Hey!

Do you know how every day should start? No? Well, I do, which is the same way, my October began with delicious homemade cinnamon rolls.

I think so, at least. The kids might agree with me (see below).

The government also shut down on the first as well – bleh, politics.

One morning, when I was working, I heard a yell of “help!” or at least it sounded like that, or the cry of a cat. The wife scurried out the door and saw that someone had hit my parents’ car, which was parked in their driveway. An older gentleman from across the street had tried to move his non-running vehicle, but it knocked him over, rolled down the driveway, across the street, and bumped into their car. Thankfully, he wasn’t seriously hurt and they had a rental, but still.. wasn’t great.

What else? hmmm

After finishing the work week, we took a trip to a couple more museums in the Sacramento area. They all were…. okay—nothing to go wild over. We visited the Sacramento History Museum (a small museum that charges more than it’s worth), the Railroad Museum again (to take another 45-minute train trip), and the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity. Think OMSI, but smaller and fewer things to do.

That was it.

Just like that, we were back on the road again – spending all day Sunday driving back up to Portland.

We quickly got into the motion of things once again. The wife and Ara had their evening meet-ups, and we spent the weekends catching up on yard work. We did make a stop at the new Trader Joe’s that opened in the area – that was fun.

The following weekend, my parents visited, and we went to the Pumpkin Patch with them. We even ran into Alan and his family. They’re having another baby to increase their number to three. Fun times.

We splurged at the pumpkin patch, purchasing caramel apples (which tasted really good) and some apple doughnuts, although they weren’t nearly as good as the ones we’ve had at other places.

Luca has been watering his little plant that he got at Mom2Mom (an event the wife goes to in the area). Each day, he pulls it out and looks to see what kind of growth it has made.

The struggle to keep a clean house is real. Most rooms are clean, except one *looking at you, Ara* – and that’s really just about it for now.

endquote:[{“If the world is burning with anger, be the one who brings water, not gasoline.”}]

just Pray

Hey there,

Earlier on this year we obtained a museum pass to the California State Railroad Museum thanks to the kids charter.

Now we finally had a chance to visit. It was fun!

We even found a hidden gem in their gift shop: a Back to the Future III train. We didn’t get it, but it was cool to see.

Our membership even includes a 45-minute ride on the train operated by the museum.

Speaking of this museum passes (thanks to the kids’ school) we decided to explore other places to visit in Sacramento. Some of these places would grant access based on the Railroad Museum. One that we found was this car museum.

It’s a small-ish museum, but it housed some rare items, including a Lincoln that belonged to Henry Ford’s wife. One which he had custom-built for her, and she kept over the years. The kids even found a DeLorean. The museum was playing Back to the Future in front of it. Guess what they sat down and watched? (pictured above)

You guessed it. The movie.

The rest of the week we will be in Sacramento before returning to Portland next weekend.

Don’t look yet, but October is nearly here!

just Pray

Hey there

We took a trip back in time.

To a place where you can rent movies!

The last Blockbuster – in Bend, Oregon.

We have been here before – but we try to stop every time we can. This was also Ezra’s first trip here. With this, he has (like the other kids) successfully visited both Sears and Blockbuster before they completely vanished.

Let’s go further back.

Back in time!

We attended the Back to Hill Valley event.

Our kids got dressed up, and even my parents got decked out for this occasion this year.

It was much smaller than in previous years, but still enjoyable. We had the opportunity to take a stagecoach ride. We also spoke with some of the characters who were in the event.

Arabella liked Biff. He sat and talked to her on the Stagecoach ride. She learned that he also happened to like K Pop Demon Hunters (which she is crazy about).

On the way back to my parents’ house (in Sacramento), I came across this sign for Mark Twain’s Cabin.

We made a quick pit stop and took a look. It’s in a pretty area (albeit a bit of a dry area), but it is California.

It was cool to step “back in time” and see the building of someone historically relevant like this.

Now we will go back to the Future 😉 See what I did there?

just Pray