Del Mar

The Douherets plan a Del Mar weekend each year for their birthday. This is the third year we've gone. Spending a day out of the heat with friends and family is wonderful. We got to visit with Randy and Katie and bet a bit on the horses. Drew was the big winner of the day. We'd open the book, she'd look at it and pick a number and low and behold, that horse would come in. Yes, we "technically" letting our daughter gamble but only because she had absolutely no clue what she was doing. Notice though that her hair is long enough for pigtails! Finally. She had a meltdown at the end of the day when she realized she had to come home with us. She was adament she was going home with Randy and Katie. She called him for the next three days asking to come over. I wasn't sure if I should be happy that she loves her uncle and wants to spend time with him or be sad that she was upset she had to come home with us.

Peyton spent the day running around the kid area with his friends, playing on the rides and eating ice cream. It doesn't get any better than that.

Big Bear Weekend

In the beginning of summer my friend Tasha kept asking if I wanted to borrow her Big Bear cabin for a weekend in the summer to get out of the heat. Yes, she was asking me, not me asking her. I couldn't believe she was so willing to open her cabin so I kind of blew it off thinking it was just something being said in conversation. Well, she asked me about 4 other times and told me if I didn't give her a date we'd miss out because a lot of other people were going to use it. Wow. I was super excited and so thankful she is so generous. How many other people are telling you to go and use their house. Not many. We spent the weekend with the Douheret's and had the best time. We told the kids this was an outdoors trip. No T.V., video games or computer. They had to play outside, get fresh air and get dirty. We rented a boat, fished, had dinner on the lake, Mark taught the kids to skip rocks, took a hike, played games, bbq'd, had brunch and mimosas, toured the cute town of Big Bear and just relaxed at their adorable cabin. They don't have any houses behind them so the kids had a ton of room to play baseball, play in the tree house and drive Zoe's jeep all around. It was perfect. Mark and Drew were the only ones brave enough to get into the cold water. Drew being her normal fearless self, jumped right in but got right out after feeling how cold it was. She wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. The boys spent hours fishing but unfortunately didn't catch anything. We can't thank the Posa's enough for a great weekend.

My Birthday

August has come and gone in such a flash. We've done so much that I was never able to catch up. It started with a fun filled trip to Vegas with co-workers then my birthday. Still recouperating from the Vegas weekend the birthday was mellow and perfect with dinner, gifts and friends. I think I was still so happy from last years party I really didn't want to do anything this year. But....what girl is going to turn away blue box!

Swim Lessons

She's all suited up and ready to go. Peyton opted out of the picture but she rarely misses an opportunity! She loves the water and is continuing lessons because she's not ready to give up her floaties yet.

San Diego

The kids spent the weekend in San Diego and they had the absolute best time. Peyton was sweet to let me know that he was so happy to see dad and I, but, he wanted to go back. I can't blame him. The weather is no comparison. They went to the beach, Knotts Soak City, got to stay up late and eat a bunch of stuff I wouldn't let them. A huge thank you to Randy and Katie for wanting to have them. It's an awesome feeling when someone calls and asks to have your kids for the weekend.

A french fry that looks like her hair.

Nap time. She was apparently happy right where she was at. She didn't want to get in bed.

Wii Project

Peyton has been wanting a Wii and I have to admit, so do I. Over dinner one night he was rambling off a list of his wants and needs and asking why we just can't to the store to get them. I got a little frustrated because as much as we'd like too, you just can't have it all. Not to mention that at 7 years old his perception is that we work hard so we should have the money. With that comment I thought of an idea and we made him a deal. Figure out how to earn half of the money and we'll give him the other half. Without hesitation he said I'm going to recycle and maybe I'll start a lemonade stand. Thinking that recycling could take forever I told him we'd make a sign with 25 rings. For every 5 dollars he'd earn we'd match the 5 dollars and he could tear off a ring. I thought this would help him stay motivated and see progress.

Last weekend we went to our family reunion and told everyone about what we were doing. We made sure he collected his bottles and cans but then the family started emptying out their own recycling bins and here we are 12 bags of recycling later. This is going to go a little bit faster than I thought. He and his good friend Luke spent the afternoon separating it and it's now ready to go the recycling center. He may have a Wii by the weekend.

Big Bear

Drew all suited up and ready to go.

Peyton gearing up to jump in. I love how his tounge is sticking out.

An ice cold beverage makes the boat ride that much better

The Halloways

Peyton, Braydon and Marcus

Danielle and Al invited us to Big Bear for the 4th weekend but because Mark had to work we couldn't go. We decided to get out of the heat for a day though and see what Big Bear was all about. The drive up the mountain was a little rough with Drew getting sick from all the curves. Once we were there though it was absolutely georgous. It's so amazing how fast you relax. The weather is perfect, the motorhome sight they were staying at had everything you needed and it was right on the lake. Running water, clean restrooms, swimming pool, tennis court, bbq's and a clubhouse. My kind of camping. We rented a boat and headed out to the lake for a few hours. The water was freezing and it was a little windy. I have no idea how they swam but they did. The rocking of the boat put Drew to sleep for just about the entire time. I can't wait to go back again. It was such a fun family day.

Taking Drew for a spin.

Mark doing his famous back flip. He's just like one of the kids. I have no idea how he was able to handle the freezing water.

4th Of July

Mellow this year. The kids didn't want anything to do with fireworks or sparklers. Peyton said

he was "over it". He's never been a big fan and it just didn't feel like the 4th without them. We spent the afternoon at my moms. Randy, Jesse and Katie came to visit so it was fun to relax, laugh, eat and watch the kids swim. Randy brought a surf board and gave Peyton a lesson. Desert surfing...the safest way to learn. We hit a few balls on the golf course which I think annoyed some of the neighbors but it was a lot of fun. I'm ready to have real lessons. I hate how big Peyton looks compared to the pictures of Drew. He's growing up so fast.