Friday, July 6, 2012

Summer Fun!

     It's been a while since I posted a new blog, but our summer has been so full of travel and fun that I've hardly had a spare moment to write.  Jim and I have spent most of the last two weeks in a car.  First we drove to Arizona to pick up our niece Cali and nephew Javan.  We visited Monterey and Sequoia National Park on our way home to Susanville.  In Susanville, we spent time with friends, visted Lassen Volcanic Park and had crazy fun with puppets at VBS.  Then we hopped back in the car to drive back to Arizona to deliver the kids safely back to Grandma and Grandpa. 
     The trip was absolutely awesome!  We were all exhausted by the end, but everyone had so much fun.  We did learn a few things during this trip...namely that kids can have fun ANYWHERE!  We wanted to take them to iconic California spots...the ocean, Sequoia, Monterey Aquarium.  They had fun climbing rocks, having pillow fights, and listening to me read through Judy Blume's "Fudge" series.  They enjoyed the "iconic" spots too, the destination just wasn't all that important to them.  The important thing was to just spend quality time together.  The best memories aren't planned, they just happen when we spend time with those we love. 
      This will be a trip we will always remember... so here's some pics for you to enjoy of our fun!   
Javan and Cali at the hotel in Bakersfield

Pillow Fight!

I usually won:)

high-fiving Javan

Look at the air Cali got

I gave free train rides around the pool

What a beautiful girl, inside and out

Jim hanging out with Cali and Javan

The Ocean near Paso Robles
Circus antics

Are we all ready to join?

Not sure what's going on in this pic

Cali and Javan's favorite thing to climb besides rocks, lol

Cali on a rock in Sequoia

cozy cubby at the hotel...no she didn't sleep there

The cannon at the park across the street from our house


Ducks in a row?

They convinced me to join them on the bridge

Pure kid silliness...Cali and Javan with friends Max and Madi

Just the right size

Smiles all around