Family Vacay Part 2

Down Time

Even a wicked awesome vacation has to have some down time. I mean you can't spend every

moment doing something totally amazing.

So what did we do with our down time?

Ivy watched cartoons on Boomerang

Emilie played computer games

Adelaide hung around Grandma and Grandpa and stole their hearts away.

Carmella took her naps,

 Jason played computer games and read his book,

and me? Well I took pictures of everyone and made sure everyone was

 getting along.

 

 

Grandma Time

 

I love that my kids have so much fun with my mom. I have always loved

spending time with her. She is so funny and great to hang out with.

Before we came she filled a bin with fun craft and art supplies for the kids to do.

On this day, we pulled the bin out and got to work. Ivy and Addie had

a blast paining. Carmella, not wanting to be left out, scribbled on her

paper and watched what her sisters were doing.

Emilie and my mom made cookies for all of us to snack on.

They turned out great, and I think mom has found her

newest cooking partner.

(Please note the newly completed kitchen remodel in the background. It looks

 fabulous, and mom is super proud of it. Especially the tile back splash!)

 

Family Vacay Part One

Once again we took the family to LasVegas and California for our vacation, and once again I took waaayyyy too many pictures. In fact I have been feeling so overwhelmed by all the updates I need to do that I have been avoiding the computer. However I have decided to suck it up, and just get started. These I am not necessarily going in chronological order. I'm just jumping in and we'll see where I end up.

 

Surf Camp

 

Last year my mom and dad signed Emilie and Ivy up

for surf camp, Emilie had a ton of fun, but Ivy, not so much.

So this year only Emilie participated. She had a pretty good time.

 It was a little discouraging that she never actually got on her

feet, but she met some neat kids, and had a great time playing in the ocean.

I think she is a little to young still to want to flirt with the cute

surfer instructors, and that's okay with me. Next year I might not be so lucky.

 

 

 

 

 

Newport Elementary School

 

How cool would it be if your school was on the beach? Well, it would be this cool!

My parents used to take my brothers and I here to play when we were kids,

 and I would dream about going to a school where the playground was actually on the beach.

Now Jason and I take our kids to the same school play ground, and I still think about how

cool it would be to go here. This year Emilie decided not to come. I guess she's finally getting to big to play on a playground with her sisters, (so sad) but, Ivy, Addie, and Ella had a blast. Unfortunately it was still cloudy that morning so you can't see the ocean in the back ground.

 

See the cute school house in the background!

 

Shawn and Janet Family Photos

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to take family photos of some of my in-laws. Jason's older brother Shawn and his family to be exact. I took them out to my new favorite spot. I think at first they were questioning my judgement when we pulled up in a rather ghetto looking spot, but after a little complaining, and some eye rolling, we got down to business. And I think we took some rather nice photographs.

Really I had a great time. I love doing this with family. There is so much less stress, and it takes family much less time to relax and be themselves. I'm pretty pleased with the results.

That look is so Hayden.

My personal favorite

I love this one

Isn't she beautiful!

Not bad when he holds still!

Poyfair - Blain Camping Trip

A few weeks a go on June 15 we took our girls on their first camping trip.

Jason and Brian got together and arranged everything. I was

 so excited. I have been wanting to take the kids camping for years.

In fact I even bought us a 12 man tent 2 years ago, and we finally

got to use it as a family. (I know there are only 6 of us, but I wanted plenty of space)

We went out to Mustang Park which is only about

20 minutes away, but for a first

camp out it was perfect for us.

We had so much fun. We had the traditional tin foil

dinners, and of course we had smores! Jason

and the kids sat around the fire and told not so scary ghost

stories. I, unfortunately had to work on making

a slide show for the cub scout day camp that

was going on the same week, but I had a good time all the same.

We let Emilie bring her friend Penny Taylor along. She is the cutest kid

and so fun to have around. We had a running joke the

entire time because we also brought our dog Penny with us, and we kept confusing

everyone with who we were talking too. (sort of) "Penny, stop eating the garbage!" and

 things like that kept getting yelled.

I loved going with the Blain  Family, and would do it again in a second. Brian is so

easy going, and fun, and he has the best stories.

 Bethany, his wife, has the most infectious laugh. She is just delightful

to hang out with. They have such fun kids too. Avery, Halley, Tyler, and Bella. They are always

into everything, and so funny. Halley will give you everything she owns in a heartbeat.

She has such a giving spirit. Tyler is so independent. He can do anything and

everything himself, but he still loves being apart of all that the girls are doing.

Avery is sweet and kind. She always has something nice to say.

She loves to help out with the little girls and to be the responsible one.

Bella is just simply adorable. She has the most angelic and cherubic face, but

has to be the messiest kid ever!  You can tell she is

always having fun, because she has a huge smile on her face,

and is dirty head to toe. I love that about her. Since I've been raising Ivy the Mud Queen I have a

 new appreciation for a happy messy kid.

We all had a great time, and I hope to do it again soon! Well, maybe when the weather cools off a bit,

 Bethany and Brian listening to one of Jason's stories.

 Halley taking a drink break

 Penny

 Miss Avery

 Tyler and Bella checking out the bug situation

 Jason teaching the girls how to load a fishing hook with worms

 Stick bug

 Adelaide kicking our dog.

 Carmella having an outdoor nap