My parents

May 2016

Happy birthday

The neighborhood

Our second day in California was spent almost entirely on Roosevelt Avenue.  James,

Ryan, 

and Seth... 

spent a lot of time swimming in the Moores' pool. 

Once again... 

they agreed... 

that this is "the best pool ever"! 

 We also walked down to the corner and visited our third favorite orange dog.

Solice doesn't really like us much, but we don't take it personally.  

After all, we know how neurotic complicated orange dogs can be.

 Even Seth agrees she would fit right in with our family!

The Kleins also have a new kitty named Bonivar.  As much as James likes Solice, I think he likes Bonivar even better!

August 2013

Westward ho!

Last August, the kids and I flew out to California to visit my parents.  We had so much fun that we decided to do it again, and this time we took Seth.

Our flight to Los Angeles was delayed due to mechanical issues.  Normally this would be a bad thing, but it gave us time to go visit my friend, Cathy.

She works in one of the towers at Denver International Airport. 

The view from the tower is spectacular... 

and it's even better from the catwalk! 

This one would have stayed out there all day. 

Even for someone like me who is not particularly interested in airplanes.... 

this was an enjoyable way to spend the morning! 

Eventually, however, we had to return to the terminal.  We were flying on buddy passes and the flight was full, but somehow we all managed to board the plane.  Hurray! 

 We arrived at LAX...

and took a stinky van to Union Station.  We were all hungry, so we bought sandwiches and ate outside in one of the little courtyards. 

It wasn't long before our lunch attracted a whole flock...

of beggars!

They may look sweet and innocent but don't be fooled. 

These birds... 

are persistent... 

and aggressive! 

When all the food had been consumed, we boarded a train headed towards Memere and Grandpa's house.  Yay!

August 2013

Roy girls

Jeanne, Simone, Helen and Terry.

1948

Best pool ever

It was really, really hot the entire time we were in California.

Fortunately, my parents' neighbors, Nick and Joyce, invited us to use their pool any time we wanted.  Ryan and James had never swum in a backyard pool before, and they couldn't get there fast enough.

The boys absolutely fell in love with this pool.

They loved having the diving board all to themselves...

and I'm pretty sure they would have stayed all day and all night if we had let them!

 Ryan says...

"This really is the Best Pool Ever!" 

August 2012

Griffith Observatory

On the second full day of our California trip, Ryan, James, Memere and I...

went to the Griffith Observatory.

Surprisingly, this was a very popular destination that day.  So much so that the parking lot was completely full and we had to park halfway down the mountain. 

It was a long, hot hike up to the Observatory... 

but we made it!

Once inside, we followed the signs...

to... 

the Gunther Depths of Space exhibit. 

The kids spent a lot of time looking through telescopes...

and reading about the planets. 

They especially liked finding out how much they would weigh on each planet.  Remind me not to move to Jupiter!

Mars might be ok. 

 And this is the combined weight of the three Buxtons on Pluto.  Woo hoo!  We're so skinny!

James and the moon.

Ryan and the moon. 

We also spent quite a bit of time enjoying the views from the various observation decks. 

Ryan and James in front of the Hollywood sign. 

Of course no visit is complete without a trip to the gift shop and cafeteria! 

August 2012