Summer Fun

Back from our vacation, now it's time for a little bit of business! 

Which, of course the kids think it's so much work.

Swim lessons for Clark.

Yay Clark!

Swimming is pretty much all you can do to keep cool in this Vegas heat!

Summer basketball for these boys!

Wet n' Wild fun!

Summer haircuts for these cute boys!

Inside Out was so good.

Solvang

I've been wanting to visit Solvang!

Solvang was founded in 1911 on almost 9,000 acres, by a group of Danes who traveled west to establish a Danish colony far from the Midwestern winters. The city is home to a number of bakeries, restaurants, and merchants offering a taste of  Denmark in California. 

The architecture of many of the facades and buildings reflects traditional Danish style.

Our first stop in Solvang was the Danish Bakery. 

Danny is on a diet, but splurged for his Danish roots.

Visited the Danish Museum.

Couldn't resist a picture in front of Jensen Square.

Oxnard

Jeff and Cindy got a beach house in Oxnard, CA and we were invited to come visit for 2 days with Tom and Becky and Tracy and Alena. We did a lot in the 2 days. The first day we went to the tide pools at Carpenteria Beach. There was a lot of us Jensen's/Blackwell's.

 

The kids had a rock contest. They had to pick one rock and decide whose was the best. 

                   I didn't get a picture of all the rocks, but Walt's won. It was a seaweed rock.                                    Clark's rock.                                                  Walt's rock.

 Building sandcastles.

 Beach time with cousins.

Visiting Grandpa

Had a fun day visiting Grandpa Ernie and Grandma Debi!

Grandpa at the grill and the kids swimming, just like the old days.

 The kids with Grandpa and Vincent.

 Clark, Daisy and Walt jumping off the diving board.

 8 of the grand kids with Grandpa Ernie and Grandma Debi.

36 Weeks

4 weeks to go. We can't wait to meet Baby Jane.

Arizona

My sister and I took a road trip to AZ with 8 kids to visit my Brother Greg and his family.

Went to this cool park in Mesa and met up with my old mission companion Kate. 

I hadn't seen her in 15 years.

Swimming Time

Fun splash pad and park in Greg's housing community.

 Had so much fun visiting my old college friend Leanne and her family. 

It had been 16 years since we had seen each other!

 Fun with cousins!

 Sleep over with cousins!

 Saw my friend Laura and her cute twins! She's due just 4 weeks after me.

 Heading to Cali!

Church with Grandma

Grandma got Max a new shirt and bow tie for his 12th Birthday.
He's growing up to be one handsome young man.

Blue Diamond Triathlon

So proud of these kids for their hard work! 50 yard swim, 2 mile bike and 1/2 mile run.

I was so worried about Daisy backing out at the last minute, but she had a smile on her face

the whole race and after the swim she said, "that was awesome!"

Last Week of School

Daisy lettered in Cheer. Hanna lettered in Basketball, Running Club, Soccer and Straight A's all year. Van lettered in Game Club. Max lettered in Basketball.

So proud of this girl! Hanna received her Nevada Citizenship Award. She had to memorize the names of the State Governors in chronological order, memorize the 1st paragraph of the State Constitution, memorize the NV Counties, memorize all 8 vs. of the State Song, memorize the State Symbols and label the Physical Map. Way to go Hanna!

Hanna had a mom/daughter spa day at school. 

(Clark came and enjoyed the cookies and bean bag chairs).

Love the art work the kids bring home. (Daisy and Walt 1st grade).

Last day of school! It was a great year at Doral Academy with wonderful teachers!

No more homework and no more sack lunches for me to make (that's 25 a week)!

Last day with just me and Clark, before the kids are home for summer and baby sister arrives! ‪

Max has been blessed with a great group of friends this year.

Yeah for summer!

Ordained an Elder

So proud of their cousin (our nephew Andrew)! Got ordained as an Elder today. Still has a month in a half before he leaves, we're sure going to miss him!

Jeff, Andrew, Danny and Tom

Cousins

Nursery

My cute nursery boy!

Youth Temple Run

Our youth did a relay race run to the temple this morning. 26 miles (4 miles a car).

Each youth ran/walked about 2 miles each. 

Big Kids

My kids are growing up and going places with out their mama! I got these two their own Wet-n-Wild passes this summer and have been letting them go by themselves. 

They are responsible and I trust them together. They are great kids!

Temple Blessings

We got to take Max to the temple to do baptism's for his first time. I'm so proud to be his mom and watch him growing up to be such a good boy. And YES, Danny has his eyes closed, surprise surprise!

We were able to do some Blackwell Family names and I had a couple Gravell Family names as well .

1st Grade Field Trip

I hate missing my kids field trips! I'm lucky that Daisy and Walt's teacher is also my friend and text me some cute pics. I also had other friends that were able to make it and text me pics. as well. 

I knew they'd have fun even if I wasn't there. They enjoyed their day at Bonnie Springs Park!

Pinewood Derby

First Pinewood Derby for Van! It was fun! There were a lot of very talented derby boys (and father's). He didn't win, but he had a great time!

And it's off!

Field Trip

Went with Hanna to the Discovery Museum for her Fourth Grade Field Trip.

Loved all the kids in my group!