LONG BEACH AQUARIUM part 2

Thursday I was baby-sitting Madison, so we decided to make a trip to the Long Beach Aqurium with some of the gals in the ward. I was hoping that Jackson is finally old enough to enjoy, but he didn't feel very well and pretty much wanted to be held the entire time and was to afraid of everything. But the other kids had fun.

It was feeding time in one of the tanks, and the scuba-diver gave High-5's to the kids.

Jackson did warm up to the little play area. Here he is sitting on some giant crustacian.

Look Mom, I'm riding a shark!

I don't like this thing!

Wait, well, if Mom can wear it I guess it's cool.

To his credit, Jackson also liked the birds. Here is Jenna with her famous pose.

Anyway, it was fun to spend some time together and it was definitely nice to have an extra pair of hands! Thanks Aunt Jenna!

Editors note: Yes, I have new glasses. I purchased them at Zenni Optical for $12.95 including shipping. I personally think that they are a little big for my face, but for the price, good deal!

BANANA

Today I was holding Jackson in the kitchen and he got really excited and pointed to the fruit bowl and said "nana, nana" repeatedly. I think he said banana! Later in the evening, again he got really excited and said the same words pointing to the fruit bowl. I gave him some banana which he eagerly consumed. He says "mama, mama" but he says that about a lot of things, I dare say his first known word is BANANA! Although it seems he has also tried to say "gecko" (no lie).

Dads are Domestic too!

Sunday night Jenna found a recipe for funnel cakes in one of my cookbooks so Steve and Jenna decided we needed to try out the recipe.





Jenna has been staying with us for the last week since her nanny job in Murrieta didn't pan out.

Here is Jackson helping dad make a weight-belt so dad can go spearfishing. That's dad's new California hunting venture.

Steve tried to go Spearfishing on Wednesday, UNFORTUNATELY the wind and waves were not cooperating! We'll keep you posted!

SURFING LESSONS

At our ward auction several weeks ago we, along with another couple in our ward, Lyndle and Marcia Baum, won surfing lessons from the Hawkleys (He is freshman dental student). Saturday was the big day!

Been here only 5min and Jackson is already messy!

Here is Pehrson demonstrating how to paddle your board out into the surf.

Here is Jackson and showing Liam how it's done.


Here I am trying to practice doing "the monkey"- trying to get from lying on your stomach on the board, to standing sideways.



Thanks for some interference by Pehrson.

Jackson wants to go too!

We don't have any pictures of us riding the waves. Steven did awesome and got up over and over, I got progressively less successful, but we had a great time. The sun was out, the water was refreshing, and the work was tiring. It made for a great afternoon!

Jackson loves chasing the birds.

"I love this sand-flavored licorice".

Saying good-bye to the beach!

BYU FOOTBALL

Saturday we were able to go to San Diego where BYU was playing against SDSU. We went with several BYU grads in our ward and one former player (top left, gray Tshirt). It was HOT as you can see the sun in our faces, but it was great to see BYU live (luh-eye-vuh) again. Jackson had a hard time w the noise at first, it made him cry, so Steve put in make-shift ear plugs. They fell out eventually, but by then I guess he had grown accustom. It was fun day, can't wait to see another game! (And yes, we won).

Fall Fun

Friday we went with some friends from the ward to Underwood Family Farms Fall Festival. Jackson loved just running around in circles and checking things out.

Jackson and the Emu checking eachother out.

Jackson and Taylor sitting on with the baby goat.

Jackson, Taylor, and Madison.

It was so cool to look at all the pumpkins!

We picked out a pumpkin to take home.

Even though it was HOT, (the thermometer in the car read 102) we had a good time, it got us in the spirit of fall!

Jackson Gets Daring

Since Aunt Jenna moved to CA to be a nanny, she left Glenda the Gecko with us until she can find more permanent home. Jackson loves to play with Glenda, but he is torn between curiosity and fear. Here is Glenda coming after Jackson.

With dad's help, Glenda isn't so scary.
Here is Glenda riding the bus.

Steve was doing homework on the couch when he discovered Jackson had figured out how to get out of his high chair.

Look at me!

I'm not so little anymore!

Wildlife at Lopez Lake

This ws the biggest buck we saw on our trip. I think he was a three point but pretty big compared to everything else and considering the deer were super small bodied.














This little buck was a spike on one side and a two point on the other but was getting rutty on this pint sized doe.















Here are the toms strutting. There weren't any hens in the group.














This shows how small the deer were. that post the doe is standing by is about 2 and a half feet tall at best.















This is the worlds smallest buck. All two inches of his spikes on each side.