The Fort Macarthur Museum

The Fort MacArthur Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the history of Fort MacArthur, a U.S. Army post which guarded the Los Angeles harbor from 1914 to 1974. The Museum was established in 1985, and it is housed in the corridors and galleries of historic Battery Osgood-Farley. The Fort MacArthur Reservations hold an important collection of historical structures which were part of the U.S. Army's role in the defense of the American continental coastline from invasion. These structures clearly trace the development of American coastal defenses, from the all big gun era of the turn of the century to the missile era of today.

Entrance to the underground gun bagging bunkers

Loved how the people who work at the museum dressed in authentic looking time period uniforms

Sanding up on the cliff overlooking the ocean with the top of the lookout to the left of us and the Korean Friendship Bell in the distance.

Marine Mammal Care Center

With the ocean being so warm this year, we are seeing an extra large amount of sick sea lion pups.  All of the marine life centers are over flowing and therefore are doing all they can to raise awareness and collect donations to help take care of the pups.  The Marine Mammal Care Center had a "Seal Day" where we got to go see these animals up close, talk with the volunteers and learn how to make a Fish Smoothie.  If you are near such a facility, they could really use the following items: bleach, Vitamin B-1, Dish Soap, Vegetable Oil, Corn Syrup, Laundry Soap, Laytex Gloves, Outdoor Flood Lights, Hose Nozzles, etc.

Standing in front of a blow up Elephant Seal.  In the trunk behind it was a touch tide pool.

Hanging out with the Seal mascot

Seth in front of the holding area

Daddy, Elsie and some rescued sea lions

Daddy & Kya watching the sea lions dive for lunch

Sun bathing beauty

Pups playing in the kiddie pool

Elsie making a fish smoothie

Seth making a fish smoothie

Kya learning how to restrain a sea lion pup so that it can be tube fed a fish smoothie

Seth Wins at Morongo!!!

The kids had another rodeo today and it turned out to be a very special one for them both. Next week, for the 4th of July, the top three riders of each division has the opportunity to ride with the big boys at the PBR Lancaster. Well, today both Seth and Elsie became the top three! Seth covered his bull calf for the first time and WON in his division!!!! Elsie didn't cover her bull, but she did have the longest ride of the day, giving her 3rd place in points.

The picture we will be ordering (without the water mark of course)

Seth coming out of the chute on his winning ride!

Seth still riding with the bull fighter quickly on his tail

And Seth covers his bull calf for the win!!!

Elsie was looking good as she came out of the chute, but then her bull calf stumbled a little causing her to become off centered.

Looks like Elsie is preparing to go flying

Elsie and her bull are parallel to each other

Ouch, a hard landing on her backside.

Hanging out behind the chute before the rodeo with Chandler, who also ride bull calves, and a little girl who rides mutton's.

Our amazing bull riding family

Lake Gregory with the Grandparents

We met up with my parents yesterday at Lake Gregor up in the mountains.  The kids had tons of fun riding the water slide and playing on the inflatable's out in the middle of the lake. 

Kya was brave enough to go down the slide head first!

Seth rode it like a pro

Elsie would start out going down forward, but always ended up turning around half way down the slide

Time to swim out and play on the inflatables!  Everyone had to wear a life vest, which made this mamma feel much better about her babies being in 15 feet deep water.

Jumping from trampoline to trampoline with Grandma in the shallow section.

Seth spent a great deal of time on top of this inflatable flirting uh talking with the lifeguard.

Such a handsome boy!

I love the innocence of Elsie playing in the sand.

My mom and I even braved going out in the cold water to play on this thing.  And let me tell you it was no easy feat to get up on it either!

Finally got my dad out to join us too! 

Looking forward to making this an annual trip!  Thanks to my parents for suggesting it.