Just the 4 of Us

This year it was just the 4 of us at the river. We kept the traditions...

lots of time in the water....

rock jumping from our favorite spot....

tubing....

silly girls....

floating and snorkeling....

lots of sunshine....

This is the earliest in the year we've been on the lake in a long time. I have to tell you, I prefer to go later in July when the water has warmed up a bit more. I like it when you can just hang out in the water without getting cold. It was a great trip and we enjoyed the time with "just the 4 of us" however we wish Brandon could have been with us to complete our family.

Happy Birthday Shari-Boo

It's hard to believe that our Shari is 12!

She requested Lemon Bars as her "Birthday Cake" and enjoyed them for breakfast.

She got a little money and so we went shopping together. She got this cute shirt and her first pair of "TOMS." She's been wanting them for a long time.

Just can't believe it's been 12 years.

Happy Birthday Shari-Boo!

Pool Time

The Forest Home Pool is open for the summer and it's a great way to spend the afternoon. The girls are like little fish and seem to get along perfectly when they're at the pool. I get a chance to sit and read a book, enjoy an iced vanilla latte from the new coffee house on the grounds and have a little peace.

It's fun to see how our time at the pool has changed over the years. Now they do their own little competitions. Yesterday they were tube racing and practicing diving. Funny thing... they didn't think I knew how to dive. I had to show them that I did and I'm pleased that there is no picture to show all of you looking at this blog. I'm not so sure it was anything the rest of you needed to see.

Tie-Dyeing

We decided to learn to tie-dye a couple weeks ago and it was a disaster. Everything turned out a pink mess. So we did a little research in the internet, watched some youtube videos and bought real chemical dye. Molly and I had a great time and were pleased with the results. Shari will join us on our next tie-dyeing adventure now that she knows it works. Molly even did a pair of Zeek's tight-whites and I'm pleased to say he's sporting them today. :)

School's Out!

We're officially out of school for the summer! Actually we've been out for a week.

Here are some of the highlights of the last weeks of school.

Shari received an honor roll award for her 6th grade year. Yeah Shari! Keep up the good work!

Molly promoted from Elementary School to Middle School, finishing her elementary years with a Gold Presidential Academic Award of Excellence.

After having the girls with me for their entire elementary career, I will now be the only one at Cram. I didn't go through the separation when they went to Kindergarten, they were with me. Now that they're both in Middle school I'm feeling the separation.

The McKinneys were in Laguna for a wedding, so we met up with them for lunch and a walk along the beach. We couldn't figure out how long it has been, but a while for sure. I used to babysit their 3 boys who are now 34 and 35. Yikes! That makes me sound old.

We continued our day with a bike ride to the harbor on the girl's new bikes. We all enjoy this so much. We'll have to do it a few more times this summer.

We can't seem to go down to the harbor anymore without stopping for ice cream and running to the fish market for some fresh fish to take home for dinner. All traditions that we love!

So, it's the beginning of week 2 of summer and the girls are off to Camp with our church Jr. High group. This was a decision Zeek and I made in an effort to help the girls make some connections with kids at our church. (They don't know anyone because they always just sit with us in church and haven't gone to their own class in a couple years). Molly was okay with it, but Shari had a hard time. Please pray for a meaningful time for them and that they will want to get involved with the youth group at our church, building relationships with other Christian kids. Our prayer is that God will work in their lives.

Mother's Day

I feel very loved!

I think this is the third year that we've gone down to Dana Point, had brunch with Mom and the rest of the family, then headed to the harbor on our bikes. I absolutely love this Mother's Day tradition. As we left the harbor on our bikes the sun peeked through and made for a nice ride back to the car.

Part of the tradition is to stop for ice cream at the Scoop Deck. They got me Espresso Chip. I think it was the best ice cream I've ever had.

My sweet husband made a perfect dinner!

At the harbor he picked up fresh sword fish (I'll only eat fish when it's that fresh). Then grabbed some fresh shrimp to go with it and made this beautiful dinner.

I have the worlds best family!

The Sky Trail

We enjoyed another fun afternoon playing on the Sky Trail at Forest Home.

We really like this yearly tradition before camp opens.

The girls are like monkeys!