Summer Fun

Kids with library books

As part of our Summer Bucket List we have been participating in our library summer reading program.  This is a series of books the kids have been particularly interested in lately about Dogs.  The older 3 kids participated in Music Art and Drama camp at the Presbyterian church with several of their friends and had fun doing science experiments and learning some new songs. 

Kids at MAD Camp

Girls castle during playdate

We hosted a couple playdates here helping to watch the Seamons kids as their parents were packing and preparing to move to Utah.  We will miss them as they have been part of our preschool, our date night swap, temple swap, art lesson carpool, my early morning walking partner, etc. etc.  We had a going away BBQ for them at our house.  Here are the families all split into "groups".  We will miss having this crew to run around with on a regular basis.

The younger girls

The older Girls (with a couple younger)

The moms

The Dads

The Boys

To kick off the summer we met some friends up near Half Moon Bay to see the tide pools which were going to be at the lowest tide for almost the whole summer.  The kids had fun touching sea anemones, crabs, playing with sand and kelp and spending time with friends.

Cait and kids at tide pools

Since our kitchen is still in the process of being remodeled and we have no sink, counters or dishwasher we decided to bombard my parent's house!! It was perfect timing for 4th of July and a visit from Nate & Tausha.  We were so excited to meet my new niece Cosette!!

We tried to keep everyone busy so Tausha and baby could primarily rest and join us when they were feeling up to it.  This is our Inside-Out, In-N-Out day.  We stopped for some cheeseburgers on the way to see the new Pixar movie.  Thanks Grandpa for treating us to the movies.  Poor Cosette was not very happy at In-N-Out but we take that as a sign that she was just crying because she wasn't big enough to get a cheeseburger yet ;)  We all had some time to snuggle with Cosette, play lava monster and sneak attack snuggle with Uncle Nate and since Wimbledon was happening, we had to have our own Wimbledon-West!!  We were required to wear at least white shirts to participate.  The kids pooped out pretty quick and went to the park with Nana but I had fun hitting tennis balls fed into the machine by Nate and getting some instruction from my Dad.  Unfortunately Jonas and Emma were a bit feverish and sick. Jonas threw up one night and passed it to Rin several days later.  I guess that is the status quo whenever we get together with family.  Someone is always puking!!  Brian and I both did that when we were younger and now my kids are just keeping the tradition strong.  We also went swimming at the Stone's house a couple times but apparently failed to get any photos.  Maybe something to do with the fact that I am outnumbered 4:1 trying to keep everyone alive when we are swimming!

Everyone partying in the van

At the movie theater to see Inside Out

In-N-Out with cousins!!

Jonas Snuggling with Cosette

Playing in the water out back with Uncle Nate

Wimbledon West

For 4th of July we went to the A's game Friday night followed by a fireworks show.  Jocelyn filled up on so much cotton candy and other junk that she, of course, threw up that night.  Rin was pretty funny during the fireworks. He kept repeating "they aren't scary.  I'm not scared" but then he demanded that Nate cover Rin's ears and hold him tight.  Very fun all in all.  The Vieiras came and it was fun to catch up with them.  They also hosted my girls for a playdate one day and we watched their girls for them another day.  Jared arrived late on July 3rd to join us for the weekend.  On 4th of July morning we went to the Flag Raising Ceremony at the church followed by breakfast at IHOP, swimming and BBQ at the Stones then fireworks at our house that night with several families over.  My mom and Tausha put together a Wits and Wagers 4th of July edition that was pretty cute to help us get in a patriotic mood before eating some cute patriotic treats made by the girls and Nana and watching the teenage boys light all the fireworks out front.

Watching the game

Cait and Kids at A's Game

Tailgating before the A's game

Nate and Rin watching the fireworks

At the flag raising ceremony

Patriotic Cousins!

Out to breakfast at IHOP

The next week the kids wanted to take a trip to the Jelly Belly Factory because they assured me that Emma didn't remember it since it was a year ago!  As predicted, we had plenty of sugar to last us all week.  Mostly it was fun to catch up with everyone and have some time at Nana's and Grandpa's house!