Pier 39

Where else do they build docks just for sea lions? These people in
Northern California sure are weird. Glad I'm normal.

Another one I dug up from last year.

Notre Dame

Wallihans in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral.  The story goes that the towers are built intentionally at slightly different heights because only God is perfect.

Panning for Gold

They put real bits of gold in these troughs for the kids to find. And
you get to keep it!

This was from our trip to Oroville and Sacramento last in October last year.

Pirate Ship

Jessica and Jacob having a good time.

Jessica Learning to Fly Fish

Jessica trying her hand at casting a fly fishing rod.  Lucky for the fish there were no fish in the "pond".

Jessica on her Velib Bike

Siteseeing in Paris can be exhausting.  Just ask the lady sleeping on the bench.

Jacob Cycling in Paris

Jacob riding his rental bike along the Seine.  The bikes are a great way to get around.  The first 30 minutes are free and there are stations all over Paris to rent and return them from.  We rode from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower along the river bike path.  Then next day we tried to ride in the other direction from the Louvre to the Notre Dame Cathedral but we had to ride on streets and sidewalks and it was not as much fun.

San Jacinto

Jessica and I atop Mt San Jacinto. Starting at sea level and taking the tram up to 8,500 ft does not provide any time to get used to the altitude.  We struggled at first but got our second wind and made it to the top at 10,834 ft then seemingly flew down the trail and back to the tram. 

This trip was just the week before we left for France.

Place de la Concorde

Jacob, Jessica and Rebecca at the Place de la Concorde with the Eiffel Tower behind.  This is the largest plaza in Paris.  It was called the Place de la Revolution during the French Revolution and was the site of many beheadings during the Reign of Terror.  After the monarchy was restored it was renamed the Place de la Concorde.

Arc de Triomphe

Jessica, Rebecca and Jacob at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.  We spend the first week of our trip in Paris, the second week, the kids went with their grandparents and Rebecca and I toured around France and the third week we were all six together in Normandy in the north of France.

Mmm Mmm Good

Jessica's turn this time.

Jacob Learning to Fly Fish

Kitchen at Sutter's Mill

Where's the microwave?

Growth Spurt

Jacob really has been growing a lot lately. We are going to have to
raise the ceilings.

Self Portrait in a Kaleidoscope

This is the thing to have after you get a haircut. To make sure they
didn't miss anything.

Refreshing Drink

Just close your eyes. The water is fine.

At the Exploratorium they have this exhibit to see if you can get past preconceived notions.

Alcatraz

This is as close as we got to Alcatraz. Thanks Congress.

Raindrops on the window

I liked this picture that Jessica took.  We went up to a rifle range in the mountains and it was cold and rainy so the kids sat in the car for most of the time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgDRXPzsXQQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBq9I8oYrmE

CA Governor's Office

The entrance to the Governor's office is guarded by this bear.

CA Assembly Chambers

This is where all the hard "work" happens at our State Capitol.