FireFlies

Over the last couple nights the girls have been staying outside until it starts to get dark.  Both nights have produced lightening bugs or Fireflies, depending on where you are from.  Both nights I wanted the girls to come in, but I loved how excited they were to catch them.  Even more so tonight because Drea was running around trying to catch them too.  She is too crazy about bugs, so I thought why not embrace it.  I tried to take some pictures, but I haven't figured out all the settings yet, but I managed to take a few videos.

Both are these are cute to hear the excitement in their voices.  I also find the second one pretty funny because lately every time I take Charlotte's picture she says, Daddy put this on the blog, just like she does in the video.

California Trip: Part IV - Family

The main thing I wanted to do when we went to California is just spend time with my sister and her family.  We haven't seen each other in three years, so all I really wanted to do is hang out and enjoy one another's company.  I think we were able to accomplish that goal.

This had to be one of the most relaxing vacations ever.  Laura and Leo are such great hosts.  They really spoiled us.  Leo loves to cook, and he certainly did not disappoint.  I am pretty sure I gained a few pounds.  The kids got along wonderfully.  Only one time on Sunday, did the girls argue with one another.  That was our last day, so I am sure it was more being tired than anything else.

I could probably go on and on about how much we all enjoyed our visit, but I won't.  I'll wrap it up, by saying I hope it doesn't take three years to visit them again.  Enjoy the rest of our vacation pictures.

Inside the Polar Bear Ice Cave at Sea World

Charlotte trying to pick of Luke.  Both girls tried to do this all week...Luke wasn't a fan

Relaxing at the turtle beach at Sea World

Drea posing with the sea turtle

Char's turn

Finally some pictures of Baby Layla

Other than swimming, this was the most popular thing for the Drea...

...and Charlotte

The whole crew at the beach

Me and Laura

As soon as we arrived the clouds came out and it got cold, Drea had to bundled up.

Cheese! 

Charlotte at the Sheriff's Museum

Drea at the Sheriff's Museum

Locked in Jail

In the cockpit of the Helicopter

Luke and Me

Climbing in a tree at Old Town square

The girls wanted handcuffs at the Museum...I put them to good use

I thought Drea was stuck...

...unfortunately she had the key.

Charlotte is always trying to catch a bird...

...she finally caught one!

California Trip: Part III - Swimming

The one thing the girls did more than anything else was swim.  They swam everyday except for Wednesday.  That only happened because we went to Sea World.  I am sure they would have loved to swim with the dolphins.  I am also convinced they swam more than they ate.  On Thursday and Friday they swam all day.  The girls each took turns falling asleep before dinner was ready.  Drea on Thursday, Charlotte on Friday.  Needless to say, they enjoyed the pool.

Charlotte and Luke swimming in the Hot Tub or as Luke says, "the little pool"

Luke getting to swim by himself

The girls swimming in the little end

Charlotte swimming though the "rain forest"

Jumping In

Drea giving instructions

Drea still giving instructions

California Trip: Part II - Sea World

After landing in San Diego on Tuesday and driving to Imperial, we turned around and headed back to San Diego to go to Sea World.  We debated about going another day, but Leo's daughter Melissa was going with us and she had called off work to go.  In some ways it would have made sense to stay in San Diego that first night, but like I said, Melissa called off to go with us and it just wouldn't have been right for us to do that.

Recently, Sea World has taken some heat because one of the Killer Whale trainers was attacked and killed during a performance.  I am not sure when all that took place, but I remember seeing it on the news.  I also watched the movie Blackfish, which is about keeping Killer Whales in captivity and what it does to them.

I mentioned this because it was quite obvious that this backlash has changed the way Sea World does things.  They were over the top with how much they mentioned all the good things Sea World does for animals.  The other telling thing was; the trainers did not get in the tank with the Orcas.

Here is my thought on the matter.  I can see where the training for the shows might be cruel to the animals, but other than that how is Sea World different from a zoo?  Either way, it is just really amazing to see these animals up close and the girls loved it.

Charlotte getting ready to put her hand it the tank with the cleaner fish

The cleaner fish would clean dead skin from your hands.  It tickled.
Charlotte liked all the tanks where you could touch the animals.

Small sharks that you could pet

Flamingos just walking though the park 

Charlotte petting the sharks

Penguins swimming outside at the Penguin house

Beluga whale outside of the water...

...now under the water

Dolphins performing during a show

Jumping in the air

Waving Good-bye

The crew before the killer whale show.  In order, Melissa, Luke, Drea,
Charlotte, Laura, Layla, and Leo.  We sat in the last row of the splash
zone.  We were lucky...others not so much.  It was hilarious to watch though.

I loved getting to see these animals so close

Jumping high in the air

Flipping

Charlotte getting her picture with a sea turtle

Drea, Luke, and Charlotte

Drea, Charlotte, and Luke

Luke riding a sea turtle

The kids driving a boat