It's HOT

(Emma after walking home from school last week)
Such an original title I know, but lately it feels like a theme of life round here. Tomorrow is supposed to be 115 F. My zucchini plants got attacked by some yucky beetle species and it's too hot for me to go kill them. I gave a whole-hearted effort last week and eventually came in- underclothes stuck to my skin, panting, with a tomato red face and that heebie-jeebie feeling you get when you're too close to lots of bugs (and their eggs). So Saturday I'll rip them out. (I use the word "I'll" loosely here to mean Dana.) Then in about a month when the temperature returns to one that can sustain human life and I'm free to kill insects at will with my flip flop for hours if I'd like, we'll probably plant something new.

In other news, we're now 2 weeks into school and everything seems to be going well. I think all the kids have great teachers this year. Sadie asks for friends more often being the sole child at home, but also likes to hang out with me and go on errands with me :) She's always hoping for the bank because they give "Dum-Dums" to the kids.

I got a couple cute pictures of her and Campbell the other day when I was trying to see who was taller. Aren't they sweet? The other day Sadie said she'll "love Campbell forever". She loves all her friends so much. So far she seems the most social out of the 4.

Virtually the same height!

Back to School 2011

Summer pretty much flew by this year and here we are with a brand new school year in front of us. It's a good thing, albeit a little painful, to have a schedule again.

August 10, 2011
Dana took the trek with us for the first day again.
The cousins at our school this year. (Emma and Jane are in the same class again)
Holly and her teacher Mrs. Melton. (sorry we got a little cleavage going here) Emma had Mrs. Melton too and she's great. Holly is LOVING school so far this year.
Eli and Ms. James. He looks quite cozy- hopefully he still feels this way at the end of the year!
I missed getting one of Emma and Mrs. Bray since I ran out of time so I'll have to get one later. Emma will be thrilled I'm sure :) She's liking her class so far. She found out her BF is going to a different school this year like 2 days before school started and so she's sad about that but she's a trooper and I know she'll have a great year. She's a BIG 6th grader now!

My little preschooler. She was so excited to go back the same day as everyone else and has had a fun first 2 days.
Her teacher Miss Tiffany asked them questions for an "All About Me" packet and Sadie said she wanted to be a mountain climber when she's grows up! She's such a funny girl. She usually tells me she wants to be a mom :) I'm so glad I still get to have a couple more years (next year she'll do half-day K) to hang out with my baby during the day.
We're off to a good start!

Summer's Better at the Beach

Ahhh. This is the sound of the relief my body feels from spending almost a week at the beach. Just in time too. School starts tomorrow!

We went camping at Doheny State Beach and seriously had the best time. The kids played and played and played some more.
But even better than the beach was spending time with family :)
It was a little windy the first couple days.


All the kids got to meet their new cousin. He was definitely the star of the show.
This was my family's site (001). We only got it for 2 nights though and then did 2 nights at a nearby Best Western.
We roasted marshmallows and I got to try my first roasted Starburst which actually did kind of burst...mmmm. Both are GF too!
Cute baby boy.

Sadie was in heaven.
She and Campbell played together for endless hours.

Thursday we rented a couple paddle boards which the kids (and adults) had fun on.
Dana and the kids went over to the nearby jetty and spent hours catching crabs with a fishing line and some bait. I'm so grateful I have a husband who loves doing things like this. I guess that explains why my kids love that stuff so much too :)

All the kids around had to come take a look too.

Later they returned them to their homes.
James had his first beach experience.
Miranda had to leave Wednesday and Thursday Jeff and Carrie came. They had a little castle building contest with Tatum and Jane. Dana helped out at the end drawing a crab and making it "Crab Castle".
Here's the mascot.
Here's "Star Castle" :)
Jeff and Carrie also planned some relay games. That was so much fun!



The joy of victory and the pain of defeat.
The 3 boys
Jeff and Carrie even brought medals for all the kids.
7 grandkids and 2 robots.
Family pic sans Miranda.
Our last day there my family walked out along a little cove.

The last 2 nights were spent with everyone at moms. It was a little busy but fun. We tie-dyed, the boys went to a movie, the girls went shopping, the kids went in the jacoozi and then they all slept in a gigantic "bed" (blanket) on the floor at night.
The kids were all smitten by James. Especially since he kept giving out big smiles. Sally said she felt like the Pied Piper walking around the house :)

The last day, Sunday, we drove down to San Diego for James' blessing. My camera card was basically full so I have no baby blessing pictures.

Then right after the luncheon we had to make the trek home.

Here's the kids in their tie-dyed glory.
Here's the other Arizonans behind us.
Here's a dust storm awaiting our return.
Even with the heat and coming back to a house with one AC unit not working, it's nice to be home. I'm so thankful for family and cameras that help us remember all the fun we had!

Life is good :) :)