Pacific Grove Weekend

We had such a great last weekend before school started in Pacific Grove with some favorite friends.  I wish I had taken more pictures.  The kids were so happy to hang out with their buddies for a few days. The weather was beautiful and the beach was so much fun.  We ate good food, relaxed, talked, watched movies, played games and Dave and I dreamed of buying a house on the beach someday.

Kids will boogie board in even the coldest water-- Dave too--- it is crazy!!  

Mack thinks this is surfing... 

Lexi and I are alike in a lot of ways but she is never cold (I always am), she likes cold water (I don't) and she'll get in the ocean on a freezing day ( you couldn't pay me to do it).

Beach hair

While we were at the beach I texted Grandma Susie to tell her we were nearby.  I didn't think she could drive from Hollister to Monterey yet because of her healing foot.  Well, it turns out that she was in Pacific Grove that very day not very far from where we were!  So she met up with us for a bit.  Too bad we didn't get a picture but it was fun to see her for awhile.

Dinner on the beach..

Hot dogs, shrimp, and smores!!!

And a lovely sunset to watch while eating.

Then we headed home for Sunday and the last day before another school year begins.  So sad summer is over for another year!  It flew by!!

Russian River Camp Trip

We went to Casini Ranch to camp with some friends.  It was a pretty sweet set-up.  We were right next to the Russian River and for non-campers this campsite makes things pretty easy.  There's a store, games, activities for the kids, good bathrooms and lots to do.  We mostly played in the lake but also went to the beach one night, had a big bonfire, ate some pretty good food, did karaoke and relays, jumped off rocks etc.  The kids were in heaven.  I'm still not a big camper but camping with friends make it much more fun.

We ate foil dinner ones night.  Mine were fine but Monica's were amazing-- cheese burger, string beans, broccoli, french bread.  I definitely learned some good camping tricks going with her!

My kids just disappeared with their friends and were so happy the whole time.  We also took a couple of cousins with us which made it even better.

skipping rocks

sleeping..... everyone was pretty cozy!  Dave and I have our nice cots which make a world of difference!

pancakes and sausage for breakfast one morning.

I loved having a couple of big kids in the group to take care of the younger ones!  They entertained the toddlers most of the time- big kids really are the best!

All of our kids together....

The adults....

There were blackberry bushes near our campsite that the kids would pick and make smoothies with whip cream!

The bonfire was my fave because I was soooo warm.

It was a little cold because we were near the coast but honestly I'd rather be cold camping than hot!  Here Mack and I are warming up next to a dryer with hot chocolate. I love my little buddy that is always by my side!

Can't wait to go back!

More Summer Fun

What else did we do this summer?  The kids did chores to earn mom dates.  Bowling was Logan's... I beat him but he was improving each time and we had fun laughing at our low scores.

Cute baby cousins!

World Cup Watching

Visits from friends

New delish restaurant = pieology

We tried out Adventure Playland in Berkeley.  It was cool... a little dangerous and not for the overly worried mom but my kids had a blast!  They could paint wherever they wanted and use all kinds of tools and lots of exploring too.  A fun day for all my kids. 

Ice cream at ikea!

Waiting in the dressing room while Lexi tries on clothes--- her date was shopping of course- the girl loves shopping (she may have gotten that from me!).

Bowling date with Dave!

Lunch with Lexi at her fave-- Fudruckers.  There was a girl there who rang us up named Denae and she even spelled it the same as me- crazy!

Macey wanted to wear matching clothes on her date so we did.  We painted pottery at Color me Mine.  Fun for my little artsy one.

Mack and the kids being silly on a Sunday morning...

Macey has been taking sewing lessons from the sweetest lady in our ward.... she got a machine for Christmas and I couldn't help her much so she started making all kinds of things on her own.  Once she started lessons her teacher guided her into some projects and she is doing really well.  This picture was some morning when I woke up to find her ironing the quilt she's working on in her bathroom!  I love it!  I hope someday she'll teach me to quilt!

Girls night with the sistahs

Lexi and her besties when to their friends Bat Mitzvah- they had a super fabulous night of course- I wish I could've gone!  It was a great party!!!

And of course they treated it like prom and got ready most of the afternoon together.  Cute friends that Lexi just loves and I am happy for her.