Santa Cruz 2016

We took our kids to Santa Cruz last year and they never stopped talking about it.

They were thrilled to be back.

Silas gained two inches, which put him over the 50-inch ride limitation for the Giant Dipper -- his first roller coaster. 

I felt compelled to take a selfie, despite prominent signage warning us to keep phones in pockets.  (For good reason -- the coaster really knocks you around.)

After the ride I told Silas I thought he'd seemed a little scared.  He said, "VERY scared!"

Rosemary relaxed at the beach...

...while Tess kept a wary eye on the water.

Rosemary is apparently our only child with the good sense to get a vanilla dip.

Fountain

Sign of a wet winter:
 
With a dent in the drought, some parks turned on their fountains this summer.

For Silas and Rosemary, it was a welcome return to a favorite summer pastime.

For Tess, it was a revelation. Cold water just shoots up from the ground?  And they let you run through it?

We weren't expecting water at the park -- the kids had no swimsuits and dove in fully dressed (or in Tess' case, wearing PJs).

Water conservation has not been abandoned completely:  The fountain only works if someone pushes this button.

Independence Day

The first, the second, and the third on the Fourth.

Grandma Charlotte's Jello America was a big hit again.

The kids, including cousin Elijah, competed over who would eat which state.

And Grandpa Ray served up homemade blueberry pie.