Vacation Bible School

We had an amazing week at La Canada Pres's Vacation Bible School.

The theme for the week was "Shake It Up Cafe" - a food/cooking themed program.

Lucy was in the "Pans"group. 

I taught science all week.

Henry was in the nursery.

We were all very brave and very excited and very inspired and very tired.

Channeling his inner Farley

Our "Second Home"

We like to think of San Jose as our "second home."

Simon has been spending so much time up there that he starts to forget which office he's in. . .luckily, sometimes we get to come with him and play!

Simon flies.

The kids and I drive.

A slightly different experience, but we do just fine. 

The kids are amazing travelers considering their ages.

Next to the apartment is a natural area with trails to walk and things to discover.

Henry discovered that he doesn't really like to walk all that much.

And we carried him the rest of the day.

Except for right here . . . .

Our wonderful friends the Hearns came over a couple of times.

Quincy amazed us with her swimming abilities. 

Lucy decided she would rather stand on the side of the pool and toss things for Quincy to retrieve.

We are actively pursuing a swimming teacher. 

The Hearn boys. . .and Henry

Cookies all around!

See you next time!

3-D

We went to Sesame Street 4D at Sea World.

We got in and sat down and Lucy put on her 3D classes.

And wore them like that the whole time.

Fourth of July celebration

You know you are in for some fun when you arrive at Auntie Heather and Uncle Ron's house and an American flag pedicure is waiting for you.

After the pampering, Heather got out her homemade lemonade stand, and the kids tried their hand at hustling neighbors for some fresh, sweet, lemonade. 

Rosie had the best ball park style yell, "Lemon- AAAAAAIIIDDDDD!" 

Some thirsty customers. . . 

It's hard not to taste the merchandise. . . .

The girls got bundled up to watch the fireworks by the pier as they have years before here and here.

A wonderful tradition

Yankee Doodle Dandies!

Thanks for everything Eckerts! Can't wait until next year!

Fourth of July morning

We always start our Fourth of July experience at home.

The first required ingredient is the Hot Dog Eating Contest on ESPN, accompanied by a full English breakfast, just the way our forefathers would have.

Next, we skip up the street to the Pepper Street Parade. This is neighborhood living at its best. All of the local neighbors walk up the street with their kids on bikes, and then parade back down the street.

The guy with the tuba leads the way.

This was Lucy's first year as a participant on a bike.

Next year, we need to decorate it.

To be continued. . .

Construction Workers

Don't you love it when you get home from vacation to a hole in your wall?

Simon took down a door and shelf in our family room that will be replaced with a paneled wall. We're also going to attempt what we are calling "The Three Room Switch." Kids will go in our current room, we'll go in the laundry/guest/office, and the kids current room will be our guest office.

Basically it's a mess.

But it will get better.

At least that's what this super helpful construction kid keeps telling me.

These may be my favorites. . .

These may be two of my favorite pictures of all time.

Boat Cruises

We took several fun boat cruises with my mom, grandparents, and the kids.

I swore I wouldn't make Henry wear the Barbie lifejacket this year, but then I ran out of time to bring one up so he was stuck in the thing. We were trying to make it more of a "Bobby" thing and less of a "Barbie" thing, but I don't think he noticed.

Mom and Nana

 

Papa

Lunch at Braywood. . . I think this is what heaven is like. 

Henry helps Papa drive the boat

Love!

Wisconsin

I love Eagle River, Wisconsin.

Like, it's almost unhealthy how much I love this place.

We flew to my Nana and Papa's cabin for 10 days of ultimate fun and relaxation. 

The kids had a ball and Simon got to join us this year to make it extra fun!

The flight was pretty uneventful, several viewings of the Wizard of Oz were had (fast forwarding through the witch, of course.)

And then we arrived!

We did all the important things: took walks and runs, ate, read books, ate, played with toys, ate, and spent some much needed outdoor time.