USS Hornet Museum

Over the rainy weekend, we ventured out to Alameda to check out the USS Hornet Museum.

We had a great time exploring the giant ship--for a whole four hours.

We did our job well. ;)

The rest of the day we spent with hot cocoa, our first fire of the season and in our footed-pjs...yes, all of us. ;)

{ezra-cam}

A Day With Erin & Bella

The boys and I made a trek out to my favorite city to visit with Erin and her beauty, Bella. 

We decided to head to the Academy of Science, only to find out upon arrival that it was just closing for Michelle Obama and some fundraiser. Such a great excuse to come back! 

Instead, we mealed at DeYoung and hung out around the plaza. It was so fun and really, any time spent in the city and with friends is well spent!

We ended with a roll down a steep little null before loading back into the van and heading home before traffic started!

Ezra is very excited to come back and see "Nemo" next time.

Discovery Museum

With our first full weekend back as a whole family, we did what any family would do under the sad, jobless circumstances....use a coupon and have a family day!

We decided to go last minute so we spent maybe two and half hours there. Seriously, not enough time at all. We probably just barely hit half of the museum. And it was awesome! We all enjoyed it and were amazed at all the cool things it had to offer {well, maybe except Theo since he didn't really get to participate.} I looooooooved the castle sculpted from branches. William loved all the cool things to climb on {such a boy still} like the old boat. Ezra really seemed to enjoy the tot area, especially the little river. 

Can't wait to head back and check the rest of this place out!

A Taste of Smokey City's History

So I've been on the fence about whether I like this city or not. It used to be called the Smokey City because it was grossly polluted by the steel mills and coal mines. Apparently, the buildings were just covered in soot and there were serious health issues for anyone who lived here. Now, steel is no longer made here and they’ve cleaned up much of the building faces. But it definitely still has a dirty ol’ feel to it. W says I’m just a girl who likes her aesthetics. And I think he’s right. Seattle, Milwaukee, and Chicago are all clean, have beautiful buildings, and have lots of greenery and flowers scattered throughout the downtown areas. This place, not so much. Or at least what little I've seen.

BUT I will say that I love all the random history I’ve learned about Pittsburgh—W isn’t the only history nerd in this family. And random history it is! I learned a ton when we went to the Heinz History Center on day two. Pittsburgh definitely takes pride in all its accomplishments and accolades. It was the birthplace for…

Mister Roger’s Neighborhood--yup, that homemade-knit-sweater wearing guy of the early 70s.

The invention of the Big Mac

Andy Worhol, the pop culture artist

Rachel Carson—the first notable environmentalist who did a lot to clean up this city

The great Lewis and Clark Expedition…seriously, they started from Pittsburgh.

Andrew Carnegie’s great success as a steelmaker and contributor to the city’s cultural development

The Polio Vaccine

Heinz Food Company

And Rosie the Riveter 

Okay, so probably more than you EVER wanted to know about Pittsburgh, but I was quite impressed by its resume. We then headed to the Strip to grab a bite to eat and check out the bizarre. Like the Alter Bar which is located in a church…

And The Wholely Market—full of chaos and weird smells.

We grabbed some yummy pizza at a hole in the wall place before heading back home for the day. That evening, W’s sister Dof and Ashaya flew in. Just in time for the Cromie Reunion!

Airplane Museum

During work one day last week W discovered the Oakland Aviation Museum. It's off the beaten trail but definitely holds some fun treasures: old airplanes! With a full day off, we took the opportunity for a family field trip to check it out. It's a perfect place for toddlers-- there's a small interactive 'play area' for kids before walking in...

Inside the museum are giant, beautiful old airplanes. We basically had the place to ourselves so E could roam freely.

E's favorite part: toddler-sized airplane model! Seriously, cloud 9.

The yard also had some great looking jets and the boat-plane that was in Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark. W rented it from the library so we could watch it that evening.

I could definitely see us coming back here again--they have open cockpit days a few times a year and the boat-plane is open for tours on the weekends. Both boys loved it and I'm sure they could easily make a regular outing of it.

Moto Museum

We've lived here for exactly three years and have talked about the Blackhawk Museum for all three of them. After spending the afternoon in the plaza, we decided to come back the next day and actually go on that date that W's been wanting to take me on. We packed a lunch, joined with the Germans and headed out. I'm not a huge car fan, but I can appreciated pretty things. Lots of shiny chrome and glossy colors. Here's some of my favorite...

And my favorite favorite {we would TOTALLY own one!}

See, doesn't it just look like we all belong?!?

Chugga-Chugga

Choo-Choo! We had so much fun in Old Sac Town. And the train museum was a hit with everyone. The cool weather was a welcomed surprise, but it warmed up in the afternoon. We know when we've have a good day when Tristan's tongue started to bleed
from licking his giant jaw breaker. And four-year old Ashaya, after a long nap in the car and while Emily & Tristan bicker, leans over to her mom and asks, "Am I being good, Mommy?" These kids crack me up. It's so great to have a full house!! More fun to come.




(No need to worry, Tristan was just really bummed when he found out that this train toilet was out of order)