Family Weekend

What an incredible weekend!! Despite having a few casualties like lost anchors and broken necks, we had way too much fun with our family we are so blessed to have!!

Summer Project

Dinner time is a toss up for me. Always fun to try to rise to the challenge of making nutritious foods that everyone will eat (or at least taste), but a bummer because usually I am the only one who peals out of play time to create a meal.
So, one day the light went on..... what if..... they help me make it?? Not only will they learn to cook, but then our fun time together continues and (gasp) they might actually eat it!!
So it began; a summer of cooking. They got to design their menu, make the shopping list, pick out the groceries and then prepare it. As for me.... I was just the helper.
It was fantastic!! I had an enthusiastic chef each day, helpers in the grocery store each week, they learned alot about preparing food and about what is healthy for their bodies, and everyone ate it!! We made tacos, fried chicken, pancakes, waffles, french toast, smoothies, bacon avocado cheese burgers, homemade macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, BBBQ beef sandwiches, salads, appetizers, salsa and more!! What was once a chore, now has become a fun activity together!!
Can't wait til next summer!!

Rafting in Yosemite

Today we searched for a new adventure and accomplished something Daddy had done many times, many years ago.... we rafted done the Merced River in Yosemite. We loaded our bikes, life jackets, rafts, paddles and lunch into the bicycle trailer and rode up to the drop in spot on the river. Although Grandpa and Daddy had been this route before and had many fond memories, it was our girls' first time.

Rafting was a fantastic way to enjoy Yosemite. We travelled the pace of a snail, sometimes even paddling to avoid being blown up wind. We splashed and paddled in circles, we boat hopped and picnicked, we swam and floated. It was really nice to enjoy this wondrous place at our own pace. No traffic, no distractions, no time frame...... just fun!
A must-do again!!

August 1st

So today is the day. The day where thoughts of school starting began to creep in. All throughout June and July I felt free to just enjoy. There was no pressure of a date looming, no moments of sadness, no feeling like every moment had to be filled. Now, it is August and the date looms. The days are counting down. Don't get me wrong..... we love school and have had great teachers and experiences thus far. It is just....... I miss them!

Thankfully, it is also Adalie's Birthday Month which is providing a fantastic diversion! In our family we not only celebrate your Birthday, but also your Birthday Month. It means you get to make a wish list of activities, you get to go first all month long, and you get the deciding vote on any tie decisions.

Adalie's Birthday Month Wish List
1. Josiah deep water start on the horse shoe ski
2. Sisters try the double skis
3. Camping @ Mammoth Pools for 3 nights
4. Sleep over @ Amma and Grandpa's house with Elias
5. Camping on the Party Barge and go to the Bakery in the morning
6. Wild Water Adventures
7. Miller's for dinner
8. Miller's for ice cream
9. Movie night with popcorn and ice cream
10. Swimming @ the docks
11. Adalie horse shoe skis while Josiah doubles
12. Yosemite bike riding and rafting
13. Camp 1 night @ Redinger
14. Back packing trip with Mommy, Daddy and Josiah
15. Jump off bridge @ Redinger Lake


Well, it looks like we will be too busy for the next 29 1/2 days to think of much else than FUN!!

Best of Both Worlds

We have made a new discovering this weekend in our attempt to diversify our weekend activities.... boat camping! I tell you this is the greatest of both worlds. Not only do you get all the fun of camping; cooking over an open fire, sleeping under the stars, s'mores, flashlights, forests to explore and dirt galore, but you also get the fun of a lake; great morning ski rides, midnight swims, bocce ball, jumping off rocks, boat rides, surfing and fishing!! And the best part.... you just throw all your stuff into the boat, drop into the water and let the games begin!

We had way too much fun!!

29 Again

Daddy turned 29 years old (again)!! Donned in our Dodger blues, we celebrated with a trip down to the Dodger's Stadium with Uncle Jon and Papa. We sat in front row seats, ate kettle corn and Dodger Dogs, tried to catch pop flies, tossed beach balls into the crowd, and sang "Take Me Out To the Ball Game"!! Josiah loved the action of the game and Adalie loved the action of the crowds. We can't wait to go back again!!

Thank you Uncle Jon.... you always make everything the most fun!!

(P.S. This business of Daddy only being 29 is making Mommy really old. I overheard the girls telling a friend that Daddy was only 29, but Mommy was in her 30's!! YIKES!!)

Here today....

Well, we had about as much fun with our chicks as one could possibly have. They helped us plant our garden and landscape our annual flowers, they gave us lots of laughs chasing them around and following Adalie wherever she went, we loved watching them scratch for bugs and eat green right from our hands. The girls loved to carry them around like their little babes, singing to them and making them nests. But, like most things in life, they were here today and gone tomorrow.
(Looks like some crafty little fox dug under the coop and carried them off..... or like the girls say, maybe they chicks escaped and are living with the wild turkeys. So until we know for sure, we will keep a close eye on the turkey flocks!!)

As Amma says, "se la vi!" We are happy to have had fun with them while they lasted! And next year, we will fortify the coop once again......