Death Valley...our Back Yard!

Ok, I am dreadfully behind, and I keep getting further behind! My goal is to update the poor neglected blog once a day, until I am mostly caught up into the now and present. So, I am still in the spring break part of this updating process. Towards the end of spring break we took a day trip (a very long day trip) to Death Valley. We joked that we drove 3 hours to see exactly what we see out our back door everyday! Ok, it is not quite as desolate...but almost!!

My computer is being stubborn and not letting me put the pictures in the order I want...but you will get the point.

Here I am at the lowest level in the United States!

The heart of Death Valley blooming with wild flowers


The girls at Salt Creek...yes there is a creek running through Death Valley, and it is not salt water. There are millions of these little fish called "pup fish" swimming around. They look a bit like guppies to me. My kids loved them!

We took a small hike up Mosaic Canyon. It is all marble and very slick, The girls had fun sliding down the inclines.

Cora turned out fuzzy in this picture, but I love the look of sheer, uninhibited, joy she has on her face...so I posted it anyway.

Here are the boys on their first ever hike ( unless you count San Diego Zoo, which felt like a nature hike at times!) .

The girls had a blast climbing up the sides of the canyon. We couldn't keep them down!

Here is the same spot as above, just zoomed in.

Getting ready for our little hike. Like I mentioned earlier, my computer won't let me order the pictures how I want today, so you get to see the hike prep. after the hike!

Here is Matt and our FIVE kids at the Death Valley visitor center.

It was a good day, maybe a little long, but the kids had a blast getting out and hiking around. Most of all they loved getting a little bit dirty!

Visit Death Valley...check!

Universal Studios Hollywood

The second part of our Hollywood trip was spent at Hollywood's Universal Studios.

We had a good time, but our camera got lost...so the only pictures we have were taken with Matt's iphone. So they aren't the best...but they work

Is Anya ready for Hollywood or what?

Snack Attack!

enjoying a yummy smores bar from the bakery

We went on the traditional Studios tour ride, where Jaws comes up out of the water to get you. Do you think our kids noticed...nope, they were completely oblivious. They ended up meeting Jaws later though...

ahhh...Jurasic Park. Matt and I liked the ride, but the kids wouldn't go on it. That's ok, they have never seen the movie anyway, so it would be lost on them.

Here is the actual Hollywood sign, as close as we could really get to it, after many google searches!

Spring Break 2010

Ever since we moved here, almost two years now, Anya has wanted to go to Hollywood. Well this spring break we finally went, and we had a blast!

You can't really get that close to the actual Hollywood sign, although we did see it! So this picture will have to do.

You can't go to Hollywood without seeing a movie. We went to see "Alice in Wonderland" at the famous "El Capitan" Theatre on Hollywood Blvd.
It was so neat. As we were waiting for the movie to start, an organist was playing for us on stage. They had the whole theatre decorated as if you had stepped into wonderland.

The boys did great! They love going to the movies

The girls posing in front of some of the decorations in the theatre. During the introduction of the movie, thousands of paper rose petals shot into the air and fluttered down....it was very awe inspiring. After the movie, we were able to go down into the basement and see some of the props they actually used in the movie. We saw the sword Alice must acquire to defeat the jabberwaki (?), and we saw the Mad Hatters costume, lots of china, the Mad Hatters chair and some of the English ladies costumes. It was a really neat movie experience...and going during the day on a week day was fabulous...there was only one other family in the whole theatre!
After the movie we ate lunch next door at "Disney's Soda Fountain Cafe and shop". It was pretty good, and everything was shaped like Mickey mouse ears!

Here we are on the "walk of fame"

Taking a stroll down the walk of fame, finding some of our favorite "stars"
Do you like how I am pushing 3 kids?!!!

The famous Chinese Theatre, across the street from the El Capitan Theatre. We couldn't get a good shot, because they were setting up for a red carpet event. Apparently the premiere of "Clash of the Titans" was being held there the next day.Matt and Anya on Hollywood and Vine

My Two Little Thumb Suckers!

Hunter
Jack

What Happened to March???

Wow, March just blew on by! Not much happened, yet a lot happened at the same time in March for our "little" family. In no particular order, here is the run down on the low down of the Jeppson crew...

Hannah received an award at school for perfect attendance and a Character award for sharing and caring. We are so proud of her and the way she is so nice to others while at school!
Hunter started sitting. Jack isn't too far behind, but won't sit long enough for me to get a picture.

Matt's recruiting season began...here are his two newest recruits.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

My little leprechaun, Cora

Anya and Dad went skiing, and had a blast! What a nice change, snow in California!

Great-Grandpa Overton (my dad's dad), came out for a visit and to meet the twins

I also got a new haircut...long over due!

Anya had "50's Day" at school. This is her pieced together ensemble...didn't turn out too bad I thought.

The boys in their new High chairs getting ready to eat solid food!!

Hunter's first taste of Rice cereal.

Jack's first taste of Rice cereal.

It was a good month and seemed to fly by. Now it is April, Easter has passed and I am still behind in my blogging. Hopefully, I will update soon with pictures from our spring break in Hollywood, Death Valley and Easter.