Sacramento or Bust

Sacramento Here We COME!

After years of hearing about the trip, and months of fundraising and anticipating, the weekend was finally here!  The annual 4th grade field trip to our state's capitol.  

How odd is it that I've lived in California my whole life and have never been to the capitol?  They just didn't do these kinds of trips when I was a kid.

We left at a not-so-bright (in fact it was very dark) and early 4:30 a.m.  

Driving to the elementary school at that time is a strange thing. 

We boarded a giant tour-bus coach and headed to the airport. 

The kids thought it was fun to board the plane from the outside.  I had them stop for a photo-op.  Madison is here with her pal Fatima.  Fatima's parents couldn't go, so they asked if I would be her chaperone.  She is a delight and we had a great time all together.   Our itinerary was packed from the moment we landed, until check-in at the Hilton at 8:30 p.m., then back up again for 7:00 a.m. breakfast at the hotel.

9:30 a.m.  First stop:  The State Capitol!  It is so gorgeous!!  The weather the whole weekend was spectacular.  We really lucked out.  Governor Schwarzeneggar's secretary even came in to let us in the office and give us a little tour.  

We visited Sutter's Fort, then an 1861 school house, then the Railroad museum.  During the late afternoon 'free time' in Old Sacramento, we walked along the river, did some shopping, got ice cream . . . it was really fun.  Then off to dinner at the mall and "Under the Sea" at the IMAX.

The next day we went up into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains - which were so spectacularly green and gorgeous that I thought I was in Northern England for a moment - and visited the "Gold Fever" era of California history.

Everyone passed right on by this little cabin . . . I happened to glance at the sign and it was the Mormon Cabin!  Set up by the Mormon Battalion who helped establish the area and were major players in the gold rush.  Seriously, which significant part of California was the Mormon Battalion not a part of??

Panning for gold along the American River.  Believe it or not, we found some.  They are just little flakes, but still!

Some of us chaperones were looking pretty spiffy in our hard hats! When going into the Gold Bug mine, you had to wear one if you were over 5' tall.

This is Sutter's Mill.  It was so cool looking!  I could spend a long time taking pictures of it.

After the Mill was a miner's lunch (which was fabulous) at a camp along the river, then off to the Gold Bug mine, then dinner at Hometown Buffet (I think I'm still feeling that one) and back to the airport.

We had a very exhausting, fun-filled weekend that was jam-packed with adventure, learning, and just a plain old good time. 

Madison and Fatima enjoying juice a'la Southwest with a beautiful sunset on the horizon.

We were home at about 9:30 p.m. and everyone had to be at school on time the next morning!

Itinerary (for journaling purposes):

Saturday

4:15 a.m.  Meet at Maple

4:30a.m.  Bus leaves

7:15 a.m. Burbank Airport - flight to Sacramento

8:35a.m.  Arrive in Sacramento

9:30a.m. Tour of State Capitol Building

10:45a.m. Sutter's Fort

12:00p.m. Lunch - Blimpie's

1:00p.m. Schoolhouse Museum

2:15p.m. Railroad Museum

4:00p.m. Free time in Old Town Sacramento

5:00p.m. Dinner - Downtown Plaza food court

6:30p.m. IMAX Theatre - Under the Sea 3D

8:00p.m. Drop off at Hilton for check-in

Sunday

7:30a.m. Breakfast buffet at hotel

8:30a.m. Bus departure

10:00a.m. Marshall Gold Discovery Day

10:30a.m. Gold panning

12:30p.m. Lunch - Earthtrek Meals

2:00p.m. Gold Bug Park and Mine

4:00p.m. Dinner - Hometown Buffet

5:30p.m. Drop off at Aiport

6:50p.m. Flight to Burbank

10:00p.m. Arrival back at Maple

Happy 3rd Birthday Ashlyn!

THEN

NOW

We had fun celebrating your birthday on Sunday and eating your PINK cake!  Everything has to be pink.  You are pinkalicious! 

Today we celebrated the actual birthday with some friends over for a birthday playdate. 

I made cupcake pops and think they turned out pretty darn cute! 

They were just the right size for little hands and mouths. 

 Happy Birthday Three Year Old Girl!

Meet Cole

The wait is finally over. 

After years of begging and pleading, mom (me) finally gave in. 

We got a dog!  

He's a very mellow (so far! it was one of my requirements) and wonderful white Golden Retriever named Cole. 

He just turned one, and has been trained.

My visiting teacher was over last week and I told her we were finally getting a dog and she told me about her sister-in-law who's a breeder nearby.  We got in contact with her and she told us she only had dogs for $7,000 - $10,000 (gasp!).  Then she found out we were referred by her family and she let us know about Cole.  She wanted him placed in a loving family.  A family we are, but probably more crazy according to a dog than loving at this point.  

