They have some fun with the 100th day of kindergarten. They all got hats to decorate. Matthew's wasn't entirely unique. At least 2 other kids used pennies, too. But, I think he was the only one to form 100 out of them.

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Jeremy still recovering from the loud noises?

Matthew 6:26

We got to sit up front in the monorail. Jeremy forcing a smile. Matthew not even trying. Only room for 3 of us. Taken by the nice folks who were already up front. Good treat for Matthew's birthday. In general, it is fun to go to Disneyland on your birthday. You get to wear a pin and all of the employees wish you happy birthday whenever they see you. (Go to guest services as soon as you enter the park and pick up the pin. Jeremy also got a pin to say he was celebrating with Matthew.)

Train geek note, in the upper right is the monorail signal light indicating whether the driver can go yet or not. Turns green when they can.

Under the rainforest now. We had done the downstairs stuff before, but at the time I don't think I realized that this was a freshwater exhibit here.

"but deliver us from the evil one"

Climb up, jump down.

The kids saw snow and were antsy to get out of the car and play in it. Or kick it. Petra lasted about 10min. outside, even though it was in the 40's(?). This is actually the beginning of the 148, which heads up to Cedar Breaks National Monument. About 6ft of snow covering the road just up ahead. I had heard it was usually closed until late May, so we weren't planning on doing it. It was a good place to stop, though. People were sledding on the hill off to the right.

"do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy"

Downtown Disney after lunch. On our way over to the monorail, probably with a stop at the lego store first.

Not great but I'm just experimenting with stripes and textures...

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?-{ Matthew 6:26-27}

Snow or rain squall beyond.

Waving as it arrives. We often do this. Take the monorail to Tomorrowland, then train to the other side of the park. Funny that I have a similar photo from 2010.

We started this NJ trip by visiting DC. Flew into BWI and since it was late, had planned to stay at one of the airport hotels. Nice way to do it. Hotel had a shuttle that picked us up, and even offered to take us to a restaurant if we needed it. Not many sidewalks in that area, but we probably could have walked to a few places. Decided to just get pizza delivery, though.

This was a short hike, but I seem to remember Jeremy complaining about it anyway. He wasn't big on hiking at that age. He still gripes about the idea of hiking, but likes it when he is out there and is much stronger now.

When Jeremy was first learning letters he would recognize J's and say this. Digging at the beach, Leo Carrillo. 2 days before Christmas. They were making a stream. The ground was so saturated from rain or low tide that if you dug down water would quickly fill the hole and run down the beach.

(I think Extra Medium and elusive* are in the distance shooting near the lifeguard tower. There was a mini-flickr meet-up that day.)

"your will be done"

Still a faint rainbow visible. Out one of the side doors of the L' Enfant Plaza hotel. I think we just had dinner at the hotel this night, which wasn't bad, but also not remarkable. Not a lot of choices in that area once the office workers clear out.

Still trying to figure things out. He got the hang of it and was actually very good about being done when the tokens ran out, probably because he is very motivated by getting new stuff (by trading in the tickets).

Not sure about the context, but there are worse things to write on a bridge. (Petra texting. Yes, there was coverage here.)

Some humidity in the air, but it didn't rain.

"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you?

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

"Daarom zeg ik jullie: maak je geen zorgen over jezelf en over wat je zult eten of drinken, noch over je lichaam en over wat je zult aantrekken. Is het leven niet meer dan voedsel en het lichaam niet meer dan kleding? Kijk naar de vogels in de lucht: ze zaaien niet en oogsten niet en vullen geen voorraadschuren, het is jullie hemelse Vader die ze voedt. Zijn jullie niet meer waard dan zij?

Wie van jullie kan, door zich zorgen te maken, ook maar één el aan zijn levensduur toevoegen?

Als God het groen dat vandaag nog op het veld staat en morgen in de oven gegooid wordt al met zo veel zorg kleedt, met hoeveel meer zorg zal hij jullie dan niet kleden?

Maak je dus geen zorgen voor de dag van morgen, want de dag van morgen zorgt wel voor zichzelf. Elke dag heeft genoeg aan zijn eigen last."

Matthew 6

They did ok at first, but were a little too heavy for the mud.

We knew that the rest of the day would involve a pretty long drive, so we got some exercise early at the Kershaw-Ryan SP outside of Caliente, NV.

Train watching from the campsite the next morning. Matthew was being a goofball for some reason. More often, he tries to hide from the camera. Jeremy had already slept through one daylight train that came through just after dawn. I got some nice shots of that one from down closer to the bridge and river. Fortunately, he was awake for this one. It was the last one we would see until leaving the area 3 hours later. I thought the trains would be constant through here, but there were some big gaps.

We were going to take a shorter route back, but Matthew wanted to climb up to the teepee.

Drink from the lion head water fountain before heading out. Mom coming over to make sure they don't spend too much time at it. There were people waiting. This park was the busiest we've ever seen it. Not sure what was going on, maybe just finally some good weather. We were letting the kids run off some energy before driving a little ways. Stayed in King City that night, then hit Pinnacles in the morning and drove home that day.

Hustled over to Moonridge trail, which goes down into a ravine. Hung out there while the thunder passed through. Worst of it missed us to the south.

"on earth as it is in heaven"

Mini-cereal box variety pack. satisfied everyone. Well, the kids at least. Mojave NP desert scenery in the background. On our way to Mid Hills campground.

It was Matthew's favorite spot of the trip.

We had one of my photos of our Outback in the Alabama Hills featured in an ad a few years back. It is a photogenic place.

At a sushi place that had an all you can eat deal. It was ok, but we haven't been back.

We had dinner there the night before, too. Normally we wouldn't go to the same place twice, but there were limited options in town and we liked it.

Not open on Easter. Not surprising.

Just what we were looking for, diner food. Petra and I shared the open face turkey sandwhich, which came with what seemed like a bucket full of mashed potatoes. Very good. Jeremy ate more fruit than dinosaur chicken nuggets. He was like that on this trip. Ironically, we tried for the Firestone brewery in Paso first thinking they might serve dinner food, but it was mainly a bar and tasting room.

Not exactly beach weather, but that didn't keep them from playing in the water. After 6 days of solid rain it was good to get out of the house. Little flickr meet-up was going on at Leo Carrillo, so we made it into a family outing to tire out the kids.

If you hadn't had enough of us.

Matthew wanted a photo of his messy face.

The simple beauty in a blade of grass reminds me...

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field,

which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire,

will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

So do not worry...

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,

and all these things will be given to you as well.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.

{Matthew 6: 30, 33-34}

(05-14-10)

Nothing like a tunnel to get them moving. Connects the trail to the parking lot with the falls viewing area.