Fourth of July

We had my family over to BBQ and hang out for the day. The kids played all day long. We didn't have to go anywhere to watch fireworks...we just put our chairs in the front yard on the driveway and saw 3 different shows! We saw fireworks from Magic Mountain, Castaic Lake and the school. It was kind of like a surround theatre affect. By the time the shows were over the kids (and us adults too) were exhausted! It was a great day.

Knott's Berry Farm

The boys and I had the tremendous privilege of going to Knott's Berry Farm with Andrea, Ethan and Emily Larue. We had so much fun. My boys are telling everyone that this was their favorite day of summer (they keep asking when we are going again...)! It was a hot, fun-filled day. Thanks Larue's for a wonderful day full of smiles and memories we will cherish forever...we love you!

Dog-sitting memories...

Well...some people house-sit...we dog-sit. We were asked if we would be interested in watching our pastor's twin daughters dog for 2 weeks. Travis didn't hesitate one bit because he knew it was a boxer! We brought Gracie home from church the very next morning. Okay so she is not totally house trained... We managed though. Maci on the other hand was in heaven!! She was loving every minute of every day!! It sure was fun watching them run around and play. We had Gracie for 2 weeks and literally the next day after she went home we got my parents German Short-haired Pointer, Abby. They went to Chicago for 2 weeks to visit Kirk, Ami and the kids (my brother and his family...oh do we miss them tons!!!). Now...Abby is completely house trained. Maci absolutely adores Abby...I think she was the first dog Maci was ever introduced to and she has been nuts about her ever since. She's like that older cousin you really look up to. Maci has "grown on" Abby. It took some time though. I think Maci initially thought Abby was her mom because she was probably 6 weeks when she first met her - she was all over Abby and it really bothered her. This pretty much happened every time they were together. It is much better now that Maci is getting older and bigger. Well, Abby went home last Sunday and we get her back again this Monday. This second time was not planned at all. My mom is going up to Washington to help take care of her sister who is having extensive surgery tomorrow (Friday, August 1st) for rectal cancer. We would covet your prayers...that our Great Physician would guide the surgeons and anesthesiologists and that my aunt would recover quickly and with no complications, bleeding or infections. She will be in the hospital for 5-6 days. Her recovery period is pretty long too so pray for comfort and endurance. They believe that she is in the hands of a Great and Mighty God and that He is working in them and through them for His glory.

The Cove pt 1

The Cove pt 2

The Cove pt 3

"The Cove"

We went to "the cove" in Ventura with some friends from Bible Study. Tatum boogie boarded for the first time and was a natural at it. The kids played in the water, sand, on the rocks, zip-line and the pirate ship...all day long. I so enjoy watching my kids when they are having such a good time playing with their friends. Time really does fly when you're having fun...we didn't leave until late so we all grabbed a bite to eat on the way home. It truly is a blessing to have such special friends through our church and Bible Study...these will be forever cherished memories and friends. I couldn't ask for better friends...thank you!!

Girly Girls

Tessa got a make-up kit at her special friend Kaylee's birthday party (great idea Jamie!). She has gotten so much use out of it and has so much fun playing with it...she even puts make-up on her brothers! She loves to hang in her room and play with her make-up and get all dressed up like a big girl or a princess. When we have little girls over she always asks if they can play with the make-up...then they come out and pose. Her application has gotten better each time she plays with it...it is pretty amazing! I'm telling you...you don't have to teach girls how to be girls... Carlee and Lexi are a couple of Tessa's girly girl friends that she enjoys playing make-up with.

Slumber Party

The boys wanted to sleep on the floor one night... It was after a long day at the beach so I was actually surprised they didn't just want to get in bed like I did. They spent a long time making their bed up. I went in when they were done...they had their comforters laid out so nice and had lined up their stuffed animals at the end of the bed. It was so cute! They worked so hard on it...together...and were so proud! Tessa got in one of the pictures and then decided she wanted a picture of her in her bed too. Summer always seems to have fun memories...I hope I can capture as many of them as possible.

