Reagan Library And Beach Fun With Friends!!

As summer vacation is coming to a close, we wanted to go on a trip with our good friends, the Bickhams. After going through many options of some great places to go, we decided on the Reagan Library and then on to Ventura Beach, CA for some great cool weather.

Anytime we head down south, our first stop is always a little shopping center in Valencia that has Noah's Bagels, Starbuck's, and Jamba Juice. We love to enjoy a little breakfast out in the patio area. From there we continued on to the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA.

The kids were excited to get in to the library (I think they were expecting to see books even though it is really a museum) to see everything. They were especially excited when they found out they were going to get to see Air Force One. So after a few photos we got our tickets and headed to the first location of the tour. It was the Oval Office which is displayed exactly as Reagan had it during his time in the White House. They even told us that when they were building this office Reagan came in to check it out at he said that the ceiling was too low. They told him that the roof was already on so that they wouldn't be able to extend it up so they ended up digging down to make sure that the room had the exact dimensions of the original office.

Once we saw the Oval Office we continued toward the Air Force One exhibit.

This was the plane used for Air Force One during Reagan's time in office. It was very interesting to walk through the airplane which had all of the same set up as it did during the 80's. The kids especially loved going inside the plane but we weren't able to take any pictures inside.

We had a great time walking around and reading many interesting facts about Reagan during his time in office and looking at many items that represented his time as President.

For a few months they also have a special motorcycle exhibit that was inside this area that had many motorcycle from the early 1900's like this one.........

and then proceeding through the years showing different types.......

on into current motorcycles and some that were used in movies like Transformers

and the space motorcycle used in Bedtime Stories which the boys loved seeing!!

There was also a motorcycle with the Jelly Belly theme because of Reagan's love of the candy.

We learned about the story behind Reagan's love of the candy and how he always had some available whether it was in his office or in Air Force One.

They even had pictures made of him out of the candy.

From this exhibit we moved outside where we there was a piece of the Berlin Wall.......

and then on to the gardens where Reagan is buried.

As we continued on we were able to see a Fighter jet and then head inside to finish off the tour.

The inside exhibit had an incredible model of the White House. Every detail that is in the White House and around it is perfectly defined in the model.

On the back side of the model the rooms were open so that you could see all of the details. I think this was one of my favorite parts of the tour. I really enjoyed taking the time to look at all of the details.

We had a great time looking at all of the exhibits and reading the information that was presented. There was a large part of the library that will be finished early next year that we were not able to see but we enjoyed all that was available to see and it might give a reason to return again sometime.

CJ gave a salute to the President!!

After we finished at the Reagan Library, we ate lunch at Chili's down the street and then decided to head over to Ventura Beach to enjoy some of the cool weather before heading home.

It was a little cool to play in the water so we decided to walk along the beach and enjoy the scenery. While we were walking, we noticed a rocky area that had a bunch of rocks stacked up in different areas. It was a great little area where people tried to balance as many rocks as they could and/or create something artistic.

This was our great creation!!

It was also fun to throw rocks out into the ocean trying to see who could throw it the furthest or hit a certain target.

After a nice time walking along the beach and the kids playing on the toys, we decided to go to Golf N Stuff to play a little mini golf.

CJ was the only one to get a hole in one.......it was funny because Dan was offering the kids money if they made a hole in one (knowing it was not likely to happen) and CJ hit this crazy shot that bounced off of several sides and was going so fast then just dropped in the hole. CJ was SO excited and we all cheered for him!!

We had a great trip!!

We are so blessed to have great friends that we can make great memories with and enjoy such fun times together. We look forward to many wonderful trips with them for years to come!

I would love to hear from you!! Please leave a comment below!!

So Much Beauty To Take In!

Every year we go on a road trip with my parents and we look forward to it each year. This year we went on a wonderful trip to South Lake Tahoe. We went to this same location two years ago and loved it so much that we wanted to make the trip again. I think I could go up Lake Tahoe many times and continue to be amazed at the beauty that I am surrounded by each time.

