March Fun in Santa Cruz

For our spring forward weekend, we went to Santa Cruz and returned to Chaminade for a two night vacation. The first day, we dropped the kids off with my sister and drove the coast to explore the beach and some abandoned train tracks.

It was nice to have a night by ourselves.  We then got brunch, and some pie (for pi day), and picked up the kids.

The next stop was the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Liam liked being carried by Elsa, Arne took pictures of lots of cool plants and flowers, and we enjoyed exploring.

The next morning, Liam and I went swimming and I got some breakfast from the hotel restaurant with a view before returning home.

 

Horseback riding!!

On March 7 we took the kids on a horseback riding adventure at Webb Ranch, just up the hill from where we live. Liam has wanted to go for a ride for a while, but we did not have a chance to take him before now.  The first step was getting our horses. Arne had the tallest. 

Then we went for a walk around the farm.

It was a nice ride, with some beautiful plants and fun animals, and a great introduction to horseback riding.
  

Wood Floors!

March started off with the exciting project of getting wood floors installed.  Arne found a good lumber team and picked out beautiful maple hardwood for us. 

They delivered the wood a few days early so it could acclimatize to our house.

Then we had to move all the stuff from upstairs, so they could remove all the old carpet. 

The install began. 

With some wood cutting outside.

And by the end of the day it was done.  We now just need to put everything away!