World War II Submarine

This is a World War II Submarine. They carried 54 men and they carry torpedos to sink enemies.

The Americans were able to capture a German submarine like this and they got a decoding machine that made the "enigma code". It was rather complicated how they did it and noone could decode it until the machine was seized. It was also important that the Germans not know that they didn't get it.

Conestoga

Farmers used a Conestoga to take their harvest to the market. Now they use trucks.

Farmers would walk beside the Conestoga
and when they need to rest they will sit on a lazy board on the left side ofe the wagon or sit on a saddle. The whole thing is made of woods. It must have been hard to bend the wheels.

Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago

I stood in front of this mirrow that was bent and I shrunk and my legs got so short. It was fun seeing all the trains, plains, lego figures, different toys, and exhibits around this big building. We even got to see the Harry Potter Exhibition where all the things they used for the movie was there for people to see. Too bad you can't take pictures.

The Blues in Chicago

After two months in Los Angeles, we went to Chicago and our first stop is at the Blue's house. Mike Blue and my dad were University mates. I don't remember playing with his boys when I was two and a half but we had fun playing this time. They have a big dog called Schnitzel who has a big bark and I was afraid of getting jumped on. But after a while, he was okay. We only got to see them for a day because the boys were going to camp the next day. Here at a restaurant from the left is me, Mark, Leanne, Paul, Dad and Mike.

4th of July, Last Day in Los Angeles

We spent our last day at Nancy and Mark's house at Redlands. We had a barbeque and I stayed all afternoon in the pool with my mom, my cousin, Cody some kids at the party. In the evening we saw some fireworks. They were not as good as the Disneyland fireworks but they were okay. We also had someone play the bagpipes for us by the pool. Cool 4th of July and I was even wearing a red, white and blue bathing suit in the pool - so patriotic.

Universal Studios

Nolan, Ninong Chuck and Auntie Jen took me, my mom and dad to Universal Studios. I saw where some movies and TV shows are made and how they are made. My mom was happy to see Wisteria Lane from "Desperate Housewives" and I was happy that all my "Land Before Time" movies were made here. They can make it rain and flood, make earthquakes and things explode. I was scared when I felt the earthquake and when we walked in the haunted house.

At the Carters

We visited the Carter's at Long Beach. They are both inspirational teachers. Tracy was my mom's friend from where she use to work. She has three kids. My dad and Jerome talked a lot about their work and the books that they are writing. They also like sports. Oh, Lakers won this year -- GO Lakers. Oh, and they like watching the old Star Trek Movies - Go Trekkies.

The UCLA Sprouts

These are my mom's friends kids. From the front- Carly, Jason, MJ, Lucas, Nolan (Nolan's cousint), Ruanne and me. This was such a great hot day. I got so soaked playing with water balloons. It was great meeting everyone. I hope to see them again soon. Loved It.

June 28th UCLA Friends Reunion

It was fun to be at my mom's reunion. We had it at Calabasas Park where there was a big playground. I played water bombs and ran around all day. My dad and the other dads played tennis and basketball while the moms all sat around and talked as they watched the children run around. It was hot that day but we still had fun.

June 26th

On my dad's birthday, we went to Redondo beach. My dad likes crabs so we went to the pier and visited my parents godparents the Gembica's. Uncle Gabby and Auntie Gennie's place were close to the beach so we went there with my friend, RL, Yno and Ashley.

Visiting Escondido - June 25th

We visited my Great Auntie Curing in Escondito. I played with my cousins and it was the day that Michael Jackson died. It was the last visit to see my cousins before we left for the Midwest (Chicago). I will miss my favorite cousin Claire standing next to me. I know my mom will miss her family.

Montana de Oro

Montana de Oro is a State Park by the ocean. I watched over a hundreds pelicans dive for fish in the water. We also saw a dolphin jumping out of the water. It was a nice walk to go to the tide pools where we saw small crabs, anemones and small fish.

Size of a baby whale

I am short compared to a baby whale. A baby can drink 6 bottles of milk a day but a baby whale can drink 2000 bottles of milk a day. WOW! They are strong swimmers too.

Jelly fish

These jelly fish were so colourful. Some of them glow in the dark and you can see through them -

translucent. You don't want to get stung by them but they look so soft and delicate in the water.

