Summertime

Some of my favorites about the season...

picking berries

going for a bike ride with the wind

watching the sun set over water

wearing flip-flops

star gazing at night

planting flowers

garage saling

sipping lemonade

opening windows

soaking up the sunshine
What do you love best about summer?

Classics

Jeff took the kids to the library the other night while I was working. He picked out some books and a movie we used to watch when we were little. It's fun seeing Clay and Emma enjoying these now too.

We thought "Lassie" was a safe movie...but when Lassie got caught in a thunderstorm, our kids started crying! I reassured them that Lassie was a hero and a very smart dog... She made it through!

What is your favorite "classic?"

Postcards from Yosemite

We just returned from four days in Yosemite National Park, which exceeded my expectations completely. I am once again awed at our Majestic Creator and His beauty. We drove up to Glacier Point, where there is a birdseye view of the whole park.
This is another view we loved...El Capitan, Half Dome, and the waterfalls are all there!
We hiked so close to the falls that we could feel the spray.
I loved the green meadows. Here I found a butterfly perched on wildflowers. Our Creator is so amazing!

In the Creek

Our kids so enjoyed playing in the little creeks and rivers at Yosemite. We didn't bring swimsuits, so they just swam in their clothes!

Camp Food

S'mores...an all-time favorite.

Emma's face after a s'more...
I think we eat pretty well when we camp. Jeff grilled chicken and corn over the open fire.
Morning bagels perfectly "fire toasted," hot cocoa, and berries. Yum!

Dad

These are some of my favorite Dads, and a few of my favorite pictures of them.

Here's me and my Daddy in '82.

And now, Dad with my kids 25 years later. I love how he takes time to work on projects with them.
There's something special about a father's hands. Strength, security, and love are felt there. When I see this picture of Emma holding her Daddy and Grandpa's hands, I think of what a special place for a little girl...

Here's Clayton with his Daddy, and Jeff's Daddy. They were practicing their football moves at the Rose Bowl last fall.
And here is my husband... I'm so thankful for the way he pours his life into Clayton and Emma.
Happy Father's Day!

Rock on!

'Tis the season for birthdays... On Wednesday afternoon I escorted Clay to Brennan's party at Burminco, a place that sells rocks and minerals. We had a tour, learned lots and got to see and touch many kinds of "specimen." I felt like I was at a farmer's market... for rocks!

The boys were totally enthralled with the educational experience. They were wide-eyed and all ears when the tour guide spoke, and even raised their hands to ask questions and make comments:
"How was this rock formed?"
"Ewww. Sulfur smells bad."
"I'm going to add this one to my mineral collection."

Birthday Party

We celebrated Clayton and Hunter's birthdays last night. We started the party with pizza from Big Mama's...it measured 36 inches across!!! The kids' eyes got about that huge when Jeff opened the box. Thanks for the yummy pizza, Uncle Eric.

I made a race track cake from an idea I got on Familyfun.com. It was really easy...just two round cakes side by side, some crushed oreos for the track, and green sugar grass in the middle.

Happy birthday, boys!

New Toy

Today we were playing outside when our neighbor brought out a huge box to throw in the recycling bin. Our kids intercepted it...and adopted it as their "castle fort." What fun!

Family

We've been having a great time with the Ries family here.

Melissa and I enjoyed our time at the Huntington Rose Gardens.
Here the boys play in the sand at our favorite beach in Malibu.
In 'n Out Burger for dinner... lots of laughing, playing, eating, and fun. We're so thankful for our family and the special relationships God has blessed us with.