had a chance to go horseback riding. She took a long trip around the Moorpark area. She really enjoyed it.

A Trip to Columbia (California)

We took some time off over the 4th of July holiday to visit family. On one of the days, we took a day trip to Columbia, Ca. Columbia is an old mining town that has been made into a state park. The shops are all filled with period businesses. Some have been restored just for show, but most are operational.



Many of the buildings have been restored to contain their original contents. There is a restored drug store, dentist, Chinese goods store, dry goods store, couthouse, and Fire station. Here is the inside of the fire station.


There is also a museum with lots of displays about life in the 1800's.


The kids enjoyed the trip to the Candy Kitchen.


There is a restored Wells Fargo office, where you could buy tickets to ride the stage coach. Ben and Sarah proudly display their candy while waiting to ride the stage.


Shannon rode with the Emily and Brandon in the coach.


Sarah and Ben got to ride up front.


Everyone had a great time. The kids dressed up and got an old fashioned picture taken.


Here is one we took in a gazebo along the street in their 21'st century duds.

7-11 changes to Kwik-e-Mart in Burbank

The 7-11 near Matt's work in Burbank was one of about a dozen 7-11 stores converted to a "Kwik-E-Mart" to promote the opening of the Simpsons movie. He drove over with some co-workers to take a look. There was a large crowd of people waiting to get in and lots of activity in the area. Local newspapers and television stations were there to cover the event as well.


Bart and Millhouse were sitting on the roof.


The side of the building had Bart Simpson graffiti.


The 7-11 sign had been changed over to Kwik-E-Mart


Matt with Marge Simpson.