Apple Picking

Last month we went with a mom's club apple picking at an apple orchard. There wasn't actually much to pick, but it was fun anyway (plus you had to pay extra to pick the apples). They gave a tour of the historic orchard and farm and taught the kids about the life they had in colonial times. Here is this picture she is showing the kids how to make apple cider. She actually let the kids turn the wheel to crush the apples. Andrew is in the orange shirt and Jacob in the red and blue striped shirt.



In this next picture the same lady showed the kids how to make apple crisp (or apple pie) from scratch. We got to taste some of their apple crisp. It was good (Andrew didn't want to try it).




This is picture is one of only about 20 apple trees left in this particular orchards. They have several other orchards around the area (that I'm sure had much better apple picking). What was disappointing about the apple picking (yes I paid the extra) was there were no ladders. We could only reach the apples on the bottom of the trees and the kids couldn't reach them at all (as you can see by this picture of Jacob trying to reach one).



The next few pictures are the kids strawberry picking. At the same apple orchard were some strawberry fields. Since the apple picking was so disappointing, I decided to let them do some strawberry picking. This was much more rewarding. They loved it. We would probably go back to the apple orchard and go strawberry picking. Isn't it funny how things work out?

Monday, October 27, 2008

Jacob's first day of school

So today Jacob started his first day of kindergarten. They have half day kindergarten here and Jacob is in the morning. He was really excited - not nervous at all. I was a little nervous because the school did not do a good job of explaining what to expect the first day of school. Jacob rides the bus and they didn't tell them where to go when they arrive at school or who was going to help him find the right bus to take him home. Needless to say, they have done this before and Jacob survived! Here are some pictures of him coming home! He had a good day and he got on the right bus!!

Andrew was ready to go to school with Jacob. When we went to meet Jacob at the bus stop he made sure to have his backpack on and carrying a book. I should've taken a picture. It was really cute.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Room Remodel

So this summer has been CRAZY!!! Almost right after we moved in I started fixing the family room up. As you can see it was UGLY - with green carpet, one red wall, and the rest had tan walls. It just did not look good. So here's the before and after pictures. I took the after pictures today and didn't clean up before - so excuse the toys on the floor.

Before

After

Our new House

So I had some complaints that the link I posted with pictures of our new house wasn't working. So when we got the keys to the house I took some pictures and I am posting them now.

This first picture is me standing at the front door.

The next picture is the tv room. I have already painted this room. I just couldn't stand the red and tan walls. EWWW.

Through that door at the back wall is the kids room. That is the next two pictures. The first is when you walk through the door and you look to your left. The second picture is when you look to your right.

These two are obviously the kitchen

Here is the office and then the master bedroom.

Well that's about it. It has been a daunting task moving the house and Ryan's shop, but it is almost complete. The house is completely moved as of yesterday, but the shop will be finished on Friday. (sigh)

Jacob and Andrew love it here. They have so much more freedom here than at the last house. They also play outside more because all the trees and landscaping and constant breeze keeps the temperature outside about 10 degrees cooler than at the last house. It's nice and it's ours! YEAH!! Finally!! :)

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Family Reunion

So Mom and I are planning the family reunion in the summer of 2009. For those who do not know the details it will be in the mountains here in California. The place is called Big Bear, California. There is a huge lake, and lots of hiking trails. It's really beautiful up there. We have a time share up there and we are using 3 units. Two 3-bedroom units and one 2-bedroom unit. That should be enough space for everyone. Also the dates of the reunion will be Thursday June 25, 2009 through Sunday June 28th. This should be plenty of time to find a good price on tickets.

Here is the deal. My house is only about 15 minutes from the airport, but the time share is about an hour from my house so the best way of doing this is everyone come either Wednesday evening or thursday morning so we can go up together and make one trip to the mountains. We will have ample car space. Mom will be renting a mini van and we have two 7-seater vehicles and one 4 seater (however Ryan will be using one of them if he has to work). Check-in is at 3pm on Thursday. Then on Sunday check out is at noon - so we will all caravan down the mountain. I will find a ward (I know there is one somewhere) up there for those who would like to attend church.

That is pretty much it so far for the details. We still need to work out activities and things, but this is just the important stuff. We will also mail out an itinerary the closer it gets to this.

I am really excited for this and it's going to be tons of fun for everyone! I hope to see everyone there, but we will understand if it doesn't work out. Let me or mom know if you have any ideas for activities. (Yes we will be renting a motor boat for water skiing on one day).

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Moving again!!!

So I know it's been a while since i posted anything. A lot has happened since then. We are moving! (Yes - again). I think it might be the Kjelstrom curse :) . We are finally buying a house here in So. Cal. It's the time to buy. House prices have dropped an average of $200,000. However, in the house we are in now the owner still wants the same amount it was worth at the peak of the market ($700,000). Needless to say, we are moving. We found a cute little house on top of a hill with one acre that will be perfect for us. We are about 10 days in escrow and really excited about it. If your interested in seeing the house this link will take you to pictures.

http://www.movoto.com/real-estate/homes-for-sale/CA/Riverside/7085-Skyview-Dr-202_I08010164.htm

There should be a lot more to say after the move. Right now, though, we are SUPER busy with packing and moving and buying a house stuff.

Andrew's Birthday

Andrew had his second birthday on Thursday. We celebrated it on Friday evening though. And yes...that is a three on the cake. Andrew is 2, but I didn't have the number 2. I thought I did, but oh well - he didn't know the difference. He was just happy to blow it out. Enjoy.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Our Cruise

So Ryan and I celebrated christmas, our anniversary, and my graduation (YES I AM DONE!!!!) by taking a cruise kidless. Here are some pictures. It was just a weekend cruise from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and back. It was tons of fun!

This is our cruise ship from the parking lot in San Diego.

This is our very small, but functional stateroom. Hey - at least we had a window! The bathroom was behind the door.

This is one of two ship atriums. The ship was huge! There were two atriums this size on each side of the boat.

Ryan enjoying the view as we leave San Diego.

We arrived at Cabo after 2 nights and 1 day of travel. This is our view of Cabo from one side of the ship. It was gorgeous that day. Sunny - about 80 degrees! UGH So beautiful.

This is actually a cove where there was a beach and snorkeling available. You had to take a water taxi out there. We didn't have time to do it, but I thought it looked cool.

This is one of the little charter boats that took us from the cruise ship to shore. Isn't it so cute?

We are on the little boat that is taking us to the bigger boat to go parasailing and we passed the cruise ship.

Ryan Parasailing. It was a lot of fun.

This is Melissa parasailing. I thought is would be scary, but WOW what a view!!

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Kid in Cage

So I am trying to sell this dog cage on craig's list because one of our dogs won't use it and it is out by our front door. Well Andrew thinks it's fun to sit in it with his trains and cars. This time Ryan closed the door and took a picture. I thought I would share with all of you.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008