So long Fuji Apples

So the turtle we found during the summer ended up with the name Fuji Apples (Patrick named him) and I was getting a little tired cleaning out his tank and believe me, turtles smell. He also seemed to be getting tired of his very small tank so we thought it might be a good idea to find him a new home. We couldnt afford a new tank so we talked about putting him back in the lake where we are pretty sure he came from or giving him away or something to that extent. Well one day while doing my visiting teaching, I discovered that Bishop Dunn has a wonderful little pond in his backyard. I thought it would be perfect, that way I could still take Patrick to see the turtle and Fuji would have tons of room to swim but not be in a big scary lake. Well last night I talked to Sister Dunn and she said they would love that. So we had our family home evening last night and all we did was relocate the turtle.
We had Patrick put him in the water and we thought he was just going to set him in but instead he just kind of tossed him. He absolutely loved his new home, he started swimming and climbing on rocks and diving down.
Here are some pictures of his new home, try and find him, he's kinda small.

Random Stuff

Patrick started his first day of pre-school yesterday and he was so excited he couldnt stop talking about it. He is in the younger class just because he still needs to learn how to listen but I'm sure sister Ricks will do a wonderful job and I know he will listen to her.

Patrick helped me out with making dinner the other night and he wanted to wear a chefs hat. Doesnt Elena look excited?

Elena is still climbing as always and I found her in the book basket the other day

Elena fell asleep the other day in the middle of lunch with food in her hand, I dont think Patrick ever did that, is was so sweet.

Camping trip part II

The next day we went to Pismo for a little clam chowder and quick beach time
We had some yummy Splash Cafe, Jesus had never had it before and now he says its the best he's ever hadPatrick wouldnt try it but Elena loved it!

Elena even took her spoon to play with in the sand

Elena loved the beach and wanted to go play in the water but we weren't really prepared for beach time so we didnt let her get wet

The first time we ever took Patrick to the beach he was afraid of the waves, but this time he loved them!

The day before we left we wanted to spend some time at the beach and we had no idea that Elena was a beach babe but as soon as we put her down she went right for the water

Patrick and Daddy had a great time building a sandcastle and getting muddy

It was a great time and I would recommend the Morro Bay State Park to everyone. So much stuff to do and so close. We had a great time and I would love to go back. The kids did too, I have never seen Patrick get so dirty, he loved playing in the dirt the whole time he got to run around the whole time.

Beware the many posts

CAMPING TRIP PART I:

I havent posted some of the things we have done so here are a few of our missing adventures

We went camping a couple of weeks ago to The Morro Bay State Park. It was an awesome camp ground and I would love to go back. The weather was great except that it was a little hot in the sun and our camp site didnt have a lot of shade.

when we got there is was just starting to get cool so we changed Elena in some warmer clothes and let her play in the car while we pulled stuff out. Then she got passed around while stuff was set up.

Cooking around the fire with Bens usual picture face

The first night this misty fog rolled in and it got kinda cold, nothing we couldnt handle

We strapped Elena's chair to the bench, and it was much easier to feed her

you can see all the mist in this picture

We got Elena all bundled up in the beanie Sara made for her
Patrick had a great time climblinb on everything
Elena loved riding in the wagon

Staying hydrated

Jesus and I took the kids on a walk, there are signs all over the campground telling about the history of Morro Bay

Grandma and Grandpa brought their wagon


There was a natural history museum right across the street from the campground and next to the marina. It had a great view.

The museum was free to campers and the kids loved it because it was all hands on.

The best part of the museum was a balcony in the back. It had these whale bones they got just a few months ago. There was a whale on the beach and they waited for it decompose and brought the bones here. It was also a great place to watch the seals and otters in the water, and the brown pelicans were diving into the water.

Birthday kids

Patrick turned 3 yesterday. Yep I have a 3 year old. Strange huh? We had a small party for them at University park and I didnt take any pictures. Luckily Mom did and I will have to post those when I get them. Since they are older I thought I would post some things about them.
Elena:
She is very sassy but still sweet
She loves to climb. Every time I turn around she is up on something.
She loves animals and gets so excited to see them and stares at them for as long as they are there
She loves to eat and drink everything we do which is good, maybe she wont be picky
She loves her big brother, she follows him around and wants everything he has
She is walking all over the place
She is a snuggle bug and loves to cuddle with Mommy
She is still breastfeeding which I plan to continue to do for a little while because its my last time
               and I really hate to stop
She is starting to talk a little. She asks "whats that" all the time she is starting to say daw for dog
               she can say Momma and Dadda and Im pretty sure she said bye bye the other day
She isnt a big fan of TV which is good and bad
I havent taken her to the doctor yet so I dont know how much she weighs I'll have to post that later
She loves to shake her head NO to everything
She loves to dance and has some really good moves
She is the sweetest little girl I have ever known and I am so grateful I was able to have a daughter to enjoy and to share all that fun girl stuff with. Im glad Heavenly Father didnt feel that it was my time to return to him and I love this baby girl.
Patrick:
Patrick is just plain wild
He loves to talk and even talks to strangers at the store
He knows all of his letters and can almost count to ten with a little help
He starts pre-school this Wednesday, he started earlier this year but his teacher and I felt he wasnt quite ready yet
He isn't potty trained yet, he can do it but he is a little afraid to so I guess I am waiting for a miracle
He says some pretty funny stuff. At his birthday party after he busted up his motorcycle piñata he couldn't decide which candy to pick up and in a really sweet voice he asked "what kind should I get?"
The other day he got off his chair during lunch and I looked at him and his face was all red and he it looked like was working on some "business" and he was shaking all over and he slowly put his finger up to his mouth and said "sssshhhhhh"  when he seemed to be done he said that the poop was talking mean in his butt and it said "I'm gonna come out" in a deep scary voice. I laughed pretty hard.
He loves motorcycles
He loves the movie Hercules and watches it over and over and says that he is Hercules and I'm Meg and he is pretty sure he is going to be a Hero someday.
He is really imaginative and can imagine anything is anything
He loves to play outside and I cant wait till we have a house and a backyard because Im throwing him out there everyday.
He is a really picky eater and only eats Macaroni and Cheese or grilled cheese sandwiches, Peanut Butter and jelly sandwiches or Chicken nuggets.
He barley weighs 30 lbs
He is learning to peddle and steer on Grandma Connie's tricycle
I asked him a few questions and here are his answers:

Whats your favorite color? orange
whats your favorite thing to do? blue
whats your favorite movie? Tarzan
what do you want to be when you grow up? Tarzan
who is your favorite person? Caleb
where is your favorite place to go? the museum with Caleb and Cory
whats your favorite toy? Motorcycles
I love this kid like crazy, I can't believe he is 3 and that in just a couple of years he will be in kindergarden. He makes life very interesting and is the only one that makes Elena laugh really hard. I love when he gives me hugs and tells me he loves me, it makes all the hard times and temper tantrums worth it.