Trigger Happy

Wild!

 

we had a family adventure earlier this week to the Wild Animal Park in San Diego.  It was great!  We were actually encouraged to go by a membership renewal request that we received from the SD Zoo organization that really tempted us. So, we re-joined our Zoo Membership, and checked out this park for the first time!  We are planning at least another trip or two to this place, plus a couple to the zoo.  We always have such a good time.  Both parks have great enviroments, and they are a great way to explore and get some fresh air. 

We are even contemplating doing this:

 

we peeked inside and they looked so cool!  wooden floors, raised beds, that's my kind of camping!

 

They are SO CLOSE to the animals!  And set up in little pods, we think it'd be a blast to do this with some friends...hang around in these little chairs and chat :)

 

I love family time!  :)

July 8th?

I have a strange attachment to July 8th.  My sister was born on July 8th (my baby sister, Jamie!), my grama died on July 8th, and I have dated 3 boys with July 8th birthdays!  I have also had quite a few friends either born on the 8th, or around the 8th, it's a really strong 'chemical attraction' type of date for me and I am drawn to July 8th people.  Anyway- wow, it's July 8th already.  Summer's moving too fast!

 

we marched off the morning of the 4th to our annual neighborhood parade.  It was fun, as always, and mild temperatures this year as well!

 

We had a great time, and won 2 blue ribbons in the categories of "most patriotic" (Beth) and "best razor scooter" (Matthew).  We had some tears between Beth's win and Matt's...but we made it through.  Funny how holidays are filled with "holiday spirit" that really brings out the best in everyone, isn't it?

 

After our parade, we went to the pool in the Colony with the Baxter's, and had fun watching the events, and getting a small bit of pool time.  The events looked really fun, if we go again- we would all be prepared (well, not really, not me....) to participate!

In the evening, we went over to The Camacho's for some more swimming, time with friends, yummy food, and street fireworks.  It was a great day all around!

 

the kids had fun with the sparklers, but they were different than the ones I had as kid- less sparkle, more fire/smoke.  Different.

 

we had a wonderful holiday, and love spending time together and with friends.  Lucky Family!

do you know what this means?

 

mixed feelings on this one...can you figure it out?

 

does this make it any clearer?  Mommy's heart twisted when I saw this....

 

It's true...somebody is getting taller.  Many the time that I folded over those boot covers so my little shorty could walk around without falling.  Glad he's getting taller, finally.....not so happy he's growing up!

family fun...

 

man, is it July already?  How did this happen?!  We have been trying to enjoy every moment of this summer so far!  I love relaxing bedtimes and waking up a bit later.  NICE!

Big news:  I got a new lens!    So happy, something I was interestedin and we saw it for an "open box" deal at a discount.  We couldn't try it out at the store (the battery was dead on the only camera we could have changed lenses on), so Drew said we should bring it home and try it out.  SCORE!  It is set to replace my longer lens...however, it's actually the most versatile lens I have.  Very cool.  Check this out:

 

this is the lens at a wide angle.

 

now at a telephoto.  I was sitting in the same seat.  Pretty cool "one-size-fits-all" lens!

had to share

 

at the end of the swim meets, two of our coaches race in the 18 year old division.  The girls had just gotten finished with their race, and sat right at the end of their lane watching the coaches have their turn.  I was watching them intently becase they were so excited when they realized who was swimming- and they absolutely LOVED when the coach splashed them as he made the turn!  SO FUN!

tie-dye kit

 

We had a couple of tie dye kits and were really "dying" to use them ;)

 

 

all 4 of us made one...Drew and I actually made two.  They came out really cute!  I like mine the best, but I used the most dye.  Drew was more conservative with his and the kids, and I just poured it all in there everywhere.

 

I made the one above, for the 4th, and another for fun.

 

it was a good time, for not too much money- I would recommend them if you see one at JoAnn's or Michaels!  I may have even gotten ours at Walmart! 

Introducing...

 

Iron Matt and Super Rockstar Sonrise! 

We had "dress as a Superhero" day at VBS.  I thought we could make some shirts together.  Beth designed her own:

 

I thought we interpreted it pretty well...

 

we worked together on the cutting, and even a bit of the sewing!  Nice project.  Matt just wanted to be " Iron Matt"- period.  Two of his friends in his group this morning were dressed as "Iron Man" in full costume.  He was sitting between them and I thought it was pretty cute....Two Iron Mans and an Iron Matt.  ;)

More shirt making to share tomorrow...

something fun..

 

We are totally thinking this would be something fun to do this Saturday evening.  Who knew there was a "national" day for camping out in your yard!  We are thinking s'mores, lanterns....maybe some friends.  Anyone interested?  I was thinking we may have a boys backyard camp, and an indoor girls camp.  Pretty funny, huh? 

In the swim of things....

Alright- well, it's officially Summer now!  Our summer is planned to be full of SWIM!  We have made it through the first series of daily practices, and our first meet, and so far = so good!

 

We were hoping she'd love it- and she does!  She was even awarded "swimmer of the week"!  We are all really enjoying ourselves- spending time with friends, and getting to know new ones.  It's been really fun.  The coaches are really great as well.  We have one (the head coach) working with Matthew also, and it's going SO well.  We are super impressed with him, and how he deals with the squirrley little guys like our guy.  I think Matt will be prepared when we let him join next year, for sure!

Splash Team Cheer

Here's to an awesome Summer!

did anyone used to make these?

 

I dig these.