Where the boys are...

Huntington LakeMichael and Nick were gone this past week, to Scout Camp. Here are some highlights, from what I can tell!

Nick said the highlight was learning how to rock climb. This is his very first time, and he wants to go again.

Do you think this pile of sticks makes a cozy bed? Nick earned his "Wilderness Survival" merit badge, and he had to make his own shelter to sleep in that night, with no blankets or sleeping bags, and only with one other Boy Scout. Yikes, if I had known that my little guy would be doing that, *I* wouldn't have been able to sleep that night.

...and I am sure there were spiders! (shutter)

Here is Michael on his way back to the car (you had to get there by boat), on the last day. Us girls had a fun week while they were gone, but we are glad to have our boys back!

Rockin' out with friends from a long-long-LONG time ago...

Last night Michael and I went to a reunion. We went to see some local bands we knew from 20 years ago, who decided to play together again for this one night. It was so cool to see some old friends! Some of them changed alot, others still seemed to have that rocker lifestyle that we left behind. I admit I was proud to tell people that yes, we are still happily married after 16 years!

Michael and his old friend Natalie

Me and Rik, the singer for one of the bands we saw, "Mad Anthony". Like alot of the guys that I saw last night, I remember him when he had ALOT more hair!

Michael and Nina - we both knew her before we knew each other!I met these girls for the first time last night - they were so nice and we shared stories of the old bands we used to know.

Me and Steve, who is the guitar player for Voyeur. I swear, this guy looks just like he did 20 years ago!

Voyeur - Guitar player Steve



Daren singing - I have a soft spot for him...I think it is because I just found out he is Mormon, too!


Mad Anthony - my show pictures are not very good...

Ralph, another really nice guy from Mad Anthony

We got home from this show at 2:15 AM! It was a great night, though. The years have made everyone more mellow and friendlier. It was an awesome show, and worth the starving I went through the last 2 months so that I could fit into this new skirt I bought just for the show.

Ahhhh, now to order that pizza!!!!

A Morning in Pacifica

Last week my mom took us out for breakfast, at a restaurant that had a great view of the beach, in Pacifica.

After eating yummy pancakes, waffles, bacon and eggs, we walked on a nearby trail.

Such pretty views from the trail!

...It was a nice way to spend the morning...

Cute Baby!

Like I said before, we are so excited to have our very own cousin. Isn't he cute? His name is Travis and he is 7 months old.

Family Home Evening

Every Monday evening, we try to get together as a family to play a game, have a lesson, or do a craft - and we ALWAYS have something yummy to eat afterwards!


Today Amber told me she would like to do a lesson for us. In church yesterday, her class had a lesson, and she thought it would be fun to share it with us tonight. I said sure! It was a great lesson on gratitude, and how many great blessings we have from our Heavenly Father, and that our cup "runs over" with all that He has given us.

Amber is explaining what we should do...

Our turn...

After we had our treats...

...Then we went to the school yard to try to teach Amber how to ride a bike. It wasn't quite as easy as we had hoped!

Hmmm, how did we teach Nick and Karina again?

Well, at least we have all summer to keep trying, right?

When the kids are busy riding bikes, we can sneak a kiss!

4th of July Weekend

We had a pretty good 4th of July weekend. On Friday morning, our church had a pancake breakfast - Amber was in Heaven of course! It was fun being with our friends at the start of the holiday.

After breakfast, Michael the girls and I went for a hike on Sweeney Ridge. Nick wasn't with us - he spent the holiday with his friends. No, I am not bitter.......hmph! Here are some pictures of us on our hike...

I love the views!

Daddy going up...

Amber going down!

After our hike, we took a trip to Baskin Robbins ice cream, and then we went home to wait until it got dark (my parents were nice and took the girl out for dinner, too...) We did our fireworks with our neighbors and friends, right in front of our house. It was fun, but it was pretty smokey and foggy. That is why I don't have any good pictures to post!

On Saturday, we went to Japan Town and Japan Center. The kids love manga and anime comics, so they really enjoyed all the shops. Michael and I enjoyed the sushi!

Ooooo, pretty clothes!

"OK"

I love it when my kids say "I love you" to me, and those are beautiful words, but there is another word that I am really beginning to love, and that is when my kids say, "OK"...

"No, no more ice cream, you've had enough!"

or

"It is time for bed, so go brush your teeth."

or

"Please sit down and do your homework."

or

"You know, I don't think that is a very good idea..."

When my kids answer a simple "OK" to any of the statements above, I think, "I love that word more than anything!!!"

The Bubble Lady

Here are some pictures of one of Amber's favorite things to do - make bubbles with hand soap. She will lather up, make a circle with her fingers, and blow. Sometimes the bubbles get really big! It is funny when she is in a public restroom and does it...she loves an audience!

Uh oh! The bubble popped right before I took the picture. Duh!!!

Let's try again...here she is blowing...

Ta-Da!!!