summer list is now complete!

When we learned of our extended summer vacation, we decided to make a little list of exactly what we should accomplish before school starts in order to go out with a bang!

So here is what we came up with a couple of weeks ago:

As you can see, there were originally four items on the list:

• a sleepover with friends = check!
• the Craig pool with friends = check!
• camping = check! (keep reading for more....)
• concert on the lawn = rained out, but we still hung out with friends!

But Sam decided to hijack the list and add his own two-cents...

(yeah, surprising for that kid isn't it! no, not really.)

Anyway, if you are adept at reading 4-year old style handwriting then you will see that added to the list is:

• Skylar's slip & slide = check!!!

This weekend we checked off the last of the summer activities... we went up to South Fork campground for a night out in the tent in the woods.

It was perfect - there were naps, games, books, hiking, exploring, throwing rocks in the river, and watching the very curious chipmunks check out our campsite!

Most importantly, there was time spent just the four of us together...

Sam & Daddy...

Once out on the trail, I realized that it had been exactly 7 years since I had hiked that way and the last time I did I was carrying little Hamp on my back! So I had to take a photo of him in the yellow grass just to compare this tall, skinny, freckle-faced sweet boy to the chubby, round-eyed deliciousness that was Hamp at 8 months old!

Not a lot of pictures from camping, but I did get this shot while hiking on the trail.

Sam was on Dad's shoulders and said that their shadow looked like an angel.

OK... one week to go. I think I will totally be ready for school to start and fall to set in!

day at the wave pool

We recently got an extended summer (long story!) and the boys and I have been making serious efforts to enjoy the final days of freedom in these last couple of weeks. When asked how they wanted to celebrate the end of summer their first response was Splash Country!

Well, put into a more realistic framework the boys were thrilled to get a day at the Craig Wave Pool with some of their favorite friends!

Although some people thought I was insane to take five boys to the pool by myself (it never occurred to me that it was crazy?!) I have to say it was one of my favorite days - if for no other reason than I loved bearing witness to all the silliness and funny conversations that seven-year old boys have.

There aren't any pictures of the boys in the pool - I didn't dare take my eyes off these fearless five in the water for even long enough to snap a photo! - but I assure you they were a joy to watch!

The big boys body surfed, did flips off the diving board, and played SWAT team in the waves (their army boat capsized, apparently and they had to swim to safety all while battling bad guys!)

The little boys were even more fun to watch brave the 12-inch waves and then slide the kid slide right into my arms!

They collectively convinced me that ice cream treats were in order after a day at the pool (they really had to twist my arm on that one!)...

Despite all the day's fun, I believe my favorite part of the day might have been the 45 minute car ride to Craig and back!

Things I learned on the car ride:

• Lady Gaga is in fact a girl. (I know?! Who knew...)
• Katy Perry kissed Lady Gaga once. Don't really know how to gauge that one... gonna just let it go.
• The Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots are awesome, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are "doing bad" this season. Not much on our own Denver Broncos.
• Knowing the words to old school hip hop is an easy way to impress your seven-year old son and his friends! (Beastie Boys anyone?!?!)

So fun - and I'd do it again in a heartbeat! Anyone up for another fun day... who knows what we'll learn next time?! ☺

the "sprinkle"

One of my dear friends is having baby #3 - and the best part is that #1 and #2 are some of my favorite people, and certainly Hamp & Sam's favorite people... not to mention classmates!

We wanted to get friends and family together to celebrate another wonderful Franklin baby, so with the help and talents (and gorgeous back deck!) of her sister-in-law, we pulled off a lovely Saturday afternoon affair!

(great to have a smart, sweet 4th grade niece to be the party scribe!)

the Grady women... the Franklin women...

the hostesses...

Looking forward to meeting baby in a few more weeks!

Sam = soccer star!

August has been the month for 3-4 year old soccer!

Sam has been waiting for this all summer... and last night was the final game. He loved it, and even scored a few goals! (before you start calling the MLS commissioner, remember it's all relative when you're dealing with 3 & 4 year olds!!!)

Sam really enjoyed playing, and especially appreciated getting some advice from coach!!!

This kiddo played his heart out - and was totally into the game, including the water breaks!

Best part about coaching little guys: high fives all around!

Good Game!!!

the shower

So, here is Aunt J and her three amazing Aunties:

They are the wonderful women who threw the baby shower for my brother & his wife...

and boy, do they know how to throw a party!!!

They came all the way in from LA to Corona to set up a gorgeous affair complete with drinks, hors d'oevres, a plated dinner, a kids' table, fun games, a dessert spread to die for, friends, family and a perfect summer's day on which to gather!

Abuela, Mama J, and Mojo:

A bunch of very excited and well-dressed women...

The best part (well, aside from the awesome people, the setting, the food, the drinks and the amazing desserts...) was a very sweet surprise for everyone. J's brother's wife drove all the way from Phoenix with her 2 week old new baby boy and sweet 2-year old daughter!

So J & Al got to meet their new nephew!!!

Aunt J and the big sister!

The party was at a beautiful Golf Club in Corona, CA and while the women enjoyed the festivities the boys (Jason, Al, Dado and a CA buddy) managed to squeeze in 18 holes. Oh, and the little boys were able to play for a bit on the putting green, too!

The Fearless Foursome:

Have I mentioned the desserts yet? No? Huh, well let me tell you all about them...

First of all, these were no run-of-the-mill, whatever's in the kitchen kind of desserts. These were special. These were home made with love and pride by the family chef - Aunt Gema!

I swear, I think she made one of everything she knew how to make! Everything was as delicious as it was beautiful... there were macaroons, lemon cups, cheesecakes, petite fours, red velvet cupcakes, raspberry tarts, and some amazing sugar cookies...

... and cake pops!!!! Oh, the yummy, yummy cake pops...

The sweet sugar cookies were a hit, as was everything else at the party.

I think little Allen Jess is going to have lots and lots of love and affection when he gets here!!!!!

goin' back to Cali

Just got back from a fantastic trip to see family in California - my brother & his wife are expecting their first baby in a few weeks and we were invited to a helluva baby shower in their honor! (another post on that soon!!!)

What a treat to spend the weekend in the warm Southern California sunshine... and even better treat to be surprised by a new house!

Yes... this is the backyard:

Suffice it to say, we spent most of the weekend outside enjoying the landscape...

and the waterfall!

All that swimming & jumping & playing can really wear a kid out...

Of course, there was method to all the madness... we didn't drive half-way across the country just to hang out at the pool (although, we would have!)

Like I said, Saturday was the big baby shower and I think - judging from all the gift bags we went through on Sunday! - they are going to be well prepared for baby's arrival!

Our other objective for the trip was to bring the family baby crib... albeit in several pieces! So the guys took a stab at seeing how to assemble it. (here's to hoping baby Allen doesn't end up sleeping in a dresser drawer somewhere!!!)

And despite all the hubbub of swimming & baby showering & gift sorting & crib assembling... we managed to spend most of the time just enjoying being together with family. Naturally, that included an amazing, authentic Mexican feast of carne asada, quesedillas, and my favorite: Xochitl's beans!!!!!

Thanks to Al & Jei for the wonderful weekend and excellent stay at the family resort!!! Well be back...