Beach Trip

When I came home I brought my mom with me. She stayed with us for almost three weeks. Right after the 4th of July we headed to the coast for the weekend with my auntie and her kids (M got to stay home alone). It was pretty warm and sunny while we were there. We went shopping at the outlet mall, ate at Mo's for dinner and played in the sand. The girls loved playing with their cousins.

Granny with the girls behind Mo's.

Nathan playing with L. She adores him!

We took the girls down to the beach one day with Nathan and they played in the sand. It was pretty windy and at one point we all got soaked by the incoming tide.

We drove down the coast and stopped at some of the viewpoints. This is Devil's Punchbowl. When the tide is out I hear you can walk down inside of it, but I've never done it. We also went to Yaquina Head Lighthouse and took the tour. I love lighthouses but hated this tour. It's a very steep, tall, metal spiral staircase and it doesn't go well with my fear of heights but the girls enjoyed it.

My mom and auntie.

After going to Pig N' Pancake for breakfast, Mika and I took the girls down to the beach while the tide was out and we could explore the tide pools. It was a lot of fun; we saw so many starfish, sea anemone, oysters and even a crab. The waves were really big and fun to watch crash over the rocks.

Pancakes and a Bike Parade

Our ward has an annual pancake breakfast on the 4th of July and the young men/young women organizations were in charge of it this year. Our family usually skips it but since my organization was in charge, we decided to attend. The Primary presidency put on a bike parade with the kids after breakfast. My girls were so excited to decorate their bikes and race with their friends. K took first place for most patriotic bike in the parade. She received a certificate and a huge lollipop.

 

Short Jaunt Home

I flew out to see my parents for a week in June. I haven't been home in a few years and it was nice to be back for a little bit. I helped my mom go through her basement to see what I wanted and what she could get rid of. I also met my mom's bible study group and attended one of their meetings. I had a great time. 

While I was there it never got below 100 degrees, it was so hot and sticky! I forgot how bad it is in the summers there. We plan on going back next year but it will have to be in the spring or late fall so it isn't so hot. I hope to see some of my old friends next time I am there.

I forgot to bring my camera so I took a few pictures with my i-touch. I was surprised at how well they turned out. I absolutely love Central Dairy hot fudge sundaes! They are huge and only cost $3.50. I went two different times.

I also love Zesto's. They have been around for over 60 years and have THE BEST foot-long chili dogs I have ever come across. They serve ice cream and other items as well. I stopped by at least three times maybe four.
When my mom was pregnant with me she used to go to Zesto's every day and get a large hot fudge sundae. Funny enough I hated chocolate until I was 5 or so years old. Now I love hot fudge sundaes!

My parents got a Great Doodle a few years back. He is a beautiful and large dog. He is certified half Great Dane and half Standard Poodle. He is the sweetest dog I have ever met and such a lover. He will lay his huge head on your lap and stay there forever while you pet him. If you stop he puts his paw lightly on your leg to encourage you to continue. He has so much expression in his eyes. I can't wait for my girls to meet him.

Here I am with my dad. It was so nice spending time with him while I was home. There is another picture of us that is really cute but he would probably kill me if I posted it, so I won't:) Thanks for the great trip mom and dad.

A Gift of Tin or Aluminum

I can hardly believe it has been 10 years since we pledged our lives to each other. Honestly, before I was married I never thought I would make it this far. I come from a divorced family and I never thought I would find someone I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, or he with me. But then I met my husband and all that changed. He is amazing and he helps me be a better me. These years together have been fun, exciting, challenging and gratifying. I know our next 10 years will be just a great.

We wanted to do something fun for our anniversary since it's the big 10 but with airfare so expensive and limited places to stash our girls, we opted to go simple this year. M took me out to dinner at Red Lobster with a gift card we received at Christmas and then saw The Avengers at the theater. M also got me some little trinkets, which I love. They aren't tin or aluminum but they work for me:)

 He always does a great wrap job.

 I love green and these earrings are so pretty.

 I love this pendant, it has part of a .357 casing on it.

If you don't give the real thing, at least you can wear them:)

Father's Day

We had a wonderful day Sunday celebrating dad. The weather was gorgeous and we relaxed around the house before and after church. I took the opportunity to take some photos of the girls with their dad.

 M showing his goofy side.

 The girls adore their dada.

 Daddy tickling the girls, so silly.

K made this sign before we woke up in the morning. 

Both girls made book marks for their dad at school, I gave him t-shirts.

U-Pluck Strawberries

The strawberries are large, sweet and ready to eat. We headed out to one of the local farms with some friends and picked over 3 gallons of berries. The girls had a great time eating and picking their own bucketful. When I got home, M and I smashed and cooked most of the berries so we could make 50 half-pints of strawberry jelly to get us through next year. We also made some tasty strawberry eclairs which we shared with our neighbors.

Not Quite a Fish

L has been taking swimming lessons through our local parks and rec. She took Tots first where she learned to put her head under water multiple times. Then she took Advanced Tots which she had to take twice. The first item through her teacher was not very good; the kids seldom got off the wall. The second time her teacher was amazing! He had her doing ice cream scoops (breast stroke) the very first lesson! She has done so well, she even got to jump off the diving board three times. She passed this class and will be taking Flippers in the fall. Until then, we will have to take her to the pool so she doesn't forget what she has learned over the summer.

They learned about water safety and how to wear a life jacket.

Doing the torpedo.

Back float.

She loves the water!

Jumping off the diving board.

Using the kick board.

Torpedo

Doing ice cream scoops.

The first time L got to jump off the diving board, she was second in line. The first girl was scared to go so she got down. I was afraid L would just run right off and jump without thinking, she is a bit of a dare devil. However, she went to the end and waited a few seconds, maybe 20, before she jumped off. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera that day so this video is from her second time jumping. She loved jumping off the diving board and wanted to do it again.

Preschool Program

L finished her first year of preschool with a musical program and picnic.They sang five songs in the chapel and then we headed to the playground for lunch. The families brought a sack lunch and the school provided drinks and ice cream. I forgot to take a picture of her with her teachers:( But we did get a disc with pictures from this school year on it. More things to scrapbook.

L had a set of twin boys in her class whom she really liked.

She had 16 kids in her class at the beginning of the year and 14 by the end. I love this preschool and we are excited to put her in again in the fall. She will be in school four days a week with another great teacher.