Dam Adventures, Capital City, etc.

To say I'm behind in picture world is an understatement. I'm still getting used to the new computer, then I had to format my hard drive and figure out where all the pictures are in my editing software catalog, etc. well.....I'm trying not to stress out about it too much. In just a few weeks school starts so maybe that will give me a few moments here and there to catch up?! Can't believe we will have a kindergartner this year and that little Maggie is going to be enjoying some preschool time!! Torsten (and I) may not know what to do with all the quiet.....

Our latest adventure was to Nevada City, Oroville and Sacramento. It was meant to be a trip to the mountains/Tahoe area, but we didn't quite make it there. Nevada City and Sacramento were pretty cool towns though, lots of old buildings. Got in a little hiking, it was in the 90s there though, which foiled some of our hiking plans, but of course there was some pool time at the hotel. 

Welcome to Nevada City.

The National Hotel in Nevada City, one of the oldest continuously operated hotels.

Had to stop for a little treat and found these candy bars.....

We stayed in Oroville, home of the Oroville Dam, which is the tallest and one of the largest earthen dams in the US. Tried to do some hiking and go to a fish hatchery, but it was too hot for hiking (at least when having to carry kids/make them hike) and the hatchery was closed. So we stopped at the visitors center for this view and an old Marty Stouffer show (Wild America if you don't know it). Brought back some childhood memories for Josh and I! 

Then we decided it was time to mosey on home, heading towards the view of the world's smallest mountain range, Sutter Buttes.

We then realized Sacramento was on our way home and decided to stop there for a quick look around and a train ride to redeem our day of disappointment.

The train whistle was a little loud for Maggie! 

Torsten didn't have much to say....

Overall though, it was a fun little side trip and we definitely want to get back to Sacramento to check out more of the city and tour the Railroad Museum!

The Beat Goes On

Our summer days continue with all sorts of time at the pool, parks and just playing at home, the girls are enjoying Barbies and making things to eat and drink, biking and scootering, as well as adoring their brother! Didn't realize just how many random every day pictures I had saved up until working on this post and since it was adding up I figured a video would be better! Enjoy!

7 Years!

Here are just some pictures I found quickly of ourselves over the years. Its been an amazing life as husband and wife so far! We have obviously expanded our family and I can't wait to see what else is in store for us in the future! Thanks for being a fantastic husband to me and daddy to our 3 beautiful kiddos, I love you!

3 Months and a recap

Well Mr. T, as we like to call him, turned 3 months old today and insert broken record here....wow has time flown. He has really started showing off a smiley personality in the last month and we love it! He especially responds to his sisters and seems to look for them when its quiet. Haha! So here are a few pictures of him and then a video of our trip to MN. 

We started it out by heading up north to our annual family reunion with Josh's moms' side at Whippoorwill Resort, where we finally got to meet Molly and Elden's baby girl Nora! We also had Torsten baptized in Upper Bottle Lake. The weather was wonderful for our week up there. Then Josh headed back to California for a week and a half and the kids and I just hung out with my parents and then my brother Jeff, Angelie and Petra came into town so we got to hang out with them for a while and then up to my parents cabin and Josh met us up there for the 4th of July. Gretta and Maggie made leaps and bounds in the water department this year. They were little fish learning new tricks, so fun to watch!

MN Nice

Back from our 3+ week trip to MN and I just uploaded pictures today....there are about 1000, I wish I was kidding. So bear with me while I sort through them and I will possibly put together a little video of the trip since so much happened and there are obviously so many pictures! 

For now, here are a few phone pics to tide you over!

2 months

Watch out! Got his fightin' face on!

Happy guy, getting lots more smiles this month! He loves his sisters and is excited to meet some relatives in MN!

Life and Volcano trip

Here are our shenanigans as of late......

Most of the time...this is life.

Then once in a while we get a good one!

Brave Josh getting some painting done!

Impromptu trip to the mountains....

Nature girl

Getting in some fishing time as a reward for painting.....

The other nature girl using a pine branch and stick as a broom and dustpan! 

We got to hike in some snow which was fun!

Gretta maybe got tired of hiking and needed a little help for a while.....

Painted dunes

More fishing....