Mother's Day weekend camping

We took a little family camping trip to Santa Paula. A guy Kevin works with goes to this KOA and told us to try it. It is only 30 miles from our house, which is a nice easy drive. It turned out to be a great place to go. We had this one camp area pretty much to ourselves. It was great.

It was just the four of us camping. So on Saturday my parents, my sister and her husband, and our good friend Linda came up for a little Mother's Day bbq.

When we got there we took a walk around the campground to see what there was.

There are tons of peacocks living in the campground. They are really pretty, but loud.

It was interesting to watch their mating ritual. Here is a female up in the tree waiting a male to impress her.

They had activities for the kids to make something for their moms. Kevin ended up finishing the necklace Teresa started.

The girls love to eat outside on their own picnic table.

Camp Fire/Marshmallow time!

Say 'MARSHMALLOW'

The girls were painting. We did not want Teresa to get it on her shirt so we took it off.

She gave herself an Indian marking instead.

They took their babies for many walks.

And many bike rides.

Mary learned how to play tether ball

There was a huge tic tac toe to play.

Daddy and Mary played a came and tied.

The Sespe Creek ran by the campground. We walked down to it and sat on the edge.

The kids put their feet in. We eventually put bathing suits on to swim in it.

Mary was having a blast in the water.

They had a huge blow up thing to bounce on.

Mary wore her mom shirt on Mother's Day.

Action shot!

We had a fun fun time and created like 10 loads of laundry doing it. But it's all good!

Easter 2011

Easter this year was on the Saturday. We all gathered at Roy's, Kevin's brother, for the family fun day. My parents joined in the fun as well.

Here are all the Brochtrup grand kids. For some reason Kevin and I got in this picture as well.

The main Brochtrups without significant others or kids.

The girls were having so much fun with their cousins Aaron and Brianna.

Egg hunting time.

They were having no problem finding eggs.

Mary's final egg loot

Teresa didn't find much, but enough.

Aaron keeping the girls busy.

I think he was getting a little worn out.

Aunt Gail getting her Teresa fix.

She rocked her right to sleep. So sweet.

Aaron decided to sweep the hard wood floor with the kids, and the house pillows.

Cousin Katie got a moment to hold Teresa.

One more run around the house!

Easter morning the bunny brought the girls princess stuff. They were very happy to look so cute.

That night we were invited over to our neighbors house for dinner. He has a nephew and a niece the exact same ages as Mary and Teresa. So we had an egg hunt in our back yard.

It was a nice relaxing Easter weekend.

fun with cousin Aaron

Today after Mary's dentist appointment I decided to take the kids to Scooters Jungle for some play time with Aaron. Teresa loves this place. She is my little dare devil. Mary is my more reserved one and will not do any of the big stuff.

Teresa will climb to the top of this huge slide, by herself, and go down. Mary will not even think about it. Aaron had a good time doing it as well.

The kids had a great time bouncing and rolling around.

Teresa loved this car. She rolling around in it for a long time.

Mary did do the little zip line thing.

Let's Go Dodgers!

Kevin's nephew Aaron was in town for some family fun. We thought it'd be really fun to take him to a Dodger game. He has never been to Dodger stadium. He is a big Braves fan, and luck as it was, the Braves were in town the same time he was. So, Kevin called all his connections and got us some awesome seats! We decided to make this Mary's first Dodger game as well. We were super excited.


We got awesome parking with the awesome seats we had. We got to park in that first lot right at the front under the Dodger sign where you walk on to the field level. So close and awesome!

Our seats were super close as well. I am sitting in my seat when I took this picture. They are down below trying to see if they could get Aaron an autograph. It did not happen, but they tried.
Mary was very, super, excited to get some cotton candy. When we got there she saw the cotton candy guy walking up and down the aisles. I told her he'd be back and we would get it after she ate her Dodger Dog. She was no so sure he was going to come back. This was the concerned face as she kept an eye on that poor guy.

But then she finally got her cotton candy and her face lit up!

And then the finish product below, with the super sugar smile of 'I ate the whole thing!'

She did really well. After she ate her cotton candy she did ask when we were leaving, in the 2nd inning. luckilly the game went by pretty quick, for a baseball game. It was over within 2 1/2 hours. We got to sing Take Me Out To The Ball Game. Then she started to crash.

I got to wear my Dodger jacket, from Jr High. I did not quite fit in it the same, but I wore it anyhow!

A nice police officer saw her on me and gave her a baseball. Pretty cool.

She was a trooper in the end. But she passed out before we hit the fwy.

And to top it all off, the Dodgers beat the Braves. Oh well Aaron!! But it was still a great first time at Dodger stadium for them both. = )

Mary Day

today Mary and I had a Mary and mommy day. We went to Color Me Mine and she got to paint. She chose a bowl with a kitty face on it. it will be quite interesting to see once it is all fired and cooked. After painting we went over to the mall to get some lunch. She chose a hot dog in a bun. She had to sit at one of the kids tables. She ate almost the whole hot dog!!