Kai Gets Tattooed with Thomas Train

The reason we camped out was to attend the "Day Out With Thomas" event in Felton, CA. Kai had been so excited when he discovered I had purchased tickets and was ready to explode if he did not get to see Thomas train soon enough. We constantly had to distract him before the event day- or he'd get very upset- or drive us crazy with the broken record routine.

So Kai all dressed in his train garb gets tattoed at the event. He chose Percy for the right hand...

... and Thomas for the left.

Then he boarded the train with his buddies Lukas and Brennan and gave them each a train engineer's hat for the occasion. Don't they look cute? Lukas's daddy didn't make the train ride trying to find a shaded parking spot for Toby, their dog.

They each get a Jr. Engineer Certificate.

Kai's parents!

Video: Thomas Train Ride through the Redwoods.

Afterwards we stand in a very long line to get this photo- well worth it though!

There's even a blacksmith present to make wedding rings for you...

...if you would just place your finger there on the anvil for them to properly size it!

After eating lunch in the parking lot, the Greger's head home and we take a nice long hike through the Redwoods with the Bienert's.

We hike across a sling bridge.

While Rolf tries to push his son into the water...

There goes Thomas!

Back at the Eurovan, all tired out.

The Bienert's head home, and we refuse to end the fun- so we take a walk over the covered bridge in Felton. Why there's a "covered" bridge there, we don't know why accept that it was built in 1892 and is now a historic trust landmark. There was nothing to explain its existence.

Poor Kai is whiny and tired here- daddy takes off to the other end of the bridge (so he doesn't have to deal with a fussy little boy? haha)

Beautiful foliage for photographs!

Felton's downed mascot?

I just love the interesting features/ attraction that each town has to attract visitors!

Greg changes a very poopy diaper!

And we hang out at Santa Cruz again for one last play at the beach before heading home!

Ready to party! (at Lukas')

Kai poses with Gramma. What a handsome little guy, huh? I love their color coordination here.

He is such a little comedian when it comes to taking pictures.

So we leave San Fran and follow signs to Lukas' house (as seen above).


Lukas is thrilled to have Kai there and frequently that day, hugs Kai.


Kai flashes his "pearlie whites" on command.


The boys dance with this mechanical Valentine doggie, which they are easily humored by it.

Lukas has his birthday hand print made with the assistance of his mommy Ute.

Kai has his blue hand print made too.

One can never be too old to have a teddy bear! In this case, Rolf gets a teddy for his birthday (no not a negligee- but a teddy teddy).

I get to hug the two birthday boys! (photo credits to Ute)

Kai and Lukas enjoy their pizza sitting together.

Video: Pizza together.

Ute and Rolf did a fine job of making a homemade Thomas train cake for both Lukas and Kai!

Kai is the professional gift "un-wrapper". He didn't understand that at this party the presents belonged to Lukas. He became more frustrated...

Well, can you see why? Here is Auntie Ute who refuses to share the toys! Toy-hog!

Ute reads the fortune cookie fortune, which Kai had given Lukas.

Kai especially made that fortune cookie for Lukas on our visit to the Oakland fortune cookie factory. I was planning to play a gag on Ute also but the darn thing broke in transit! (Read the fortunes above).

Greg and I decided it was time to leave, it was apparent that the party was over and the Bienert's had drastically lowered the thermostat to hint us. Here we are with BLUE lips- we are sooooo c-c-c-cold!

Lukas gives Kai one last hug before we head out the door and back to San Fran for another night's stay with the grandparents.