Surf Camp!

I know I already posted the surf camp slideshow, and you should definitely watch that if you want to check out what surf camp is like, but I just wanted to put in a little entry too.  This year was particularly memorable because all the kids tried surfing!  And all three boys are catching waves like crazy!  Things slowed down a bit when midweek Aidan and Chandler witnessed a woman recovering from a stingray sting, but by weeks end they were braving the water again (and shuffling for stingrays).  Ethan was the surfing champ and spent hours in the water, holding his own with Daddy.  Grampy also impressed us this year with his monster board and stand up skills.  Gordon originally wasn't going to make it, but scheduled his buisiness trip to stop in San Diego!  He still had to work during the day but joined us every evening for surfing, dinner, and sleep.  It was great!  We ate like kings, played like kids, and had a wonderful time!  Thanks Grammy and Grampy for sponsoring this fabulous trip once again!

Grammy's House

Going to Grammy's house is a favorite of all the kids.  They love visiting and playing with all her toys, swimming in the pool, drinking soda out of the little fridge, and just generally enjoying life.  We didn't do much while in La Canada, lots of swimming, planning for camp, and relaxing.  It was great!

 

Summer Travels

Earlier this month we headed out for a trip!  Our first stop was Nevada City, Ca.  This is an old goldmining town, and the old part of town was cute full of lots of saloons, soda shops, and candy counters.  We enjoyed a Sunday morning hike near a canal the day after we arrived, followed by an explore around town.

I took the kids to church and that was great because it facilitated a way to get out of the cabin and let a very tired Heidi nap.  She does NOT sleep well when we travel.  Usually just 30 minutes or so in the car is all she gets, and that pales in comparison to what she needs.  After sacrament meeting it was announced that it was Primary Program Practice!  The dreaded triple P!!!  I couldn't do that to my children.  It's bad enough when it's your own program, but someone elses!  So, we did what we had to do, and went out for ice cream.  There wasn't much of a choice considering it was about 105 degrees outside.  A park was not an option.

Later that evening we enjoyed our Spaghetti linner!  Such a fun little cabin in the woods.

The next day we headed to the American River for some rafting!  I have no photos of this fun, but let it be known it was fun!  It poured rain and we had lightning and thunder, and the river guides made us a yummy lunch, and afterwards we went to hang with the Heiney's.

That night we had adventures of Roach Motel's and did a late night (10 p.m.) switch out of a nasty motel.  We were trying to just bite the bullet and stay, but when we discovered there were no towels, we were out of there.  We found some place better across the street.  The next day we headed to Old Town Sacramento where we played games in shops, tasted salt water taffy in candy stores, and ate delicious fried and frozen things.

 That afternoon we dropped Gordon off at the airport and I continued down the road.  We stopped in Turlock for the night, and then made it to Grammy and Grampy's house the next day.  It was such a fun way to head down the coast!

Family Torture Time!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  Actually, my family is not allowed to complain because it has been TWO years since we did a family photo.  We headed down to George Rogers Riverfront park for some family photos.  I am pleased with how they turned out, am glad it's over with, and happy to have the images forever more.  The kids keep growing!  Here are a few favorite snapshots that came from that day, as well as the group photo.

Surf Camp

More to come soon!  But for now, here is the surf camp 2014 tribute video.  Thank you Grammy and Grampy for the fun in the sun!

Happy Birthday Little Bug!

My baby is three!  It was a lady bug day for our little sweetheart!  We had a very laid back day and opened surprises throughout the day so she could enjoy them all day long!  Here you can see Heidi Skyping with Grammy while she opened her toaster and mixer.  She made bread and toast all day!

And there in the background you can see the puzzle from Grandma and Grandpa.  We had this one arrive "special delivery."  I put it out on the front porch and rang the doorbell, the mailman had "delivered" it!  She was excited to get a package and open it right then and there.  Very fun!

A new kitty from her siblings, she loved it and proclaimed it to be "mama cat."

 Chandler gets creative with the party hats.  Behold!  The "Pent-a-corn!"

 And we had a ladybug themed party and cake.  She loved her birthday!  Happy Birthday Heidi Darling!

Sweet Cheeks

Oh my.  Can this actually be true?  My littlest lassie has left the diaper days behind.  Just another bittersweet (but mostly sweet!!!) step in our parenting adventure.  13 years of diapers done.  

Heidi has been showing signs of readiness for a couple of months, but we just couldn't get her to tinkle on the potty!  Gordon finally took matters into his own hands and sat in the bathroom with this little lady for 2+ hours.  Just as I was ready to throw in the towel and tell Gordon he was crazy, she finally did it!  And since that first tinkle, she's been almost perfect since!  Only one accident in 3 weeks.  She's got it down.  

Way to go Heidi!!!