California Academy of Sciences

We went to the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. So many of us went (the Stones, the Buells, the Tunquists, Kaylee Berry, the Leflers, and the Pichlers) that we definitely qualified for the group rate, it was so fun to have so many of our friends and family there with us. The place was amazing, it had a rainforest and planetarium too! It cost a bunch of money but was worth every dollar.

CJ liked the zebras


The kids and I liked the "Rainforest" exhibit, it had amazing plants and animals but best of all were all the beautiful butterflies that flew around and landed on you.

The kids found an "Owl Butterfly" that landed on the floor and they all stopped to lay down on the floor to stare at it.


In the African wing the kids got to touch all kinds of pelts.

We were there for about 6 hours (and we didn't see about 1/3 of it) and at the end of the day it was unanimous that everyone wanted to come back!

Thanksgiving Week

The Berry & Lefler family came to Cali for Thanksgiving week and we had a blast! Best week ever! We played so much and so hard that the kids crawled into bed and passed out every night.

at "Five Guys Burger & Fries" in Stonecreek Village

(Amanda Pichler, Ashley, Kaylee Berry, Stetson Berry, CJ)

Making pizzas from scratch at Gma & Gpa Stone's house. CJ was a pro at throwing and catching it.

These three were inseparable the whole week. It was amazing how many times they were able to convince us to let them all have "sleepovers". (Kaylee Berry, Addison Stone, Ashley)

One night us adults had a poker night at our house and the kids all climbed into my bed and watched a movie. They are such good kiddos.

(Calin, Stetson Berry, Ashley, Kaylee Berry, Addison Stone, Amanda Pichler)

The Buell family brought thier Xbox Kinect with their dancing game, and sports games and the kids (and adults- even Gma Stone!) had a blast! It was so much fun to watch everyone dance. Jared Berry and Jeff Stone played kinect volleyball and it was fun to watch them get into it and "spike the ball". Kinect is the Best invention Ever!

Ash Mission Fieldtrip

Ashley went on a field trip to visit the San Juan Bautista Mission. I was lucky and got to go with her. I love seeing her go on the exact same field trips I went on when I was her age, 1st the "Valley Days" one and now this mission one. It makes me feel closer to her having us have the same field trip experiences.

San Juan Bautista Mission

Ashley thought this wall was interesting.

She thought this book was cool because it was so big. Ashley talked me into letting her wear the pearl necklace I gave her when she was born and she kept touching it all day. (Gma Stone and I both have matching ones. They are all from a necklace and earring set that Gma Stone wore and gave to me when i was a baby)

Ashley rocked at the "build a mission" game where you designed the layout of a mission. I'm pretty sure that building is in her blood because she got a high score at the game.

The bus drive to the mission took FOREVER! Luckily I brought my ipod (promptly swiped by Ashes) and a book. 2 hours each way got me quite a few chapters read...

Boy Scout CJ

Aunt Alisa finally talked us into joining the boy scouts. CJ is now a member of Pack 10. He loves his uniform and is proud of the belt "slidey-thing" that he has already earned. Thank you Alisa for the hand-me-down belt, hat, scarf, scarf holdy-thingie, and sewing on all the patches on for us. You rock!

Halloween

The kids had fun showing off their Halloween costumes during the school Halloween parade. Parents, Aunts & Uncles, and even Grandparents came to watch and cheer them on! They looked fantastic!

Ashley is a "Sand-Witch" and CJ is "Mario" from the Mario brothers video game

Ashley looks great in her costume!

CJ found a "Luigi" to take a picture with

And you cant leave the dogs out of the Halloween fun... Roxie has a butterfly costume. You cant tell from this picture but she didn't mind wearing it at all- she never even scratched at it or anything. Chu-wee (not pictured) was a hot dog.

CJ's the Star Student

This week in class CJ is the Star Student. Here is the poster we made for him

Ashley's Sand-Witch Costume

While at Pismo Beach Ashley came up with an idea for her Halloween Costume. She decided she wanted to be a "Sand-Witch". She said she wanted to be a witch that has sand on her costume. So we packed up some sand and shells to take home to create her costume.

Her velvet witch hat has waves of sand, a sand dollar, and a clam shell with a pearl inside

Necklace and 2 bracelets. Bracelets will go over orange fish-net gloves

The witch dress has sand waves and swirls

Black sparkle shoes with sand waves, silk bows and shells

Witch broom with shiny "bristles", silk bow and shell

Candy bucket with sand, silk bow, clam shell with pearl

It rook 1 bag of sand & shells, 1 whole tube of glue, and 2 days putting together this costume and i think it turned out fantastic! I can't wait to see Ashley in it on Halloween.