Today's Photo: Family from Fresno

We are so glad that sister Cindy called to let us know they were in town today. They squeezed in a quick visit between their aquarium visit and their family dinner. Here is the cousins' silly pose: Sister & Brother and their children. Everyone is growing so fast, time is flying.

Today's Photos: Discovering with Timmy & Rachel

A fun day with dear Timmy & Rachel at the science museum

Today's Photo: Happy Birthday Pete

Pete enjoyed his relaxing birthday. That's cuz I stayed out of the planning, and he picked whatever he wanted to do. That meant no plans and doing whatever came to mind.

Today's Photo: Ha Ya!

Ha Yah! celebrating the gals 6 years of life!

Today's Photo: Bye Bye VBS

Fun Lunch Bunch with much of the VBS crew buddies

the last 20 minutes of the VBS goodbye gathering

After an hour looking for parking, we made up for it by staying at the beach later. It was a blessed day.

Today's Photo: Ball runners

After a blessing of a day by the pool, the evening ended with a round of tennis for the big boys. the younger boys did an excellent job at running after the balls and returning them to the big guys.

Today's Photo: morning ocean walk

The beauty of waking up while beach camping. The ocean is the back drop.

Today's Photo: Beach with Grandma

After VBS, we headed over to join Al & Grandma at the beach to set up for a one night campout!

Photos of the Day: Home Made Fun

Home-made pretzels!
Hand squeezed orange juice:
plus fellowship equals

science, creativity and fun!

When I see these girls, I see through my "lens" of the day I met them: one-day-olds! They've grown so much. And time keeps flying. I am thankful that we make a point to see each other every few months.

Today's Photo: Splash

Good combination: Sunny + ocean breeze + splashing in the spraygrounds

Today's Photo: We thought you were kidding!

After a morning of swim play date for Aidon and a daddy-Josh special time, we called Lolo & Lola for a visit. While Aidon spoke to Lolo, Josh called Lola on another phone. They both asked if we could come over tonight at the same time. When we arrived, they were surprised to see us. They thought the kids were just kidding! Here we are just before heading home. Yes, some are in pajamas already. (thanks for humoring me with a picture anyway)

Today's Photos: Well Check

A bit of bussiness and a bit of play. I'm glad the day started with a playdate, since it ended with a doctor's visit. Today was Josh's well visit at the doctor. He looks so grown up to his mama, as i take a picture of him having his pulse and blood pressure taken.

Aidon reads and looks over his brother:

We went to a widow's luncheon in Coronado with my dad and grandmother (who is a widow since 1989) then headed home for an afternoon gathering at my parents home with their dear friends. this is the only picture of the day. All the grandkids with Melissa.

Today's Photos: Moonlight Swim

A sunset walk to the pool for a moonlit swim. We waited to swim til dad got off from the typical summer late shift.

Today's Photo: Tea Party

TToday was a day of recovery for Aidon. We knew my parents were stopping by really quick to drop something off; so, we had a tea party ready for them and Oma. The boys served the desserts and snacks :) Here's they are just as we said farewell. Lolo gave a bag of tennis balls as a housewarming gift - now we can look forward to the lessons he will provide!

Photo of the day: Dad time

Before their dad scoots off to work, the boys squeeze in some "time with dad". Remember playing ball this way as a child? They were full of giggles trying to keep the ball within the enclosure. The legs form a heart shape.

Photo of the Day: Period of Quietness

What we plan and what we get are not the same. We had typical summer days planned for the rest of the week. I've now moved past the disappointment of plans falling through, and am at peace with what's to come... a few days of quiet and retreat. "May the Lord of peace himself always give you his peace no matter what happens." 2 Thess 3:16. I pray that we spend extra time with the Lord.

Aidon's fever started monday night, went away, then returned tonight. "When you lie down, you won't be afraid; when you lie down, you will sleep in peace" Prov 3:24

Photo of the Day: Family Day

It was Pete's first day getting in the pool with the kids at the new place. He took the noodle, placed an end near each child, and declared: "The arc of brotherhood!".

Photo of the day: jewelry party

My sister, Marnie, just returned from Texas where she was a professional make up artist of the Miss Teen World pageant. Many of the ladies she "made up" competed within the Top 5 finalists! While there, she picked up the makings for a FUN jewelry party! There were sunglassess, earrings, headbands, shoes, purses, and necklaces to choose from. I like this one because of the "amber" type baubles.

Picture of the Day: Breakfast

Up there are the banana crumb muffins I brought to a prayer breakfast to share. I was blessed to reflect on prioritizing spending time getting to know God more. The cherry turnovers turned out great (My mom has alway been a fan of turnovers) and they were good use of the many cherries that I had that were not super sweet. In addition to all this, my mom obliged the boys request for pancakes and sausage! So, she taught them to make the pancakes. they got to do the mixing and flipping. thanks mom!

Pictures of the Day: Afternoon with Oma Esther

So, my mom and the boys had a special date at the mall - reading books at the bookstore, munching on breadsticks and enjoying fresh baked cookies. So appropriate since it was a hot day. My dad's mom, Oma, and I hung out in the kitchen. Oma sliced up the bread that Pete made in the breadmaker. We pitted cherries together for tomorrow's cherry turnovers. We also made banana crumb muffins (this recipe was passed on from my friend Susie and is now the kids' favorite).

Picture of the Day: Summer baptism

On Thursday, he boys and I were blessed with a same day decision (thanks for the suggestion, Jenn!) to run down to the beach for our church's summer baptisms. Here are the kids just before worship service began. I asked them to "smile" for the camera! Ha!

Such a fun, blessed time: bbq, wading the water, sand play, and fellowship with new and familiar faces.

Got your glow?

We are so blessed to have received annual passes from our friends and we put them to good use.
Last wednesday, we tried to catch the fireworks show and the kids slept through it after a long day at this amusement park. So, we tried again this evening and they were awake and enjoying the raucous of the night time show and the fireworks! Of course, my favorite was seeing our friend brake dancing (he was the one who first taught aidon to do so!)

My favorite musical instruments to watch in a performance are the drums. The choreograpphed drummers are at the 'top' of the stage.

July 4th Fireworks

July 4th was a day of sweet fellowship with family and friends morning, afternoon and night. We spent the late evening at our Home Fellowship's annual dessert potluck. Here we are just after watching the fireworks :)

July 4th Morning

The boys enjoyed going to Coronado's July 4th Parade. Here they are enroute: Posing in front of the American Flag along the parade route
Parade highlights:

The military bands, Live reenactments, Color Guard
Drummers, Classic cars with headlights that pop up/down

We enjoyed breakfast and lunch before and after the parade festivities with Lolo's friends at the Coronado lodge. Then headed back for more food where Lola prepared food, then off to the annual potluck at Poppy & Mamita's place.

Beach Day

Our first beach day this summer (of course after we were able to unpack our swim stuff since the move) was a great time! It was a welcome breath of fresh ocean air after the hubbub of the car getting towed unexpectedly ;}