Lake Powell

My favorite family vacations growing up were our week long trips to Lake Powell and I have always wanted to take Cameron and the girls there.  Only one problem: we don't have a boat and without one, Powell would totally stink.  Well, thankfully, my sister and her family (who have a boat) invited us to spend the weekend with them there.  

We had so much fun wake boarding, skiing, tubing, soaking up the sun, and being with family. Both girls learned to water ski, Lauryn loved it and was able to stay up for quite a few seconds.  Brinn was up for just a few seconds, fell, and refused to try again, but I was quite surprised that she tried at all. (The video of them skiing is great!)  I was so proud of them both for trying something new (and kind of scary!) 

 The days went by way too fast - I could have used a couple of more days there - but when all was said and done, Lake Powell was just as great as I remembered it as a teenager.  Thanks for the invite Jamie and Joel!  We all loved it!  Cameron is saying next year is his year for a boat... shall we plan for 2009??

Brinn's Big Day

Every day last year, Brinn would put on her backpack and walk with Lauryn to and from school. She desperately wanted to be in school too.  Well, her big day finally came last week - her first day of preschool! 

She has been practicing and practicing all summer to write her name.  She is quite proud of herself.  Every time she writes her name, she goes and gets a piece of tape and hangs the paper on the office door.  We have a lot of these papers on that door!  I love it!
Her report from her first day: She was pleased that her teacher was impressed she could write her name, but not pleased that some girl took the bus she was playing with.  And someone colored on her paper, excuse me, not colored, "scribbled!" on her paper! (she is still talking about that one a week later).  But she said she couldn't wait to go back, and now she knows exactly what to say to a bus thief!

Lauryn's First Day of First Grade

Last Tuesday, Lauryn finally got to start school.  She had been waiting all summer to start up again - and I, on the other hand, had been dreading that day for even longer .... My baby would be going off to the big, bad, worldly school ALL day, (and to a new school for the accelerated program so she doesn't know anyone at all).   What if she doesn't make friends?  What if she has no one to play with at recess?  Will she get her lunch OK?  What if someone is mean to her? (What if she is mean to someone?!)  What if someone teaches her bad words?  How am I supposed to entertain Brinn all day long? :P And the list went on....  Every time I would even think about it I would tear up and so I was sure that when the time came to say goodbye I would cry, but thanks to some traffic and a full parking lot, there was no time to think about the situation and we both hurried off without any tears.  

At the end of the day, of course, she had a great day, got her lunch just fine, made a few friends, and so far no bad words!   

Here's to a great first grade year!

California Dreamin'

We just returned from a last minute, last summer fling in sunny Southern California and we had a blast!  The weather was perfect (mid 80's and clear), Disneyland wasn't too crowded, and the beach was beautiful!  It was hard to come home!  We have SO many pictures (don't worry, I wont post them all) but I do feel the need to share... so here is a little taste of our wonderful week...

The iconic family picture at Disneyland.  No trip would be complete without it.

Here we are on the train.  I have never been a fan of this ride until this trip.  This was day 2 at Disney and I was pooped!  In fact, I made everyone stay on the train (so we went around the park twice) so I could take a little power nap.  Now I see that train ride in a whole new light! Oh, and thanks for your shoulder Cam :D

Papa gave each of the kids $2.oo to spend on whatever they wanted at the park, and they decided very early that they wanted cotton candy and popcorn to eat while they watched the parade and fireworks.  We had a hard time finding either of them, and they were SO excited when they saw a cart with cotton candy on it right before the parade started (I wish I would have had my camera ready for that) and once they had it... life was perfect!

After helping Nana get her classroom put together, we headed for the beach on Friday.  Aahhh, the beach... do I have to say anything else?

We all had a great time: the kids loved playing in the sand and water, finding sand crabs and seashells; I loved just chilling on the beach and playing with the kids, and Cameron spent most of his time in the water body surfing - a true California boy!  Cameron's mom was nice enough to come with us and even though she got wet, she claimed she had a nice time too!

It is weeks like that one that leave me asking the question "Why did we move again?" - Oh yes, I remember, but all 4 of us will be dreaming of California for at least a few more weeks.