Week 3 was an extremely busy week! Activities this week included:

• a visit to Jack's Pond
• a BBQ at George's house
• a day at Carlsbad beach
• a visit to the Wild Animal Park
• a big family gathering up in Orange County

A hike at Jack's Pond

Early Monday afternoon, the girls and I took a hike over to Jack's Pond. Here, Lizzy and Susan explore the pond...

...then they start up the big hill while Jesse and I contemplate it!

At the top we take a short rest...

... and then enjoy the view.

BBQ at George's house

George wanted the gang to come over to his house sometime during their stay for a BBQ. After discussing our plans for the week, we discovered that the week was going to be so busy, we weren't going to have time to get over to George's for a BBQ. So, somewhere around noon on Monday I called George and said "Can we come over for dinner tonight?". Luckily, he agreed and a few short hours later we were all over at his house pigging out on hamburgers, chips and ice cream!

Lizzy and Sue are almost always willing to smile for the camera, and Jesse almost always hides!

Later, Jesse glares...and Lizzy shows how easy it is to smile for the camera

Pati and George listen intently to one of mom's stories...

Jesse hides from the camera again but at least she has good product placement!

After dinner the girls go on a snail hunt... lovely!

Then Lizzy discovers a black widow spider on a web just outside George's front door.

Here's some more of Lizzy's photos... from George's garden.

Finally - a day at the beach!

I can't believe the troops had been here for over two weeks, and we hadn't been to the beach yet! So -- on Tuesday we gathered the chairs, the suntan lotion and a cooler full of soda and headed to Carlsbad beach.

First, everyone does a quick dip of their toes...

...and seconds later, the gang has abandoned their chairs and headed for the water.

After a good, long swim, everyone does a little sunbathing...

Then mom practices her Tai Chi while Susan tries to pretend she doesn't know us!

Then, while the grown-ups rest, the kids have one more romp in the Pacific. Yee ha!

Click here for more of Week 3's activities!