slushpot

7.13.2009

Summer Beach Vacation

Last week we had the privilege of camping at the coveted Carpinteria State Beach campground. I have to say this was my FAVORITE place so far. The weather was perfect every day and night and there were so many fun things to do (or not to do). We only went for 5 days but next year, we are going to try for 7 since we enjoyed it so much.

I was able to go for a few bike rides all by my lonesome and it was so peaceful! There is a little bike trail with the gorgeous views.

From Carpinteria 09

We shared meals with the Murdocks, Lanes and Reynolds which made it SUPER easy for me on this trip. The best part was being able to hang out with them all and getting to know them better. The kids had a blast too.

Lil Ms. Attitude

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The meals were perfect too! As Kev would say "we ate like Kings". Here was Orange Chicken night

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Momo liked the chicken

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The kiddos in Jane's trailer

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Their nice set-up. Micah made these stands for Jane and pretty much all throughout the day and night people would stop and compliment them. I have to get me a pair now!

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I borrowed this toy seat for JJ and the older kids loved it too. They would always stop and play and make Jackson so happy.

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Rolling with Zach

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Taking a break

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Here is Morgan getting ready to go kayaking with daddy. She had NO idea what she was in for.

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This cracked us up. She would not put her hands or feet down the whole way out to the beach.

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Surfing a wave in

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She was fine until he put her feet in the water, then she freaked out cuz "The ocean is gonna get me!"

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Todd and Jett before heading out on the kayak

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We went into town one day for the little Farmer's Market they had going on, and to eat at "The Spot"
Jett and Ethan were inseparable all week.

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Grace with mommy

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There faces are so serious

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There's a smile

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My love

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Jackson got his 2nd tooth on this trip!

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YUM

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The TLG Club (Tiny Little Girl)

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Our site. Yes VERY close together but it was so good being so close to the beach. Totally worth it.

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Jim posing for Vogue

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Kev and Chase

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Seth (squared)

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Dirty face kids

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Loving daddy

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Beautiful Jane and her boys

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Our little family

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The whole group

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7.05.2009

July 4th 2009

Yesterday we had a few friends and our family over to celebrate the holiday. It was such a nice time and of course the food was delicious!

I made a flag out of the plates and napkins (love the dollar bin at Target!)

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Yummy dessert I made

From July 4th 2009

Red, White and Blue Dessert From Taste of Home

INGREDIENTS
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups heavy cream, whipped
2 quarts strawberries, halved, divided
2 quarts blueberries, divided

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and extracts until fluffy. Fold in whipped cream. Place a third of the mixture in a 4-qt. bowl. Reserve 20 strawberry halves and 1/2 cup blueberries for garnish.
Layer half of the remaining strawberries and blueberries over cream mixture. Top with another third of the cream mixture and the remaining berries. Spread the remaining cream mixture on top. Use the reserved strawberries and blueberries to make a "flag" on top. Yield: 18 servings.

Ma took all the pictures of the day.
Hanging in the pool

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Seaner

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Momo sunbathing

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The meats

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The sides

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Kiddos hanging out

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Uncle Scott and Jackson

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Amy

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Letty

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Uncle Scott is prepping for Brady

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Doug

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Morgan wanting to clean the pool

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More pool fun

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NO more diapers for Morgan

Last Tuesday we decided that it was time to potty train Morgan. I read the book "potty training in less than a day" which is a really old book. My mom actually used it to train me and my siblings and almost all of my friends used the same technique so we figured we'd start with that. We have her potty train a doll that pees and then once she does that, she does the process herself. They suggest training with a little potty chair in the kitchen since it's easily accessible and easy to clean up any accidents. Once they got the training down, you move the potty to the bathroom. Well the first day was rough. She had four accidents in 4 hours and I felt like a failure. Then the next day, she just started going all by herself!!! It was awesome. Today is day Five and she is doing great. Yesterday she did not have a single accident.

Now here is a funny story for you all to enjoy.

We were having some people over for the July 4th holiday and I was mopping the kitchen floor the night before then Todd and I went to bed. The next morning Todd said he was sleeping, and felt a little finger poking him in the arm. He finally realized he wasn't dreaming and it was Morgan trying to wake him up. He let her climb into bed, but being a wiggly two year old, she wouldn't sit still and kept asking for "breakfast time". Finally she said "I have to go potty". So he sent her out the room and told her he'd meet her out there.

They were gone a few minutes and Todd came back in the room where I was still half asleep and asked me where I put the potty chair after I mopped. I was still groggy and said "Isn't it back on the kitchen floor?" Todd just kinda smiled at me, and it dawned on me where it was!

From July 4th 2009

We both started cracking up! I had left it up on the chair when I was mopping, and Todd said when he walked into the room, he saw Morgan teetering on top of the chair trying to go potty and just had to get the camera. It was hysterical!!!! Well... at least she still went...we are so proud :)

New Headboard

A few weeks ago I decided to surprise Todd and paint our bedroom and put on some new bedding. I was really happy with the way it turned out BUT since we don't have a bedroom set yet and who knows how long until we get one, it still looked kinda plain. And living in earthquake land, we didn't want to hang anything (mirror or painting) above our heads. So we talked about it, and we decided to paint a faux headboard on the wall. It was SUPER easy, quick (only took a few hours) and we LOVE how it turned out.

Todd did all the taping. Here he is taping the boarder of the headboard so I can put a second coat on the main part of the wall

From Painting headboard

Right when I was almost finished - Todd had come into the room and OOPS, didn't see the quart of paint and it spilled on the carpet. Fortunately we were able to get it up with just some dish soap and water.

From Painting headboard

Here is the 1st coat of the first color - an ice blue which is on the flowers in the bedding

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Minus the tape

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Here is the tape for the Chocolate color

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First coat of Chocolate

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And the finished job!

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It looks WAY better in person but you get the idea

From Painting headboard

6.27.2009

Twin Lakes Camping Trip 2009

This past week we headed up north past Yosemite and Mammoth up to Twin Lakes to join Doug and Letty on their big family vacation. It was very eventful! Jett and Todd went fishing almost every day, Morgan learned to ride her tricycle and was having a blast, and Jackson's first tooth came in yesterday! At one point I think there were 7 trailers and 25 people camping with us. Crazy times. I hope to be posting pictures of the boy's epic 14 mile hike when I get them from Doug and I have some small videos of Morgan riding her bike and Jett on the hike that I will post soon too.

Lots of pictures to post.
We drove most of the way up last Friday but stopped a couple hours out to stay the night at a free campground called Glass Creek.

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All refreshed and ready for the day!

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The scenic drive up

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June Lake (these were all taken while driving in the car out my window, I can't believe they came out so good)

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Cute little town

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Cool waterfall

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Sunday we celebrated Father's Day. Jett made Todd a cute card and magnet in school and I made him a photo album (at MOPS) of the kids to keep on his desk at work. Jett's stepmom took a few of the pictures for me and they turned out SO cute.

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We saw a TON of deer in and around our campsite...too many that we lost count. This mommy here was going to have her baby any day. She wanted some apples!

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Doug's brother took his kids out fishing and his daughter Sierra caught this whopper!

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Close to Jackson's size.

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Just hanging out

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There is a little town called Bridgeport about 15 minutes away that has really good ice cream cones!

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Going on a small walk with the kiddos

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Our view every morning out the trailer

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Our sites

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On Wednesday it was Aireanna's birthday so they had a little party. Here is the cake that Grandma Nancy made...too cute...and she did in while camping...adorable!