1.17.16: Cousins in a Clam Shell

We took Cooper, Nicholas, Kelly and Rob to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  The boys weren't so sure about the room where water pours over you even though you are protected by glass.

 Cousins in a clam shell (Fiona, Stella, Nicholas, Cooper, Daphne)

 Kochmans in a clam shell (Nicholas, Kelly, Rob, Cooper)

 While driving back home from Monterey Bay, we stopped at this massive park.  It is perhaps the most fabulous park in our area.  Giant play structures for all ages - so many kids - amazing!

1.16.16: Nene gets released

Nene was more than excited to get released from the hospital after a very challenging few days.

1.15.16: Nene broke

The Kochmans and Nene all came to visit to celebrate a late Christmas.  Unfortunately, the on the first day, Nene fell down some stairs on the way to the beach and broke her upper arm.

We stil managed to have some fun even though it was pouring rain the whole weekend and Nene was in the hospital for a while, but hopefully the next visit can avoid any hospital visits.

We did adventure out for a nearby hike - during a break in the rain.

1.13.16: Carrying the Crew

When the girls were really small I used to carry two (one in each arm) and then put one in the bjorn.  This is how I got in/out of the children's museum, etc without a stroller.  I was much stronger back then.  Tonight we decided to react that experience - but it was much harder than I remember.  Thankfully Stella, Daphne, and Fiona held on tight.

1.10.16: Flourishing Flowers

Today we started our science fair project: Flourishing Flowers.  Our experiment was to put some flowers in different solutions and see which flowers lasted the longest.  The added benefit was that we had flowers all over our apartment for weeks!

1.2.16: We found seals

Out for a hike at Wilder Ranch and we ran into seals enjoying the sunshine just like we were.  Daphne, Kari, Stella, Fiona, Brant

12.30.15: Sisters

Sisters are the best!  Fiona, Daphne, Stella

12.29.15: Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is truly an amazing place.  The jellyfish room is like no other in the world.  I love that the girls are going to grow up completely spoiled by this magical aquarium.  Today was calm enough we were able to capture some great pictures of the adventure.

Stella attracting a puffin while Daphne and Fiona look on.

12.26.15: Banana Slug!

The UCSC mascot is the banana slug - and we have heard about these banana slugs for months now, but apparently they are seasonal.  Today, while out for a walk, Stella found our very first banana slug - turns out they really are as yellow as people say.

We woke up this morning with a very serious ant problem in our bathroom - needless to say, it was a good thing we left the house.

12.25.15: Christmas

The ONLY thing Fiona wanted for Christmas was a folding hula hoop.  She is an expert hula hooper and was determined up her game with a folding/traveling hula hoop.  Thankfully santa pulled through and our little girl was out hula hooping by 8:30am Christmas morning!

The girls (Daphne, Fiona, Stella) also got these neat kits where they could pretend to be archaeologists and dig for jewels/stones - future archaeologists? maybe.