Beach Vacation

Last week we escaped the record heat and enjoyed the beaches in California.   My parents were planning on going to visit old friends and as a little get away for their 35th wedding anniversary,  we were planning to go at some point during the summer so we decided to combine our trips and we went together.   We couldn't have asked for better weather!

We stayed in a hotel a few miles off the coast and drove to a different beach each day.

 The first day we drove, dropped off our stuff at the hotel and went to Huntington Beach.

 

 

 The next day we went to Balboa Island.   The girls enjoyed the ferry ride

 

 but walking around the island was not much fun for them and it was really hot.

There was a ferris wheel in the Balboa Fun Zone so we patiently waited til it opened and took the girls on their very first ferris wheel ride.

Waiting and sharing an icee so nicely!

They loved it.   Even Paige wasn't scared.

 

 Later we walked on to the pier just to say that we did.

and headed to Corona Del Mar beach.  The entire trip Claire was constantly in the water, either jumping waves or boogie boarding.

Literally ALL DAY.

The younger two loved the sandy beach - although Paige was very brave and got in the water often.

 Josh and I decided to walk up to a lookout point with the girls but Claire didn't want to come.  

She stayed on the beach with Nana and Poppy and played volleyball,

 

and met a "special friend".  He boogie boarded with her the rest of the day.  He was a nice little boy.  

 Claire wanted to come back to this beach the next day because she thought he might be back.

We went to Huntington instead but we were in further up the coast this time and water was not so good for little kids.  The waves were strong and breaking right at the shore.   The girls played on the shore flew kites and napped. 

The last day we were all sad to have to leave.  We only stayed at the beach for a few hours.

 

 

We had so much fun and the girls were so good on this trip!  Paige is a champ.  She is definitely making up for her first year of terror.   We couldn't have asked for a better toddler.  We were mostly worried that Joy would be whiny and fragile, but we stuck with her gluten free diet the entire time and she was great!

Joy is 4!

Today my precious Joy turned 4!

Last night at dinner she said. "When I am 4 tomorrow then I will know everything! Right?" 

(Well, she doesn't know how to smile in pictures)

This poor girl has been waiting to turn 4 for the past 8 months.  She was super excited to get a big girl bike.  - It was in great shape at Goodwill for only $10.00, I couldn't resist.  She also can't wait to go to the beach!  Hopefully now that she is 4 she won't be so afraid of the ocean.

The Pool with Cousins

Last week we got to go up to Anthem to visit cousins TJ and Josiah.  Norah came too but had to go home early.  

We spent the morning playing at TJ's house and getting horrible group pictures of the six cousins.  Horrible.

Then we went to a splash park but it got boring fast and it was SO hot out.   So we went to the Anthem Community Pool and had a blast!  

 

Claire loved the slides

 and got her first chance to go off a real diving board. 

  She was even brave enough to try the high dive - but only once. 

The little kids enjoyed the shallow pool and ran around in it most of the time.

Josiah enjoyed the water. 

But he did not enjoy Claire trying to feed him.

 He's a cool guy.

 

Catching Up - Summer Overview

We have had an excellent summer so far and the best part is - it's not over yet!  Next week we'll be heading to the beach with my parents and at the end of the month we'll be camping with the Jack's family again. 

We finished school the last week of May,  just in time for VBS which was directly followed by Kid's Camp.  Claire had a blast and was especially proud that she caught her first fish.  She ate the raw heart and became a member of the Lonely Hearts Club.

Later in June we celebrated Claire's 7th birthday.  She wanted a My Little Pony party. (gag my with a stick)  Rainbow Dash is her favorite so she had a Rainbow Dash cake and pinata. 

 More than anything else in the world she wanted a skateboard.   I can't believe how well she does on it!  It is amazing, she runs and jumps on it while it's moving and all sorts of dangerous things.  

 Joy decided to finally try on the magic swimming mask and viola!  She is able to swim underwater now!  Her swimming skills improved greatly this year.  

We decided that Joy does have a gluten sensitivity - nothing too bad but when she has gluten she gets very tired, her tummy gets bloated, and she has extreme thirst - and therefore bed wetting problems.  She seems more sharp and with it when she is off it also.  She doesn't eat gluten at home but we're not going to say she can never have a piece of cake or pizza ever again. 

 At the end of June, Paige turned 2!!!!!!!!!!!

What a sweet little dumpling girl this little horror turned out to be!  She is the bomb.  So much fun, tough, hardly ever cries, mostly happy, lovingly etc. etc.  She also just potty trained herself.  Seriously,  all I did was supply the little toilet. 

 Her birthday theme was Bubble Guppies.

More party swimming.

s

 

Oh yes, and she also got her very own big girl scooter similar to the ones sissies have.  She is very proud.

There's been lots of slip - n - sliding,  

 Storm watching,

Pool going,

 

and playing in the irrigation. 

After Josh was finally home from his many camps and days away, we are ready for a family vacation!

We got bored after all the activities and sports slowed down so we started school two weeks ago.

First day of school photo.