Letter to Patrick: Scorching Saturday
I woke this morning to the sound of three boys with armfuls of books coming into our room. We read and read and read - all three of their heads fit on your pillow.
They love Saturday morning cartoon veg-fest, don't they? We saw a commercial for "Igor" and decided that we would go to see that instead of swimming. Did I mention it was stinkin' hot today?
We headed out to the movies. Did you know that the boys say the driver's seat in the van is daddy's seat, even though I drive them more? We heard "Apologize" and we all sang along. 
I think they were more excited about the ginormous vat of popcorn we were going to get than going to the movie. Movie popcorn always reminds me of our Provo dates to the dollar theatre and how you were repulsed by my need to get popcorn, even if we had already eaten dinner.
We got Dippin' Dots after. I spoil them when you're gone! I know you think that Dots are weird, but they are good.
Jake went to a community theater show for Cub Scouts and Dylan went to a birthday party. He was so excited to make this card. His writing is unbelievably adorable. I thought you should see.
He came home looking like this. Many arguments ensued over the introduction of a brand-new lightsaber. I put it on top of the fridge. He's thinking this might be a good look for Halloween.
I don't like pasta. I hate it, he said. His brother's and I said it was good but we could not convince him otherwise.
Jake got invited to the skate park with Brandon and had so much fun. This is him after he got back. I cannot believe how sweaty he gets - oh right, I forgot. Still so hot.
My pretty purple toes for your viewing pleasure. I love them! My gimpy toenail doesn't look half bad.
For some strange reason, the lid to my soda would not twist off for anything today. It was weird that you weren't here to help me open it. When you're gone, I realize the ways you make my life easier that I otherwise don't notice. I'm sorry for that. Love you,
Nikki
We spent about a month at my mom and dad's in Sacramento and it was just so relaxing and fun. We had a lot of mellow days spent just like this - crazy kids by the pool! Yes they are superheroes, thanks to crafty Aunt Carrie who made them!! Carter got the Batman one for his birthday, such a great idea! Dylan borrowed Sean's Superman and we had cute caped crusaders.
Carter's infamous belly-flop! I love Dylan's face in the background too. Carter did this over and over until he finally hurt his belly one day. Then he wouldn't jump off the waterfall at all. He got his courage back before we went home to Arizona, though. We discovered the muscles this year. None of the other boys had worn them before because I was always worried they wouldn't learn to swim and only rely on them. Well, we may have made that mistake a little with Carter because he loved the freedom of being able to go wherever he wanted!! He loves them! We have been working hard on his skills here at home so hopefully we won't have to big a set back! 
Before Amy and Owen had to go back to Pittsburg, we were able to spend a fun day with them at the zoo, Fairytale Town and Funderland. Such great childhood memories and so fun to share them with my own kids!! Here's Carter in the train at Fairytale Town. I don't have any others because Jake and Dylan were running around like crazy with Patrick. I think they ran the Crooked Mile a million times!
Jake and Dylan - cute brother buddies at the zoo!
All my boys on the roller coaster at Funderland. It was fun to have Patrick with us because we were apart so much this summer, what with us playing in CA and him having to work. I love how Jake is bored with the too-easy ride.
Cute cousin Owen loving the fishies. He looks very serious but cried when he had to get off - a true test of how fun it was!
Thumbs up, dude!
Of course, no trip to Sacramento is complete without a day in San Francisco. Here's 3 cold boys at Pier 39 while we were waiting for our ferry. My mom and I decided to be a little adventurous and take them to Angel Island, where I hadn't gone since a field trip in 4th grade. Our idea was to hike around a bit and have a picnic. 
Grandma and Carter hiking Angel Island. The island is beautiful and not crowded at all. It has great views of the bay and the weather was amazing!
My handsome guys in front of an old army hospital. Angel Island was an army base.
These are the barracks my class stayed in when we had our field trip. Can you believe the view?! I don't remember much about this trip - really only have memories of being cold and sleeping on the hard ground. But I do remember having to do the night watch (we were soldiers, after all) and seeing the beautiful view of the city at night.
Jake and Grandma on the ferry ride back to the city. Once we got back, we headed over for a mandatory stop at Boudin Bakery. I singlehandedly bought out the store's supply of sourdough bread. Okay, that's exaggerating but I think my mom and I brought home about 10 loaves. Best bread ever!!! And when you freeze it, it tastes just like the day you bought it. Delicious!
This is a sourdough crocodile. Of course, the boys wanted to buy it but I didn't know how to get it in the freezer.
I haven't ridden a cable car in years so I was so excited that it wasn't too crowded to wait to ride on this day. I have wanted the kids to ride for a long time. We rode from the wharf to Union Square then went back again. We attempted a couple of stores in Union Square but shopping with 3 boys is not fun so we gave up. The ride back to the wharf was eventful, to say the least. Our cable car basically barrelled through an intersection that cab was dashing through. I'm sure the cable cars and cabbies play chicken all the time - I just didn't appreciate them doing it when my family was sitting 
In our family, no visit to S.F. is complete without a little Blondie's pizza. Here's Jake enjoying the goodness.
Grandpa and Carter at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo. I was so glad my dad played hooky from work one day and we were all able to go down. My mom and I were grateful to have him come along and accompany the kids on all the spin-y rides that you couldn't pay us money to ride on! Thanks Dad!
Dylan and Jake enjoying the swings. We had such a fun and busy day that I don't really have any pictures. It is such a great park - kind of a combination of Sea World and Six Flags because it has the animal shows and the rides. It's a really great balance. My kids are so fun at amusement parks - not really very nervous and excited to try lots of rides. Jake was especially gutsy and a good height too. He tried his first 2 upside-down roller coasters and loved them both! Here's Grandpa and Jake on the Boomerang. I tried to zoom in the picture as far as I could but no luck.
My dad is wearing the white shirt close to the top and Jake is on his left. The highlight of the day was probably the last ride that Dylan, Jake, Grandpa and I took called Tony Hawk's Big Spin. The boys loved the skateboarding angle and it was a fun ride - a roller coaster that also spins! Grandma and Carter were patient as it was really cold by this time and the ride broke down with us sitting right there after our turn was over. Good thing it didn't happen while we were on it!!!
Look at all these handsome boys! I love getting them all together - they play soooo well, it's almost freaky. This is the day that we went to Remlinger Farm, which was a farm, an amusement park etc. all rolled into one. It was a great day with great weather, except that after the first half-hour or so, Andrew didn't feel well. So he had to go take a nap in the car which was a bummer.
Playing on top of the fire truck. The kids could get in and pretend to drive it or just climb all over it. Perfect for a bunch of boys but it was hard for Carter and Austin to decide who's turn it was to drive!!
Snack time on the choo-choo train.
Uncle P and the boyz!
Jake, Dylan, Andrew and D.J. chilling on the bow. Note the Space Needle in the background. So pretty!
Cute skating boys!!
Is this not the nastiest thing you've ever seen?! It's a tomato worm from my dad's garden. The boys and Sean and Ryan were completely obsessed with it. Then they had to take it out and smush it to death.
Me and my pretty sis Ames. She's prego here but you can't tell because she's annoying like that. She's having a little girl!
