Fairy Falls

About a month ago, we went on a hike up to a waterfall just outside a town called Wheatland. It is by a lake called Camp Far West (random name for a lake, right?). It was really fun though. The train is nice enough that we could take the stroller on it for Tyson, even though he didn't ride in it much on the way up. We passed by a huge blackberry patch right along the path and decided we need to make it an annual hike and go right during blackberry season. We caught the tail end of it and got a few good ones. We are excited to get lots more next year!

Having fun on Daddy's shoulders

All of us at the top. Tyson was not very happy about taking pictures. He just wanted to throw the rocks.

And...throwing rocks

The waterfall was actually flowing pretty strong for that time of year, we were pretty impressed.

Near the bottom of the waterfall, we found this little pool to play in. It was really perfect for Tyson. So fun! Even though it was freezing.

Ivan said the current of the waterfall was perfect to swim against.

On our way down, we ran into a group of people who told us about a rope swing just past the parking lot, so we had to check that out. So glad we did! It was way fun!

And then Tyson's diaper exploded from playing in the water too long, which was probably a good thing because he was pretty worn out.

Splash Parks

They have some really awesome splash parks here in the area. They are really fun! We got to go quite a bit over the summer. One is at the Fountains complex here in Roseville. They have a little train ride you can go on and the splash park and playground right by it. We went with our friends Crysta and her son Jacob. Tyson loved the train ride and then the boys went to play at the splash park. I am so bummed, but I can't find my pictures of it! So sad! I have some of other splash parks though. Tyson loves them! Especially when Daddy played with him!

Train Museum

Over Labor Day we went down with my friend, Jenna, and her 2 boys, Weston and Benson, to the Train Museum in Sacramento. They were having Gold Rush days down there and the museum is free over the weekend. It was way fun. They deck out the streets with old-town decorations and hay and horse-drawn carriages. There were people dressed up in old John Wayne style clothes (some more appropriate than others). The boys loved the horses, eating lunch by the river and the candy store.

We briefly walked around the first 2 floors of the museum, but there was nothing brief about our stay on the 3rd floor, where the Thomas trains are.

This was Tyson's first encounter with trains and train tracks and he loves them!

Thanks Jenna, Weston, and Benson for coming with us!

Just a little side story, on our way out of the museum we went up to the mall to let the kids play at the play area and there was this little boy, about 2 years older than Tyson, that took a liking to Tyson. He climbed in the play boat with Tyson and carried on a conversation with him for 5 minutes. Tyson pretty much just stared at him, but the kid just kept on talking. It was so cute!

Nimbus Fish Hatchery

About a month ago we got to go to the Nimbus Fish Hatchery here in Folsom. Apparently the best time to go is in October because that is when the salmon come to mate and jump and all that good stuff. So hopefully we get to post about that soon! It was pretty quiet when we went, but we had a lot of fun. We got to check the place out so we are more familiar with it when we go back. We got to explore the visitors center and watch the video about the harvesting they do. Outside, they have large tanks where the fish are kept and you can pay a nickel for a handful of food. This was definitely Tyson's favorite part. Whenever he threw a piece of food in, all the fish around it would jump to get it and Tyson thought it was the best thing in the world! He just laughed and laughed. It was so cute!

Tyson and Daddy in the sharks mouth!

Tyson pointing out something very important to us. Not quite sure what inspired the foot flip:)

I couldn't really catch his excitement on camera, but I promise he loved it!

Maidu Park

We live really close to a park/school here in Roseville. I love it! We are there at least once a day, or so it feels like. Especially during the spring and the fall. I am just loving this fall weather by the way! During the Summer though, we could only handle it during the morning or at night. It was one of our favorite family activities to go to the park at night, where there was always a baseball or softball game going on, and watch. We would usually bring a frisbee, baseball or football with us too and play some catch.

This particular night, Tyson thought it was more fun to roll in the dirt. Love this kid!

Cheering on the softball players.

The game is much more interesting than taking a picture Mom.

"Going to work"

Ivan has been riding his bike to work since around the beginning of the year and Tyson can't help but want to be like his Daddy and go to work. It's pretty dang cute when he puts on Ivan's helmet and declares that he is "going to work."

He usually comes back in when I remind him that he doesn't have any shoes on. But only long enough to put his shoes on:) Then he is right back to "going to work."

The odds will be even!

In February of 2012 we will be welcoming into our home a little baby girl! We are super excited for this new adventure! Ivan feels much more at peace and prepared after hearing Sister Dalton's talk during the Sunday morning session of General Conference:) Things are going well and looking great with the baby. Tyson makes her feel loved with all of the tackling and wrestling he does with her, or rather, with her through me. He is such a little boy now and we am so excited to see him become a big brother!

I sure do LOVE these boys!