Backyard Campout

The girls combined a few American Girl gift cards to purchase a tent set that is the cutest toy ever. Natalie had a sleepover a few days later and opted to sleep outside in our little tent with her best friend, Brooklyn, and set up the little toy tent for their dolls. Such a fun night.

 We used their backyard camp out as an excuse to make an easy and delicious campfire meal for dinner, foil packet pies. And, of course, s'mores for dessert. These two are mistaken for twins most places they go and it's no wonder!

Summer Road Trip

A week after school let out the girls and I hit the road to Phoenix to visit this cute little pumpkin who arrived June 10th.  We just fawned all over her day after day and had fun entertaining her proud big brother to give Ash time to rest a bit.

 We drove most of the way there the first day and spent the night with Papa Rod (Lala was already in babyland) in Palm Springs. We actually had fun watching the temperature gauge on the car go up a degree with every mile we got closer to our destination. Naturally, the very first thing we did when we arrived was hop in their pool!

 The next day we arrived in Phoenix where the girls wasted no time giving Liam one of their signature pedicures. He was a little taken aback at first but ended up a willing and patient patron by the time the top coat was applied.

And then we got down to the business of snuggling this little nugget of loveliness. She was so sleepy and so sweet.

We took Liam on many outings to various stores with good air conditioning in order to give Ash and Lily a little peace and quiet. Two kid supervisors per toddler is the PERFECT shopping ratio. They managed to convince him to stay in the cart everywhere we went.

 One morning Paul, the girls and I took Liam to our old Phoenix neighborhood to play in the splash pad we used to walk to. It hadn't changed a bit and Natalie looked SO TALL going through the obstacle course of sprayers. She used to ride her tricycle through this splash pad during the off season!

Such a fun trip and so many great memories.

Father's Day at Baker Beach

We had a glorious beach day to celebrate Father's Day at Baker Beach. It doesn't get better than an  beach day with great friends enjoying a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Highlights of the day: seeing sea lions and a school of dolphins in the surf, a start up company handing out free fruit/energy bars just when we were craving a snack, and everyone (including all 6 children we were with) except Corey seeing topless girls walk past.

First Days of Summer Vacation!

We started summer vacation off right...shopping!  I took the girls and quite a few gift cards from past holidays and birthdays to the American Girl store in Palo Alto.  I don't know who loves this store more, me or them.  They combined their funds and bought a big camping play set. I think they'll have a lot of fun with it together this summer.

 Funny that both of their dolls, Julie and Samantha, are on display next to each other!

Last Days of School

The last days of school were especially busy this year.  In addition to band concerts, choir concerts and Girl Scouts events, Natalie's 4th grade class participated in 49er day.  They come dressed as pioneers, make little clothespin dolls and a lantern, pan for gold and then use the gold they've found to "pay" for their lunch.  She loved it and the lantern she made is so cute that I want to make more of them for the holidays.  Yes, GGma, that is my first communion dress.  I think you might have made this bonnet, too!

The last week of school was nuts. Audrey got sick with a tummy bug so she missed most of her last week of 1st grade. But she made it to the last day and I'm so happy she did. She received an award for responsibility which was very sweet.

 They both lucked out again this year with great teachers who loved them like crazy.

Hard to believe it but we're on to 2nd grade and 5th grade next year. It will be their last year at the same school until high school!  Ack!