Carlsbad Beach

I decided that since I had a few days off of teaching piano that I needed to do something fun with the kids since we aren't really having a vacation this year. It just so happened that my grandparents and some cousins and some aunts and uncles were going to be at the beach in Southern California (like they are every year, for who knows how many years.) So I packed up the car and said goodbye to my husband who had to stay home to work, and drove the kids 10 hours all by myself.

It was only supposed to be 7 1/2 hours, but LA traffic was horrendous. I was about ready to scream at this point! We got there Saturday night and set up camp, I had never set a tent up by myself before, so that was exciting. I actually had my 12 year old 1st cousin once removed (my cousin's kid) telling me how to do it:)

It was a fun trip (kind of hard at times with a not even 2 year old), and we definitely missed Joel. I'm pretty sure I will not be camping husbandless for quite a while again. We spent three days on the beach, and we spent our nights next to campfires, and playing games. My kids all had fun meeting and playing with 2nd cousins and 1st cousins once removed :)

Glad to be home in my nice soft bed!

4th of July

Mom and Ben watching fireworks. He LOVED them. He clapped and cheered and said "woohoo!"

Mom and Dad.

Cheesy smiler Alex.

Alex and Katie playing cards. Passing the time until the sun goes down.

Grandpa Clift and Benjamin.

Cutie Katelyn

BEACH!

We absolutely LOVE the beach! Last week I took the kids to the beach with a couple of friends, and had a blast. Okay, well the kids had a blast running and playing, I was exhausted from lugging the ice chest and towels, and baby, and toys from the car to the beach(with no husband--he was at work), and then was freezing! It was 100 degrees at home, but was 59 at the beach--with a breeze! But as soon as we got home, I wished I was back at the cool beach.

I love my baby's cute toes.

My beautiful Katie. She was not as brave as Alex, she made sure she did not get any of her clothes wet--smart girl!

Alex played a lot in the water, got completely drenched, and then came back and couldn't stop shivering. Then he went out again! Kids!

My sweet baby, who is turning into a not so much baby and I can't stand it! He was good at the beach and stayed right next to me the entire time, and then he took a really long nap.

Alex's 7th birthday!

We went to Six Flags for Alex's birthday and we had a lot of cousins go with, it was a lot of fun!!At the butterfly exhibit.

Waiting for Thomas the Train. The conductor wished Alex a happy birthday, and he was so embarrassed!

Daddy and Ben.

My handsome boys!

Before church, they were just so handsome I had to take a picture. I am loving Benjamin's new smile, we tell him to smile and he does the cheesiest smile ever. Alex does the same cheesy smile! They must be brothers!!

Garden one month later

So, I need to take another picture now that it's almost been two months. But here's the one month progress.

CAUGHT!!

Ben had been quiet for a little too long, so I went to check on him, and look what I found!!

Now, Reese's is a hard candy for even me to open, this is one determined little fellow!

Him offering me one so that hopefully I will go away:)