Mom Adventure

So today

I decided to take the kids on an adventure.

(to be really really honest here, i love taking the kids on adventures, but I usually do a little research and a BIG prayer in the morning)

I'd been wanting to go berry picking all summer and knowing it was the end of the season I had to just give it a shot.

We were waiting for a good time for our whole family to go, but every weekend was filled with something.

So since school starts next week I decided I would just take the kids on an adventure over to the coast (hoping to find some berries at a U-pick).

So traveled up highway 1 pretty far

and

found this beautiful beach, but no berries.

 Just beautiful.

We got lost a couple of times, but eventually...and then three farms later

 we discovered

"Gizdich Ranch"

Just a perfect place to take kids.

The kids below before their buckets were filled.

 Picking, so much fun, highly recommend.

 Breathtaking.

 I just love FARMS.

Would love to live, work  and raise kids on one.

 Dylan was really into it he didn't want to leave, but I couldn't take home any more strawberries.  We filled up three buckets to overflowing... I had to make jam now...which will be in my next post...Never done it and it was so fun.

 Cute kid.

 Nolan's bucket was low so Dylan filled it up more

and then he got to pick more. 

Too funny.

 She loved it as well.

 Nolan bless his heart fell asleep on the way to the farm and woke up to the farm and he's the one who wanted to do it the most!  Took awhile to wake up...

 They have a playground and eating area for afterwards.

You can buy fresh pies and treats. 

We bought Jason a fresh (still warm) apple pie.

 Love the sign on the way out.

Just a great day to have before the beginning of the school routine, which I like, but dread at the same time.

Love days like this.

Next post is all about our jam making. 

Dylan chopped and chopped strawberries for me it was just a blast in the kitchen with the kids.

This is one day I have loved and it wasn't perfectly planned, at a amusement park, nor cost a lot of money (although I did get lost a bit and three farms later, so a little gas and a whole lot of strawberries and lots of fun and LOVE!!!)

Alcatraz

Alcatraz

The week before Labor day weekend Jason decided he wanted to get tickets for Alcatraz in SF.  Since i have never gone i was really excited about it.

I definitely recommend purchasing them ahead of time;  they get booked up most of the time (btw: two and under are free).

So we headed out and it was just beautiful weather, mid 70's and just gorgeous.

There is so much to learn about Alcatraz so we did the audio tour and Dylan our oldest just loved it.  Perfect age; definitely recommend it.

They still have the original "warning" signs up along the outside. 

Did i mention how beautiful it was?

They had red fire hydrants all over the island and i just thought they were so cool.

This is the warden's house.  Pretty large and interesting the staff that lived on the island "rarely locked their doors", isn't that crazy.

Cool washer outside the warden's home.  What a gorgeous view he had out the windows of his home, can you imagine?

Great place to visit.  September is a great month to go.

SeaCliff Beach

 LOVE LOVE LOVE water.

Those who know me well know I LOVE water, i was also raised in SD five minutes from the beach...so all to say I could never live without the beach nearby.  I would love to live closer, but am thankful we live this close...

This is a great beach to take your kids to in Aptos, CA called SeaCliff Beach.  Just as a note it does cost $10 to park in the parking lot closest to the beach; you can park up above in a neighborhood and walk down, but it's a good walk.

(It has this old cement ship off of the pier that was at one time used for people to lounge with a pool and dancing...cool huh..but no longer...)

So if your traveling up highway 1 this summer stop by Seacliff Beach in Aptos, CA.

They were having a lifeguarding competition and it was so adorable to see six and seven year old's in red suits all over the beach.

AHOY

Happy 4th of July

We made a trip over the weekend to the USS Hornet; i know women out there your just thrilled, but it had so much history and was pretty darn cool to take kids to.  I actually stood where President Nixon stood and this is the ship that rescued Apollo 11.

Me as captain of the Hornet (Yeah I got to stop for a minute; one thing to keep in mind when visiting is all the stairs...the little ones have to be carried up and down most of them.  The stairs are narrow and tight.  Great exercise, whew.)

Jason with boys with his favorite airplane (duh...not sure the name...boy stuff)

Nolan and Taryn in the sick bay; can you tell which twin was thrilled with the Hornet.  Taryn searched and searched for a princess on the Hornet, she was disapointed...

The sick bay posted just for Grandpa

 

Special Outing

A great service project for the summer. 

 We finally delivered the "whoopie pies" to our local fire department.  I called the fire department to see what station was closest to us and got the address, then delivered the cookies.  They were so sweet to our family.  They showed the kids around the station, answered questions and gave them hats and stickers.

On the way home Dylan says,

"great idea mom it really feels good to do something for someone else"

Yeah!

 A little shot of what it looked like in our kitchen creating all the whoopie pies

Happy Hollow

"Happy Hollow" is a city park for younger kids in downtown San Jose.

Until recently Happy Hollow was really run down now it is just adorable for kids.

The city put millions into the park and it is just perfect. Lots of things to do and just a great place to visit if your from out of town. Not real expensive either. The year membership is only $95 and to visit one time is $12 two and under free.

Out of towners definitely swing by you won't be disappointed.
(nonetheless these are mainly per my mom's request)

Dylan on these go cart things...

The kiddos (on a different day) checking out the Lemurs or shall we say,

"Madagascar monkeys".

They have a great petting zoo for the kids. Nolan wanted to take every animal home with us.

Dylan with my friend's daughter Matti (same age) on a swing thing...

The rides are all original. This one is cute of my friends oldest daughter taking a picture of Taryn at the same time as i'm taking a picture. She just adored her. Megan again with Taryn...too cute... Nolan on his first ride. I think he really thought he was driving the car.

To all those who read this post and have young children definitely worth the trip to visit

"Happy Hollow" in San Jose.