La Brea Tar Pits and the American Girl Store

We decided to take a trip up to LA to hit two very important places.  La Brea Tar Pits and the American Girl Store!  Tatum has been wanting to go to AGS since she got a doll at Christmas and insisted we go for her half birthday. :)  Ty couldn't wait to see dinosaurs stuck in black tar so we decided to hit both places.  Here's an excavation area with workers finding new animals daily!

We could see the tar bubbling up right in front of us, so crazy.  And the kids kept referencing The Croods movie, when the dad and Guy get stuck in the black stuff.  Now they understand what tar is!

I have a picture of me standing in this very spot when I was just a bit older than Tatum.  And nothing has changed!

So many big dinosaurs to check out...

and Ty liked this one the best. :)

Outside was this hands on exhibit, very strange.  But we all had to get in between the hundreds of plastic ropes and see what it felt like.

Now this was going a little too far for my comfort level. :)

You can see Grandma standing against the wall in the background, she had no interest in getting in the craziness.

Next, we drove over to the Grove in LA where we sat on blankets in the park and ate delicious and very overpriced hot dogs.  The Grove is an outdoor mall that looks like a street, as you can see above.  I guess it has a trolley running through it but we never saw it come by.  Lots of expensive stores and things to look at.  We kept looking for famous people but really, I don't know as I'd recognize anyone even if they stood right in front of me. 

Tatum was so excited to make it to the AGS!  Her and her doll Katie wore a matching outfit Aunt Diane sent them, and she couldn't wait to get in there!  So many outfits, dolls, things to buy!

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She was overwhelmed and we went up and down the escalator numerous times trying to find her that perfect something to buy.  Grandma gave her $30 and I gave her $30 and she brought $30 of her own.  She really wanted the gymnastics set which has a balance beam, mat, bar and the outfit for the doll.  But it was really expensive, like $85!  Instead, she settled on a closet to store all her dolls things and clothes, as well as two outfits.  She was very happy with that.  And would you believe that not long after this, we went to a garage sale where we bought the gymnastics set for $20!  Lucky girl!

 

 And the absolute best part of the day was when Tatum's tooth fell out at the American Girl Store!!!  She was twisting and twisting it in the bathroom and it finally popped out!  The perfect ending to a perfect day!

Grandma Judy's Birthday!

After Garrett being gone a week, we couldn't wait to pick him up at the airport!  We headed to the Corvette Diner for dinner where the kids got to play a few games before we ate.

Tatum had her hair done! :)  And we watched the servers sing and dance.  We waited for the balloon maker to come around for a long time, but eventually we had to leave and he was still two tables away.  Maybe next time.

 

While Tatum was enjoying her last week of Outpost camp, Ty attended VBS at the church at his preschool.  Here's his teacher which he loved.  He enjoyed this week long camp with his bros. :)

Grandma's birthday fell on a Wednesday so while Ty was at VBS, Tatum and I treated Grandma to a pedi!

After picking up Ty, we headed down to Paradise Point hotel where we climbed the tower and enjoyed the view of Pacific Beach and Bay.

I can't remember now how many steps we climbed but lots!

We walked around the hotel and admired all the plants and animals they have there.  So beautiful.

Then we walked over to Barefoot Bar and enjoyed some appetizers and drinks!  The kids love this place because it's surrounded by a pond with sting rays, fish and other neat things to look at.

That night Shauna joined us at Red Lobster and we had a delicious meal and sang happy birthday to Grandma!  74 years young!

Next few weeks of summer

We were invited by Deborah to head down to Encinitas beach and had a blast!  These girls are too cute!

The beach was so clean, very little sea weed, compared to some we've been to.  And the kids spent lots of time playing in the sand and jumping in the waves while us ladies had time to chat.  Lots of fun, we'll definitely go back to this beach again!

Then it was Outpost camp time!  Ty was in precamp again this year down at his preschool.  Here's Ty with his group and leaders.

Ty was so lucky to have Blaine in his group and even though they only went Tuesday and Thursday for two weeks, that was enough fun for them. :)

Here's the Cheetah Tiger Unicorn Avengers!

Ty LOVED getting in the dirt and being outside everyday.  He really loves this camp.

Lunch time!

And the groups even get up and do skits, so cute!

And this was the first year that Tatum tried the big kids Outpost camp.  We won a three week, Tuesday Thursday camp from the school auction.  It would have cost $475 but we only paid $110 at the auction.  A great deal since a bus came and picked her up every morning at 8:20 and dropped her off at almost 5!

She was really nervous for the bus ride on the first day but as you can see, she loved it after she knew what to expect and she had friends on her bus.

Tatum's days were filled with lots of games, sports, getting dirty and wet.  And every day they got to go to the Mt Carmel High School pool which was her favorite part.

They didn't post too many pictures of her group but she was in the Little Red Rockstars.  If we can win this at the auction next year, she'll definitely be doing this camp again!

Daddy headed off for a week in Cabo for Nick's 40th birthday, so after we dropped him off at the airport, we headed out for some hair cuts.  Look at this cutie!  He loved how she spiked his hair and asked if I could do this too.  Um, no, have no idea.  Sorry Ty.

And Tatum LOVED her braids and flowers.  This I could do again.

The kids actually spent the night at Shauna's that night and had a fun time watching the sunset and getting ice cream.  I had a wonderful time too doing some blogging and scrapbooking by myself.  But here's a picture of Ty sleeping later in the week.  I had to grab a photo because he looked so cute and peaceful, always with his D, the little bear.

And to top off the cuteness, I had to add this picture of the cutest cat in the world!  Love that little nose!

4th of July with the Jazayeri's

4th of July once again!  The Jazayeri's came down the night before, pretty late, but in time for the girls to giggle till after midnight, and the parents to talk into the wee hours.  Always lots of fun!  The next morning, we headed down to Old Poway Park for the 4th of July Festival.  Look at this cute bunch!  We tried to get there early so we could ride the train, but the line was already insane! 

Instead, we headed over to the pony rides.  This never gets old for them.

After checking out the model train room, we listened to some music,..

saw some military men shoot off this cannon,...

learn about all the civil war weaponry, (Ty found this VERY interesting)...

 

and after we all made a boat compliments of Home Depot, we grabbed a table, had a snack and cooled off.

We grabbed a quick family photo on the walk over the bridge.

Then, we all needed to cool off, so we headed home where the kids could play in the pool and slip n slide while the parents downed a few spiked lemonades. :)

Sage was staying with us while Shauna was on vacation.  The girls took her on a nice walk down the street by themselves.

Then after dinner, we packed up and headed to RB High School to watch the fireworks.  We love this place.  It's a huge field with a stage and songs playing till a huge fireworks show goes off at 9.  Excellent!

And lots of friends to get silly with!

Glow sticks!

These two have been watching the show together since they were 4!

The next day, while the boys golfed, we escaped the heat and took the kids to Chuck e Cheese.  I know, can't really stand this place but the kids loved it and for $5 each and two slices of pizza, they enjoyed a few hours away from home in the cool.  Love our friends!