The boys were looking forward to another hike on one of the many trails that lead up in the mountains above Lake Tahoe to other smaller and colder lakes. We chose to take the hike to Eagle Lake. You are able to pass over a bridge where you can stand at the top of a water fall and look down on it. After you cross the bridge you can follow trails to different destinations depending on the distance you want to travel.

So our journey began as we started climbing up the mountain on the trail. As I began climbing and looking around I couldn't help but take in the beauty of the nature that surrounded us. It was a great reminder of all that God has created for us to enjoy. We took time to stop and look around at some of the birds and plants as we passed along the trail. It was such an enjoyable and relaxing hike which reminded me to make sure I stop once in a while and take look around at the beautiful things that God has placed in my daily (and sometimes hectic) life instead of continuing to run ahead without stopping to "smell the roses".

Of course as soon as the boys realized I was down the path taking pictures of them they decided to create a pose for me!! :)

There was so much more water this year in the creeks that we passed which of course produced some large and beautiful waterfalls.

About half way up the trail was a beautiful look out over Lake Tahoe and great place to take a family photo.

We were very excited to have my mom and dad along on the hike as well!! We know we are blessed that we are all able to vacation together and enjoy doing the same activities.

I pulled each of the boys to the side at different times of the hike and took several pictures of them posing for the camera. They are so used me taking their picture everywhere they go that they don't think twice about it when I do this.......I think they think all moms are as crazy as I am about taking pictures! :)

As we continued on toward our destination, we saw a sign directing us to Eagle Lake and noticed that there was a split to a destination called Velma Lake...... I had to get a picture of this because my grandma's name is Velma (even though she goes by her middle name Lucille). So I really like the picture of this trail sign.

When we finally made it to Eagle Lake the boys were ready to dive in even though they knew that the lake was FREEZING cold. My dad offered $5 to anyone who got in the lake and went all the way under the water.

CJ was the first to dive in (money is his great motivator!!), Eli was next to join him, and Davis made a quick appearance in the water to dunk down and then got out quickly. Other hikers in the area applauded them as they were commenting how cold the water was. My dad joined them while they were in the water. The water was so clear and pretty and there were ducks swimming around them as though they were not even there. They were pretty numb from the cold water water but glad that they did it.

After our swim at Eagle Lake we started back down the path. It was a great hike and a wonderful memory for our family......a tradition for future trips at Lake Tahoe.

When we got back to Lake Tahoe we ate at a cute restaurant that looked out over the lake and then we headed for Baldwin Beach on Lake Tahoe. At the lake the boys had fun playing some baseball where second base is in the water and then some other fun games they made up to play where they were diving for balls to see how many they could catch in a row as the throws got more difficult along the way.

As if we didn't have enough time in the water, the next day we decided to head over to the Reno

area to check out a sports store called Scheels that we heard was great. It did not disappoint!! If you are ever in that area you should definitely check it out along with some other outlet type stores that are next to it. Across the street from the shopping is a very fun area called Wild Island were there are different areas to bowl, ride go karts, mini golf, and a water park. So while Trent and my parents went to the sports store, I took the kids to this water park for the day where we had a blast going on different water slides and rides. They also loved playing tag in this water play area where the water fills up a huge bucket at the top and dumps out across the entire front of the play area about every 5 minutes. It was a perfect day for this type of activity where the weather was just warm enough to keep you from being too cold from the water but cool enough that you could enjoy being out in the sun.

The next day Trent and my dad went golfing at a nice golf course in Tahoe and my mom and I took the kids to a cute mini golf area in town. There were 3 different courses to choose from and the boys picked 18 holes with the dinosaurs. We also went to see Toy Story 3 at a theatre that evening.

We enjoyed the family time together at the house where we stayed playing games and cards each night.

As I look at the picture above of "my 4 boys" looking out at the beautiful surroundings it will always remind of me of my wonderful family that God has given me and the beauty around me that I need to stop and take the time to look at from time to time.

I hope you will also take the time to look at the beauty that surrounds your life today as well!!

I would love you to leave a comment so that I can hear from you and some of the beauty that surrounds your life.