Leafy Sea Dragon

This is a seahorse that looks like a seaweed.

In China, the seahorses that look unusual are called sea dragons. These special seahorses are rare but sometimes when you go scuba diving in clear water, you should look in the seaweed patches and maybe one of these leafy sea dragons will be there.

Monterey Aquarium

We saw sharks, big worms that cleans the sand on the beaches, shrimps, schools of fish, coral fish, corals, seaweeds, starfish, penguins, sea birds, stingrays that you were allowed to touch, a fish that had its eyes on one side of its body and swims like a wave(sideways flounder), jelly fish, and seahorses. The aquariums were huge- bigger than a theater, bigger than my house in Maungaraki. My family and I love this aquarium. I wish we had a big aquarium like this in New Zealand. There were a lot of volunteers that talked about the animals and helped you find things.

Eternal Traffic

There is traffic everywhere you go in San Francisco. This was at a bridge to get to San Francisco. Lovely views on the bridge, you can even see Alcatraz. This use to be a prison a long time ago.

Otters

River Otters were my favorite animals at the Oakland Zoo. They were fighting and swimming around. They are smaller than sea otters. You can watch them the whole day. They smell musky and they are so cute.

Oakland ZOO

We went to the Oakland Zoo. My dad bought tickets to ride the ski lift to see the zoo from on top. I saw a zebra, leaf cutter ants, monkeys, lions, tigers and bears, Oh MY!!!. I saw snakes and bugs, birds and hoof animals and people all over the place.

Breakfast at Karen's Place in Oakland

Peaches, nectarines, blueberries and strawberries were so good. Summer fruits are always great for breakfast. This was at Auntie Karen's house in Oakland. I watching the on demand movie at her place. She is always busy with work. She works as a pediatrician- doctor for children. Someday she said she would like to visit New Zealand.

Karen, Jeff and Dan

We stayed at Auntie Karen's place and visited my Uncle Jeffrey and Dan. They adopted a dog too and he was funny.

His name is "Appa" like in the cartoon "Avatar". He likes to play tug o war. They had a great big flat screen television where we watched the first episode of "Glee" - a show like High School Musical which I hope gets to New Zealand next year.

Playing at Ricky's Place

This is Uncle Ricky and Olivia with my Mom and Dad. It was fun playing playdough with Olivia and I love their little puppy. They adopted their dog just like with did. Natalie was tired and went to sleep after the park. Olivia and I sold our cookie's at our bakery to Uncle Ricky, Mom and Dad. They were our best customers. Yum!!!

Redwood Valley Train

We visited Uncle Ricky and Auntie Angie and I played with Olivia and Natalie in San Francisco. It was summer and we had a picnic up in the mountains in Berkeley. We went on a mini train, blew bubbles and ran around the park. We also had fresh cotton candy and went on the carousel. Uncle Ricky worked on the animated movie "UP" which we loved. But I especially liked the talking dogs and the special house with balloons. It is a must see children's movie.

At the Wong's Home in Folsom - June 17

It was fun stay with Cedric and Jennifer's house. I liked playing at their house. My dad hasn't seen his friend in 15 years. They use to work together in California. Now he is a bone doctor - orthopedic surgeon. Auntie Jennifer is busy with the kids. We hope to meet them again in St Louis in July.

Fishing at Folsom Lake

We visited my dad's friend, Cedric, in the Sacramento area and fished at Folsom Lake. They caught two fish but threw one back. The ride was very fun and bouncy. It was a beautiful and warm day. Christopher is Cedric's oldest son who is five.

Hiking to the Fall

I hike to the waterfall and the sound of nature. The trail was easy and full of trees. I saw birds and squirrels and chipmunks. I even had a walking stick and so did mom. I liked the waterfall - the sound and the cool water that sprinkled on my face.

Half Dome

Long time ago, glaciers carved this valley. You can see it on Half Dome, where the glacier carved the side of it. This is Yosemites trademark. My dad climbed half dome before I was born. My mom said, she would want to climb it someday.

Indian Home

This is what the Ahwahneeche hut looks like. A family of 6 can fit in one hut and all their things. They gathered acorns in the valley and when there were no acorns, they hunted deer, rabbit, and other animals. They also traded with other Native Americans. They traded fish with rabbits, and acorn with salt from Mono lake.