Last Hurrah, Part 2 (a little out of order)

It seems kind of funny to post this now, since we are in full swing of our school year. However, on the Friday before classes started (less than a week ago), Stefanie and I decided to take the afternoon to have our official "Last Hurrah" before the real crazy schedule had begun. So, we simply packed a lunch and got our kids together at the pool. Most summers we do many beach and pool days but the last 2 summers were different. Last summer I had a newborn and she was pregnant, and this summer was just plain crazy for both of us. I was gone almost all summer until the end of July and she had lots of people in her life that were moving and she needed to spend time with them. So, this is only our 2nd official day getting together all summer....pretty amazing. Although, we email things night and day so we are in touch constantly....

Anyway, Stefanie and I grew up next door to each other from the time I was in 2nd grade and she was in 1st. We went through high school together and lived in the same dorm at Masters College. All of our kids are about the age, only staggered. They have paired up so amazingly with each other and have become the best of friends. We are so thankful for how much they love each other and how well they play together (or now "hang out", as teens do). We got some sweet pictures that day....which was important to me, as they seem to change so much from year to year. So, as a record, I wanted to post them. (sorry there are a lot again....I am not learning to cut back very well). :)

Josh and Jaden

Joshua and Jaden

Olivia and Julia

Jonah and Isabella

Luke and Jake

My Jeremy and Josh, Her Jaden and Luke

Jaden and Josh

Our oldest: Jeremy, Andrew and Christine (the teens) !

Jeremy and Andrew: they are crazy about each other

Julia, Christine and Olivia (Christine is such a sweet helper with them)
Mini-Me's!

Last Hurrah, Part 1....

Well...the summer was long, in the sense that we seemed to squeeze a lot into it. But...it was short, too, in the sense that it went WAY to fast! How can both be true? I don't know. But, they are. Friday, August 27th was our "official" last day of summer. School started for us on August 30th. However, classes don't start for us until September 7th so we "eased" into school the 1st week. Anyway, on the last day of summer, my dad and I took all the kids to Hurricane Harbor one more time. I dropped them all off and went home to give baby a nap. then, I picked up lunch and they met me out front for a picnic. Then, we all stayed until it closed. We were blessed with mild weather again. This time the crowds were a lot lighter. It was a really fun day!

LOVED climbing in the tubes!

Hurricane Harbor

My dad went with me and the kids to Hurricane Harbor on Thursday. I thought it would be really difficult with the baby and figured I might need to just leave with him and go back to pick them up. To my surprise, he stayed really happy all day because of all the shallow water in the kid area that he could crawl around in. The older boys were really helpful, also and really enjoyed taking him in the water areas. This new, huge, area called "Splash Island" kept everyone busy all day, in between long lines for the larger slides. Overall, really fun day and great memories. Can't wait to go back!

Not happy about this vest that is way too big!

Summer "baths" for baby....

Even though Jonah has taken steps (and continues to take more each day) his primary way of getting around is still crawling. Because of that and because of his love for the backyard, he is ALWAYS filthy. He looks like he is covered in dirt from head to toe all the time. He really should take several baths a day. (But...quite honestly, each child that came along, took fewer baths than the one before) So....we came up with a new plan....we put a few inches of water in his pool and add baby bath and a few toys and put him in. He thinks he's playing out back, but...he's actually taking a "bath". Works like a charm (well for a little while anyway). :)

Jake Turned 12! (last month....oops)

We have had a busy summer, to say the least! Birthdays are still a big deal to our family but we use to make an even bigger deal out of them. As the kids get older, and times get busier, we can't celebrate the way we did when they were younger. However, it is a time for us to honor each child individually and make them feel special. We feel like this is so important in a big family. Jake's birthday is exactly 1 week after Jonah's. We celebrated as a family on his birthday and then he had a few friends over to celebrate with a few days later. It kind of got lost in a busy weekend (with other parties we attended) and then VBS week. So...since we had plans on the evening of his birthday, we went out to corner Bakery on the morning of his birthday. It is one of our favorite breakfast spots. They all got yummy things and we had fun hanging out. We went home and opened gifts together! He was a happy boys and got everything he wanted (that's because he never asks for much and is always happy with what he gets). :) He is a precious addition to our family and has very unique interests! We love him so much! His tender heart is a joy to see!

Days after his birthday, some great friends came with us to Mountasia and Farrell's to celebrate...then swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's...then a couple of them stayed the night! It was a fun day!

These are the dorky teenagers....too cool to sit with the others and too cool to smile! :)

Jake was mortified by the large drum and announcement!

And...of course....at the counter, trying to figure out what to buy with tickets earned in the arcade! Always a huge decision!

Ventura for the 4th!

We have been going to Ventura for summer vacations since Jeremy was born. Many of those trips have been over the 4th of July. The kids look forward to it so much because the beach house we stay at is on the channel so they can fish, paddle boat, paddle board, kayak, play on the sailboat, etc. It is so hard to narrow down the hundreds of pictures I take on every trip but for one reason or another...these are my favorites from this trip. (Sorry...there's a lot)

Julia is very serious about her fishing and stays out there all day....participating in every slimy detail.

Hard to see in this picture since it is out of focus, but Josh is holding his fishing pole with the bait end in my face!

Jumping into the channel off the sailboat

Santa Barbara Zoo! (We LOVE it there!)

Joshua surfing!

At Sharkys before fireworks on the 4th

Macaroni Grill for Nico's birthday