Beach Camping

Well, we finally got off to our trip Monday afternoon while we waited for our car radiator fan to get fixed and after starting we pretty much sat in traffic the whole way to CA. I forgot about the 4th of July traffic it took us 8 hours to get to the beach when it was only suppose to be about 5 hours, ugh! Anyway, we made it, well kind of... on our way we were thinking this is going to be so much work with all our little ones so we changed plans (we were suppose to go to San Mateo and camp 2 nights with our friends and then go to my sister's and camp one night on her mother-in-laws beach). We ended up staying all three nights at my sister's beach. Our poor friends got rained out after one night and stayed at a hotel the other 2 nights. The beach weather was no good! The sun just never came out! The kids still had a great time playing in the sand, running from the water, swimming in the lap pool, being with their cousins Baxter (and Vincent), being with grandma and of course they enjoyed the camp fire!

Daisy and Walt after falling in the water.

Daisy made her a little spot to watch the water.

We were able to see my Grandma Mike who is doing fantastic, visit with my cousin Heidi while the kids swam with her kids at my aunt Joann's.

We also stopped by my dad's and swam some more, had dinner and enjoyed visiting with Grandpa Ernie and Grandma Debi.

A Day at the Wild Animal Park

Since the beach weather was so yucky, we ended up going to the Wild Animal Park. My sister had free passes which was wonderful! My mom stayed home with baby Vincent (my sister's little guy) and the rest of us went and enjoyed the park!

Van looking at the sleepy lion.

Hanna, watch out for the Gorilla!

On our tour we saw lots of neat African animals and heard some very interesting facts!

The Black Rhino can weigh up to 3000-4000 lbs.!

Happy 4th of July

We had a wonderful 4th of July celebration this year! We first went to our stake breakfast and program, which I always enjoy. Later, our friends Autumn and Jeff invited us to Jeff's aunts 4th of July party (on the 3rd). They had this fun pool that was so nice and warm! Had yummy food, lots of fun treats (homemade ice cream, slushies, chocolate cover fruit and marshmallows on festive sticks, bottled soda...) and some very fun fireworks! We had a great time! On the 4th we went to Jeff and Cindy's for dinner and more fireworks with the Jensen Family.

They had this fun rope swing and this 10 ft. wall that Max enjoyed jumping off of!

Danny doing sparklers with the kids, these sparklers were so nice because they were so long.


Everyone with sparklers.

Swimming Lessons

Luke, Van, Daisy, Walt and Hanna
Like I mentioned early the kids got free swimming lessons so I even took a mommy and me class with the twins. Daisy was doing just fine in her floaties before swim lessons, but poor Walt was too afraid, when I would barley move away from him he would panic. Well, since their swim lessons you would not have known Walt was ever afraid. He jumps off the side (with his floaties on), floats on his back and puts his head under all the time, he just loves the water now.

Daisy swimming (or drowning). Walt swimming.

Hanna enjoyed jumping off this 5ft. high dive with no life jacket and had no problem doing so.

OB, Daisy, Walt and Luke. Van is pretty much swimming without his floaties I just make him wear them because it's much less work and stress on me. Maybe now that my mom's back she can watch the babies and I can watch the others.