Fort Point

Fort Point is at the south base of the Golden Gate Bridge and served as a base during the Civil War that was able to sink any wooden ship that entered into the San Francisco Bay. We went on a beautiful January morning/afternoon where it was 57 degrees and sunny. They had a special event day where they had Civil War re-enactments of military formations and displays of weapons and costumes of the times. So it was the perfect time to go since we were studying Civil War history in homeschool. While we were in San Francisco, we took a tour of three bridges and talked about the differences in them: Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, and Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.

What a beautiful day!

The Union Army outfits and a lady of the time greeted us and gave demonstrations.

They even let me hold one of the guns, it sure was heavy.

There were ones we could touch and then there were some authentic ones actually used in the war that were only for display...cool.

I stood at attention, while my brother practiced his slouch.

These beds were much better than the ones at Valley Forge!

Forts are pretty cool, we could picture the Separatists trying to attack this place full of Clone Troopers.

This lighthouse helped ships coming in that were "friendlies."

They built this fort based on the one at Fort Sumter in South Carolina where the first shots of the war were fired.

We figured out that the bridge wasn't there when the fort was first built, but they did have lots of cannons that aren't here anymore.

She showed us how some of the ammo for the cannons. It was pretty heavy. That would really hurt coming at you.

The buglers and drummers were important for communication amongst the army.

CC Family Presentation

Every year at Classical Conversations, each family has a designated day in which they are responsible for a presentation on a topic of their choice to begin the day. Then you stay up on stage and lead the whole group in the pledge of allegiance to the flag and then to the Bible. This year, Brett was working, so Joy was on her own, but Brett did help with the preparation and planning. Since we have been studying Native Americans this year and going through a prayer book about them most days of the week, we chose to focus on the Nez Perce tribe who are from the Oregon/Idaho area. We gave a little historical background and then demonstrated a game that they would play mentioned by Lewis and Clark on their expedition with music in the background.

I, Garrett, read the historical background while my brother held up some pictures and provided some demonstrations.

This year I played a big part in our presentation...I'm getting bigger.

I must have read over my script at least a dozen times practicing enunciating the words and getting the sounds right...it paid off.

The Nez Perce helped out the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Can you figure out which hand the stick is in?

In action, we were fast!

Griffin 2y 9mo

Griffin really feels like just one of the gang now that he has moved into his big brothers' room. There is nothing he feels he can't do that his brothers can. He flies Star Wars ships around and can easily identify Anakin, Obi-Wan, R2-D2, and others. Of course his first choice is still to play trains with the Thomas table. He loves to walk out and look up at Mommy or Daddy or even big brother Garrett and say "Play trains with me?" The "me" is usually a little more high pitched in anticipation of a "yes" answer. He loves to recreate the movie scene from Thomas where Diesel 10 chases Thomas and Lady along the track and then crashes down when the bridge gives out on him. He could do this over and over...and he does.

I'm checking out all the trains in the museum to see which one I want to take home with me.

Daddy, fly me around!

In honor of Alan Ritari, we have come up with a natural enemy for all of the Star Wars universe, reptiles and snakes and other monsters. This way we can fight together on one team.

I went more for the wet look than the dirty look like my brothers.

I-I-I like to help cook too.

Bryce 4y 6mo

Bryce is now four and a half. He is getting ready to be able to say he is five. Of course he was ready for his birthday to come the day after Christmas, but now he will be working on patience. Bryce continues to be our most adventurous child...dare him to do something and look out he will probably try it. He loves to help his little brother build hot wheel tracks and when he is not doing that he is marching his troops down the hall and stopping all traffic in his wake. One of Bryce's favorite activities is gift giving...do you think he is trying to tell us one of his love languages? Bryce loves to wrap up his baseball cards and have either Daddy or his brothers open them up as gifts. He even designates one of his baseball card boxes as his gift giving box. He even used his own money on wrapping paper so that he could have access to wrapping things whenever he wanted. The next item on his agenda is the purchase of scotch tape...look out.

I told you I would do it!

Yes, I am dirty...have a dirty day.

Griffin, let's try this one out.

Do I have to stay at the dinner table? I'm done...plus if I eat any of it, my construction vehicle utensils will have nothing to play with.

Ooooohh, watch me mix this up.

If I could climb any higher, I would be able to touch the Golden Gate Bridge.

Speak softly and carry as many sticks as you can.

I am occupying the hallway. Troops move out.

Garrett 6y 8mo

Garrett spent a lot of time this month learning about the Civil War. He worked on a fairly extensive project/presentation that has trickled into this month as well. He enjoyed the Civil War day at Fort Point. While he took a little bit of time getting back into the swing of things with school, he is right on course again. He still loves his play time and has begun to go outside and practice throwing and catching with us to prepare for the upcoming baseball season.

Look what's for dinner!

I can stand just like one of these Civil War guns with bayonet.

So you think you found my secret Rebel Base?

Bowling is all about the last pin not standing.

All the focus, concentration, and attention to details paid off: here is my Star Wars lego roller.

Sacramento RR Museum

After dropping Grandma and Grandpa off at the Sacramento airport, we decided to make our trip to Sacramento a little more memorable, but little did we know what treat we were in for. About 5 minutes after arriving at the Train Museum, we heard our last name being called out, turned around and saw Brett's roommate from college, Steve, along with his wife Kacie and their three boys. Just around the corner were Tony and his two sons. Soon we found out that Keith and his son were about to arrive as well. We had crashed a Paradigm (their former band) reunion and now we were invited to join them for lunch at Steve's house with everyone after the train museum. Knowing that we had to eat before leaving town and recognizing the potential for the boys to have a great time hanging out as a big group of nine boys, we accepted and had a spectacular lunch. We couldn't have done it better if we had planned it.

Call it a boy party, all nine of us, stirred up some serious ruckus.

This is called a tender train and I don't mean touchy-feely.

The best part of the train museum: the Thomas train table, we could stay here for hours, really.

Is there a big huge train coming up behind me...don't worry, I'm not afraid.

I really want to be sure I'm hearing this, so I'm double-fisting this one.

I remember this picture from my history cards...the last spike to connect the railroad from coast to coast.

Thanks for taking us to the train museum!

New Years Eve

We ended 2011 with an evening of bowling under the lights with sparkling cider for all and a toast at 6pm with a countdown and the works. We ate some good bowling alley pizza and were joined by Kim and her three kids Hannah, Timmy, and Naomi. We adults were outnumbered but we all had fun. The bowling scores may not have reflected how much fun we actually had, but who cares.

I don't know why my brothers can't just smile and look at the camera, and come on, really Bryce a pink bowling ball?

Kim and her kids joined us for an adventure in bowling.

We even had a little time to share memories and stories with Noah and Brianna and Lydia while we were there.

Cheers, Mommy and Daddy had a brief moment alone.

Hannah and I practiced our cheers too. No spills.

Who will clink with me?

Can we have New Years drinks every night?

Noisemaking to kiss the year goodbye.

January 2012

January was in part a recovery month from all that we did in December, but we still had some interesting adventures and we have some late additions from New Years Eve that didn't make it in last months edition. Come see how we chose the most beautiful winter day to visit San Francisco and why we were there. We celebrated some birthdays and the boys survived their first month sharing a room.