Ocean Star Oil Rig Museum

In August we drove down to Galveston Island with our visitors and toured the Ocean Star Oil Rig Museum. Since we live in "the world's petroleum capital" (Houston), we just had to check it out.

Shane is the practical joker of our family, he found a rig-man's jumpsuit and put it on without any of us noticing. I turned around and saw him walking over toward us and I thought he was a museum worker.

Of course the other kids had to dress-up too.

Elizabeth, Jared, Jake, Shelly and Robert

Jared and Jake

Jake loved playing peek-a-boo.

Jared, Jake, Elizabeth, Emma and Sara

The kids favorite part of the tour was the walk across the ramp from the pier to the oil rig. We saw tons of pelicans, fish and jellyfish.

Shelly, Jake, Jared and Sara

Discovery Science Museum

During the Christmas break we went to the Discovery Science Museum in Anaheim with the Ludlow's. The kids favorite thing was the pin wall.

Elizabeth, Jake and Serenity

Jared blocking pucks

The last thing we did at the museum was try out the bed of nails. Dad, Robert, Mom, Elizabeth, and Serenity all went and tried to convince Jared to try it, but he wouldn't until Serenity went twice and started teasing him! He couldn't let her show him up.

Christmas Vacation

Mom, Dad, Elizabeth and Robert spent Christmas vacation with us this year. One night Shane took us out for dinner at Benihana's (so he could order sushi and try and convince the rest of us to try it). We had a great time watching our chef cook the food.

Serenity's our Benihana chef in trainning. She has a collection of Benihana hats she keeps with her kitchen at home and likes to play "Benihana". Here she is pretending to throw shrimp tails into the top of her hat.

A Visit from the Parkers

Jenelle, Charley and Hali made a surprise California trip the day we got back from camping (Saturday). It was so fun to see them again. Sunday night we sat on the front porch and relaxed while the kids played with the wagon.


Jakers and Hal-gal.

Monday I came downstairs and found Shane and Jared having a Pokemon battle while Serenity played beautician with Jared's hair.

Pink's Hot Dogs & Sprinkles Cupcakes

Going to Pink's in LA has been on our "Places to go" list for a few years now and we finally made the trip when my parents were visiting last week. I ordered the Mushroom Swiss Dog, Jared got the Bacon Burrito Dog (two hot dogs, bacon, chili, cheese and onions wrapped in a tortilla) - it was huge and one of the few times Jared didn't finish a meal. Serenity got a hamburger.

After Pink's, we went to Sprinkles cupcakes in Beverly Hills for desert. Yummmmm.

Grandma going down the crazy slide with no sides.

Professor Pennypickle's House - Temecula, CA

Jared was so excited to be able to stay in Utah for a couple weeks after we left. My parents brought him home last week. We are so glad to have him back. The next day after he got home we took a trip down to Temecula to Professor Pennypickles house. We also stopped by the Root beer shop and the candy store to pick up some yummy fudge.

Professor Pennypickle is a wacky scientist and his house is his workshop and laboratory, which is also called the imagination station (Temecula Children's Museum).
Riding in the hot air balloon

Hanging around in the kitchen

Hiding in the secret cupboard. There is a two-way mirror inside, so you can spy on people looking through the mirror in the bathroom.

Serenity taking a ride on the Time Machine

Sitting in Professor Pennypickles chair.

Serenity and Grandpa

Ludlow Family Reunion - Echo, Utah

Ludlow Family Reunion in Echo, Utah
2x4 Race

Wheelbarrow Race

Serenity

Horseshoes

Shane's Ringer

3-legged Race

Paula and Charley

Serenity and Jared climbing trees

Tug Of War

Grandkids vs. Grandparents

Water Balloon Toss

Making the family flags

Our Family Flag

Roscoe trying to impress Serenity

Each family was given bandannas (one for each family member to wear as they or their mom chose).