Birthdays!

We've been busy celebrating birthdays around here! Madeline turned 7, and we had two celebrations. On her actual birthday, she chose to spend 100 dollars at Toys R Us and have dinner at Buca Di Beppo's rather than her usual backyard party.

Posing with her $$$$

Madeline chose a pogo stick and Elefun at Toys R Us, and then we went to Michaels to shop for arts and crafts stuff. She had a little spare change left over:

On the day before her birthday, Jessie, Adam, Emmet, and Sawyer joined us for an afternoon of grilling, Spongebob cake, and present opening.

And then a week later, it was time to wish Kent a happy birthday! We went to Riverside so Kent and Adam could golf; we grilled some more and had even more cake! Jessie made this beautiful and delicious strawberry shortcake.

Santa Monica

I've reached that part of the summer when I start to panic a little as I realize my time with my girls is coming to an end. I will have to work for the next seven weekdays, then Sophie's preschool starts the day after Labor Day, and although Madeline doesn't start second grade until September 13, there doesn't feel like there are too many days in between. With the time we have left, I really want to do some new things that they'll remember. So, Saturday afternoon we drove down to Santa Monica braving the traffic and crowds and lack of parking to take the girls to the pier for the first time. Madeline surprised me by riding her first roller coaster! Somewhere near the back are Kent and Maddie. Kent is wearing a white shirt:

Then Madeline was very kind and rode the least scary ride we could find for Sophie. Madeline held to her promise not to make their plane go up or down despite Kent's persistent requests from the sidelines to do otherwise.

More fun for my adventurous (almost 7 year old) one:
Sophie's only real request was for cotton candy which she started asking for seconds after we arrived. I have always hated this treat due to the mess and stickiness, but watching her consume with such conviction was hysterical and the mess was worth the laughs. Just look at that happy face, blue teeth and all:

A Last Morning at Leonis Adobe

Last Tuesday we returned to the Leonis Adobe for some old fashioned fun. This time we met up with several of our friends, and there was a scavenger hunt to keep us busy. The weather was at least 20 degrees warmer than when we went in July, but the kids still had a good time.

Summer with Sister!

The kids have had plenty of cousin time over the last month, and I have enjoyed lots of time with my sister! We have met up at Griffith Park a couple of times, once to visit Travel Town and the merry-go-round and another day was spent at the zoo.

Look who is riding a pony!!!!

The ocelots were quite active!

Summer Travels

This year when Kent and I flew east, we left behind a few things: diapers, pacifiers, sippy-cups, and strollers. Whoo hoo!!!! We haven't been able to do that for seven years! Traveling by plane is so much easier, especially now that the girls can take their own shoes off when going through security. What a difference! Anyway, this year we rented a house in Bumpass, Virginia with my side of the family which included seven adults and six kids. The house was situated on about an acre lot right on the shore of Lake Anna and came with two kayaks, a canoe, a paddleboat, and a swing set. The kids were easily entertained leaving the adults plenty of time to enjoy conversation, beer, and Aunt Jessie's now infamous summer brew . . . more on that later. The house also included 3 t.v.'s, over 200 videos, and a pool table for entertainment on rainy days, of which we had none!

View from house:

Kent and Madeline out in a kayak:

Sophie and her cousins Dagney and Paige going out in the canoe with my brother, "Uncle Josh."

Madeline fishing:

Crabs for dinner!

My mom and Maddie relaxing:

Madeline and Emmet fishing:

Not for the squeamish. Kent stepped on a hook, and as we were in the middle of nowhere without cell phone service or internet, I ended up driving him 45 minutes to the nearest emergency room. The doctor had to advance the hook through to cut the barb off. Fun, fun.

Sophie fishing:

Proud of her fishies!

Madeline lost her third tooth while in Lake Anna, and the tooth fairy found us!

Madeline with her cousin Lillian:

Emmet had fun burying Sophie:

Brotherly Love:

Uncle Josh with his 2 oldest, ages 3 and 2. I would like to nominate him for "Father of the Year."

Back to the summer brew. Jessie was queen of the mixed drink making and served all of us from this festive bucket. I don't know the exact recipe, but it goes something like 4 coronas, a can of vodka, and some lime-aid concentrate. Delish. Summer brew, the root of everything good and everything evil. . .

My family. Love them.

Northern Virginia

In addition to Lake Anna, we spent about a week enjoying Kent's side of the family in Northern Virginia. We had some great family dinners, spent time swimming, attended a Rocknoceros concert, and played at a local park.

Madeline meeting Eddy's sister, Rae. She's a redhead!

Madeline and Kyla swimming:

Cousins playing in their grandparent's yard:

Madeline, Sophie, and Kyla at a park in Alexandria, Va.

All the cousins on Kent's side: Madeline, Sophie, Ian, Eddy, Kyla, and Rae. They look like they were swimming, but they were just sweating.

Eating lunch at Ronald Reagan National Airport. What a great vacation! Thanks everyone!