(right when we got home)

He's a bit overwhelmed at the attention and doesn't know who he should be listening to.  Everyone keeps barking out commands.  I think we'll spend more time training our children than we will this dog.

(exploring our backyard)

(At "Golden Meadows")

Oh yeah . . . she's happy.

He looks pretty happy, too.  

The Birthday Fun Doesn't Stop . . . Nor does the size of the gifts!

Tonight we celebrated the Norris Family March birthdays at Chris and Tommie's house. 

It's always like Christmas since there are so many birthdays in March, and the food is always fabulous, and the company even better.

Ashlyn was very excited to get the first of her birthday presents.  Her birthday isn't until the 31st, so she thought this was pretty cool.   Madison ended up getting sick and wasn't able to open all her presents.  She had a raging headache and a fever.  Poor thing! 

Ashlyn's in a Princess stage . . . so anything princess suits her well. 

The big surprise was this giant dog from Grandma and Grandpa.  

(What were they thinking????  Oh I know, torture the parents . . . where in the heck are we going to fit such a beast?)

Ashlyn was so excited about this canine monstrosity.  She was giddy when she pulled him out of the bag.  She rode on him and hugged him and had the best time.  In fact, all the kids did.  

She had him like this in the car the whole 45-minute drive home.  She wanted him to be in her bed too, then quickly realized there was not enough room for both of them and he is instead on her floor right now being a good guard dog.  She named him "Bernie" as he is a Bernese Mountain Dog.  I think he's part Wooly Mammoth.  

Maybe Madison will be satisfied with this dog in the house for a while as we search for real dog.  Hmmm . . . I may be on to something.

One Decade Old!

Happy Birthday Madison!!

You are such a wonderful big sister.  You look out for your siblings and are so patient with them.  Mom and Dad can't wait for you to be old enough to babysit only because we know we'll be able to trust you.

You were such a trouper when you almost had to have your appendix removed.  We are all very glad that you did not undergo surgery!

Cute and fun!  This was taken at Foster Freeze in Carpinteria . . . a tradition! 

You are such a good missionary - always have been and still are.  There were many, many non-members at your baptism and friends are always joining in whatever activity you are participating. 

You've grown so much now!  

Your birthday present from us:  a pooper scooper!  Love that expression of not knowing what in the world that thing is!  Also included was a bowl, leash, and bags (for the scooper).

The realization hits!  I'M GETTING A DOG!!!!!!!!

Can you tell she's a teensy weensy bit excited?

Note:  we've been searching for the 'perfect' dog for our family.  Now Madison can be in on the search.

Pure Joy.  So worth it. 

We celebrated at night with Grandma and Grandpa Merrill, Carnell and Lisa & Danny. 

What do you think of our ice cream cake???

Madison, we love you.  You are an awesome, beautiful, smart, kind and compassionate girl.  Friends are always drawn to be with you because of your sweet spirit.  You are our angel, Maddy Boo!

 

A Slumber(less) Party Breakfast

The Birthday Girl requested chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.  

Some girls have never tried chocolate chip pancakes before (!?) and they were a HIT!

The stack was devoured.

The morning was fun with more performances, skits, songs, and Wii Sing It

It was a beautiful morning . . . John was smart to escape to the much quieter backyard. 

Madison and her friends had a great time . . . that's what was important and I think we could chalk this up to another successful birthday party.

Happy Birthday Madison!

A Slumber(less) Party!

Madison has always wanted a slumber party

so

for her 10th birthday, she invited 10 (or so) friends

and had a rip-roarin', screamin'-fun party.

You can't imagine the decibel level 15 children (14 girls) can achieve! 

Amazing.  I'm surprised my neighbors didn't complain or the coyotes didn't join in.

Pizza, pizza, and more pizza!

The "Lava Cake" (for lack of a better name) was quite the experience . . . delicious and messy!

They played American Idol and did such a great job! Some performed numbers from "Wicked" while others, like Brooke and Jenna, made up their own song:

When ever we get scared we jump into Maddy's arms

So that is how we know Maddy is our friend

She is the best

She is the best

She is the best

She is our really truly best friend

She is the rose of our hearts

She is the best ever.

So cute!  She strummed the guitar and sang her little heart out.  What a doll!

FREEZE Dance!!!

Scavenger Hunt!  We ran through the neighborhood looking for 10 odd items.  The neighbors were all very cooperative and happy to accommodate.   The girls LOVED it and had a super-fab time!!

John called everyone in for a surprise . . . Madison's baby video!  I didn't even know he pulled them out.  She was the cutest little one and all her friends loved it. 

Present Time!

It's slumber time!  We set up a projector in the living room for the movie (Penelope).  Fitting 15 kids comfortably was quite the feat. 

The last girl fell asleep at 1:15, then they started waking up at 6:20. 

I think I'm still recovering!