To start off our Thanksgiving break, the kids and I decided to take a trip up to Santa Cruz to visit my brother, sister-in-law, and their new baby Everest. We explored all the coast had to offer including shopping, playing at the Santa Cruz pier, and visiting the Monterrey Bay Aquarium! Jaeda was out dare devil, riding the two biggest rides on the pier! We ate our weight in fried food and enjoyed every minute of it! The aquarium was amazing, our favorite part being the otter exhibit. But the best part of the whole trip was spending time with family and some old friends (it was great to see you Holly and family!) The drive was tough, but overall it was a great trip!

Santa Cruz Pictures

Happy Halloween!!

We had a great Halloween! Our party was complete with a host of family and friends! We missed Nana, Papa, Uncle Steve, Aunt Beth and Everest but we had fun none the less. The cake you see above was made by yours truly and Crystal! I see a career in our future! Haley loved showing off her know verbal skills! HAPPY HOWEEN!

Hyden Summer 2008

Okay so with the best of intentions I began the summer promising to update my blog weekly. That obviously didn't happen. So here it is all at once. . . .

We had a rough start to our summer. The Monday after school let out Haley came down with a stomach virus. (Above is a shot that was taken when Haley was sick) The following Saturday the rest of us came down with the nasty little bugger. With the roughest behind us, we began our summer with a string of short but eventful trips. San Diego, Coronado, Orange County, and Palm Dessert. We did it all! Check out the pics!

Wild times at Wild Rivers, Irvine!

Wild Rivers was loads of fun. Daddy and Haley spent most of the day in the Lazy River. Jaeda jumped on the water slides the minute we arrived. (My little dare devil!) Josh was a little hesitant (as usual) but he came around and agreed to go on any of the slides that were not "inside slides". He wants to be able to see where he's headed. The most memorable part of the day was when Jaeda went on a slide that shot you out about 4 feet about the water at the end. She is so light that she skipped across the water like a stone skips across a pond. It was hilarious!

Haley meets her idol, Elmo, at Sea World's Bay of Play!

Haley loves Sesame Street so when I heard they were opening up a Sesame Street playground at Sea World I know we had to go! Haley could not believe her eyes. ELMO! ZOE! ABBY! BIG BIRD! The were all there. She ran up and gave Elmo a big hug and cried when we had to leave. We spent the rest of the day playing with our best pals, the Byrds! Thanks for a great day Byrd Family!

Hyden '08-Hotel Del Coronado

One of our little summer getaways was a weekend trip to Hotel Del Coronado. If you have never been there I highly suggest a visit. The beach is beautiful! The kids had a blast searching for shells. The found five silver dollars and a whole clam (pictured above with Jaeda). We took it home and boy did it stink! Josh and Jaeda also got to try out boogie boarding for the first time. The waves weren't great but they didn't notice. They can't wait to go again next year!

Our amazing weekend in San Diego!

We enjoyed sun and swimming with family! Cousins are the best!

We explored the tide pools of La Jolla Shores. Haley was particularly fascinated by the crabs. Josh and Jaeda liked touching the sea anemones! It was a beautiful day!

Matt and I hike in St. Jacinto Mountain State Park

Matt and I took one last getaway before the kids go back to school. After a relaxing day and evening at Rancho Las Palmas in Palm Desert we took the Palm Springs Arial Tramway up San Jacinto Mountain. We opted for the 2 1/2 mile hike which was great. It was beautiful and it also gave us a chance to reconnect.

I don't know about anyone else, but my kids never seem to stop eating!!!!!!

Haley can't wait for Fridays because Friday is Gymboree day! She love to jump, walk, and crawl all over everything! She is not so fond of the parachute but the bubbles and tunnels more than make up for it!