California vacation

This summer we took a trip to California to visit Jeff's parents and sister....and enjoy the cool weather.  It was much cooler than Atlanta.  On our way home from the airport we went to Tilden park and rode the little steam train.  We thought Matthew would really enjoy it.  He was pretty stoic through the trip.  But since then I think his fascination for trains has increased.  He LOVES to watch train videos on youtube (he used to ask for airplane and dog videos, but now he has a new favorite).

We of coarse had to pull out the Bonzai and play.  Unfortunately we had a few days that were a little too cold to play on it.  Since California is in a drought, we tried to conserve water and we played on it a couple times without the water running. Matthew was the designated shooter, but eventually he got in and enjoyed sliding down the slides backward on his belly! He went flying!

Hiking in the hills, climbing trees, and swinging on the rope swing.

 We spent one day at Columbia State Park. The kids enjoyed panning for gold and taking a stagecoach ride where we were held up at gun point.  We also went to the moaning caverns.

Sara let us borrow her life-size jenga set.  The kids built it so tall it hit the top of the garage. 

We tried to stay clear of the falling radius, but there was one casualty.

We also went to Mt Diablo.  The men enjoyed hiking.  The next day we enjoyed exploring rock city.  Rachel was pretty timid at first, but by the end she was a pro.

We conquered Rock City!