2nd graders

It's really hard to believe that these two are back in school again. Summer was WAY too short. I know they have to learn and all that stuff, but seriously, is just one more week of swimming, Monopoly, puzzles, Legos, sleeping in, and morning cartoons asking too much?

California- Daddy comes!

Greg came for the last week we were in California. 

Taking the kids golfing was definitely in order. 

Ethan is really loving golf, and while we were in CA, Drew and Kate decided it was their thing, too.

Of course we went to Newport.

and Legoland

And, the drive home went swimmingly. I'm so glad my kids are such good drivers. Call me crazy, but I truly, madly, deeply, hate flying. It's not a fear. I will do it if I have to. But if I can choose to drive, I will.

It was so wonderful to be in Glendora for so long. I felt like I was finally able to see everyone, do everything, and eat everything, without feeling rushed, and still feeling like I had a vacation. 

I think this is the part where I'm supposed to say that it's good to be home. But since Kristen isn't here to feed my kids and take care of my every need, my dad isn't here to feed me dessert every night, my mom isn't here to play with my kids, it's hard to really mean it. But, somehow, I do. It's good to be home.

California, part 3

The third week we were there, my mom had to go to Girls' Camp, so Kristen stuck around one extra week, to "babysit," as she called it. Turns out, she takes her job seriously. She took care of the kids, and, more importantly, me, like she was getting paid.

She even went on a hike with us.

And only cried once.

She was properly rewarded with a burrito from Taco Lita. Let's just take a moment and respect the goodness of that puddle of sauce right there.

Okay, that's enough. 

But seriously, what could they possibly put in it that makes it so delectable? 

I'll never know.

I'll just respect.

Scott came to pick Kristen up, and we spend a day at the Science Museum. 

This pic should be in the last post, with Matt, but I missed it, so here it is.

Drew can be so quiet and shy sometimes.

California, part 2

The second week we were there, Matt, Kristen, Jimmy, Kira, and the girls joined us. 

Gramps provided immediate snacking, Drew provided hip poses, and Lyla provided the popsicle face cheeser. 

We did a lot of sitting around thinking we're the funniest people on earth.

And, we spent a day at Newport. Man oh man, we love that place. 

And our second annual Duffy boat ride, complete with delicious deli sandwiches, took place.

If you're wondering what kind of people do a donut on a Duffy boat, wonder no longer. Because we, my friends, are those people.

The girls spent an afternoon at the Grove, and enjoyed a delicious lunch at the American Girl Cafe. It surpassed all of our hopes and dreams.

Yeah. I did. I took a picture of the parking garage bathroom. The Grove is no messing matter. They don't want anyone getting in their car without a proper potty stop, lotion, breath mints, or, heaven forbid, a rest on a sofa.

California, part 1

We shall dub this summer, "the vacation without a stroller."

This annual visit to the homeland, we were able to do a lot of fun things without the giant monstrosity known as the stroller. Problem is, with no basket, comes no camera. So while you will see lots of fun had in the next few posts, you will see them through the lens of an iPhone.

There are worse things in life. 

To start off our adventure, I got to drive to Dallas to pick up my driving companion, who's been there helping Thomas and Jenn, who had TWINS. Oh man, they are adorable. 

First stop in Glendora was La Tolteca. I mean, can you even handle the deliciousness?

Come on, Texas. Or any other state I've ever lived in, to be honest. Get on board with this goodness!

This picture probably shouldn't be in here so early, since it really was a work in progress, but alas, my boy Drewbug became Drewfish while in California. The week before we left for vacation, I had him in swim lessons every day. It did little good, but he was willing to dip his face in the water for one second. By the end of our stay at Nana and Gramps', he could swim the length of the pool. So proud of my timid little man.

Every Thursday is lunch with Bumpa. I don't think anyone could ever understand how lucky I am to have a Bumpa. He is the sweetest, kindest, person alive, who also happens to have a quicker wit than any 95-year-old man has the right to have. I was able to sit with him a few times and just listen to stories (some juicier than others ;)) for hours on end. He's really just the best.

It's not summer at Nana's until we raid the Tangelo trees and make juice, the best juice in the world.

 Gramps and his buddy. (sorry buddy, not your best shot.) This one particular moment, I walked in to my dad's office to hear horse racing tips. TVG on one screen, Golf Channel on the other. 

Summer

Summer is happening in this house. There's no need to try to put these in chronological order. "Logical" and "order" are words thrown out the window here in summer. 

Kate learned the proper use of dental floss.

Ethan got new sticks.

Then made an immediate attempt to destroy my house.

 Then spent a week at the much anticipated golf camp. At said camp, the last day (not pictured, obviously) was a "best dressed contest," which he WON. If I teach my kids one thing in life, it will be this: We may not be the best at anything, but you can fool a lot of people by dressing like you are.

Soda is still here. This needs to be documented, because every day that we survive her and she survives us is a true miracle.

 4th of July happened, somewhere in July, I'm sure.

As did summer haircuts; not an instant too soon.

Lots of hanging out with the neighborhood kids. This here is Jackson. Word on the street is he's really good at making forts.