Tuesday, September 3, 2013

California!

 The second week in July we headed to California. We met Jody and Angela White, and Allen and Amy Petersen and families.

We were at a camp ground in San Mateo very close to the beach.

Jody had borrowed two giant  tents from his bishop and we stayed in one of them. They were pretty neat!
 We headed to the beach the next day. The kids had a great time!

Digging in the sand.
 And boogie boarding.

 Ashlynn on the boogie board
 Allen bringing in Ben. That's one way to go.

 The next day we decided to go to Balboa Park, as some of the fair skinned children had sun burns even though sunscreen was applied repeatedly.

The Dad's dropped us off and we made a bathroom break while we waited.

Sienna and Rigdon.

 Crew, Braelyn, Sienna, Brooklyn, Cannon, Ashlynn, Mason, Cooper, Caden, and Rigdon.
 Sienna next to some fancy art.
 Mason
 Rigdon, Bronwyn, Crew, Mason, Gunner, Cooper, Sienna, Cannon, and Brooklyn waiting still...
 Caden and Braelyn
 Poor Caden, The red heads burned the worst...

 Colton modeling his ear:( We bought zinc oxide for the next day at the beach.

Needless to say, this is why we did other activities today.
 Gunner
 Ashlynn
 We had some lunch and headed to the science museum.

The kids all had fun with all the hands on exhibits.

Crew and Mason
 Rigdon
 Sienna
 Andrew... looking so small!
 Outside at the fountain! Who can resist a few laps around?!

Colton and Rigdon
 Gunner with Bronwyn
 Ashlynn and Brealyn
WE stopped and rode the merry go round.
 Sienna and Rigdon
 Mason
 Cannon, Gunner, Caden and Crew
 Brealyn and Bronwyn
 Cooper and Colton
 Ashlynn
 Conner

 Since it was late afternoon we went down to this beach and checked out these caves. I can't remember where we were at the time.

There were a lot of seals though lounging for the afternoon.




 The next day was back to the beach. We set up camp and stayed put.
Sienna getting her boogie on!


 Rigdon was like a pro!

 Mason, Conner, and Crew coming in.

I love a low maintenance trip! We packed easy breakfasts and had snack type foods for lunch, came back and ran through the showers then went out to dinner at night. WE sat around a visited. The kids and grownups all had fun. I even got out on the boogie board! Once I got the hang of it, it was pretty fun!

We left a little before everyone else because I was flying to Utah for Cristal and Jordan's sealing in the Temple. I told Andrew I would drive most of the way home so he could sleep since he had to work the next day. WE got home around 2am Everyone snuggled into bed and I started washing laundry and packing for my trip. I would change a load then set my phone alarm to wake me when it was done. Then change another and so on, sleeping on the couch in between.

I couldn't leave all the wet beach laundry to ferment till I got back.

Monday, September 2, 2013

FIre and water

 The 4th of July was very low key. We lit some fire works off in the back yard and Grandma and Grandpa White came over.


 The kids spent time with friends ... The girls discovered they could blow up their bathing suits to float around with ease. Just another upside to a one piece:)


 Towers were made...

 Splashing happened.



 And if you come on the right day banana bread will be eaten.

Happy Fathers Day! and such...

 After music theater we had the joy of watching baby Elsie! Cristal had decided to come and stay for a few weeks. Of course Rachael put her to work to help pay for her trip.  So Elsie hung out with us for a few days. She also visited grandma:)

 There was some movie watching to avoid the heat.

 ANd snuggling by the pool.
 Father's Day was Sunday and we had decided to take Dad out for dinner.
It happened that the day that worked was also Katt's Birthday.

Katt is obsessed with mustaches and I had seen how to make a mustache cake on pinterest...

There were some technical difficulties, like the powdered sugar falling on my head.... I was sticky!!!
 But here is the finished product. I think it turned out AWESOME!!!
 We had a photo to document the occasion.

Our Dad sure is great and I hope he knows how much we LOVE him!!! We are so blessed to have his influence in our lives.
 KAtt getting sung to... She may have been hysterical.
 Elsie learned to sit while she was here. And then moved on to sitting in a cart. She was so proud of herself and is showing off not holding on at all in this picture.
  But of course all good things must come to an end and Cristal and Elsie went back to Utah:(
My family sure had fun with them though. WE just love babies here at the White house.