I'm a big girl now...

Okay so one night I called the kids for dinner and the boys came but not Tessa... I finally had Titus go check on her because they had just finshed in the shower and I wasn't sure if she might need help. He came back and said she was all dressed and she was blow drying her hair!! Well she has never blown her hair dry I usually do it... So I went and asked her to show me how she had gotten the dryer and how she turned it on and I wanted to watch her blow dry her hair. I stood there amazed at how well she did all of this at 4 years of age (she looked like a grown up)! I knew she could brush her own hair after a shower but I did not know she would be able to blow it dry all by herself!! She sure is a girl...and I don't even have to train her how to be one. She just watches and then tries it herself...pretty scary!

First beach trip...

First Beach Day of the Summer!!

We had our first beach day of the summer the first week of summer vacation...my kids said it was the best thing they had done all summer (so far)!! We went to Zuma and literally had so much fun we didn't leave until 5pm. This was one of those days you wish would never end... The weather was perfect, the kids were getting along and having a blast... Although the riptide was pretty bad so there were at least 10 rescues that day...it just kept us busy watching the kids...there were 11 kids between 4 of us moms...but it was fun. We pulled our chairs up as close as we could and hung out down by the water with the kids. I am sure we will be back as many times as we can before school starts back up again...

Lake Tahoe

Travis and I had the opportunity to get away just the two of us in April. We went to Lake Tahoe for 5 days and had an absolute blast! We stayed at the Marriott Timberlodge in Heavenly Village...the Heavenly gondola was literally right outside of our hotel door. We enjoyed every minute. It was relaxing, quiet and just...much needed. Here are a few pictures from our little trip...we were truly in awe of God's beautiful creation.

Little League 08

This March through May Tatum played his first season of little league baseball. He had practices twice a week and games twice a week...you can imagine how much time we spent at the baseball field! He played outfield, second base (occasionally...not as much as he would have liked though) and he was the star pitcher on the team. The first time they put him in to pitch he only threw 13 pitches because he hit 2 batters. I think he would have been fine...he was getting used to pitching from a mound for the first time ever. Well the next time they put him in to pitch he showed them his stuff...the past was now history! He ended up being the most consistent and accurate pitcher they had on the team. Tatum got 3 game balls for his pitching! The last game of the season Tatum came in as the relief pitcher with bases loaded...he struck out the next 3 batters...1...2...3...throwing only 12 pitches! The inning following that he struck out the next 3 batters again...throwing 13 pitches. Then the last inning he struck out the next 2 batters with 7 or 8 pitches...I don't really remember what happened after that except that my jaw was dropped in amazement!! Travis and I are going to try and get a small video of one of his games on the blog...

Easter

Resurrection Sunday

Our Lord's Day started by going to church. We had the kids sit in the service with us and they did a great job. Then we had the privilege of hosting Easter dinner in our home (don't think I cooked the whole dinner though). It was a blessed afternoon with the family enjoying the warm sunshine. I enjoyed every minute of it (I know the kids did too). Here are some of the moments I captured throughout the day.

Mentryville

Mentryville Park

Tatum had a report where he had to choose from a historical site here in the Santa Clarita Valley. His assignment was to visit the site and create a scrapbook to share with his class. He chose Mentryville Park which is at the end of Pico Canyon off the Lyons Avenue exit. Mentryville is Western California's first oil boom town. Pico Number 4 was the longest-running oil well in the world...producing oil from 1876 to 1990! The town is now trails where you can walk, bike, ride horses, etc. Some things are still standing from the 1800's (a 13-room mansion and the school house are 2 of them) which were fascinating for the kids to see. We had a great time and are excited to go back and see how far we can make it on the trails the second time around...I think we made it about halfway back the first time. Here are some pictures of our visit to Mentryville Park...