I lied, one more post this month. We took a little day trip to the redwoods near the coast. We forgot directions and so we took the long way but he kids were great in the car and we had a great time while we were there. We didn't get rained on this time and the weather was perfect in the shade of these amazing trees. The kids loved just running, skipping, and climbing and playing with Daddy. Here are a few pictures of the trip. Can you find MJ? Tanner loves to balance. Running around the tree with MJ. The dessert after playing.
So I am finally updating my last post for a while I hope until August after our family reunion. When we went camping the daily activity is going to the beach and staying down there all day. I say down because it is probably a 10-15 minute walk (with the kids) to get down to the beach and it is all UPHILL on the way back. Fortunately we have some great older boys in our ward that carried all of my stuff down and up for me and I just had to worry about the kids. I think their mom's felt sorry for me since I am a little pregnant:) Anyway, it saved me because I had to carry Tanner back up the hill 2 of the 3 days. For only being 22 lbs, he sure is heavy!
Jessi loved every second of the beach. I am luck that both of my kids stay out of the water for the most part. Tanner is afraid of the waves so he is very cautious of even going near the water and Jessi doesn't go in much past her ankles and then only if there is someone bigger holding her had or right next to her. Jessi would rather dig, roll, crawl and sprawl in and through the sand than be in the water. Tanner isn't as bad but he also loves to play in the sand. To say the least, they were covered in it from the first day until we got home and were able to give them a back. Camping showers just aren't able to get that much sand off of kids. So though I had an absolutely wonderful time, I am glad to be home and have the convenience of a bath tub to clean my children:)
And now the pictures!
This was our group the first day. We had a ton of people and lots of kids for Jessi and Tanner to play with.
The bigger kids are so great to play with the little ones. Jessi got in on some Volleyball action. Tanner just wanted the ball.
Tanner helped dig this hole and bury someone else, then decided it was his turn and the other kids helped him out.
Jessi being covered in sand, for one of many times.
Again being buried.
Everyone got into digging this huge hole then they decided to try to get the water to come in too. Jessi loved watching and standing in the middle.
Tanner was so tired out that the last two days at the beach he fell asleep in my arms then slept in his chair and in the sand for a good two hours. Nate joined in the second day.
Here are Tanner, Jessi and Nate waiting for mom's to get ready to get them in the shower. Aren't they cute?!
While we were camping Tanner turned two! I can't believe he is that old. Anyway, MJ brought a cake out to Santa Cruz and we shared it with anyone who wanted it. Another boy in our ward shares the same birthday as Tanner so they were able to both blow out candles. Melissa and Chris came out for the night too. We ate cake, then had some smores. Very low key, and nice.
The cake with Tanner and Owen blowing out candles.
Smores.
Then on Sunday we had another mini celebration for Tanner. I make some cupcakes and he got a helmet and scooter. He loves it after trying to ride all the bigger kid's scooters all week at camping.
Jessi helping Tanner open his card.
Tanner with his new helmet and scooter.
Blowing out the cupcake candle. I love that he was so proud of himself when he did it.
He loved the cupcakes, but unfortunately they were hard to hold on to. He still was able to get some frosting in his mouth.
This past week we went camping in Santa Cruz near the beach. The first night we went to the Boardwalk and had a blast! MJ was able to take the day off and come and help me set up camp and then enjoy the night with us. Here are some pictures of the kids on the rides. Monday and Tuesday nights the rides are only 1 ticket each so we got to ride a lot.
Here is a video of how fast this ride was. The kids actually loved it. Tanner was just tall enough. MJ was a little big, but enjoyed the time with the kids.
We were lucky enough to be invited to some wonderful family friends' home in Caloma, Ca. They have a beautiful home on the American river and all the rafting equipment you could ever want. We drove up Friday night and the "big kids" got to go rafting while I stayed at the "playhouse" and watched the kids. We all had a blast! Here are some pictures, and hopefully the slide show of the professional pictures will work too. The brave souls who went rafting, wish I were in the group. Left to right: MJ, Jenny, Paul, Melissa, Chris, Vicky, Mike, Jessica, and Adam. Also pictured are Jessi and Tanner (with his mean face on).
Here are the rafters getting in the boat while Paul holds it steady. They were able to put in right down from their lawn.
These are pictures from the back lawn. I didn't get many good ones but that was all I could do. I'm glad we got the others' later.
There was a beautiful fountain/water feature that Paul built in the middle of the drive way. The kids loved it. He made it just for his Grandkids so it is really safe.
Jessi liked to be upside down looking into the water.
Jessi liked to Push Tanner in the swing, but loved to spin him even more. He didn't like it as much.
The kids were able to play with this jeep that they could really drive. It was a lot of power for Jessi but she got the hang of it a little more each day. Tanner finally trusted her enough to ride with her. She crashed a lot. I will try to add a video of it.
Jessi loved the tractor. She got to dump dirt a few times and pick up and move some rocks. Paul even took her "4-Wheeling'" over the hills in it.
Tanner on the tractor with "Uncle Paul". He wasn't quite sure about it until Paul showed him how to lift up the rocks and dump them out again.
Here are just some random pictures from the weekend. We had smores in the fire pit the last night and the kids loved it. We also played in the hot tub while the others were on the river and Jessi learned to float on her back!
Thanks to Paul and Jenny for the wonderful weekend!!!
Mj likes to cook on fast Sundays since he isn't able to eat and the rest of us are right now. Tanner got to help this month. He has started making mean faces and we love them.
