Spoiled!

We were so excited yesterday to have grandpa Richter come visit us for a night. He wasn't here very long but left us all very spoiled! It all began with the yellow suitcase which was full of all kinds of fun surprises. One "OH MY GOODNESS!" after another! Seriously one happy boy!

After the yellow suitcase and was mine and Matt's turn. Dad took us to Costco where we loaded up on things like paper towels, snacks and meat (these things are exciting to us). But that wasn't all, after Costco we went to the Americana where we ate diner at BJ's (love that place!) and enjoyed the fantastic evening. Notice the long sleeves and jackets!

This boy loved having grandpa around

Crew was just telling me before Grandpa came that he was running out of trucks (totally impossible). Don't worry though, grandpa brought some more. Really, look at all these trucks!

Dad left this morning so it was a quick visit but we had so much fun. Thanks so much dad for spoiling us rotten. We love you so much and loved having you come play with us!

Whew, it's been toasty!

California is a great place to live almost all year round. But September is by far my least favorite month to live here. Yeah, summers are hot but you expect that. Unfortunately, while the rest of the country welcomes fall and my brother calls to tell me about leaves changing colors in Provo, we are still very much stuck in summer! In fact, we were hotter than Phoenix at least three days this week! So when it is over 100 outside (and pretty close to it in your apartment) you find little escapes. Monday's escape... the beach.

Crew and I hit up the beach for a few hours with some friends. He and his buddy Lila were in the ocean the entire 2 1/2 hours we were there. They were in heaven!

Wednesday's escape was Santa Monica. Jenny and I walked as fast as we could to try and keep up with this kid on his bike. He loved riding on the bike path and it was a fantastic day because of the dense fog!

We parked our bike for a little break to walk the pier.

Crew and Jenny. This kid loves Jenny and has been enamored with her since the first time they met. He is always asking about her if she is not around and loves being with her.

He kind of likes having me around too I think

Then it was back on the bike


I wasn't planning on Crew swimming in the water so I didn't bring his suit. That didn't really stop him. He was soaked but that is being a kid. We left foggy Santa Monica and it was 76 degrees. When we pulled up at home, 104! Thank goodness we had a few great hours of relief.

Friday's escape was the California Science Center. Matt was done at noon and the museum is free so we headed downtown to check it out.

The museum claims physics made it possible for Crew and I do this...But honestly, we are pretty strong so I think it was sheer muscle that was lifting this truck!

The museum was really fun. Crew is a little young for a lot of it, but just the right age for a lot too. One of his favorite things was this tunnel to talk in. I'm pretty sure he could have done this for hours.

He and Matt also put on a fantastic puppet show (he doesn't quite get the part where he hides behind the curtain).

By far the highlight of the day for Crew was driving this helicopter. It really was pretty cool.

Outside the air and space museum

Matt of course was a sucker for a Popsicle from one of the many ice cream carts. All in all it was a fun little adventure!

Our Saturday escape was Huntington Beach. We got there about 11:30 and again it was just a dense fog! The first two hours were so foggy! I had to keep reminding myself goosebumps were a pleasant change from sweat! It was still beautiful and fun.

The sun did finally show himself. Here is Crew easing his way into boogie boarding. He loves the water but isn't too sure if he can trust the boogie board yet. We are making progress.

We survived the week and today is suppose to be the last day of the heat wave so hopefully the forecast is right! Thanks goodness for fun, free and cool escapes. Hopefully we will be baking pumpkin bread and busting out the long sleeves soon!

Just a side note: Remember number three on my list of things to accomplish before little brother comes? I think we somehow did it! Matt commented today he that he doesn't remember the last time he saw Crew sucking his thumb. Hopefully it sticks!

Arboretum

Last Tuesday was free day at the L.A. Arboretum. It was sooo beautiful and really fun! Here are some shots from our morning.

Crew and the ladies

There was so much wildlife there! Peacocks, geese, turtles and they all would just come right up to you!

Crew wasn't sure which was cooler, the real turtles or the one he could ride.
Crew in the bamboo forest

Crew and Tal exploring the hidden paths

Striking a pose

Jenny and I in our matching pink. The funny thing about this picture is that Talli, a four year old, took it!

Crew in the stick maze

I love this boy

It was a great morning and thanks to Jenny for taking most of these pictures!

Thursday Alyssa and I took the kids to the Noah's Ark exhibit at the Skirball Center. It was really fun and Crew and Talli were the perfect age. All the animals are made from recycled materials and it is really cool. Check out this alligator. There is a violin, tires, gloves, pretty clever!
This is the beginning when they are telling the kids a little bit about the story of Noah's ark.

The kids are suppose to close their eyes and listen to the storm. Crew isn't very good at closing his eyes and even peeks when he tries to cover them. But he really tries not too :) And they boarded the ark by twos, male and female.

I totally recommend this place to anyone. It was really cool!

Crew LOVES reading his library books every night before bed. We usually read them to him for a week and then he reads them to us the second week. By then, it is back to the library because dad and mom are tired of these way over-read books!

Crew Goes Pro

Beyond the overgrown reeds and across the train tracks that line the coast of San Clemente, flew the flags of the 2009 Hurley Pro Trestles. Crew and I went to witness what the fuss is all about.So from the parking lot above we made the trek down to the scaffoldings, the crowds, and the wave that attracts the best surfers in the world.

And this is one of them?!! We reached the beach just in time to see Rob Machado getting out of the water after a warm-up surf. We set up on the beach right next to where the surfers began their paddle out. This is Brazillian Adriano De Sousa looking peppy. Josh Kerr from Australia tethering himself to his board. Nice tights Josh! Actually if you ask Crew who his favorite surfer is, he says "Josh." We had a couple encounters with him later on as well, so Crew thinks they're real chummy now.

Another Aussie, Bede Durbidge in action.

Crew was unimpressed with the format of the contest. He thought there should be more defense involved - so he decided he would shoot the competitors. Crew looking very inspired. Just waiting for his shot at the title in 2025.

Crew telling Machado that he'll never win with all that wax on his board.

Rob took his advice and responded apropriately.

Dane Reynolds came by to say hello.

Stretching before a heat has not been proven to prevent injury while surfing. But he is Dane Reynolds, so can do whatever he wants.

Crew didn't take well to Dane. "Watch this, Dad!"

Crew only got a 7.5 from the judges on this one, but the little girlies loved it!
Kelly Slater paddling out for his Round 4 heat. This guy is 37 years old and is still the best surfer in the world - by far. He's been around so long that the judges give him at least a share of the trophy just for paddling out. And I think he got a 10 for wearing that white wetsuit (not recommended).

But in the end it was Australian Mick Fanning defeating Dane Reynolds in the final to win the event.

Summary: Father and son + three hour round trip + crowded beach + menacing high tide + inconsistant waves + phenomenal surfing = a really good time!

- Matt