California visit 2011 (a.k.a. Hey, Darr came with us!)

This is part one of our California write-up. I have to do it in sections because there are a gazillion photos to sift through, delete, tag, edit, and post before I'll be done. (It takes awhile to process a gazillion photos, folks.) We spent two nights with the McMillers at their place. As Darren accurately summed it up, the McMillers are perfect hosts. What a relaxed and enjoyable experience. The kids were great, the house was warm and inviting, the company was awesome, the food was tasty, and we just had an excellent time. I guess I should take this opportunity to warn them we're already planning next year's trip. (Consider yourselves forewarned, McMillers.) Activities included: visiting the Oakland Zoo and while there not only seeing animals but getting to go on rides -woot!, splashing in the McMillers' neighborhood pool, and going to the California Academy of Sciences (to see butterflies and snakes and spiders but no octopus - ah nuts!). Considering we left early on the third morning, we packed quite a bit in to two days. Miss Robin is a trooper when it comes to hanging in there. Her "grumpy" moments (methinks she had two while we were there) were hardly grumpy, she was more like sort of almost nearly annoyed for a nanosecond. And then it was over. It has to be said, Hen did an excellent job in the car. In a rather surprising move, our little one continually refused an iPod to watch a movie and/or some videos to help pass the time. Instead he chose to speak with us a great deal of the way and even helped me with ideas for his upcoming (if you can consider October upcoming at this point) birthday party. How does a sea creature and Spider-Man theme sound to you? Of course there were pictures but I'm going to link to the Flickr set and just post my favorite...

And the Bestest Kid Looking at the Butterflies in my Lens award goes to Miss Erin Beatrix!