Dell 'Osso Farms

Today we spent the day at Dell 'Osso farms. It is a corn maze and pumpkin patch in between Manteca and Tracy. We when with cousins Roxanne and Kody. There were three corn mazes with different levels of difficulty, and we chose the easiest that was shaped like a silo. We went through a haunted house, went on a tractor ride, and Roxanne and Kody went down a zip line. There is great footage of Roxanne screaming! It was a fun day! Here are some photos!

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These three videos are of the boys shooting the cannon! It was really cool. There were lots of things for them to shoot at...even a car!



Here is a video of Roxanne and Kody going down the zip line. Kody goes first then Roxanne. You can tell it is her by the SCREAM!! Too funny!

Gilroy Gardens

Last week we went to Gilroy Gardens. This is a great place to spend a day. It is reasonably priced and really beautiful. The gardens and waterfalls are great.
Here are some photos from our day.

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Happy Birthday Riley

Happy 1st. Birthday Riley
All the kids got together for sprinklers, and hotdogs. It was a fun day!

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Ashlyn dumps a couple of cups a water on Riley's head

All the kids are going down the slipn' slide.

Ashlyn is on a chicken run!

The kids really had a lot of fun!

Riley gets his own cupcake and is lovin' it!

More cake

Lovin' the cupcake

Ben's Broken Arm

On May 3rd Ben was at the park with his grandmother and he fell of the slide and broke his arm. He had to have surgery to put everything back together. Here are some photos.

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Michelle Obama

This weekend I got to watch UC Merced’s inaugural commencement ceremony. The keynote speaker was Michelle Obama, and she delivered a great speech. This campus put in a lot of effort to secure her for this event. Her message was a good one. I was really excited because I got a great seat. I sat about four rows back from the front. It was a tad bit hot…101 but I only had to wait five hours!

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March of Dimes Walk

Lynda, Ashlyn, Ben, and myself did the March of Dimes walk this year. When we were finished there was a great slide that Ben and Ashlyn had a blast.
Here are some videos.

We spent spring break in San Francisco, and took Ben. He had a great time. We went to Pier 39 and looked at the sea lions. We also went to the Natural History Museum. Although very cool, everyone in northern California was also there. Here are some photos and video.

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This one is of the fish going around in circles

This is a very cool video of the jellies

This is my brave Ben! This was the first time he touched the starfish, and after he did he wanted to do it again!

Peir 39 Sea Lions

Another first for Ben!

This was at the Natural History Museum.

You are getting sleepy!
This is a penjelem that tells time.

Welcome Home!

I was very happy to watch my dad's plane touch down in Stockton yesterday. It was very emotional, and I am so happy he is home. Ben has been waiting patiently too. The night prior to his arrival, I went to check on him before I went to bed, and as I opened the door he shot upright in bed and asked "Is it time to go to the airport?" Here are some photos and video of the arrival. Don't forget to click on the photos within the smilebox page to make them larger.

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This video is shakie. I had to lift my arm up over a lady in front of me, so if you get motion sick you probably should not watch this one!

This one is a little shakie too.

Ashlyn saying Hi to Grandpa

This is a short video of Riley at the airport.

After leaving the airport, we all went back to my mom and dad's house. Here is Riley trying really hard to crawl.

This is such a cute kid.

Seven Year Photos

Here are Ben's seven year photos. I can't believe he is seven. It goes by so fast.

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Silly Kids!

Hi,
I stoped by to see Lynda yesterday, and Ash and Riley were so funny. Riley just got a new jump-a-roo (the thing he is sitting in) he would just go nuts jumping. Then he would just squeal. Ashlyn was just excited to see her cousin Ben.

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When I wasn't filming Riley he was more animated. He saw the camera and stoped to check it out.

Riley is cutting teeth, and he is drooling on everything! Yck!

He loves the camera! When I turn it on he just stops.

Ashlyn LOVES this song. It is called shorty got low. Here she is getting low!

Ben discovers that Lynda has a Wii.

Should I Continue?

Hello everyone,
I started this blog last year for my dad, so that he could see photos of the grand kids during his year in Afghanistan. As most of you know he will be coming home very soon, and for that our whole family is very grateful. Over this last year many other people have been able to view and enjoy this blog. Friends and family who live far and near have been able to see our family growing up. I would like some feed back from those friends and family. Would you like me to continue posting photos and video after my dad is home. Please leave a comment, or drop me an email with your opinions. ltalbott@charter.net
Thank you,
Laurie

Happy 7th Birthday Ben!!

Here are some photos and video of Ben's Birthday. He had a really nice birthday. He and some of his friends had a nice time at the bowling alley. I also took cookies to his classroom on Friday, and his class sang to him. We miss you pop, come home soon.

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This video is of Ben at school. The class is singing to him.

Here the class is asking Ben some questions so that they can compleat a birthday book for him.

We went to the bowling alley for the party, and this is a video of Ben bowling a frame.

Ashlyn REALLY liked bowling. She would only bowl with the pink ball. Without help she could not get the ball down the lane, but she would jump up and down yelling "go pink ball go" it was cute.

The next couple of videos are of Ben opening his gift.He got a lot of Ben 10 stuff.

A Quick Hello

Hi Dad,
Ben wanted to show you his birthday party invitations, and tell you how much he has missed you. He can't wait to see you.
Love and miss you!